Over the years, various practices have become the norm in American society, yet many people remain unaware of their significance or lack thereof.
American culture, with its distinct characteristics and practices, often leaves outsiders perplexed. From the ubiquitous presence of air conditioning to the intricacies of tipping, people from around the world share their observations on what they find peculiar about life in the United States. These insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the everyday aspects of American life that are considered normal domestically but seem unusual to those unfamiliar with the culture. Here are ten aspects of American culture that stand out as particularly strange to international visitors.
American Culture Might Confuse You
America is often dubbed the land of opportunities. When picturing the United States, iconic landmarks such as the Hollywood sign, the Statue of Liberty, and the bustling Times Square immediately come to mind. Despite many established norms in American society, even locals often ponder their significance or the lack thereof. Recently, a Reddit user, u/Standard_Fortune, posed the question, “What’s the weirdest thing about American culture?” prompting numerous responses from both citizens and immigrants sharing their experiences. Here are 10 intriguing answers that highlight some of the unusual yet commonplace aspects of American life.
1. Examining the Oddities of American Insurance
Insurance in America often seems like a perplexing concept. We shell out substantial sums each month, expecting to have a financial safety net in times of crises such as car accidents, house fires, or illnesses. However, when the time comes to utilize this supposed safety net, many find themselves denied coverage. What? And even if the insurance company agrees to provide assistance, they often increase premiums thereafter, leaving us to cover a significant portion of the expenses ourselves. This scenario leaves many questioning the true value and fairness of the insurance system in America.
2. Corporations are Evil, not Consumers
Blame is often shifted onto the consumer rather than the corporations. Patrons are compelled to tip due to servers’ insufficient wages. Individuals must recycle and monitor their carbon footprint amid environmental degradation. Dietary changes are urged because of ethical issues in livestock farming, while chickens remain confined. Major global problems primarily originate from large corporations, not the average individual.
3. The Population is Booming
Americans often overlook the immense size and population of their country. This vastness results in varied lifestyles, cultures, priorities, and issues across different regions and states. Yet, many people are reluctant to consider these differences when they encounter conflicting viewpoints.
4. Cheers But Don’t Drink
A lesser-known fact about alcohol advertisements is the legal restriction against depicting people consuming alcohol. Consequently, ads typically feature individuals clinking glasses, but never actually drinking.
In Ohio, there’s a specific law prohibiting the use of Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny in alcohol advertisements.
Additionally, Disney enforces a rule within its parks where its characters cannot be associated with alcohol. While you might find a soda can featuring a character, beer glasses are character-free.
5. The Tipping Misery
The practice of tipping has become increasingly pervasive with the advent of digital card readers at cash registers. Tipping options are now embedded within many payment apps, extending beyond the traditional range of services where gratuities were once deemed appropriate. This trend has led to tipping being expected at virtually every point of sale. A broader public discussion on this topic is necessary to address its growing prevalence and implications.
6. More Advertisements Than A Football Game
Advertisements in sports can be overwhelming, especially in baseball and football, where the structure of the games seems crafted to maximize ad exposure. At a recent baseball game, despite spending over $150 on tickets, the constant barrage of ads blaring throughout the stadium was frustrating and detracted from the enjoyment of the event.
7. Fight And Die Before You Can Drink
The irony of being able to enlist and fight for your country before being legally allowed to purchase and consume alcohol is perplexing. Even for those who dislike alcohol and haven’t served, this contradiction seems illogical. This disparity might even contribute to the allure of underage drinking by making it forbidden and, therefore, more appealing during teenage years.
Indeed, the notion that one can be deployed overseas to fight but cannot legally buy a beer or cigarettes upon returning home underscores this inconsistency in age-related laws.
8. The Political Jargon
Tribalism in politics has become increasingly prevalent, with many people integrating their political party affiliation into their personal identities. Despite the lessons learned from studying propaganda after WWI and WWII, the current landscape often oversimplifies complex issues by framing one party as wholly good and the other as entirely bad. This binary perspective overlooks the nuanced realities of political discourse.
9. Huge Portion Sizes
Having grown up in another country before moving to America, I am continually struck by the enormity of portion sizes here. Additionally, the child-centric nature of American society is quite surprising. As a parent, I find it peculiar how everything seems to revolve around children. From specially designed menus to dedicated seating, the focus on kids is pervasive. While this isn’t inherently negative, it does have its drawbacks. Many people tend to lose a sense of self as everything shifts to accommodate their children’s needs constantly.
10. Prudes and Sexualization
Our society is inundated with sexual imagery and the sexualization of nearly everything. Yet, paradoxically, there remains a Puritanical streak that is both prudish and hostile towards sex. This contradiction is compounded by double standards regarding sexuality, affecting men and women, and differing attitudes towards gay and straight individuals. Navigating these conflicting norms can be incredibly exhausting.
