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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.

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#1

35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World Excessive violence? No problem! Nudity and cursing? Protect our children!

anon , irinat8 Report

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October
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Went to an all female sauna in the US and everyone was in bathingsuits! I was not...

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    #2

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World Having children pledge allegiance to the flag every morning or so.

    Stockholm-Syndrom , nualaimages Report

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    Mulberry Juice
    Mulberry Juice
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That sounds more like something from a dystopian book than real life. This actually happens??

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    #3

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World Ridiculously long elections and treating elections like sporting events

    discos_panic , Pressmaster Report

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    Mavis
    Mavis
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also, that lame duck period between election day and a new government. In Australia and Britain if you lose the election you are out the very next day.

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    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.

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    #4

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World For profit healthcare

    anon , National Cancer Institute Report

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    Mickysixxx
    Mickysixxx
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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

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    #5

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World The price tag on items is not the actual price.

    usernameistaken02 , Image-Source Report

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    #6

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World Commercials for medicine

    Prescription medication specifically. Ads for boner pills and depression medicine etc. bombarding all ages all day long

    FindMeSteak , Ksenia Yakovleva Report

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    uncannyi avatar
    Uncanny
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ‘Feeling sad cos you can’t get it up? Let us help with our Woody Smile capsules. One a day and we’ll change what’s hard in your life!’

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    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.

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    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

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World Having ~~100k+~~ debt as 18 year old just for going to school.

    WhitneysMiltankOP , Dom Fou Report

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    Remi (He/Him)
    Remi (He/Him)
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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€

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    #8

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World Carrying visible guns in public

    Donald_Bin_Trump , OnPhotoUa Report

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    #9

    Military recruitment centres in schools, general worship of those serving or who have served.

    ex0- Report

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    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.

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    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

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World Our portion sizes. Other countries literally have "American" as a size option.

    SlightlyDarkerBlack2 , Geraud pfeiffer Report

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    #11

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World In Sweden you either take your shoes off when you enter someone's home or we saw your dirty f*****g feet off.

    Necroluster , Lazy_Bear Report

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    Ches Yamada
    Ches Yamada
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WE TAKE OUR SHOES OFF, TOO. Tv shows and movies show it otherwise, that's all.

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    #12

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World Tipping

    avi1300 , seventyfourimages Report

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    ivoh avatar
    Ivo H
    Ivo H
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tipping itself is nice if it serves as appriciation for work well done. Not if it's forced and abused by employers to avoid paying living wage to their employees.

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    #13

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World Cheese in a can.

    What the s**t America.

    MichaelMoore92 , Arnold Gatilao Report

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    #14

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World 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."

    WorldBestTop10 , Ben White Report

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    Quirinus
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is more a "Russians don't smile at strangers" than "Americans smile too much" thing.

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    #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

    RobbenTheBank Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Note: This varies from state to state, so it's not the whole country.

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    #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.

    Arcaue Report

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    XenoMurph
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And that's not just the rules, that's also the attitude of most people. Most of us don't obey because we HAVE to, we honestly believe it's the right way to behave.... mostly

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    #17

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World I love explaining to non Americans that we can go buy beer, food, televisions and guns at the same store.

    lacripa , Rido81 Report

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    #18

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World wearing the flag as a bathing suit.

    SPQC , tipsyelves Report

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    Mat Hall
    Mat Hall
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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"...

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    #19

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World Waiters bothering me while eating. And bringing me the bill without asking for it.

    LeSpatula Report

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    #20

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World Saying: "How are you?" as a greeting, not a question.

    usernameistaken02 , Media_photos Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This goes for some European countries too. People ask "how are you?" but nobody is really interested to hear any other answer than "fine, thanks" (or similar).

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    #21

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World 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.

    Flash-Lightning , Charlie Griffiths Report

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    Helena
    Helena
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #22

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World Collecting money for election campaigns.

    gronkspike25 , Prostock-studio Report

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    uncannyi avatar
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think you’ll find this is the case in most countries. Over or under the table. Or both. 🤷‍♀️

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    #23

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World Customers in restaurants or any other store staying past closing, I work in a restaurant and this annoys me beyond belief.

    ggriffin2030 , Volkan Vardar Report

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    #24

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World Sueing.

    MultiHacker , joaquincorbalan Report

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    #25

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World I think in America its way more socially acceptable to drive .2 miles to your destination than to walk.

    existingisstrange , Jan Baborák Report

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    Little Wonder
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A lot of places are simply not built for walking around in the US.

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    #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.

    Well_thats_Rubbish Report

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    Sonja
    Sonja
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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

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    #27

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World Driving a car at 16 years old.

    Edu100 , Ron Lach Report

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    #28

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World Going to the store in your pyjamas

    sybaritic_footstool , Emile Guillemot Report

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    #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.

    SoTiredOfWinning Report

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    Greenmantle
    Greenmantle
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OK, for the rest of the world, please explain what a baller house I'd?

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    #30

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World 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

    oishster , seventyfourimages Report

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    Uncanny
    Uncanny
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I was young (in Oz), it was very unusual for anyone to still be living at home at 18. We finished school, got a job and got the hell outta there. 😂 Times and circumstances change.

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    #31

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World Ads that compare one brand to another openly, like Duracell vs Energizer, rather than Brand X.

    maenadery , Anthony Rosset Report

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    #32

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World 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

    Julius_OU , Bruce Dixon Report

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    And i was like WTF!!
    And i was like WTF!!
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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

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    #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.

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    XenoMurph
    XenoMurph
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you looked in my bathroom cabinet you'd be asked to leave

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    #34

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World Spelling bees

    SailRBoi , hwilson8 Report

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    Temoni
    Temoni
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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. 🙂

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    #35

    35 Things That Are Normal For Americans But Not The Rest Of The World 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

    karloss1 , DragonImages Report

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