Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
It is only after you begin traveling more widely that you realize how different social conventions are around the world. Many of the behaviors that you wouldn’t even notice back home, might instantly make someone else raise an eyebrow when you’re abroad. Similarly, when someone visits your home country, they might be shocked by some of the conventions and traditions that you take for granted.
American Reddit users opened up about the things that are socially acceptable in the United States but not elsewhere, in two viral r/AskReddit threads here and here. We’ve collected some of their most interesting insights and opinions to share with you, Pandas. They might give you a fresh perspective on life in the US, and might make you think more deeply about all of the social conventions that you’re used to in your daily lives.
As you’re scrolling down, remember to upvote the comments that took you by surprise and the ones that you agree are true. Smiling a lot, tipping culture, and weird ads on the TV are just the tip of the iceberg.
This post may include affiliate links.
RELATED:
#2
Having children pledge allegiance to the flag every morning or so.
Mulberry Juice 2 years ago
That sounds more like something from a dystopian book than real life. This actually happens??
The Harvard Business Review notes that cultures around the world can be broadly categorized into ‘peaches’ and ‘coconuts.’ The US and Brazil, for example, can be considered to be ‘peaches.’ People there smile frequently, are open to sharing information about themselves, and ask personal questions. However, at some point, you’ll reach the “hard shell of the pit where the peach protects” who they really are inside.
On the flip side, you have ‘coconut’ cultures like in Germany. ‘Coconuts’ tend to be more closed off: they rarely smile, don’t ask personal questions right off the bat, and are very wary of what information they disclose to new acquaintances. Over time, however, they open up and become warmer. Though it takes more time, relationships with ‘coconuts’ tend to last longer.
#4
For profit healthcare
Mickysixxx 2 years ago
Yeah I don't mind paying tax for free healthcare dunno why Americans are so against it. My colleague who is from NY said he couldn't believe it the first time he went to a Dr here and it was free
#5
The price tag on items is not the actual price.
#6
Commercials for medicine
Prescription medication specifically. Ads for boner pills and depression medicine etc. bombarding all ages all day long
One of the most stereotypical ways to tell that someone is probably from the US is to see how often they smile. A study done in 2018 showed that European American students smiled twice as much as East Asian students in their ID photos. The former were also more likely to display ‘excited’ smiles, Naveed Saleh shares on Psychology Today.
Moreover, students at US universities were more likely to smile while walking on campus, compared to students at Chinese universities. Over 29% of Americans were spotted smiling, versus barely 3% of Chinese students. There are two possible explanations for this.
First of all, this rate might show a difference in life satisfaction between the two countries. Secondly, it indicates that different cultures value different things. For example, Americans tend to value high-intensity positive emotions. Hence the smiling!
#7
Having ~~100k+~~ debt as 18 year old just for going to school.
Remi (He/Him) 2 years ago
Just checked for reference and the enrollment fee in the university of Helsinki for the 2022-23 semester was whopping 46€. Multiply that by 5 and your masters degree would cost 230€
#9
Military recruitment centres in schools, general worship of those serving or who have served.
In the US, it’s normative to maintain eye contact for around three seconds at a time, take turns during the conversation so as not to interrupt someone else, and to allow two or three feet of personal space between you and others, according to Natali Kerr, PhD.
What’s more, Americans tend to use the phrase, “How are you?” as a greeting, rather than a legitimate question in its own right. If you want to aim for a deeper, more meaningful connection with someone, try to use the question more sparingly and with intent. Actually ask someone how they’re doing when you want to find out, not as a way to extend your “hello.”
#10
Our portion sizes. Other countries literally have "American" as a size option.
#11
In Sweden you either take your shoes off when you enter someone's home or we saw your dirty f*****g feet off.
Ches Yamada 2 years ago
WE TAKE OUR SHOES OFF, TOO. Tv shows and movies show it otherwise, that's all.
#14
Smiling at strangers. Back in high school, I spent some time in St. Petersburg, Russia as a short-term exchange student. As someone ethnically ambiguous, I assumed most Russians would think I was from one of the Central Asian Republics, like Uzbekistan. Nope, they guessed American every time.
