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40 Foreigners That Visited The US Reveal What Was The Biggest Culture Shock For Them
Going abroad almost always stuns you when you’re suddenly forced to adapt to an entirely new culture. Not to make it sound too simple but things are different elsewhere. [Gasp.] I know. But we tend to underestimate just how different life really is in other countries. And the experience can be truly jaw-dropping for some.
People who went to the United States reported back the weird and hilarious things that they noticed while there, in response to redditor Daleelab’s thread on r/AskEurope. The redditor from the Netherlands wanted to know what the biggest culture shocks were for their fellow site users. And, wow, did they respond in detail.
Their answers paint a very interesting (not to say comical) picture of the United States, from peculiar bathrooms and mega cars to huge drinks and friendly strangers. Check them out below and upvote the answers that made you smile or chuckle. American Pandas, let us know what you think in the comment section. And we can wait for all the Pandas who’ve been to the US to share their own culture shock moments.
The author of the thread, redditor Daleelab, revealed to Bored Panda more about their first trip to the Western United States back in 2014 that inspired their post in the first place. "I was 13 at the time. I presumed the US to be like Europe only bigger. Then when we arrived, it was nothing like Europe, especially the Netherlands. Somehow, I got reminded of that and I wanted to know other people’s experiences going to the US," they said.
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#1
As a German the patriotism is very scarry. I worked in a camp for kids in the woods of North East and the first thing we did in the morning was to gather at the flag and sing the anthem. Every morning! I can't even remember when I sang the Germany anthem the last time?! One time the boys of my group, who were the oldest group in camp, randomly stud up after lunch and started singing the anthem again. All the kids joined in and after they were finished the chanted "USA USA..." And hit on the tables in rythm. I sat there with a guy from South Africa and we both were paralyzed. I guess for someone with a history that made it necessary to reflect critically on patriotism the American patriotism is super scary.
TropicalPanda 3 years ago
we have national anthems and pledges recited in schools in India too everyday.. But that's about it!!
RELATED:
#2
Police are the rudest and most aggressive I have experienced anywhere in the world (and I say this as someone who's dealt with some famously prickly regimes). I go up to ask directions and they put their hand on their gun. If I have more than a single question they are basically telling me to back off and move along. I always read about conflicts between American police and citizens; with that attitude, no wonder it's a problem.
MrLoufoque 3 years ago
I was once in California for New Year's eve and had found a driver's license on the ground, so I approached nearby police officers to give it to them so they can get in touch with its owner. They were completely cordial and friendly, so I guess the whole thing is up to everyone's experience...
#3
I witnessed a mother opening several packs of sugar and sprinkle it in their kids Coca Cola. I’m still speechless.
I also can’t comprehend how people think private health insurance is a threat to their freedom or that private prisons could be a good idea.
Lastly, the gap in the toilet doors. WHY
Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago (edited)
WTF, there is already s**t loads of sugar in coke. I don't think that is a normal US thing, probably just some idiotic parent trying to give their kids diabetes. But correct me if I'm wrong though.
According to the original poster, Daleelab, the biggest difference between the United States and the Netherlands that they found was how many Americans had an "utter obsession with 'patriotism.'" In the redditor's opinion, too much patriotism can lead to "dangerous nationalism."
They said: "I love the Netherlands and I’m happy to be privileged to live here and to be Dutch. But the nationalism in the US is blinding people to the huge faults in their country anyone could see if not for that nationalism. Another big difference is that almost everyone there is a Christian."
Another thing that Daleelab was shocked to see on their visit to the US was that "people would shoot the 'Welcome to [State]' signs." They also were surprised by the road signs: "Everything on the street was spelled out instead of it being symbols. It’s a sign that says 'one way' while a simple arrow would do fine in Europe."
In an interview with Yale News, Sterling Professor of Political Science, Ian Shapiro, said that the trust in politicians, parties, and democratic institutions has become eroded. The cause of this? The transfer of political power to the grassroots. As such, there has been a rise in divisive and populist politics in the US.
“Many people are concerned about the damage Trump has inflicted on America’s political institutions. What they are missing is that Trump is a product of bad political institutions. The main infirmity is that the United States has very weak political parties. They are weak because they are subject to control by unrepresentative voters on their fringes and those who fund them,” Shapiro said.
#4
Having to say the ”Pledge of allegiance“ every single day, not gonna lie I found that really strange because it kinda gave off North Korea vibes to me, that’s just something that would be unheard of in German schools
#5
I saw more obese and morbidly obese people than I ever had seen before in my life. Literally, before I visited NYC, I think I only once or twice saw a morbidly obese person.
Demi Zwaan 3 years ago
My husband was morbidly obese when we went to Blizzcon in 2010 (a convention for gamers). We saw people who needed TWO chairs to sit down. My husband looked tiny compared to a lot of people there. We went to Walmart (cheap store that sells everything) and they sold XL shirts that were bigger than our 5XL for the same price as M/L clothes here. Same with pants. He got multiple new outfits for normal prices that would've cost a fortune here, simply because 'XL' is quite normal in the US.
