ADVERTISEMENT

The truth is in the eye of the beholder. For Americans, this means endless free refills, red solo cups and supermarket aisles dedicated to an entire kingdom of cereals, sour and crunchy, salty and sweet, family boxes and portion size. For Europeans, this is something they only see during Netflix TV series while shamelessly devouring entire seasons on rainy Sundays.

But in order to find out what cultural differences really stand out as major when comparing the American lifestyle and the rest of the world, one has to look at what people themselves have to say. So we compiled a list of the best answers that reveal what’s totally normal in the US but looks very out-of-this-world in other countries below.

If you have something to add, please hit us in the comment section! And in case you’re in the mood for more culture shocks, check out our previous article on an American living in Italy who shares the incredible USA vs. Italy culture differences she has experienced.

#1

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World The idolization of politicians. They are public servants, similar to a courthouse clerk or a city hall coordinator. They are not rock stars. You dont need to scream their name, buy their merch, fully commit your life to them and believe everything they say. Just... treat them like public servants. Sure, they get power and position, but hold them accountable when they abuse it. Dont let corporations and politicians take over, the political system is created by the people, FOR the people. It just... boggles the mind.

Koenigseggalicious Report

#2

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Bankruptcy because you went to the hospital

canesfan09 , CDC Report

Add photo comments
POST
kadri-annraidlepp avatar
Kat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, for someone in Europe, this isn't understandable. I mean, every country has taxes, but in my country you get free healthcare and paid maternity leave for 18 months.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World When you are 18 years old, you can be shipped to a foreign country to kill humans, but you are not allowed to drink alcohol.

K_51 , Diego González Report

Add photo comments
POST
stijn_vlas avatar
elStiJneriNO
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and most likely you gotta go kill those other people because they are a bit different and don't believe in drinking alcohol

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

To find out more about what an American living abroad had to say about cultural differences, Bored Panda reached out to Kacie Burns, actor and dancer from Canton, Michigan, who has been documenting her daily adventures after moving to live in Florence, Italy. Kacie has a whopping 479.6K followers on her TikTok, where she has amassed 12.9M likes for her fun and lighthearted videos.

ADVERTISEMENT

Having lived in Europe for quite some time now, Kacie has confirmed that American culture is really different from European in so many ways. “Everything from what they eat to how they dress to what they value to culture/society norms—and then it differs even further when you look at the cultural differences between different European countries,” Kacie told us.

#4

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Gratuitous violence in entertainment is normal. But show one boob and people lose their [minds].

danno49 Report

#5

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Why the big amount of flat-earth and antivax people?? Is your education system not doing well??

MiguelRc1 Report

She also said that she experienced “major cultural shocks living in Italy, but I know that if I visit or live in any other European country, I'll experience different culture shocks there as well.” The biggest lifestyle and mindset difference Kacie sees is “the old saying, 'Americans live to work, while Europeans work to live.' It's so true.”

#7

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Being concerned when anyone speaks a language you can't understand.

I live in India and we have 22 language here, with multiple dialects of the each language.

SparkySparkiBoomMan , Eric Prouzet Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#8

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Actively avoiding healthcare visits/checkups because if there's something wrong and you don't have the money to pay for treatment, then you'd rather just not know

unknown , Martha Dominguez de Gouveia Report

Add photo comments
POST
kadri-annraidlepp avatar
Kat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Estonia - had migraines, went to a doctor, had MRT, CT, several blood tests, physiotherapy because of muscle tension. I paid 5 euros for all that.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World That women only get about 6 weeks off work after having a baby and it's most likely to be unpaid.

-Aucuparia- , Juan Encalada Report

She added that in general, “Americans are constantly on the go—constantly working, constantly moving, constantly striving for the next best thing, which is great for its own reasons, but I've also found that because of this, Americans are much more stressed, much more overworked, and much more burnt out compared to Europeans.”

#10

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Portion sizes.

pourmewhineoh , Léo Roza Report

Add photo comments
POST
rkalligas avatar
Friday
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I couldn’t get over the size of soft drinks (Soda). A large in Australia is about the size of a small cup in the US. No one needs to consume that much sugar in one sitting!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Pledge to the flag in class

r93gd4dg1t , Jon Sailer Report

Kacie recounted that when she moved to Italy, one of the biggest culture shocks she experienced was “how Italians take time during their day to slow down and relax, whether it be closing the store for 3 hours in the afternoon to go home and spend time with family or having mandatory paid vacation weeks by law, no matter your job.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Having said that, the actress and TikToker added that it also has its negative connotations “but in general I've found they make enjoying their life a priority. It's definitely something I've gathered is similar as a whole in Europe as well!”