"Olga, how does everyone know I'm American?"
"You smile too much and have good teeth."
#15
You can get fired for any reason. Or no reason. Just if the boss feels like it From an external point of view, that's f****d up, going to work must be terrifying each day knowing that something like wearing the wrong shoes or whatever could get you sacked on the spot
#16
The car as the priority on the road. In the U.K. We have a policy that the more vulnerable the road user, the more rights they have. Therefore, people have the most rights, then horse riders, cyclists, bikers, cars and so forth.
#17
I love explaining to non Americans that we can go buy beer, food, televisions and guns at the same store.
#18
wearing the flag as a bathing suit.
Mat Hall 2 years ago
The thing about having clothes effectively made from the American flag is that the people who do it are generally the "America is the greatest country in the world" type of "patriot" who would get super angry if you "disrespect " the stars and stripes, but ironically are likely violating the flag code which states "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery"...
#19
Waiters bothering me while eating. And bringing me the bill without asking for it.
#21
Mobility scooters and wheelchairs for obese people who are capable of walking. Went to disneyworld and people were using wheelchairs becuase they were lazy. They'd literally wheel them up to a shop get up walk around the store and then back to the chair. You could say well that was one person so it doesn't count but there were multiple people doing the same thing, even entire families sometimes.
Helena 2 years ago
I have always walked a bit weird because of how flat my feet are and slightly pigeon toed. I had my feet fixed (mostly), but my walk is still affected because of a lifetime of compensating. The result is I can't walk very far before crippling pain sets in. It sucks butt. Go easy on people. You don't know.
#23
Customers in restaurants or any other store staying past closing, I work in a restaurant and this annoys me beyond belief.
#25
I think in America its way more socially acceptable to drive .2 miles to your destination than to walk.
#26
Talking about money. How much you earn or don't earn. How much debt you are in, how bad or good your credit is. People don't really talk about those things even with close family members other places I've been.
Sonja 2 years ago
But I think this one is better in the US. Talking about wages helps people to realise when they're underpaid by their company and what to ask when changing jobs. I have often severely lowballed myself because I didn't know for how much I could ask and what was normal in a job
#29
America was influenced heavily by the post WWII "nuclear family" model where everyone should be independent and own their own houses, live as a family unit etc. I married a Filipino and it changed my world like they have everyone in one baller house going back to great grandma. And it's amazing like when you have kids it's so much easier, if your car breaks down and need something it's easier, if you need a loan they pool all the money and give micro loans among their extended family with virtually no interest. I'm like wait, we've been getting f****d in America. Ultimately we decided to embrace it and pool together with my mom who lived next to us anyways and buy a baller a*s house for us and the kids and it costs us nothing because we share the cost. She left and now I'm stuck living with my mom in my 30's until I can refinance or sell but still was worth it.
Greenmantle 2 years ago
OK, for the rest of the world, please explain what a baller house I'd?
#30
I don't know about every single place in the world, but compared to a lot of Asian cultures, the way Americans treat moving out of our parents' home as a huge achievement is pretty weird. Adult kids still living with their parents isn't embarrassing in Asia. In America, it's still considered somewhat weird, although it's getting more common for financial reasons
#31
Ads that compare one brand to another openly, like Duracell vs Energizer, rather than Brand X.
#32
In many African countries/cultures, looking at someone dead in the eye when talking to them, particularly adults, is very very rude. In Murica, looking an adult in the eye is a sign of respect/confidence in the speaker
And i was like WTF!! 2 years ago
I am from EU and here is normal too, it means that you are paying attention on the speaker and that you respect him/her
#33
I am English and have lived in America for over twenty five years. As a nosy person I ADORE the way Americans will show you the interior of their houses. In England the deeply curious usually find them selves in a locked bathroom examining the contents of the hosts cabinet. This is the last resort for the nosy person as access to the rest of the place will not be encouraged. Americans will walk you around the house from top to bottom and show you everything. In England you only get to do that when you know your host very well indeed.
