The United States of America is undoubtedly one of the most well-known countries on Earth. It would be challenging to find someone who had never heard of the great U.S. of A.
The majority of people born outside the U.S. have quite specific stereotypes of Americans, and there are many idiosyncrasies of the culture that foreigners simply cannot comprehend. So, here are 11 very American things that no one else in the world really understands.
Americans Love Giant Coffees
When visiting a cafe in Italy, France or Spain, ordering a “cafe” means a cute little cup with about five small sips of strong coffee.
But in the U.S., even a small coffee isn’t really that small. Americans like their coffee weak (compared to other countries) and as big as they can get them.
Pharmacies Are Essentially Supermarkets
While the U.S. is already famous for its giant big-box stores like Walmart or Costco, visitors are often shocked to learn that pharmacies are just mini supermarkets.
Shoppers can get their prescriptions along with makeup, gift bags, snacks and pretty much everything else they might need. In other countries, the only thing sold in a pharmacy is pharmaceuticals.
It’s Not Weird to Find an American Wearing Shoes on the Couch
While you may find some Europeans who wear their shoes inside their homes, it’s fairly uncommon, and it’s essentially illegal in most Asian countries. Well, not illegal, but certainly condemnable.
But many Americans find it totally normal to wear their outside shoes inside. They might even wear them while laying on the couch.
American Breakfasts: The Sweeter the Better
Another strange Americanism is that citizens of the red, white and blue tend to like their breakfasts sweeter than the rest of the world. In Colombia, they enjoy pork soup or egg sandwiches; in Thailand, the most popular breakfast is rice porridge with boiled eggs; and in Denmark, a typical breakfast consists of rye bread with sausage, cold meats and soft cheese.
But in the U.S., the most beloved breakfasts include giant stacks of chocolate chip pancakes covered in syrup, french toast with fruit syrups and whipped cream, waffles, muffins, cinnamon rolls and anything else decadently sweet.
Very Few Americans Use Public Transport
Although there are certainly options for public transport in the United States, they are generally localized to cities and the surrounding areas.
The majority of Americans don’t have access to public transport on a daily basis and drive themselves to the store, to work, to their friends’ houses and everywhere else they need to do, which is something foreigners simply can’t understand.
The Service Industry Is Way Over the Top
Restaurant servers exist everywhere. However, they are far different in the United States. Waiters in the U.S. believe they are offering superior service by asking plenty of questions, making small talk and providing extra sauces or napkins, but most foreigners find this practice way over the top.
Of course, American servers are doing all this for 20% or more tips. But in other countries, they typically only leave 10%, if anything, so their waiters don’t feel the need to offer such excessive service.
Cups Full of Ice and Free Refills: Americans Don’t Drink Soft Drinks Like Anyone Else
When ordering a soft drink abroad, the server will usually bring over a can or bottle with a glass that holds just a couple of cubes of ice.
Contrarily, in the U.S., ordering a soda most often means a fountain drink that comes in a glass full to the brim with ice and never-ending free refills. Most non-Americans simply cannot comprehend why people would even want that much soda.
Why Are Americans So Obsessed With Their Flag?
Another peculiar thing about Americans is that they seem to be borderline obsessed with their flag. From hanging them outside their homes to wearing them on their t-shirts, Americans love to display the nation’s flag.
People in other countries are far less likely to flaunt their flags unless it’s a special occasion like the Olympics or a national holiday.
The Food Portions in America Are Outrageous
It’s an ongoing joke among people from outside the United States that, when dining out in America, the standard portion size could feed at least two people.
While this is not true of every restaurant chain, it is safe to say that American restaurants do love to serve giant portions. Of course, they also charge more for those plates and expect customers to take some home for later.
Driving for Hours Is No Big Deal
To drive from the very top of England to the southernmost point only takes about seven hours, and getting from one side of Spain to the other can be done in just 15 hours. So the fact that it takes 15 hours to drive across Texas is shocking to many foreigners.
It’s also surprising that Americans don’t seem to mind driving several hours in a day. The idea of a casual 10-hour road trip is unheard of in Europe.
The Cost of Healthcare in America Is Hard to Believe
Last but certainly not least, one of the most confusing realities in the United States for those who aren’t from there is the country’s healthcare system.
Of the world’s 195 countries, 72 of them offer universal healthcare, and the majority of those are considered some of the most developed countries on Earth. So the fact that the U.S., a prominent world leader and extremely wealthy nation, makes its residents pay for medicine is truly the most astonishing thing on this list.
