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Isolation of nations, different climate and resources as well as other factors led to different customs in different places forming. But with globalization, we are able to know about those differences and prepare for them. However, some things are less talked about because people may not even realize that it could be different in other places, so there is always something that can surprise us.

The country that people like to talk about very often is the US. There are so many things they do differently, so visiting the country or living there might cause some culture shocks. Redditors were discussing this very topic when Miserablemermaid asked “Non-Americans of reddit, what was the biggest culture shock you experienced when you came to the US?” There were more than 30k answers given in just a day, so we collected the most interesting things redditors pointed out.

More info: Reddit

#1

30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group Your sugar has very little food in it.

manjeete , Lisa Risager Report

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    #2

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group Seeing children of all different colors. It was beautiful.

    SuspiciousSpecific71 , USAG- Humphreys Report

    #3

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group The treatment of veterans. A lot of communication around the respect they deserve. Yet many of them are broke, homeless and in a generally bad position.

    coenw , Nick Vidal-Hall Report

    RoseTheMad
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And (and I'm sure I'll be downvoted for this) unfortunately, I've seen and read about a lot of cases where veterans (and especially their spouses, for some reason) become extremely entitled. I completely agree with the quote from Bojack Horseman "Maybe some of the troops are heroes but not automatically" where he goes on to say that people can be jerks, and giving a jerk a gun and a title doesn't make them not a jerk. I respect the fact you fought for your country, but I'm not going to respect you if you're an entitled jerk. xP

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    #4

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group Not really a shock but one thing that really surprised me was the sheer amount of flags. It was like almost every building had an American flag. Here in Belgium, if I see a house with a national flag I assume there's some kind of sport event going on that I didn't know about.

    Conocoryphe , Bill Smith Report

    Tyler Hobson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And they "make" kids pledge their allegiance to it. Not to our country or fellow Americans, but a flag.

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    #5

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group The toilet doors (or lack thereof). Not enough door! Seriously, you're a wealthy enough country you don't need to leave an inch gap at the sides and a foot and a half at the top and bottom.

    litsto , njaminjami Report

    Jo Choto
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When you are on the loo and you make accidental eye contact with someone outside your cubicle, that should tell you that the gaps around the doors are too big.

    Ein Steinbeck
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The official reason is that it "prevents drug use." Apparently they think the people that shoot up in plain view in parks won't do it in the bathroom if you can see through a crack in the door.

    Ttucks
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had to climb under stalls so often at burger King when I was in high school. Alot of people OD in there so it doesnt really prevent drug use. Although it makes it easier for first responders.

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    Jef Bateman
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's interesting how often I see this, since I've seen been places in Europe where there is no door at all. In Carcassonne there was just a hole in the floor and a rope to hang onto.

    Kookamunga
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Kinda undecided about this one - after all, ventilation is your friend while in a public bathroom. Plus I don't have to try the door, I can see your feet.

    Naesil
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We from the other side of the world also have gap at the bottom and top of the door but not something you can crawl through :D

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    Bacony Cakes
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The US has the Bikinis of the toilet door world.

    RoseTheMad
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The US has the Borat mankini/banana hammocks of the toilet door world.. :/

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    Thomas Paine
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I believe the gaps are there for emergency situations like drug overdoses. I guess enough people do drugs in bathrooms that they are designed so people will notice if someone is passed out on the floor, and can be dragged out or the door can easily be forced open as well. Many bathrooms even have syringe depositories.

    Gwenhwyfar Bell
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OK but how else can I make my toddler climb out from under my stall door and into the next stall to get me toilet paper if I don’t realize that my stall is already out? Lol

    Harin Kim
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, we hate it too. Not sure why they do it.

    Grayson Wrigley
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    33 year old born and raised American here. Trust me, this drives us insane too.

    Per-Ole Sjuve
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nobody would ever get away from the killer in a european stall. No way to crawl between stalls or climb over.

    Weasel Wise
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If we have full size toilet stalls, how do we fund endless war? Think about it. 😒

    Adelinas Palace
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah this is the one thing I absolutely do not agree with in our country....like why? We deserve privacy, some of us are shy goers

    Kabuki Kitsune
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's an ADA requirement. It allows clearance for wheel chair foot rests to move under them, as well as serves as an entry for emergency services in the event of a problem. Many partitions and doors are resilient enough to make forcing through them difficult, if not impossible. So you're basically saying "I don't understand this, and privacy rates over making it safe for people with disabilities."