#6
The poverty. I had been to the US a lot, but always along the costal cities. Sure, I saw homeless people around LA and New York, but I’ve seen homeless people in Sweden too and figured it probably had to do with addiction or mental illness. Then a couple of years ago I decided to travel across the US. I started in Los Angeles, then Nevada and then just moved on throughout the southern parts of the country. There were places that looked like a third world country. Homes barely holding together, people with dirty clothes, just horrible horrible poverty that I’ve never ever seen in a developed country before.
The Dutch redditor who created the thread in the first place shared their own experience with going to America for the very first time.
“I went to the US in 2014. We landed in San Francisco and had to rent a car. We thought, ‘We're in America, let's rent a big car.’ So we rented a ‘big’ car. Then we joined the I101 and we were the smallest car on the road... So with our redefined car, we went to the Golden Gate Bridge but we were hungry,” they wrote.
#7
When I was a young child I went on holiday to Florida. I remember going to a museum and seeing a ‘non guns’ sign at the entrance. My mum has to explain to young me that in the US people regularly carried guns around, which blew my mind. Still does today.
#8
The prices. Deals were extreme. Like you would get 12 donuts for the price of 2.5 single ones. I didnt want to overpay for a single donut, but i couldnt eat 12. So i didnt bought anything.
Healthy stuff was 2x-3× the price Im used to. Unhealthy stuff was half the price.
Happy_Pandalover 3 years ago
yeah, healthy food is usually more expensive in almost any industrial country. but the price gaps are alot biggere in the us. it makes people with low income buy unhealthy food - exactly what the food industry wants us to do :(... that‘s a problem everywhere though
#9
How hard it is to walk in smaller cities. Everything is designed around cars. Want to go to the mall across the street? There’s a 6 lane road, good luck crossing that! If you somehow manage to do it, you still have to cross a gigantic parking lot that is like 10% full.
Aroha 3 years ago
My friend from Finland moved to the States and tried to keep up the habit of walking everywhere. She was regularly stopped by the police, or even worse, very dodgy men would stop their car and offer her a ride. Also some nice people stopped as they thought she needed help! I walk 10km per day, I could not imagine being tied to a car...
“So we stopped at a diner. My brother ordered a burger and a small 7 Up. He got a liter of 7 Up. He wasn't even halfway and the waitress came to ask if he'd like a free refill (!). To quantify the bigness would be an insult of the bigly bigness that is the American lifestyle. Certainly a shock for me,” the redditor shared their experience and just how huge everything seemed once they arrived on the West Coast.
#10
Everything is sugary and sweet. I swear even bread was sugary instead of salty.
#11
Any time I’m in the States I’m always shocked by the amount of homeless people. Especially in San Francisco and Los Angeless.
#12
Obligatory (not-really-but-yes-totally-obligatory) tipping
Samantha Power 3 years ago
Very obligatory, when I lived there an English friend of ours didn't tip well enough and the waiter followed him out into the street and asked if his service was poor. Can't imagine that happening in England. Friends would carry a tip calculator which would show exactly how much to leave.
Plenty of people have heard a lot about American culture without having delved into the culture firsthand because of how prolific movies, TV shows, books, video games, and other forms of media from the US are. So it’s only natural that some individuals have a skewed understanding of how things in American society work, basing a lot of their knowledge on stereotypes.
#13
I went to Miami for a day when I was 11. I was just so shocked and disgusted by the slums, the country acts like they’re so far ahead but their poverty is indescribable. Every country has their poor and underdeveloped areas, but wow man. Miami gave my system a shock.
BusLady 3 years ago
So many people have poorly paying jobs, or they are unemployed, or they live on government assistance (which is not enough to live on). Also, this is usually rental housing owned by slumlords who don't keep the property up. I've lived in some awful places, but I'm at a nice place now.
#14
People wear shoes inside their homes. So strange.
#15
Extremely sad to see people freak out about having to get medical attention and/or illness at work. Also going through the trouble of verifying my travel insurance indeed cover me in the states. I have been less concerned going into literal war zones.
Tracy Willis 3 years ago
My jaw dropped when I first found out you have to pay for an ambulance in the US. Living in the UK we take it for granted that any medical care is free (well we do pay in taxes but way less than the US pay for one procedure)
But in reality, the United States is such a huge country that it wouldn’t be wrong to assume that even Americans can experience culture shock. Somebody going from the West Coast to the East Coast or from Texas to Minnesota might encounter a host of differences. Though one doesn’t have to travel far: just going to a metropolis or visiting the countryside is enough to show you that the way that you live might not be the norm elsewhere.
#16
All the waste and no concern for the environment. It really irks me.
And how the 'greed is good' mantra has taught many people how they shouldn't give a sh*t about others.
#17
The loudspeaker announcements about how much we love the soldiers. What the hell? It sounds so fascist.
Anthony Mann 3 years ago
As a Soldier, it always made me feel uncomfortable, when people said things like that, or looked at you like you were a hero. It was my profession, and one that I chose, so to be treated like a rock star made me feel very weird and conspicuous. I sometimes felt like it was over compensation for how Vietnam Vets were treated when they came home.
#18
In hotel rooms: We didn't watch a lot of TV, but when we did, I was very taken aback by the amount of commercials. I watched Cartoon Network as a kid and I remember the screen faded to black and immediately back to whatever I watched like every 10 minutes maybe (usually during an exciting part, for dramatic effect). I realized those blackouts were meant for commercials, but my home country didn't do that.