Zenozenobee 2 years ago
I hosted a playdate for my kids and their friends right before Halloween. I had set up a table with food, candies, drinks, glasses, plates and all. A father helped himself in my cupbord to take a glass he liked better ( I won them at the school lottery and refused to trade them for the plastic toys he had, on multiple occasions). And then, after using the bathroom, he complimented a cute box I have on the bathroom shelf calling it " the box where you keep your pads". So, yeah he opened it. I'm not ready to invite his daughters again any soon, and it's totally because of his behavior.
Load More Replies...
BluEyedSeoulite 2 years ago
I'm fine letting people look around, it's when they start opening doors I find weird. My husband's friend did this at our last housewarming. There's usually a reason a door is closrd
natie marie 2 years ago
Can confirm. As Brit who visited America reciently, my friend showed me their whole house. Even got mugs out of storage for me to see. It was amazing.
RagDollLali 2 years ago
You didn't go through their bathroom cabinet, did you? 😆
Load More Replies...
Honu 2 years ago
I'm used to people giving a bit of a house tour if it's a housewarming party. They just moved in. It's not a thing I've had happen otherwise. Also, there's a reason half-baths are popular in the US. It just has a toilet and sink. It's there for guests. The family doesn't generally keep personal items in there.
Rougarou Cher 2 years ago
I show people around my house because it has a strange layout they always ask about but it would be impolite if they just started wandering around without me and looking through our stuff.
Julie Snelling 2 years ago
I used to do that look in people's bathroom cabinets (don't ask why because I have no idea) I stopped when I opened my friends and saw their false teeth! Never again
Page intentially left blank 2 years ago
Not necessarily. I generally do not give "house tours," nor do I expect them of others. Seems a bit on the creepy side.
Chance 2 years ago
As an American. If you come to my house and start investigating my bathroom. You remember the we carry guns in public part? I am assuming your doing an illegal search. If I know or hear of someone being a nosy person. They don't get to associate with me. Nosy people are disgusting ooh let me do a thorough search of someones personal belongings.
Scott Crosby 2 years ago
They don't want you to know where they have their beans and toast stashed.
GadgetGirl 2 years ago
The first time my mother came to visit, she looked for dust in her room with a blacklight. The next time, the kids had written "Hi Grandma!" In lemon juice on the walls. (Lemon juice fluoresces under black light but doesn't show up under regular lighting)
TeenieMeanie 2 years ago
I put metal bearings in my guest bathroom medicine cabinet with a pieceof cardboard to hold in place and closed the door before a party. I’m still friends with the person.
Barbara Kelly 2 years ago
I'm a Canadian, and I prefer NOT to show visitors through my home, when they ask. They are welcome in the public areas.
Matias Marczak 2 years ago
Well, I guess it depends on how much you know the person and how much they are proud of their house in pretty much everywhere.
DennyS (denzoren) 2 years ago
Nope...I do not like that at all. If you're in the porch..that's the furthest you're going.
#34
Spelling bees
Temoni 2 years ago
I'm from Finland. And I think so many countries f****d up their language, because in finnish, there is no need for spelling. The whole language is spoken exactly how it is written. Only exception is the swedish å, but it's spelled as a regular o. And it's always funny when foreigners try to speak finnish, because they try to pronounce letters within their own language's guidelines. And as a sidemark, in finnish, there is the word "ei". Which means "no". But it's pronounced exactly like the letter "a" in english. So all of you know how to say at least one word in finnish. 🙂
#35
when I studied abroad in Spain they extensively warned us about how rude it is to stretch at the dinner table... I never realized how much I love stretching at the dinner table till I got in trouble for doing it
#36
1. Using time as a measure of distance. ("How far is the store?" "Oh, about a five minute drive.")
2. Starting conversations with strangers in order to fight boredom (stuck in line, stuck on the bus, stuck in the waiting room) with the understanding that nothing with come from it. (Outside of a super casual "Nice talking with you.") It's understood that these conversations are not the start of friendships. They are simply boredom busters. (If there is one thing Americans hate more than anything else, it's being bored.)
