American culture has a huge influence around the world. As a country that is often depicted in the news, TV shows, and movies, foreigners believe they have seen it all and have a pretty good grasp of who we are. But when they arrive in the US, they discover that there are still those things that intrigue them. Here’s a list of some things we take for granted in American culture that still fascinate our foreign guests.
Sports Obsession
People from other countries are often surprised by how much passion Americans have for sports. It doesn’t matter whether it’s basketball, football, or baseball. It doesn’t matter if it’s the professional leagues or a school match. Any sports match is an event to be celebrated. There are banners, merchandise, marching bands, and watch parties. It’s a unique experience for foreigners to be around this level of enthusiasm for sports.
The Imperial System
America is one of the few countries that do not use the metric system. This can be confusing for foreigners from countries who are used to metric measurements and can be tricky to adjust to. Being in the states, they now have to convert what they see to meters, kilograms, and liters. It can be an inconvenience if you didn’t know this beforehand. Thankfully, conversions should be no problem with the help of your smartphone.
Credit Card Usage
Before cashless transactions were a thing worldwide, Americans were already relying heavily on credit. Foreigners are amazed that Americans pay almost anything with credit cards – even for small purchases. This may be a strange practice for them because, in most cultures, people use credit cards sparingly to avoid debt. In many parts of the world, cash is still the leading payment method.
DIY Everything
Another thing about American culture that foreigners find fascinating is the strong desire to DIY everything. From assembling furniture to big home improvement projects, you can expect Americans to find a way to do it themselves before they even consider hiring professionals. This attitude of self-reliance can be inspiring for foreigners who are often used to outsourcing such work.
Big Food Portions and Free Refills
Foreigners are always amazed by the serving portions they get when they dine in restaurants. They often end up with double or triple the serving that they would usually get from their own country. Even the side dishes come in big portions! In many American restaurants, you can get a refill on your drink for free. This is an offer you do not often see in other countries. For some foreigners, eating out in the US is like a luxurious but affordable treat.
Air Conditioning Everywhere
Americans love their air conditioning. Most establishments and public transport have air conditioning running all year long. You can find people walking around with cardigans even during the peak of summer because the AC is always cranked up. Even homes have air conditioners in almost every room. Some foreigners come from countries where owning air conditioners is considered a luxury or that it was used to be unnecessary (like in many European countries). Even when they have one, they use it sparingly to save energy. So being in places where the AC is on full blast all day can be quite odd to them.
Huge Supermarkets
When foreigners visit supermarkets like Walmart and Costco for the first time, they are often overwhelmed. We forget, but these stores are huge and have a wide variety of brands on display – there are just too many to choose from! It’s no surprise foreigners can spend hours in one. Another thing they find impressive is that they can buy everything, from food to furniture, in just one shop.
Tipping Culture
In some countries, tipping is optional. But in America, tipping is a big deal (not tipping is a big deal). Waitstaff make most of their income from tips, so not leaving one would be considered rude. Not only that, but in most places, the tip itself is expected to be no less than 15% of your total bill. This tipping custom can be a challenging adjustment for foreigners who are not used to leaving tips.
In many countries, waiting tables is a job like any other with a fixed salary, tips are not a custom.
Friendly Small Talk
In most countries, the “stranger danger” culture is a big deal. They are taught to keep to themselves in public. But in America, foreigners will often find themselves in a conversation whenever they are in line or waiting for a ride. Americans are friendly enough to do small talk with anyone, and for some foreigners, this can take a while to get used to.
Casual Dress Code
American fashion trends hold a heavy influence all over the world. Foreigners are at times, surprised to see how casual Americans are dressed in public. You can find Americans out in the streets often wearing gym clothes and even pajamas. It can be a shock for foreigners who are used to dressing up when they go out. At the same time, they also admire this liberating and laid-back lifestyle.
Sales Tax Not Included in Price Tags
This one drives people crazy. Foreigners are often surprised when the price indicated on the tag is not really the amount they need to pay. The sales tax is added once they are at the register. This can be confusing or surprising for foreigners at the checkout when they do not have enough money with them or if they suddenly realize they didn’t want to pay that much since they haven’t considered the added costs.
Drive-Thrus for Everything
Drive-thru restaurants are pretty common around the globe, but what about drive-thru banks, pharmacies, and wedding chapels? These are just some of the drive-thru establishments that you can find in the US. Foreigners are often amused when they witness these innovations. It just shows how Americans love the ease of convenience and simplifying daily tasks. It’s both entertaining and impressive for foreigners.
All-American Breakfast
In many countries, breakfast tends to be a light and simple meal consisting of bread, yogurt, or fruits. The standard all-American breakfast is an indulgent meal that often features pancakes, eggs, bacon, and hash browns. It’s like they are starting the morning with a feast. Another reason why this blows their minds is because American breakfasts in some countries only consist of toast or pancakes and orange juice or coffee. Getting the real all-American breakfast is a far cry from what they get back home.
Vast National Parks
Every foreign tourist is told to visit at least one of the national parks in America. The United States is home to the biggest and most beautiful national parks in the world. A lot of foreigners are amazed by all that they can do and see in these parks. One day is never enough to explore the great American outdoors. Foreigners love the way Americans conserve these natural grounds and only wish to have some place like it back home.
24/7
In other countries, you’d have to wait till morning for the shops to open, and start stocking up on Fridays because shops are closed for the weekends. In the US, you can buy whatever you want at any time. A lot of cities have stores that never close, like Walmart and 7-Eleven. It’s very convenient in case you get hungry or need medicine in the middle of the night.