#13

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World American flags everywhere. I traveled throughout Europe and the Caribbean and I usually only saw their flag on government builds and here and there. Where as here in the USA the flag is like Franks Red Hot. We put them on everything. Magnets, churches, cars, condoms, every front porch, and street lamp. #murica

doughydonuts , Jon Sailer Report

Add photo comments
POST
buffbanana15 avatar
Nicholas Yu
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nah...at this point when I see someone proud of the this country is and thinking it's already "great"...I know they've got a MAGA hat somewhere.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Putting a ton of sugar in products like bread.

TheThingsWeMake , Jan Antonin Kolar Report

Add photo comments
POST
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bread, by definition over here, ought not contain sugar at all. Otherwise it is a pastry.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

Registering to vote. As a Canadian, you're automatically enrolled when you turn 18 and get a notice where your polling station will be for every election.

wbajl Report

Add photo comments
POST
wendillon avatar
Monday
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That sounds nice actually. We have to register to vote here in South Africa too and it's always a chaotic mess.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Prescription drug ads encouraging people to ask their doctor about the drug being advertised.

unknown , Sharon McCutcheon Report

Add photo comments
POST
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The EU also has laws that you cannot advertise medication without a disclaimer to talk to a doctor or pharmacist first. The sizes of non-prescription medicine is rather what strikes me. Aspirin by the 100s...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#17

Not using the metric system. Counting in football fields/moon landings instead... I don't get it.

ligvigfui Report

Add photo comments
POST
s_p_barnett avatar
Steve Barnett
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's the rub. I've been brought up during the transition from imperial to metric in the UK. However, are speed signs being still in MPH (Miles per hour), but quantities of food are in metric. It's all a mish mash. Sometimes I measure thing in inches, sometimes in centimetres. Confusion!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World When I was there during the last election I was shocked at how phrases like ‘well they have the black vote’ or the ‘Latino vote’ came up all the time on the radio. Obviously it’s not racist but it’s just something that would never come up in my country. Like, why would latino people all vote for the same person?

Adam-West , History in HD Report

#19

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Having only two parties: Republicans and Democrats. I know there are some smaller parties, but the system is stacked against them.

K_51 Report

#20

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Ambulance rides costing money seems pretty absurd to people from other countries.

Meemesfourdayz , Jonnica Hill Report

Add photo comments
POST
ificouldiwouldliveunderwater avatar
If I could I would live under water
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just googled it and at least in Germany, the insurance pays the ride to the hospital. But there should be a medical reason for calling the ambulance (which is almost always the case), for a "fun" ride the cost is between 300 -500€

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Toilet cubicles, where people not only can peek, but an adult person could crawl into your cubicle, there is so much space under the "door".

TitanicBeta , Wikipedia Report

Add photo comments
POST
ethanrobertsimpson avatar
ethan simpson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's meant to make you feel unnerved therefore making you do you business quicker so lines are shorter.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#22

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Not putting the final price on the tag. I'm not sure whether it's still like this, but a few years ago one never knew whether the $1.00 item in McDonald's or Burger King is actually $1.00 or maybe $1.08.

TitanicBeta Report

#23

The enabling customer service culture.

It’s created excessive portions in restaurants, created Karen, gives way to a disposable attitude towards products, and generally gives a sense of entitlement where most people start adding it to their list of rights.

srocan Report

#24

The minimal amount of paid days off you get from work. A friend of mine from Wisconsin was very proud he got 20 days off per year. If someone in Germany would offer me only 20 days, I would laugh at him and leave.

_Warsheep_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
steffipallasberlin avatar
Stefanie P
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How many days off do you get? I am from Germany and the minimum amount per year are 20 days of holidays, it also individually depends on your type of contract and the company you are working for - but for 5 day work weeks we usually receive a maximum of approx. 24 days per year which is not much more than your friend from Wisconsin gets. Now I live in Spain and get 21-24 days per year off (plus plenty of public holidays). Germany is not that much better than other countries, when it comes to leisure time for employees.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

Why tipping is considered part of someone's paycheck.

