America’s influence around the world remains undeniable, whether through films, music, or consumer brands. However, many facets of its culture may seem confusing to those outside the United States.
This was a recent topic of discussion in a Threads post where someone asked about American habits and customs that British people might find weird. Some were baffled by the healthcare-related bankruptcies, while others questioned the obsession with weapons and the military.
For other non-Americans with similar sentiments, feel free to voice them in the comments below.
#1
Electing a clearly crooked and insane president, twice.
#2
Expecting customers to subsidise staff wages in restaurants.
#3
Health care related bankruptcies.
#4
Throwing a tantrum to get a perfectly correct red card overturned.
#5
Obsession with the military.
#6
The price on the item you are buying, isn’t the final price.
#7
Pledging allegiance to the flag at every opportunity and singing the national anthem at seemingly every group gathering
#8
100% belief in American Exceptionalism.
#9
Removing a woman’s autonomy over her body.
#10
New mothers returning to work after a few weeks.
#11
Excessive Nationalistic propaganda easily on a par with North Korea: ‘We are the GREATEST in the world at absolutely everything’
#12
Your obsession with weapons.
#13
Being sure America is the greatest country in the world when you’ve never been abroad.
#14
Equating basic vaguely socialist ideas as extremist left wing notions.
#15
Voting a reality TV host in as president.
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#16
Obsession with religion.
#17
Instead of protecting kids in school, y’all just have drills.
For kids.
Like, little kids.
“Well, it’s going to happen, so sit under a desk. Cool, we get our funding now.”
WTH?
#18
GoFundMe to pay for healthcare.
#19
World series… “World”…
#20
Gaps around toilet doors. We can’t find a piece of wood big enough???
#21
Politicians ‘hearing messages from God.’
#22
No women’s rights;
No workers’ rights.
#23
Obsession with flags.
#24
The concept of other countries having a different currency is completely alien to them.
#25
Chemical food.
#26
Underpaying waiting staff and mandatory tipping to give them a liveable wage.
#27
The idea that everyone wants to live in the US/be American.
#28
Being afraid to go to the doctor because it might bankrupt you.
#29
Bread that tastes sweet and cheese that has a weird plastic consistency 😝
#30
“Tell your doctor you demand THIS medicine!” adverts on TV
#31
At the moment, nothing is normal in the US
#32
Tipping culture.
#33
Using miles, yards, pounds, Fahrenheit degrees…
#34
Working late and not taking holidays.
#35
Saying thank you for your service to random military people and those military people expecting preferential treatment on planes etc.
#36
The incredibly long paying process which involves the bank card being taken away, a pen, and calculations.
#37
Things being inaccessible on foot.
#38
Pharmaceutical adverts on TV.
#39
Poor public transport.
#40
Nasty food in huge quantities.
#41
Insurance culture, expensive healthcare provision, lack of annual leave or maternity leave.
#42
The ‘American Dream’.
#43
Being asked for ID to buy cigarettes,when you’re in your 60s.
#44
Waiters who keep pestering you.
#45
Drive in everything.
Also fake cheese with everything.
And also the friendliness of the people. Can be a bit overwhelming to us cold Northern Europeans
#46
Not having kettles.
#47
Telling everyone you’re the best at everything when that’s clearly a lie.
#48
The high water level in the toilets.
#49
Service staff (even in fast food restaurants) calling you sir or ma’am. It’s weird.
#50
Chicken in a can.
#51
Drive-though everything, including banks.
#52
Using paper plates.
#53
The huge portion sizes in restaurants with the intention of taking leftovers home.
#54
The obsession over air conditioning.
#55
Calling everything a sandwich.
#56
The chlorine in the water. 🤢
#57
It’s often colder inside than outside.
#58
Ranch dressing.
#59
Crushed ice.