And also commercials for booze. And just in general the intensity of them. Some were hilarious though.
Demi Zwaan 3 years ago
And the ads for medication. So weird! Ask your doctor about this medicine! Uhm, no? My doc tells me what I need, not the other way around...
Like other countries, the US is multifaceted. You’re as likely to find someone who’s willing to give you the shirt off their backs as someone who’s rude to you. Incredibly wealthy and startlingly poor? Check. Socially backwards (which can mean drastically different things depending on your point of view, of course) while also incredibly progressive/traditional? Double-check. It’s a country of contrasts. Like most (if not all) nations are.
#19
Said it before, and I’ll say it again. The gaps in toilet stalls.
I’d heard of them before I visited but they still shocked me. Literally like 2cm of space between the partitions, for literally zero reason at all. People can look right into the stall. Goodbye privacy! Why? Whyyyyyy? Baffling.
#20
How religious the US is. Pretty much everyone attended a church and the churches were a big part of everyone's life. Weekly attendance was a thing. One of my teachers was very progressive (gay democrat philosophy phd literature teacher in a Bush worshipping area) and he was asked by his students about which church he attended. I felt that was weird thing to ask in the first place.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
Just wait a generation or so. Church membership is dwindling at a pretty good pace, so the old Holy Rollers will go the way of the dinosaurs soon enough.
#21
So many overweight people. I'll see more alarmingly obese people in 15 minutes in an American airport than in a year living in Amsterdam
Nonetheless, there are certain features that make America, well, America. Founded on the ideas of liberty and justice for all, the United States very much values freedom of thought and expression, as well as the drive and ambition to succeed. After all, the pilgrims who were some of the first colonists escaped England because they were persecuted for their religion.
#22
I went to the US in 2014. We landed in San Francisco and had to rent a car. We thought: "we're in america, let's rent a big car" So we rented a "big" car. Then we joined the I101 and we were the smallest car on the road... So with our redefined car we went to the Golden Gate Bridge but we were hungry. So we stopped at a diner. My brother ordered a burger and a small 7up. He got a liter of 7up. He wasn't even halfway and the waitress came to ask if he'd like a free refill (!). To quantify the bigness would be an insult of the bigly bigness that is american lifestyle. Certainly a shock for me.
Ileana Sky Aviles 3 years ago
I gain 25lbs! Everytime I go I prepare for weight gain. Resturant portions can be shared between 2 people per plate! But oh so delicious!
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
That’s how most normal Americans do it too—-it’s why we have the “doggie bag”. You can get two, and sometimes three, more meals put of reheated enormous restaurant meal servings. Oddly, my husband is British, and would eat the entire enormous serving. He’d probably also eat the plate it came on, if left to himself.
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Edward Shaw 3 years ago
I once tried to pick up 3 large cokes in White Castle, big mistake, one of cups buckled and I drop them all, a tidal wave of cola hit the floor and nearly washed a small child away. But what surprised me the most was the staffs reaction, full of apology and within 3 minutes the spillage was gone and the drinks were replaced free of charge.
Random Person 3 years ago
diners usually have absurdly big portion sizes compared to the rest of the country tho.
Mer☕️🧭☕️ 3 years ago
Servings do tend to be enormous and sadly some people really do eat all that food IN ONE SITTING!! Many of us, though, know to mentally divide the plate in half so we can eat about half the serving knowing that we'll be requesting a to-go container to take the rest of it home. If the restaurant is known for offering free bread, bread sticks, chips, whatever, we've also been known to fill up on those delicious carbs, eat about 1/3rd of what's on the plate, and take it all home for lunch or dinner the next day. The servings are simply too large for a reasonable person to cram into their poor stomach all at once. But hey, bigger is better, right? *sigh* I'd far rather pay a lot less and receive a realistically tummy-sized meal but...ugh.
Cybele Spanjaard 3 years ago
One can ask for smaller portions surely? Of course what is considered small to them is huge to others
Poppy Petal 3 years ago
I once refused cream on my milkshake at a McDonald’s. The lady asked three times as she thought she got me wrong and then looked at me as I were a total freak.
#23
The prices not including tax so you never know how much you're gonna pay because you can't multiply by 1.08875 in your head
troufaki13 3 years ago
This is sooo annoying! And if you are in a restaurant is plus tax plus tip! Ugh!
#24
Swiss are famous for the love of cheese and putting cheese on and in things, but America takes that to another level...even if the cheese is less good tasting. They think they have Swiss cheese, but what they call Swiss like a really sh*t version of Ementaller cheese. They are surprised that we have like 400+ kinds of cheese, none of which we call Swiss.
Cupcake168 3 years ago (edited)
Emmental is an area in Switzerland and the cheese they make there is called „Emmentaler“ (single L). It’s a trademark and a quality feature. Only the Origin Emmentaler is allowed to be named so. But obviously that’s only in Europe like that. US-Chesse has as much in common with Emmentaler as Trump with a Trumpet. Both can be made out of milk (Emmentaler MUST be made out of Milk) - both makes noises. that’s it.
However, that’s not to say that there’s no conformity in the US. Quite the opposite. It’s a very human part of our nature to seek out those who think like us, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that in America speaking out (especially on polarizing topics) isn’t always met with respectful listening.
