America’s influence around the world remains undeniable, whether through films, music, or consumer brands. However, many facets of its culture may seem confusing to those outside the United States.
This was a recent topic of discussion in a Threads post where someone asked about American habits and customs that British people might find weird. Some were baffled by the healthcare-related bankruptcies, while others questioned the obsession with weapons and the military.
For other non-Americans with similar sentiments, feel free to voice them in the comments below.
#1
Health care related bankruptcies.
Image source: ian.turner4470, brianstone1940
#2
100% belief in American Exceptionalism.
Image source: stephen_lafferty, Mike Jones
#3
Throwing a tantrum to get a perfectly correct red card overturned.
Image source: nikigunner06, Alfonso Scarpa
#4
The price on the item you are buying, isn’t the final price.
Image source: paul.mac7, Erik Mclean
#5
“Tell your doctor you demand THIS medicine!” adverts on TV
Image source: lorrainekirby102, Tima Miroshnichenko
#6
New mothers returning to work after a few weeks.
Image source: puffacarrot11, Helena Lopes
#7
Obsession with religion.
Image source: thegroucholiz, Arina Krasnikova
#8
Obsession with the military.
Image source: thegroucholiz, Matthew Hintz
#9
Expecting customers to subsidise staff wages in restaurants.
Image source: thegroucholiz, SpotOn POS
#10
Your obsession with weapons.
Image source: paul.mac7, Felipe Jiménez
#11
Drive in everything.
Also fake cheese with everything.
And also the friendliness of the people. Can be a bit overwhelming to us cold Northern Europeans
Image source: constantly_spilling_my_tea, Andrea Piacquadio
#12
World series… “World”…
Image source: anthonyshellshear, Andrej Lišakov
#13
The high water level in the toilets.
Image source: prettykittycupcake, Giorgio Trovato
#14
It’s often colder inside than outside.
Image source: prettykittycupcake, Behnam Norouzi
#15
Service staff (even in fast food restaurants) calling you sir or ma’am. It’s weird.
Image source: denaholland, Andres Segura
#16
Gaps around toilet doors. We can’t find a piece of wood big enough???
Image source: denaholland, Ricky S
#17
Chemical food.
Image source: jon_mhb7112, cottonbro studio
#18
Pledging allegiance to the flag at every opportunity and singing the national anthem at seemingly every group gathering
Image source: ronmackintosh, RDNE Stock project
#19
Obsession with flags.
Image source: bpl_noon, Sergey Guk
#20
Instead of protecting kids in school, y’all just have drills.
For kids.
Like, little kids.
“Well, it’s going to happen, so sit under a desk. Cool, we get our funding now.“
WTH?
Image source: agingphotographer, Mikhail Nilov
#21
Using miles, yards, pounds, Fahrenheit degrees…
Image source: proud_liberal_here, Malachi Brooks
#22
Bread that tastes sweet and cheese that has a weird plastic consistency 😝
Image source: wiz_smith, Karolina Grabowska
#23
Drive-though everything, including banks.
Image source: wrogers_photo, RDNE Stock project
#24
Waiters who keep pestering you.
Image source: wrogers_photo, AI25.Studio AI GENERATIVE
#25
Politicians ‘hearing messages from God.’
Image source: railwayneighbour937, Khalida 11
#26
The obsession over air conditioning.
Image source: kali_kelevara, Getty Images
#27
Underpaying waiting staff and mandatory tipping to give them a liveable wage.
Image source: webard1, Brett Wharton
#28
Crushed ice.
Image source: c.a.t_l.a.d.y, cottonbro studio
#29
Using paper plates.
Image source: miss_elbey, Getty Images
#30
Voting a reality TV host in as president.
Image source: ynot_mc, Curated Lifestyle
#31
GoFundMe to pay for healthcare.
Image source: rockmangabriel, Jonathan Borba
#32
Excessive Nationalistic propaganda easily on a par with North Korea: ‘We are the GREATEST in the world at absolutely everything’
Image source: schmiffy999
#33
The chlorine in the water. 🤢
Image source: prettykittycupcake
#34
The huge portion sizes in restaurants with the intention of taking leftovers home.
Image source: prettykittycupcake
#35
The concept of other countries having a different currency is completely alien to them.
Image source: prettykittycupcake
#36
Pharmaceutical adverts on TV.
Image source: prettykittycupcake
#37
The incredibly long paying process which involves the bank card being taken away, a pen, and calculations.
Image source: denaholland
#38
Things being inaccessible on foot.
Image source: denaholland
#39
The ‘American Dream’.
Image source: tealpossum
#40
Working late and not taking holidays.
Image source: tealpossum
#41
Being afraid to go to the doctor because it might bankrupt you.
Image source: dawnpaints2022
#42
No women’s rights;
No workers’ rights.
Image source: gibbsjayne1960
#43
Nasty food in huge quantities.
Image source: weemrsmac
#44
Being sure America is the greatest country in the world when you’ve never been abroad.
Image source: weemrsmac
#45
Electing a clearly crooked and insane president, twice.
Image source: weemrsmac
#46
Chicken in a can.
Image source: sp52uhh
#47
Equating basic vaguely socialist ideas as extremist left wing notions.
Image source: cal.neil
#48
At the moment, nothing is normal in the US
Image source: theaperitifguy
#49
Removing a woman’s autonomy over her body.
Image source: bpl_noon
#50
Ranch dressing.
Image source: skiing.horace
#51
Saying thank you for your service to random military people and those military people expecting preferential treatment on planes etc.
Image source: ballycullen_
#52
Being asked for ID to buy cigarettes,when you’re in your 60s.
Image source: 5tevie
#53
Calling everything a sandwich.
Image source: paulhainesdewsnip
#54
Tipping culture.
Image source: paul.mac7
#55
The idea that everyone wants to live in the US/be American.
Image source: denaholland
#56
Insurance culture, expensive healthcare provision, lack of annual leave or maternity leave.
Image source: denaholland
#57
Poor public transport.
Image source: gibbsjayne1960
#58
Telling everyone you’re the best at everything when that’s clearly a lie.
Image source: weemrsmac
#59
Not having kettles.
Image source: weemrsmac
Follow Us
