23 Things Americans Do Without Realizing How Weird They Are
23 Things Americans Do Without Realizing How Weird They Are
I’ve lived in several European countries and I’ve also lived on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean: the USA. Idaho, to be precise but I’ve spent extensive time in other states as well from Tennessee to Hawaii!
I’ve gathered that everyone is a little bit weird and that’s fine. Life would be boring otherwise and we wouldn’t have anything to talk about! Americans are no different so here are 23 things Americans do without realizing how bizarre it can be to foreigners!
Of course, these are generalisation and from my experience, I can attest not every single American is concerned. But these are the most common answers when foreigners are asked what they found weird in the US!
1. The Lone Fork Diner
Americans often dine with just a fork, a habit that puzzles many who are accustomed to using both a knife and fork at meals. I was indeed puzzled and would often end up grabbing a knife because that’s just normal? Ahah! This unique approach to cutlery simplifies the dining process but can seem odd to those from cultures that always pair the fork with its trusty sidekick, the knife.
2. Inches Over Intuition
Sticking to the imperial system with a sense of patriotic duty, Americans measure in inches and feet, baffling the rest of the world that has embraced the metric system. It’s mostly unpractical rather than weird really! This dedication to traditional measurement units is seen as a unique blend of heritage and stubbornness.
3. The Art of Tipping
In America, tipping isn’t just a nice gesture; it’s an unwritten rule. “If you can’t afford the tip, you can’t afford to eat out,” sums up the ethos, leaving visitors amazed at the complexity and necessity of gratuity in the U.S. service industry. In Europe, tipping is never a given and the service industry generally gets paid a fair wage so that they don’t need to rely on tips.
4. The Small Talk Symphony
Engaging in small talk is an American pastime, where asking about the weather or your day is less about the answer and more about being polite. This ritual can seem superficial to those from more direct cultures. I personally didn’t find that too bizarre. The Irish and the French also talk a lot about the weather and we love small talk.
5. Ice Ice Baby
No drink is complete without a mountain of ice cubes, regardless of the weather, which in my humble opinion is very annoying. This American habit of chilling beverages to the extreme often leaves visitors cold, quite literally. Plus, ice cubs usually dilute your drink so it’s not great!
6. Relationship Status: Official Inquiry Required
The concept of formally asking someone to be your girlfriend or boyfriend is deeply ingrained in American dating culture. Without it, you’re just dating…and therefore allowed to date others as well. In other countries like France, if you’re seeing someone regularly, there is no need to ask to be boyfriend and girlfriend officially. It’s a given! If you’re dating someone of the opposite culture, it can get confusing and can lead to hurt feelings so it’s a difference that it’s good to be aware of.
7. Breakfast of Champions?
Pop Tarts and other sugary treats are considered a perfectly acceptable way to start the day for some Americans, which is unacceptable to any French person if I may say so myself. you’ll definitely get raised eyebrows for it!
8. The Great Shopping Expedition
Driving for hours just to hit up a particular store or mall is a quintessentially American adventure, showcasing the country’s love affair with cars and consumerism in vast landscapes.
9. Patriotic Pride on Steroids
Americans’ patriotic fervor is visible in everything from flag displays to national anthem renditions, a level of national pride that can seem intense to visitors from more reserved countries. Reciting the pledge of allegiance every morning at school was definitely a bit of a culture shock!
10. Flag Code of Conduct
The U.S. has an entire set of rules for flag respect, including how to display, fold, and dispose of it. This detailed code underscores the flag’s sacred status in American culture.
11. “Like” as a Linguistic Staple
Sprinkling “like” throughout sentences is a common verbal tic in America, a linguistic quirk that can puzzle non-native speakers and those unused to the casual filler.
12. Lone Star Mentality
The belief in individual rights often being prioritized over community welfare, dubbed the “lone star mentality,” highlights a fiercely independent streak in American culture that can seem unusual to more collective societies.
13. Fast Friends Forever
Americans can be quick to call someone their best friend, a testament to the culture’s openness and instant connectivity but bewildering to those who view such titles as earned over time. the bad side? It often leaves the person confused when they’re not longer the so-called best friend.
14. The AC Oasis
Air conditioning is ubiquitous and often cranked up to arctic levels in American homes, offices, and cars, a refreshing yet shocking chill for visitors from milder climates.
15. “How Are You?” as Hello
Asking “How are you?” as a form of greeting, without expecting a genuine response, is a uniquely American way to say hi that can confuse those accustomed to answering the question more literally.
16. Fast Food Academia
Serving fast food in high school cafeterias speaks to the U.S.’s fast food culture, integrating convenience and quick eats into the educational environment.
17. The Black Friday Frenzy
The madness of Black Friday, with its doorbuster deals and dawn-breaking queues, exemplifies consumer culture turned spectacle, often leaving onlookers from abroad both fascinated and aghast.
18. Closeted Footwear
Storing shoes in bedroom closets rather than by the door is an American habit that reflects a different approach to home organization and cleanliness.
19. Supersized Servings
Portion sizes in the U.S. are famously larger than life, reflecting a culture of abundance that can be surprising to those used to more modest meals.
20. Subtitle Dependents
Turning on subtitles for British shows due to accents and slang showcases the linguistic divide between American English and its UK cousin, despite sharing a language.
21. Morning Pledge Ritual
Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in schools each morning is a uniquely American tradition, embedding patriotism into daily life from a young age.
22. Dating by the Calendar
Writing dates with the month first (MM/DD/YYYY) is an American standard that confounds much of the world, where the day typically precedes the month (DD/MM/YYYY). This format can lead to confusion and mix-ups, highlighting an interesting divergence in global date-keeping practices.
23. Name Change
Englishizing foreign names is common in America. whether it’d be because it’s unusual to spell or pronounce, many foreigners have to go by a nickname or even have it officially change their name to a more English-sounding one.
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We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home.
We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home. With over 10 years of experience in dating and traveling to romantic places, we share our favorite date ideas and romantic destinations to help couples level up their relationships. Having lived in and traveled through the USA, we also share our favourite things to do in the States.
With 70,000 monthly readers and 16,000 followers on social media, Be Right Back is your go-to resource for romantic trip ideas and couple activities at home and abroad.