1. We Put Sugar in Everything
If you’ve ever tried American bread, you might have noticed it tastes suspiciously like cake. That’s because sugar (or high-fructose corn syrup) sneaks its way into all kinds of foods, even ones that don’t need it, as Carolyn Gregoire explains in HuffPost. Ketchup, salad dressing, and even “healthy” yogurt are loaded with added sugars. Other countries tend to be more restrained, but in the U.S., sweet is the default.
The obsession goes beyond food—our drinks are practically syrup. A “medium” soda at a U.S. fast-food joint is often bigger than a “large” in other countries. And don’t even get started on free refills, which are almost unheard of elsewhere. The result? A nation where sugar addiction is practically built into the culture.
2. We Take Sports Way Too Seriously
In many countries, sports are just a hobby, but in America, they’re practically a religion, John Gramlich, Anna Jackson, and Chip Rotolo explain in the Pew Research Center. High school football games can fill entire stadiums, and college sports generate billions of dollars. Some states even shut down businesses for major games, like Texas on a Friday night during football season. The level of dedication rivals that of professional leagues in other parts of the world.
Then there’s the Super Bowl, which is basically a national holiday. Companies spend millions on 30-second commercials, and people throw parties as if it’s Christmas. Even non-sports fans tune in for the halftime show and snacks. Other countries love sports, but America turns them into a spectacle like no other.
3. We Drive Everywhere—Even If It’s Close
Walking in America is almost a foreign concept unless you live in a major city, according to Oliver Milman from The Guardian. Suburban and rural areas are designed with cars in mind, meaning sidewalks are often nonexistent. In many places, public transportation is either unreliable or practically nonexistent. As a result, Americans think nothing of driving just a couple of blocks.
Even drive-thrus go beyond fast food—there are drive-thru pharmacies, banks, and even liquor stores. The car culture is so ingrained that not owning one can feel like a disadvantage. Meanwhile, in cities like Amsterdam or Tokyo, people bike or take trains everywhere. The idea of hopping in the car just to grab a coffee would seem bizarre to most of the world.
4. We Celebrate Workaholism
In many places, working overtime is a last resort, but in America, it’s a badge of honor, Tijana Milosevic explains in HuffPost. The U.S. is one of the few developed countries without guaranteed paid vacation or maternity leave. Americans are known for skipping vacation days and answering emails at all hours. Hustle culture isn’t just encouraged—it’s practically expected.
It’s not unusual for someone to brag about getting only four hours of sleep because they were “grinding.” Meanwhile, in Europe, a long lunch break and an actual work-life balance are the norm. Countries like France even have laws protecting employees from after-hours emails. In America, taking a break can feel like slacking off, even though burnout is at an all-time high.
5. We Have a Ridiculous Amount of Flags
If you’ve ever driven through an American neighborhood, you’ve probably noticed flags everywhere. They’re on houses, cars, clothing, and even bathing suits—nothing is off-limits. In many countries, displaying the national flag outside of official buildings is rare. But in America, it’s seen as a sign of patriotism, no matter how casual the setting, Arnaldo Testi from TIME Magazine explains.
It gets even weirder when you consider that some Americans wear the flag in ways that technically violate the U.S. Flag Code. According to official guidelines, you’re not supposed to use the flag on clothing, napkins, or disposable items. Yet you’ll find it on bikinis, beer cans, and paper plates at Fourth of July parties. Somehow, America turned its national symbol into a fashion statement.
6. We Have Laws About Alcohol That Make No Sense
America’s alcohol laws are all over the place, and they vary wildly from state to state. Some states let you buy liquor at grocery stores, while others make you go to a special government-run shop. In certain places, you can drink at 18, but only if you’re in the military. And let’s not forget that some counties are still completely “dry,” meaning alcohol sales are banned altogether.
Then there are the open container laws, which can be hilariously inconsistent. You can walk around New Orleans with a drink in hand, but in most cities, that’s illegal. Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, you can drink on the Strip, but not if you’re carrying it in a glass bottle. Other countries tend to have one set of rules nationwide, but in America, it’s a boozy patchwork of contradictions.
7. We Have Obscene Portions at Restaurants
If you order a meal in America, you’re probably getting enough food for two or three people. Plates are stacked high with fries, burgers are the size of your face, and even salads come in massive bowls. The portions are so large that “to-go” boxes are practically expected. In other countries, restaurant servings are more reasonable, and food waste isn’t as big of a problem.
Fast food places take it even further, with “super-sized” options that would shock most non-Americans. A large drink at McDonald’s in the U.S. is often double the size of one in Europe. Buffets, where you can eat unlimited food for a fixed price, are also a uniquely American concept. When it comes to food, the motto seems to be “more is always better.”
8. We Call Everything “Ranch”
Ranch dressing is an American obsession that outsiders find completely baffling. It’s not just a salad dressing—it’s a dip, a sauce, and in some cases, practically a way of life. Americans put ranch on everything from pizza to French fries to chicken wings. Some restaurants even offer entire bottles of it to customers.
The devotion to ranch doesn’t stop at food—it has inspired scented candles, lip balm, and even soda. There are ranch-flavored chips, popcorn, and snack mixes. Meanwhile, in most of the world, ranch dressing is either unheard of or just a minor condiment. But in the U.S., it has a cult following strong enough to rival ketchup or mustard.
