29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread

When you're traveling, one of the most exciting things is getting to know different cultures, as alien as they might seem at first. Of course, part of the deal is that you get the full package, including cultural bits you'd rather do without.

And so, this is exactly what inspired u/MickJof, a non-American traveler, to share what he thinks about American customs. From tipping to the Imperial measurement system that is baffling to many foreigners, his r/travel post kickstarted a rather interesting discussion, inviting first-time US visitors to share their two cents about the peculiarities of American culture.

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29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread I have been touring the United States for several weeks now, visiting multiple states. I am from Europe. The Netherlands specifically.

This is not my first time in the US but it is my most extensive. It strikes me how vastly different the USA is compared to my country or Europe in general.

I'd just like to give my thoughts here from a European perspective. Which things I think are better here and which are worse. I am also keeping this limited to a tourist perspective, so I'm going to stay away from things that are only relevant when I would actually live here, like healthcare, taxes and politics.

I am aware that the vast majority of Reddit users are American. I do not intend to offend in any way. Just putting my personal opinions here.

Thinks I like

Nature. Raw, wild and untouched and - most of all - VAST. The sheer vastness AND variety of nature and pure wilderness here is definitely unmatched in Europe. Specifically the little nature we have in The Netherlands is laughable compared to the USA.

People are generally approachable and friendly. Yes I do like Americans, at least their overall demeanor. I would be greeted and asked where I'm from even by someone at the 7 eleven. In general Dutch people are quire rude.

Free refills! This is a small thing but really unheard of in the Netherlands. In my country you pay the same price for just one tiny cup of coffee. In fact, all drinks you order are tiny in The Netherlands and you pay for each one.

Traffic lights across the street. I can't for the life of my understand why we still have to lean over the steering wheel and get a sore neck looking straight upwards at the traffic lights in Europe.

The doggy bag. You MIGHT be able to get to take your leftover with you in certain places in The Netherlands, but it really not the norm and would surely raise an eyebrow if you ask. Here it is normal and I find it very good to not let the food go to waste. Besides, I did pay for it so its nice to be able to take it with me.

Things I don't like

Tipping! Why the heck do I need to be partly responsible for a proper salary for these people? Also it is just annoying to have to calculate the tip every time. It is also annoying that listed prices are almost exclusively without tax. In my country - and across most of Europe as far as I'm aware - you pay exactly what is listed as the price. No hidden surprises.

The food, especially breakfast. Almost everything contains sugar. Breakfast is never with fresh bread and fresh good meats and cheese. In fact American cheese is awful, but maybe I'm spoiled living in cheese country. For dinner the food isn't quite as bad, but its still nowhere near the quality and variety that you find in Europe.

Plastic! Too much plastic is a problem in Europe also, but the amount of plastic (and styrofoam or other disposable crap) used here is bizarre. I also find it really bizarre that in every hotel breakfast its all disposable cutlery and plates also. You really NEVER see this in Europe, not even in the cheapest hotels.

Imperial measurements. Gallons, miles, feet and especially Fahrenheit is so bizarre. Also because the conversion factor to metric is odd. Almost all the world, as well as the scientific world, uses metric which makes so much more sense in every way. Why does the US hold on to such an archaic system?

MickJof , jimmy teoh Report

Final score:

71points

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Bernd Herbert 1 year ago

Plastic waste. 100%! Can relate to that. I think the only way to really reduce that shít is to make it way more expensive than having proper plates and a dishwasher. The ridiculous amounts of plastic waste I saw during breakfast in various hotels was mind-boggling.

29points

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Spanning 50 states with their own unique characteristics, when it comes to cultural quirks, few nations can rival the United States. Sure, there are guidebooks that do a good job of telling tourists what they should avoid doing if they want to make it without unnecessary altercations with patriotic locals. But even then, what they find is usually something entirely different: ranging from dog owners kissing their pets to borderline crazy tipping practices, it's a whirlwind of weirdness that can leave even the most seasoned globetrotter feeling like a fish out of water.