_Everyday_Hero Report

Add photo comments
POST
deveixmelanie avatar
Sakuhana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's the rule in the US to give tips? Was it 20 or 15 % of the bill? Do I understand it right?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Attack ads against political opponents, ads for law firms or lawyers. These kinds of ads are illegal and considered unethical in our country. Also expecting a teenager to be out of the house by the time they're 18. I live in Southeast Asia. There's no stigma about living with one's parents. Most of the time, there will be three generations living in one house.

HollowMist11 Report

Add photo comments
POST
josephgeorgiadis avatar
Joseph Georgiadis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Most of the time, there will be three generations living in one house": Don't confuse denial to leave parental house with lack of space or money. Sure, I would never ask my children to leave the house when they were 18 -they don't live with us since their mid 20s- but younger generations must not live with older ones. Granted that this is sometimes unavoidable, due to financial or health reasons.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Not owning kettles and MICROWAVING their water for coffee/tea.

gibbylewd , Chris Lawrence Report

#28

You have $4.50 in your pocket. The fancy drink is advertised at $3.99. Do you have enough money to buy it? Dunno!

2059FF Report

Add photo comments
POST
rkalligas avatar
Friday
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s weird not knowing how much anything will be until you get to the check out. Why are the taxes not included in the price?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Being legally allowed to drink only when you reach 21

I-am-a-Mango , Wil Stewart Report

Add photo comments
POST
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And then drinking "light" beer, i.e. yellow-coloured water with flavour traces and some alcohol.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World This one is more on the positive side, because I think we could learn some from it.

Talking and sharing your life with complete strangers. I have met quite a few americans so it seems the norm that you share and engage with strangers in public. The bus, train, parks etc. And then you go on your way.

In Denmark you'd be a "freak" if you did that.

WuuutWuuut , Alicia Steels Report

#31

Joining the army for college money and free healthcare.

Also how religious they are

WKH1970 Report

Add photo comments
POST
jamie1707 avatar
jamie1707
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

most of those pious assholes, the ones who put it on display? They aren't really following any tenet of Christianity. It's a money making and power game.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#32

I never understood why people in American TV series lost their house and job just because they got really sick.

Then I found out that it can happen in America.

unknown Report

Add photo comments
POST
jazmynerines avatar
Jazzy Mc. Jaz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They always say that the movies are fake than the more you learn the truer they become

View more commentsArrow down menu
#33

While on my travels I've noticed that Americans have a totally different expectation on what service you get in restaurants and cafes and sh*t in Europe. Like the waiter arrives at their table seconds after they've sat down and takes their order and when he's out of ear shot they complain about the bad service. It's like if they don't get the OMG HOW ARE YOU GUYS MY NAME IS MIGUEL AND I'LL BE YOUR WAITER THIS EVENING and then have their water topped up every 20 seconds then it's bad service

Favres_dick_pic Report

Add photo comments
POST
malagotelli avatar
Eslamala
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All that over-friendliness from wait staff might be because they really need the tips in order to make a living... In most countries, tips are extra money servers get.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

Literally anything about what goes on in Florida.

Jacilund Report

#35

Nipples, or in general the hyper-sexualisation of nudity

unknown Report

Add photo comments
POST
bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Somehow you can't buy a 16 year old kid a sex education book or have them watch a porn video, but it's perfectly alright to buy him an assault riffle.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Being able to vote before reaching the legal drinking age

dingdongimprblywrong , Element5 Digital Report

#37

Home owners associations.

tahsii Report

Add photo comments
POST
deveixmelanie avatar
Sakuhana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've been meaning to ask this for a while, but what is this exactly and why does it feel super restrictive and patronizing?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

As a Brit living in America the amount of pharmaceutical commercials on TV is creepy.

TrueHybrid Report

Add photo comments
POST
kadri-annraidlepp avatar
Kat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People in America are sick more because they overeat and overwork.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

I've been to New Orleans, and everyone was calling me "honey", "sugar", "babe", "sunshine", and "love". I found it very sweet, blushed every time and generally, couldn't get enough of it.

On the other hand, the amount of ice you put in drinks is ridiculous.

cosmic-tragedy Report

Add photo comments
POST
wendillon avatar
Monday
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

more ice = less drink. Saves the company money. It's pretty common in many places.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

2017 in Athens, Georgia I passed out at work and was fine but my boss had already called an ambulance and insisted I get checked out...a less than 2 mile ambulance ride cost me $950 with insurance. I was only dehydrated...

