All right, let me say straightforwardly—every nation has unique qualities. And America? Oh wow, America adopts eccentricities to a whole fresh degree. If you have ever flown overseas, you have most likely observed that some things you grew up considering as absolutely usual cause foreigners to fly; wait… what?!
From confusing bureaucracy to cultural conflicts, we will explore some of the most perplexing American behaviors that leave the rest of the world enthralled and perhaps alarmed.
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1 The 'Freedom' Obsession (Even When It's Debatable)
Americans want to yell from the rooftops about being the "freest country in the world." When you consider world freedom rankings, the United States does not even approach the top. Other nations offer universal healthcare, better workplace rights, and more vacation time, but sure, bald eagles and fireworks scream freedom.
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2 Politics, but Pay it to Win.
Giving money to a politician for favors is known as bribery in most jurisdictions. We call this in the United States lobbying. Though with different marketing, it is the same thing.
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3 Violence? Totally Fine. Nipples? Absolutely Not.
American media is a weird venue. Having someone blow their head off in a film? Please go for it. But reveal a bare breast for half a second and suddenly—think of the children! The discrepancy is astounding.
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4 Health Insurance: Costly, Complicating, and Somehow Still Not Enough
Would like to see a doctor? More importantly, hope you have insurance. Oh, and even if you do, you still run a good risk owing hundreds or perhaps thousands of bucks. Here everyone is wondering why one of the richest nations still cannot solve this.
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5 School Shooter Exercises (Yes, This Is a Thing)
It makes logical for fire exercises. Practicing earthquake drills? Sure. Children are taught in America, though, how to conceal should someone with an AR-15 show up at their institution. I'm not sure what screams dystopian nightmare if that isn't it.
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6 Creeping or Just Tradition: The Daily Pledge of Allegiance
Imagine millions of children in schools rising every morning, touching their hearts, and pledging allegiance to the flag. Sounds good. The rest of the globe is influencing this to give authoritarian government signals.
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7 No Paid Maternity Leave in 2025?
Should you be expecting a baby in the United States, your options are:
- Go broke while on unpaid leave.
- Come back to work burned emotionally, healed, and tired.
Other nations are here, allowing fresh mothers time to heal and connect with their children. -
8 Wait, Why did the waiter go off carrying my credit card?
Many times, foreign visitors to America are startled when a waiter takes their payment card and vanishes. Most countries have the card reader come to you; not vice versa.
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9 The All-Powerful HOA: Neighborhood Rule Masters
Would like to start a garden? Make your house's color different. Install a little fence. Not very quickly! The Homeowners Association might punish you for straying from the norm into oblivion.
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10 Prescription D**g Advertisements Designed Like SNL Skits
Other nations: Do you have a medical concern? Speak with your physician.
America This is a medicine you most likely do not need, introduced to you by this calm sunset advertisement showing an elderly couple strolling on the shore. Alert: It might bring about spontaneous combustion, despair, or seizures. -
11 Prices That Enchantingly Rise Right At Checkout
See a price tag in a store, then you should expect to spend that precise sum. Not on America! Add sales tax and unexpected fees; suddenly, your $9.99 item costs $11.34.
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12 Attaching a Work Sick American Badge of Honor
America expects you to arrive up coughing like a biohazard while other nations encourage sick workers to stay home. Too frequent calls in sick could cost you your employment.
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13 So, at eighteen, I could get married. Not Drink, though?
At eighteen, Americans can join the military, get married, and start a mountain of college debt. Still ordering a beer? No, you have to wait till twenty-one.
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14 File for Bankruptcy After Getting Ill
Most developed nations hardly know about medical bankruptcy. In the United States, one unanticipated hospital expense might wipe away your whole life savings.
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15 The Strange Relationship America Has with Sex
Sex in advertising? Everywhere.
Real-world sexual instruction? Almost absolutely absent.
The cognitive dissonance is quite amazing. -
16 The "Please Tip 20% Culture" Approach
In America, tipping is not just courteous but also survival for service providers. Restaurants get away with paying personnel shockingly low compensation and expecting patrons to bear the remaining costs. Imagine just giving employees their due wages.
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17 The Gun Status
Are we really obliged to clarify this one? Guns abound in this world. Enough discussed.
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18 Serving Amounts That Might Support a Small Village
In the United States, a medium soda is around the dimensions of a bucket abroad. And avoid even starting me on huge fries.
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19 American Work Culture: No Vacues, No Breaks, No Life
It is customary in Europe to take August off as a whole.
Requesting a week off in America makes one seem to be committing a felony. -
20 Storage spaces for more items?
Among the biggest homes in the world are those of Americans. They rent out storage spaces to hold even more stuff, though, as that is insufficient. Why?
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21 The Imperial System: Dedication to Perfect Stubbornness
Why are Fahrenheit and miles still used in the United States? Nobody else does as well. Just start using metrics.
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22 The Government Makes You Guess About Taxes
It Knows How Much You Owe in Taxes. Still, other countries mail you a tax bill. You have to figure it out yourself in America; if you make a mistake? Congratulations; you are in hot water.
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23 Public bathrooms devoid of any privacy
Why do American restroom stalls have openings large enough for eye contact with total strangers? This system was created by who?
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24 Why, when you could drive a block, should you walk?
Americans drive everywhere—even if their destination is right there—because public transportation is nonexistent or unreliable.
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25 Ice, Baby (Whether You Want It or Not)
Americans get great enjoyment in ice. Europeans view adding ice to everything as almost illegal.
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26 The Flags. The Flag, My God.
American flags are visible on homes. Autos. Hats. Socks: If there is an object, there is an American flag variation of it.
Thus, you have here a window into the odd, contradictory, and sometimes irritating realm of American behavior. While some of these behaviors make sense for someone who grew up with them, to the rest of the globe? Whole head-scratchers.
Which one puzzles you the most? Better still, what strange American convention have you come across? Let’s hear it in the comments.
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