One of the most perplexing aspects of American culture, not surprisingly, lies in their tipping etiquette. While in many countries, tipping is seen as a gesture of appreciation for exceptional service, Americans have elevated it to an almost mandatory ritual. Foreigners are often taken aback when confronted with the expectation of tipping not only waitstaff but also taxi drivers, hotel maids, and even baristas. According to one survey, 79% non-American visitors say they feel more pressure to tip than in their home country, and half of them feel judged when doing so.

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread Love: The friendliness. I love the random friendliness in the USA. In the US, it's easy to pick up a conversation with mostly anyone. In my experience, Dutch people are kind but much more reserved in public.

avamomrr , Amina Filkins Report

Final score:

54points

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James016 1 year ago

When I was there last year, people were genuinely very friendly. No ulterior motive.

17points

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Another cultural quirk that bewilders tourists is the American obsession with supersized portions. In a land where bigger is often considered better, it's not uncommon to be served a plate of food that could easily feed a small family. From towering hamburgers that seem to defy the laws of gravity to heaping plates of fries that could double as building materials, the American concept of portion control leaves many visitors dumbfounded.

In addition to tipping and portion sizes, there are a myriad of other cultural oddities that foreigners encounter on their American adventures. The overabundance of drive-through establishments, the relentless cheerfulness of customer service representatives, and the ubiquitous use of ice cubes in every beverage are just a few more puzzling aspects of American life.

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread European (Belgian) here who just came back from a one month road trip in the US.
I'm so jealous of the magnificent nature you have in your country, I saw so many beautiful sights! Please treasure it.
I disagree with the low quality food, I had both really good meals and really poor ones. Best Thai food I ever had was in LA.
Also, so many places sell drip coffee just the way I like it, not some watered down espressos. Loved that!
Another like were the many (mostly) clean and free restrooms, Having to pay for using a dirty restroom in a rest area along the highway in Europe sucks. That being said, some restrooms in the US really didn't care about my privacy with one inch gaps everywhere.
Driving was so convenient, being a pedestrian not so much. I biked through SF but couldn't say I felt very safe.

Dislikes were the tipping culture and prices listed pre-tax. I mean, I ordered food or drinks to go a couple of times where I often had to tip in advance only for something to go wrong with my order. Not getting my tip back am I?

Overall I had a great time, met a lot of friendly people and saw amazing nature and wildlife. I can't wait to go back!

Jakisirtaki , Sawyer Sutton Report

Final score:

48points

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talliloo 1 year ago

one consistent issue i have found when foreigners are given the opportunity to express their displeasure is the infamous "one inch gap" found in most public restrooms. i guess since we are used to the gap we don't really pay attention to it unless we would see an eyeball peering at us. i will admit the closed commodes are a bit more private and may damper the "organic echo". what i find ironic is that while we americans are comfortable with such a gap we still have puritanical minds when it comes to the exposure of a simple nipple.

4points

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29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread If you’re willing to look for it—the U.S has no shortage of great food. Combined with cultural diversity, you’re given a lot of different options as well. Maybe you just chose some mediocre restaurants.

Nine-Inch-Nipples , j.lau88 Report

Final score:

46points

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Donkeywheel 1 year ago

Just like everywhere in every country in the whole world. But that’s not the point. It’s all about availability and convenience. Having to search for hours to find a good restaurant amongst dozens of fast food chains is completely different from entering any small independent place in the countryside of Italy or Portugal and eating something incredible every single time.

10points

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29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread I went to LA recently and found the car centric culture suuuuper inconvenient for a tourist. Every time you want to see a thing, you need to research it beforehand and then drive there. Want to see another thing? More research, then drive. In just about any other city I've ever been I would just head to the city center and explore on foot and pop in to whatever place looked interesting.

