People Online Reveal 30 "American Things" They've Never Anticipated But Is Quite Normal In The States

"Dumbest thing I've ever heard of."

Maryjane

• Published in Interesting
• September 15, 2024

For better or worse, life in the United States is genuinely so different from life anywhere else, depending on who you ask. Even though it sounds like basic sense, a lot of visitors to America quickly discover that there is a lot going on that they may not have anticipated.

Certain American traditions, such as the proportion of liquid to ice in drinks or the purportedly dubious meals, are avoided by foreigners due to personal preference. However, a number of the things that Americans take for granted are actually quite state-specific.

A Redditor asked the Reddit community about something quite common in the United States that is completely unheard of in their own country. Mind you, this question was directed to people who are non-Americans.

Of course, thousands of individuals gave their best opinions. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to spot these 14 commonplace American items outside of the US, from bright yellow school buses to bathroom stalls with strangely large gaps.

As you read through this list, we request that you grab a drink and settle in as you will see some pictures that just might become part of your favorites.

And the question has been popped

1. The pledge of allegiance

2. "People getting bankrupted because of medical emergencies"

3. "Displaying prices without taxes. It threw me off when I first went to buy a bottle of coke a day after I arrived."

4. "Homeowners Association"

5. "Medical debt"

6. "Advertising medications on TV. Dumbest thing I've ever heard of."

7. A list of them

8. Open carrying of firearms

9. Being good at sports

10. Wheel chair ramps

11. "This thing were the kitchen sink has teeth."

12. Not being able to afford medical bills

13. Turning right on a red light

14. The overwork culture

15. Milkshake with a lot of calories

16. "Tipping culture"

17. The cart culture

18. Driving through anywhere basically

19. "My German friend visited us in college. First party he goes "THEY DO EXIST!!" and held up our pack of red solo cups. Haha."

20. "Neighbourhoods without grocery stores."

21. "Feet, yards, gallons, etc."

22. The one sided relationship

23. Translating it everytime

24. Student athletes being handed passing grades

The Redditor also added an edit saying...

I'm going to say this now even though its too late and I already slept while the American were awake and started replying. I don't think the hype and love of college/high school sports is inherently *bad* (except the grades thing). Its just something uniquely American and therefore my answer for the question posed by this post.

25. "Free drink refills."

26. The houses with small fence

27. The tax system

28. The long commutes

29. The American men

30. We have none of this

Traveling the world and experiencing various cultures and traditions that might not align with your perception of the "norm" is always fascinating. Also, there are some aspects of these cultural variations that are challenging for individuals to understand, even though most of the time they only lead to delightful surprises.

Do you have more "American things" to add to this list? Leave them in the comments section below and share this article to your loved ones as well.

Maryjane