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A core part of being a traveler is being adaptable, flexible, and open-minded. When you go abroad, you can hardly expect everything—from the culture to the people—to be the same. Otherwise, what’s the point of ever leaving your hometown? You have to embrace the adventure!

That being said, some customs are so peculiar that your initial reaction might be utter confusion, even if you later end up getting used to them. Some internet users recently took to a thread on AskReddit to share what, in their opinion, are some widely accepted norms in the United States that baffle the rest of the world. Scroll down to see how a slice of the world sees American cultural quirks, including the positives and negatives.

#1

40 American Norms That Baffle The Rest Of The World, As Shared In This Thread Weird nobody mentions one of the biggest problems; that is is legal to buy politicians.

Southern-Effect-6499 , pch.vector / freepik Report

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    #2

    40 American Norms That Baffle The Rest Of The World, As Shared In This Thread Claiming they are the most free country / proud of freedom as a pillar of their society, but are no where near the top of indexes ranking international levels of freedom.

    feel-the-avocado , dhdezvalle / freepik Report

    #3

    Woman in a red sweater covering her eyes, illustrating American norms surprising to foreigners. I always found it weird that Americans faint at the thought of nudity or a swear word, yet don't bat an eyelid at depictions of extreme violence.

    yellowrainbird , freepik Report

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    It really does help to be open-minded when traveling abroad. Ideally, you should be willing to adapt to new cultures and customs, instead of demanding that the entire world matches your values and ideas just because you’re visiting.

    A humble tourist who’s willing to learn new languages, treats the locals with respect, and actively listens instead of just talking, will have a much better chance of forming a genuine connection. And part of that means embracing whatever your travels throw at you. Going on an adventure means dealing with some discomfort, after all.

    On the flip side, someone who is rude, entitled, demanding, and obnoxious won’t win many locals over. You can’t be critical of every little thing that doesn’t match your cultural norms. Otherwise, you’ll spend the entire trip being upset about how things “aren’t like back home.”

    That being said, you shouldn’t turn a blind eye if you see someone behaving unethically, illegally, or in a way that goes against your most fundamental values. You want to be flexible without giving up your identity as an individual.

    #4

    Female doctor holding a clipboard, a common American norm, standing confidently in a medical office setting. Heath insurance. It’s weird that it’s tied to employment and it’s even weirder that you still have to pay out of pocket for things even when the insurance itself is super expensive.

    sunbearimon , lifestock / freepik Report

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    Petra Peitsch
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's called, you-are-nothing-just-if-you-make-money. And despite of it, you are still nothing.

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    #5

    40 American Norms That Baffle The Rest Of The World, As Shared In This Thread Elementary schools doing regular active shooter drills.

    Adventurous-Depth984 , freepik Report

    #6

    Three women wrapped in an American flag, standing in a sunlit forest, symbolizing American norms. I am American but I wanted to add saying the pledge of allegiance with our hands over our hearts and looking toward the flag was weird af in retrospect. Every school morning for years I had to do that.

    Ottoguynofeelya , freepik Report

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    Petra Peitsch
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Before 1989 ex-communist eastern-european countries were doing this, and the Soviet Union. However not all of them. Nowadays just North-Korea. Oh, the irony with the land-of-the-free ... they became that exact country, what they were afraid of in the Cold War.

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    CIEE recommends that you do a bunch of research before going on a trip. Read some articles, watch some videos, and consume as much quality content as you can about the country or city you’re visiting.

    You want to come to grips with what the culture is going to be like before you get off the plane or train. The internet is full of posts, guides, and clips that are free. Meanwhile, you can also head to your local library or cultural center for more material.

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    #7

    Woman cradling newborn, surrounded by balloons, showcasing American norms in parenting. Going back to work within days of giving birth.

    meusa , nataliaderiabina / freepik Report

    #8

    Woman holding a credit card at a restaurant, showcasing American norms. Taking your credit card away from you when you pay a restaurant bill.

    My European coworkers thought they were being ripped off when they first encountered this practice! In most countries they bring the card reader to the table.

    jessieay , Rawpixel / envato Report

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    #9

    Hands holding blister packs of pills, illustrating American norms around medication accessibility. 3 out of 4 TV commercials are for prescription d***s.

    Eiffel-Tower777 , kuprevich Report

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    “When you go abroad, you are confronted with a new set of norms and new ways of thinking that may contradict your own ideas. Initially, we may think of these different ways of life as ‘strange’ or ‘wrong,’ without thinking critically and understanding that it is simply different,” CIEE explains, adding that you have to be willing to adjust your behavior to blend in and meet certain expectations.

    But, at the end of the day, you probably won’t fully understand a new culture by spending a few days or weeks immersed in it. To truly live like a local, you need months or years of immersion.

    What are some cultural norms that surprised or confused you the first time you stumbled across them during your travels, dear Pandas? Let us know in the comments.

