Strange American Norms
What feels totally normal in America might have people from around the world doing a double take.
Curious what makes us seem a little strange? Here are 40 of the quirkiest things about America—straight from the eyes of foreigners.
Non-Color-Coded Paper Money
In the US, paper money is all the same shade of green, and aside from slightly different images, they all look very similar too.
Many other counties have paper money that are different colors, and sometimes different sizes, according to what they’re worth.
Extra Ice
You may notice when traveling to Europe that most restaurants don’t use a lot of ice, and sometimes you won’t get any unless you ask for it.
In the US, most people use an excess amount of ice in their drinks.
Self-Description
If you grew up in the US, you may consider “America” and “United States” as interchangeable. Many US citizens use “America” to describe ourselves, our customs, and our country.
The rest of the world doesn’t see it this way. The US is not the only “America” out there—there’s also North America and South America.
Date Format
In the US, you’ll usually see dates written as month-day-year—like 05/28/2025. But hop over to the UK or Europe, and they flip it to day-month-year, which can definitely throw you off!
Advertising
In a Reddit thread asking the weirdest things Americans do, many users mentioned how strange it was that the US advertised prescription medication.
In many European countries they do not advertise prescription medication anywhere.
Flags
Many foreigners find it strange to find American flags hanging everywhere, from businesses to historical sites and even many homes.
We like to fly our flag from our cars, planes and even draw them on things. Other countries don’t do this quite so much.
Pharmacies
In the US, our pharmacies basically double as pharmacies and convenience stores—selling both medications and junk food.
This is not common practice in many other parts of the world.
Sweet Bread
Foreign visitors often notice that bread in the US tends to be sweeter than what they’re used to—whether it’s from the grocery store or fresh from the bakery.
The Imperial System
The US is one of only three countries that still use the imperial system of measurement rather than the metric system, and everyone out there thinks we're strange for doing so.
TV Commercials
Apparently, when it comes to advertisements, the US has so many more TV commercials than most other countries.
Kaspars Grinvalds, Shutterstock
Free Refills
Refilling your drink everywhere you go is actually not the norm in many parts of the world. Foreigners find it strange that in the US free refills are not only offered, but often expected.
France actually banned unlimited refills in 2017.
Toilet Water
In the US, toilets typically use a lot more water per flush compared to other countries. That higher water level is one of the biggest differences visitors notice right away.
Bathroom Stalls
While we’re talking about toilets, the US also has much larger gaps in their public bathroom stalls than in other countries.
Foreigners have expressed how they often find “massive” gaps that people can see through an invasion of privacy.
Unknown author, Wallpaper Flare
Large Coffees
In many other countries, in places like Europe, coffee is consumed in smaller quantities. They typically drink it quickly and don’t often take it to go.
But in the US, large to-go coffee cups are quite common.
Leftovers
In the US, taking leftovers home from a restaurant is often done without thinking. But in many other countries it is not only considered strange, but also rude.
In France, it's so frowned upon that a law had to be passed to allow "doggy bags" to happen in order to reduce food waste.
Giant Portions
Speaking of food, foreigners are often shocked by just how large American portions are—drinks included. Our fast-food cups tower over even those in Canada.
Maybe that’s why taking home leftovers is practically a national pastime!
Sales Tax
Sales Tax in the US is on basically everything we buy—and it is added at the end.
But in other countries, the sales tax is often included in the price already, so the price you see is the price you pay.
Maha Heang 245789, Shutterstock
Tipping
In the US, not tipping is frowned upon. But in other parts of the world, a tip is not expected—it can even be considered rude.
Red Solo Cups
People around the world can't believe how often Americans use red cups. In some countries, people throw "American parties," where they all make sure to use red cups.
Covering Up
Especially at the beach, Americans usually stick to full swimsuits. But in many parts of Europe, going topless is totally normal—and nothing to bat an eye at.
College Debt
Going to college in the US can be a serious expense, and often leaves most students in debt just to get a degree.
A lot of other countries offer free college education, and they simply cannot fathom how much we spend on ours.
Baby Showers
Baby showers are a fun custom in the US, but it's not something many other parts of the world partake in.
Its another one of those things that can be considered rude or strange to foreigners.
Working
According to the Center for American Progress, the US is officially the most overworked country in the developed world.
Other countries cannot believe how much work we do, how long the hours are, how we don’t take much vacation time, and even how we eat lunch at our desks.
Overly-Friendly Strangers
Many foreigners find it surprising how easily Americans strike up conversations with complete strangers—chatting openly about just about anything, anywhere.
Pickles
Apparently, Americans have a love for pickles that not many foreigners share in. In the same Reddit thread from earlier, one user said that Americans, “give a pickle with everything.”
Political Correctness
According to many foreigners, Americans have a fear of insulting people or being racist. What they would consider funny is considered extremely rude here.
Customer Service
Americans are known for their excellent customer services, especially in restaurants and bars (probably because of the tips we’re allowed to collect).
Foreigners admit we have better customer service than most of their establishments.
Loud
Americans love to talk—and they love to party even more. Many foreigners find us to be, well, pretty loud compared to what they’re used to.
Government Suspicion
In America, the citizens are often more in tuned to what’s going on in our country from a government standpoint.
And because of this, we are also known to be more suspicious of our government than many European citizens are of theirs.
Tap & Go
While this practice is slowly creeping into many other countries these days, it has been said that Americans have a very relaxed approach to credit card security because we don’t often have to use a PIN or sign the receipt anymore.
Arms
Many foreigners find it absolutely bizarre that in most states you can easily find and purchase arms of all kinds, as well as machetes and various military equipment.
Not only that, many Americans own at least one piece. This is certainly not the norm in other countries.
Krakenimages.com, Shutterstock
Ice Cream Flavors
Apparently, Americans get pretty creative with ice cream flavors—like “dinosaur eggs,” a blue ice cream packed with chocolate eggs. Many Europeans find this flavor downright strange!
JM Travel Photography, Shutterstock
Colors
Everything in America is colorful—specifically our food. Cereals, candy, any and all junk food, comes in various bright colors.
In Europe, artificial food colors are banned due to its detrimental affects on human health. So their food is a lot less vibrant than ours.
Self-depreciating Humor
According to many Europeans, Americans don’t receive sarcasm and self-depreciating humor very well.
One English reddit user said, “Americans were always trying to comfort me after I made a joke about myself”, but in England, people respond with laughter.
Upsized Everything
From drinks and food to streets and houses, everything in America is large sized. Our houses and our streets are much wider than in most European countries—and foreigners seem to really notice.
Commercialized Special Occasions
In America, it feels like there’s a special occasion to celebrate—and capitalize on—almost every month. And you’ll find plenty of candy, trinkets, and themed gear for every single one.
Entrées
In America, entrée refers to the main course during a meal. But in many other countries, the entrée is a small portion you would eat before the main course—which is what we would call a starter or an appetizer.
Sebastian Coman Photography, Pexels
Shoes in the House
Wearing shoes inside the house is an American thing. Most other countries take their shoes off at the door, and may switch to slippers if preferred, but most just wear their socks.
Roman Samborskyi, Shutterstock
Jaywalking
In America, it is unlawful to jaywalk—crossing the road anywhere other than a designated cross walk. In most of Europe, people are free to cross the road anywhere they’d like.
Banned Ingredients—or lack thereof.
Europe bans many ingredients over health concerns that are still allowed in the US. For many foreigners, this difference isn’t just surprising—it’s worrying.
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