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    Mistralok
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Darn, you people are so sheepish about your bodies. As a young un in OKC we used to go to a huge all you could drink beer bar, and the men's bathroom had a 20 meter long horse trough to pee in.

    YinzerGhost
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    America: we like to watch you poo.

    The Red Panda (she/her)
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have no clue why this is done, it is stupid.

    Lolliegag
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I live here and I agree with the poor designs of our bathroom doors!

    Shirley Landry
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Doors designed by perverted old men.

    Kellie Brown
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I completely agree! I wish we'd change this!

    Kabuki Kitsune
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To change it, you'd have to convince the ADA who requires these aspects, that disabled people don't need the access to bathrooms that those gaps help with.

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    Dumb person
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Honestly I've never had a problem with this, I'm am American and I like my privacy but I've never thought the gaps around doors were that big... At least where I live you'd have to really make an effort to see through them

    Elizabeth Jones
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The space at the bottom is a safety feature. Like so if the door gets stuck, the person inside can get out

    Good girl wanna be.
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd appreciate it, if the person installing the door would care just a little bit about doing a good enough job in lining up the latch to the socket. Just about every bathroom stall I've ever been, you can't lock it because of poor workmanship.

    Jace
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This not only an American thing. I have seen this in lots of places, including my country.

    Ayah Grig
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Haven't seen it in any developed country I have been to.

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    j_m m_j
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    why the F**k would you be looking

    Julian McCallum
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How do you think we are so wealthy? ;)

    Shirley Landry
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Doors Designed by perverted old men

    India Mitchell
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think most Americans agree with this!

    Kelly Boekhout
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yep, these are a problem. And perverts love it

    Sabrina Wariner-Wohlman
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You definitely get used to it. I thought it was to help someone who might be stuck. Plus, I've helped out a fellow bathroom buddy if they haven't had toilet paper or sanitary item. They ask and you can pass it under the stall. Also, I can't imagine the suffocating funk if it was entirely enclosed and needing to use the stall right after someone destroyed it. I'm just greatful there is toilet paper and it isn't a squat toilet hole in the floor. I would love a bidet option though.

    Rachel Polevoy
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It’s for medical reasons, if you pass out on the floor someone will see you and the paramedics will be able to get you out from under the locked door 😄

    Shawn Barry
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    whoever made the current design the standard is definitely a Perv.

    Ttucks
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think its for first responders. Working at burger king in high school i had to crawl under alot to help people over dosing.

    dev mehta
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Public bathrooms in Canada have similar problem

    Kabuki Kitsune
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So, they follow regulations set up by Canada's disabled persons organization and tries to make it easier for people in wheel chairs to access toilets?

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    Luna
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Took me a while to get used to this when I first moved from Italy. 😅

    Audrey Kahin
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    🤷🏼‍♀️ we don't understand it either

    Leslie Burleson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have no idea why they do this . I'm assuming it's cheaper somehow to make them this way vs making it so there isn't a space .

    Kabuki Kitsune
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ADA regulations. The reason this happens, is the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) has placed very specific regulations on partitions; which include how far the door must be from the floor, how much gap between pilaster (support) and door, pilaster and partition, and partition and floor. The bottom gap is set at a 18 inch gap, while the various pilaster gaps must be no less than one half inch, and no more than one inch and a half. The reason these regulations are in place, stem from past experiences. Some partitions are made in such a way that forcing through them is near on impossible, so if a person becomes incapacitated inside the toilet stall, rescue services need to be able to easily reach them. It's far easier to go under the partition, or the door, as opposed to over it. Furthermore, if a person is in a wheel chair, the gap allows their chair's foot supports to move under it easier, to allow that person to better access the handle to open, or close the door.

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    Magoomba
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I understand that they do that so you will spend the minimum amount of time in there.

    Deutschland Mädchen
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think there's a reason for this, but I don't remember. I think because you won't take so long if you're uncomfortable

    Bad Cornflakes
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's for safety in case you get stuck inside or someone needs to get in like a paramedic

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    Colton Madron
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's multiple reasons for the gap in the stall, mainly for drug use but could be used to make sure someone doesn't fall unconscious and various other reasons

    Jane Farmer
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Many public toilets have added privacy strips (I wish they were all that way). The reason for the gap on the floor (if you notice the floor drain in the photo) is to allow for power washing. Its also easier to mop with a space. Now that men are allowed in ladies rooms I suspect we'll see more floor to ceiling stalls.

    Trialia
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Men are not "allowed in ladies rooms". That's transphobic rhetoric, and you should do some actual research before you swallow it.

