18 Reasons Non-Americans Just Don’t Get American Culture
Each country has its own rules, customs, and way of living. Italy is well-known for Renaissance art, France is attractive for its flair for romance, and China is known for tight family bonds.
The United States (U.S.) also has a distinct culture, from flags to red drinking cups. However, other parts of the world may not get some aspects of American culture.
Here are some reasons why non-Americans just don’t get American culture.
1. Patriotism
Patriotism is a well-known American virtue. Americans have flags on porches, flag stickers on cars, and flags on baseball caps.
While 39 percent of people in the U.S. are extremely proud to be Americans, other countries are not as patriotic. They have a harder time understanding why, no matter what state you visit, you’ll find American flags in any direction you look in.
2. Friendliness
Smiling at strangers and making small talk are the norm in the U.S. In general, New Yorkers are straightforward, while Californians are free spirits. Louisiana and Texas also have a hospitable vibe.
However, this may not be the case in other cultures. Some of the most introverted countries are Martinique (56.42%), Lithuania (55.6%), and Chile (55.46%). In some countries, people may be more reserved compared to the outgoing nature of many Americans.
3. Loudness
Americans are considered louder in restaurants, on streets, on trains, etc., than people from other cultures. Perhaps Western culture interprets silence as a sign of indifference or disagreement.
On the contrary, some parts of the world prefer to be quiet and reserved, like some Asian and Nordic countries. For example, the Japanese consider silence a sign of respect, discipline, and mindfulness.
4. Curiosity
Asking a stranger personal questions, for example what they do for a living, is part of the ordinary American conversation. It can be a way to learn their interests or find common ground.
However, in many cultures, asking about someone’s profession or personal life may be considered intrusive. Some cultures prefer to keep these details private until there’s a deeper relationship.
5. Giving Hugs
Sure, handshakes are more common and appropriate in professional settings or when meeting strangers. However, hugging is a way of greeting close family and friends, celebrating, and comforting in several countries like the U.S.
However, other cultures have different greetings. For example, in Japan, a bow is customary instead of a hug. In India, saying namaste is more common than a hug.
6. First Floor
What do you call the floor of a building that is at street level? In American English, it is the first floor. Then above it is the second floor, then the third floor, etc.
But not so in British English. In this case, the floor of a building at street level is the ground floor. Then, the floor above it is the first floor, then above it is the second floor, etc. I know — it can get confusing.
7. Wearing Shoes in the House
In the U.S., it is common to wear shoes inside the house. This can provide comfort and convenience if you’re used to it.
However, in many other cultures, removing shoes before you enter a house is a common tradition. Countries such as Japan, Korea, and India, as well as parts of Europe, consider it a sign of respect and cleanliness to leave shoes at the door.
8. Car Culture
In general, Americans drive and travel long distances more than other countries. Ninety-two percent of households in the U.S. own at least one family car.
Other places in the world have a different transportation scene. Florence, Hamburg, and Madrid are some of the most walkable cities. Meanwhile, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany are known for their cycling culture.
9. Big Gaps in Public Toilets
It is not the most comfortable feeling to do something private — particularly heeding the call of nature — in a public setting. For many non-Americans, the huge gaps in public restrooms in the U.S. can make the experience more awkward.
However, there is some soundness to those big gaps. They allow quick access if someone collapses, and they discourage illegal activities such as drugs. Also, full-size doors can have limited air circulation and, thus, trap odors.
10. Shopping at Superstores
Target is an infamous retailer of general merchandise and food products in the U.S. One of the reasons they have more than 75 million active loyalty program members is the availability of private-label brands. A few examples include Cat & Jack, Cloud Island, and Pillowfort.
Walmart is another popular choice, with about 240 million customers every week. People enjoy free delivery, self-checkout registers, and cheap gas, among other products and services.
11. Adding Sales Tax at Checkout
In the U.S., there is more to the price tag. Businesses exclude the sales tax from the price tag to establish the same price across all tax areas. As a result, customers have to compute the total amount and be surprised at the checkout.
However, price tags already include the sales tax in other places, like Europe. There is no need for some mental math and mini-heart attacks.
12. Handing Credit Cards Over
Americans easily hand over their credit cards when paying. It is a norm in the U.S. to casually give your credit cards to servers before the latter takes them away for swiping.
That is not typical in European countries, where servers run credit cards through a machine beside customers. Some other countries, like Morocco, Egypt, and Kenya, are even more dependent on cash than cards.
13. The Imperial System
The predominant system of measurement in the U.S. is the imperial system, which originated from the Brits. While most countries use the metric system, Americans measure length in feet, mass in pounds, and volume in ounces.
The main reasons the U.S. still has not switched are money and time. Making the change can have an expensive and time-consuming impact on the entire infrastructure of the country.
14. Super-Sized Food Servings
A 5-inch tortilla in a Mexican quesadilla has a 10-inch American counterpart, doubling the calories. Furthermore, bagels and croissants in the U.S. are two to three times bigger than the original size.
However, other cultures like Japan offer small food servings to prevent food waste. McDonald’s cups in Japan can hold 20 ounces of drinks, while they can hold 30 ounces in the U.S.
15. Tipping
Seventy-eight percent of Americans tip when getting a haircut, while 70 percent tip when buying a drink at a bar. Also, 61 percent tip after riding a cab or rideshare car, while 25 percent tip when buying coffee.
However, in other countries like France and Spain, restaurants may already include a service charge to the bill. Also, in Australia and New Zealand, customers may round up the bill instead of tipping.
16. Red Cups
In the U.S., red cups are an icon in college parties and backyard barbeques. They are not just a thing in television shows and music videos; they are a popular part of American culture.
There are several reasons why. The opaque color does not easily give away what is inside the cup. Also, it is easy to hold and sturdy, making it virtually spill-proof.
17. Free Refills
Fast food chains and restaurants in the U.S. normally give free refills to customers, from sodas to coffees. Famous examples include Denny’s, KFC, and Taco Bell.
However, in other countries, customers pay for another glass of their drinks. For example, France bans free refills of sugary drinks to help control obesity and diabetes among the population.
18. Ice in Beverages
Whether it is soda, whiskey, or just plain water, Americans generally like their drinks cold. During winter, cafes still serve iced coffee in the U.S. In addition, grocery stores, gas stations, and fast food chains even sell ice bags.
However, other parts of the world, like Europe, have a different taste. For some people, putting ice in your drink can change how it tastes and they’d rather stay away from it.
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