9. We Measure Things in the Most Confusing Way
America is one of the only countries that refuses to use the metric system. Instead of kilometers, grams, and liters, we have miles, pounds, and gallons—none of which make much logical sense. A foot is 12 inches, but a yard is 3 feet, and a mile is 5,280 feet. Meanwhile, most of the world sticks to a system where everything is neatly based on tens.
The confusion gets worse when you realize that even Americans don’t always understand their own system. Ask someone how many ounces are in a gallon, and they’ll probably have to Google it. And don’t even mention Fahrenheit, which makes no sense compared to Celsius. The U.S. had multiple chances to switch to metric, but we just doubled down on being difficult.
10. We’re Weirdly Obsessed With Ice
If you order a drink in America, you’re getting a cup full of ice with a little bit of liquid. In most other countries, drinks are served with minimal ice or even at room temperature. Americans, on the other hand, act like a cold drink is a basic human right. Restaurants serve ice by default, and people will actually complain if there isn’t enough.
It’s such a big deal that some Americans even own machines specifically for making “good ice.” There are social media debates over the best type—crushed, cubed, or nugget-shaped. Meanwhile, in places like Europe, servers are confused when Americans demand extra ice. It’s one of those little things that doesn’t seem strange until you leave the country.
11. We Have Pharmacies That Sell Everything
In most of the world, a pharmacy is just a place to pick up medicine. But in America, it’s also a mini supermarket, a gift shop, and sometimes even a fast-food joint. You can walk into a CVS or Walgreens and leave with prescription meds, a gallon of milk, and a cheap pair of sunglasses. Some even sell alcohol, lottery tickets, and school supplies.
It gets even weirder when you consider that some pharmacies are open 24/7. Need a bottle of cough syrup at 3 AM? No problem. Want to grab some chips, deodorant, and a flu shot in one trip? That’s just a normal day at an American pharmacy. Other countries keep their pharmacies strictly medical, but in the U.S., they’re more like convenience stores that happen to sell medicine.
12. We Have Some Truly Bizarre State Laws
Because every U.S. state makes its own laws, some of them are downright ridiculous. In Alabama, it’s illegal to wear a fake mustache in church if it causes laughter. In Arizona, you can’t let a donkey sleep in a bathtub. Florida has a law banning people from selling their children, as if that needed clarification. And in Kentucky, it’s technically illegal to carry ice cream in your back pocket.
Many of these laws were created for very specific reasons but were never removed from the books. Some were meant to prevent old-timey crimes, like sneaking stolen horses out of town. Others are just the result of outdated moral panics. Either way, America has a collection of laws that sound like they came from a comedy sketch.
13. We Treat College Like a Luxury Purchase
Higher education in America isn’t just expensive—it’s absurdly expensive. While many countries offer free or low-cost college, the U.S. saddles students with mountains of debt. A four-year degree can cost anywhere from $40,000 to over $200,000, depending on the school. Meanwhile, countries like Germany and Norway offer free or nearly free education.
Even public universities, which are supposed to be affordable, can still cost tens of thousands of dollars. Many students take out loans they’ll be paying off for decades. The system is so broken that entire political movements have formed around student loan forgiveness. In America, college is less about education and more about navigating a financial minefield.
14. We Turn Everything Into a Competition
America doesn’t just enjoy competition—we turn everything into a full-blown contest. There are reality TV shows for everything, from cooking to dating to extreme survival. Even kids aren’t spared, with beauty pageants, spelling bees, and Little League championships. If something can be ranked, scored, or judged, Americans will turn it into a sport.
This mindset bleeds into everyday life, too. People compare their number of steps on fitness trackers, compete over fantasy football, and even turn productivity into a game. Meanwhile, in other countries, hobbies are just hobbies, not high-stakes competitions. But in the U.S., even a casual activity can quickly become a battle for first place.
15. We Celebrate Holidays With Fireworks—Even If They Don’t Make Sense
Americans love fireworks, and we don’t save them just for special occasions. Sure, the Fourth of July makes sense, but people also set them off for New Year’s, birthdays, and even random weekends. Some neighborhoods sound like a war zone for weeks around Independence Day. Meanwhile, other countries tend to save fireworks for major national celebrations only.
It gets even stranger when you consider how many places actually ban fireworks for safety reasons. Some states have super strict laws, but people just drive to the next state over to buy them. The result is an endless cycle of illegal backyard firework shows. If there’s even a slight excuse to light something up, Americans will take it.
16. We Have Drive-Thru Everything
Drive-thrus aren’t just for fast food in America—they exist for nearly every service imaginable. You can go through a drive-thru to pick up coffee, withdraw money, and even get married in Las Vegas. There are drive-thru pharmacies, dry cleaners, and in some states, drive-thru liquor stores. The idea of getting something done without leaving your car is a very American concept.
Some places have taken it even further with drive-thru voting and drive-thru funeral viewings. It’s all about convenience, even if it makes things feel a little impersonal. Other countries prefer a more face-to-face approach, but Americans value speed above all else. If there’s a way to turn an errand into a drive-thru experience, someone in the U.S. has already done it.
