1. Speaking Loudly in Public
In many parts of the U.S., it’s not uncommon to overhear conversations in public places, like cafes, grocery stores, or even public transportation. The volume of voices can often seem high compared to other cultures, where maintaining a quieter demeanor is considered polite. In countries like Japan or Sweden, people tend to speak more softly in public spaces to avoid disturbing others, and the idea of talking loudly without a second thought can be jarring.
Americans, on the other hand, often seem to have no qualms about speaking at full volume in public, whether they’re having a personal conversation or discussing something with a group. This can be perceived as inconsiderate, especially when foreigners are accustomed to more restrained social norms. What feels like casual communication to Americans can come across as intrusive or disrespectful to those from quieter cultures.
2. Tipping Everywhere
Americans love to tip, but this practice can drive foreigners up the wall when they travel to the U.S. Many countries, especially in Europe, include service charges in the bill, or tipping is simply not part of the culture. For example, in Japan, tipping is seen as insulting because good service is expected, not something extra to be rewarded. So, when foreigners arrive in the U.S. and are handed a check with a suggested tip percentage, they might feel awkward or confused.
To make things worse, the tipping system in the U.S. can be complicated and often feels like it’s “mandatory” even though it’s technically voluntary. The Financial Times is even warning Americans that tipping culture may have gone too far. Foreign visitors sometimes feel pressured to leave tips, and it can be frustrating when they don’t fully understand how much is expected. This difference in customs can leave travelers feeling stressed or even resentful of the system, especially when they feel they are being coerced into tipping regardless of service quality.
3. The “Customer is Always Right” Mentality
The American customer service culture is built around the idea that “the customer is always right,” which sounds good in theory, but it often comes across as frustrating to those from other countries. In the U.S., workers are trained to appease customers, sometimes even when they are being unreasonable. This creates an environment where it feels like the customer can do no wrong, which might not always lead to the best outcome for the service provider. According to Forbes, it’s important that American businesses find a balance between satisfying the client and protecting their employees.
In countries like France or Spain, service personnel are more likely to push back when they feel a customer is demanding too much or being rude. There’s less emphasis on bending over backward to make the customer happy, and more focus on maintaining a sense of professionalism and dignity. Foreign visitors might find it unsettling when they see American service workers go to extreme lengths to satisfy demanding customers, especially when the service being requested is unreasonable or unrealistic.
4. Using Disposable Everything
Americans have a reputation for their love of disposable items, from paper plates to plastic water bottles to single-use coffee cups. While this is a sign of convenience and modern living in the U.S., it’s a huge turn-off for many foreigners who are more environmentally conscious, as it is getting to the point where it seriously harms the environment, NPR warns. In countries like Germany or Sweden, where recycling and sustainability are high priorities, the excessive waste of disposable items is seen as irresponsible and wasteful.
Foreigners often wonder why Americans don’t invest in reusable alternatives more often. They can be baffled by the cultural acceptance of products that are meant to be thrown away after just one use. For visitors from countries with strict environmental standards, this excessive consumption can feel wasteful and even irresponsible, particularly when alternatives exist that would help reduce the country’s environmental footprint.
5. The Drive-Thru Culture
Americans are famous for their drive-thru culture, from fast food to pharmacies to even banking. By December 2023, NPR counted over 200 thousand drive-thrus in the US. While this might seem convenient to many Americans, foreigners often find it baffling. In countries like Italy, food is something to be savored in a leisurely atmosphere, not something to be eaten while driving. In fact, driving while eating is considered impolite in many cultures, so the idea of picking up a meal through a drive-thru window seems completely foreign and even wasteful to them.
The extensive use of drive-thrus also ties into the American obsession with convenience and efficiency. In other countries, people often prefer to walk into a shop or restaurant and enjoy the experience face-to-face. For many, the drive-thru feels like a dehumanizing way of doing things, reducing personal interactions to nothing more than a quick transaction. This is often perceived as a sign of American impatience or the desire to “do more” in less time, which can seem excessive from a foreign perspective.
6. The Obsession with Small Talk
Small talk is practically a national pastime in the U.S., and it can drive foreigners crazy. Whether you’re in an elevator, standing in line, or just meeting someone for the first time, Americans often feel compelled to make some form of small talk. The weather, your weekend plans, or a generic “How’s your day going?” are common conversational starters, and they often don’t have much depth, but according to Time Magazine, they’re an integral in making everyday life a little happier and healthier.