Butterfly1r Report

Add photo comments
POST
s_p_barnett avatar
Steve Barnett
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

UK citizen. I've had two bouts of serious illnesses in the last six months. During that period, I required four ambulances, treatment in hospital plus medication etc. None of which cost me anything. However, it is worth pointing out that if you work, as well as paying taxes you also contribute National Insurance contributions, which goes towards the National Health Service (NHS) amongst other things.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#41

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Willingly putting yourself massively in debt for a college degree.

I come from a place with free university education (which has its own drawbacks of course), and the fact that you can make such a huge, life-altering decision at 17 is considered normal over there, that seems downright bizarre to me.

I_hate_traveling Report

Add photo comments
POST
paniodpolskiego avatar
Ilsa Laszlo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Europe here - many public universities for free and many private ones. You can choose and you don't need to be in debt for the rest of your live.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#42

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Asking everyone “what do you do?” when you first meet them. I live outside the US and realized there are some people I’ve known for years and I still don’t know their job. I think in the US jobs are a bigger part of a person’s identity than in some other places.

Ssffxx , Priscilla Du Preez Report

Add photo comments
POST
jencook avatar
JennyLaRue
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess given their crappy leave entitlement, and ridiculous expectations about always being available, that might well mean it's occupying a larger part of their life and identity than it does in other countries

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#44

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World My maternity leave was an unpaid 6 weeks, and I had to fight them on not shorting me because I went past my due date and didn’t keep working until the day I went into labor.

robot_cupcak3 , https://unsplash.com/@anastasiiachepinska Report

Add photo comments
POST
mariannekraus avatar
Marianne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Germany, it is illegal to make a woman work 6 weeks prior and 8 weeks past her due date. (You get paid normally in that time.) After that, you can have up to 3 years of maternity leave. In the first year, you get 65% of your former income, the rest of the time is unpaid. Also you cannot be fired from the beginning of your pregnancy until you come back after maternity leave.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#45

Side effects on medication adverts.

With James' Hayfever meds, I can get through the day with ease!

Side effects may include:

Loss of sight

Loss of hearing

Loss of sense of smell

Coma

Headaches

Fever

Vomiting

Diarrhoea

Loss of consciousness

and death.

typicalcitrus Report

Add photo comments
POST
jameskramer avatar
James016
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its best that they do tell you of the potential side effects. I suspect it will cover them legally if someone tries to sue.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#46

Limited sick days.

44722e426f6e65 Report

Add photo comments
POST
mart_sermus avatar
Mart Sermus
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seriously that's a thing? How does one plan how maby days it takes to get well after kidney surgery?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#47

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Extra large bottomless cups for cola or soft drinks.... you could bathe in those....

SlyDigits Report

Add photo comments
POST
bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wasn't there this one mayor in a town who wanted to ban those buckets to fight obesity and had to ditch the plan to avoid a public hanging?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#48

Why people censor swears that are totally obvious

Mr_magggots Report

#49

American here:

When I was studying in the UK I had to send some financial documents back to the US. The only way these documents were considered valid was if the original was mailed in, or if I faxed a copy. When I asked the printing office if they could fax it for me they looked at me like I was an alien and said the school hadn't owned a fax machines for like a decade. Then they asked me if I still use a VCR.

meatdrawer25 Report

#50

A flag in every corner of a classroom, and Americans being very patriotic to the stars and stripes. Other countries barely give a [poop] about their flags

Legendary-Lynx Report

Add photo comments
POST
1998-mende-laura avatar
Laura Mende (Human)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you hoist the flag in Germany outside of the World Cup, you will be looked at crookedly. Sometimes you are also called a Nazi. That American patriotism scares me a LOT!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#51

That American kids eat straight sugar. Walked on to the playground and saw kids chugging these long thin sticks. I try and it was just colored sugar lol. Called them pixie sticks.

whowantsrice Report

#52

Just "dealing with" preventable and curable diseases instead of seeking medical attention out of fear of crippling debt.

whereditg0 Report

Add photo comments
POST
jmscargill avatar
Scagsy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In this day and age, all countries should have a healthcare system that is free at the point of use. America is a third world country with a Gucci belt.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#53

Calling a main course an entree.

hydrogenextraction Report

#54

Sueing for any possible reason. It's so common that there are commercials on tv and radio telling you to sue "x" company for "reason". Lawyer ads are also very common because of this.

hysteria613 Report

Add photo comments
POST
jencook avatar
JennyLaRue
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having seen the cost of medical bills, I get it where any genuine injury has been sustained.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#55

Driving everywhere.