    #10

    A couple reviewing paperwork with a real estate agent outside an American house. Homeowners Associations.

    souloftheuniverse , freepik Report

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    Marnie
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I understand it if you own a place in a multi-unit building. Someone has to be in charge, but otherwise it's insanity and very inefficient.

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    #11

    Woman checking phone in grocery aisle, holding eggs, illustrating American norms in shopping behavior. Price on the shelf is different to the price at the point of sale.

    feel-the-avocado , freepik Report

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    #12

    Man wearing mask, coughing at desk while working on a laptop, illustrating American norms during health concerns. Going to work while sick, and the possibility of getting fired for taking a sick day.

    whichrhiannonami , Drazen Zigic Report

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    Petra Peitsch
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Germany you are sent home, when you are sick (You have 3 days for recovering without needing a doctor's note for it). I mean, if you are stupid enough to show up at all.

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    #13

    Three friends sitting outdoors taking a selfie, highlighting American social norms that surprise international visitors. The age of adult responsibilities being 18, but adult privileges being 21.

    Available-Risk-5918 , pikisuperstar / freepik Report

    #15

    40 American Norms That Baffle The Rest Of The World, As Shared In This Thread Americans discover the country is a tad bit dystopian.


     Oh man I wish I could go to the doctor but I got fired? Like wtf? People paid hundreds of billions of dollars to buy the president, in the open and thats just cool?? Prison slavery!? The death penalty? Secret little prisons to lock up people who the government can't prove are criminals? More prisoners than any other country on earth despite the population. Cops are just allowed to murder people. They have tanks?! 


    Some people are just not paid enough and everyone has to chip in, but only if they're good?  There are medicine commercials... That's insane. It's all insane. .

    DrunkenOnzo , Raisul Report

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    Nikole
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don’t worry; it’s moving rapidly towards fully dystopian.

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    #16

    40 American Norms That Baffle The Rest Of The World, As Shared In This Thread Being weirdly hyper sexualised and at the same time freakishly sexually repressed and prudish.

    It creates a bizarre atmosphere.

    glytxh , user15285612 / freepik Report

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    Data1001
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The reason hyper-sexualization is popular is exactly *because* of sexual repression. When something is taboo, there will always be a group of people who rail against that taboo by going extreme in the other direction.

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    #17

    40 American Norms That Baffle The Rest Of The World, As Shared In This Thread GUNS. Guns easily available to everyone, with few restrictions.

    PileofBricks , senivpetro Report

    #18

    Waiter holding a tip in a cafe, illustrating American norms surprising to others. Tipping.

    Chaos-n-Dissonance , Drazen Zigic / freepik Report

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    Petra Peitsch
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's disgusting, that USA legally allows their citizens to be paid only like 2 bucks/hour. Even fast-fashion workers in China or Bangladesh are earning more.

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    #19

    Family in masks speaking with a doctor, illustrating American norms around health and safety in a medical setting. I can't understand the American health system, nor why there is such vehment oposition to changing it to be more accessible to all.

    calex_1 , Drazen Zigic Report

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    Nikole
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We are NOT opposed. Those who profit off of it are, and people need to stop voting for politicians who get on their knees for corporations.

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    #20

    Woman stressed at work desk, illustrating American norms. Insurance denies medical treatments.

    possibly--me , gpointstudio Report

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    #21

    40 American Norms That Baffle The Rest Of The World, As Shared In This Thread Male circumcision.

    stevemunoz117 , peoplecreations Report

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    Andrew Keir
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm fine with this if an adult requests it for himself, but - child genital mutilation? No other act on the genitals of an under-age child is even faintly permissible, but hacking bits off is? Consent is not available.

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    #22

    40 American Norms That Baffle The Rest Of The World, As Shared In This Thread The north korean level of pride. Flags everywhere, pledge of allegiance in school every morning, national anthem at every game. Only in dictatorships do you see that level of pride.

    M_e_n_n_o , EyeEm / freepik Report

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    Data1001
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We're almost at the point of dictatorship, going by what Trump & Musk have been up to so far this year.

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    #23

    Mother holding baby near window in bright room, illustrating American norms of family bonding. Unpaid maternity leave.

    UnknownCouple , galinkazhi Report

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    Petra Peitsch
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hm, than it's not a maternity leave, it's practically unemployment....

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    #24

    Person sitting with a book on their head, surrounded by books, depicting American norms in a library setting. Going into massive debt for education.

    NomadicallySedentary , tsyhun / freepik Report

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    Boop the Snoot. Pound the Paw.
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Let's also discuss a little discussed racket. All of the state universities where I live, students are required to live their first two years on campus. If you live on campus, you have to have a meal plan. For almost every state university here, the dorm and meal plan is more expensive than the tuition and you can't get around it. Now that I'm think about it. I wonder what would happen if I signed my kids up for classes, but never signed the housing agreement..... wld they get kicked out? mmmmmm stay tuned.

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    #25

    40 American Norms That Baffle The Rest Of The World, As Shared In This Thread Working multiple jobs to not be able to afford rent.

