17 "Normal" American Behaviors That Totally Confuse Foreigners

This article was originally published on ChaChingQueen.com, a site my wife and I own. AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.

A smiling woman with blonde hair holds a small United States flag over her shoulder against a plain background.Photo byDepositPhotos

Have you ever wondered why travelers in the U.S. sometimes feel confused? Usually a lot of international visitors experience culture shock in America, primarily due to its unique customs and traditions. 

This can leave visitors baffled by things Americans see as completely normal, like tipping or ordering giant meal portions. For travelers, not understanding these norms can lead to awkward situations, and for those moving to the U.S., it could create long-term frustration.

We’ve explored the ins and outs of our American culture through years of personal experience and research. Understanding these differences not only helps people feel more comfortable when visiting but also allows you to better navigate everyday situations, when you're grabbing a meal or chatting with locals.

In this article, we’ll break down some of the customs that Americans consider standard but that often surprise people from other parts of the world. You’ll learn why these practices exist and how to approach them with confidence!

Which of these American customs do you think would be absolutely shocking to someone visiting for the first time? What would you add to the list? Tell us in the comments!

Tipping Culture

Here in the U.S., tipping isn’t just an extra bonus. It’s expected. When you’re at a restaurant, a hair salon, or even a delivery service, leaving 15-20% of your total is standard. Why is it so normal here? It comes down to wages. 

Service industry workers in the U.S. often rely on tips to supplement their income. Federal law sets the minimum wage for tipped workers at a mere $2.13 per hour, compared to $7.25 for non-tipped workers. This wage gap makes tipping essential for service staff to earn a livable income.

In contrast, many countries like Japan and Australia don’t expect tips at all. Service workers are paid a fair wage and don’t rely on tips for survival. For this reason, non-Americans are often left puzzled about how much to tip, and some are surprised that U.S. employers don’t just pay workers more.

Under the Sink Garbage Disposal Units

In a typical American kitchen, you probably throw in food waste down the sink because there’s a garbage disposal unit installed under the sink. This handy device grinds up food scraps, making it easier to wash them down the drain. 

For many us Americans, it’s a standard feature in most homes, but for international visitors, it often raises questions. Garbage disposals became popular in the U.S. in the 1950s as a convenient way to manage food waste without relying on landfills. 

In fact, many American households can’t imagine life without one. In other parts of the world, especially in countries with older plumbing systems, garbage disposals are uncommon or even unheard of.

In places like Europe or Asia, where food waste is often separated for composting or recycling, sending scraps down the drain might seem wasteful or risky for the plumbing. Visitors from these regions are just shocked by how much Americans depend on this appliance in everyday kitchen routines.

Ice in Drinks

Another thing that surprises visitors is America’s love for ice-cold drinks. It’s completely normal for restaurants to serve beverages filled to the brim with ice, regardless of the weather.

The love affair with cold drinks in the U.S. goes back to the late 19th century when iceboxes became a household item. Today, refrigeration is so accessible that anything less than ice-cold is often seen as substandard.

In many European countries, on the other hand, drinks are typically served with little or no ice. Visitors often find it overwhelming and even shocking to see how much ice Americans use. Especially when the weather isn’t really scorching hot.

Drive-Thru Everything

We love our drive-thrus. You can grab a burger, even handling banking transactions all at the comfort of your own car, without taking a single step outside. The U.S.’s car-centric culture plays a huge role in this phenomenon. 

With vast distances to cover, drive-thrus provide convenience and save time in a society that’s always on the go. In other countries like France or Japan, where walking is more common, the idea of drive-thrus for banks or even weddings seems outlandish.

With over 200,000 fast-food drive-thrus in the U.S., it’s no wonder that non-Americans are fascinated and sometimes bewildered by the sheer variety of services available without leaving the car.

Pharmacies Selling More Than Medicine

In the U.S., a trip to the pharmacy isn’t just for medicine. Places like Walgreens and CVS are mini-supermarkets, offering everything, even snacks and cosmetics.

Why is this normal here? Convenience. American culture values multitasking, and pharmacies have adapted to meet the demand for one-stop shopping. In other countries, such as the UK or Germany, pharmacies are strictly for medical items. 

If you need snacks or toiletries, you’ll head to a separate store. Visitors are often surprised to find food, drinks, and even souvenirs for sale in a place intended for healthcare.

Free Refills at Restaurants

Walk into most U.S. restaurants, and chances are you’ll get free refills for your soda, coffee, or tea. This practice has become a staple, especially in fast-food chains.

Free refills started as a marketing tactic to boost customer loyalty. Over time, it became a norm, offering customers perceived value with endless refills. In Europe or Asia, drinks are typically sold by the glass. If you want another drink, you’ll have to pay for it.

While some visitors appreciate the generosity, others find it excessive. In countries where beverages aren’t free-flowing, the idea of endless refills is definitely a cultural shock.

Flags Everywhere

Patriotism runs deep in the U.S., and one way us Americans show it is by displaying the national flag everywhere. You’ll see flags in front of homes, schools, offices, and even on cars.

After events like 9/11, displaying the flag became even more significant, representing unity and national pride. While flags are flown in other countries, they are often reserved for national holidays and special events. In some places, excessive flag-waving can be seen as overly nationalistic.

For visitors, the sheer number of American flags can be surprising, even overwhelming. It’s not something you see on an everyday basis in many other parts of the world.

Air Conditioning Everywhere

No matter the season, air conditioning in the U.S. is almost everywhere. Americans rely heavily on AC, even in moderate climates, usually in homes, cars, offices, stores, even in some bus stops.

