20 Normal American Behaviors That Are Hella Weird in Other Countries

‘They swear on the Bible in court’
20 Normal American Behaviors That Are Hella Weird in Other Countries

Americans tend to consider ourselves the global default, and to be fair, we do have some reason to believe that. Everyone watches our movies and TV shows, we can probably find someone who speaks our language with relative ease in just about every country, and we’re almost never more than a moderate hike from a McDonald’s. Honestly, we’re spoiled.

In fact, we’re so spoiled that we don’t realize a lot of behaviors that are considered perfectly normal back home will get us shunned or possibly jailed in other countries. Okay, that’s probably an exaggeration, but you’ll definitely get at least a side-eye even in the more polite countries for doing things we wouldn’t think twice about.

To save us the embarrassment, user asdfsfs22 asked r/AskReddit, “What are some weird things Americans do that are considered weird or taboo in your country?”

 8y ago Doggie bags. Unless it's pizza, people don't take it home. I'm an American living in Poland.
drew1111 8y ago Eating fast and leaving fast. Enjoy your meal and the experience.
phosphoenolpizzavate 8y ago You put marshmallows IN YOUR CEREAL. WHAT EVEN IS THIS???
 8y ago Swear on the bible in court. We swear on the constitution.
KnightUptight 8y ago Edited 8y ago They speak to strangers. That is taboo in Sweden.
amliebsten 8y ago Americans open their presents immediately and publicly. I'm used to opening presents after guests leave.
fsv 8y ago It's a little one, but in the US, waiters clear your plate once you're finished even if others at the same table are still eating. I've never seen that in the UK, and it feels really weird.
DynamoAC 8y ago How loud American tourists are, Jesus we are on the Tube no one is talking to each other there is no need to shout.
ddddjj 8y ago Pledge of Allegiance. Im American but my relatives think that kids just chanting that everyday is real weird.
 8y ago Being so open and confident in your religion. It's not a huge taboo but its definitely seen as weird. If you were to just start talking about how god told you what to do in some situation you'd probably be referred to as a bit of a nutter.
nnmms 8y ago As an outside observer, the US seems to hold Personal Responsibility as a paramount virtue, while in the countries I've lived Social Responsibility is the priority. It's a mindset that has an impact on everything from legislation all the way down to common courtesy.
Mayeria 8y ago Lobbying. It's strictly forbidden in my country for political parties to receive funding from any corporation. Every political party is funded by the state itself based on the amount of votes it received in the latest election. Actually, here, lobbying is like a curse word that parties throw at each other from time to time as like the word treason. I can't really wrap my head around how political campaings receive huge amounts of donations from corporations and it is justified in the US.
blitzen13 8y ago This will be buried, but: That whole weird cult thing where every person in military uniform is treated like a saint and a hero and constantly thanked for their service to the country. Trotting them out at sporting events for public adulation and shouting down anyone who doesn't support our troops sufficiently as a traitor and probably a devil worshiper to boot. And then abandoning actual veterans to their physical and mental health issues without proper support. It's creepy as fuck.
roadkilled_skunk 8y ago Call people by their first name even if you don't know them well. In Germany, you have to have some kind of personal relation to someone to call them by their first name; when in doubt, people stay with Sie instead of Du. When I started working my current job, when people said du to me, I felt a little Excuse me, do I know you?, then I realized my name tag has my first name on it.
 8y ago As a Brit I may be overly polite but it bugs me no end when Americans in television and film don't use please or thank you for 90% of transactions or situations where it is considered reasonable
 . 8y ago This isn't just America, but it's definitely most prominent in America: Shop assistants asking you can they help you straight away when you walk in, I'm clearly just browsing, I don't think you can help me browse any better and if I need help I'll ask
WetNoodlyArms 8y ago Ads on TV for prescription medication. IIRC thats only legal in two countries: the US and New Zealand.
terryjon 8y ago The amount of ad breaks you lot have during tv shows is ridiculous. I remember when I was on holiday in the US and was watching an episode of the simpsons. It had the normal ad break in the middle then came back on, the show ended and went to another super long ad break for it to come back on to just show the credits....
ansenaia 8y ago I have lived in both Finland and the USA. Once I woke up in the middle of the day after a house party. I got up and found peanut butter in a cabinet and Jam in the fridge. As I started making a class PB&J the other people in the house surrounded me and gave me a face of confusion. Someone asked me wait.. you are really going to eat that?. I guess people in Finland do not eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.. they all thought the idea was gross.
ActTuffGetMuff 8y ago Im a scot just back from california a week ago. A few things. 1. Bread in the fridge? No thanks. 2. Do i want to watch adverts while filling my car with petrol? No thanks. 3. A gallon jug of egg whites? Why the fuck not 4. double doubles? III give you that we're the assholes for not bringing them here.

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