1. The Obsession With Self-Help Books
In the U.S., self-help books are a multi-billion-dollar industry, with titles like The Secret or How to Win Friends and Influence People flying off the shelves. The idea of constantly looking for ways to “improve yourself” and “become your best version” is embedded in American culture, according to Chris Lehmann from The New Republic. To foreigners, the sheer volume of books, seminars, and gurus offering advice on how to live a better life can seem excessive. Many cultures view personal growth as an internal, gradual process rather than something that requires constant external guidance.
In countries like Japan or Scandinavian nations, there’s less focus on the commercialized aspects of self-improvement. People in these cultures tend to place value on inner contentment or social harmony rather than trying to reach unattainable ideals of success. The American obsession with personal optimization, especially through the lens of a self-help book, can seem superficial or even exhausting. It’s not uncommon for foreigners to view the whole industry as a bit of a money-making machine that oversimplifies complex human experiences.
2. Pumpkin Spice Everything
If you’ve ever been to a Starbucks in the fall, you’ve seen it: the beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte. To foreigners, the obsession with pumpkin-flavored everything is a bit baffling. In many countries, pumpkin is a savory ingredient, used in soups or roasted dishes, not as a flavor in drinks, cookies, or even candles. So when Americans turn their favorite autumn vegetable into a sugary concoction, it can seem like a weird and over-the-top trend to outsiders.
The timing also adds to the confusion. Why is pumpkin so tied to the fall season in the U.S.? In many places around the world, pumpkins are available year-round and don’t hold a special place in the heart of autumn festivities. For Americans, though, this flavor represents a cozy, nostalgic time of year, even if it doesn’t make much sense to those who aren’t used to the seasonal obsession, according to Nicole Spector from NBC News.
3. Black Friday Shopping
The idea of waiting in long lines at 3 a.m. to buy discounted goods might seem utterly bizarre to someone from another country, J. Edward Moreno and Santul Nerkar from The New York Times explains. Black Friday is a shopping holiday in the U.S. that kicks off the Christmas shopping season with deep discounts on nearly everything. But to outsiders, the chaos, aggressive crowds, and obsession with spending can seem overboard. The idea of lining up for hours just to grab a sale item can feel more like a sport than a rational shopping decision.
In many countries, there are more low-key, controlled ways of shopping, and big sales don’t result in frenzied behavior. The notion of creating such a spectacle over a shopping day, especially when stores sometimes open before Thanksgiving even ends, seems strange. For those who aren’t used to America’s consumer-driven culture, it’s difficult to understand why people would endure this kind of stress just to save a little money. It’s a unique American ritual that can be hard to explain outside of its hyper-competitive retail environment.
4. The Love of Fast Food
The fast food culture in America is like no other, with chains like McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Chick-fil-A appearing on nearly every street corner, Anna Diamond explains in Smithsonian Magazine. The obsession with fast, convenient food—especially when it’s often greasy and heavily processed—can seem baffling to foreigners, especially in countries with a more balanced approach to eating. In many other parts of the world, meal times are treated with more care and considered a time to enjoy freshly prepared, wholesome food. For them, the idea of eating food that’s designed to be consumed quickly and cheaply often feels like a cultural oddity.
While fast food is available in other countries, it doesn’t hold the same central place in the food culture as it does in the U.S. The widespread popularity of drive-thru windows and food that’s eaten in cars or on the go can seem like a symptom of an American culture obsessed with speed and efficiency. In places where meals are more about savoring and socializing, this quick and often unhealthy option doesn’t make much sense. The American fast food obsession is an obvious reflection of the country’s hustle culture, but to many outsiders, it’s a strange way to approach food.
5. Over-the-Top Sports Fan Culture
In the U.S., sports fans can take their loyalty to a level that can be downright puzzling to outsiders. With traditions like tailgating, face paint, and intense rivalries, American sports fans create a culture of fandom that borders on religious fervor. The passion for teams, especially during football season, can seem excessive, particularly when fans take it to extremes like following their team across the country. For foreigners, the idea of spending all day on a Sunday watching games and then participating in debates over the results seems like a strange use of time.