#25
The amount of "fakeness" from people in the service industry: waiters, receptionists, bar staff, store employees etc
Everyone greets you with a fixed totally artificial smile, they speak in standard scripts, everything will be "their pleasure" and they will do it "for you". You just feel they are acting out a part but actually not listening to what you say and they certainly never do any of the things they promise. You just wish (a) they would start acting like human beings rather than pre-programmed service bots and (b) they would treat you like an actual human being rather than a visiting emperor.
#26
Flags. EVERYWHERE.
The portion sizes. The price of petrol is ridiculous.
#27
So many whackos around. People just standing in the middle of the pavement with a huge "Jesus is coming" sign or similar
Friendly yet fierce, incredibly individualistic but still very tribal. That’s the US for you, representing some of the best and some of the worst qualities of the human experience. But what do you think, dear Pandas? What’s your experience with America and Americans been like?
#28
My experience was that Americans act or seem to be more friendly and personal. But it always feels like they don’t actually mean it. Don‘t get me wrong, I met great people in the US. But Europeans, especially Germans, seem to be more reserved at first or second contact.
Samantha Power 3 years ago
I thought that. I did live in NYC for a while, not so friendly there, but good people once you get to know them.
#29
How divided everything is. There are only extremes, no in between. I thought this was mostly the case on the internet.
On the drive from the in Florida airport I saw an "the NRA is a terrorist organization" billboard right next to one advertising semi automatic (assault) rifles.
I was also surprised how many churches there were in rural Florida. Most seemed to have advertising unlike anything here in Europe. Some seemed to wage war against each other.
#30
Educational system sucks and is made to print money and throw the youth under the debt bus. Professions that don't make any sense to spend years in uni for (nurse for example) instead of doing an apprenticeship course.
#31
Extremely dirty and old public infrastructure - NY subway feels unsafe to use at times, some of the stations look like they're collapsing any minute now
#32
How difficult it actually is/how much knowledge is required just to not get fat
#33
To be honest, the flag salut in school. I could not comprehend it. I had flashbacks to videos seen in history class.... Made me feel super uncomfortable.
#34
Extreme friendliness to you when you're a customer. Too much in my opinion, it made me feel uneasy
Samantha Power 3 years ago
I always remember that. Often I hadn't even had a bite of my food and the the waitress/waiter would be asking how I was enjoying it and chatting when I wanted to eat. It can be a bit overwhelming.
#35
The sheer distance between everything and the fact that most americans consider an 8 hour drive no big deal
#36
On the first night of my first trip to the USA we ended up in a restaurant where pretty much all the customers openly carried handguns. That was quite shock.
#37
The water level in the toilets, I walked into 3 different cubicles in JFK that where all seemingly blocked, until I realised that in the states the water level in the toilets is much higher, like half the bowl, where as here in Europe theres just a bit of water at the bottom.
#38
Homeless and drugs ins the street, it is incredible.
I feel like this is a deeply splitted society, either you serve or you are served. Or you die in the street.
#39
Strangers talked to me for no reason. I could be walking on the street and a total stranger would come up to me and say "nice jacket" or something similar.
#40
I went for the first time in 1999, to Washington DC, it was the first time I had ever seen truly obese people, I grew up in Ireland and yes we had some overweight people but nothing comparable.
What do you think ?
Pungent Sauce 3 years ago
Is it just me or is “How shocked people are by America/Americans” becoming a bi-monthly feature here on BP?
Heather Pobicki 3 years ago
It seems weekly now, getting real old. We're too patriotic, our toilet stalls have gaps, we're fat, stupid, we all need cars...there saved everyone 5 minutes.
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tuzdayschild 3 years ago
Yay!!! Another America bashing post. Just what I've been waiting for!
Kristin Ingersoll 3 years ago
YAY!!!! Your daily dose of "Amerians are stupid and fat!!!!" I don't even have to read this crap to know exactly what's on this list. Americans eat too much. Tipping is terrible. We're too friendly and the country is big. YAWN.
Thomas Kanonym 3 years ago
you forgot "...and if you survive getting shot by either a psycho or the police , you'll die homeless on the street after not being able to pay the hospital $2.000.000 for saving your life"
Load More Replies... Logic and Reason 3 years ago
HAHAHA America bad funni!!1!1!1!1!!!1 Jesus Christ I’m so tired of these posts, it’s like a broken record. BP staff if you’re reading this, just stop these. They’re consistently xenophobic and repetitive.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
We get it: The US is full of fat, stupid, ugly, ignorant jerks who are utterly unlike the fat, stupid, ugly and ignorant jerks in the rest of the world. *yawn*
CatWoman312 3 years ago
Flags everywhere, huge portion sizes, no universal health care, we’re all fat, we make you tip on everything. Saved you a click.
Carolina Fernández González 3 years ago
Again with these posts? We get it Americans like everything big, their flag is everywhere, they love sugar, and their care system sucks. All countries have their own bad things. Please BP stop focusing on the bad, and always Americans. We don't care about their bad crap!