3. Sending children as young as four alone on a school bus. (Okay, I know Canada does this as well. But I am not sure they start as young as America does.)
4. Having incredibly long election times. In other countries, their elections last a few weeks to a couple of months. In the US, people can start stumping two years before election day without anyone blinking an eye.
5. Building towns and cities without the pedestrian in mind. People always assume that there will always be cars around.
#37
For Christmas day with my girlfriends family, we went out to public field for shotgun shooting and blasted some clay pigeons out of the sky. It was a blast and several other families were out there too. I'm pretty sure that doesn't happen anywhere else, except maybe Australia.
#38
With the exception of hot summers in the UK, quoting the temperature in Fahrenheit.
Sarah Richardson 2 years ago
Never known the temperature in the UK to be quoted in Fahrenheit, even when it was very hot last year. No one would know what you were going on about
What do you think ?
Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 2 years ago
Gather round boys and girls! It's time for BoredPanda's weekly America is a backwater cesspool filled of cultural depravity and Europe is the paradise of cultural superiority. Honestly though, BoredPanda -ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Stop with these horribly cruel click-bait articles. You are going to lose more and more readers if you continue to cruelly stereotype an entire population of people. Stop with the horrible censorship. Stop banning good users who get down-voted by trolls. I lost my account that I had from the very beginning due to your policies yet you never ever listen to your readers. I have contacted you again and again about trolls on this site, yet I am the one who got my account banned. To other readers on this site-- please downvote articles like this. Stereotypes are cruel and it shows that BoredPanda does not care about its users.
Suzy Creamcheese 2 years ago (edited)
I agree with everything you said. Unfortunately, the only response you'll get from the mods is crickets. By the way, I had the same problem with the downvote trolls and the same lack of interest from the mods (you don't think my name is actually Suzy Creamcheese, do you ;)).
Load More Replies...
PeridotPlatypus377 2 years ago
What exactly did the American readers do to the Bored Panda writers to deserve getting isolated and bullied every day. No wonder we are so depressed. I hate starting days like this. They’re just so mean sometimes. They keep pushing acceptance of others but I guess it only includes everyone but Americans. I miss the days where they focused on art and comics annd cat pictures and nobody felt like everyone hated them for reasons out of their control. I’m sorry I am frustrated. It hasn’t been a good last few days. Im only sad about the writers, not you guys. You guys are pretty nice.
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Same feeling. Commenters are 90% awesome people, but BP articles are tiresome. Also, they often fail to identify that some of these things occur in Canada, which reallllly hates being lumped in with the US despite the fact we're fraternal twin nations (I grew up on the border, calling it as I lived it), soooo.... Monday morning hug to you. To us all. :-)
Load More Replies...
Andy Saputo 2 years ago (edited)
Per usual , downvote the whole article from the main BP page to get it knocked off the primary page. Also, refrain from commenting or downvoting anything within the article since activity shows the ad companies they are popular and so BP will continue posting this garbage.
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Fellow Pandas, if you think American portion sizes are big? YOu ain't been to restaurants in enough other nations. One meal at a restaurant *run by and for* locals has, in half a dozen nations, shown that they'll serve up justt as much as us Americans.... all.. the.... time.... Seriously, a day's worth of food is a meal. In some places, it's the work culture (physical labor) or the transit culture (you walk it off, believe me). You also find that people are rude, bullying, drug-dealing, manipulative jackasses everywhere, too. But *MOST* people on the planet are doing their best, and I salute them. All 7-plus billion. Whatever their language, nation, or belief system: Thank you, humanity in general, for not being judgmental twits.
30_Helens_Agree 2 years ago
I am always so confused by the American portion size thing. I’ve traveled pretty extensively through Europe and find portion sizes are comparable to most restaurants in my area and all over the states.
Load More Replies...
