It’s natural to have cultural blindspots in our extensive, interconnected planet. However, there are some things that seem to be uniquely unfamiliar to Americans, often stunning to the rest of the world. This piece seeks to shed light on these matters of interest.
The Metric System is Widespread
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The United States is one of the few countries that predominantly uses the Imperial system of measurements, while the majority of the world employs the metric system. This leads to potential confusion when Americans travel abroad or communicate cross-culturally.
The World’s Love for Soccer
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While football, basketball, and baseball are the most popular sports in the United States, soccer, known as football in most other countries, is the most beloved sport globally. The passion surrounding the sport and the magnitude of events like the World Cup can often surprise Americans.
Diverse Driving Norms
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Americans often don’t realize that driving is done on the left side of the road in many countries, including the UK, Australia, and India. Furthermore, manual transmission vehicles are far more common in many parts of the world than automatic cars in the US.
Bread Variety Abroad
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The soft, sweet white bread found in American supermarkets is far from the norm worldwide. In Europe, for instance, a vast array of bread types are available, including crusty baguettes, dark rye bread, and fluffy ciabatta, offering various textures and flavors.
No Refills and Free Water in Restaurants
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The American practice of free refills for soft drinks and complimentary water in restaurants is uncommon globally. Every drink costs extra in many countries, including water, which can be a surprising adjustment for American travelers.
Tipping Isn’t Universal
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While tipping is customary in American restaurants, it’s either unnecessary in many countries due to service charges being included in the bill or seen as offensive. Some cultures consider excellent service standards not something that warrants an extra monetary reward.
Different College Experience
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The concept of a “college town,” fraternities and sororities, and big college sports culture is unique to America. In many countries, universities are more academically focused, with less emphasis on extracurricular activities, and sports teams do not enjoy the same popularity or influence.
Wide Availability of American TV Shows and Movies
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Many Americans don’t realize how widespread American media is. From Hollywood films to television series, these cultural exports are popular worldwide, often leading to non-Americans knowing quite a bit about American culture and history.
International News Coverage
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American news channels are often criticized for not covering enough international news. This can lead to Americans being less informed about global events compared to people in other countries who have more exposure to international news.
Size of Countries
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Due to the sheer size of the United States, some Americans might perceive other countries as similarly large. However, many countries, especially in Europe, are much smaller in comparison, with diverse cultures and languages packed in closely together.
Healthcare Systems Abroad
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The concept of universal healthcare is foreign to many Americans. In many countries, healthcare is seen as a fundamental right, not a privilege, leading to systems where treatment and medications are either free or heavily subsidized by the government.
American Exceptionalism
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The belief in American exceptionalism, the idea that the US is inherently different and superior to other nations, is a concept that is largely foreign to people from other countries. This cultural perspective can create misunderstandings in international interactions.
Gun Control Laws
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The American debate around gun control is a puzzling concept to many outside the United States. In many countries, stringent gun control laws are the norm, and the idea of the right to bear arms as a constitutional guarantee is foreign.
Vacation Days and Work Culture
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The American work culture with limited vacation days is viewed as very intense by many non-Americans. In several other countries, employees enjoy more generous vacation allowances, leading to a different work-life balance.
Geographic Knowledge
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Americans are sometimes teased for their lack of geographical knowledge, particularly about smaller countries and capitals. With the vastness of their own country and relatively isolated geographic position, global geography may not be as emphasized in their education system.
The Cost of Education
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The high cost of higher education in the United States is staggering for many non-Americans. In numerous countries, university education is heavily subsidized by the government, making it significantly more affordable.
Deep-Fried Foods and Portion Sizes
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The American love for deep-fried foods and large portion sizes is a distinctive part of their food culture. While other countries certainly enjoy fried food, the variety and scale in the US are often a surprise to foreigners.
Legal Drinking Age
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The legal drinking age of 21 in the United States is higher than in many other countries, where it typically ranges from 16 to 18. This contrast often puzzles non-Americans, particularly given the lower age of majority for other responsibilities.
24/7 Culture
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The 24/7 culture in the United States, with stores and services available around the clock, is less common in many countries where businesses often close in the afternoon or evening. This non-stop availability is a feature many foreigners find unique to the US.
While the United States is undoubtedly a country of vast diversity and innovation, it also holds certain unique perspectives and practices, unknown or surprising to the rest of the world. These cultural nuances serve as a fascinating glimpse into the American way of life, enriching our understanding of global diversity.
STUCK IN THE 60S: 10 THINGS BABY BOOMERS REFUSE TO LET GO OF
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Memories of the “good old days” keep us trapped in the past. Baby boomers love to retell tales of how it was “in my day.” At the same time, millennials will tell them to get with the times. Being stuck in a time warp from which they don’t want to snap out of, here are things that baby boomers still think are fantastic.
STUCK IN THE 60S: 10 THINGS BABY BOOMERS REFUSE TO LET GO OF
16 ANNOYING PHRASES THAT MAKE PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY HATE YOU!
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We wanted to know the most irksome things someone can say that turn you off! These online forum users didn’t hold back!
16 ANNOYING PHRASES THAT MAKE PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY HATE YOU!
OBSOLETE MILLENNIALS: 14 SKILLS THEY LEARNED IN THE 90S THAT HAVE NO PLACE IN TODAY’S WORLD
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A lot has changed since the turn of the century – just ask this nostalgic lot!
OBSOLETE MILLENNIALS: 14 SKILLS THEY LEARNED IN THE 90S THAT HAVE NO PLACE IN TODAY’S WORLD
THE FALL FROM GRACE: 12 PROFESSIONS THAT WERE ONCE REVERED, NOW A TOTAL JOKE
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These 12 professions that are now obsolete show how much the times have changed.
THE FALL FROM GRACE: 12 PROFESSIONS THAT WERE ONCE REVERED, NOW A TOTAL JOKE
FROM ‘OKAY BOOMER’ TO ‘UGH BOOMER’: 10 HABITS THAT IRRITATE MILLENNIALS
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Each generation has its quirks. Most label it as an “old person thing” when asked why grandpa or grandma does something unusual. The defense from the other side is that “it was the way things were back in our day.”
FROM ‘OKAY BOOMER’ TO ‘UGH BOOMER’: 10 HABITS THAT IRRITATE MILLENNIALS