Admittedly it was a short trip and maybe I did it wrong, but the closest thing to being able to just wander around was in downtown, and even there you occasionally have to walk over a nice 8 lane highway, which is a long way to walk (and be wary of certain neighborhoods and whatever).

That and since a car had to be involved at every step, you couldn't really stop for a few beers or whatever. I guess locals either plan their days better or drive drunk.

Kelpo , Pom Report

Final score:

46points

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alwaysMispelled 1 year ago

That's pretty much the US in general. The country is much bigger than people realize and so are cities. You really need car to get around here. I wouldn't even call NYC "walkable" because it's f*****g exhausting. The subway takes forever, can be confusing, and is packed with people and gross. Parking is impossible so taxi/Uber is the best. But that's still a car and not walking. European cities HAVE to be walkable because they're so old. Many roads and buildings were there hundreds of years before cars. It's not like they PLANNED to exclude car traffic.

28points

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But it's their love for Old Glory that is shocking to some visitors. In a country where national pride runs deep, visitors often find themselves thrust into a whirlwind of flag-waving, anthem-singing, and fervent displays of allegiance that seem alien to their own cultural sensibilities.

From the fervor of Fourth of July celebrations to the overwhelming presence of patriotic symbols on every corner - depending on the state you're visiting, try messing with one and see what happens - it's a spectacle that leaves many outsiders questioning the intensity and magnitude of American devotion to their nation. It's admirable, sure. But it sometimes gets to the point where even residents themselves question what being patriotic means in today's America.

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread Love: The sandwiches. In America, there are so many glorious sandwiches, like the Reuben, piled high with delicious corned beef on nice artisan bread; Philly cheesesteaks; thin-sliced rib-eye, dripping with salty, gooey provolone; and even the po'boy, a stunning creation.

Serendiplodocus , Remy Sharp Report

Final score:

40points

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jon gilbertson 1 year ago

Reubens are amazing. best sandwich ever, next to peanut and jelly of course

14points

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29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread Hate: Degree of LGBTQ tolerance. Speaking as a gay person, Europe has more options. I feel safe in most places in both Europe and the US, especially with friends around, but I feel that European cities have more diverse, liberated venues for the LGBTQ community.

dorothy_the_dodo , Brett Sayles Report

Final score:

40points

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Jennik 1 year ago

There will be some states in the US you won't want to go near if you are LGBTQ given the legislation they are introducing...

24points

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29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread Love: The landscapes. I've been to America many times, and I have to say the diversity in landscapes is incredible. You have deserts a few hours from ski resorts, and huge, modern cities next to thousands of square miles of Great Plains.

Bogof_offer , Tiomax80 Report

Final score:

38points

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LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago

When I moved to the US for work from Scotland I was broken-hearted that I wouldn’t have nature around me. However, I have been blown away by the beauty of some of the United States’ natural wonders. I cried happy tears while gazing at glacial lakes in Alaska and marveled at the beauty of leaves changing on the East Coast. Scotland and England will always have my heart, but I do look forward to exploring more national parks in the US.

4points

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"The first time I came to the USA, I was scared of the pace the people are living here," Beatričė Lungytė, a 27-year-old Lithuanian who moved to the US a year ago, told Bored Panda. "Everything and everyone felt and looked like they're in fast-forward mode." While Lungytė found the transition from one culture to another quite scary, yet exciting, she found that people in America were much more tolerant, echoing some of the comments from today's list.

"You can go to the shop to buy groceries with your pajamas and no one will bat an eye," she said, "you can express yourself in many ways and you won't be made fun of, which brings comfort." This also rings true to her ambitions of becoming a make-up artist, which can be quite a challenge in a country with 2.6 million residents.

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread If you would like to learn why and how tipping culture came to the US and how it has evolved over time, I highly recommend [this throughline podcast](https://www.npr.org/2022/03/29/1089587173/the-land-of-the-fee-2021)

I just got back from France yesterday and it was the first time I’ve been to Europe since pre Covid. Before Covid a lot of places didn’t even do food “to-go”. That seems to have changed.

