Stereotypes about countries abound, and perceptions of the United States held by people from other nations are often unknowingly skewed.
Drawing on over ten years of international travel and conversations with non-Americans, this post explores recurring U.S. stereotypes, some amusing and others perhaps relatable.
We delve into these 20 points to offer a clearer perspective based on experiences and reported realities.
1. Gaps in Bathroom Stalls
To Americans, the gaps in bathroom stalls serve practical purposes like checking for occupancy and alleviating claustrophobia.
However, many non-Americans perceive these gaps as an invasion of privacy in a space meant to be private.
The U.S. approach has benefits, such as allowing easier visibility if someone has lost consciousness and potentially reducing illegal activities within the stalls.
2. Cowboys Abound
Some older Europeans hold the perception that most Americans are cowboys. This likely stems from the popularity of Western films before World War II.
Western film imports stopped during the war but surged afterward, eventually being replaced by non-Western films around the 1960s. The image of cowboys persisted from this era.
3. No Culture
It is a misconception, sometimes even shared by Americans, that the U.S. lacks culture. While the U.S. is a melting pot valuing various roots like Little Italy and Chinatowns, it has also developed its own distinct culture.
This is particularly evident in different regions, where cultures in the North, South, Midwest, and West are unique from each other.
4. Super Dangerous
Most Americans do not live in daily fear for their lives. However, non-Americans may believe the entire U.S. is very dangerous, largely due to news coverage of mass shootings.
This focus on negative events can overshadow the everyday reality for many Americans, which includes greeting neighbors and encountering kind strangers.
5. Everyone Has Firearms
A common misconception, possibly linked to old Westerns or awareness of mass shootings, is that all Americans own firearms or are armed everywhere they go.
The reality is that a Pew Research Center report found 32% of Americans personally own a gun, and about 40% live in a household with one. It is uncommon to see people other than police officers openly carrying firearms.
6. We All Act Like TikTok Users
Viral TikTok videos can unfortunately misrepresent America to those who haven’t visited. Many TikTok users perform for views and may not behave that way in real life.
While some TikTok content accurately depicts average American life, most Americans do not live like the most popular TikTok stars.
7. Wooden Houses
Around 90% of U.S. homes are constructed primarily of wood, a fact many Americans don’t think twice about.
Non-Americans often criticize wood as a weak material that doesn’t last as long as brick, stone, or cement houses.
While wood has this drawback, it performs well in low-intensity natural disasters and is relatively economical, making it the preferred building material for most Americans.
8. Sales Tax
Americans are accustomed to sales tax being added at the cash register, which surprises many foreigners. In countries like England, the price displayed on the shelf already includes sales tax.
While this is a nice perk, Americans are so used to the checkout addition that it isn’t a significant issue for most.
9. No Healthy Food
Although food deserts exist, the majority of the U.S. population has relatively easy access to healthy food options.
Many foreigners wrongly believe American dining choices are limited primarily to places like McDonald’s and KFC.
Nowadays, even healthy fast food is available, with options like salad shops allowing for healthy eating on the go in many areas.
10. Bad Cheese
Despite not being France, the U.S. does not have terrible cheese. If in doubt, asking someone from Wisconsin.
The stereotype of bad American cheese likely stems from the individually wrapped, floppy yellow slices known as American cheese, which the author agrees is bad, but it is far from the only cheese option available in the U.S..
11. Poverty and Healthcare
Research shows a clear link between poverty and increased chances of poor health in the U.S.. However, contrary to the belief of many foreigners, people in poverty experiencing a medical emergency do have options despite high healthcare costs.
The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act requires emergency rooms receiving Medicare funds (which includes most U.S. hospitals) to treat patients in need.
12. Portion Sizes
America’s stereotype for large restaurant portion sizes may be slightly less true now due to shrinkflation, but it remains a noticeable difference for many non-Americans.
The author has heard from several foreigners surprised by the size of U.S. restaurant meals. However, not all Americans eat everything, and restaurants provide takeout boxes, allowing customers to get two meals from the price of one.
13. Vacation Dreaming
It is true that many Americans don’t receive enough paid vacation time. However, this often gets misconstrued abroad as having no paid vacation time.
It would be difficult to find an American willing to work for a company offering no paid time off, even though federal law doesn’t technically guarantee workers any paid vacation days.
14. No American Food
Given the U.S. is a melting pot of cultures, a stereotype exists that it lacks American-born food. This is untrue.
Buffalo chicken wings, invented in Buffalo, NY, are a beloved example. Other foods with U.S. origins include lobster rolls, S’mores, Philly cheesesteaks, pecan pie, and ranch dressing.
15. Literal Sayings
Americans use nicknames like “Land of the Free” and might declare the U.S. the “greatest country ever,” especially at events like the Olympics.
However, most Americans don’t literally mean they are the only free country; “Land of the Free” often represents freedom as a core value.
Similarly, saying “greatest country” is often like a sports fan cheering for their team, acknowledging other countries have great qualities.
16. Big Trucks
With over 90% of U.S. households owning a vehicle, American car culture appears significant to foreigners from countries with extensive public transportation.
Some people believe most Americans drive massive trucks, which is an exaggeration. However, the Ford F-150 was the most bought used car in 2023, meaning foreigners do understandably see many trucks on U.S. roads.
17. No Introverts
A prominent stereotype heard abroad is that Americans are universally loud and boisterous. This generalization doesn’t account for introverted individuals.
While greeting strangers might seem extroverted in some cultures, in the U.S., it’s often just considered friendly.
From an American perspective, someone identifying as an introvert would typically not be viewed as loud.
18. Hollywood Fail
Hollywood films are widely available globally, sometimes dominating movie theater options abroad.
This prevalence, coupled with movies set in places like New York, leads many non-Americans who haven’t visited the U.S. to envision life there as being like what they see on TV. For most Americans, however, life is not like Hollywood films.
19. Everyone Is Overweight
The perception that all Americans are overweight exists abroad. While the author was once told “But you’re not fat” upon revealing her nationality, this idea comes up in more subtle ways, too.
According to the National Institute of Health, 30.7% of Americans are overweight and about 42% fall into the obesity category. These statistics help explain the origin of this misconception.
20. Tipping Woes
Americans might increasingly agree with foreigners who find U.S. tipping practices excessive these days.
However, given that restaurant employees can legally earn as little as $2.13 per hour, relying on tips to reach the federal minimum wage, finding Americans who support not tipping at all is difficult unless laws change to better protect workers.
Alicia Richards