ButaneLilly Report

Add photo comments
POST
nathanpogorzala avatar
Nathan Pogorzala
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our country is big. BIG. you want to walk 25 miles to work? Public transit systems don't often run to a town of 5,000. It would be great if we had small self contained towns but that is not how our country was formed. We have no history of self sustaining walled towns or feudalism. Americans like to stretch out and we have land in spades.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#56

Drink sizes.
When my family visited in 2017 we landed in Texas for a stopover. First thing I saw in the shops part of the terminal was a dude who was drinking from what looked like an actual bucket - here in NZ our “large” drinks would be considered an American “small” or maybe “medium”

The_Sly_Sloth Report

Add photo comments
POST
benlensgraf avatar
Thorfin Wolfsbane
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

if people didn't drink out of buckets, then there'd be no diabetes. And then doctors would go out of business for lack of patients. If we prevented preventable diseases, our economy would go bust.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#57

The extent of the tipping culture is frankly shocking to me.

tinnic Report

See Also on Bored Panda
#58

Being loud and rowdy when sober seems to be a very American thing.

Funny thing is, I’m American and considered a loud person in America. I can only imagine that my voice must sound like a f**king air horn to foreigners.

NettyTheMadScientist Report

Add photo comments
POST
mariannekraus avatar
Marianne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Germany, we tend to be much quieter in public, esp. on public transport. But then I went to Japan and after a couple of minutes, I realized that people were staring at us for having a conversation in a train and I felt so rude and loud suddenly! So when abroad, it is a good idea to look around you and check if your behavior is fitting in the surroundings.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#59

I've had several German friends who were amazed that at house parties everyone actually does drink out of red Solo cups. They thought that was just a weird thing people did in movies and now they think it is a huge conspiracy or something

flyingmouse Report

#61

Living "paycheck to paycheck" despite making like 4 grands a month

BlackLatexPanther Report

Add photo comments
POST
ariawhitaker avatar
Aria Whitaker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This COMPLETELY depends on the area. You living in an apartment in Jackson, Mississippi? You are NOT living "paycheck to paycheck" making $4k a month. Living in a 3 bedroom home in San Francisco, CA? Yup, you are certainly living paycheck to paycheck. Our cost of living varies wildly depending on both region and state.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#62

Having to take out a second mortgage because you twisted your ankle in the wrong state.

EHainesReddit Report

#63

Most shopping carts in the US have fixed backwheels. In Germany all 4 wheels are able to freely turn 360° which makes moving the cart around much easier.

yoodenvranx Report

Add photo comments
POST
mariannekraus avatar
Marianne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This tiny detail annoyed me so much in the US. Also some people do not bring their cart back, they are standing around everywhere. In Germany, you have to put 1€ in the cart as a deposit and only get it back when you dock the cart at the station.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#64

That there are many libraries of all kinds in the United States.

obie17 Report

#65

I've never seen a Canadian drive down the road with two of their nation's flags on the back with flames shooting out from the sides of the truck.

DM-Hollens-117 Report

Add photo comments
POST
nathanpogorzala avatar
Nathan Pogorzala
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Then you haven't even been in the Golden Horseshoe. Without any negativity, the maple leaf is plastered on everything, to include 2 flags on a truck.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#66

I'm an American (born and raised), but I've heard that in other countries, strangers don't say hi or strike up conversations with each other. I know non-Americans are confused but let me explain:

Sometimes if you are say at an amusement park for example and you're waiting in line for a ride, strangers would strike conversations with you and such and this is actually pretty normal. Or say you are walking around in a park and you walk past by someone, you usually smile and say a quick "hi" as you are walking past that person.

I've had countless times where I've had people strike conversations with me that I didn't know. White people do this, but especially Black people do this a lot as well. Like you would see an old Black lady at a store and she'll just start talking to you.

I've had Europeans tell me that people would think you are mentally ill if you were to strike up conversations with strangers in Europe for example. Especially in Asian countries no one does this (I've heard). Strangers absolutely do not say a word to each other in Japan or China for example.