I do love having fresh baked bread and cheese for breakfast. Yogurt is also much better in Europe, I don’t know how the us sucks so hard at yogurt. It really is terrible here. I also can’t drink American orange juice anymore since having OJ in Europe.

I just got back from France where we rented a car and drove in Paris. I could not believe how hard it was to see the stop lights, but thought they were in that position to help drivers see pedestrians- that is a really big problem in the Us, not sure how big of an issue it is in the EU.

Something else that I often notice- accessibility in Europe really, really sucks. I know that retrofitting old buildings is really tricky and there’s limited space, but every time I go I feel so bad for people who require mobility devices.

mess-maker , Amanda Coutinho Report

Final score:

37points

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Tracy Wallick 1 year ago

The Americans With Disabilities Act is, as I understand it, pretty vigorously enforced; IIRC it's also the reason we have so many free public bathrooms.

11points

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#10

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread I’ll add as a New Zealander living here..

Like: sports culture, have-a-go culture, general enjoyment of life, being encouraging of people that are willing to try something or hustle, low barrier to entry for someone starting a business, online shopping, gas stoves, diversity across the different parts of the country, super friendly, most people are big on values, pride in keeping towns tidy.

Dislike: tipping (I know you have it already but seriously what gives), treatment of indigenous history, lack of consumer protection, level of poverty, strange policy making that reinforces lack of trust in government, occasional respect for road rules, hard to access to good quality produce at a reasonable price, no ring-pulls on tinned food.

Just pet peeves. Overall I freaking love being in US!! This country rules and will continue to rule!

Edit: I forgot to add innovation. It feels like this country could invent anything.

dominashe , Roo Pitt Report

Final score:

31points

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HogHedge 1 year ago

But you still love the All Blacks, right?

13points

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#11

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread Having lived in both for two years, here's my take on both. In Europe I lived in Germany, but travelled around the neighboring countries a bit and now I live in VA. I'm also speaking as a student with limited income lol. I'm mostly writing about what I like, as it what I dislike contrasts pretty well with the other (i.e what I love about Europe I grow to appreciate even more in relation to my time in the US, and vice versa).

Europe
Love
-Public transport, bikes and walking. I don't have a car, but that was never a problem in Europe. I could get anywhere I wanted to pretty feasibly and in good time.

-Healthier food options. I felt so energized my whole time living there, and when I come back, because I feel like I'm eating simpler and healthier most days. I'm Southeast Asian, so it did take a while before I got used to simple foods (like cold cuts, cheese and bread for meals), but I do miss eating that minimally every now and then.

-Prices. Now, it might just be where I live in both, but I found Europe a lot more affordable than the US. Granted, I only had to worry about buying food and going out, but still, I find myself a lot more conscious about my spending when I was in the US.

-Safety. I felt a lot safer in Europe than the US. As a student in both, gun violence is one difference, yeah, but even then in cities in Europe I felt that there were always all sorts of people (especially women and the elderly) around even in the early morning by themselves, which made me feel that if locals thought it was safe, then I felt safer. Whereas in the US, in large cities, I often have locals warn me about certain areas, especially at night. Fortunately I've never had incidents in either country, but still.

-LGBT life. Speaking as a gay person, Europe has more options. I feel safe in most places in both, especially with friends around, but I feel that European cities had more diverse and um... Liberated venues, so to speak. Which I'm a fan of.

US:
-Friendly and open people. I actually think the Europe I saw was very friendly! But people in the US are next level friendly, and as an outgoing person myself, I really do enjoy that about being in the US. I often chat with people at stores, bars, in rideshares and around my college campus too, which I didn't get to experience as much in Europe (though that might also be the language barrier at play).