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    Kabuki Kitsune
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The reason this happens, is the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) has placed very specific regulations on partitions; which include how far the door must be from the floor, how much gap between pilaster (support) and door, pilaster and partition, and partition and floor. The bottom gap is set at a 18 inch gap, while the various pilaster gaps must be no less than one half inch, and no more than one inch and a half. The reason these regulations are in place, stem from past experiences. Some partitions are made in such a way that forcing through them is near on impossible, so if a person becomes incapacitated inside the toilet stall, rescue services need to be able to easily reach them. It's far easier to go under the partition, or the door, as opposed to over it. Furthermore, if a person is in a wheel chair, the gap allows their chair's foot supports to move under it easier, to allow that person to better access the handle to open, or close the door.

    Trialia
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And again, since you keep copying and pasting this... as a wheelchair user, this does not help nearly as much as you think it does.

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    No name
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I 100% agree! I've grown up here and it is AWFUL.

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    #6

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group Could not walk anywhere, or take good public transport. Always had to take Ubers or hitch lifts. Everything was also HUGE. Cities, buildings, regular houses, food portions. I'd say people but I did not see anybody who was hugely obese there at least. There was an insane amount of space just...everywhere. As a European used to being crammed into every available nook, even in rural areas, the way that towns and cities just stretched out was unimaginable.

    ScotchSirin , Virginia State Parks Report

    A Jones
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I guess I should consider myself lucky by moving to a place where I can walk in the states. I don't like driving (anxiety, can't pump gas). It's a semi-urban place.

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    #7

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group Everyone I met treated me like a long lost friend

    Red_Ranger75 , Ricardo Moraleida Report

    Ylva
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Great, I suppose.. I, a swede, would hate it though. Not people being nice, just people invading my personal space. 😂

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    #8

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group The air conditioning. Everywhere. And the literal temperature shock between the inside and the outside of any f**king building.

    un_saumon , Matthew Paul Argall Report

    Jo Choto
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of the things I miss most of all about the USA!

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    #9

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group Everything being f**king huge. Literally. Road lanes, groceries, soda sizes. Especially distances: where i come from, 3 hours of driving are enough to cross half of the country, in the US it's just a small drive to go to see a relative or something.

    salderosan99 , Ben Schumin Report

    Helen Haley
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    3 hours wouldn't even get me out of state.

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    #10

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group Lawyer commercials and "if this happened to you, you can sue them" commercials.

    RegnumRico , Wesley Fryer Report

    ojjunior
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Absolutely! Lawyers billboards, TV ads, subway ads, bus ads incentivating people to sue everyone for every reason is simply disgusting. Let alone those advertising in spanish as your "abogado". Simply ridiculous. Easy to understand if someone says the US Legal system is overwhelmed.

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    #11

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group Christianity everywhere. On your money, in the school, every Sunday, churches everywhere, in your pledge, in the Boy scouts, verses at the bottom of In&Out milkshakes

    Majestic_Bierd , Ben Schumin Report

    RandomBeing
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This depends on where in America you are. I remember going to an area in the "bible belt" for the first time and it was also a culture shock for me lol.

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    #12

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group I was walking down the street and there were some road workers doing something a bit ahead. When I got near them, one of them approached me and super kindly asked me to cross to the other side, halted the traffic so I could cross and wished me a nice day as I went along. In my country they would've probably heckled at me for not crossing, and I would've told them to go f**k themselves for not signaling things properly as I walked in the middle of the street potentially getting hit by a car

    madkeepz , Daniel Lobo Report

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    #13

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group Turn right on red. Beautiful.

    klonricket , A_Peach Report

    Jo Choto
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The only reason it works is because most of the USA is built in a grid system. So you come to a 90 degree angle crossroads and you can make a right on red. It does not and cannot work on older streets where roads do not meet at a right angle, or when there are more than four roads meeting at the junction.

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    #14

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group The importance of the College/University you go to. For me it felt like the name, you can even call it brand, of the College is more important than your actual skills and knowledge as well as the quality of education you receive. So many times, people asked me which College/University I visit and told me about their College and the College their childrens are visiting. Totally different than what I am used to in Germany, where it is mainly focused on your skills and grades not the College/University your are visiting.

    Breathinglegend69 , carmichaellibrary Report

    Jo Choto
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That only matters for a very few colleges, and I am in a position to say that the education you get at Ivy League colleges is NOT superior to the education at other universities. It's just that it will open doors for you by other people who are part of the elite club. If it's not one of these elite colleges, it really doesn't matter where you go.