Side note: This may also be a regional thing in the US. I've lived in southern states mostly (like Texas) and people are really damn friendly down there. Now I live in Connecticut and people are way less friendly over here (no offense).

neptunesice88 Report

Add photo comments
POST
saragregory0508 avatar
N G
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is one that I think other countries should think about adopting. I was recently hospitalised, and the most reassuring conversation I had was with a stranger who nattered about her husband's bedding plants for 20 minutes - completely taking my mind off the pain I was in. (I'm in the UK). There's plenty on lists such as these that I think the US has just gotten wrong compared to the rest of the world (healthcare, work ethic, the republican party), but this aspect I'd like to import.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#67

Probably not really European but Finnish, memes about forgotting to connect your phone to wifi. Here we have unlimited internet and it's working almost everywhere. Also the unlimited mobile data costs here like 30€ in month

tohtorimikkonen Report

Add photo comments
POST
malagotelli avatar
Eslamala
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, where I live is like that as well. Now that I think about it, only places for tourists have free public wi-fi. Everyone here has data plans.

View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#68

I got off the plane and asked the cap guy how far the hotel was and he said about 30 miles. I almost had a heart attack... turns out cabs are cheaper than the Uk



I can't remember the price I paid but I was presently surprised.

The UK cabs are like £4 per mile

also you would get laughed of the taxi for asking to go 30 miles and not taking the train

nibs123 Report

#69

There was a 24-hour pharmacy across the street from our apartment. Nothing shocking there, except it also sold booze and cigarettes.

Flagyl400 Report

#70

One positive thing I've noticed, foreigners love how big Halloween is here.

pgold05 Report

Add photo comments
POST
mariannekraus avatar
Marianne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So true! People have tried to make Halloween a thing in Germany, but most people didn't jump on the train. I would love to have decent Halloween parties here!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#71

At least in the Midwest, the soft smiles you give to strangers if you make eye contact while walking past them. Did not go over so well in Germany.

morazzle Report

Add photo comments
POST
ificouldiwouldliveunderwater avatar
If I could I would live under water
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is going to change over time. I remember a time (in Germany) when you were at the cash register in a supermarket and you and the cashier wouldn't greet each other. Then suddenly, maybe about 30 years ago, that changed. Now we say "hello" and "have s nice day" and sometimes talk a little, but I remember it being so, so weird, to have to talk to the cashier! It was really awkward du first. Now of course, I cannot imagine to not day hello to the cashier, it just seems so rude. But I think at the time, it wasn't meant in a rude way, it was just normal for everyone.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#72

As an American I was shocked to learn that not every school internationally has a building cop

CatManMax527 Report

Add photo comments
POST
anne-karina avatar
Anne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would we.. We also don't have guns. There is a link between the two.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#73

Injured people try to avoid getting ambulances called for them.

asmeeks1 Report

Add photo comments
POST
bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, if you know that a 4 minute ride will cost you enough to feed a family of six for 4 years, you'd be reluctant too.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#74

30 degrees Fahrenheit

NDB05_ Report

#75

Just the sheer scale of it. I could drive the distance from the most northern part of Scotland to the most southern part of Cornwall and still be in Texas. How is that possible?!

Skullhunter Report

#76

They have garbage disposals in their kitchens. That's just so wild to me.

AHoneyman Report

#77

92 Things Americans Are Used To That Look Weird To The Rest Of The World Lemonade. I'm America, but there was a post going around a while back about an American who ordered a lemonade at a restaurant in Australia and was confused to receive a Sprite. The op of the post was the server, and thought it was just the American being snooty for being confused. Then commenters from other nonUS countries chimed in on what a lemonade is to them. It blew my mind, because in the US lemonade is so iconic as a summer drink, and is often homemade.

Eta: lemonade is not water with lemon in it. It requires sugar and preparation.

Second edit: to all the people commenting "hello America, I'm dad" pay your child support. You can't just walk out on an entire country like that and show up suddenly now that I've got karma

glassssshark , Sigmund Report

Add photo comments
POST
popapach avatar
troufaki13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lemonade in Greece is lemon juice, sugar, water or lemon syrup and water. It can be either homemade or store bought, but it definitely is not sprite. Sprite is sprite.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#78

When I went to New York I was flabbergasted by the amount of people just loitering on the streets or having phone conversations that everyone can hear on the train like npcs from GTA.

People outside of the USA don't hang out in public or let other people into their business on public transport.

