As an American, you might be surprised to learn that some of your daily habits and customs seem downright bizarre to people from other parts of the world. From your love of ice-cold drinks to your obsession with credit scores, there are plenty of American quirks that leave foreigners scratching their heads in confusion. Here are 17 of the most perplexing American habits that have the rest of the world wondering, “Why do they do that?”
Wearing Shoes Indoors
In many cultures, taking off your shoes before entering someone’s home is a sign of respect and cleanliness. However, in the United States, it’s not uncommon to see people traipsing through houses with their shoes on, much to the horror of their international guests. Americans might argue that it’s more convenient or that their floors are clean enough, but for many foreigners, it’s a habit that’s hard to understand.
Eating on the Go
Americans are notorious for their love of convenience, and nowhere is this more evident than in their eating habits. From drive-thru fast food to eating meals in the car, Americans seem to have perfected the art of consuming food while on the move. For people from cultures where meals are meant to be savored and enjoyed in the company of others, the idea of scarfing down a burger while behind the wheel is nothing short of bizarre.
Smiling at Strangers
In the United States, it’s not uncommon to be greeted with a smile and a friendly “hello” from a complete stranger on the street. While this might seem like a nice gesture to Americans, it can be confusing and even unsettling for people from more reserved cultures. After all, why would you smile at someone you don’t know? In many parts of the world, this kind of behavior is seen as insincere or even suspicious.
Tipping for Everything
Tipping is a way of life in the United States, with Americans often leaving gratuities for everything from restaurant meals to haircuts to taxi rides. However, for people from countries where tipping isn’t customary, the idea of adding an extra 15-20% to the bill can be perplexing. Why not just pay workers a fair wage and include it in the price? The American tipping system is a cultural quirk that many foreigners find hard to wrap their heads around.
Obsessing Over Credit Scores
In the United States, your credit score is like a financial report card that can determine everything from whether you can rent an apartment to what kind of interest rates you’ll get on a loan. Americans are often obsessed with maintaining a good credit score, which can involve a lot of careful financial planning and even some strategic credit card usage. For people from countries where credit scores aren’t really a thing, this fixation on a three-digit number can seem a bit over-the-top.
Putting Ice in Everything
Americans love their drinks cold – really cold. Whether it’s a glass of water, a cup of soda, or even a beer, Americans will often fill their glasses to the brim with ice cubes. For people from countries where room-temperature beverages are the norm, this obsession with ice can be a bit puzzling. After all, doesn’t all that ice just water down the drink and make it less flavorful?
Saying “How Are You?” as a Greeting
In the United States, it’s common to greet someone with a casual “How are you?” or “How’s it going?” However, this isn’t meant to be a genuine inquiry into the person’s well-being – it’s more of a polite formality. For people from cultures where this kind of small talk isn’t customary, it can be confusing to know how to respond. Do you give an honest answer, or just reply with a simple “Fine, thanks”?
Huge Portion Sizes at Restaurants
When dining out in the United States, foreigners are often shocked by the sheer size of the portions. A single entrée at an American restaurant can easily feed two or three people, with enough leftovers to take home for lunch the next day. For people from countries where portion sizes are more modest, the American appetite for big plates of food can be a bit overwhelming.
Referring to the United States as “America”
To people from other countries, referring to the United States as “America” can be a bit confusing – after all, “America” technically refers to the entire continent, not just one country. However, Americans have been using this shorthand for so long that it’s become second nature. For foreigners, it can take some getting used to hearing the United States referred to as “America” as if it’s the only country on the continent.
Putting Peanut Butter on Everything
Americans love their peanut butter – and they’ll put it on just about anything. From classic PB&J sandwiches to peanut butter and banana toast to even peanut butter and bacon burgers, Americans have found countless ways to incorporate this creamy spread into their diets. For people from countries where peanut butter isn’t a staple food, this obsession can be a bit puzzling – after all, it’s just ground-up peanuts, right?
Talking Loudly in Public
Americans have a reputation for being loud talkers, especially when they’re in public places like restaurants or on public transportation. For people from cultures where speaking softly and discreetly is the norm, the American tendency to chat loudly with friends or even strangers can be a bit jarring. It’s not uncommon for foreigners to feel like they’re being bombarded with noise pollution when they’re around groups of Americans.
Celebrating Cinco de Mayo
In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a widely celebrated holiday, with people using it as an excuse to drink margaritas and eat tacos. However, many Americans don’t realize that Cinco de Mayo is not actually a major holiday in Mexico – it’s primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, where it commemorates a victory over the French army in 1862. For Mexicans, the American version of Cinco de Mayo can feel like a strange appropriation of their culture.
Measuring Everything in Imperial Units
While most of the world has adopted the metric system, the United States still clings to its imperial units of measurement. From miles and feet to pounds and ounces, Americans use a system that can be confusing and hard to convert for people from other countries. For foreigners trying to navigate American recipes or road signs, the use of imperial units can be a frustrating challenge.
Eating Pumpkin-Flavored Everything in the Fall
As soon as the leaves start to change color, Americans go crazy for all things pumpkin-flavored. From pumpkin spice lattes to pumpkin pie to even pumpkin-scented candles, the United States seems to have an insatiable appetite for this seasonal squash. For people from countries where pumpkin is just another vegetable, the American obsession with pumpkin flavor can be a bit baffling.
Wearing Flip-Flops Everywhere
In the United States, flip-flops are considered acceptable footwear for a wide range of occasions – from going to the beach to running errands to even going out to eat. However, in many other countries, flip-flops are seen as strictly casual wear, something you would only wear in your own home or at the pool. The American tendency to wear flip-flops in public places can be seen as a bit sloppy or even disrespectful by people from more formal cultures.
Calling Soccer “Soccer”
In most of the world, the sport known as “football” involves kicking a round ball into a net. However, in the United States, this sport is called “soccer,” while “football” refers to a completely different game involving an oblong ball and a lot of tackling. For people from countries where soccer is the most popular sport, the American insistence on calling it “soccer” can be a bit confusing – after all, they’re the ones using their feet, right?
Eating Sweet Breakfast Foods
Americans love to start their day with sweet, sugary breakfast foods – from pancakes and waffles drizzled with syrup to donuts and pastries. However, in many other countries, breakfast is a savory meal, with dishes like eggs, cheese, and meats taking center stage. The American preference for sweet breakfast foods can be a bit of a shock to foreigners who are used to a more savory start to the day.
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