1. Expecting employees to be “always on”
In the U.S., it’s common for employees to answer emails after hours, on weekends, or even on vacation, according to Trevor Laurence Jockims of CNBC. This 24/7 availability is often seen as a sign of commitment. But in countries with strong labor protections—like France, which has a “right to disconnect” law—it’s considered a violation of personal time. Constant connectivity isn’t just strange; it’s often illegal elsewhere.
Americans often wear their busyness like a badge of honor. But to outsiders, this behavior looks like burnout in the making. The lack of clear boundaries between work and life is baffling to many. And it’s one reason why work-life balance often ranks lower in the U.S.
2. Eating lunch at your desk
In American offices, it’s incredibly common for employees to eat lunch at their desks, according to Alaina Demopoulos of The Guardian. Whether it’s a sandwich in one hand and an email in the other, multitasking through lunch is almost a badge of productivity. But in many other cultures, like in France or Spain, this is seen as unhealthy or even disrespectful to yourself. Lunch is supposed to be a break, not a second shift.
The American “grind culture” idealizes constant busyness, so taking a full lunch break can feel indulgent. In contrast, other countries often encourage mid-day rest as a way to recharge and boost overall efficiency. So when international colleagues see Americans chomping down at their keyboards, they may see it as a missed opportunity to reset. And frankly, they’re not wrong.
3. Overusing corporate jargon
From “circling back” to “leveraging synergies,” American office-speak can sound like another language, according to Rachel Treisman of NPR. These buzzwords are meant to sound professional, but they can confuse or alienate people from other cultures—or even Americans outside of white-collar environments. Non-native English speakers especially find these phrases hard to decipher because they’re rarely taught in language classes. They often mask simple ideas with convoluted phrasing.
For example, “touch base” just means “talk,” and “deep dive” means “analyze more closely.” But to someone unfamiliar with these phrases, they sound either overly dramatic or just bizarre. Other cultures tend to favor more direct and clear communication in professional settings. The American love of jargon can come across as trying too hard or lacking transparency.
4. The obsession with casual Fridays
Casual Friday is an American tradition where employees can dress down at the end of the workweek, Zoya Gervis of The New York Post explains. This seems totally normal in the U.S., but in many countries, there’s a firm distinction between business and leisure wear. Seeing someone in jeans and sneakers at the office—even on a Friday—can seem sloppy or unprofessional elsewhere. It blurs the lines that other cultures keep very clear.
In places like Japan or South Korea, business attire is taken seriously and symbolizes respect for the job. The idea of relaxing the dress code weekly might even seem unserious. But in the U.S., Casual Friday is seen as a small morale booster and an informal cultural perk. It’s a way to ease into the weekend, not necessarily lower standards.
5. Open office layouts
Open-plan offices are common in the U.S., promoted as a way to foster collaboration and transparency. But they can feel chaotic or intrusive to workers from countries where privacy and hierarchy are emphasized. In Germany or South Korea, for instance, having your own office—or at least a high-walled cubicle—is a sign of professionalism and status. The lack of barriers in American offices can seem too informal or even disrespectful of personal space.
These layouts often increase noise and distraction, which ironically lowers productivity. Yet American companies still embrace them, believing they create a more democratic, startup-like atmosphere. For outsiders, the idea that managers sit right next to junior employees can feel odd or unsettling. It challenges the more formal workplace structures seen in many cultures.
6. Constant positive feedback
Americans are known for giving lots of praise at work—sometimes excessively. Saying “Great job!” for routine tasks is meant to be encouraging, but can come off as insincere to people from more reserved cultures. In places like Scandinavia or East Asia, praise is often reserved for truly exceptional work. So when every email ends with “Fantastic work!” it can dilute the message.
This tendency is rooted in the American value of boosting morale and maintaining a positive atmosphere. Managers often feel obligated to frame even criticism in a “compliment sandwich.” But for those who value directness, it can feel confusing or even manipulative. They might wonder what’s really being said behind all the sugarcoating.
