Visitors to the United States often experience culture shock, encountering aspects of American life that feel odd or surprising. A social media post on some of the country’s strangest aspects has generated a colorful discussion on Reddit.
A question was posed by a poster under the username rickyjones75, who asked, “Non-Americans who have been to the US: What is the weirdest thing about America that Americans don’t realize is weird?” The post has amassed 23,000 comments and 17,000 upvotes since it was shared on Tuesday.
The global reputation of the U.S. has “shifted dramatically over the past two decades, often improving or declining depending on who is in the White House and the foreign policies they pursue,” the Pew Research Center said in November 2021.
The nation’s most positive elements were found to be connected to its famed exports, including technology and popular culture, according to a spring 2021 survey by Pew.
A median of 72 percent of those surveyed across 16 different publics outside of the U.S. say the country’s technology is the best or above average. A median of 71 percent think American entertainment, such as movies, music and television, is the best or above average, the survey found.
With the U.S. presidential election fast approaching, we look at some of the standout observations about the country as highlighted in the Reddit post.
Friendliness and ‘Tremendous Social Skills’
Several Reddit users commented on how outgoing and friendly Americans seem, especially compared with people in other countries. While this friendliness can be surprising, it is often seen as a positive trait.
User 2ArtsyFartsy remarked, “I have lived in [the] U.S. my whole life and I have a friend, who is really outgoing. When we go shopping at any store he literally jokes around with everyone that passes by, even to me this is WILD! I’m generally open to chit chat but he is non-stop laughing and playing with complete strangers, it’s honestly so funny to be around.”
British user FranzLeFroggo shared a similar observation: “I found it weird how friendly you are and how happy you all seem. This is not a complaint. I met a few lovely Americans when traveling through the Eastern Seaboard and my cynic British side was struck by how open and excited you are to meet new people.”
For those who have relocated to the U.S., the ease of making friends stands out. “How easy it is as an outsider to make friends. You guys are nice as hell,” wrote Dungleinthejungle. “I’ve got my small group of friends back in NZ [New Zealand] and thought I’d have trouble making new ones, but Americans have been some of the friendliest people I’ve met.”
In addition to friendliness, Americans are comfortable engaging in conversations without embarrassment or hesitation, user guycg said, adding, “Americans can strike up a sincere conversation and not be weird about it.”
The user praised Americans’ “tremendous social skills” but also pointed out that “some clearly don’t appreciate how nuts they are.”
Americans Love Brits
Several Britons on the thread noted how much Americans love British culture and people, especially when they hear a British accent.
User Bungle_bogs was surprised by the level of enthusiasm. “As a Brit, how amazingly, and genuinely, friendly you are. How enamored you are with British culture and people,” the user wrote. The user recounted a story of being invited to a barbecue by a stranger simply because of a T-shirt Bungle_bogs was wearing.
“I felt like some sort of celebrity! I’m an average guy, but everyone wanted to chat to me,” said Bungle_bogs, who has traveled extensively but says no other country is as welcoming upon hearing that accent.
WillGrahamsass added, “My boyfriend is Scottish. When people hear his accent here in the states they just go crazy.”
How Big It Is
The sheer size of the U.S. left many visitors astonished, particularly when it came to travel distances and regional differences.
“How huge the U.S. is,” commented Bryschien1996. “The fact that you could be on a plane for five hours without leaving the country. That…and time zones.”
User Frequent_Print7915 pointed out the complexity of the legal system, particularly the differences between state laws. “Radically different laws for each state? Like you could be illegal in one, then travel a few miles, then boom, you’re safe?”
A stock image shows two smiling women helping a tourist with a map in his hand. A post about the “weirdest” things about the U.S., as observed by non-Americans, has gone viral on Reddit.
iStock / Getty Images Plus
User jennywingal agreed, saying that in some U.S. counties alcohol laws can change within a short distance. “I think it’s wild how in some U.S. counties, you cannot drink alcohol, but drive three blocks away, and you can,” the user wrote.
‘Insane’ Portion Sizes
Portion sizes in the U.S. left many Redditors stunned, particularly in comparison with other countries.
Rxdale was shocked when ordering a drink at a fast-food restaurant. “The insane portion sizes at fast food joints. I thought I got an XL when I ordered a small drink,” the user wrote.
Repulsive_Tear4528 said, “The restaurants expect you to NOT finish the food and take it home. My mother finds taking home leftovers from a restaurant to be embarrassing and will not do it. But American restaurants have portion sizes that seem to expect this.”
Other users echoed these observations. Virtual-Werewolf-310 said: “Your portion sizes at restaurants. It’s no wonder you have people who can barely move under their own power.”
Users xxpeterxx64 and LeoChimaera simply commented on how everything is “bigger” in the U.S., from food to the general lifestyle.
Drug Advertisements
The prevalence of pharmaceutical advertisements on American television left many non-Americans perplexed.
User donpiff highlighted “advertising prescription drugs” as a particularly strange aspect of American life. Lattice-shadow was shocked by the casual mentions of severe side effects, such as death, in drug ads. “Prescription drug ads on TV that casually say ‘side effects may include death.’ I was shocked,” the user wrote.
Melonpan78 added, “You advertise antidepressants on the TV,” while user missmermaidgoat pointed out the contrast between the happy scenes in the ads and the grim warnings about side effects like suicidal thoughts.
Evange31 said such advertising is illegal back home: “In my country, it is illegal for medical professionals to endorse any products.”
The Tipping Culture
For many non-Americans, the tipping culture in the U.S. was confusing and frustrating.
RevolutionObvious251 called the tipping “super weird,” saying that restaurants should just “pay your staff properly and set your prices accordingly.”
HansWurst-0815 pointed out the awkwardness of being asked to choose between different tipping percentages: “Please choose your tip: A: 18 percent B: 20 percent C: 22 percent.”
Nubrender echoed the sentiment, saying: “Tipping. I hate it and it sucks. The employer and the company should make sure you can live off your salary.”
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via the Reddit messaging system.
Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@newsweek.com and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
