Ever wonder what everyday habits define American life without most Americans even realizing it?
From sugary breakfasts and drive-through ATMs to tipping culture and massive road trips, these uniquely American quirks often surprise visitors from other countries.
While many of these practices feel normal in the U.S., they can seem odd, or even baffling, abroad. In this article, we explore 20 traits that quietly shape American lifestyles and highlight the cultural contrasts they reveal.
Whether you’re a curious traveler or a proud American, understanding these subtle differences offers insight into what truly sets the United States apart.
1: Magic Money
The prevalence of ATMs in the United States is striking, numbering over 500,000. A particularly American variation is the drive-through ATM.
In stark contrast, obtaining cash in many other parts of the world requires people to exit their vehicles and approach the machine on foot, a method perceived as akin to older practices. This convenience reflects a car-centric aspect of American daily life.
2: Greek Life No-Go
American college life extends significantly beyond academics, placing a strong emphasis on social experiences. Fraternities and sororities, known collectively as Greek life, are almost exclusively an American phenomenon.
The concept itself is often viewed as quite strange or peculiar by individuals from many other countries, where such organized social structures linked to higher education are absent.
3: Dessert for Breakfast
Many foods commonly eaten for breakfast in the U.S., such as donuts, sugary cereal, and muffins, are not typically considered morning meals in other parts of the world.
These sweet items are standard staples for numerous Americans. While health recommendations suggest limiting sugar, Americans consume an average of 77 grams daily, with a significant 25% coming from breakfast alone.
4: Residency Mishaps
When traveling abroad, Americans often state their state’s name when asked where they are from. This practice is unusual compared to how most other foreigners respond.
For instance, someone from Canada or Brazil would typically just say “Canada” or “Brazil”. However, Americans frequently lead with their specific state rather than their country.
5: City Mishaps
Americans residing in large, well-known cities sometimes skip mentioning their state entirely, opting to give just their city’s name.
This isn’t usually problematic abroad, as major U.S. cities like New York City or Miami are globally recognized.
Therefore, identifying solely by a prominent city name is a common, understandable American habit overseas.
6: So Many Flags
Americans often display the national flag outside their homes as a demonstration of patriotic pride.
While the author hypothesizes Americans might not fly more flags than other nationalities, the design of the U.S. flag stands out to foreigners unfamiliar with it.
Seeing flags with unfamiliar colors and patterns tends to catch the eye when traveling internationally.
7: Free What?
A significant difference in dining experiences abroad is the concept of free refills. This common practice in U.S. restaurants is not typical outside the country.
Local restaurant staff in other nations might find it frustrating or amusing when American tourists expect complimentary drink top-ups during their meals.
8: Prescription Medicine Commercials
Seeing advertisements for prescription medicine on television and plastered across various media is standard in the U.S..
However, this is not the norm in many other countries. In England, for example, advertising prescription medicine is actually illegal, although over-the-counter drugs can be promoted. This makes U.S. commercials quite unique.
9: Thanking Veterans
In the United States, it is common practice for citizens to express thanks to individuals who have served in the military. This social custom is not widespread in many other countries.
This difference might be partly attributed to dozens of nations having mandatory military service laws, where service is simply considered a normal part of life.
10: Stranger No Danger
While less prevalent now, it was once common for U.S. restaurant staff to take a customer’s credit card away from the table to process the payment.
This action can be unsettling for international tourists who are accustomed to their credit card remaining within their sight at all times in their home countries. This reflected a higher degree of trust or perhaps differing security norms.
11: Driving
Foreign observers often note Americans’ dependence on cars as a defining characteristic. Using vehicles, particularly pick-up trucks, for everyday transportation rather than just carrying materials, is seen as ultra-American.
This reliance on automobiles highlights differences in urban planning, public transport availability, and sheer geographical scale compared to many other nations.
12: Tax Ghost
Displaying product or service prices without including the sales tax is considered quite unusual in many other cultures.
Some foreign tourists perceive this as a potentially deliberate tactic to make prices appear lower than the final cost.
The author, having shopped abroad, attests that knowing the full price upfront is a much more pleasant experience.
13: Christmas Cards With Photos
Including a family photo in a Christmas card is highlighted as a quintessential American tradition. What often amuses non-Americans is that these photos frequently lack a winter or holiday theme, with favorite American choices often being pictures from family summer vacations. This custom of sharing personal photos around the holidays is distinctly American.
14: Chump Change
The necessity of paying for medical treatment, including the costs associated with giving birth at a hospital, is perceived as very American by foreigners from countries with universal healthcare systems.
Instances where foreigners expressed fear of becoming ill in the U.S. due to the potential financial burden of healthcare expenses.
15: Canned Casseroles
The method of cooking in some American households, described as dumping several cans of food into a bowl, adding cheese, and mixing, is seen as a unique culinary practice.
This approach to preparing meals is reportedly not common in many other countries. This highlights potential differences in cooking habits and reliance on pre-processed ingredients.
16: Singing the National Anthem
While singing the national anthem is common internationally when different nations are competing (like at a soccer game), Americans frequently sing the national anthem even without international competition.
This occurs at various domestic events and gatherings, demonstrating a different level or type of nationalistic expression compared to many other places.
17: Air Conditioning
While air conditioning exists globally, the American approach to its installation and usage differs significantly. American homes typically have vents in every room for central air conditioning.
In contrast, residents in many other countries often use rectangular window units, and AC is frequently installed only in select rooms, not the entire dwelling.
18: Long Road Trips
Taking long road trips is considered a distinctly American activity compared to many other nations. This is largely facilitated by the sheer large size of the United States.
One can embark on a drive covering over 2,000 miles in a single direction. Attempting such a lengthy drive, for instance, in a country like Luxembourg, highlights this difference.
19: Not Asking for the Bill
In most parts of the world, customers signal their server when they are ready to receive the bill. This is not the typical practice in the United States.
Americans often feel uncomfortable having to flag down a waiter for their check. Instead, the bill usually arrives automatically, sometimes even before customers have finished eating.
20: Tipping
The practice of tipping service workers, such as restaurant servers or barbers, is not common or expected in many other countries.
Even where tipping is acceptable abroad, the expected percentages are typically lower than in American culture.
In the U.S., a tip of 20% or more is now considered standard, which is often perceived as outrageous elsewhere.
Alicia Richards