It’s common for people to hold stereotypes about other countries, sometimes without even realizing it. This is often true when it comes to how foreigners perceive the United States.
Having traveled internationally for over a decade, the author of the source has encountered non-Americans with unintentionally skewed views of the U.S., as well as travelers who’ve heard about American ways that aren’t always accurate. The source shares some of these recurring U.S. stereotypes encountered on the road.
Here are 20 things non-Americans often take too seriously about the U.S., along with insights from the source:
1. Gaps in Bathroom Stalls
To many people outside the U.S., the gaps often found in American bathroom stalls are seen as an invasion of privacy.
However, for Americans, these gaps are simply a way to check if a stall is occupied and can help alleviate claustrophobia.
The source notes that the U.S. approach might have some practical benefits, as gaps allow people to more easily see if someone has lost consciousness and may reduce the likelihood of people engaging in illegal activities or “doing the deed in public”.
2. Cowboys Abound
Some older Europeans hold the perception that the majority of Americans are cowboys. This stereotype likely stems from the popularity of Western films in the pre-World War II era.
While Western movie importations stopped once WWII began, a surge of these films arrived in Europe after the war.
However, by the 1960s, the backlog of these films largely disappeared and were replaced by new, non-Western movies.
3. No Culture
Contrary to what some foreigners (and even some Americans) believe, the U.S. does have its own culture.
While the U.S. began as a melting pot and still values its roots, seen in areas like Little Italy and Chinatowns, it has also developed its own distinct culture.
This is particularly true regionally, with cultures in the North, South, Midwest, and West being unique from one another.
Given that the U.S. is the fourth-largest country globally, the regional formation of much of its culture is understandable.
4. Super Dangerous
The perception that the U.S. is extremely dangerous and that most Americans live in constant fear is prevalent among some non-Americans.
It’s difficult to entirely blame them, as they often see news about mass shootings across the country.
However, this contrasts sharply with the everyday reality for many Americans who greet neighbors and encounter kind strangers. Most Americans do not step out of their homes daily in utter fear of their lives.
5. Everyone Has Firearms
Perhaps influenced by old Western films or awareness of mass shootings, there’s a common misconception that all Americans own firearms or are armed wherever they go.
The reality, according to a Pew Research Center report cited in the source, is that 32% of Americans personally own a gun, and around 40% live in a household with one.
As many Americans can attest, it’s uncommon to see individuals who are not police officers openly carrying a firearm.
6. We All Act Like TikTok Users
Viral TikTok videos can unfortunately serve as a primary representation of America for those who haven’t visited.
However, many TikTok creators exaggerate or put on a show for views and may not behave that way in real life.
While some TikTok content better represents average American life, most Americans do not live like the most popular TikTok stars.
7. Wooden Houses
Approximately 90% of homes in the U.S. are constructed primarily of wood. While Americans often don’t give this a second thought, people from other parts of the world might criticize wood as a weak material that doesn’t last as long as brick, stone, or cement houses.
The source acknowledges this point but notes that wood holds up well against low-intensity natural disasters and is relatively economical, making it unlikely to be replaced as the preferred building material anytime soon.
8. Sales Tax
Americans are accustomed to sales tax being added to the bill at the register. This system can be surprising to many foreigners.
In contrast, countries like England often include the sales tax in the price displayed on the shelf, which is seen as a nice perk.
However, because Americans are so used to the tax being added at checkout, it isn’t a significant issue for most.
9. No Healthy Food
The stereotype exists that Americans primarily eat out at places like McDonald’s and KFC, with limited healthy options.
While food deserts do exist in the U.S., the majority of the population lives in areas with relatively easy access to healthy food choices.
Nowadays, it’s increasingly possible to find healthy fast food options, such as salad shops like Tender Greens, for eating healthy on the go.
10. Bad Cheese
Despite not being France, the U.S. isn’t without good cheese options. The stereotype of terrible American cheese likely stems from the individually wrapped, floppy pieces of yellow American cheese.
The source agrees this particular type is bad but emphasizes that it’s far from the only cheese choice available in the U.S..