-More food diversity. I lived in two cities of comparable size in both, and even in other cities that are similarly large, I just think the US' history of migration has led it to evolve such a rich and diverse food culture. There're so many options for dining places. Again, not to say Europe didn't have options, but the US just has a lot more places that are also a lot more mixed at an accessible level. Tipping still sucks though, but I still make sure to tip as well as I could. Just because I disagree with the conditions that led to tipping doesn't give me the right to screw over my server.

-Speaking of diversity, the US definitely feels more diverse as a whole, even outside of large cities. I get along with most people, but there's a quicker level of connection I'm able to get with US PoC for some reason that I didn't feel as much in Europe.

Even though I have more things listed that I like in Europe, I really do enjoy both for their own merits! Didn't expect my comment to be this long though

dorothy_the_dodo , Edgar Colomba Report

Final score:

30points

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Leo Domitrix 1 year ago

This tallies prewtty well with me as a resident of the US and a tourist in the EU. (And UK.) That said, you can get some horrendously bad-for-you food and it's all a matter of choices. I'm a vegetarian in a nation obsessed with no-carb diets (I'm American, remember) and I am so tired of people acting like rice is the devil. It's how much you eat, as well as what you eat.

3points

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"The market [here] lets you try everything, accepts your failures, and allows you to continue to get better without much judgment," Lungytė remarked about the land of opportunities. "That's one of the things I really love about the USA - it's really a country with open arms for people who want to do something with their lives and careers." According to Census Bureau, approximately 5 million brand new businesses were created in the US last year, a 42% increase from the pre-pandemic days.

#12

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread Love: Bagels! Give me a New York everything bagel with egg and cheese and a cup of coffee, and I’m a happy camper.

Alex_Albons_Appendix , Steph Report

Final score:

30points

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Lauren S 1 year ago

New York (and northern Jersey) bagels are wonderful!! You can’t get them across the country though.

7points

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#13

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread Love: The cereal selection. You can get breakfast cereal with marshmallows in it. MARSHMALLOWS. I find that fascinating, exotic, and maybe just a bit horrifying.

miss-robot , Tom Ray Report

Final score:

28points

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Annik Perrot 1 year ago

Sugary, too...

15points

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#14

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread Love: American diners and their huge portions of pancakes, bacon, and eggs galore.

sobrerovirus , Jonathan Rolande Report

Final score:

27points

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James016 1 year ago

I went to iHop for the first time last year. I had a their pancake stack. It was divine.

6points

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Of course, everything might seem different if you have a bit more mileage with American culture. According to Lukas Kvietkauskas, a 28-year-old Lithuanian who's been living in the US for almost a decade now, says that people might be more chatty and easy-going than his fellow Lithuanians.

However, there are a few caveats to consider. "As long as you don't get into politics and understand that people will have different worldviews," he explained to Bored Panda, "you should get along with everyone."

#15

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread Hate: Lack of biking/walking lanes. I love the bike culture that is common in many European countries, like the Netherlands, and most European cities are extremely walkable compared with the US. I wish the States had more bikeable and walkable places.

avamomrr , Alessio Bragadini Report

Final score:

27points

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Spocks's Mom 1 year ago

What the heck? The US has plenty of walkable spaces. You just have to drive a few miles to get there.

16points

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#16

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread I like the diversity in the US the most. I'm Asian American (visibly East Asian) and the casual and overt day to day racism in a lot of Europe exhausts me after awhile. Not that the US is perfect but the racism in Europe is like death by a million cuts and everywhere and not even discussed, generally very much in denial. I do prefer the general quality of life in Europe and if I was white, would probably prefer living in Europe over the US, in many regards.

accidentalchai , Christina Morillo Report

Final score:

26points

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Tiramisu 🇵🇸 1 year ago

My parents and grandparents have also told me they experienced much more racism in Europe than in America. It always feels ironic to me, given how Europeans love to tout how progressive they are.

