Americans have an amazing culture and lifestyle that often goes unnoticed. From our way of speaking to our fashion choices, we do countless things that might seem peculiar to other cultures.
But wait, it gets even better! Our love for fast food and our obsession with celebrity culture are just the tip of the iceberg. Brace yourself for a list of 20 bizarre American habits that will leave you amazed, regardless of whether you’re American or not. Get ready to dive into the weird and wonderful world of American behaviors!
Tipping
Tipping is an essential part of American culture; almost everyone does it without thinking twice. There’s no set rule or guideline for how much you should tip, but it’s generally accepted that if the service is good, a 15-20% gratuity is appropriate.
However, tipping in America can seem a bit strange to people from other countries; after all, why should you have to pay extra money for something you already paid for? It may not make perfect sense to many people, but tipping etiquette is still important if you want to get excellent service.
Large Portion Sizes
In America, it’s no surprise that portion sizes are large compared to other countries. For example, a restaurant meal can contain up to three times the recommended food in a single serving.
This can lead to overeating and potentially unhealthy weight gain. Although this is the norm in America, it’s actually quite strange when you compare it to other parts of the world, where smaller portions are more common.
Ice in Beverages
In the United States, putting ice in our beverages is normal. We rarely consider how strange and uncommon this practice may be elsewhere in the world. In many countries, it is considered odd to serve drinks with ice cubes.
Ice has become so commonplace for Americans that we do not think twice about adding it to our drinks, but it is a peculiar habit that other cultures may not understand.
Using Fahrenheit
The Fahrenheit temperature scale is widely used and accepted in the United States. However, outside of America, the Celsius scale is more popular. Although the two scales use different measurements to measure temperature, they both provide accurate readings.
This means that in countries that use Celsius, American tourists may not understand what temperature it is when they read a thermometer or the weather report because they are used to using Fahrenheit.
Obsession With Flags
Americans have a deep-rooted obsession with flags, which can be seen in many places throughout the country. From every home to almost every business, the American flag is proudly displayed as a sign of patriotism and pride.
In some cases, people even choose to display multiple flags. Whether it’s on their homes, cars, clothes, or accessories, Americans love their flags and show off their patriotism everywhere they go. This level of flag display is a rarity in many other countries, making it all the more captivating.
Extreme Patriotism
Patriotism is an intensely felt emotion that drives many people to express their love and devotion to their country. In America, patriotism takes the form of celebrating holidays such as Independence Day and Memorial Day, flying the flag outside homes and businesses, and supporting American-made products.
However, when taken to the extreme, patriotism can become a sense of national superiority that leads to xenophobia and discrimination against perceived outsiders. Patriotism should be a source of pride for everyone, but it should never be used to divide or oppress others. Americans have an exceptional sense of patriotism that they proudly embrace, expressing it more openly than citizens of many other countries.
Drive-Through Culture
Drive-Through culture has become an ingrained part of American life. It’s normal for Americans to drive through fast-food chains and banks.
The U.S. has embraced this convenience and made it part of the cultural landscape. This convenience isn’t as widespread in other countries, making it all the more special.
Baseball and American Football
Baseball and American football are two of the most popular sports in the United States. Both have been around for quite some time and are deeply embedded in many parts of American culture.
These two sports are all the rage in the United States, but they remain a mystery to many across the globe!
Sales Tax Not Included
In the United States, it is considered normal not to include sales tax in the price of goods and services. However, this practice can seem quite strange to other countries, which do include the cost of taxes when displaying prices.
For example, when a customer is presented with a product’s sticker price in the U.S., they should be aware that it does not reflect what they will actually pay for the good due to sales tax being added at checkout. Therefore, Americans should consider how weird it is that sales tax is not included in item prices when purchasing.
Halloween Celebrations
Halloween is an annual celebration that takes place in the United States and other parts of the world. Americans take part in a variety of activities during this holiday, such as dressing up in costumes and carving pumpkins.
