America is an incredibly diverse and unique country, with its own culture and traditions that can seem quite strange to people from other parts of the world.
Europeans often find American customs particularly perplexing. From tipping waiters to using “elevators,” here are 20 unusual things about America that Europeans may find peculiar.
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In America, people often greet each other with “How are you?” to say hello. This can be strange for Europeans, who tend to use the phrase more as a question rather than an informal greeting. In Europe, it is more common to hear people say “Hello” or “Hi” when they meet someone new instead of asking how their day is going.
Americans should recognize that this phrase is seen as more of a question in other countries and use different greetings when meeting new people from different cultures.
Americans often express gratitude by saying “thank you” for nearly everything.
Americans are known for being incredibly polite and showing gratitude for even the smallest gestures. It is not uncommon to hear them say “thank you” in response to a simple “hello,” or when someone has done something seemingly insignificant.
Many Europeans consider This level of politeness unusual, as they tend to be more direct and less likely to express such gratitude with every interaction.
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The Portions Sizes In America Are Quite Large.
Americans are known for their large portion sizes when it comes to food. Eating out in the United States often leads to huge portions of food that would seem excessive compared to other countries, leaving many Europeans perplexed.
American restaurants’ servings can be two or three times the size of European equivalents, overwhelming visitors from abroad. Portion control is something that may have to be taken into account when eating in America, and it is something that many Europeans find peculiar about the country.
Americans commonly wear shoes inside their houses.
Americans commonly wear shoes inside their houses, which can be quite peculiar to Europeans, as many European countries prefer to take off their shoes when entering a home.
This is mainly because of the belief that wearing shoes indoors can bring dirt and germs into your home. On the other hand, Americans do not find this strange and often leave their shoes on in their house.
In the US, lawyers and prescription drug ads are common.
In the United States, ads for lawyers and prescription drugs are extremely common. The prevalence of these types of advertisements is something that many Europeans may find peculiar since they tend to be largely absent from European media.
This can be attributed to many European countries’ different advertising regulations and healthcare and legal services philosophies. In any case, it’s quite interesting to see how different countries approach such a wide range of topics like healthcare and law!
American Flags Are Everywhere
American flags are everywhere in Europe, including in public spaces, businesses, and homes. This symbol of patriotism is seen as a sign of respect for the nation and its values.
However, it is common to find them adorning buildings, cars, and clothing in America. It’s an interesting contrast from the more subtle displays of patriotism we see in Europe, where flags are only present at major public events or celebrations.
In the United States, consumers are required to pay their taxes in addition to the listed price.
In the United States, consumers must pay their taxes and the listed price for goods and services. This is something that can be a bit of a shock for Europeans when they visit America, as many European countries do not require this extra step.
In Europe, the tax is already included in the cost, so it can take some getting used to when American shoppers add on sales or other taxes that are not always apparent at first glance.
It’s a common sight to see mailboxes in America.
It’s common to see mailboxes in America, as this is an efficient way for people to receive mail and packages. Europeans may find this peculiar because mail delivery is quite different in many European countries; rather than having their own private mailbox, people living in Europe are likelier to share it with other households or apartments.
This is why it can be strange for Europeans to see so many individual mailboxes scattered throughout various neighborhoods in the United States.
Temperature Is Measured In Fahrenheit
In Europe, temperature is usually measured in Celsius, whereas in America, it is measured in Fahrenheit.
This can be quite confusing for Europeans coming to the country, as they are not used to the temperature being measured this way. Americans also use different phrases when talking about temperature, like “it’s hot out” or “it’s freezing.” Europeans might find these terms strange since they don’t have an equivalent phrase for Celsius temperatures.
The United States Is Also Resistant To Adopting The Metric System.
The United States is one of the few countries worldwide that has not adopted the metric system. The US is still heavily reliant on imperial units such as feet, inches, and pounds, which can confuse Europeans who are used to the metric system.
While some European countries have started slowly transitioning towards using imperial measurements, America refuses to adopt them. This resistance to change is just another example of how Europe and America differ in their approach to measurement systems.
US Currency Notes Are Of The Same Color And Size?
Americans are often surprised to learn that many European countries have different colored currency notes of various sizes for each denomination. This can make it difficult to distinguish between a note’s value and make it easy to commit mistakes when making payments.
On the other hand, US currency is all the same size and color, regardless of denomination, making transactions much easier and quicker for both customers and businesses involved.
‘How Are You’ – A Greeting, Not A Question.
Write a paragraph about how the phrase “How are you” is often used as a greeting in many parts of the world, particularly in Europe. It is not meant to be a question that requires an answer but rather a way to show politeness and familiarity.
Europeans may find it strange when Americans use this phrase, as they would usually expect it to be followed by an answer. This is especially true regarding casual conversations with strangers or acquaintances.
Ice Cubes
Europeans visiting America often find using ice cubes in drinks a peculiar habit. Ice cubes are made by freezing water to below 0°C and are used to cool beverages such as soft drinks, juices, and cocktails.
In some European countries, such as Italy, it is considered odd to put ice cubes in drinks as the country prefers drinking things at room temperature. However, in the United States, many people enjoy adding ice cubes to their beverage of choice – something that can seem quite strange when observed by Europeans!
Free Refills
Europeans may be surprised to know that many restaurants in the United States offer free refills on drinks like soda, tea, and coffee. This is considered an unusual practice as it is not common in Europe.
Although this may seem like a great way to save some money, it can also lead to overconsumption of sugary drinks or other unhealthy beverages. It’s important for Americans to remember that moderation is key when taking advantage of free refills!
Certain food combinations
One thing Europeans find peculiar about America is certain food combinations. For example, combining sweet and savory foods such as waffles with fried chicken or french fries with ice cream.
You may also be surprised that Americans often combine savory items like hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, or even sweet items like chocolate-covered bacon. Such unusual combinations can shock Europeans who are used to more traditional food preparation methods.
Air Conditioners
One of the unusual things that Europeans find peculiar about America is the widespread use of air conditioners.
Air conditioners are an absolute must-have in many American homes, offices, and other establishments due to the hot climate in many parts of the United States.
In Europe, however, air conditioners are more of a luxury item as summers tend to be milder. Additionally, Europeans prefer to keep their windows open for fresh air, while Americans often rely on air conditioning to regulate their indoor temperature and atmosphere.
Stores That Operate Round The Clock For 24 Hours
many stores in America operate round the clock for 24 hours. This is something that Europeans find peculiar, as many stores in Europe are closed during certain hours.
Stores like supermarkets and convenience stores are open 24 hours a day for Americans to purchase items at any time of the day or night. This is something unique to America that Europeans are not used to seeing.
The Americans Being Cashless
In the United States, it is becoming increasingly common for all financial transactions to be completed via card or mobile payments. This is something that Europeans find peculiar about Americans since cash is still widely used in many European countries.
Cashless payments are seen as a more convenient way to pay. However, there are concerns regarding the privacy and security of these digital transactions. In America, reality TV shows often feature people using their cards for purchases, further popularizing this cashless trend.
Tipping Is A Customary Practice
In Europe, service staff are paid a living wage and do not rely on tips to make ends meet. However, in America, tipping is seen as an essential part of the customer experience, with servers expecting at least 15% for their services.
This has generated confusion and curiosity among Europeans, who view it as an unusual custom for customers to have to pay extra for services rendered.
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