6points

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#17

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread As an American, I love Europe's train and transit systems. I appreciate the dedicated pedestrian zones and bike paths that are protected from traffic. I also like the smaller scale living.. smaller residences means people don't have as much stuff and what they have, they use or it is meaningful. It's amazing what you can do without when you travel for long periods.. I try to bring that mentality home with me, but so many parts of society seem very focused on stuff.

alliterativehyjinks , Travis Report

Final score:

24points

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Annabet 1 year ago

I just moved to the UK; friends and family cannot believe that I don't own a car. I have a bike and public transportation.

10points

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This holds particular value if you're not familiar with America's unyielding obsession with firearms. Something that has permeated American culture, sparking heated debates, cultural divisions, and even shaping political landscapes. "If you own a gun - you probably own 10, and usually base your whole character around them," Kvietkauskas, who tries his best to understand 'gun nuts,' as he calls them, reasonings for making America seem like Wild West, explained.

#18

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread The food and cheese comments I will respectfully disagree with. If you’re only looking at fast food places and cheaper chain restaurants, yes, you will get cheap American cheese on your burgers. Every major city and surrounding area, mine included, will have a sample of restaurants from any culture you can think of. My city has just about every culinary culture represented. For original American food, Cajun is my favorite but North Carolina style bbq and maryland seafood are close second and third. We have some excellent restaurants. Also the cheese, I love cheese. I can go to certain grocery stores and get any type of cheese I can think of. A lot of restaurants by me will let you choose from a wide variety of cheeses on your burgers or sandwiches.

BigHomieTrapLord69 , Ross Catrow Report

Final score:

22points

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Beck 1 year ago

Yeah most grocery stores have an actual international cheese section . It may only be 4 foot by 3 foot but it is there

9points

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#19

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread I’m an European (Polish) living in the US and I generally agree with this list except for two things.

I disagree that breakfast is always sugary and think the US actually has way more food variety than Europe. I think your perception might be biased by the fact that it sounds you’re mostly going through remote places and staying in cheaper hotels (the comment about plastic cutlery at hotel breakfast — more expensive hotels will not have breakfast included but will have a restaurant on premises which uses metal cutlery).

And I disagree that you won’t find plastic cutlery at a breakfast hotel in Europe. If you stay in Ibis or any other cheap hotel, you’re definitely looking at plastic cutlery. I can speak from experience, getting that in Rotterdam of all places :)

szyy , Dennis Yang Report

Final score:

21points

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Huddo's sister 1 year ago

When I went to Canada, we mainly stayed in air bnbs. We were in a Comfort Inn in Sudbury because when we got off the train at 4am, we decided we didn't want to wait until 12pm to check in for our air bnb. It was a decent price but felt high end, with plush carpet, two double beds and a complimentary breakfast. The next one was in an even smaller town in Nova Scotia (I think) and it was a typical skeezy motel. My sister refused to use the shower (over the bath) and I got sick from the pad thai we had delivered. Last one was a bnb that was recommended when we had to stay an extra night in Charlotte town because bad weather cancelled the bus. It was a pokey but cute one in a two storey building. All vastly different depending on the town, cost, and size, which I imagine is the same in America, since you could find very similar ones in Australia too. Probably in Europe as well.

1point

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#20

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread Love: Convenience. Everything is so damn convenient. Shops stay open later, basically everywhere delivers, and the consumer generally has much more choice. This applies to everything from banking to retail. In general in the US, it feels like the customer truly is king.

ItsPotato , Sarah Stierch Report

Final score:

19points

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Hawkmoon 1 year ago

"Customer is king" may be too much sometimes. I'm looking at you, Karen!

21points

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According to a Pew Research survey, 1-in-3 adults in the US own a firearm today, or 120.5 firearms per 100 residents, meaning that Americans have more guns per capita than anywhere else in the world. Kvietkauskas, who embarked on his American journey in Pennsylvania, one of the few states where locals can openly carry firearms without a permit ("as long as the firearm is visible"), acknowledges that adapting to this reality can be a sensitive process that requires time, particularly depending on the region of the US in which one resides. "It's hard for me to understand those people, no matter how hard I try, their reasonings are always out of this world but they're still people and I call them friends nevertheless."

