17 Normal Behaviors That Are Anything But Ordinary to Foreigners

Have you ever wondered why travelers in the U.S. sometimes feel confused? Many international visitors experience culture shock in America, mainly because of its special customs and traditions.

This can leave visitors puzzled by things Americans think are normal, like tipping or ordering big meal portions. For travelers, not knowing these norms can lead to awkward situations, and for those moving to the U.S., it could cause long-term frustration.

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!

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.

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.

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Pharmacies Selling More Than Medicine

In the U.S., going to the pharmacy is not just about buying medicine. Stores like Walgreens and CVS are like small supermarkets, selling snacks, cosmetics, and more.

This is common because it’s convenient. American culture likes doing many things at once, so pharmacies offer a lot in one place. In countries like the UK or Germany, pharmacies only sell medical items.

If you need snacks or toiletries there, you go to a different store. Visitors often find it surprising to see food, drinks, and even souvenirs sold in a place meant 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.

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.

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Air Conditioning Everywhere

No matter the time of year, air conditioning is almost everywhere in the U.S. Americans use AC a lot, even in places with mild weather, like homes, cars, offices, stores, and some bus stops.

Air conditioning became very popular after World War II. It became a sign of modern life and comfort. Many parts of the country have very hot summers, so air conditioning is seen as necessary.

In countries like the UK or Germany, people use AC much less. Homes often use natural airflow, and AC is only used on very hot days. Visitors from cooler places often think American buildings are too cold and wonder why AC is used so much.

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.

Under the Sink Garbage Disposal Units

In a typical American kitchen, you likely put food waste down the sink because there’s a garbage disposal unit under it. This useful device crushes food scraps, making it easy to rinse them down the drain.

For many Americans, it’s a common feature in most homes, but for visitors from other countries, it often causes confusion. Garbage disposals became popular in the U.S. in the 1950s as a convenient way to handle food waste without using landfills.

Many American households can’t imagine living without one. In other parts of the world, especially in countries with older pipes, garbage disposals are rare or unknown.

In places like Europe or Asia, where food waste is often set aside for composting or recycling, putting scraps down the drain might seem like a waste or bad for the pipes. Visitors from these areas are surprised by how much Americans rely on this appliance in daily kitchen routines.

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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.

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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 like having their own space. When talking, people usually stand about 3-4 feet apart and often feel uneasy with close contact.

In America, there’s a lot of space per person, especially in suburban and rural areas. This has made personal space important.

In very crowded countries like India or China, being close to others is normal. People from these places might think Americans are distant or unfriendly when they step back or avoid touching during conversations.

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. 

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.

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.

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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.

Huge Food Selection at Grocery Stores

American grocery stores are famous for having many things to choose from. They have whole rows for snacks, soft drinks, and cereals, giving people many choices.

The big farming industry and focus on giving customers what they want make American grocery stores offer a lot of different foods. In other countries like Italy or Japan, grocery stores are usually smaller and focus on specific items.

People visiting from other countries often feel surprised by how many options American supermarkets have

Final Thoughts

We know that each country has its own customs. What seems normal here can be new or confusing to visitors. These daily habits show a lot about our values, like how much we like convenience, efficiency, and individualism.

Some of these customs might seem strange or too much to people from other places, but they are part of our culture and have interesting stories. Learning about these traditions can help you understand the American way of life and why we do things the way we do.

Next time you meet someone from another country, take a moment to appreciate the cultural differences. It’s a chance to share your view and help them understand our ways.

You might even think about how these habits affect your daily life. Being open to new things is what makes our culture lively and diverse.

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AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.