I managed to hear a woman talk about how her baby daddy wasn't going to her daughters birthday party and I started to pick side's in her personal life, while walking through Central Park I heard two friends with a substantial age gap talk about everyone in their friend group having mistresses and they were trading information on the mistress facts each of them knew for their respective friends, I got invested in that one so I folliwed them for a while (pretending I wasn't) because I wanted the tea.

Dorkyporkypoo Report

Add photo comments
POST
popapach avatar
troufaki13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm assuming this person is from northern Europe. Because there are loud talkers in Greece too. Oh and also people who listen to music on speakers in public places :(

View more commentsArrow down menu
#79

Biscuits and gravy is a legit thing. Also you can ride motorcycles without helmets in some states??? And your iced tea isn't sweetened unless you ask for sweet.

unknown Report

Add photo comments
POST
james_fox1984 avatar
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Biscuits and gravy still gets to me. I know US biscuits are savoury but almost every time I picture our biscuits (cookies) with gravy and cringe.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#80

Sports Bars are actually exactly how they're portrayed on TV

BeYourOwnDog Report

#81

That Dolly Parton has her own theme park in Tennessee. I thought it was a joke.

panda_1996 Report

#82

Free soft-drink refills in restaurants. Like wth

JeezasKraist Report

Add photo comments
POST
jameskramer avatar
James016
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not sure if they still do it but Nandos in the UK had free refills.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#83

How cheap food is - I was in Chicago so it was good food too

Tasty cheap food, who wouldn't get fat?

Reapr Report

Add photo comments
POST
malagotelli avatar
Eslamala
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Meat, chicken, rice and basic products like that are ridiculously cheap compared to other countries I've lived in. It's one of the things I really liked when I lived in L.A

#84

That higher education can cost upwards of $50,000 per year.

anixudh Report

Add photo comments
POST
petrikabellovoda avatar
CORLEONE
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

...and not everyone finds the job that they dreamed of....

View more commentsArrow down menu
#85

Say "I'll just have water" at a restaurant and not be charged for it or be asked "What kind?"

sunnyeggs0 Report

Add photo comments
POST
james_fox1984 avatar
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tap water is free in Australia from restaurants, pubs, cafes etc but bottled water you have to pay for. And quite often they will have jugs of cold tap water for you to take to your table, for free.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#86

Not really crazy, but I just learned you guys have like outdoor sirens that get tested somewhat frequently. I’ve only heard those noises in video games and movies until my friend sent me a clip, because I had no idea it actually happened.

sammi2016 Report

Add photo comments
POST
premek avatar
Přemek Marek
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not only in the USA - in Czech republic we have them too, test is every first wednesday of the month at noon, for a few minutes. They can also "speak", so you hear "Zkouška sirén" - Test of the sirens a few times beforehand.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#87

That you can rack up 100,000$ upward in debt easily through student loans.

cutelly Report

Add photo comments
POST
See Also on Bored Panda
#88

I always thought that the Olive Garden in The Simpsons was just code for ‘generic restaurant’

Hamptaro Report

#89

Taking condiments extremely seriously.

Sad_Soggy Report

Add photo comments
POST
ulrikesponagel avatar
Stephanie IV
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Condiments are the crowning glory of many a dish. Everybody should take them much more serious.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#90

The "Take me out to the ballgame song" thats apparently sung at baseball games. still not entirely sure that guy wasnt taking the piss out of me

unknown Report

Add photo comments
POST
sasyscarborough avatar
Sasy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I say ...play ball, at the end of any time the anthem is sung in any movie, then laugh, could be a funeral or any sport, play ball is just rooted into my brain, just like saying 'on Buffy' if I hear "previously"

View more commentsArrow down menu
#91

That the entire traffic has to stop when a school bus stops.

Hic_Forum_Est Report

Add photo comments
POST
jessicamontgomery avatar
Gracie Jay
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having had a classmate get hit by a car after getting of the bus and died, I’m pretty sure that’s a good thing. I wouldn’t put my daughter on the bus otherwise.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#92

Apparently, rolling coal is actually a thing.

raised-by-humans Report

Add photo comments
POST
bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is. It is used to show how little you care for the environment and you do it by modifying your car engine so it produces massive amounts of black smoke. Apart from the environmental issue it's also dangerous and illegal because these clouds of black smoke are like a thick fog, blocking your view. Guys doing this rolling coal are usually aiming their practices on people driving eco-friendly cars and bicyclists.

View more commentsArrow down menu