It’s interesting when you see a different culture and way of life. However, have you ever wondered what others think of our culture and lifestyle in the US? In this video, we review 22 odd and weird American habits that baffle most visitors to the US.
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30 comments
It won't be weird if we, Americans, travel overseas more often.
I like bills in plastic like those in $10 HK. US bills are very dirty.
I'd never put ice in my beer, like friends in Asia.
Sharing a table with strangers at Asian restaurants. I'm OK. People have to do business.
At Japanese and Korean restaurants, finish at the restaurant. Do not ask for a box for the leftover.
I still have to remind myself to go to the left side when taking a taxi in Asia.
7-Eleven in Taiwan, Japan and Thailand are so much better than ones in the US. Can pay your phone/electric bills there.
McCafe is high end because the coffee/espresso drinks are pretty good.
Is anything in this list surprising to you? What are other quirky things about the US? 😄
Also, in case you're wondering why I didn't include sales tax and turning right on red lights, I actually covered them in our "Things Every Traveler Should Know When Visiting the US" video: https://youtu.be/wEkjUgC8cww
#23 – tipping.
Taxes at Grocery store check out! In the EU, the taxes are already included when you purchase something. It makes it so much easier to calculate how much your groceries will come to.
These are very good! I imagine you could do a whole video on weird US street signs.
On date format – you’re right on the general point, of course – in the US it’s M/D, and most other places it’s D/M – hence “9/11”. But there is one huge American exception – “4th of July”, which is in D/M format! Have you got any idea why that date is referred to in the US that way round?
In traffic, right turns on red are pretty weird, as well as having the traffic lights on the far side of the junctions. But coming from Europe myself, I think both of these are pretty awesome! In the Netherlands, half the time you can't see the traffic lights because they're hidden behind your roof, door or mirror!
Another one: saying "excuse me" when you step in front of someone's line of sight, for example in the supermarket. Very polite and I really like it. In other countries people sometimes even bump into you and don't say a word.
I could keep on going: having someone else bagging your groceries for you. Super awkward! It's my stuff, I just bought it, I will bag it! Plus, it saves a lot of time if you don't wait for the cashier to do it.
Good list – having lived in Germany for 4 years and discussed the differences with friends these are many of the things that came up.
Hummm! I’ll have to pay more attention next time I travel! 🙏🏼 thanks.
Am I the only one that noticed the Chase ad on the post about eggs?! lol
Nice video! I can relate to many of these.
#13 stood out for me because Chip-and-PIN credit cards seem to be the norm outside the US. I use a Chip-and-PIN card that offers 2% cash back: the SDFCU Premium Cash Back+.
When I traveled outside the US and used a Chip-and-Signature card at some grocery stores, the clerks had an annoyed look on their faces when they require me to sign my receipt.
Interestingly, in the US, I enter the PIN when I use my Chip-and-PIN card. The cashier at Sprinkles Cupcakes asked me to enter my PIN. At other places such as car dealerships and hair salons, after I entered my PIN, the cashiers who are accustomed to handing me the receipt to sign were surprised that the transaction was already authorized. They didn’t seem to know how Chip-and-PIN works. It’s very funny to see a reverse culture shock in the US when I use a Chip-and-PIN card the way people outside of the US normally would.
Yep we certainly do call Stella wife beater here in England. Its usualy on a good offer in supermarkets,making it as cheap as chips.
What I found a culture shock during a visit to the US was the sheer amount of police officers/security personnel milling about on the streets, all with big guns and surly faces and I honestly don't think I would have approached them for help if I needed it.
KFC and McDonald's is actually good overseas though.
Haha, but yeah, when you start going over seas you see how crazy America is.
This is a good list I really didn't know some of these things aren't normal outside of the US
Here in the US, you can live without cash for days; you can’t live without some kind of debit/credit card for a day. We are nuts about having plastics!!! (Or metal I guess).
Video starts @1:44
GAPS IN AMERICAN BATHROOMS ARE F***KING NUUUUUUUUTS
Pharmacies sell cigarettes in the US???? HAHAHAHAHAHA wtfffff
We love wearing our shorts and baseball hats. Don’t see much of that overseas.
Very nice video. In US we change time twice a year for daylight saving 😊.
In US some people are over obsessed with tattoos 🇺🇸
Alcohol related, not sure how specific to North Caroline this one is, but have heard it may not be that uncommon. Lived for a while in Asheville with ex. First time (day) I was there her sister took me down for some snacks and booze. Local Walmart, typical Brit reaction, why are there so many guns on sale in a supermarket, you don't think about it really until you come face to face with it. But anyway, we bought the snacks and beer, but wanted a bottle of brandy. This was the really weird bit. Off down the road to this other shop where we had to go, one at a time through a security door into a small space between two doors. the outer door locked then the inner door opened and let me in. Then repeat for sister in law. Same thing on way out. Obviously over here i could have just bought the Brandy in the supermarket.
Trying to rationalise the security on the booze compared to the guns was, and still is to this day, a head scratcher. At the time I worked IT for an airline and accessing the shop was about one step below accessing a data centre never mind the fact that the building looked like it was designed to withstand a small tactical nuke.
Putting gas in a car yourself, instead of the gas station worker doing it for you; Taxes at the grocery store checkout; Turning right on red;
As a brit' wanting to visit the US soon i find the information and clarity of presentation of your videos excellent…thank you! Regarding tipping i would much prefer a service charge is built in rather than at the discretion of the customer. I wondered whether there was a 'standard' tipping % in the states? (10%? or dependent on what item/service you are buying).
Trip did we forget that other countries love their sparkly water because they cannot fix the water system because they are lazy countries
I´ve never been to US before, but honestly I would have freaked out if the waiter at the restaurant asked to take my credit card away to process the payment, thx for your content, learned many new things !
I’m not shocked by this since I was born in the USA and got use to it
Sally oh I have one for the presenter dinning utensils, OK when we eat we cut our food first with a knife then put the knife back down on the plate and put the fork in our right hand and eat that way lol bye Sally.