17 Myths About Americans Everyone Believes
Each year, the United States approves around 1 million green cards and welcomes about 50 million visitors. Individuals arriving in the country have many different expectations about the people and the culture.
Some assume that Americans eat only fast food. Others suppose that they speak only one language. And do Texans wear cowboy boots and ride horses all day long?
Some of these beliefs may be true, while others might be just wrong and merely scenes from your favorite Western shows. Here are some myths about Americans that everyone believes in.
1. All Americans Are Patriotic
Patriotism is a well-known virtue among Americans. However, this is not a trait of all people in the U.S. While 67 percent are extremely or very proud to be American, others are not.
Seven percent are only a little proud, and 4 percent are not proud at all. Also, the percentage of U.S. adults expressing pride in being American has been on a downward trend since 2005.
2. Americans Have Only One Culture
At present, the U.S. has a population of more than 336 million. While the majority of Americans are White, 18.7 percent are Hispanic, and 12.1 percent are African American.
Other groups in the U.S. include American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Asians, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, multiracial individuals, and more. Consequently, the country has rich, diverse cultures.
3. Americans Have Only One Language
English is the most spoken language in the world. It is either the native or second language of almost 1.5 billion people. It is also the most commonly used language in the U.S.
However, English is not the only language in the country. Americans have over 350 languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Arabic.
4. Americans Are Loud and Extroverted
Many Americans are expressive, outgoing, and friendly. However, did you know that only 22% say they are extroverted?
On the other hand, 39% of Americans say they are introverts. Meanwhile, 31% say they are ambiverts or a combination of the two. Ultimately, everyone has unique personalities, regardless of what country they live in.
5. Americans Are Rude and Arrogant
The stereotype that Americans are rude and arrogant is often based on specific behaviors, like being loud in public, interrupting others, or seeming extremely confident. While some people may show these traits, it’s important to know that many Americans value politeness, respect, and humility.
Besides that, what might be perceived as arrogance — such as assertiveness or self-confidence — can actually be expressions of individualism, which is a cornerstone of American society. Keep in mind, as with any country, that not everybody in a country is the same.
6. All Americans Are Rich
The average annual income in the U.S. is $70,930, making it the country with 7th highest average income globally. It is higher than the average global personal income of $9,733 per year.
However, the average income can be skewed by millionaires earning their income, with over 30% of the world’s millionaires living in the U.S. Besides that, 28% of the population earns less than $25,000 a year. Almost 80 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, and more than 37 million live in poverty.
7. Americans Are Workaholic
The U.S. is known for its hustle culture. Thirty-five percent of employees in the country say they are experiencing moderate burnout.
However, the average working hours for Americans per week (36.4) is lower than the global average (41.1). Additionally, 69% of employees say work-life balance is important. This proves not all Americans are workaholics and many value their personal lives and work-life balance.
8. Americans Love Guns
According to the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Americans have the right to own and bear guns. Around 42% of households in the country have at least one gun.
Nevertheless, about six in 10 adults in the U.S. favor stricter gun laws. Also, more than half of adults believe increasing the number of guns is bad for society.
9. All Americans in the South Are Cowboys
On television, Americans in the South always wear cowboy hats or walk around in boots. However, that is not the typical attire across the country, including in states like Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
So, what is the typical outfit in the U.S.? Many Americans favor casual clothing, such as t-shirts, baseball caps, jeans, and sneakers.
10. Americans Have No Emergency Healthcare Without Insurance
Health insurance is a relevant issue in the U.S. About 92% of the population has health insurance. However, more than 27 million Americans still do not have health insurance.
Emergency departments of Medicare-participating hospitals must screen and treat emergency medical conditions regardless of insurance status according to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.
11. Undocumented Residents in the U.S. Have No Rights
While undocumented immigrants do not have the same liberties as U.S. citizens, they have protections under the law. These include the right to due process, protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and legal counsel.
Additionally, undocumented immigrants have the right to fair compensation and a safe work environment. They also have the right to be with their families and access education.
12. All Americans Are Obese
Obesity is a risk factor for heart disease, which is the leading cause of death for adults in the U.S. This is one reason why 13% of Americans who are 18-80 years old do intermittent fasting, to feel less hungry and eat less food.
In the U.S., states like West Virginia, Louisiana, and Oklahoma have over 40% of their population with obesity. However, this is not the case for all states. Adult obesity rates in Colorado, Hawaii, Vermont, and a few other states are below 30%.
13. Americans Eat Fast Food All the Time
The U.S. is the birthplace of world-renowned fast food chains like McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King, and Taco Bell. However, the country’s gastronomic scene is varied.
Tennessee and Texas are famous for their barbecues. Maine is known for its lobster. Washington is one of the best places for oysters. Meanwhile, Cajuns and Creoles in Louisiana are crowd favorites.
14. Americans Have Bad Coffee
Sure, Colombia is famous for its Supremo, Arabica, Excelso, and Extra coffees. Moreover, African countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda have the highest ratings from the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI).
But did you know the U.S. is the 11th-best coffee country? Every day, 2 in 3 Americans make coffee at home. Top coffee brands in the country include Starbucks, Dunkin’, and Folgers.
15. Americans Have Bad Beer
Mexico, the Netherlands, and Belgium are among the top beer-exporting countries in the world, with exports worth billions. However, the U.S. is also a competitive beer-exporting country, with exports of $700 million.
Beer in the U.S. is clearer, lighter, and less hoppy than beers from other countries. The top beer brands in the country are Corona, Bud Light, and Budweiser.
16. American High Schools Have Stereotypes, Cliques, and Rigid Social Hierarchies
According to films and television shows, American high schools have a social system dividing students into jocks, cheerleaders, nerds, and theater geeks. But in many cases, this depiction is far from reality, especially in small towns.
High school students can blend into different social circles and become football players, cheerleaders, or leads in school plays all at the same time.
17. All Americans Traveled the U.S.
Upon arriving in the U.S., many people from other countries can get excited about visiting Times Square, Hollywood, etc. Some even assume being in the country physically gives them easy and quick access to all American attractions.
However, even some American citizens have not yet visited New York City, Los Angeles, or other major attractions. The U.S. is the third largest country in the world. In some cases, you may need to drive for a few days or fly to get to a certain place.
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One of the best parts of traveling is trying new restaurants. However, you can’t just walk into a restaurant in any country and act the same way you do at home. Dining customs and traditions vary widely between countries. As a result, tourists, including Americans, sometimes make mistakes when eating out abroad.
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