In other countries, sporting events are important, but they tend to be more laid-back and less of an all-encompassing lifestyle. Fans may attend games or watch on TV, but it’s rare to see the same level of obsession and deep-rooted identity tied to a team. While European football (soccer) fans do have their own intense fandom, it still feels different from the organized chaos and weekly ritual of American sports fans. The sheer energy and commitment of American fans can come off as puzzling and a bit excessive to people from other cultures.
6. Avocado Toast
For Americans, avocado toast has become a symbol of modern brunch culture, a dish that speaks to both health consciousness and social media trends. This simple combination of mashed avocado on toast has sparked heated debates on its place in the American food scene, with some even joking that millennials are blowing their budget on it. To foreigners, it can seem like an absurdly overpriced dish, especially when it’s sometimes priced higher than a full meal in other countries. The idea of spending so much on what is essentially a fruit on toast seems indulgent.
In many places around the world, avocado is a common ingredient, but it’s used in more savory, substantial dishes, like guacamole or salads. The obsession with avocado toast, especially in upscale cafes, can seem like an overhyped, over-commodified version of something that’s been around for a while. While it’s a trendy, Instagrammable dish in the U.S., people in other countries might wonder why something so simple is treated as a luxury. The obsession with making it a “must-have” item just doesn’t resonate the same way abroad.
7. Big Cars
The love affair Americans have with large cars, particularly SUVs and pickup trucks, can baffle people from countries where compact cars dominate the roads. In the U.S., vehicles like the Ford F-150 or the Chevrolet Suburban are practically a symbol of status, strength, and freedom. To outsiders, these massive cars seem impractical, especially in crowded cities or areas with narrower streets. The fact that Americans drive such large, fuel-hungry vehicles when there are often more efficient, smaller options elsewhere makes little sense.
In Europe, for instance, compact cars like the Fiat 500 or the Mini Cooper are the norm, and gas is much more expensive. The environmental impact of driving a gas-guzzling truck or SUV is a concern for many people around the world. In contrast, Americans tend to see these vehicles as an extension of their personality, often tied to an ideal of rugged independence. The obsession with bigger cars often seems like a bit of an extravagance to those in countries where smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles are preferred.
8. Extreme Portion Sizes
One of the most notable differences between America and many other countries is the extreme portion sizes served in restaurants. In the U.S., it’s common to receive massive servings of food, often enough to feed two or more people. This can seem wasteful and excessive to visitors from countries where smaller, more balanced portions are the norm. In countries like Japan or Italy, meals are often portioned to encourage moderation, while Americans seem to treat overeating as part of the experience.
This larger-than-life approach to food can be linked to America’s broader culture of abundance and excess. Eating out often becomes a “value” experience—bigger plates for lower prices. To foreigners, though, the idea of feeling obligated to eat everything on a plate that could easily feed two people seems strange and a little unhealthy. They might also question the level of waste that comes from having so much food leftover.
9. Over-the-Top Holidays
Holidays like Halloween and Christmas are celebrated with a level of enthusiasm in the U.S. that’s hard to match elsewhere. From elaborate decorations to over-the-top parties, Americans seem to go all out when it comes to celebrating special occasions. For people from other countries, where holidays are often more subdued and focused on family time, the American obsession with turning every holiday into a spectacle can be confusing. Halloween, in particular, can seem like a bizarre exercise in excess, with everyone dressing up and decorating their homes as if they’re in a theme park.
The sheer commercialization of holidays in the U.S. also plays a part in this obsession. In many countries, holidays are more about spending time with loved ones rather than going all out on decorations, costumes, and consumer goods. For foreigners, it can feel like Americans have taken a perfectly nice occasion and blown it out of proportion. The idea of turning a simple holiday into a month-long event full of ads, sales, and themed everything can be overwhelming to those not used to the spectacle.
10. The Fixation on “The American Dream”
The concept of the “American Dream” is deeply ingrained in U.S. culture, with the belief that anyone, regardless of background, can achieve success through hard work. To foreigners, the idea of a universal, idealized path to success can seem somewhat naive or overly simplistic. In many countries, people acknowledge that success often depends on factors like social class, education, and government systems. The obsession with the “American Dream” can appear like a bit of an illusion to outsiders who are aware of how complex socio-economic mobility can be.
