ADVERTISEMENT

The United States—the land of the free. The home of the brave. And the nation of some very peculiar habits, according to the internet. Other countries in the world are confused by some of the things that Americans do. Like calling tuna “tuna fish” and putting too much cheese on everything. I find it endearing, others find it strange.

Bored Panda has collected some of the best tweets that show how confused foreigners are at what some Americans do. Scroll down and upvote your faves. And be sure to check out our previous post about Europeans who shared what problems are too American for them to grasp.

Culture clashes are nothing new. After all, if every country and culture were the same, there’d be no point in leaving your home, right? (Spoiler warning: due to the coronavirus pandemic, you shouldn’t be leaving your home either way.) Benny Lewis, founder of the Fluent in 3 Months blog, spent 4 years living in the US and has some gripes about the culture. Including how Americans are too politically correct while at the same time they think that everything is “awesome.”

#1

Things-Americans-Do

hesthehabit Report

Add photo comments
POST
rjgardneruk avatar
European other
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It makes sense to start with the day, but I guess it's what you get used to

View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

Things-Americans-Do

Montberte Report

Add photo comments
POST
mdiffen2 avatar
Prince Maroochy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We choose from a lot more at first, eventually narrowing it down to two and choosing from them.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

According to Benny from Ireland, Europeans traveling around the US will find a lot of things weird. Like the fact that Americans smile way too much and it’s difficult to know when they mean it and when they’re smiling out of reflex.

Another thing that Benny found very unusual is something a lot of people complain about when they arrive in the US. Yup, you guessed it—tipping! “I really think tipping as a means of waitresses and others earning the vast majority of their living is ridiculous. If I have to pay, say 15% anyway, then include it in the bill! It's not a bloody tip if it's mandatory!” Benny expressed his opinion. Some of us can agree that mandatory tipping is sneaky and that servers should earn a decent wage that isn’t based on tips.

“Why not tip everyone who you interact with in some way—bus drivers, or leave money on your trash can for the garbage man? It's inconsistent, and waiters, hairdressers, and taxi drivers should just charge us what needs to be charged,” Benny writes in his blog.

ADVERTISEMENT
#4

Things-Americans-Do

HoGritz Report

Add photo comments
POST
kaisu-reinikainen avatar
Kaisu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This also goes for strict gun laws. Why do Americans think strict gun laws won't work in their country when it works in literally all other developed countries?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

Things-Americans-Do

Scarlet4UrMa Report

Add photo comments
POST
subwoofer45 avatar
Thomas brennan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an irish person I dont mind it, it is nice for people to be proud of their heritage. What I do mind is when they ask do I know paddy mcsomething from donegal. I know Ireland's small but we don't all live in one village. Oh and the accent impersonations are damn annoying...although in my experience the English are the worst for imitating accents.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

Things-Americans-Do

yungkatelynne Report

Add photo comments
POST
alangreen avatar
Alan Green
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The other day when they announced America now has the highest C19 infections of any country an american in the comments said "BS, I'm sure Europe has more". Seems some Americans think Europe is a country.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

He also has issues with how in some parts of America prices aren’t what they seem because the tax isn’t included to make the cost seem lower than it really is.

Of course, taxing is different in different states, but this doesn’t excuse corporations from printing up different product costs for each state. Or, as Benny puts it, “We have the same product sold across many European countries and somehow someone in the company found the time to punch numbers into a $1 calculator in advance to tell people how much they are actually paying.”

#7

Things-Americans-Do

wiIIjem Report

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

Why was fahrenheit even invented? The metric system just makes so much more sense. Freezing point is 0C and boiling point is 100C. A litre is 1000millilitres, 100 centimetres is 1 metre etc.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Things-Americans-Do

ASXPJESSICA Report

Add photo comments
POST
miss-hoodoo avatar
Petra Schaap
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thats not just American. I think it depends on the person. I have local friends who do and local friends who dont, and American friends who do and dont.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Things-Americans-Do

SummerSongGirl Report

Add photo comments
POST
grasshopper1123 avatar
Just Carmen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know about other Americans, but at our house, we just call it TUNA.

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

But before you start thinking that all Europeans have it out for the US, Benny also mentions some awesome things about Americans. For example, nobody can deny that Americans have an incredible work ethic and how open-minded and diverse most of the country is. It’s a country with plenty of positives, peppered with a whole lot of bizarreness.

#10

Things-Americans-Do

_ElizabethMay Report

Add photo comments
POST
cnbayler avatar
Colin Bayler
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because you don't need a bloody scale to measure grams. All you need is a simple cup with lines. DUH!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

Things-Americans-Do

candacekendall_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
grasshopper1123 avatar
Just Carmen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well actually, most of the time we say that we don't give a s**t, so.....

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

Things-Americans-Do

ZakAbel Report

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

I tried changing it to "the poopery" but people won't listen to me

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#13

Things-Americans-Do

valentinavoight Report

Add photo comments
POST
ltjlcd avatar
Carol Lewis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think that, nor have I ever thought that. I don't know anyone who does. Where did you even come up with that nonsense.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

Things-Americans-Do

cutehomelessboy Report

Add photo comments
POST
metteshe avatar
Mette Olsen Douglas
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think I know anybody who lives like they have free healthcare - quite the opposite actually. "Is it truly bad enough to go see a doctor or can we survive without going"? Nobody want those bills that follows a doctors visit!!