Wilf 3 years ago
I'll add a couple of positive ones from the UK. 1) People are generally inquisitive about foreigners, I guess a lot of Americans outside the cities don't get to meet many. 2) The idea there's nothing old in America is a ridiculous myth- in the original 13 states you can find some amazing built heritage dating back to the 17th century. 3) The ease in which you can access some genuine mind-blowingly empty wilderness is great. There are empty spaces bigger than many small European countries.
Snake of Eden 3 years ago
For that last one, It is true. I live in a regular old suberb and we have a forest right behind our house. On our 2 hour drive to my grandmother's house, we drive by cliffs, forests, lakes, rivers, and plains. It's also absolutly beautiful in the fall :)
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• Lemønchu • 3 years ago
Bored Panda, please stop the America sucks posts. I know we have problems, but please stop reminding us
Happy_Pandalover 3 years ago
I like to focus on the positive habits in certain countries. Sure, the US system has a lot of flaws and it‘s surely not the most advanced country in the world anymore. But i love the fact, that the general public has a habit of being friendly to strangers and being helpful has well - as in talking to conplete strangers etc. That‘s a nice thing, especially when you‘re travelling alone. Also service for products etc. is superb in the US. Usually you‘ll get great customer service there. I live in Germany and customer service etc. used to be crap. It‘s because of the US standards that it has gotten alot better in the past 10-20 years.
BusLady 3 years ago
Americans tend to be fascinated by people from other countries, and their accents. Many of us have never even been to a foreign country. We want people to feel welcome.
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Petra Christovová 3 years ago
Bored Panda: guardian of antiracism, anti hate speech, anti xenophobia, anti this, anti that .... with a small exception of United States. What is with this US bashing every second day or so? It is really weird.
Big 3 years ago
Bored Panda is anything BUT antixenophobia. This is one of the most xenophobic sites I've ever visited.
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Hoppinger 3 years ago
The thing about these posts is that they act like this stuff doesn't happen anywhere else and is somehow unique to America. I've been to my fair share of places overseas. Want to see people with guns? Go to Israel. (they require citizens to serve the military after high school and it's very visible) Want to see out of control tipping? Go to Egypt. Want to see fat people? Go just about anywhere, especially England and Europe. The horrors of being too friendly as if the rudeness of other places is somehow better, and I'm open for ideas to get around such an enormous area with a low population density without a car. Don't get me started on racism, which (gasp!) happens outside of the US.
Caroline 3 years ago
I'd like to see a "what's good about living in the US". And the answer being given by both natives/immigrants "I love my country because..." and foreign visitors "I had the best holidays there because...". Just for a change.
Dahungryfella 3 years ago
Or posts of people who are actually doing something about some of the problems in whatever small ways, regardless where these problems arise so we can actively be inspired to change our behaviour for the better. (Not a US citizen)
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ScarlettofHydraIsland 3 years ago
One thing I would like to say while we’re on the topic of ‘America sucks’ is please don’t paint all Americans with the same brush. Not every American is loud, overly friendly, rude, or obese.
Daphne Williams 3 years ago (edited)
Dear Europeans visiting the US: yes, our way of being with others is different from yours. Yes, people in the US tend to be open and friendly and smile a lot. Instead of complaining that people from another culture are different than the people in your culture, why not try to understand it? The United States is by it's very nature and design a country made up of immigrants from every country on earth. Even among Americans of European origin, they represent immigrants from every country in Europe, and Russia. All of those countries and cultures have different etiquettes and ways of relating to strangers. To ensure that misunderstandings don't occur, Americans adapted long ago to be outwardly friendly and open to ensure that people who may not share the same background understand that they don't mean them any harm. That's why Americans manners are what they are. They not inferior to the manners of people from countries that are historically homogenous, just different.
Josh Hicks 3 years ago
This is getting boring at this point. You're living up to the "bored" in bored panda.
Petra Schaap 3 years ago
Do we need to say it louder BP? Everyone is tired of these anti American posts, even the non Americans.
Isaac7lego 3 years ago
Am I the only now who is tired of these stupid "people were shocked by America/americans articles?
angie but who cares 3 years ago
not to say this post reeks of fat phobia along with xenophobia but yeah it does tho
Anony Mouse 3 years ago
Bingo! I got a line across with: - Portion sizes - Patriotism - Tipping culture - Bathroom door gaps - Fat people Almost had an "x" with sugar-in-the-bread, the pledge, and lots of water in the toilet, but you didn't call out prescription drug commercials. You can crap on us all you want - that's fine. We can take it. But please be more creative than just printing the same article every two weeks.
Sinkvenice 3 years ago
My friend and I went for dinner in New York. We roughly worked out the tip (before phones had calculators and we were terrible at maths, we also wanted to be nice) and left $10 more in case it wasn't enough, then left. The waitress ran out of the restaurant and down the street to tell us we hadn't left enough. I was astounded. We were in too much shock to refuse so gave her another $10. So she got about $40 for a $60 meal. She must've had a nice little racket going with poor unsuspecting and should be better at maths tourists. That was 15 years ago and it still bothers me.
Daphne Williams 3 years ago
If it was 15 years ago, I recommend finding a way of moving on. Maybe therapy.
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JayWantsACat 3 years ago
So many of these are broad generalizations seemingly made after a single, specific experience. "I saw fat people at an American airport therefore all the people in the airport are Americans, who are all also fat." "The people or place i experienced was religious therefore all Americans are religious!" The US is vast nation with a diverse population. I wouldnt go to Paris and then state France was dirty AF. In California alone, we have beach towns, major cities, suburbs, mountains, deserts, farmland, etc. Maybe visit more places before being so judgmental.
