18 American Customs That Foreigners Find Weird

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18 American Customs That Foreigners Find Weird

Customs are so interesting to me! From one country to another, they can be completely different and sometimes in a good way. I always think a lot of customs, though different, aren’t better or worse, they’re just different!

American culture has its unique quirks that often surprise visitors from other countries. From annual traditions like the turkey pardon to the everyday habit of wearing shoes indoors, these customs can seem strange to those who aren’t familiar with them. Let’s have a look at some of these distinctive American habits (some that I’ve experienced myself) and why they might seem odd to someone from another country.

1. Turkey Pardon

The turkey pardon is a yearly event where the President of the United States spares a turkey from being eaten on Thanksgiving. This tradition is humorous and heartwarming for many Americans, showcasing a lighter side of presidential duties.

It began in 1947 and has since turned into a significant media event every November. The pardoned turkeys are sent to live out their days on a farm, free from the threat of becoming a holiday meal.

2. Wearing Shoes Indoors

In many countries, it’s common to remove shoes when entering a home to keep the indoors clean. However, in the U.S., people often wear shoes inside and even store them in their closet with clean clothes!

This can range from keeping shoes on all day, even at home, to wearing them casually around the house. This habit might seem unhygienic or odd to visitors who are used to taking off their shoes, but many Americans find it completely normal.

3. Storing Shoes in Your Bedroom Closet

Americans tend to store their shoes in their bedroom closets. This is practical for many, keeping shoes hidden away and organized where they dress.

In contrast, in some cultures, shoes are kept near the entrance of a home to avoid dirt spreading throughout the living spaces. Visitors might find the habit of mixing shoes with clean clothes unusual.

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4. Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day on February 2nd is an amusing tradition where a groundhog is said to predict the weather by either seeing its shadow or not.

If it sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter; if not, spring will come early. This peculiar and highly publicized event is rooted in Pennsylvania Dutch folklore and has captured the imagination of people nationwide.

5. Billboards Everywhere

In the U.S., billboards are a common sight along highways and in cities. They advertise everything from products and services to tourist attractions and religious messages.

This widespread use of billboards is often surprising to visitors from countries where advertising is more regulated or less visually dominant in public spaces.

6. Windows That Open Up

In the U.S., many windows are designed to slide up rather than open outward. This design is particularly common in older buildings and can be baffling to those from places where windows typically swing out. The upward sliding mechanism is often seen as a space-saving solution in urban environments.

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7. Root Beer

Root beer is a sweet, non-alcoholic drink that is traditionally made from the root of the sassafras tree. It is a beloved beverage in the U.S., often enjoyed with ice cream as a “root beer float.” However, its unique flavor, which can resemble medicine to the uninitiated, is frequently met with mixed reactions from international visitors.

8. Overly Friendly Restaurant Staff

In American restaurants, staff members are often extremely friendly, checking on diners multiple times and engaging in small talk. This level of attentiveness and friendliness is intended to enhance customer service and can lead to higher tips. Visitors from cultures where restaurant service is more reserved might find this American custom excessive or even invasive.

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9. Calling Football “Football”

In the U.S., the sport known globally as football is called soccer, and the term “football” refers to a game primarily played with hands, except for the kicker.

This naming convention confuses many international sports fans since the American version of football involves much less foot-to-ball contact compared to soccer.

10. Waiter Taking Your Card Away

In many American restaurants, it’s common for waiters to take your credit card to a terminal away from the table to process your payment.

This practice can be unsettling for visitors from countries where cards are typically processed in the customer’s sight due to fears of fraud or theft. However, this method is standard in the U.S. and is trusted by most Americans.

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