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

Things-Americans-Do

javi_draws Report

Add photo comments
POST
kaisu-reinikainen avatar
Kaisu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some Americans also love making fun of people who speak English with a foreign accent, when they themselves can only speak one language

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

Things-Americans-Do

greasybananna Report

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

Anything to not use the metric system whats next: glazed donuts per bald eagle who knows

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

Things-Americans-Do

imwafflingg Report

Add photo comments
POST
typeyourtexthere avatar
Winston Smith
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hear it said at least 3 different ways depending on what news channel you watch

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#20

Things-Americans-Do

semagomez Report

Add photo comments
POST
dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because educators didn't want parents to think E meant "Excellent"

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

Things-Americans-Do

JennaGuillaume Report

Add photo comments
POST
wookiee74 avatar
Chewie Baron
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't get me started on how Americans pronounce 'mirror'. They miss out the 'o' and say "mirrrrr". Madness!

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

Things-Americans-Do

brndizzle Report

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

High school was pretty much the worst time in my life. My daughter is going through it now and I wish I could just fast forward her outta there.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

Things-Americans-Do

Lisa_rasteg Report

Add photo comments
POST
cblack avatar
C Black
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Americans get MAD? Rather they probably just don't know which sport you're speaking of. In America, football and soccer are two different sports. That's probably why they don't know what you're talking about. As for being "mad..." I doubt they are mad about it, LOL.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

Things-Americans-Do

Real_Xi_Jinping Report

Add photo comments
POST
michel_2 avatar
Marcellus the Third
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah but then you also have 'drinks halls' in germany with liquor, beer, water, soda... Why? Also you're ignoring the "dry county" thing where within one state many counties may sell absolutely zero alcohol and the next does.

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

Things-Americans-Do

THEYOUNGTROY Report

#27

Things-Americans-Do

Hxllions Report

Add photo comments
POST
patrick_mckemie avatar
mdiffen2 avatar
Prince Maroochy
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Uh, I'm American and I pronounce it Krayg, never heard anyone who doesn't pronounce it that way...

craiglee avatar
Craig Lee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's my name, and I've never heard anyone pronounce it like "Creg".

Load More Replies...
johnny_farnen avatar
Johnny Farnen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, this varies state-to-state. While bored on lockdown, have a go at the crazy linguistics of the US in particular. Think people from Boston have a weird accent? New York? Try reading about the Pittsburgh accent, or the Missouri accent, or the West Coast "vocal fry". A search of "North American English regional phonology" will get yinze dahntahn...

idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In all the world of cultural questions you want an answer to, this is what you come up with?

bagladyele avatar
EA
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did not see this and just commented on another post 😂

stephyg1980 avatar
Ms.GB
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Crag....Creeg....idk seriously how do other people pronouce it, I always thought it rhymed with Greg...what does it rhyme with?

cblack avatar
C Black
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It depends on the area of the country but it's called "different dialects." Look it up.

typeyourtexthere avatar
Winston Smith
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Theres countless accents across the country. What region are you talking about?

sunnybunnyrays avatar
Leah Rays
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I, an American, have never, or known anyone who does, pronounced it creg.

heathervance avatar
AzKhaleesi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My brother's name is Craig and we pronounce it creg. He doesn't care.... I'm sure it was just over time we lost the ay sound.

Load More Replies...
james_fox1984 avatar
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mum lived in the US for almost 14 years and she developed an American accent, boy did we take the p**s out of her. We still do it even though she has lived in Aus for 2 years. Mainly when she says things like “I gotta go get some gas”, it’s like no mum, you need to get petrol. “I need a cart”, no mum you need a trolley lol.

foxsheila9 avatar
Ariel Fox
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You think it's a sign if superiority to use antique words like "petrol" and "trolley" ? Do you also call freeways "carriageways", and think cars have "boots" and "bonnets", as if they were clothed??

Load More Replies...
lynnnoyes avatar
elfin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it is pronounce however the owner of the name wants it to be pronounced.

joleehang avatar
Jolee Hang
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How else would you pronounce it? The pronunciation is close enough that if you can speak English well, than you would probably pronounce it that way. It's like my sister's name, Taima. It's supposed to be pronounced Ta-I-ma, but if you say it enough, fast enough, it sounds like Ti-E-ma, which is how everyone says it.

kimbo650 avatar
SF Angel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This makes negative 0 sense. Figure it out in the metric system

jaybird3939 avatar
Jaybird3939
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are different accents in America. I don't know where that pronunciation is from, but we pronounce it C-ray-g

elainemattingly avatar
Elaine Mattingly
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm beginning to suspect you know only one American and they didn't like high school any more than you did.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#28

Things-Americans-Do

BANGTANDIOR Report

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

They are handy when you bring cooked food to a meeting/people etc.

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

Things-Americans-Do

phoebehalliwels Report