17 Things That Non-Americans Still Scratch Their Heads About When It Comes To Everyday Life in America

Chela Mibei
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Let’s dive headfirst into the deep end of the peculiar yet intriguing American lifestyle pool. It’s a known fact that the U.S is a blend of diverse cultures, but specific nuances leave outsiders in bewilderment.

Sales Tax Surprise

17 Things That Non-Americans Still Scratch Their Heads About When It Comes To Everyday Life in America
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Pricing in the United States only sometimes includes sales tax, which can lead to some wallet-shocking moments at the checkout line. A $1.99 item may cost $2.10; it’s like an unexpected game show, but the prizes are your receipts!

Gaping Toilet Stall Doors

17 Things That Non-Americans Still Scratch Their Heads About When It Comes To Everyday Life in America
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The significant gap in public restroom stall doors has puzzled visitors for decades. Why the need for an impromptu eye contact session while in the loo?

The Love for Ice

17 Things That Non-Americans Still Scratch Their Heads About When It Comes To Everyday Life in America
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Americans seem to have a special affection for ice-filled drinks, even in freezing weather! Nothing says refreshing like hypothermia, right?

The Peculiar Date Format

17 Things That Non-Americans Still Scratch Their Heads About When It Comes To Everyday Life in America
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MM-DD-YYYY? Because putting the day in the middle isn’t confusing at all!

Flags. Everywhere.

17 Things That Non-Americans Still Scratch Their Heads About When It Comes To Everyday Life in America
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You’ll find the American flag on houses, cars, clothes, and food! Patriotism levels always remain at maximum.

Tipping Culture

17 Things That Non-Americans Still Scratch Their Heads About When It Comes To Everyday Life in America
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Ah, the tip. A social contract so intricate it could be a college major. According to Forbes Advisor, 95% of people in America tip at least sometimes, and 76 say they always tip.

The Imperial System

17 Things That Non-Americans Still Scratch Their Heads About When It Comes To Everyday Life in America
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While the rest of the world is happily calculating in meters and liters, the U.S. holds on to inches, gallons, and Fahrenheit.

The American Football Conundrum

17 Things That Non-Americans Still Scratch Their Heads About When It Comes To Everyday Life in America
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The sport is called football, but players use their hands more than their feet, and it bears no resemblance to soccer. Intriguing!

Drive-Thrus for Everything

17 Things That Non-Americans Still Scratch Their Heads About When It Comes To Everyday Life in America
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Banks, pharmacies, liquor stores; you name it, they’ve got a drive-thru for it!

TV Ads for Prescription Drugs

17 Things That Non-Americans Still Scratch Their Heads About When It Comes To Everyday Life in America
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Ask your doctor if this is right for you.” And remember the 45-second list of potential side effects.

Large Food Portions

17 Things That Non-Americans Still Scratch Their Heads About When It Comes To Everyday Life in America
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Everything is more prominent in America, including the food portions. Who decided that a single person needs a 32 oz soda?

Cheerleader Mania

17 Things That Non-Americans Still Scratch Their Heads About When It Comes To Everyday Life in America
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High school sports are serious business, and cheerleading is a fundamental part.

Pledge of Allegiance in Schools

17 Things That Non-Americans Still Scratch Their Heads About When It Comes To Everyday Life in America
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Patriots-in-training start young in the States, with the Pledge of Allegiance recited regularly in schools.

Multiple Time Zones

17 Things That Non-Americans Still Scratch Their Heads About When It Comes To Everyday Life in America
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Four time zones in one country? Jet lag without the travel!

24/7 Stores

17 Things That Non-Americans Still Scratch Their Heads About When It Comes To Everyday Life in America
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Insomnia in America means a 2 a.m. shopping spree!

Coffee Culture

17 Things That Non-Americans Still Scratch Their Heads About When It Comes To Everyday Life in America
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Speaking of coffee, Americans love their caffeine pick-me-ups – especially during long work hours. It’s common to see coffee shops packed with people typing away on their laptops, even at night!

The Love for Pumpkin Spice Everything

17 Things That Non-Americans Still Scratch Their Heads About When It Comes To Everyday Life in America
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You can’t go a day without hearing about pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin spice muffins, or even pumpkin spice air fresheners! Americans are obsessed with the sweet and spicy flavor of this autumnal staple.

10 Big Things Non-Americans Believe All Americans Have In Their Homes

10 Big Things Non-Americans Believe All Americans Have In Their Homes
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Having the perspective of someone on the outside looking in can make you rethink what you’re accustomed to every day. This can be as simple as your specific life to the lives of a country as a whole. People who don’t live in America shared their thoughts on what they thought every American had in their homes on an online forum. Whether these ten items are genuinely in every household in the U.S. is up to you to decide.

10 Big Things Non-Americans Believe All Americans Have In Their Homes

The 12 Best Microwave Air Fryer Combo (2024)

The 12 Best Microwave Air Fryer Combo (2023)
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Air fryers offer a healthier alternative to deep frying and can be used to cook various foods. But what if you could have the best of both worlds?

The 12 Best Microwave Air Fryer Combo (2024)

16 Things Non-Americans Can’t Stop Raving About After Visiting the U.S

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The United States of America is a land like no other. Whether you’re embarking on your inaugural visit or returning after an extended absence, exploring this expansive country can be both exhilarating and awe-inspiring. America possesses a multitude of distinctive qualities that make it truly special, encompassing breathtaking natural wonders, thriving urban centers, and a vibrant cultural tapestry.

16 Things Non-Americans Can’t Stop Raving About After Visiting the U.S

10 Things Americans Do That Most Non-Americans Say They Find Completely Bizarre

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Yo, what’s good, fam? Today we’re talking about some of the most common things in America that non-Americans find totally strange. So, let’s jump right in.

10 Things Americans Do That Most Non-Americans Say They Find Completely Bizarre

20 Things Americans Got Wrong…And We Can’t Help but Shake Our Heads

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Welcome, esteemed readers! Prepare to embark on a pleasant journey through some wonderfully peculiar Americanisms. We Americans are known for our distinctive culture and quirks, but let’s face it, there are times when even we have to question our eccentricities. From our inexplicable love for fried foods at state fairs to our baffling insistence on using a measuring system that the rest of the world abandoned centuries ago, we’ve got our fair share of quirks.

20 Things Americans Got Wrong…And We Can’t Help but Shake Our Heads

 

Author

  • Chela Mibei

    Chela excels in crafting insightful pieces, drawing from her background in finance and commerce. Her passions for reading, travel, writing, and volunteering enrich her contributions.

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