Tenacious Squirrel 2 years ago
As someone from Europe (I’ve lived in a few European countries), Australia has some quite American-esque stuff going on. It’s like a half way house between the UK at one end and USA on the other. Which is strange really, because most Australians I’ve met are staunchly convinced that Australia is the opposite of the USA (even if they’ve never been!). I’ve lived here in Oz for 4 years in 4 different states and travelled round extensively for a couple of years on top, so I don’t think I’ve got a narrow view of the country. NZ is more down the UK end of the scale.
lazypanda 2 years ago
Imagine If this article was titled "things in India that are weird compared to other countries." Downvoted on the spot. But no, because stereotypes are ok as long as they don't affect you! I know I'm gonna get downvoted, but this is just so cruel. Portraying america as this horrifying dystopian hellscape like everyone carries a gun and will shoot you in the head if you don't pledge allegiance to the flag, america is far from perfect, but jeezes Christ BP!
LilliVB 2 years ago
Ok, I'm not American but I'm tired of these posts. Those are aspects of America well known everywhere, and some of of them I think they are hated from most of the Americans themselves (healthcare, upper education, weapons availability). Those posts aren't giving any new information anymore, they have just the goal of bashing America for things that can't be changed in a pair of years. Or you start to give some new interesting facts that I don't know, or I'm done, I'm not going to read them anymore
Joe Publique 2 years ago
You forgot: 'Having an imaginary friend who lives in the sky and tells you what to do'.
whaaaaaaaaaa 2 years ago
Wow guys I mean me too, I thought that's common sense, I don't understand how I got here but ok keep disliking ig. I like how people just assume things about each other lol
30_Helens_Agree 2 years ago
I’m assuming you’ve never stepped foot in the US because I promise you tens of millions of people in the US are shattered, gutted, and completely behind outraged when any shooting happens here.
Load More Replies...
Den Ver 2 years ago (edited)
Mystery Egg: I've never heard of anyone saying the US has an, "obsession" with IQ, or is more concerned about it than other nations. In fact, since 1/3 of US families/students don't care about school grades, my guess is that IQ might be more of a topic of conversation outside of the US. . . . . . . . . . . . As a final note, I'd add that in the US, a lot of humor is based on gender differences whereas in the UK a lot humour is based on class difference (which has an IQ component).
Load More Replies...
Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 2 years ago (edited)
Hi Roland, how would you like your country made fun of or your cultural shat on every single week. You wouldn't then stop calling people salty! It's obnoxious and cruel and makes you also look pretty prejudiced against a country and people. Also, not all of us commenting are from the United States. ~signed a Scot who is sick of stereotypes and lazy writing on this site.
Load More Replies...
Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 2 years ago
Gather round boys and girls! It's time for BoredPanda's weekly America is a backwater cesspool filled of cultural depravity and Europe is the paradise of cultural superiority. Honestly though, BoredPanda -ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Stop with these horribly cruel click-bait articles. You are going to lose more and more readers if you continue to cruelly stereotype an entire population of people. Stop with the horrible censorship. Stop banning good users who get down-voted by trolls. I lost my account that I had from the very beginning due to your policies yet you never ever listen to your readers. I have contacted you again and again about trolls on this site, yet I am the one who got my account banned. To other readers on this site-- please downvote articles like this. Stereotypes are cruel and it shows that BoredPanda does not care about its users.
Suzy Creamcheese 2 years ago (edited)
I agree with everything you said. Unfortunately, the only response you'll get from the mods is crickets. By the way, I had the same problem with the downvote trolls and the same lack of interest from the mods (you don't think my name is actually Suzy Creamcheese, do you ;)).
Load More Replies... PeridotPlatypus377 2 years ago
What exactly did the American readers do to the Bored Panda writers to deserve getting isolated and bullied every day. No wonder we are so depressed. I hate starting days like this. They’re just so mean sometimes. They keep pushing acceptance of others but I guess it only includes everyone but Americans. I miss the days where they focused on art and comics annd cat pictures and nobody felt like everyone hated them for reasons out of their control. I’m sorry I am frustrated. It hasn’t been a good last few days. Im only sad about the writers, not you guys. You guys are pretty nice.
