It’s no surprise that people outside America have a lot of opinions about how things happen in our great country. While having an opinion is okay, sometimes, they’re a little bit extreme with how they view our country. They see stuff on TV or online and think that’s just how we all live. Let’s look at 18 things that non-Americans are a bit over the top about.
Fast Food Nation
Some people outside our country believe that we practically live our entire lives in fast food joints because they see all those ads and think we’re eating burgers every day. Truth is, while we love a good drive-thru, there’s a lot more to our diets. But those burger joints do make a good pit stop, that’s for sure.
Debate Drama
Debate night is practically the Super Bowl for politics, and non-Americans think our debates are pretty intense. Many of them think we’re too focused on entertainment instead of hard-hitting politics because our debates are so loud and heated. To someone watching from abroad, our debates are a major performance.
Prom Night
A lot of people in other countries think that American high school proms look like Hollywood movie premieres. Honestly, can you blame them? Those teen movies weren’t exactly wrong, as our proms are usually big and glamorous events. It’s a dance where everybody’s a star, and we make it look really fancy.
Black Friday Frenzy
Other countries do have Black Friday, but none of them do it like us Americans. It’s a day that makes us look a little wild because people see videos of shoppers storming stores and can’t believe how crazy it gets. What can we say? We love a good deal, and getting the best one is almost like a sport.
Chasing the American Dream
The “American Dream” is a big deal over here, but you might be surprised at how seriously people from overseas take it. They really buy into the idea that anyone can make it big in the USA with enough hard work. It makes sense, as that’s one of the main reasons we have so many people coming to live in our country.
Completely Starstruck
Our celebrity culture is big and bright, which is why it’s practically impossible to ignore. For non-Americans, the glitz and glamor of Hollywood are completely hypnotizing since they think we’re all walking around starstruck by movie stars all day. Sadly, that’s actually very far from the truth.
Crazy About College Sports
There’s no denying that college football fans are pretty intense, especially on game day. For someone from a country where college sports aren’t so serious, the enthusiasm we have over here can look a little over-the-top. But real Americans know that tailgate parties and marching bands are all part of the fun.
Tipping Culture
To tip or not isn’t even a question here, as it’s just what you do. But for people in countries where tipping isn’t common or even polite, the whole thing seems a little too generous, if not confusing. Why pay extra if service is just part of the job? They just don’t understand how this whole thing works.
Lots of Lawsuits
We’ve got a reputation for lawsuits that makes non-Americans pretty confused. They think we’re constantly suing each other for spilled coffee or because we’ve tripped over something. While we do like to sue, we’re not always happy or willing to take things to court, and this is something other countries take a little too seriously.
Super-Sized Meals
Big meals are pretty American, and visitors to our country usually can’t believe the size of a single serving here. They think everything’s made for sharing, but we’re just used to it. After all, bigger servings mean you’re getting more bang for your buck, and that’s always a good thing. Right?
Gun Culture Shock
Our right to bear arms is pretty sacred, but it’s quite shocking to people from places with stricter gun laws. They take the debatest and politics just as seriously as we do. Most of them are surprised at just how common guns are here and what a big part gun ownership plays in American culture.
Proud to Be American
Having flags on every porch and singing anthems before every game is just our way of showing pride. But for someone visiting, it seems like we’re stuck in patriotic mode, and they don’t understand our love for our country. It’s normal for us, although people from places like the UK have never seen such patriotism before.
Halloween Hype
Halloween is a big deal here, which is why you’ll see everyone wearing costumes and decorations almost everywhere. We just love a good scare and a reason to dress up, making October a month-long celebration. But for people where it’s just another day, the way we celebrate this day can seem a bit too much.
Homecoming Happiness
Homecoming is like prom but with a football game. It’s a day to celebrate school pride, as even alumni come back to join in the festivities with the whole community. Most other countries don’t have any kind of school celebration similar to this, and they’re amazed at how it gets everyone excited.
Too Many Commercials
It’s no surprise that some non-Americans are a bit overwhelmed with how many ads are on American TV, as our commercial breaks are pretty packed to the brim. You even have commercials for medicine that have longer disclaimers than the ads themselves. The frequency and intensity of these ads can be a big shock for people abroad.
AC Everywhere
It sounds strange, but many European homes don’t actually have air conditioning. So, it makes sense that people from these places are so shocked when they come to America, as we have it everywhere, even when it’s not that hot. To us, AC is a necessity, not just a luxury, especially in the southern states.
The Convenience of Drive-Thrus
We’ve got a drive-thru for practically everything, whether that’s a bank or a pharmacy. To outsiders, the convenience of never having to leave your car seems like the height of luxury or laziness, depending on who you ask. We value our time a lot, and we’re always trying to make life easier and faster. What’s wrong with that?
Constant Customization
It doesn’t matter if it’s your morning coffee or your new car because practically everything here can be customized. People from abroad find our need to personalize everything a bit strange, but we just see it as getting our money’s worth and making sure everything’s just right. We care a lot about making everything an individual experience.
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