Hey there, folks from around the world! Have you ever scratched your head in bewilderment at some of the customs you’ve seen our friends across the pond engage in? Well, you’re not alone! We took a stroll through the vast landscape of the internet, and let me tell you, the responses we found were nothing short of intriguing. So, if you’ve ever wondered about those peculiar American traditions that perplex you, you’re in for a treat. Let’s dive into this curious discussion and see what our global community says!
Commercials for Drugs
In the online discussion, an individual expressed their perplexity regarding a common American practice: pharmaceutical commercials. They found it instead bewildering that these commercials promoted medications that they, as a viewer, couldn’t even purchase directly. These advertisements’ ubiquitous phrase “ask your doctor” added to their confusion. This observation highlights the cultural differences in advertising and healthcare practices, offering a straightforward and severe perspective on an aspect of American culture that can appear puzzling to outsiders.
“So weird. My doctor should be telling me what drugs I need. I shouldn’t have to ask after some advert, lol,” one user on the thread.
Kids Beauty Pageants
In an online discussion, an individual shared their perspective on kids’ beauty pageants, deeming it a practice that they find rather unusual and concerning. They expressed their view that parents seem to be willingly subjecting their children to potential exploitation for the sake of winning in such competitions. This severe and straightforward commentary highlights their discomfort with the practice, emphasizing the ethical considerations surrounding children’s involvement in beauty pageants.
A US commenter said, “Most of us here think it’s weird, too. Personally, I think they should be outlawed as child exploitation.”
Cashiers That Can’t Sit
In a discussion thread, an individual raised a severe yet straightforward question about the practice of not allowing cashiers to sit during their work shifts. They expressed genuine curiosity and bewilderment, wondering why such a policy exists. This straightforward inquiry touches on workplace conditions and employee well-being, highlighting a concern for the physical comfort and health of individuals in these roles.
A contributor told their story, “I worked at an auto parts store when I was a teenager. We had one long counter with several computers lined up, and we usually had 2-4 people working. We had one stool at the end of the counter, and when I started there, my manager told me to only sit on the stool if there were no customers. I asked why, and he said they would complain to the main office. I thought he was exaggerating. That was until we got a complaint because one of us was sitting on the stool while looking up parts for a customer. There’s a portion of Americans that think if service employees are comfortable in any way, they’re being lazy. And they ruin it for all of us.”
Finding Somebody to Cover Shifts
In a forum discussion, an individual made a straightforward and sensible point about finding someone to cover shifts during leave or sickness. They questioned the need for employees to handle this task themselves, believing that this duty should fall within the manager’s purview. This perspective underscores the organizational structure of the workplace. It raises a valid query about the division of responsibilities and support systems in such situations.
“I worked at a caregiving agency where ‘swapping shifts’ became an issue. It used to be that you and Sally could simply swap verbally, and you did not have to inform the supervisor. Until you got THAT coworker who denied agreeing to the swap, and there was no one at shift. It happened so often that the agency changed it to requiring a 3-way call or a physical meeting with everyone agreeing with the shift change. Anyone not showing up to their agreed shift was terminated. (That happened as well),” one user on the thread explained.
Home Owner Associations
In an internet discussion, an individual shared their perspective on homeowner associations and their strict control over even the minutest aspects of one’s own home. They expressed their genuine bewilderment regarding this American practice, particularly as outsiders. This observation highlights the cultural differences in homeownership and community regulations, offering a straightforward and severe perspective on a practice that can perplex those unfamiliar.
One user on the thread explained the strange practice, “Started off as a way to skirt the anti-discrimination laws. ‘You can buy this home…but you have to live by these rules or else…'”
Taxes
An individual voiced their confusion about the American practice of individuals being responsible for doing their own taxes, with potential penalties for unintentional errors. They found this approach quite perplexing. This observation underscores the contrast in tax systems and responsibilities between countries, highlighting the seriousness of the consequences of tax-related mistakes in the American context and the unique aspects of the US tax system that may appear unconventional to others.
“I just mailed the IRS a check today because I got my taxes slightly wrong. It costs around $300 to have an accountant do it for you. When the majority of us are living paycheck to paycheck, that’s too much moolah to be spending in one place, on top of what you’ll have to pay to the state and fed,” said another frustrated individual.
Buying Alcohol
In an online discussion, an individual raised a straightforward and severe point about the legal age restrictions in the United States. They expressed bewilderment that at 18, individuals can enlist in the military, operate firearms, engage in various adult activities, and drive a car. Yet, the legal age for purchasing and consuming alcohol is set at 21. This observation highlights the unique legal framework in the US regarding age-related regulations, which may appear unconventional and inconsistent to some.
“It used to be 21 for liquor and 18 for beer and wine. In the 80s, there was a massive public outcry about drunk driving, and the Federal government wanted the age raised to 21 for all alcohol. The Feds don’t have the authority to arbitrarily raise the age (up to the individual states), so they just extorted them. Any state that didn’t raise the age limit lost out on a lot of infrastructure money,” added one user.