11. Poverty and Healthcare
Research clearly shows a link between poverty and increased chances of poor health in the U.S.. While healthcare costs in America are high, and despite the belief held by many foreigners, people in poverty facing a medical emergency do have options.
The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) requires that emergency rooms receiving Medicare funds (which include the majority of U.S. hospitals) cannot refuse treatment to a patient who needs it.
12. Portion Sizes
America’s reputation for gigantic restaurant portion sizes might not be as universally true as it once was, possibly due to shrinkflation. Nevertheless, many non-Americans have expressed surprise at the size of U.S. restaurant meals.
While they may have had a point, the source notes that not all Americans eat everything on their plate; restaurants keep takeout boxes handy for a reason. The ability to get two meals out of the price of one is seen positively by some.
13. Vacation Dreaming
The source agrees that many Americans do not receive enough paid vacation time. However, this situation is sometimes misunderstood abroad as Americans having no paid vacation time at all.
In reality, it would be very difficult to find an American willing to work for a company that offers no paid time off. Although, technically, federal law does not guarantee workers any paid vacation days.
14. No American Food
Awareness that the U.S. is a melting pot sometimes leads to the stereotype that it doesn’t have any original American-born foods.
This is incorrect. For instance, Buffalo chicken wings were invented in Buffalo, New York, and are now a widely loved food.
Other foods with U.S. origins include lobster rolls, S’mores, Philly cheesesteaks, pecan pie, and ranch dressing.
15. Literal Sayings
The U.S. has nicknames like the “Land of the Free,” and you might hear Americans at events like the Olympics declare it the “greatest country ever”.
The source explains that for many, saying “Land of the Free” doesn’t mean they believe the U.S. is the only free country, but rather that freedom is a core value.
Similarly, while some Americans truly believe the U.S. is the greatest, the source argues that more recognize that other countries also have great qualities.
Saying “greatest country” can be more like a sports fan declaring their team the greatest, acknowledging they don’t win every time.
16. Big Trucks
With over 90% of American households owning a vehicle, U.S. car culture can seem notably large to foreigners accustomed to abundant public transportation. Some people mistakenly believe that most Americans drive massive trucks.
While “most” is an exaggeration, the source notes that Americans bought more used Ford F-150s than any other used car brand in 2023, explaining why foreigners might see many trucks on the roads.
17. No Introverts
One of the most common stereotypes encountered abroad is that Americans are universally loud and boisterous.
This stereotype fails to account for introverts. While actions like greeting strangers might be seen as extroverted in some cultures (e.g., certain Asian cultures), in the U.S., it’s often just considered friendly.
From an American perspective, someone who identifies as an introvert is generally not viewed as loud.
18. Hollywood Fail
The prevalence of Hollywood films in movie theaters abroad means non-Americans often experience the U.S. through these movies.
This can lead to foreigners talking about places like New York City as if they’ve been there, solely based on what they’ve seen on screen.
The source points out that for most Americans, life is not like a Hollywood film, but those who haven’t traveled to the U.S. often form their vision based on what they see on TV.
19. Everyone Is Overweight
The author recounts a blunt reaction upon revealing they were American: “But you’re not fat”. While this was a particularly direct example, the misconception that all Americans are overweight comes up in more subtle ways too.
The source provides statistics from the National Institute of Health: 30.7% of Americans ages 18 and over are overweight, and about 42% fall into the obesity category (including severe obesity).
These figures help explain why some people abroad mistakenly believe everyone in the U.S. struggles with excessive weight. It’s worth noting that the U.S. isn’t actually home to the highest percentage of overweight citizens globally.
20. Tipping Woes
Recently, even some Americans might agree with the foreign sentiment that U.S. tipping practices have become extreme.
However, it’s difficult to find Americans who agree with not tipping restaurant workers at all, largely because restaurant employees can legally be paid as little as $2.13 per hour if their tips make up the difference to the federal minimum hourly wage.
Unless the law changes to protect these workers, tipping remains a crucial part of their income.
Alicia Richards