When people from other countries visit or move to the United States, they often encounter cultural differences that challenge their expectations. While some of these differences are well-documented, others catch visitors completely off guard.
Here’s a collection of 20 genuine surprises that non-US citizens frequently experience when encountering American culture firsthand.
Free Refills and Enormous Portion Sizes
The concept of unlimited drink refills at restaurants is almost uniquely American and often astonishes international visitors. Restaurant portions are frequently large enough to serve two or three people by many countries’ standards.
Many visitors are equally surprised by the prevalence of takeout boxes, as doggy bags are considered unusual or even rude in some cultures.
Sales Tax Not Included in Displayed Prices
Foreign visitors are often confused when they reach the checkout and discover the final price is higher than advertised. The practice of adding sales tax at the register, rather than including it in the displayed price, is particularly perplexing to Europeans.
This system becomes even more complicated when visitors learn that tax rates vary by state and even by city.
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The Omnipresence of Air Conditioning
Many visitors are shocked by how cold American indoor spaces are kept, especially during summer. The stark temperature difference between outdoors and indoors often requires carrying a sweater even on hot days.
Some international visitors find it peculiar that many Americans seem to prefer arctic-level indoor temperatures while complaining about high energy bills.
Prescription Drug Advertising
Television commercials advertising prescription medications, complete with long lists of potential side effects, are virtually unheard of outside the US and New Zealand. The sheer volume of pharmaceutical advertising often surprises visitors from other countries.
Many find it strange that commercials suggest viewers ‘ask their doctor’ about specific medications.
Widespread Car Dependency
The extent to which Americans rely on cars for basic transportation often shocks visitors from countries with robust public transit systems. Many visitors are surprised to find that even short distances are typically driven rather than walked.
The size of parking lots and the relative scarcity of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure in many areas can be particularly striking.
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Friendliness to Strangers
The casual friendliness of Americans, including small talk with strangers and the ubiquitous ‘How are you?’ greeting, often catch foreign visitors off guard. Many are surprised to learn that the question ‘How are you?’ usually doesn’t require a detailed, honest response.
The practice of strangers smiling at each other on the street can seem unusual to visitors from more reserved cultures.
The Tipping Culture
The expectation of tipping 15-20% in restaurants and various other service situations often surprises international visitors. Many are confused by the complex social rules surrounding when and how much to tip.
The fact that service workers often rely on tips as a significant portion of their income rather than receiving a standard living wage can be particularly shocking.
Work Culture and Limited Vacation Time
The limited amount of vacation time American workers typically receive compared to other developed nations often astounds international visitors. Many are surprised by the concept of ‘at-will’ employment and the relatively few worker protections.
The practice of eating lunch at one’s desk or working while on vacation seems particularly foreign to many European visitors.
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The Healthcare System
Visitors are often shocked by the complexity and cost of the American healthcare system. The concept of medical bankruptcy is particularly surprising to those from countries with universal healthcare.
Many visitors find it hard to understand why Americans accept such high healthcare costs and complicated insurance systems.
Flag Prevalence
The abundance of American flags displayed everywhere, from homes to car dealerships, often surprises international visitors. The level of patriotism expressed through flag display seems unusually high to many foreigners.
The strict rules about flag handling and display can seem particularly intense to visitors from countries with more casual attitudes toward their national flags.
Dating Culture
The formality of American dating culture, with its defined stages and labels, often surprises visitors from countries with more fluid relationship customs. The concept of ‘dating exclusively’ versus ‘just dating’ can seem unnecessarily complicated to outsiders.
Many find it strange that Americans often date multiple people simultaneously until having an explicit conversation about exclusivity.
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Food Modifications and Substitutions
The ease with which Americans modify restaurant orders and the servers’ willingness to accommodate these requests often amazes foreign visitors. The extensive list of options for customizing meals seems particularly American to many international diners.
Some visitors find it amusing how specific and detailed Americans can be about their food preferences when ordering.
College Sports Culture
The scale and popularity of collegiate sports, particularly football and basketball, often baffles international visitors. The size of university athletic facilities and the passion of college sports fans can seem disproportionate to visitors from countries where university sports are more casual.
Many find it surprising that college athletes can become celebrities and that games attract massive television audiences.
24/7 Shopping Culture
The availability of shopping and services at almost any hour surprises many visitors from countries with stricter business hours. The concept of 24-hour pharmacies and supermarkets seems particularly unusual to European visitors.
Many are amazed by the convenience of being able to shop or get food delivered at virtually any time.
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Public Bathroom Gaps
The large gaps around public bathroom stall doors often shock and confuse international visitors. Many find the lack of privacy in American public restrooms uncomfortable and puzzling.
The height of the stall partitions, often leaving significant space above and below, can seem particularly strange to those used to more private facilities.
Free Water at Restaurants
The automatic serving of free tap water at restaurants, often without being requested, surprises visitors from countries where water is typically bottled and charged. The presence of free water fountains in public spaces is equally surprising to many international visitors.
Some find it peculiar that Americans expect free water as a standard part of restaurant service.
Drive-Through Everything
The prevalence of drive-through services for everything from banking to pharmacy pickups amazes many international visitors. Some find it particularly surprising that Americans will wait in long drive-through lines rather than parking and walking inside.
The existence of drive-through wedding chapels and funeral homes can seem especially bizarre to foreign visitors.
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Credit Score Obsession
The importance Americans place on credit scores and the way these numbers affect various aspects of life often surprises international visitors. Many find it strange that credit scores can impact everything from renting an apartment to getting a job.
The complex system of building and maintaining good credit seems particularly foreign to visitors from cash-based societies.
Small Talk with Service Workers
The expectation of friendly banter with cashiers, servers, and other service workers often catches foreign visitors off guard. Many are surprised by how personal these casual conversations can become.
Some find it unusual that declining to engage in small talk might be considered rude or unfriendly.
Ice in Drinks
The American preference for extremely cold drinks with abundant ice surprises many international visitors. Some find it peculiar that even in winter, drinks are served with large amounts of ice.
Many visitors are amazed by the size of ice cubes in American drinks and the automatic assumption that all cold drinks should contain ice.
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Get Acquainted with America’s Unique Culture
These cultural differences highlight how seemingly ordinary aspects of American life can appear unusual or even bizarre to international visitors. While some of these surprises might seem trivial, they collectively paint a picture of American culture that’s uniquely different from what many outsiders expect.
Understanding these differences not only helps visitors navigate American culture more effectively but also provides Americans with valuable perspectives on their own cultural practices that they might take for granted.
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