Stereotypes about other countries are common, and the United States is no exception. Non-Americans often hold skewed views of the U.S. based on what they’ve heard or seen.
Drawing on over a decade of international travel, the author shares recurring U.S. stereotypes encountered on the road. Some are amusing, while others might resonate.
Here are 20 things that non-Americans sometimes take too seriously about the U.S.:
1: Gaps in Bathroom Stalls
Non-Americans often view gaps in bathroom stalls as an invasion of privacy. For Americans, these gaps serve practical purposes like indicating if a stall is occupied and reducing claustrophobia.
The U.S. system may also offer advantages, allowing easier detection if someone is incapacitated or engaging in illicit activities. While potentially uncomfortable for visitors, there are reasons behind the design.
2: Cowboys Abound
An older European perception is that most Americans are cowboys. This stereotype likely stems from the popularity of Western films before World War II.
Western movie imports paused during the war but surged afterward, only to decline in the 1960s as newer films took over.
While cowboys are a part of American history and culture, they are far from representing the majority today.
3: No Culture
Some foreigners, and even some Americans, wrongly believe the U.S. lacks culture. The U.S. is indeed a melting pot, valuing its diverse roots, evident in areas like Little Italy or Chinatowns.
However, the U.S. has also developed its own distinct culture, particularly on a regional level. Different areas like the North, South, Midwest, and West each have unique cultural identities.
4: Super Dangerous
Non-Americans are sometimes led to believe the entire U.S. is extremely dangerous, often due to news coverage of mass shootings.
While these events occur, they don’t reflect the everyday reality for most Americans, who commonly greet neighbors and encounter kind strangers. Most Americans do not live in constant fear for their lives when they leave home.
5: Everyone Has Firearms
Influenced by old Westerns or awareness of mass shootings, there’s a misconception that all Americans own firearms and are armed everywhere. Reality differs; a Pew Research Center report shows about 32% personally own a gun and 40% live in a gun household.
It’s uncommon to see people openly carrying firearms unless they are police officers.
6: We All Act Like TikTok Users
Some non-Americans perceive viral TikTok videos as a true representation of American life. Many TikTok users exaggerate or perform for views, not necessarily reflecting their real-life behavior.
Although some TikTok content shows average American life, most Americans do not live like the most popular TikTok stars depicted online.
7: Wooden Houses
About 90% of U.S. homes are built primarily with wood, a practice common to Americans but questioned elsewhere. Non-Americans sometimes criticize wood for being less durable than brick, stone, or cement.
While wood is seen as a weaker material, it performs well in low-intensity natural disasters and is relatively economical. Americans are unlikely to abandon wood soon.
8: Sales Tax
Americans are accustomed to sales tax being added at checkout, a system that surprises many foreigners. In some countries, like England, the displayed price already includes taxes.
Although including tax upfront is a nice convenience, the U.S. practice of adding tax at the register is standard and not a major issue for most Americans.
9: No Healthy Food
A common impression abroad is that Americans primarily eat at fast-food places like McDonald’s or KFC, implying a lack of healthy options.
While food deserts exist, most of the U.S. population has relatively easy access to healthy choices. Nowadays, healthy fast food like salads from places like Tender Greens is available, allowing for healthy eating on the go.
10: Bad Cheese
The U.S. faces a stereotype of having terrible cheese, perhaps partly due to individually wrapped, floppy American cheese slices.
While that specific type might not be great, it is far from the only cheese available in the U.S.. Just because the U.S. isn’t France doesn’t mean its cheese is universally bad; Wisconsin, for example, is known for its cheese.
11: Poverty and Healthcare
Research confirms a link between poverty and poor health in the U.S.. Despite high healthcare costs and foreign perceptions, people in poverty experiencing medical emergencies do have options.
The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act requires Medicare-funded emergency rooms, which include most U.S. hospitals, to treat patients regardless of their ability to pay.
12: Portion Sizes
America’s reputation for large restaurant portion sizes has been strong, though perhaps less so now due to shrinkflation.
Many non-Americans have commented on the size of U.S. restaurant meals. However, not all Americans finish their plates; restaurants readily provide takeout boxes, allowing customers to get essentially two meals for the price of one.
13: Vacation Dreaming
The U.S. narrative suggests Americans don’t receive enough paid vacation, which is often misconstrued abroad as having no paid vacation time.
While federal law doesn’t mandate paid vacation, it’s rare for Americans to work for companies offering none.
Most companies provide some form of paid time off, making the idea of zero vacation time inaccurate.
14: No American Food
Given the U.S. is a melting pot, some overseas believe there’s no native American food. This is incorrect.
Many foods originated in the U.S., such as Buffalo chicken wings (invented in Buffalo, NY), lobster rolls, S’mores, Philly cheesesteaks, pecan pie, and ranch dressing. These dishes are significant parts of American cuisine.
15: Literal Sayings
U.S. nicknames like “Land of the Free” or declarations of being the “greatest country ever” are sometimes taken literally by non-Americans.
For many Americans, “Land of the Free” represents freedom as a core value, not exclusivity.
Saying “greatest country” is often more like sports fans supporting their team, acknowledging others have great qualities too, rather than a literal claim of superiority.
16: Big Trucks
With over 90% of American households owning a vehicle, U.S. car culture stands out, especially to those from countries with extensive public transport.
Some non-Americans believe most Americans drive massive trucks, which is an exaggeration.
However, trucks like the Ford F-150 were top used car purchases in 2023, so foreigners do frequently see many trucks on U.S. roads.
17: No Introverts
A common stereotype abroad is that all Americans are loud and boisterous. This generalization doesn’t account for introverted Americans.
While greeting strangers might seem extroverted in some cultures, it’s often just considered friendly in the U.S..
Americans who identify as introverts are generally not perceived as loud from an American perspective.
18: Hollywood Fail
Frequent exposure to Hollywood films globally leads non-Americans who haven’t visited the U.S. to envision life there as depicted in movies.
For example, New York is often perceived through this cinematic lens. However, the reality for most Americans does not resemble Hollywood films. The movies provide a skewed, often unrealistic, view of U.S. life.
19: Everyone Is Overweight
Upon meeting an American, some foreigners are surprised if they are not overweight, revealing a misconception that all Americans struggle with excessive weight.
Statistics show this stereotype has roots in reality: about 30.7% of adults are overweight, and 42% are obese.
This data helps explain why some abroad hold this broad misconception about the U.S. population.
20: Tipping Woes
Non-Americans often find U.S. tipping practices extreme. While some Americans now agree, many feel obligated to tip, especially service staff.
Restaurant employees can legally earn as little as $2.13 per hour, relying heavily on tips to reach the federal minimum wage. This system makes it difficult for many Americans to support not tipping unless laws change.
Alicia Richards