In many other countries, such casual conversation isn’t as necessary or culturally important. For example, in countries like Finland or Denmark, people tend to skip the small talk and jump straight into the matter at hand, especially in professional settings. For foreigners, the constant chatter can be overwhelming, especially when they don’t see a need to engage in these trivial exchanges. In fact, some may find it disingenuous or even annoying to be constantly expected to converse about mundane topics.
7. Overusing “How are you?”
In the United States, asking “How are you?” is a part of everyday conversation, but for many foreigners, it can seem superficial. Americans often greet each other with this phrase, even when they don’t expect a real response. It’s common to hear it multiple times throughout the day, from entering stores to passing by acquaintances on the street. But for many other cultures, this kind of greeting is reserved for more genuine moments, not as a routine exchange.
In countries like Japan or France, greetings tend to be more specific or less frequent. Asking someone “How are you?” all the time can feel odd, especially when the response is often a quick “Good, thanks!” without much elaboration. Foreigners may find it perplexing that such a personal question is asked without any intent to hear the answer. For many, this can make interactions feel less authentic and more transactional than they might be in their home countries.
8. Being Obsessed with Time
Americans have an almost obsessive relationship with time. From the early morning meetings to the fast-paced work environment, time is often treated like a commodity that can’t be wasted. For many foreigners, this time-centric culture can feel stressful and rigid, especially when they come from countries with a more relaxed attitude toward punctuality or deadlines.
In places like Italy or Spain, it’s common to have a more laid-back approach to time, where deadlines are flexible, and social events often start later than expected. This fluid approach to time allows for spontaneity and longer social gatherings, which can feel much more relaxed. For foreigners visiting the U.S., the constant rush to stay on schedule can make them feel like they’re living in a race against the clock, and the pressure to be efficient can seem overwhelming.
9. Excessive Product Packaging
Americans love packaging. Whether it’s food, electronics, or even furniture, it often comes wrapped in layers of plastic, foam, and cardboard. For many foreigners, this over-the-top packaging is mind-boggling. In countries like Japan, while packaging is still important, it’s typically done in a more minimalist way, with an emphasis on sustainability.
The excessive use of packaging in the U.S. can come across as wasteful and environmentally unfriendly. It’s not just about the waste, but also the fact that many products come with a lot of unnecessary adornment, making the experience feel more commercial than it needs to be. For visitors from countries where simplicity is valued, this over-packaging can be an eyesore and a source of frustration.
10. The Love of Superlatives
Americans have a love affair with superlatives. Whether it’s the “best pizza in the world” or the “most amazing vacation spot,” Americans love to label things as the biggest, best, or most extreme. While this is part of the national character and marketing culture, it can make foreigners cringe. The hyperbole sometimes feels exaggerated, especially when they don’t always match up to the claims.
In other countries, more modest language is used to describe products or experiences. The constant use of superlatives in American advertising or conversation can seem excessive and even misleading to visitors. They may question whether anything truly lives up to the grandiose labels or wonder if Americans have a tendency to inflate things in an attempt to impress. For many foreigners, it’s hard to take claims seriously when everything seems to be “the best.”
11. Excessive Personal Space
Americans value personal space to an extent that might seem excessive to foreigners. In the U.S., the typical bubble around an individual is relatively large, especially in social or public settings. People are careful not to stand too close to others in line, and physical contact is often minimal, even among friends and family.
In many countries, like Italy, France, or Brazil, personal space is smaller, and physical proximity is part of the cultural norm. Hugging, kissing on the cheek, and standing close together are common ways of expressing affection or friendship. For foreigners used to these forms of physical closeness, the U.S. focus on personal space can feel cold or distant. The reluctance to engage in more tactile social behavior may even be interpreted as a lack of warmth or friendliness.
12. The Over-the-Top Holidays
Americans are known for their extravagant celebrations, particularly around holidays like Christmas, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. From giant inflatable Santa Clauses to elaborate Halloween costumes, the U.S. does holidays bigger and louder than almost any other country. For foreigners, especially those from places with more subdued traditions, this can come across as excessive or even overbearing.
In countries where holidays are typically quiet, family-focused affairs, the sheer size of American celebrations can feel like an overwhelming spectacle. The commercialization of holidays, with stores practically turning into theme parks, can also seem strange. For visitors who don’t share the same enthusiasm, the holiday season can feel more like a chaotic shopping spree than a meaningful time for reflection and rest.