    Box_Of_Props_Mario , freepik Report

    #26

    40 American Norms That Baffle The Rest Of The World, As Shared In This Thread Flags. USA flags everywhere. Houses, cars and CHURCHES.

    royale_wthCheEsE , vicyphoto / freepik Report

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    Ron Man
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's common for vets to have a flag. If your church has a flag, that's a different story. It's not really a church. Like you would never see a Catholic, Lutheran or Synagogue flying a flag. The only ones that do that are the giant mega churches that aren't really about God so much as they are about white supremacy and Christian Nationalism.

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    #27

    40 American Norms That Baffle The Rest Of The World, As Shared In This Thread No paid maternity leave
    Terrible infant & maternal mortality give the wealth of the nation.

    saramole , freepik Report

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    Jenn Smith
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well it really only affects women..so..doesn't count. 😪 not here in the States Get back to work ya lazy bum!

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    #28

    40 American Norms That Baffle The Rest Of The World, As Shared In This Thread Large, larger and largest food portions.

    SomeHoney575 , Martiansareodd Report

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    Beth Wheeler
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Agreed a lot of places give way to much food. If we go out a plate is 3 or 4 meals for me.

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    #29

    40 American Norms That Baffle The Rest Of The World, As Shared In This Thread Writing month/day/year for dates. I still have to figure out what a date is in the US, even though I've lived here for over two decades.

    speedingpullet , freepik Report

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    #30

    40 American Norms That Baffle The Rest Of The World, As Shared In This Thread One I haven’t seen yet: Storage units.

    We have some of the biggest homes on earth, but still need space for stuff.

    False-Impression8102 , freepik Report

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    Warren Peece
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    George Carlin talks stuff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x_QkGPCL18

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    #31

    Not taking vacations.

    djprecio Report

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    m6nbtfpx7q
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    *not being able to afford vacations. Especially international travel. Want to make sure Americans don’t get out of the country and find out that they don’t actually live in the greatest place on earth.

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    #32

    40 American Norms That Baffle The Rest Of The World, As Shared In This Thread Pledging allegiance to the flag every morning and truly believing they are the best country in the world and no one compares to them.

    MikoSkyns , freepik Report

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    #33

    A hand using a tape measure on a door, illustrating American norms. American standard measurements.

    Every-Moderator , rawpixel.com Report

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    Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
    Community Member
    4 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would suggest bananas but the Americans would probably insist on using Imperial bananas instead of metric bananas.

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    #34

    Person reviewing bills, representing American norms, using a laptop and phone in a kitchen setting. Doing your own taxes.

    stateofyou , wayhomestudio Report

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    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was shocked that there's no income tax season in UK. What I find weird that North Americans have to do our own income taxes is we have to rely on the IRA or CRA definitions, and those definitions can seem very specific but are very vague all at the same time. For example, if you are claiming a disability credit, they use "infirm". Infirm means a severe disability that impacts one's daily life. A physician fills out a form of questions with you, then you hand it into the revenue agency, where they decide whether or not you qualify as being "infirm" to get the credit. An Intellectual Disability, despite being high functioning enough to work, with some accommodations and some daily help with cleaning, is enough to qualify for disability, even though you may not be as severely disabled as someone who cannot work and needs constant basic care. But you'll still be entitled for the disability credit. Every tax time, I fill this out and feel like an imposter. The wording should be clearer.

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    #35

    Large American soda cup in a parking lot, showcasing a cultural norm that surprises international visitors. Weirdly what im most fascinated about is the insanely large drinks they get to go and carry around?! Huge bucket sized sodas (and almost any other drink coming in huge containers, even the milk and juice jugs are huge).

    Wonderful_Corgi5500 , Whistlin_KittyChaser Report

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    The Doom Song
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I guess it's thirsty work carrying all that excess weight.... ah I can already feel the downvotes....

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    #36

    Two glasses filled with ice and bright green liquid, illustrating an American norm. Heartbreakingly, ice in drinks

    Why, Europe, WHY do you hate cold drinks.

    StoreBoughtButter , freepik Report

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    Petra Peitsch
    Community Member
    4 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We love cold drinks. We just hate watering them down with ice. Instead, we are cooling the drink itself. Ice is for cocktails. In a small amount.

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    #37

    Tipping as standard, so that they can be paid less.

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    #38

    How open public restroom stalls are.

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    #39

    Driving everywhere, even if your destination is only blocks away.

    mcgreencheez Report

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    Robert T
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In many areas there just isn't the infrastructure for pedestrians. I tried walking in Adison, and it was horrible trying to scramble from one parking lot to another. Crossing a 4-lane road was also a nightmare, as the junctions were set up only for cars. It was about a mile walk to get half a dozen doors down!

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    #40

    Flying flags at your house.

    GnTforyouandme Report

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    Pernille
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Danmark we only fly the flag if it is someone's birthday, it is illegal to fly the flag if it isn't someone's birthday. Whenever I see a danish house with a flag I want to go ask if they have cake.

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