Emperor Kitten 3 years ago
So, sighs we just look forward to the weekly hate-on-America set now?
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 3 years ago (edited)
Ahhh yes, it is time for BoredPanda's weekly country bashing post. Yes, we get it. You don't have to beat us over the head with a crowbar every week. Americans are uncultured, unwashed, obese swine that wallow in their patriotism and Europeans (that's me!) are their vastly superior, highly-intelligent, and culturally superior counterparts. For Pete's sake, BoredPanda, I'm saying this as a non-American, please stop posts like this. They are immature and make you look like a cheap version of Buzzfeed, which this site is sadly becoming. Posts like this are flat-out xenophobic and just mean spirited. What happened to all the wonderful art posts you used to post? If you want click-bait articles to define your site, go work for Buzzfeed!
ℜ𝔬𝔟𝔢𝔯𝔱 ℭ𝔞𝔱𝔱𝔢 3 years ago
I have been to America multiple times, and I can verify that all of these are extremely exaggerated, if not entirely false.
Enamelcamel 3 years ago
Heather, I'm totally with you! Sick and tired of all the different "why we hate __________" posts. Always pitting Millenials against Boomers, Gen Z against Millenials, Americans against the rest of the world. I saw more homeless people when I lived in Paris, France than I have EVER seen in the US ... but don't find anyone encouraging ME to go online and say sh***y things about France. Enough already.
jknbt jknbt 3 years ago
all of these rants about well-discussed observations of American differences are cliche. This same article comes up once or twice a year.
Scarlett O'Hara's Ghost 3 years ago
No one out of 40 people had something nice to say? No one!?
jpaul 3 years ago
i think their federalism that gives to much power to states, and lone wolfers, combined to an insane, and uncomplexed talking of God in public is just the perfect fertilizer for division. they have great men, and women there too. but they also have a tremendous amount of mentally ill folks who think they are perfectly sane. I hope them to fix this s.. soon, because they are a great country, it's undeniable
angie but who cares 3 years ago
one sec i will be back soon with all the xenobhobic posts from lets say the past month
Dorothy Cloud 3 years ago
Again, why are people coming to visit America in the first place. Do they not read about us in their own countries. How awful it is here. How awful the people are here. How expensive it is here. How everything is NOT free and/or tax free? Stay home!
Mindy Keys 3 years ago
As an American I can say sometimes I too get annoyed at my fellow Americans behave. Mostly just how loud and rude some are. Yes, it may seem we are all fat, loud, gun-toting, wasteful, litterbugs, but that is no more true than any other generalization that can be made about any group of people. I doubt we have the market cornered on being asshats.
Lauren Christie 3 years ago
Wait...someone things spending a few years at university to be a nurse makes zero sense? Do they think it's a waste of time becoming a nurse, or do they genuinely just think that medical nursing should be able to be completed under a 6 month training course?
Arenite 3 years ago
I think the Euros hate us because we had to save their continent* from committing suicide not once, but twice. Churchill’s entire strategy was “get the Americans involved”. * Actually, according to geographers, Europe is NOT actually a continent, it’s a peninsula off the continent of Asia.
Zadie the Swiftie 3 years ago
So this entire post is basically telling me *checks notes* "GET THE HELL OUT OF AMERICA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!"
BorPand8 3 years ago
Oh my gosh, I have seen the error of my ways! I too wish to complain about this post! It's an anti-American conspiracy by Bored Panda probably! In fact -- all you silent watchers out there, don't you want to open a Bored Panda account so you can complain too? It's easy and free! Don't let them get away with their anti-American propaganda!
Lauren Caswell 3 years ago
Is that sarcasm, I genuinely can't tell? Just curious, it could be ppl think it is, and that's why they are downvoting? I feel like ur not being sarcastic tho but I could be wrong. Upvoting anyway
Load More Replies...
sofacushionfort 3 years ago
I won't argue against any of the entries, but please; don't consider yourself the next Alexis de Tocqueville just because you saw a real life Honey Boo-Boo while changing planes at O'Hare.
Pungent Sauce 3 years ago
Is it just me or is “How shocked people are by America/Americans” becoming a bi-monthly feature here on BP?
Heather Pobicki 3 years ago
It seems weekly now, getting real old. We're too patriotic, our toilet stalls have gaps, we're fat, stupid, we all need cars...there saved everyone 5 minutes.
Load More Replies... tuzdayschild 3 years ago
Yay!!! Another America bashing post. Just what I've been waiting for!
Kristin Ingersoll 3 years ago
YAY!!!! Your daily dose of "Amerians are stupid and fat!!!!" I don't even have to read this crap to know exactly what's on this list. Americans eat too much. Tipping is terrible. We're too friendly and the country is big. YAWN.
