Every country is, of course, different. Our traditions vary, as do our priorities. We may or may not speak the same language and our geography can vary from place to place.
But as different as we are, we share one common aspect—every country has its share of amazing, wonderful things and its share of things that are kind of, well, weird.
Of course, the U.S. is pretty high up there when it comes to wonderfulness and being weird. So much so that Redditor rickyjones75 recently asked, “Non-Americans who have been to the US: “What is the weirdest thing about America that Americans don’t realize is weird?”
Non-Americans were more than willing to oblige. And travel friends, they have us PEGGED. Here are some of the better responses.
- Trying to reconcile your lovely in-person dispositions with the fierce hatred and division portrayed in the media. Seems as though the bottom of the gene pool has somehow been chosen as brand ambassadors, which seems odd – imagine Nike/etc doing the same, instead of picking the best of the best as their ambassadors– hardwoodfl
- It’s big. Like, really big. I’m from the UK, and 2 years ago, I did route 66. Even taking the interstate (so not actual route 66, but you get the idea), it took 4 days of 12+ hours driving to do it. It’s g*****n huge.– cairfrey
- Yall can strike a conversation with a tree. You literally don’t need anyone to respond and you’ll yabber away relentlessly. It’s a generalisation, as I know there are some quiet Americans, but I was just down in a Publix trying to decide what beer to buy and some woman’s suddenly talking to me about how she met her husband. I love it, I’m a fairly quiet dude – New Zealand’s a fairly reserved place, so just being able to stream your consciousness out like that is just something truly remarkable. – Muter
- Prescription drug ads on TV that casually say “side effects may include death”. I was shocked..You folks are lovely. Even if you can buy death candy from TV. — Lattice-shadow
- As a Brit how amazingly, and genuinely, friendly you are. How enamoured you are with British culture and people.
I was invited to a BBQ, in a public place, by someone that I met because he liked the t-shirt I was wearing. I felt like some sort of celebrity! I’m an average guy, but everyone wanted to chat to me.
I’ve traveled extensively and have met many other nationalities, whilst in their country. I’ve been made to feel welcome in almost all, but how I was treated once my accent was heard in the US was on another level.
Thank you for making me feel so welcome. I’ve had several amazing trips to US. They hold a very special place in my heart. — bungle_bogs - The restaurants expect you to NOT finish the food and take it home. My Mother finds taking home leftovers from a restaurant to be embarrassing and will not do it. But American restaurants have portions sizes that seem to expect this.– Repulsive_Tear4528
- Hearing someone speak with an american accent IRL, my brain just associated it with movies and suc. – Alternative_Day5221
- Your news channels display FAR TOO MUCH info on the screen– Raioc2436
- The toilet is so FULL of water. I always have to convince myself that I’m not about to dunk my cheeks.– Hazz3r
- They have those angry sinks that chop s**t– Mind_Extract
- Look up the craziness of “dry counties” in the south. I visited a friend who moved to Mississippi years ago, we had to drive an hour away (within the same state) to get a pack of beer.– drho89
- The tax isn’t automatically added to the price shown in shops, restaurants etc. If I only have a dollar in my pocket I’d like to see straight away what I can buy for that dollar, without trying to find out the tax rate and calculating it. — Casey_19
- The way y’all sob over and praise your military. You’ve got announcements at the airport, priority parking, special discounts etc. for guys who, realistically, are no more deserving of hero worship than any other job.
The obsession with showing your patriotism by flying a flag in your yard is also weird, as is having to pledge your allegiance as part of your school day. — ChrisTheDog - radically different laws for each state? like you could be illegal in one, then travel a few miles, then boom you’re safe?– Frequent_Print7915
- You guys do love your big cars, huh :p– Bman1465
- Tipping is super weird. Pay your staff properly, and set your prices accordingly — RevolutionObvious251
- The flags everywhere.– davorg
- The billboards on the interstates…. “Only 20 miles to….”, “Only 15 miles to….” and some chain or business.
Oh, and fireworks… everywhere…Iracing_Muskoka - how aggressive your news is delivered to you, how the smallest of headlines can be delivered like it’s a nationwide red alert and you should look over your shoulder at every waking moment. no wonder y’all are packing an entire armada for your daily walk to the store– sheerduckinghubris
- Plastering all sorts of things about your children, their schools, your politics etc on your car in the form of bumper stickers is extremely strange to me. Why would you want strangers driving behind you to know those things?– HotelLima6
- Ranch dressing obsession. — Unusual_Feature8346
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