Black Friday
Someone brought up the American tradition of Black Friday in a discussion, pointing out what they perceive as a curious contradiction. On Thanksgiving, people express gratitude for what they have. Still, shortly afterward, a frenzied shopping spree ensues as shoppers rush to acquire the things they desire. This observation underscores the irony of this consumer-driven event occurring right after a holiday centered around gratitude. It offers a straightforward and severe perspective on a cultural practice that may seem paradoxical to some.
“My ex was super into it, so I would put on comfy shoes and wait in line at 3 a.m. with him. Nothing we ever managed to get seemed worth the hassle. These days, the ‘doorbusters’ are like 30% off the regular price. Why people still stand outside and freeze for that is beyond me,” one user told their Black Friday story.
Televangelists
One person on the thread said that televangelists like Kenneth Copeland often come to mind when discussing oddball American practices. The presence of certain morally questionable televangelists with opulent lifestyles, including extravagant houses and private jets, can be repugnant. This sentiment is powerful for those who are skeptical of organized religion. It raises the perplexing question of why people would follow individuals who appear to be primarily motivated by financial gain and deceit. This observation underscores the complex relationship between faith, money, and influence in American culture, which may seem perplexing and exploitative to some.
“That’s the awful one. People have described him as charismatic, but I don’t see it at all. The insincere serial killer smile and manic staring eyes are off-putting enough without mentioning his overall demeanor and lack of scruples. I would honestly fear for my own safety if I was alone in a room with him,” another commenter offered an insight into the strange world of televangelists.
The Toilet Gap
In a forum discussion, a non-American expressed confusion about “The Toilet Gap.”
“This really surprised me. I’m Canadian, and we also have a bit of room above and below a public toilet stall door. But when I went to Seattle last year and had to attend to some biological business at the Pike Place Market public washroom, I was shocked at how small the doors are. I am not convinced I was covered from outside view.”
Sales Tax
A user made a succinct yet thought-provoking observation regarding a practice in the United States – the exclusion of sales tax from the displayed price of products. They found it rather unusual and described it as “wild.” This straightforward comment highlights the cultural differences in pricing transparency and taxation systems, emphasizing how this practice may seem perplexing or unconventional to individuals from other regions where taxes are typically included in the listed prices.
One US citizen offered a confused stance, “I was just in London, and the price of my meal at a restaurant – was the price on the menu. And tipping was optional. So you… actually, I knew what the bill was before it came. Wild stuff.”
One Week of Paid Vacation
One forum user expressed astonishment at a practice they considered unusual in the United States – the allocation of only one week of paid vacation or, in some cases, no paid time off. This straightforward comment highlights the differences in vacation policies between countries. It emphasizes that the limited time off in the US may appear perplexing or insufficient to individuals from regions where longer paid vacations are the norm.
“My vacation is ‘unlimited,’ but based on workload and available staff, so I get less vacation than ever. I have to push hard to get the five weeks I used to have,” said one American about the lack of vacation time they actually get.
Tipping
A forum user expressed disbelief over tipping in the United States, questioning whether some individuals rely on tips as a substantial part of their income.
“Good servers and bartenders love the tipping system,” said one US commenter. While another agreed, “Can confirm. I have friends who are bartenders and waitresses, and we’ve had conversations about being more like the rest of the world and eliminating the tipping system. The good ones have all said they would find another line of work because they couldn’t afford the pay cut. I have a nephew who works as a bartender, and he frequently skips family gatherings because the money he makes on the weekends and holidays is too good to lose.”
Wedding Cake Smashing
One person expressed their astonishment at the American practice of wedding cake smashing, particularly when the cake is playfully smashed into the face of the brand-new spouse. This action was unexpected, especially considering Americans’ generally polite and diplomatic nature and the decorum typically associated with wedding celebrations.
One American on the thread said, “Thankfully, it’s not really a tradition. The actual tradition is feeding each other a bite of cake. At some point, one or both decided to be ‘playful’ and smash the cake into their new spouse’s face. Other couples went on to copy it, and it all snowballed from there. I’ve even seen/heard it devolve into a straight-up cake fight, ruining hair, makeup, or clothing (sometimes even the bridal gown!).”
Adding, “As an American, I dislike it for the most part. About 99% of the time, it comes across as tacky or trashy. Once in a while, there’ll be a couple who are legitimately playful & silly and love teasing/pranking one another. As a result, cake smashing might happen at their wedding and feel like an entertaining, spontaneous move within the context of their relationship. But most of the time, it’s couples being very unoriginal & kinda performative.”
Fraternity and Sorority Hazing
A user expressed their disbelief at everything associated with belonging to and participating in a fraternity or sorority, with a particular focus on the selection process and hazing rituals. They found these aspects especially problematic and perplexing, considering them a unique and strange American college tradition. This observation highlights the cultural differences in college organizations and initiation practices, emphasizing how these customs may seem bewildering and concerning to individuals from other parts of the world.
“That stuff is really overblown in media. I was in a fraternity in college. Selection? I went to a few parties and hung out. Some of the guys thought I’d fit, and they invited me. Hazing? The worst that happened was they drove us out to a nearby woods on a Friday and dropped us off as a group. Just ten dudes wandering along getting back to town. Honestly, excellent bonding time.”
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