12 Things Americans Say Foreigners Get Wrong About American Culture
Traveling to different countries and working with people from different cultures has taught me to be welcoming and respectful. I want to avoid saying or doing something that might come off as odd or inappropriate.
As Americans, some things foreigners do or ask can seem a little strange to us. Should we just brush off these quirks? Probably not. Instead, these moments offer a great chance to reflect on our cultural biases and assumptions. They can lead to funny or eye-opening experiences that deepen our understanding of each other.
In a recent message board thread, Americans shared some of the more amusing or puzzling things foreign visitors have done. These stories are not only entertaining, but they also remind us how cultural differences can create both misunderstandings and hilarious situations.
Haggling
Haggling is a lively tradition in places like China, Iran, Turkey, and Egypt. Vendors there often set prices higher, knowing you’ll negotiate. So, if you don’t haggle, you might pay way more than necessary!
In North America, haggling is typically reserved for big purchases like cars or jewelry, not everyday items. That’s why an American might find it odd when a tourist tries to negotiate on a clearly marked $1099 item by asking, “How much if I buy two?”
Petting Wild Animals
Wild animals aren’t like your pets. They might give you a curious glance before darting off, or worse, they could attack! Plus, they can carry diseases or parasites that could infect us if we get too close.
One commenter recounted how international tourists in Alaska tried to snap close-up photos of a moose and her calf. The ranger went nuts, shouting at them. A moose might look cute and harmless but they can get angry and do some serious physical damage to people.
Asking Locals To Pose For Photographs
In some parts of the world, the look of some Americans might be something people have never seen before, and some can’t resist snapping photos of us. It’s like we’re celebrities on vacation!
It feels a bit strange, though, especially since most of us value our privacy and space. Strangers asking to take our photo can come off as pretty intrusive, making us wonder why we’re suddenly the main attraction on someone’s travel highlight reel. But for others, it’s a fun way to meet new people and feel like a movie star for a day!
Trick or Treat (Except They Get Candies From The Kids)
Imagine you’re out trick-or-treating with the kids, and a neighbor who’s from another country opens the door, looking totally puzzled. The kids shout “trick or treat!” and hold out their candy buckets, but the neighbor just takes a piece of candy from each one. Cue the awkward silence.
It’s not just a made-up story; someone shared this story online! Halloween isn’t celebrated everywhere in the world. So, in this case, the kids didn’t get the treat but definitely got the trick!
Not Waiting In Line
In the U.S., standing in line is as common as drinking coffee. If you’re polite and patient, you’ll eventually get to the front. It’s like a social contract—play by the rules, and it’ll be your turn. Or, you know, maybe not!
When there isn’t a clear line, most people instinctively form one, but some just ignore the unwritten rules. According to one user, when foreigners skip this line etiquette, it really riles people up. Nobody likes a line-cutter!
Minimum Legal Drinking Age
This one’s a bit of a head-scratcher for both Americans and foreigners. In the U.S., the legal drinking age is 21, while in Russia and many other countries, it’s 18. One commenter who worked at a liquor store saw an 18-year-old Russian walk in to buy alcohol. The Russian probably thought, “I’m an adult, dude!” while the American thinks, “Yeah, but not here!”
Losing Their Mind Over Chinese Food In Paper Boxes
Who knew Chinese takeout could be so different between the United Kingdom and the U.S.? One user shared that when he and his British friends got Chinese food for lunch, their visiting guests went wild over the classic little paper boxes we use. They even took selfies with them and sent them home!
It turns out that those iconic white, foldable containers aren’t a thing in the U.K. Instead, they get their takeout in clear plastic boxes that look a bit fancier (and pricier) than ours.
Wanting To Talk Tornadoes With The Wait Staff
One message board storyteller shared how they waited on a table of German visitors who asked when a tornado would arrive. Do they think storms are on a calendar? Apparently, this table also wanted to tell their server how things are done better in their country.
German culture is known for its no-nonsense, direct approach, which can seem a bit blunt in our country. We’re used to a more polite, indirect style. This is a not-so-funny reminder of how cultural differences can make even simple interactions awkward.
Refusing To Believe You’re American
One traveler shared that while in Germany, some local girls refused to believe he was American, even though he had a common American name and spoke English with an accent. They insisted he must be Greek, Turkish, or Spanish!
It reminds us that people everywhere might have stereotypes about what certain nationalities or ethnicities “should” look like.
Saying Something is “So American”
I totally understand that foreigners are eager to observe and experience American culture and compare it to their own, and it’s cool when they find things interesting or surprising. But sometimes, it can be a bit much.
Like this story: a college guy’s Australian exchange student girlfriend would constantly exclaim how “American” everything was. Whether it was a McDonald’s trip or a sports poster, she’d make a big deal out of it. It gets old fast, especially when you know they have McDonald’s in Australia and sports teams are universal!
Invading Personal Space
Sure, many people have moved on from social distancing, but there’s an unspoken agreement of personal space in the U.S. We’re not big fans of being touched during conversations or sitting too close. For most of us, close-talkers can be pretty uncomfortable.
But for large populations in other countries, it’s common to stand close enough to touch a stranger on the bus or even kiss on the cheek to say hello. Unfortunately, this doesn’t go over so well when visiting the U.S.
Language and…Social Class?
It’s interesting how social class and accents go hand in hand, especially in the U.K. The “posh” British accent you hear in movies is often seen as a sign of intelligence and class.
In America, though, we’re not as hung up on accents. One user shared a story about an Indonesian grad student worried about sounding lower class in English. They reassured him that in the U.S., accents are more about being foreign than signaling class—and any language slip-ups are easily forgiven.
Source: Reddit
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