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Same feeling. Commenters are 90% awesome people, but BP articles are tiresome. Also, they often fail to identify that some of these things occur in Canada, which reallllly hates being lumped in with the US despite the fact we're fraternal twin nations (I grew up on the border, calling it as I lived it), soooo.... Monday morning hug to you. To us all. :-)
Load More Replies... Andy Saputo 2 years ago (edited)
Per usual , downvote the whole article from the main BP page to get it knocked off the primary page. Also, refrain from commenting or downvoting anything within the article since activity shows the ad companies they are popular and so BP will continue posting this garbage.
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Fellow Pandas, if you think American portion sizes are big? YOu ain't been to restaurants in enough other nations. One meal at a restaurant *run by and for* locals has, in half a dozen nations, shown that they'll serve up justt as much as us Americans.... all.. the.... time.... Seriously, a day's worth of food is a meal. In some places, it's the work culture (physical labor) or the transit culture (you walk it off, believe me). You also find that people are rude, bullying, drug-dealing, manipulative jackasses everywhere, too. But *MOST* people on the planet are doing their best, and I salute them. All 7-plus billion. Whatever their language, nation, or belief system: Thank you, humanity in general, for not being judgmental twits.
30_Helens_Agree 2 years ago
I am always so confused by the American portion size thing. I’ve traveled pretty extensively through Europe and find portion sizes are comparable to most restaurants in my area and all over the states.
Load More Replies... Tenacious Squirrel 2 years ago
As someone from Europe (I’ve lived in a few European countries), Australia has some quite American-esque stuff going on. It’s like a half way house between the UK at one end and USA on the other. Which is strange really, because most Australians I’ve met are staunchly convinced that Australia is the opposite of the USA (even if they’ve never been!). I’ve lived here in Oz for 4 years in 4 different states and travelled round extensively for a couple of years on top, so I don’t think I’ve got a narrow view of the country. NZ is more down the UK end of the scale.
lazypanda 2 years ago
Imagine If this article was titled "things in India that are weird compared to other countries." Downvoted on the spot. But no, because stereotypes are ok as long as they don't affect you! I know I'm gonna get downvoted, but this is just so cruel. Portraying america as this horrifying dystopian hellscape like everyone carries a gun and will shoot you in the head if you don't pledge allegiance to the flag, america is far from perfect, but jeezes Christ BP!
LilliVB 2 years ago
Ok, I'm not American but I'm tired of these posts. Those are aspects of America well known everywhere, and some of of them I think they are hated from most of the Americans themselves (healthcare, upper education, weapons availability). Those posts aren't giving any new information anymore, they have just the goal of bashing America for things that can't be changed in a pair of years. Or you start to give some new interesting facts that I don't know, or I'm done, I'm not going to read them anymore
Joe Publique 2 years ago
You forgot: 'Having an imaginary friend who lives in the sky and tells you what to do'.
whaaaaaaaaaa 2 years ago
Wow guys I mean me too, I thought that's common sense, I don't understand how I got here but ok keep disliking ig. I like how people just assume things about each other lol
30_Helens_Agree 2 years ago
I’m assuming you’ve never stepped foot in the US because I promise you tens of millions of people in the US are shattered, gutted, and completely behind outraged when any shooting happens here.
Load More Replies... Den Ver 2 years ago (edited)
Mystery Egg: I've never heard of anyone saying the US has an, "obsession" with IQ, or is more concerned about it than other nations. In fact, since 1/3 of US families/students don't care about school grades, my guess is that IQ might be more of a topic of conversation outside of the US. . . . . . . . . . . . As a final note, I'd add that in the US, a lot of humor is based on gender differences whereas in the UK a lot humour is based on class difference (which has an IQ component).
Load More Replies... Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 2 years ago (edited)
Hi Roland, how would you like your country made fun of or your cultural shat on every single week. You wouldn't then stop calling people salty! It's obnoxious and cruel and makes you also look pretty prejudiced against a country and people. Also, not all of us commenting are from the United States. ~signed a Scot who is sick of stereotypes and lazy writing on this site.
Load More Replies... You May Like 30 Americans Living In Canada Reveal The Differences Between The Two 132 Culture Facts Reflecting The Diversity And Beauty Of The World
Ieva Pečiulytė
Justina Čiapaitė
Related on Bored Panda
