American culture is full of unique habits and customs that might seem perfectly normal to locals but can be quite puzzling to outsiders. We look at 21 common American practices that often leave people from other countries scratching their heads.
Drive-Through Convenience
Americans love the convenience of drive-through services, from fast food restaurants to pharmacies and even banks. The drive-through epitomizes the American preference for quick and efficient service. Still, this concept is less common in other countries, where people are more accustomed to getting out of their cars.
Obsession With Baseball and American Football
While soccer is the most popular sport worldwide, according to World Atlas, Americans have a unique love for baseball and American football. These sports have their own rules and traditions, like the seventh-inning stretch in baseball or tailgating before a football game, which can confuse those unfamiliar.
Sales Tax Surprises
In many countries, the price you see on a tag is the price you pay at checkout. But, in the USA, sales tax is added to the register, leading to confusion and frustration for those not used to this system.
Halloween Extravaganza
Halloween is a major celebration in America, complete with home decorations, costumes, and trick-or-treating. This level of enthusiasm for the holiday can be surprising to people from countries where Halloween is not a big event.
High School Prom
Prom is a major event for American high school students, involving months of preparation and anticipation. From buying a dress to finding a date to hiring a limousine, the American Prom tradition is certainly a big deal. Many see the extravagance of prom night as over-the-top, and many other cultures are more accustomed to a simple end-of-year disco in the school hall.
Super Bowl Sunday
The Super Bowl is more than just a football game; it’s a cultural phenomenon in the United States. The event includes a massive halftime show and elaborate commercials, turning it into a national spectacle that might seem over-the-top to outsiders.
College Sports Mania
In the US, college sports, particularly football and basketball, have a massive following. Universities often have large stadiums, and college athletes are treated like celebrities, much in the way elite sports stars are treated worldwide. This level of enthusiasm for amateur sports can be surprising to people from countries where professional sports dominate .
Thanksgiving Feast
Thanksgiving is a cornerstone of American tradition, celebrated with a large feast typically featuring turkey and various side dishes. The scale of this holiday and its focus on gratitude and togetherness might seem unusual to those unfamiliar with its origins.
Extreme Consumerism
The US is known for its consumer culture and constant drive for the latest products and technology. This focus on materialism can appear excessive and wasteful to those from more minimalist societies.
Cultural Appropriation Issues
America’s diverse population often leads to cultural appropriation, where elements from one culture are adopted without proper understanding or respect. This practice can seem disrespectful to those who value preserving their cultural heritage. This is evident in sports teams using mascots that appropriate Native American culture.
Pledge of Allegiance
The daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in schools is a uniquely American practice. This ritual might seem odd to those from countries without similar displays of patriotism, although many countries encourage daily prayer, which is something some Americans find odd.
Constant Drink Refills
In America, it’s common for servers to refill drinks continuously during a meal without being asked. This level of service is not standard in many other countries, where portions are typically served without automatic refills.
Open Conversations
Americans are known for their openness and friendliness, often engaging in conversations with strangers that include personal details. But, such friendliness can be intimidating for people from certain more reserved cultures where such openness is uncommon.
Eating on the Go
With a fast-paced lifestyle, Americans often eat while on the move, whether it’s a quick snack or a meal in the car. This habit can seem strange to those who prefer to sit down and enjoy their food without distractions. According to the Japan Living Guide, this behavior is especially frowned upon in Japan, where it is not customary to eat in public.
Laundromat Culture
In many parts of the world, doing laundry is just a chore, but it means much more in America. Laundromats have a social aspect in the US, serving as community hubs where people interact while waiting for their clothes to wash and dry.
Reliance on Clothing Dryers
While line-drying clothes is common in many countries, Americans tend to rely on electric dryers. This is mostly due to convenience and lifestyle, which contrasts with the energy-saving practices of other cultures.
Black Friday Frenzy
The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season with massive sales and discounts. The frenzy and long lines present on this day starkly contrast with the more subdued shopping experiences in other countries, although countries like the U.K. are jumping on board.
Fourth of July Celebrations
Independence Day in the US is celebrated with fireworks, parades, and barbecues. The nationwide celebrations are a festive display of patriotism that many other countries don’t experience.
Sugary Bread
American bread tends to be sweeter than bread in other parts of the world, which is different from other parts of the world. While sweet bread is available in other places, it is typically less sweet for savory foods, like sandwiches.
Gigantic Food Portions
Restaurant portions in America are famously large, often much bigger than those served in other countries. This tendency towards large servings can be overwhelming for those not used to it , leaving many visitors bewildered at how much food they have left at restaurants.
Disposable Plates
Disposable plates, cups, and cutlery are a major source of waste, often ending up in landfills or polluting oceans. But Americans love the convenience of using disposable plates so that washing up is kept to a minimum. For people worldwide, reusable plates are uncommon, even for event catering.
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