7. Celebrating birthdays in the office
In American workplaces, it’s common to have mini-celebrations for employee birthdays—complete with cake, singing, and decorations. While well-meaning, this can be awkward or even stressful for international employees. In countries where workplace relationships are more formal, like Switzerland or China, this kind of personal celebration feels out of place. It also blurs the line between work life and private life.
Some people may not even want attention drawn to their birthdays at all. But in the U.S., it’s often seen as a team-building moment. Colleagues are expected to participate, even if they’re uncomfortable with group singing or forced merriment. It’s not about the birthday—it’s about the bonding.
8. Calling coworkers “family”
Many American companies refer to their teams as a “family,” which is supposed to signal warmth and loyalty. But for people from cultures with a strong sense of work-life separation, this can feel manipulative. In places like the Netherlands or Japan, the workplace is a professional environment, not an emotional one. Calling your boss your “work mom” might even be offensive.
This kind of language can create pressure to over-invest emotionally in your job. It also makes it harder to set boundaries or leave without guilt. While Americans may find this language comforting, others may see it as a subtle way to blur lines and exploit loyalty. It’s not always as cozy as it sounds.
9. Using emojis and exclamation points in emails
American workplace emails are often sprinkled with smiley faces and lots of exclamation points. This informal tone is meant to make communication friendlier and more human. But to professionals from more formal cultures—like Germany or South Korea—it can seem immature or unprofessional. A “Thanks!! 😊” might be seen as overly emotional or unserious.
The American style leans toward friendliness, even at the cost of formality. But other cultures may see this as a lack of authority or competence. Especially in hierarchical workplaces, such embellishments can feel out of place. What’s warm in one place might come across as sloppy in another.
10. Frequent coffee breaks
Coffee culture in the American office is almost a ritual. People take multiple trips to the break room or coffee shop throughout the day, often using it as a chance to socialize. In some cultures, frequent breaks might be interpreted as laziness or a lack of discipline. But in the U.S., it’s often considered essential to staying productive.
Many workers feel these small breaks help them reset and stay engaged. They’re not just about caffeine—they’re micro-social moments. In contrast, in places like China or Russia, breaks are often shorter and more solitary. The group coffee run just isn’t a thing.
11. Having meetings just to have meetings
Americans love meetings—so much so that many of them are redundant. Weekly syncs, stand-ups, and status checks are scheduled even when there’s little to discuss. In other cultures, especially in Northern Europe, meetings are fewer and more purpose-driven. If there’s no agenda, there’s no meeting.
This over-meeting habit stems from a desire for collaboration and inclusivity. But it often leads to “meeting fatigue,” where time is spent talking instead of doing. Foreign colleagues may find the constant scheduling excessive or inefficient. They may even see it as a form of micromanagement.
12. Saying “How are you?” and not really meaning it
In most American offices, “How are you?” is more of a polite greeting than a real question. Colleagues will ask it without expecting an actual update on your day or mental state. To outsiders, especially from cultures where such questions are more literal, this can feel disingenuous. It’s even more confusing when someone responds with “Good, you?” and the conversation immediately ends.
People from countries like Germany or Japan might see this as shallow or unnecessarily chatty. In those cultures, small talk tends to be more meaningful or reserved for personal relationships. But in the U.S., it’s often just a social lubricant to smooth out interactions. It’s not meant to be deceptive—it’s just how people keep things flowing.
13. Talking about work as your identity
In American culture, one of the first questions you ask someone is, “What do you do?” Work isn’t just a job—it’s an identity. But in many cultures, like Italy or Brazil, who you are outside of work matters more than your job title. Leading with work talk can feel impersonal or even intrusive.
This isn’t just a social norm—it extends into the workplace too. Employees are often expected to show passion for their roles and make them central to their lives. But others may see that intensity as unhealthy or overly self-involved. Not everyone wants their career to define them.
