Culture Entertainment

American Behaviors That People in Other Countries Think Are Completely Insane

American Behaviors That People in Other Countries Think Are Completely Insane January 28, 2019

Things Americans Do

Every country, region, city and town has its own culture and traditions. But it can be easy to stay in your own bubbles large or small. So what might seem like typical ordinary behavior to most can actually come off as quirky and super weird to outsiders. You may not even be aware of the weird stuff you do every day. Here are a bunch of things Americans do that drive people in other countries up the wall...

Tipping Everyone Over Pretty Much Anything

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash

At expensive restaurants, Americans are supposed to leave a 15% or 20% tip for the server. In some places, if your total is higher than $100, the tip is automatically added to your total, even if the service was bad. But in countries like Argentina, Peru, Belgium, Australia and Estonia you're not expected to tip...like at all. If you do, it's up to you to decide how much you're in the mood to tip. And if you don't leave a tip, guess what? No one bats an eye. The area is pretty gray when it comes to tipping, so the customer decides if they want to participate or not.

You Get All The Ice You Want...Even If You Don't Want It

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash
[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"]

Restaurants serving ice in your water regardless of whether it's hot or cold is unheard of in other parts of the world. But in America, people will ask for a glass that has more ice than actual soft drink or beer.

Using The Imperial System of Measurements

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash

There are tons of things Americans do differently, including the fact that they’re rebels against the conventional order of the world. So, instead of the metric system, they prefer to stick to the imperial system of measurement which is mildly interesting and oh-so-confusing.

Respecting Personal Bubbles

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash

To an American, not respecting someone’s personal space is the worst thing you can do, especially if you're a perfect stranger. It makes Americans uncomfortable if you get too close or too touchy-feely, so the less physical contact, the better. In other countries, physical contact is pretty common. So even if we were just introduced a few moments ago, we might squeeze a hug out of you just to say goodbye, or give you a kiss on the cheek the next time we see you. We just can't help ourselves!

Heating Water Up In The Microwave

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash
[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"]

The rest of the world might boil water in a kettle or in a sauce pan. But Americans nuke their water in a cup to make instant coffee, tea or soup. It’s perfectly normal... if you’re American. But if you're surrounded by foreigners, don't be surprised if boiling water in the microwave raises a few eyebrows. 

Free Refills, Anytime You Want

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash

Even before your water dips below the halfway point of your glass, there's always an eager waiter just waiting to refill it. Americans also tend to refill their cups at BK or Subway for free which is SO not the norm when you're in another country like Brazil, Argentina, and in some places around Europe. Seriously, can we make this a thing outside the U.S.? 

Lunch For Breakfast

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash

A bunch of countries usually serve toast with butter or pastries for breakfast. But Americans make a big production out of it and serve sausages, eggs, burgers, and omelets, which are typically served during lunch or dinner in other places. To be frank, there's nothing I love more than waking up to the smell of crispy bacon and scrambled eggs in the morning, so perhaps, other countries should follow suit. Just sayin'.

Return Policies

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash
[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"]

Americans can exchange a product even after they’ve paid for it and...wait for it...even after they tried it! I know, I know! If you're from the US, this probably doesn't sound like much. But when you weren't raised in the states, exchanging something you've already tested and even worn sounds a little bonkers. Don't get me wrong. Most foreigners would love to have this option available back at home. But unfortunately, some (if not all!) products are non-returnable if the seal is broken, tested, or if you so much stared at the product. 

Supersize It All You Want

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash

Want a bigger order of fries or a larger drink? Then you better be willing to fork over some big bucks if you’re in a foreign country like Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, and some European countries as well. Not only is fast food expensive, but when you select a meal, you pay a ton of extra cash to supersize it. But if you’re in America and you're really hungry, you can XXL your meal for just 50 extra cents.

Mega Gigantic Food Portions

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash
Order a slice of pizza in New York, and it'll likely be the size of a regular pizza anywhere else in the world. Americans just love doing things bigger, especially when it comes to food portions. In other countries, a single US portion could potentially feed a family of four, (which is great if you're able to freeze your leftovers!)