Trick-or-treating, where children go door-to-door collecting candy, is also a popular tradition. Other customs include attending costume parties and playing pranks on friends and family members. These activities are often taken for granted by Americans but can seem strange or unusual to people from other countries.
High School Prom
Prom is one of the most iconic events in American high school culture. It’s a night that students look forward to all year, where they get dressed up in formal attire and celebrate with their friends and classmates.
But many don’t realize how peculiar this tradition is compared to other countries: from the elaborate dresses and tuxedos to hiring limousines and taking pictures at special photo booths, the American high school prom can be quite an odd experience for those unfamiliar with it!
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is an event that has been taking place in the United States since 1967. It is a championship game between the National Football League (NFL) teams for the American professional football season, and it has become one of America’s most celebrated annual events.
Something that may seem strange to people from other countries is how Americans go all out on Super Bowl Sunday to watch the game or attend parties—dressing up in their team colors, cooking special foods, and even betting on which team will win.
College Sports Culture
College sports culture in America is an integral part of the college experience. It’s something that many students may not even think about, but it is a major part of campus life. College sports bring current students, alumni, and fans together to cheer on their teams with excitement and camaraderie.
From tailgating before football games to cheering on basketball teams at the big game, there’s no denying how passionate Americans can be about college athletics.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving in America falls on the fourth Thursday of November, bringing together loved ones for a lavish feast and heartfelt expressions of gratitude. Interestingly, this cherished holiday is not universally observed in the same way across countries.
Extreme Consumerism
Americans have become so used to extreme consumerism that it has become a part of their daily lives without them realizing how strange it is. Shopping has become more than just an activity for many people; instead, it’s a way to feel better and show off.
We buy things we don’t need, use them for a few days, and then throw them away, leading to wastefulness and environmental damage. This kind of behavior should be addressed and changed to create healthier habits for the future.
Cultural Appropriation
Cultural appropriation is when another adopts elements of one culture without understanding their meaning or significance. This can take many forms, such as using symbols from a culture for fashion or entertainment purposes or even speaking in an accent that isn’t your own.
Unfortunately, cultural appropriation is becoming increasingly common in America today, with people not realizing their actions’ impact on those around them. Americans often embrace elements from other cultures – think traditional clothing or hairstyles – without truly grasping their significance or appreciating their meaning. Unfortunately, this can come across as strange or insensitive.
The Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance expresses loyalty to the United States of America and its flag. It was first written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Christian socialist, and adopted by Congress in 1942. Today, it is recited throughout the US in public schools, at political events, and during other official ceremonies.
While many Americans may take this pledge for granted or even not give it much thought, it is actually quite strange when considering that no other country has an oath like this or one that is so widely used. Despite its weirdness, the Pledge of Allegiance continues to be an important part of many Americans’ lives.
Constantly Refilling Drinks
Americans love refilling their drinks, whether it be at the dinner table or while out at a restaurant. It is considered a sign of hospitality when you offer someone a refill, and many people find it hard to pass up on free drinks.
While it may seem like a simple gesture, constantly refilling drinks is actually something that is considered quite strange by other cultures.
Open Conversations About Personal Matters
It’s common for Americans to discuss their past experiences, family relationships, mental health issues, and beliefs openly with people they know well or even with strangers in some cases.
This can be strange to those from different countries who have not been raised with the mentality of being so open about such topics.
Constantly Eating on the Go
Americans have a tendency to always be on the go, and eating is no different. We consume our meals while walking, driving, or multitasking with other activities without really noticing how strange it is.
Eating on the go can be convenient, but it usually means missing out on important moments of relaxation and nourishment that come from taking the time to prepare and enjoy a meal.
Sources:
WatchMojo – Top 20 Things Only Americans Do (And Think It’s Normal)
Forbes – Foreigners Reveal: 17 Weird Things Americans Do (That We Think Are Normal)
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