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No two places are alike, and even countries that seem similar can feel very different once you actually go there. However, when Isabel Semb went to the United States, she noticed more cultural differences than she had imagined, including aspects of public place design and various social norms.

So, the Norwegian — who is dating an American — decided to share her experiences with others. She started a series on her TikTok account, listing the things that surprised her most and inviting people to discuss them.

RELATED:
    #3

    A woman walking, questioning why Americans don't use duvet covers, highlighting things normal only to Americans.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because our bedspread is already the color we want. And the whole thing is washable if it gets dirty.

    #4

    Woman compares US and European toilets. She wonders why US toilets have high water. Things normal to Americans.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    Leslie Victor
    Community Member
    25 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would to love the answer to this and i live in us

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    #8

    A blonde woman walks on a path, asking, "No one walks??". This highlights things normal to Americans.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    fly on the wall
    Community Member
    22 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I get a kick out of watching people circle the parking lot looking for a spot close to the door of the gym, pool, rec- center

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    #12

    A young blonde woman reacts with surprise to something completely normal to Americans: "People still pay with checks??"

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, they do, especially older people who don't understand technology. Mind your own business.

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    #15

    Smiling woman asks "Why do Americans put ice in EVERYTHING?". US-shaped ice trays, a drink with mini American flags, and a denim jacket. Only to Americans.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why do you drink everything at room temperature? Yuck.

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    #17

    A smiling woman in a field with autumn trees, text asks about two political parties. Seems normal to Americans.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Try again. We have four that I can think of. Please don't ask that question. It makes you sound ignorant.

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    #18

    Blonde woman in front of trees, posing with her tongue out. Text asks about huge gallons, a thing normal to Americans.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why do you like going to the store every other day for milk for your kids? Once a week is too much for me as it is.

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    #24

    A pharmacy drive-thru in the US, surprising someone unfamiliar. This is normal to Americans.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We also have prescription delivery service now. No more waiting in line for 45+ minutes.

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    #29

    A blonde woman discusses Fahrenheit/miles/inches. Text states: I don’t even bother learning it, why do you have to be different? Normal to Americans.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    fly on the wall
    Community Member
    18 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So we can have 3 sets of wrenches.( metric, sae, brit)

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    #31

    Night scene with a thatch-roof bar and trees draped in lights. Text asks, "Why do people say 'how are you' and just keep walking." Normal in the US.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It means the same as Hello. It's just a figure of speech type of greeting.

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    #32

    A young woman asks about free soda refills, a common thing in the US, near the Washington Monument, discussing things only Americans find normal.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hydration. Who cares if they make money or not.

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    #33

    Young woman asking a question about school grades and birthdays in the US, highlighting things that seem normal only to Americans.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What? Grades? I think you might mean enrollment dates?

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    #34

    Young woman in denim jacket asks about trash separation, highlighting things normal only to Americans.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Garbage, compost, and recycling. Three cans outside my house. That's separating the garbage. What are talking about?

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    #38

    A girl stands in a parking lot with text asking, "Why do you call football 'soccer'?". A normal thing, but only to Americans.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because the word "football" was already taken.

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    #46

    Two young people smile on a beach at sunset, showing things that seem normal only to Americans, like friendly strangers.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Would you rather we be nasty? Visit New York or DC, you'll get plenty of nasty.

    #47

    A puzzled woman reacting to a video of someone dipping fries in a milkshake. This seems completely normal to Americans.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some people dip pizza in ranch. 🤢

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    #49

    A person crying with text: NO cheese slicer... HOW do you cut cheese?? A relatable meme for things normal to Americans.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    48 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's exactly what I use. What are you talking about?

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    #51

    A young woman smiling in a museum with a large space shuttle. Text asks about long breaks. Things that seem normal to Americans.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    59 minutes ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who gets a month at Christmas? Our kids get two weeks. And summertime off is because our society used to all be farmers. They needed their kids to help in the fields. They need to abolish that and move to an all year school year.

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    #53

    A squirrel eating on a brick wall, with text asking Why are there squirrels everywhere? This is normal for Americans.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    58 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You don't have small wild animals in your country? How sad.

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    #56

    A young woman making a peace sign, addressing the American experience of different school classes. Things Americans find normal.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    49 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What? I need clarification on what information you're looking for.

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    #57

    A young woman in a car asking, "Why do you guys honk SO much??" a question about things normal to Americans.

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    47 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Have you seen how people drive? That's why we're angry.

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    #59

    A packed football stadium with fans in red, highlighting things normal only to Americans, with text "Why are you guys so obsessed with football?".

    @isabel.semb5 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    59 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why are you obsessed with soccer?