Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
America’s influence around the world remains undeniable, whether through films, music, or consumer brands. However, many facets of its culture may seem confusing to those outside the United States.
This was a recent topic of discussion in a Threads post where someone asked about American habits and customs that British people might find weird. Some were baffled by the healthcare-related bankruptcies, while others questioned the obsession with weapons and the military.
For other non-Americans with similar sentiments, feel free to voice them in the comments below.
This post may include affiliate links.
RELATED:
#2
Electing a clearly crooked and insane president, twice.
Skywitness 10 hours ago
I lived in Germany for 3 years and wondered how the German people could have ever followed Hitler. I have a much better idea now.
#3
Expecting customers to subsidise staff wages in restaurants.
#4
Throwing a tantrum to get a perfectly correct red card overturned.
Jane Doe-Doe 11 hours ago
Temper tantrum trump throws a hissy fit about a game he knows nothing about
#5
Obsession with the military.
#6
100% belief in American Exceptionalism.
persephone134 10 hours ago
That's because it's spoonfed into them from an early age onwards. Schools, the media, politics, ... they are all harping on the same theme.
#8
Obsession with religion.
Multa Nocte (she/her/86 47) 10 hours ago
Obsession with pushing one's own religion onto others.
#10
Pledging allegiance to the flag at every opportunity and singing the national anthem at seemingly every group gathering
#11
The price on the item you are buying, isn't the final price.
#13
Chemical food.
Jane Doe-Doe 11 hours ago
Yes, their bread would be classed as cake in a lot of other countries
#14
Voting a reality TV host in as president.
#17
World series... "World"...
#18
Excessive Nationalistic propaganda easily on a par with North Korea: ‘We are the GREATEST in the world at absolutely everything’
Jane Doe-Doe 10 hours ago
I watched a YouTube video earlier with someone reading ‘ s**t Americans say ‘ and a lot were about how America was the greatest country in the world and EVERYONE wants to move there 😂😂😂
#19
The concept of other countries having a different currency is completely alien to them.
#20
Obsession with flags.
#21
Underpaying waiting staff and mandatory tipping to give them a liveable wage.
StrangeOne 6 hours ago
That's just part of the American capitalism. Everyone is trying to take, take, take as much as they can, even if it means leaving others with little or nothing.
#23
Being afraid to go to the doctor because it might bankrupt you.
StrangeOne 6 hours ago
I don't think one visit to the doctor, even in the USA is going to financially c*****e anyone. Isn't there a low income program that helps people get medical care if they can't afford it? Don't Americans pay into employee health insurance benefits?
#24
No women's rights;
No workers' rights.
sweetpea 9 hours ago
During a tour of a Ford factor discussing the impact of his tariffs, a worker yelled at him about hiding the epstein files, as a worker and human he is aloud to do this. here is Trump, the President of the United States responding and afterwards tried to have him fired. (As Trump walked along a factory catwalk, 40-year-old worker TJ Sabula shouted criticism at the president, reportedly calling him a "pedophile protector" in reference to the Jeffrey Epstein case files) *In cell phone footage, Trump can be seen pointing, mouthing "f--- you" twice, and raising his middle finger*
#25
Being sure America is the greatest country in the world when you’ve never been abroad.
Rose the Cook 3 hours ago
My father was like this about Australia but he had never left the state he was born in.
#26
Equating basic vaguely socialist ideas as extremist left wing notions.
#27
"Tell your doctor you demand THIS medicine!" adverts on TV
persephone134 10 hours ago
If you listen to local American radio stations, you will be bombarded with ads for medicine / local pharmacies, but also lawyers and car dealers. Those seem to be in high demand.
#28
At the moment, nothing is normal in the US
#29
Instead of protecting kids in school, y’all just have drills.
For kids.
Like, little kids.
“Well, it’s going to happen, so sit under a desk. Cool, we get our funding now.“
WTH?
Jane Doe-Doe 10 hours ago
I still can’t wrap my head around that, little children having ‘ school shooter’ drills
#30
Bread that tastes sweet and cheese that has a weird plastic consistency 😝
#31
Politicians 'hearing messages from God.'
Skywitness 10 hours ago
If you talk to God that's called prayer. If God talks to you, that's schizophrenia.
#32
Working late and not taking holidays.
StrangeOne 5 hours ago
Those are one thing. It's those who think of it as a flex to work that much extra who are on a whole other level.
#35
The idea that everyone wants to live in the US/be American.
Skywitness 10 hours ago
With current conditions, many of us living here don't want to be here.
#36
Pharmaceutical adverts on TV.
Skywitness 10 hours ago
How else will you know what new, likely ineffective, prescription will bankrupt you?
#37
Insurance culture, expensive healthcare provision, lack of annual leave or maternity leave.
#38
The 'American Dream'.
#39
Poor public transport.
Tabitha 1 hour ago (edited)
Again, you need to take into account the SIZE and distances between cities in the US. Yes, in the tri-state area around New York City, with so many people commuting to jobs on that tiny island, you HAVE to have decent public transportation. However, they also drive their personal cars to the train station. If they don’t live in the city, they need their cars. Granted, traffic jams and exhaust aren’t a sustainable alternative. But right now, it’s all we have. Come up with a feasible solution, or invent a cleaner alternative, and the majority will use it, believe me, and we’ll work on bringing the knuckledraggers into the 21st Century as well.
#40
Saying thank you for your service to random military people and those military people expecting preferential treatment on planes etc.
#41
Being asked for ID to buy cigarettes,when you're in your 60s.
StrangeOne 5 hours ago
This is many places that have age limit laws to obtain controlled, adult only products, like liquor, tobacco products, vape products, lottery and cannabis. It's just the clerks doing their job. Some people look old for their age. Some look young for their age.
#42
The incredibly long paying process which involves the bank card being taken away, a pen, and calculations.
StrangeOne 5 hours ago
No one will be grabbing my bank card and taking it away. If a bank finds out you allowed someone to take your card when you report a fraudulent charge, they may deem you complicate and may not help you get your money back.
#43
Drive in everything.
Also fake cheese with everything.
And also the friendliness of the people. Can be a bit overwhelming to us cold Northern Europeans
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 10 hours ago
The only thing liberal about the US is their definition of cheese.
#45
Things being inaccessible on foot.
#46
Drive-though everything, including banks.
#47
Waiters who keep pestering you.
StrangeOne 5 hours ago
Doing check ins every minute is too much. Once during the meal is just fine. Being ignored is worse.
#48
The high water level in the toilets.
Skywitness 10 hours ago
TBF I never did get used to the "continental shelf" when I lived in Germany.
#53
The huge portion sizes in restaurants with the intention of taking leftovers home.
StrangeOne 5 hours ago
I'm sure the prices wouldn't be so extra if the portions were more reasonable.
#54
Calling everything a sandwich.
#55
Using paper plates.
#56
Service staff (even in fast food restaurants) calling you sir or ma'am. It's weird.
#58
Ranch dressing.
SouthernGal 5 hours ago
You’ll have to pry my bottle of Ranch dressing out of my cold d**d hands. I love it!
#59
Crushed ice.
What do you think ?
Mari 10 hours ago
I am sorry American friends but your clownesk president made the whole nation unpopular in the rest of the world.
Mari 10 hours ago
I am sorry American friends but your clownesk president made the whole nation unpopular in the rest of the world.
Related on Bored Panda