#21

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread There is a lot of really good cheese produced in this country. Especially Cheddar-style cheese from Vermont and Wisconsin. There is also some very good goat cheese. The rest of the cheese, you are right, it's mostly pretty terrible.

I think you had a very small sample size on your recent visit. For example, only the really cheap hotels use paper plates and plastic cutlery. If you chose to visit the cheapest hotels, that is biasing your sample.

The rest is just what you are habituated to. A typical American visiting Europe would think it's really bizarre to eat cold sliced meat at breakfast. We expect hot meats and freshly cooked eggs. When I visit Europe it's amazing to have 3 or 4 different types of fresh bread and 3-4 meats and cheeses, but it's not what we're used to.

WoutInterestingName , F Delventhal Report

Final score:

17points

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jon gilbertson 1 year ago

as a wisconsinite, we are quite proud of our cheeses. and we pretty much put it on everything lol.

19points

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#22

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread Love: Career flexibility. It seems to me that people change careers frequently in the US. They can be 50 years old and go back to school, study something new, and get a completely unrelated job. In a lot of other places, people just keep at what they're doing forever, and they're miserable their whole lives.

dmar10 , Sora Shimazaki Report

Final score:

15points

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Geoffrey Scott 1 year ago

Our Danish exchange student informed us their kids are on "tracks" at school, steered into jobs that they have aptitude for, whether they like it or not.

6points

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#23

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread > Traffic lights across the street. I can't for the life of my understand why we still have to lean over the steering wheel and get a sore neck looking straight upwards at the traffic lights in Europe.

Traffic lights are also like this in Ireland and the UK.

> The doggy bag. You MIGHT be able to get to take your leftover with you in certain places in The Netherlands, but it really not the norm and would surely raise an eyebrow if you ask. Here it is normal and I find it very good to not let the food go to waste. Besides, I did pay for it so its nice to be able to take it with me.

This is also fairly common in Ireland. Not in very fancy restaurants, but otherwise the majority of places have no issue with this.

vg31irl , Ian Sane Report

Final score:

14points

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HogHedge 1 year ago

Doggy bag is also normal in NZ.

8points

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However, what truly astonished Lungytė wasn't the perplexing gun laws or the high obesity rates, which she mentions, "based on the media coverage in Western Europe, appeared to be everyday occurrences in the United States." Instead, it was the cost of living that struck her the most. Specifically, aspects like healthcare, something that Europeans and Britons often take for granted due to its accessibility and affordability for legal residents.

"You have to have a savings account for these things or health insurance that the majority of people can't even afford," Lungytė remarked. "And if you don't have insurance and are paying your yearly taxes - you must pay a fine for not having insurance." However, as a first-time visitor, similar to her experience prior to becoming a legal citizen, she advises that the only preparation needed is to "come with an open mind and be ready for everything."

#24

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread I’m an American who has visited Europe a few times (sadly not the Netherlands yet though). The first time I went to Europe, a bar put ice in my cider without me asking for it lol. I remember also being taken aback that water would often cost more than beer.

I also feel like people tend to know a lot of American culture/politics. I went on a tour once and a group of girls from Ireland were fascinated that I was American and asked me all sorts of questions about Trump/Obamacare etc.

allthecats11235 , J Wynia Report

Final score:

12points

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Con O Cuinn 1 year ago

Unfortunately, American politics affects the whole world. In comparison, most people only know Trudeau's name because he blacked up in college and it was international news.

7points

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#25

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread I do want to take a stab at “people are approachable and friendly” to hammer that home.

I’ve often seen the criticism of Americans being that we’re “fake nice” or insincere. We aren’t. We’re actually really nice. And we’re not just nice to people with accents. We’re nice to everyone. We’re nice to each other despite what the news or Reddit might want you to believe.

Oh and about the tipping thing. Yes it sucks. You don’t like it. We don’t like it. The servers don’t love it. We get it. We’re working on it.