Thomas Kanonym 3 years ago
you forgot "...and if you survive getting shot by either a psycho or the police , you'll die homeless on the street after not being able to pay the hospital $2.000.000 for saving your life"
Load More Replies... Logic and Reason 3 years ago
HAHAHA America bad funni!!1!1!1!1!!!1 Jesus Christ I’m so tired of these posts, it’s like a broken record. BP staff if you’re reading this, just stop these. They’re consistently xenophobic and repetitive.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
We get it: The US is full of fat, stupid, ugly, ignorant jerks who are utterly unlike the fat, stupid, ugly and ignorant jerks in the rest of the world. *yawn*
CatWoman312 3 years ago
Flags everywhere, huge portion sizes, no universal health care, we’re all fat, we make you tip on everything. Saved you a click.
Carolina Fernández González 3 years ago
Again with these posts? We get it Americans like everything big, their flag is everywhere, they love sugar, and their care system sucks. All countries have their own bad things. Please BP stop focusing on the bad, and always Americans. We don't care about their bad crap!
Wilf 3 years ago
I'll add a couple of positive ones from the UK. 1) People are generally inquisitive about foreigners, I guess a lot of Americans outside the cities don't get to meet many. 2) The idea there's nothing old in America is a ridiculous myth- in the original 13 states you can find some amazing built heritage dating back to the 17th century. 3) The ease in which you can access some genuine mind-blowingly empty wilderness is great. There are empty spaces bigger than many small European countries.
Snake of Eden 3 years ago
For that last one, It is true. I live in a regular old suberb and we have a forest right behind our house. On our 2 hour drive to my grandmother's house, we drive by cliffs, forests, lakes, rivers, and plains. It's also absolutly beautiful in the fall :)
Load More Replies... • Lemønchu • 3 years ago
Bored Panda, please stop the America sucks posts. I know we have problems, but please stop reminding us
Happy_Pandalover 3 years ago
I like to focus on the positive habits in certain countries. Sure, the US system has a lot of flaws and it‘s surely not the most advanced country in the world anymore. But i love the fact, that the general public has a habit of being friendly to strangers and being helpful has well - as in talking to conplete strangers etc. That‘s a nice thing, especially when you‘re travelling alone. Also service for products etc. is superb in the US. Usually you‘ll get great customer service there. I live in Germany and customer service etc. used to be crap. It‘s because of the US standards that it has gotten alot better in the past 10-20 years.
BusLady 3 years ago
Americans tend to be fascinated by people from other countries, and their accents. Many of us have never even been to a foreign country. We want people to feel welcome.
Load More Replies... Petra Christovová 3 years ago
Bored Panda: guardian of antiracism, anti hate speech, anti xenophobia, anti this, anti that .... with a small exception of United States. What is with this US bashing every second day or so? It is really weird.
Big 3 years ago
Bored Panda is anything BUT antixenophobia. This is one of the most xenophobic sites I've ever visited.
Load More Replies... Hoppinger 3 years ago
The thing about these posts is that they act like this stuff doesn't happen anywhere else and is somehow unique to America. I've been to my fair share of places overseas. Want to see people with guns? Go to Israel. (they require citizens to serve the military after high school and it's very visible) Want to see out of control tipping? Go to Egypt. Want to see fat people? Go just about anywhere, especially England and Europe. The horrors of being too friendly as if the rudeness of other places is somehow better, and I'm open for ideas to get around such an enormous area with a low population density without a car. Don't get me started on racism, which (gasp!) happens outside of the US.
Caroline 3 years ago
I'd like to see a "what's good about living in the US". And the answer being given by both natives/immigrants "I love my country because..." and foreign visitors "I had the best holidays there because...". Just for a change.
Dahungryfella 3 years ago
Or posts of people who are actually doing something about some of the problems in whatever small ways, regardless where these problems arise so we can actively be inspired to change our behaviour for the better. (Not a US citizen)
Load More Replies... ScarlettofHydraIsland 3 years ago
One thing I would like to say while we’re on the topic of ‘America sucks’ is please don’t paint all Americans with the same brush. Not every American is loud, overly friendly, rude, or obese.
Daphne Williams 3 years ago (edited)
Dear Europeans visiting the US: yes, our way of being with others is different from yours. Yes, people in the US tend to be open and friendly and smile a lot. Instead of complaining that people from another culture are different than the people in your culture, why not try to understand it? The United States is by it's very nature and design a country made up of immigrants from every country on earth. Even among Americans of European origin, they represent immigrants from every country in Europe, and Russia. All of those countries and cultures have different etiquettes and ways of relating to strangers. To ensure that misunderstandings don't occur, Americans adapted long ago to be outwardly friendly and open to ensure that people who may not share the same background understand that they don't mean them any harm. That's why Americans manners are what they are. They not inferior to the manners of people from countries that are historically homogenous, just different.
Josh Hicks 3 years ago
This is getting boring at this point. You're living up to the "bored" in bored panda.
Petra Schaap 3 years ago
Do we need to say it louder BP? Everyone is tired of these anti American posts, even the non Americans.
Isaac7lego 3 years ago
Am I the only now who is tired of these stupid "people were shocked by America/americans articles?
angie but who cares 3 years ago
not to say this post reeks of fat phobia along with xenophobia but yeah it does tho
Anony Mouse 3 years ago
Bingo! I got a line across with: - Portion sizes - Patriotism - Tipping culture - Bathroom door gaps - Fat people Almost had an "x" with sugar-in-the-bread, the pledge, and lots of water in the toilet, but you didn't call out prescription drug commercials. You can crap on us all you want - that's fine. We can take it. But please be more creative than just printing the same article every two weeks.
