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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.
#1
Electing a clearly crooked and insane president, twice.
Skywitness 21 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.
RELATED:
#2
Health care related bankruptcies.
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 21 hours ago
Do not worry fellow British people, the tories and reform both support your right to be bankrupted by medical debt too!
#3
Expecting customers to subsidise staff wages in restaurants.
#4
Throwing a tantrum to get a perfectly correct red card overturned.
Jane Doe-Doe 22 hours ago
Temper tantrum trump throws a hissy fit about a game he knows nothing about
#5
Obsession with the military.
#6
The price on the item you are buying, isn't the final price.
#7
Pledging allegiance to the flag at every opportunity and singing the national anthem at seemingly every group gathering
#10
100% belief in American Exceptionalism.
persephone134 21 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.
#12
Excessive Nationalistic propaganda easily on a par with North Korea: ‘We are the GREATEST in the world at absolutely everything’
Jane Doe-Doe 22 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 😂😂😂
#13
Voting a reality TV host in as president.
#14
Obsession with religion.
Multa Nocte (she/her/86 47) 21 hours ago
Obsession with pushing one's own religion onto others.
#16
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 22 hours ago
I still can’t wrap my head around that, little children having ‘ school shooter’ drills
#19
Being sure America is the greatest country in the world when you’ve never been abroad.
BarBeeGirl 21 hours ago
It’s drilled into them at a very young age. And the only reason other countries exist is bc America lets them. For now. 🙄
#20
Politicians 'hearing messages from God.'
Skywitness 21 hours ago
If you talk to God that's called prayer. If God talks to you, that's schizophrenia.
#21
Underpaying waiting staff and mandatory tipping to give them a liveable wage.
StrangeOne 17 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.
#24
The idea that everyone wants to live in the US/be American.
Skywitness 21 hours ago
With current conditions, many of us living here don't want to be here.
#25
Chemical food.
Jane Doe-Doe 22 hours ago
Yes, their bread would be classed as cake in a lot of other countries
#26
No women's rights;
No workers' rights.
sweetpea 21 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*
#27
Obsession with flags.
#28
Being afraid to go to the doctor because it might bankrupt you.
Verfin22 8 hours ago
Just because we pay into coverage doesn't mean the company okays the treatment. They can deny payment if they think it's unnecessary, even if a doctor says it's needed. They make you jump through lots of steps until they deem they'll pay when you spent a certain amount of money for bogus stuff that wasn't helpful.
#29
At the moment, nothing is normal in the US
#31
The concept of other countries having a different currency is completely alien to them.
#32
"Tell your doctor you demand THIS medicine!" adverts on TV
persephone134 21 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.
#33
Bread that tastes sweet and cheese that has a weird plastic consistency 😝
#34
Working late and not taking holidays.
StrangeOne 16 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
Saying thank you for your service to random military people and those military people expecting preferential treatment on planes etc.
#36
The incredibly long paying process which involves the bank card being taken away, a pen, and calculations.
StrangeOne 16 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.
#38
Pharmaceutical adverts on TV.
Skywitness 21 hours ago
How else will you know what new, likely ineffective, prescription will bankrupt you?
#39
Poor public transport.
#40
Things being inaccessible on foot.
#41
Insurance culture, expensive healthcare provision, lack of annual leave or maternity leave.
#42
Being asked for ID to buy cigarettes,when you're in your 60s.
Kelly Scott 2 hours ago (edited)
OK, well, here's what happened at our store. Some shyster lawyer found a 16 or 17 year old who had a full beard, was 6' 2", and looked about 30. He went into dozens of convenience stores, grocery stores, liquor stores and the like and asked for smokes. At the time, the policy was to card if anyone looked like they were under 25. So of course, everyone sold this guy cigarettes and I think even booze. The lawyer recorded each instance. Then he went to the manager or owner of each store and said: If you will pay me x amount of dollars, I won't inform ATF. Now, I worked in California. If you sold booze to a minor, the first offense was a $500 fine for the clerk. The second offense was a much larger fine for the owner or manager of the store. The third offense got your liquor license yanked and that meant basically selling your store because what convenience store can operate in the black without selling liquor? So a lot of managers paid up because they didn't want to have a second or third offense on their record. My manager and a bunch of others got together to sue the lawyer for extortion, but they lost. So the new rule is: card EVERYONE no matter how old they look. If you don't like this, that s*****g lawyer is the one to blame.
#43
The 'American Dream'.
#44
Waiters who keep pestering you.
StrangeOne 16 hours ago
Doing check ins every minute is too much. Once during the meal is just fine. Being ignored is worse.
#45
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 21 hours ago
The only thing liberal about the US is their definition of cheese.
#48
Service staff (even in fast food restaurants) calling you sir or ma'am. It's weird.
#49
Telling everyone you’re the best at everything when that’s clearly a lie.
#50
Drive-though everything, including banks.
#51
Using paper plates.
Loosey Goosey 10 hours ago
Putting the knife down after cutting up food and eating with only a fork in your hand.
#52
The huge portion sizes in restaurants with the intention of taking leftovers home.
StrangeOne 16 hours ago
I'm sure the prices wouldn't be so extra if the portions were more reasonable.
#53
The high water level in the toilets.
Skywitness 21 hours ago
TBF I never did get used to the "continental shelf" when I lived in Germany.
#54
Chicken in a can.
DeoManus Argentem 4 hours ago
You can still buy canned chicken (not whole chickens! Chunks of breast meat) - but it's incredibly expensive vs fresh or frozen. It's not bad, but meant for emergencies as far as I can fathom.
What do you think ?
Mari 21 hours ago
I am sorry American friends but your clownesk president made the whole nation unpopular in the rest of the world.
Laszlo Larthlanc 7 hours ago
And now for something that matters a bit more than the usual who-hates-who at BP: Andrew Tate and his brother have been arrested in Florida and await extradition to the UK on 38 serious charges. Link to follow.
Mari 21 hours ago
I am sorry American friends but your clownesk president made the whole nation unpopular in the rest of the world.
Laszlo Larthlanc 7 hours ago
And now for something that matters a bit more than the usual who-hates-who at BP: Andrew Tate and his brother have been arrested in Florida and await extradition to the UK on 38 serious charges. Link to follow.
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