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While it might depend on who you ask, the truth is that life in the US is truly very different from everywhere else, for better or worse. However, even though this seems like it should be common sense, many travelers arrive in America and immediately realize that there is a whole lot going on that they maybe didn’t expect.
Someone asked “Non-Americans, what is something quite common in the U.S. that is completely unheard of in your own country?” and people shared their best examples. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to comment your own stories and experiences below.
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#1
* employers firing people on the spot
* having a limited number of days for sick leave
* unpaid maternity / sickness leave
* "tipping culture".
#2
People getting bankrupted because of medical emergencies.
#3
Advertising medications on TV.
Dumbest thing I've ever heard of.
Javelina Poppers 2 months ago
After they get through rattling off all the warnings it sounds like your illness is less debilitating than the medicine.
#4
Open carry firearms. Like, I get it, I have a gun licence and go to the gun range and have a good time. But like, folks walking around openly with huge-a*s guns as though they're Walmart Mercenaries is seriously f****d.
#5
Having Kids say the pledge of Allegiance in School.
Last time my Country had something like that.....well lets just say it didnt end wel for anyone involved.
#6
Displaying prices without taxes. It threw me off when I first went to buy a bottle of coke a day after I arrived.
#8
Getting into University by being good at sports. I was chatting to an American guy online and he told me he went to college on a "Lacrosse Scholarship". I'm like, seriously? You got to go to college for being good at f*****g lacrosse?
#10
Not sure if it's been said. Americans with disabilities act is amazing. Wheel chair ramps everywhere and ease of access.
#12
Overwork culture. Why would someone choose to work 80 hours a week? I get it, double the money, but what are you going to do with the money if you have just enough free time left to sleep and you die at 65?
Of course someone doesn't have a choice and needs extra hours or multiple jobs, but from afar I still see an undeniable cultural push to a life dedicated to working, with those who choose something else regarded as lesser parts of the society.
Career too. It feels like you *must* always strive to be something more, no peace, no rest, no point where you can be happy where you are.
Luke Branwen 2 months ago
"Hustle culture" should be renamed to "huskle culture" because it leaves you as an empty husk of a human being.
#14
As a Dutchy, driving a car and turning right on a red light. That messed with my head. If you do that here you are gonna hit at least 5 cyclists.
#15
Being worried about calling an ambulance. Or just medical bills in general. I cant imagine not being able to afford getting cancer treatment if needed for example.
Huddo's sister 2 months ago
When I was in high school, we had someone from Ambulance Australia do a talk to my year level. They stressed that you HAD to get an ambulance for someone who has an overdose or alcohol poisoning and then worry about cost later. The cost would be much higher if you didn't have ambulance cover, but still under $200, much less than America. They urged us to make sure our parents have ambulance cover, which is about $28 a month. I went home and asked my mum about it and she said, because she was on a low income/carer's health care card, it is actually free for us to get an ambulance.
#16
Just how one-sided the employer/employee relationship is there.
TotallyNOTAFox 2 months ago
Or how unions work, completely different than they do here in Europe
#17
As the neighbours from the North, having a milkshake that’s worth your entire calorie intake for the day sounds insane.
Huddo's sister 2 months ago
This is common in Australia too these days. Ones with all these lollies, doughnuts etc on top too. I don't get it personally.
#18
Where I from you need to put an euro in a shopping cart in order to use it, when you you return it, it gives back the coin. I think this doesn't happen in the US right?
Also that they take your credit card to pay in the restaurant, in Europe you always have the card with you when you pay.
#19
Feet, yards, gallons, etc.
Did I say that out loud? (he/him)cis/het 2 months ago
*Laughs in British because we use both, at the same time *
#20
Drive thru banks and pharmacies. My partner is American and was astonished that I thought that was so weird. We simply do not have enough space for that sort of thing in the UK.
DeoManus Argentem 2 months ago
Pants. Also - bad weather, kids, people with mobility issues, etc. Just extra convenience - few are shocked by delivery services for pretty much everything.
#21
My German friend visited us in college. First party he goes "THEY DO EXIST!!" and held up our pack of red solo cups. Haha.
#22
The tax system - having to do a return every year (ours is done for us unless you run your own business or are a contractor). Also having to pay tax when you live overseas.
Justin Tyme 2 months ago
The overseas tax is not bad. US citizens working in another country only have to pay US taxes on any amount over $126,500 in a year. If they do have to pay, there are other possible exemptions that can significantly reduce the tax amount.
#23
People caring about college sports.
Like people will actually show up to watch without being related to or friends with anyone playing?
There are actual stadiums with cheerleaders and marching bands?
Academic scholarships for being good at a sport?
Student athletes being handed passing grades even if they fail so that they can keep playing?
The only remotely comparable thing I can think of is my country is the Oxford vs Cambridge boat race.
Edit: I'm going to say this now even though its too late and I already slept while the American were awake and started replying. I don't think the hype and love of college/high school sports is inherently *bad* (except the grades thing). Its just something uniquely American and therefore my answer for the question posed by this post.
#25
Houses with small fences and little to no extra security
As a Latin american, our houses have either big gates and fences with spikes or concrete walls with barbed wire on top in order to stop burglars from entering. You can say it was quite a shock to me when I first visited the US and saw suburbs filled with houses with cars parked on the street and small wooden fences that anyone could jump over.
DeoManus Argentem 2 months ago
Fences/walls are used as boundary lines, not really security measures.
#26
Freshman sophomore junior senior... Have to translate this in my head every time.
#27
Long commutes.
Here in the Netherlands a lot of companies only hire within a 30 minute radius, maybe an hour if they really need you.
I once applied to a job around 100 minutes away and was rejected purely because of travel time. If the travel time was a problem for me I wouldn’t’ve applied.
#29
Homecoming, Sadie Hawkins, Winter Formal, Prom...
We have none of this, the closest thing is the graduation itself.
Fire Singer 2 months ago
Aw, I loved school dances in high school. I can see why it might be weird to other countries, but I always loved them. It was fun to dress up, maybe go to a "fancy" dinner at Olive Garden lol! And just hang out with friends and boyfriends/girlfriends.
#30
So, I only heard this like a year ago. But apparently it seems that most of American men are circumcised. Which sounds bizarre to me.
What do you think ?
Justin Tyme 2 months ago
Wow, Bored Panda. What took so long? It has been at least a day since your last US vs. the World post.
Justin Tyme 2 months ago
I see the title has been changed. I don't remember exactly what it was originally. It was something like "Things in America that could make the rest of the world die from shock".
Load More Replies...
ConstantlyJon 2 months ago
While I enjoy commenting on these, it's all very tired. Shoot these kinds of posts into the sun, please.
Multa Nocte 2 months ago (edited)
As a person who doesn't live in the US, this is becoming annoying.
Load More Replies... Justin Tyme 2 months ago
Wow, Bored Panda. What took so long? It has been at least a day since your last US vs. the World post.
Justin Tyme 2 months ago
I see the title has been changed. I don't remember exactly what it was originally. It was something like "Things in America that could make the rest of the world die from shock".
Load More Replies... ConstantlyJon 2 months ago
While I enjoy commenting on these, it's all very tired. Shoot these kinds of posts into the sun, please.
Multa Nocte 2 months ago (edited)
As a person who doesn't live in the US, this is becoming annoying.
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