The widespread use of air conditioning took off after World War II, becoming a symbol of modern living and comfort. With many parts of the country experiencing hot summers, air conditioning is considered a necessity.

In contrast, many countries like the UK or Germany use AC far less. Homes rely more on natural ventilation, and air conditioning is reserved for extremely hot days. Visitors from cooler climates often find American buildings too cold, wondering why AC is used so extensively.

Drinking Water with Ice at Meals

As soon as you sit down at a restaurant in the U.S., you’re likely handed a glass of water with ice. This happens before you even look at the menu.

This practice is rooted in American hospitality, where offering a cold drink is seen as a welcoming gesture. With access to safe tap water, it’s easy to provide customers with free water.

In many European countries, water isn’t automatically served. If you want it, you’ll likely have to buy a bottle. Visitors may appreciate the free water, but some are puzzled by the large amount of ice.

Lawns and Yard Maintenance

For many Americans, a neatly maintained lawn represents the American dream. Homeowners invest significant time and money into keeping their lawns green and trimmed.

After World War II, suburban living became the ideal, and having a well-kept lawn was a status symbol, symbolizing prosperity and success. In other countries, particularly those with limited space like Japan or the Netherlands, lawns are rare. 

Gardens tend to be smaller, with a focus on flowers or functional plants. Non-Americans often find the American emphasis on lawn care excessive, especially in areas prone to drought. 

College Sports as a Major Event

College sports, particularly football and basketball, are massive in the U.S. Universities spend millions on stadiums, coaches, and scholarships for student-athletes.

In the U.S., college sports build a sense of community and tradition. They’re also a pipeline to professional leagues. In contrast, most other countries keep sports separate from academia. Professional sports leagues run independently, and college sports aren’t nearly as big of a deal.

With college sports generating over $18 billion in revenue annually, non-Americans are often shocked by how much money is spent on student-athletes.

Obsession with Personal Space

Americans value their personal space. People generally maintain a distance of 3-4 feet when conversing and often feel uncomfortable with close physical contact.

Living in a country with vast space per capita, particularly in suburban and rural areas, Americans are used to having room. This cultural norm has made personal space a valued boundary.

In densely populated countries like India or China, close proximity is a part of daily life, and people are more accustomed to physical closeness. Visitors from such countries may find Americans distant or cold when they step back or avoid contact during conversations.

Frequent Use of Drive-Thru ATMs

Drive-thru ATMs are a common sight in the U.S., offering a way to handle banking transactions without ever leaving your car. Given the vast geography and reliance on cars in America, drive-thrus provide convenience. 

People appreciate the ability to handle their banking quickly while staying on the go. In contrast, in countries like France or Japan, where public transport and walking are more common, drive-thru ATMs are rare.

Visitors from those countries are often puzzled by drive-thru ATMs, especially with online banking so widely available.

Extremely Long Commutes

In the U.S., long commutes are part of life for many, particularly those living in larger cities or suburban areas. It’s not unusual to spend over 30 minutes each way traveling to work.

The U.S. places a strong emphasis on homeownership, and many Americans live in suburbs far from where they work. This can result in longer commutes. In other countries, public transportation is more heavily relied on, and people often live closer to their jobs, making commutes shorter.

Non-Americans, especially those used to efficient public transport systems, are often shocked by the amount of time Americans spend in their cars.

Wearing Shoes Inside the House

In many American households, it’s common for people to wear their shoes inside, even on carpeted areas like the living room or kitchen. Historically, American homes have been designed with flooring that can handle dirt better. 

In suburban settings, wearing shoes indoors became the norm, especially when people didn’t have to worry as much about tracking in grime. In other countries, such as Japan or Scandinavia, it’s customary to remove shoes at the door. 

Visitors often find it odd and sometimes unhygienic that Americans wear shoes inside the home.

Huge Food Selection at Grocery Stores

American grocery stores are known for their vast selection. Entire aisles are dedicated to snacks, soft drinks, and cereals, offering seemingly endless choices.

With a large agricultural industry and an emphasis on consumer choice, American grocery stores cater to a wide variety of tastes and preferences. In contrast, grocery stores in other countries like Italy or Japan are often smaller and more specialized.

Visitors from abroad are frequently overwhelmed by the sheer number of options in American supermarkets.

Black Friday Shopping

The day after Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday shopping season, and it’s a big deal in the U.S. Known as Black Friday, this shopping extravaganza sees retailers offering massive discounts and sales.

Black Friday dates back to the 1950s when stores started offering sales to encourage people to start their holiday shopping early. Today, it’s a nationwide event, with stores opening as early as midnight and shoppers camping out for the best deals.

Non-Americans often find the frenzy around Black Friday surprising. In countries where holiday shopping is more spread out, the idea of such an intense one-day shopping event seems foreign.

Final Thoughts

We know that every country has its own customs, and what feels completely normal here can seem entirely new or confusing to visitors. Simply tipping at restaurants, free refills, or drive-thru-ing everything often catches people by surprise. These everyday practices reveal a lot about our values, like convenience, efficiency, and individualism.

While some of these customs might seem unusual or excessive to outsiders, they’re ingrained in our culture and have fascinating histories behind them, like how tipping became essential due to wage structures or why we love our ice-cold drinks. Understanding these traditions can help you appreciate the American way of life and why we do things the way we do.

So, the next time you encounter someone from another country, take a moment to embrace the cultural differences. It’s a chance to share your perspective and help them navigate our ways. 

Who knows, you might even find yourself reflecting on how these habits shape your daily life. After all, being open to new experiences is part of what makes our culture vibrant and diverse.

🙋‍♂️If you like what you just read, then subscribe to my newsletter and follow us on YouTube.👈