35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed

I also don’t understand that in America you are party centred, yet they still have to elect a candidate. Most other countries trust the party to put forward their best candidate, and will then vote accordingly. Not subject the people to months of campaigns just to elect one person who will then go on to another round of campaigning. What a waste of time and money.

This is a more recent thing. I'm old enough to remember when it wasn't this way. I think this is the inevitable result of only having TWO parties.

I’m 62 and, even though my politics are basically liberal, I have also voted for candidates from the other side who I felt were the best person for the job—-better than my own party’s person. I have rarely voted a straight party ticket (all candidates from my party). I think of voting as being like hiring an employee. My tax money pays them, so they actually work for me, as well as the rest of their constituents. So I read up on their backgrounds, which is like reading their resumes, and watch them debate, which I consider to be their interview. I don’t care which party they’re from. All I want is the best, most qualified, and most capable person for the job. Give me a boring, but brilliant and capable candidate, top of their class, who knows all the ins and outs of governing. Not a celebrity, not a personality, not a “name”, not a rich kid who only wants the power and could care less about the people, not a bloviating egotist who thinks personal attacks instead of backing up statements with verifiable facts, and shouting everyone else down means they’re the smartest person in the room. They’re not. They’re just a loud and abusive a*****e—-not the characteristics of a leader.

Politicians keep us divided in order to keep us from turning on them.

Some of us are actually Independents (or other parties). However, if you vote in one of the major primaries because you like a particular candidate, you are automatically registered as being in that political party. During actual elections you vote for whomever you want as all official candidates are listed (there is an area for write in candidates). Unfortunately, Independents and other parties don't have primaries

It drives me crazy because people act like they're talking about sports teams. It's that same mentality. We have so few people who are willing to listen to good ideas no matter who's side it is. I could say Trump wanted to do something and conservatives would be like "brilliant, perfect, awesome!" but if I said the exact same idea was a democrat's, it would be like I killed their pet. It's entirely irrational and it happens on both sides. I want people to stop playing party politics with my life, thanks.

One of the rights we have as voters is that we can vote in confidentiality. I think what you are seeing and hearing are the louder and more opinionated among us who do not care about confidentiality.

It's a self-esteem thing. In groups and out groups. If you belong to your group and your group is right or winning, you feel better about yourself. It's not just politics in the U.S. It's sports. It's any nationalism. It's any in-group you are in and any out group you are against.

The people are all the same.

Does Ireland require people to register with a party? Because I believe that's the problem here in the US

Party centered, yet only 2 to choose from.

South Africa has dozens of parties but only three or four usually make it above the 1% mark. The two largest parties are about 12% and 50% respectively. The larger party (ANC) has something like a 99% black electorate, and the competitor (DA) is a mixed bag but mostly white support. In short, you can more or less predict a person's vote based on race. Sucks a lot.

As an American I can say I don't vote party lines, I will vote for who I feel is the best candidate. There are alot of us that vote that way

But they dont want the society to benefit.

Baffles me how sales taxes vary not only from state to state but often from one area in a state to another in the same state

I get 8 weeks paid leave per year. 10 days is criminal

American here. I don't understand it either, that's why I don't belong to one

Yes very friendly warm and big hearted 🥰

You'll notice, though, that our country's liberals aren't walking around with Biden hats on or waving Biden flags. Because we're not part of an insane cult that believes up is down.

UK system of taxes being deducted automatically by your employer is much simpler. Can't imagine having to work it all out myself.

Remember: Small is Medium, Medium is Large and Large is Jumbo

It's so very very much.

That also exists in Europe

The bane of computer programmers and Excel users worldwide

Being German I cringe so hard at all those displays of nationalism. Here, I side-eye people who fly the flag unless they are a government building or it's soccer world cup.

National parks of the US and the public library system are two of many great things about the US(for me).

America isn't called "the melting pot" for no reason. I am Native American, and my ancestors were told to comply and worst of all assimilate. The US government tried to commit genocide of Native Americans. My particular tribal family did not go on the Trail of Tears, and were labeled outlaws at their own peril. You're damn right I'm proud they stuck up for themselves. I'm proud of it because they tried to obliterate it.

The tipping culture needs to go.

Always needed so in crime dramas the cop can look to see where the crook is and bust down the door

See the one about the scummy lawyer billboards. There's your answer.

I don't think even Americans understand this

When in an area with little parking, valet parking is a godsend!

The climate varies widely across the US. Shoes may be for warmth in some areas. In the summer, my family roams around barefooted, indoors and out.

I have had some great conversations with strangers. I have also learned a lot. For example, when I was young, I was buying my own groceries for the first time and had no idea how to pick out a cabbage. An elderly lady just up and told me how to do it. It worked!

Captive audience

Rugby is a much more exciting game.

Any British person pointing the finger at Americans about the disconnect between spelling and pronunciation is definitely a case of the pot calling the kettle black

It's not an American thing. I went to university in Europe and I lived with 3 complete strangers. I was lucky because later all of us became very close friends.

The mile is a British imperial unit. We once belonged to Britain.

So hockey is what?

I have many students from the Ukraine. We have certain morale boosting events at school to make things fun, but students are not required to participate. Not all of the American students participate. As for how we speak to students, I am always respectful, and I speak in a way I think they will best understand.

THE WATER THING. I have been saying this forever!! In Australia the toilets are only so full of they are completely clogged and flushed. Like why???

I am sure this is just in the movies and shows. Plus no one looks like that in High School. Edit: I am an idiot!

This is down to the communications system when the USA started, and it's sheer size. It took a lot of time for the election results to be returned to each state, and then each state to send their appointed official to the capital to inform the other officials.

"Most" is an odd statement. In apartments and hotels, sometimes yes. They don't want you messing with them. In our homes? We have handheld showerheads.

Lawns, used to be a status symbol...coming from England. The tradition just persisted when Americans started building homes. But times are changing. With water becoming more scarce, people are opting to go without lawns (especially if you live in a townhouse).

Balances out craning your neck to look down at your phone all day.