Growing up as a third culture kid—an American raised in another country—I was shocked when I moved to the United States for the first time at 18 about some very American things. For those coming from other countries, these things may shock them when landing in the U.S.
Ranch dressing as a default
Ranch dressing was shocking to me. Not only was it the default on every salad, but people were dipping everything in it, including pizza! European dressings tend to just be oil and vinegar or oil and citrus. Ketchup on everything was also something I had to get used to seeing.
Red Solo cups
Americans couldn’t imagine having a party, tailgate, or camping trip without these signature red cups. For non-Americans, they are shocking and something you only see in movies. According to Slate, the cup’s “opacity [is] a selling point for underage college and high-school drinkers who would prefer not to reveal exactly what they’re sipping.” Beyond that, the cups are something you just don’t see anywhere but in America.
The rush to eat
According to Thrillist, it’s quite common in Europe to relish your dining experience for as long as you wish, and the servers there won’t bother you about it. Many foreign visitors are shocked by the rushed feel of eating; even at sit-down restaurants, it can feel like eating at a fast food restaurant. American restaurants are designed for flipping tables, not for enjoying time with friends for a few hours.
Large gaps in public restroom stalls
It is pretty easy to see inside a bathroom stall in American bathrooms, as compared to Europe, where you are vaulted into a private chamber. But even the style of toilets can be shocking depending on where you are coming from, as parts of the world don’t use the porcelain thrones Americans are accustomed to.
Garbage disposal in sinks
Many things of convenience are not common in kitchens outside of the U.S. Business Insider says, “You’d be hard-pressed to find garbage disposals outside of the U.S. In-sink kitchen garbage disposals are common amenities in many U.S. homes, but they’re controversial in many parts of the world for their negative environment impact. In fact, they are banned in most European countries.”
Cashiers bagging groceries
If you’ve ever been to Aldi or Lidl, you get a taste of what it’s like to go to a grocery store in Germany, just in slow motion. Cashiers there ring up your items at lightning speed while you are bagging them yourself. The U.S. has a service culture unlike anywhere else in the world, which is why cashiers or baggers are expected to bag your groceries for you while you scan the candy for that Snickers bar you don’t need.
Constant “dieting” culture
For a country with a high obesity rate, there is an American obsession with dieting—fat-free milk, sugar-free candy, and diet soda are everywhere. You can also find Weight Watchers and gyms everywhere. This is far less common in other cultures that enjoy slow food (not processed) and walkable cities and towns.
Free public restrooms
Unlike some countries where you may have to pay, restrooms are often free to use. In Germany, for example (if you didn’t guess where I was raised), you pay to use any public restroom, with the exception of restaurants. There is usually an attendant by the door who you tip, or there is a fee to enter via a turnstile or some other automated machine. This fee keeps the restrooms clean and operational, and honestly, I think it’s worth it.
Baseball hats as casual wear
Wearing baseball caps in non-sporting contexts is common in the U.S. HatHeaven explains, “In general, clothes with logos are loved by Americans. So, it comes as no surprise that baseball hats with logos are among the favorites. In fact, Americans wear them on a daily basis, whereas Europeans and Asians wear them mostly for game attendance.”
Personal space
This one may have changed since COVID-19. Americans often value a larger personal bubble than people in other cultures. This could be due to the amount of wide open space Americans are used to as opposed to other countries. With larger stores, wider streets, and larger everything, it’s easier to give someone their space.
Drive-thrus
The prevalence of drive-thru restaurants is much higher in the U.S. In the U.S., it seems everyone from the age of 16 has a car, so everything is a drive away. Drive-thrus make sense for their on-the-go lifestyle and use of cars to get anywhere. In other countries, people are more likely to walk or use public transportation, making drive-thrus far less necessary.
Sales tax is not included in the price
In many places, the price you see is what you pay, but in the U.S., sales tax is added at the register. As someone who doesn’t love to do math in my head, it would be nice if the U.S. would jump on board with this one.
Multiple soda flavors
There’s a wide variety of soda options available in the U.S. I think I remember knowing Coke, Mezzo Mix, and Fanta before coming to the U.S. Here, it is common to have large soda machines that can mix cherry vanilla into whichever base soda you want and an entire aisle in the grocery store dedicated to sodas.
Tailgating culture
The practice of gathering in parking lots for food and drinks before a sports event is a distinctly American tradition. This, again, is probably a space thing. With wide open spaces for parking lots and less dependence on public transportation, it is easy to pack the car with a grill and cooler and drink in a parking lot before a sporting event or concert. Don’t forget your red Solo cups.
Large grocery stores
The size of American grocery stores can be surprising to visitors from other countries. Bulk superstores just aren’t as popular in other countries where people have less space to stock up on pantry items for the apocalypse. In many other countries, it is common to go to the grocery store or specialty food shops on a daily basis to get what you need for the day.
Outspokenness
Americans are known for speaking their minds on bumper stickers, lawn signs, or telling somebody in public how they feel. People are a little more subtle about their opinions in other countries, leaving their politics to personal conversations if they have them at all. In the U.S., we know someone’s political party, that they don’t eat meat, and that their kid is on the Honor Roll before we even say hello.
MM-DD-YYYY Date format
The way Americans write dates can be confusing to visitors. As an American and German, this one still trips me up to this day. I have to actively think of which way someone is asking me to type in a date. Most of the world is in day/month/year format, with 24-hour clocks and the metric system—none of which fly in America.
Flags
America prides itself on its national pride. American flags can be seen everywhere, from people’s houses to bikinis and beach towels. This is far less common in other countries. Not saying people aren’t proud of where they come from elsewhere; they just don’t wear it on their sleeves.
Free soda refills at dine-in places
Free refills on soft drinks are common in American restaurants. Soda guns aren’t as common in other countries, where you’ll be served a can or bottle of soda, so there are no free refills. But I think the free water is what shocked me the most. In many countries, tap water isn’t consumed and definitely isn’t served with dinner. If you want water, you order a bottle—sparkling or still.
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