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    #15

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group Tipping. And not just tipping, but tipping so much that the entire thing I bought (e.g. a meal) is now in an entirely higher price bracket.

    wristconstraint , Kai Hendry Report

    Jo Choto
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tipping is really, really important, because US laws allow for servers to be paid around $2 an hour (which is just so wrong to begin with). So not only do they need the tips to stand a chance of making a living wage, but they are also taxed on those tips because it is ASSUMED that they will get them. So if you don't tip someone, they actually lose money. It's a really bad system, but while it exists, please plan to tip in the USA.

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    #16

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group How early everything starts. School, work. 6am wake ups. That was hard.

    helicoptercici , Paul van de Velde Report

    april jenkins
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    then you've never worked in brisbane, australia. we don't have DLS, and most people like working from 4am when it's bright and light ;)

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    #17

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group Advertisements in between the title credits of the show and the actual show. You guys have a LOT of advertisements.

    VodkaMargarine , Markus Report

    RoseTheMad
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same in the UK for any channel that isn't BBC (Itv is the worst for adverts. xD)

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    #18

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group Spray cheese. I was not ready.

    ItsACaragor , Wendy Harman Report

    #19

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group No sidewalks, not everywhere, but outside of major cities, you often literally can't walk between places safely

    rioting-pacifist , TheMuuj Report

    Nikki Sevven
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one is a catch 22. The reason usually given for not putting in sidewalks is that "nobody walks there." Well, no, not without sidewalks they don't!

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    #20

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group The different kinds of flavors for beverages. I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. Just so you guys know,I enjoyed having multiple options, until I came to the US I had no idea I liked Blue Raspberry flavored soda and I found out that I liked to mix different kinds of sodas from the fountain and make a cocktail soda occasionally. Also, I like how you guys have a s**t ton of flavors for your alcohol. I liked a lot of them but to be honest I didn't enjoy the whipped cream flavored stuff.

    howwouldiknow-- , danielle_blue Report

    Bettie-Jean Neal
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I was a kid in the 70's/80's, at the roller skating rink, we used to get suicides. A suicide was every flavor of fountain soda mixed in a cup with ice. So tasty!

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    #21

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group Medical advertisements on tv

    DifferentAd154 , Leonid Mamchenkov Report

    RNA
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait, you don't have them somewhere? In Poland significant part of commercials on tv are painkillers, anti-flu pills and so on.

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    #22

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group Sewers turtles aren't ninja turtles

    BackgroundNoose , promiseminime Report

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    #23

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group When we first arrived, and I walked up to a soda machine. We never had those, and I think I drank 10-15 refills of coke before my parents started yelling at me. UNLIMITED SODA ARE YOU KIDDING ME WTF.

    Lord_Disagree , Mike Mozart Report

    RoseTheMad
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even if it was sugar free soda/pop I'd feel a bit sick after 15 refills o.o

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    #24

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group Billboards. They are everywhere. You can go hours in the UK driving without seeing one. In Florida, I saw one every few minutes. Ads on TV, motherf**ker, just play the show, this is painful. Traffic, how do people drive in the US, it's so easy to get caught in traffic, it's everywhere. F**KER JUST DRIVE, ITS PAINFUL, ADD A F**KING ROUND A BOUT 7/11s are magical places though.

    IAmTheGlazed , Zen Skillicorn Report

    #25

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group People pay for their own food. As someone who came from China, where everyone fights for the bill without the intention to pay, this is very refreshing.

    ListenOrElse_ , Pressmaster Report

    RNA
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am confused, why do they fight for the bill then?

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    #26

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group 1.No walls around houses, or burglar bars by windows. 2.HOAs, i don't get why neighbours can have any say as to how long grass should be or what colour i can/cannot paint a house. 3. People walking around with their phones in hand freely and not worried about getting robbed. 4. Not all but how many know little about anything outside of the U.S. 5. How hard they go in advertising for any and everything.

    Natures_VO , Michaela Pereckas Report

    Bacony Cakes
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fun idea: Tie the HOAs to a stake and burn them.

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    #27

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group My wife is from the Philippines and also worked in Singapore for over 10 years. When she came here she had many surprises but one big one was the ability to return items that she had purchased. She had never been able to do that before.

    CitySuper5546 , Gipsy Tights Report

    april jenkins
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    with our consumers right in australia, as long as you are able to show proof of purchase, you can return stuff for even after 12 months of use if unsatisfactory.