Now can all the tourists just shut up about it? You have a phone, whip it out and do the math and move on. In fact, that whole metric vs. imperial thing? Get over yourselves. We have the metric measurement right next to the imperial measurement and have done for like 40 years. We’ll go full metric when you can come up with something as convenient as “foot”.

agitatedandroid , Samson Katt Report

Final score:

12points

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Seth Evans 1 year ago

I've used the imperial system my whole life, and I hate it. Metric is definitely better, and much more logical.

10points

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#26

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread Hate: Lack of hostels. In most American cities, there are no hostels, so you're stuck paying money for Airbnbs or hotels, both of which jack up the price of your trip. In addition, this lack of hostels removes a key social outlet, so travel is lonelier.

bacharama , Osbornb Report

Final score:

12points

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Beck 1 year ago

I have lived in the us for 44 years and I have never seen a hostel.

8points

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#27

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread I'm South Asian and I live in the Netherlands now. I had no idea asking to pack up leftovers was weird. In the restaurants I've been to (South Asian ones) they've always packed it up for free! Learnt something new today :)

annyuv98 , EvelynGiggles Report

Final score:

11points

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Mune 1 year ago

Ew what is this. Looks like someone unalived a Chicken over some pasta

2points

#28

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread Two things come immediately to mind (from USA, visiting Europe). Allowing for personal space (waiting in line for example) and ice in drinks!

herberstank , freestocks.org Report

Final score:

11points

POST

#29

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread Love: Portion sizes. I find even as a Canadian that American portions are enormous and can sometimes be three times the size of a meal I would eat at home.

Huge-Recognition-366 , vagueonthehow Report

Final score:

7points

POST

Tracy Wallick 1 year ago

As an American, I like this mainly because huge portions means I'm getting multiple meals out of a single order. I'll eat half, take the other half home, and take that to work for lunch the next day.

18points

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What do you think ?

Lil Potato IS BACK!!!! 1 year ago

good job BP! an article on the usa without hating on it! :)

Leo Domitrix 1 year ago (edited)

For once, pluses as well as negatives. I'll respond in kind: Europe feels cramped, what they call a "park" is what I call a "bit of grass between me and the next house" and I really wish we in th eUS had EU-style limits on what's in food/medications. That said, I love our big spaces, our openness, and our diversity. As weird as it is to outsiders ----- but then, everything is weird to someone who is an outsider, isn't it?

Rachel Ainsworth 1 year ago

The first time I visited I was amazed by how many choices you need to make when you order a meal in a diner (meat cooking, sauce for meat, type of potatoes, type of salad, salad dressing, drink, ice for drink, water, bread). The only customization we get (at a similarly priced restaurant) is what dish you've chosen and what drink you'll have.

Matthew Thompson 1 year ago

My wife always comments on that same issue.

0points

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Sergio Bicerra 1 year ago

How you can turn poor in a heartbeat, from student loans, medical bills and the fact that is super easy to take loans in your name just with your social security number. Good thing: thrift stores are insane there.

I would love an article like this about Australia!

MarsFKA 1 year ago

I agree with pretty well everything here. I've been to the US several times since 1998 and have yet to meet an a*****e – the closest was the ferociously bad-tempered woman at the United checkin at SFO early one morning in July 2015. After too many transits through LAX and its TSA that treat travellers like cattle, we do all our in/out from the western USA through SFO now. On which subject: I've been to only a few American cities and LA is definitely off the list after my first visit in 1998 – we were there for nine days and had to use a car for every moment of it – we logged over 1,000 miles. San Francisco is our favourite west coast city: it's much closer to the type of city that we're used to and it has CABLE CARS! We ride them every time we go there – riding on the outside of a San Francisco cable car. How neat is that? National Parks: we've been to Yosemite, Glacier National and Yellowstone. Breathtaking! The food has always been top quality and lots of it, but the tipping...

29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread

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