In countries with more social welfare programs or those that emphasize collective wellbeing, the focus on individual success can feel out of place. The notion that every individual should pull themselves up by their bootstraps doesn’t always align with how other nations view success. To some, the idea that anyone can achieve anything if they just try hard enough can feel like an oversimplification of systemic issues. The obsession with “the dream” makes sense within the context of American optimism but can feel unrealistic or overly idealistic to those from other parts of the world.
11. “How Are You?” As a Greeting
To foreigners, the casual American greeting of “How are you?” can seem strange, especially because it’s rarely followed by a genuine response. In many cultures, greetings are reserved for actually asking about someone’s wellbeing, not as a way to make small talk. In the U.S., it’s common for people to ask, “How are you?” without expecting an in-depth answer, often just for the sake of politeness. For foreigners, this can come across as insincere or superficial, as they may expect a more thoughtful interaction when inquiring about someone’s health or mood.
In countries like Germany or Japan, greetings often have a deeper cultural significance, and people take the time to inquire meaningfully about each other’s day or feelings. The American version of “How are you?” can feel like a missed opportunity for authentic connection. This reliance on a quick, almost reflexive greeting can make it seem like Americans aren’t truly interested in the answer. Outsiders may find themselves thrown off by the stark difference in how greetings are handled in their own countries versus the U.S.
12. Reality TV
America’s love affair with reality TV can be a head-scratcher for people from other countries, where scripted shows are often seen as more culturally significant. In the U.S., watching people do outrageous or dramatic things for entertainment is a massive industry, with shows like The Bachelor, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, and Survivor drawing millions of viewers. For foreigners, it can seem strange to watch people live their personal lives in front of cameras or compete in increasingly bizarre challenges just for fame. The fascination with “real” people doing “real” things—no matter how far from reality they are—just doesn’t quite translate elsewhere.
To many Americans, reality TV is an escape, a way to enjoy drama without the consequences, and it’s part of a larger culture of celebrity obsession. However, in countries like the UK or Japan, where the lines between fiction and reality remain firmly in place, the appeal of watching real people struggle for attention or prizes doesn’t make as much sense. For them, reality TV often feels like a manufactured spectacle, not a genuine window into people’s lives. It’s a phenomenon that feels distinctly American in its approach to entertainment.
13. The Obsession with Celebrities
In America, celebrities are often treated like modern-day royalty, with an endless stream of gossip, news, and attention focused on their every move. From paparazzi following stars to social media accounts dedicated solely to their lives, it’s clear that the celebrity culture in the U.S. is a phenomenon. For foreigners, this level of fascination with movie stars, musicians, and influencers can feel like a strange and misplaced priority. In many other countries, the obsession with famous people is much more subdued, and public figures tend to keep a lower profile.
In places like the UK or France, celebrities still receive attention, but they’re not as idolized, and their personal lives are generally kept more private. The constant coverage of their personal dramas, romantic relationships, and fashion choices seems excessive to those who view fame as just one part of a person’s life. The U.S. has an entire economy built around celebrity culture, with gossip magazines, TV shows, and even entire channels dedicated to keeping people informed on the latest Hollywood happenings. For many people outside the U.S., this obsession with celebrity feels unnecessary and a bit out of proportion.
14. 24-Hour Convenience
America’s 24-hour convenience culture, especially in big cities, is another obsession that seems a bit excessive to foreigners. From all-night diners to the ever-present convenience stores, it’s as if the country revolves around the idea of having access to anything at any time. While this may sound appealing to some, outsiders often wonder why it’s necessary to have places open at all hours, especially when many countries operate on more regular hours. In places like Europe or Asia, most businesses close in the evening and reopen in the morning, encouraging a more structured daily routine.
In the U.S., however, the push for constant availability reflects a culture that values convenience and flexibility above all else. Whether it’s getting a late-night snack or being able to call a taxi at 2 a.m., the convenience factor is embedded into the American way of life. For many people abroad, this can seem like an overcompensation for something that doesn’t require such extreme measures. The obsession with 24/7 access can seem wasteful or even unhealthy to those who live in countries where rest and downtime are more respected.
