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The US is a diverse country, filled with unique quirks and traditions that vary from region to region. But certain customs are common nationwide. And while they might seem normal stateside, in other parts of the world they're thought of as completely strange. For example, the average American may be used to takeaway coffee, but to many foreigners that's far from the norm!
Curious to find out what's considered normal in the US, but not in the rest of the world? Then check out this gallery.
Many foreigners find it strange that the sales tax is added during checkout. In many other countries, the sales tax is already built into the price, so it doesn't change when you bring it to the register.
Americans can seem very patriotic to foreigners. And this is particularly the case due to the amount of flags hanging everywhere, from businesses to historical sites and homes.
Something many foreigners find strange in the US is the amount of commercials on TV advertising prescription drugs. In most places around the world this isn't common.
This might not be a surprise for most countries, thanks to big coffee shop chains. But in many places, like Southern Europe, coffee is consumed in small quantities at the coffee shop. So walking around with a large to-go cup can be strange for some.
In the US, the date is written out in the format of month-day-year. However, many people in other parts of the world write it out in the format of day-month-year.
If you travel to other countries, you'll notice that bills are all of different colors and sometimes sizes to represent what they're worth. The US dollar bills are a bit confusing, as they're all the same shade of green. However, they do have slightly different images.
For many foreigners, the giant gaps beneath bathroom stalls are rather surprising and disturbing. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it can also feel like an invasion of privacy.
Instead of using the metric system, the US is one of the few countries that still uses the imperial system of measurement.
There are many differences between pharmacies in the US and large parts of the rest of the world. The main difference is that US pharmacies sell junk food.
For most non-Americans, the concept of a dancing cheer squad is pretty bizarre. Think about it: have you ever seen cheerleaders at the World Cup?
In many countries, people get four to six weeks of paid vacation time. In the US, vacation time is often treated like a sin. No wonder America is the most overworked country in the developed world!
In the US, it's normal to ask the server to box up uneaten food to bring home. However, in some countries it's incredibly strange and even frowned upon.
Sure, fried food isn't an exclusive thing to the US. But the concept of deep-frying a steak or an Oreo is more of an American specialty...
When it comes to the amount of TV commercials, the US wins over the rest of the world. For example, a '30-minute' show will actually include about eight minutes of ads, split up. In Europe, on the other hand, ad blocks are longer, but less frequent.
In restaurants in many other countries, your server runs your credit card through a machine in front of you. But in the US, people hand their credit card over in a folder, which the server takes a way for swiping. This definitely freaks foreigners out!
Each place is different when it comes to tipping. But not adding upwards of 20% to your bill in the US is frowned upon. For example, in most European countries service fees are included in the price, and tips don't usually go above eight to 12%.
In most other countries, an A/C unit is used sparingly. But in the US, you'll find it running on full blast. So even if it's the middle of summer, you'll need to bring a sweater to survive any freezing establishment!
Whether you go to the post office or the grocery store in the US, you'll see some people in their pajamas. This is something you'll rarely see outside the States.
In the US, free refills are offered and generally expected. But that's not the norm in most places. For example, France banned unlimited refills in 2017.
Something that stands out in restaurants in the US is the amount of ice used in drinks. From water, juice, and sodas, your drink be served with tons of ice.
There aren't many places where you'll encounter a billboard or bus ad for a lawyer. However, in the US these advertisements are everywhere.
Most foreigners expect to place their order and then be done interacting with the server for the remainder of their meal. In the US though, the customer is usually checked in on every 10 minutes or so, which can be a bit of an overwhelming experience if you're not used to it.
Some people who grew up in the US may think of "America" and "United States" as interchangeable. But much of the rest of the world doesn't. Don't forget about the rest of North America and all of South America.
When it comes to portion sizes at restaurants and fast-food chains, it's usually go big or go home. And this can be a bit shocking to foreign visitors.
While it's common to find a fast-food drive through here and there around the world, it's not to the same extent as in the US, where you'll find drive-through restaurants, coffee shops, liquor stores, and more.
Baby showers are a US custom that has actually spread to other parts of the world. However, there are still many places that find the tradition strange and over the top.
Getting a higher education in the US can be expensive, and many students end up in debt to get a degree. However, a lot of other countries offer free or reasonably priced college/university education, so it's often shocking how much Americans actually spend on theirs.
In the US, it's often all about going big. And that include the roads. Compared to most European towns, American roads are a huge contrast.
Foreigners are already confused with the US supersizing everything, and that includes giant box stores like Costco and Walmart. They're so huge that one needs a map to navigate them!
Sources: (Insider) (Forbes)
See more: Fake war? Things some Americans believe
What's considered normal in the US but strange abroad?
From cheerleaders to medical advertisements
LIFESTYLE Cultural differences
The US is a diverse country, filled with unique quirks and traditions that vary from region to region. But certain customs are common nationwide. And while they might seem normal stateside, in other parts of the world they're thought of as completely strange. For example, the average American may be used to takeaway coffee, but to many foreigners that's far from the norm!
Curious to find out what's considered normal in the US, but not in the rest of the world? Then check out this gallery.