Open Gifts In Front Of Others

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash
[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] Opening gifts in front of others is one of the oddest things Americans do...if you weren't raised in the states, that is. In other countries, people tend to wait until the party’s over and everyone goes home. Then, they thank the person via text for the horrible gift they got. Maybe our ancestors came up with this tradition as a way to avoid saying, "aww, thanks" and fake smile for 15 minutes straight until your face feels funny. Who knows?

Way Too Many Options

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash
Walk into any supermarket in the US and you’ll be bombarded by a ton of options. Want Pringles? There’s bacon, jalapeño, sour cream & onion, ranch, pizza, BBQ, Sriracha, honey mustard, buffalo burger, chocolate, chicken, leather. Just kidding. But you get the point. It's a little overwhelming but oh-so-fun!

Get Into Debt For A Degree

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash
In some Latin American and European countries, higher education is totally free. So you won’t have to live in debt for the rest of your life or go into default because you couldn’t pay your loans like people have to do in America. 

24-Hour Restaurants

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash
[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] In America, there are diners opened 24 hours a day. They even have stores that are also opened around the clock, like Walmart, because you might get a craving for donuts, pickles and a six-pack at 3 am. But in other countries, if you didn't show up to Walmart or McDonalds before 12 pm, you might have to go to bed hungry. 

Give Your Credit Card Away

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash

In other countries, customers don’t just give their credit cards to the server at a restaurant or bar. That'd be considered a bit cray cray, as you wouldn't be able to see what they do with your credit card's info. Foreigners keep sight of it at all times. But in America, people are pretty trusting...almost as if credit card fraud wouldn't even be a thing.

Make A Big Deal About Weddings

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash
It’s pretty crazy to think that people in America go all out for weddings. Some people are willing to get into debt to buy the perfect dress, rent a limo, and cater the event as if they were hosting a red carpet party. Some will even expect their parents to pick up the tab for their big event. But with divorce rates going up, that wouldn't be a financially wise decision in Latin America and a few European countries where people are barely scraping by. 

Advertising Prescription Drugs

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash
[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] Foreigners don’t usually turn on the old tube to see ads about prescription medications. In other countries, you only see ads for over-the-counter meds. But in America you’ll get at least one prescription commercial per hour where they're pushing everything from antidepressants to antipsychotic medicine to diet pills. They’re so in your face, it's kind of fascinating to watch.

Paying Sales Tax On Everything

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash
Every state has a different tax rate, but you better believe you’ll have to pay that percentage every time you make a purchase in America. It’s a good thing it’s all added up in their computerized registers because that’s a lot of math to buy a few bath bombs, nail polish, and a bag of Cheetos. 

Spending Money To Prove Yourself To The Government

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash
The downside of a capitalist society is that the government expects you to earn money and then splurge your hard-earned cash to prove to them that you’re reliable and responsible citizens. But seriously, wouldn't saving your money in an account mean you know how to manage money instead of spending it all to prove you're responsible with it?

Doing Taxes

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash
[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] Every country has their own way of doing taxes. But in the States, people collect W2 forms from the previous year and report their earnings and loss on a form which they present in mid-April of every year...or else. Keeping every single receipt you got during the last 12 months is a pretty daunting task.

Guns Getting Sold At Walmart

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash
Foreigners usually buy guns at a gun store. That is, if their country allows them to even own guns. But in America you can go to any Walmart and get one for yourself. It’s just pretty mind-boggling how you can pick up some TV dinners, a tub of ice cream, and a gun all in the same store.

Coffee On The Go

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash
Instead of sitting at a cafe and enjoying that savory taste of coffee, Americans tend to walk around with it in a to-go cup where they either let it get cold or they chug it as they rush to work. In many countries, breakfast isn't something you grab on your way to work, but something you make the time for and enjoy before heading to the office.

The Date’s Out Of Sequence

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash
[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] If you're from the states, then you're probably used to writing dates in this order: MM-DD-YY. But in Latin America and a few European countries, the order goes like this: DD-MM-YY. So, to everyone else, America writes dates out of order. But to be fair, Americans probably think we're the ones doing it backwards, right?

Flags Are Everywhere

Things Americans Do
IMAGE BY: Unsplash
There's patriotism, and then there's going way overboard, especially when there are American flags everywhere you go, like schools, businesses and churches. There's no harm in showing a lot of pride in your country. But foreigners do think it's pretty crazy to see stores, trucks, and even people, completely decked out as if the American flag was sponsoring them.