Americans have some odd – and sometimes silly – traditions that people from other countries find weird. We take certain activities, foods and celebrations to levels that others might find too extravagant.
They are the quirks that make American culture what it is – even if they make people overseas wince. Here’s a look at some of the things that Americans seem weirdly obsessed with that others find a little silly.
Iced Drinks
Americans adore ice-cold drinks and like to fill their glasses with ice, even for water. Drinks in most other countries are kept close to room temperature or a little chilled. And ice is only added upon request. This American obsession with ice is strange to foreigners.
Huge Portion Sizes
Food portions in the United States tend to be larger than in other countries. Food is at least double what it is anywhere else. To tourists, this is an excessive and wasteful habit. But to Americans it is simply more for less.
24/7 Availability
Americans are used to 24-hour convenience shopping, diners, gas stations and other services, at least in all the major cities. But in many other countries, shops close early and there are set store hours.
The American requirement that everything is available at all times can feel excessive, even odd, to those who are not used to it.
Drive-Thrus
Drive-thrus are so popular in the United States, at fast food joints, banks, pharmacies, coffee shops, etc. For Americans, it’s simply a convenience. But to many non-Americans, taking a car to do most things is just unnecessary, even lazy & polluting.
Obsession with Halloween
In America, Halloween is such a huge deal; people spend a lot of money on costumes, decorations and candy. Although Halloween is celebrated in many countries, Americans go one step further and convert whole neighborhoods into ghost tours.
Love for Ranch Dressing
American people love ranch dressing & it’s used as a dip for everything from fries to pizza. For non-Americans, this love affair with ranch might come across as strange, because the taste may be unappealing, or they might not buy into the hype.
Massive Grocery Stores
US grocery stores are massive. They have aisles upon aisles of choices for every food. This overwhelms most visitors.
In other countries, smaller markets with fewer options are more common. So Americans’ fetish for having limitless options for everything appears mind-boggling.
Extreme Black Friday Sales
American Black Friday shopping has turned into a kind of sport, with shoppers camped out for the sales and even fighting over discounts.
Other countries have Black Friday sales too. But the Black Friday craze in the US can look absurd to outsiders, with our obsessions for bargains and the chaos that follows.
Flag Displays Everywhere
Americans are passionate about our flag, and you will find it everywhere; from front porches to clothes to office buildings. It might seem too patriotic for foreigners.
Flags are revered everywhere. But the American practice of flying flags so widely and regularly might seem a bit extravagant to those from countries where national symbols aren’t so visible in everyday life.
Having Huge Trucks and SUVs
America is obsessed with large trucks and SUVs, even if the driver is mostly driving solo. To foreigners, this car obsession might appear ridiculous, especially in the city, where small fuel-efficient cars make more sense.
After all, small cars are cheaper to fuel and easier to squeeze into places. We usually have no space constraints and tons of parking; another thing that most other countries do not have.
Cheerleading Culture
American cheerleading is big business, in both the classroom and on the field, with competitions, costumes and a culture. Cheerleading is not nearly as common, if not outright eccentric, in other countries.
This idea of having a sport to support other sports is uniquely American. In fact, it leaves non-Americans confused.