Sinkvenice 3 years ago
My friend and I went for dinner in New York. We roughly worked out the tip (before phones had calculators and we were terrible at maths, we also wanted to be nice) and left $10 more in case it wasn't enough, then left. The waitress ran out of the restaurant and down the street to tell us we hadn't left enough. I was astounded. We were in too much shock to refuse so gave her another $10. So she got about $40 for a $60 meal. She must've had a nice little racket going with poor unsuspecting and should be better at maths tourists. That was 15 years ago and it still bothers me.
Daphne Williams 3 years ago
If it was 15 years ago, I recommend finding a way of moving on. Maybe therapy.
Load More Replies... JayWantsACat 3 years ago
So many of these are broad generalizations seemingly made after a single, specific experience. "I saw fat people at an American airport therefore all the people in the airport are Americans, who are all also fat." "The people or place i experienced was religious therefore all Americans are religious!" The US is vast nation with a diverse population. I wouldnt go to Paris and then state France was dirty AF. In California alone, we have beach towns, major cities, suburbs, mountains, deserts, farmland, etc. Maybe visit more places before being so judgmental.
Emperor Kitten 3 years ago
So, sighs we just look forward to the weekly hate-on-America set now?
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 3 years ago (edited)
Ahhh yes, it is time for BoredPanda's weekly country bashing post. Yes, we get it. You don't have to beat us over the head with a crowbar every week. Americans are uncultured, unwashed, obese swine that wallow in their patriotism and Europeans (that's me!) are their vastly superior, highly-intelligent, and culturally superior counterparts. For Pete's sake, BoredPanda, I'm saying this as a non-American, please stop posts like this. They are immature and make you look like a cheap version of Buzzfeed, which this site is sadly becoming. Posts like this are flat-out xenophobic and just mean spirited. What happened to all the wonderful art posts you used to post? If you want click-bait articles to define your site, go work for Buzzfeed!
ℜ𝔬𝔟𝔢𝔯𝔱 ℭ𝔞𝔱𝔱𝔢 3 years ago
I have been to America multiple times, and I can verify that all of these are extremely exaggerated, if not entirely false.
Enamelcamel 3 years ago
Heather, I'm totally with you! Sick and tired of all the different "why we hate __________" posts. Always pitting Millenials against Boomers, Gen Z against Millenials, Americans against the rest of the world. I saw more homeless people when I lived in Paris, France than I have EVER seen in the US ... but don't find anyone encouraging ME to go online and say sh***y things about France. Enough already.
jknbt jknbt 3 years ago
all of these rants about well-discussed observations of American differences are cliche. This same article comes up once or twice a year.
Scarlett O'Hara's Ghost 3 years ago
No one out of 40 people had something nice to say? No one!?
jpaul 3 years ago
i think their federalism that gives to much power to states, and lone wolfers, combined to an insane, and uncomplexed talking of God in public is just the perfect fertilizer for division. they have great men, and women there too. but they also have a tremendous amount of mentally ill folks who think they are perfectly sane. I hope them to fix this s.. soon, because they are a great country, it's undeniable
angie but who cares 3 years ago
one sec i will be back soon with all the xenobhobic posts from lets say the past month
Dorothy Cloud 3 years ago
Again, why are people coming to visit America in the first place. Do they not read about us in their own countries. How awful it is here. How awful the people are here. How expensive it is here. How everything is NOT free and/or tax free? Stay home!
Mindy Keys 3 years ago
As an American I can say sometimes I too get annoyed at my fellow Americans behave. Mostly just how loud and rude some are. Yes, it may seem we are all fat, loud, gun-toting, wasteful, litterbugs, but that is no more true than any other generalization that can be made about any group of people. I doubt we have the market cornered on being asshats.
Lauren Christie 3 years ago
Wait...someone things spending a few years at university to be a nurse makes zero sense? Do they think it's a waste of time becoming a nurse, or do they genuinely just think that medical nursing should be able to be completed under a 6 month training course?
Arenite 3 years ago
I think the Euros hate us because we had to save their continent* from committing suicide not once, but twice. Churchill’s entire strategy was “get the Americans involved”. * Actually, according to geographers, Europe is NOT actually a continent, it’s a peninsula off the continent of Asia.
Zadie the Swiftie 3 years ago
So this entire post is basically telling me *checks notes* "GET THE HELL OUT OF AMERICA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!"
BorPand8 3 years ago
Oh my gosh, I have seen the error of my ways! I too wish to complain about this post! It's an anti-American conspiracy by Bored Panda probably! In fact -- all you silent watchers out there, don't you want to open a Bored Panda account so you can complain too? It's easy and free! Don't let them get away with their anti-American propaganda!
Lauren Caswell 3 years ago
Is that sarcasm, I genuinely can't tell? Just curious, it could be ppl think it is, and that's why they are downvoting? I feel like ur not being sarcastic tho but I could be wrong. Upvoting anyway
Load More Replies... sofacushionfort 3 years ago
I won't argue against any of the entries, but please; don't consider yourself the next Alexis de Tocqueville just because you saw a real life Honey Boo-Boo while changing planes at O'Hare.
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