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    #28

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group How non-physical Americans are. I’m Latina and every time I meet someone new it’s considered polite to hug and kiss their cheek as a greeting. Obvi with professionals it’s a no go but like if I’m introduced to a friend of a friend I would do a very light hug and kiss, it was mind blowing to me that Americans mostly did the half hearted wave or a handshake.

    rainbow_elmo24 , Henry Burrows Report

    #29

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group People really care about their teeth like whitening and straightening.

    WhitePhatA** , Smiles7676 Report

    Jo Choto
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wouldn't say people care about their teeth per se, but the people that can afford it spend a lot of money having their teeth look "perfect".

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    #30

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group Drive through ATM. Very friendly people. How very obese so many Americans were. Water fountains in every public place. Heating system in every house. I was amazed by so many trees along the highways. Still am

    Final-Couple-3729 , Sean Hayford Oleary Report

    ima cat
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Trees along the highways are something I'm happy about in America.

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    When discussing surprising cultural experiences abroad, it's insightful to contrast different perspectives on American and European lifestyles.

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    For readers interested in deeper observations on what Europeans typically find striking, you might appreciate insights shared about the unique cultural and social dynamics across the Atlantic in this European travel observations article.

    #31

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group A sign at the front door of a restaurant to remind patrons not to bring your firearms inside, to please leave them in your car for those who are asking, I saw it in Phoenix Arizona

    RushSubdivisions , Daniel Lobo Report

    Nikki Sevven
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most states don't allow open carry. I'm from New England, and Arizona was as much of a shock to me as it was to you.

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    #32

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group The homeless in the US are very abrasive. I’m from Africa and am use to beggars and squatters, but the ones I came into contact with in California were so loud, obnoxious and invasive.

    KyleLucasZA , Elvert Barnes Report

    Bacony Cakes
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd be loud, obnoxious, and invasive if i didn't have anywhere to live, too.

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    #33

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group Root beer

    brigidsbollix , Meredith P. Report

    ToGo
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've always been curious to try root beer! I remember when I was young watching American TV, the kids/teens would always drink root beer I was shocked that they were allowed, what I thought then, was alcohol haha.

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    #34

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group The power of some toilet flushes shocked me, one was so loud it actually hurt my ears. Then I remembered the whole poo knife thing and figured it must be necessary.

    subrhythm , Sophie Report

    #35

    That you can't have a beer with your lunch in a lot of places. I get that they are family friendly places but where's my beer? Here you can pretty much get one at any restaurant from 11am onwards

    richards182 Report

    Ms. Allison
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Liquor licenses, and dry counties (and other liquor regulations) are probably two of the big reasons for that in the US.

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    #36

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group The way in LA food came with warnings like may cause cancer, antibiotics used when buying things with meat in

    leajeffro , Global Panorama Report

    Ms. Allison
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    California has a lot more consumer protection than the rest of the country. I remember when my family owned a scrapbooking store that an adhesive company had to redevelop a few products in the 2000s (I think) when California banned import of a bunch of chemicals and harmful stuff into the state.

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    #37

    There was work being done on the highway and after like every kilometer there was a dude standing with a sign telling us how long the traffic jam still is. Or was it remaining construction area in miles? Dont remember really. The thing is... Why were there dudes? In my country we just hang those signs to iron sticks lol.

    Wundawuzi Report

    #38

    30 Of The Good And The Bad Culture Shocks Non-Americans Experienced While In The US, As Shared In This Online Group The first was on the train from.the airport into new uork. There were well dressed people coming back from the races and they were sober. At home that would have been a heavily drunk party train. Oh and then being able to buy 500 paracetomol at once in a pot. Wtf.

    Incantanto , Martin Cathrae Report

    Ti Wa
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    500 paracetamol? You could probably kill an entire herd of elephants with that. Wtf? oO

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    #39

    It was weird to see alcohol being sold at ordinary grocery stores. Where I live it is only sold at liquor stores.

    UnsocialAsset Report

    Eliyahu Rooff
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It depends on where you live. In Utah, for example, it's only sold at state-run liquor stores.

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    #40

    Many things but the biggest was how difficult it was to take a left turn at an intersection. I had taken a car on rent as I could drive on my B1 and I thoroughly enjoyeed driving there but this rule baffled me.

    punkychandey Report

    Helen Haley
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you don't wait for the left hand light, you will be driving through oncoming traffic, you will cause an accident and people may die. Just wait your turn.

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