For higher or worse, it is simple for all of us to search out ourselves in a bubble. We’re surrounded by a sure mind-set, a sure life-style, and a sure perspective on cultural norms. We will get caught up in pondering that folks exterior of our little bubble are bizarre, or completely different, and that the unusual methods they could do issues are flat out improper or weird. That is particularly widespread in the USA. The world, in loads of methods, is America-centric. Most wherever we go, folks will communicate English, settle for our foreign money, and know who Taylor Swift is.
However the reality is that there is a massive broad world on the market, stuffed with vastly completely different cultures and methods of life! And have we ever stopped to suppose… possibly we are the bizarre ones?
A current thread on Reddit posed the query: “What’s one thing Individuals think about regular, however folks from different international locations discover it disturbing?”
Listed below are the very best responses on issues which are regular within the U.S. however thought-about unusual, stunning, horrifying, or simply plain bizarre elsewhere.
1. Portion sizes
American portion sizes are colossal.Canva Images
“The portion factor at all times makes me giggle now since I realized Europeans apparently dont do leftovers from eating places. I get that for those who’re used to a restaurant portion being one thing you at all times eat all of in a single sitting our parts most likely appear ridiculous. … As an enormous dude who eats a ton simply to stay, I am glad our parts are what they’re,” one consumer wrote.
2. Rubbish disposals in kitchen sinks
“Yeah, it’s wild how regular they appear right here, however elsewhere they’re seen as loud, harmful, or simply plain bizarre,” somebody commented.
“Additionally they appear to suppose we dump massive quantities of meals waste down them once they’re simply meant for small scraps,” a consumer added.
Rubbish disposals, certainly, aren’t usually discovered exterior of the USA. The truth is, they’re outright banned in lots of European international locations. The pondering is that encouraging folks to scrape leftover meals down the drain locations extra stress on the sewage system and harms the setting.
3. Costs do not embrace tax
Foreigners suppose it is bizarre once they come to America and a 99 cent merchandise finally ends up costing $1.06. Differing gross sales tax throughout state strains is partly responsible, however customers within the thread had been satisfied that is solely an excuse:
“If the money register is aware of the value, then the value sticker machine will be set with the identical worth. It is actually that easy,” somebody wrote.
4. Gaps between restroom stall doorways
American public restrooms aren’t very non-public.Canva Images
Guests from Europe are used to public restroom stalls which are nearly fully enclosed. In America, for some unusual purpose, we love leaving gigantic gaps between the sides of the door, the ground, and the ceiling. Why? There are a number of causes: It is simpler to mop beneath the stalls this fashion, and fewer privateness means it is tougher for people to get away with doing sketchy issues within the stalls. However both method, lots of people do not prefer it.
“I as soon as cried throughout a layover within the US as a result of I wanted to empty my menstrual cup after 12+ hours of touring, and you would actually simply see into each stall. Plus I have to squat all the way down to do it, and the doorways ended at my knees. A random girl noticed me panicking and once I stated the stalls weren’t non-public sufficient, she stated “awwwwe, are you European?”
5. So. many. commercials.
“I had a British good friend ask why had been there so many commercials throughout an episode of Household Man,” one consumer wrote.
“And the content material of these commercials. Apparently it is solely American docs who want their sufferers to ask about some superb new treatment that has loopy unintended effects,” one other added.
6. We get healthcare via our jobs
It at all times struck me as humorous {that a} nation that supposedly loves entrepreneurs and small enterprise house owners makes it so extremely harmful to go away your job for any purpose. It is much more stunning to folks from, effectively, nearly every other developed nation.
“This job pays like shit and I hate it, but when I give up my important treatment will not be lined till I get employed someplace else, so I can not danger it!” one consumer joked.
7. Worrying about the price of the physician
No less than 1 / 4 of adults repeatedly skip mandatory medical care as a result of they’re nervous about how a lot it prices. Guests from overseas are completely horrified by the considered having to contemplate whether or not probably life-saving procedures match the finances.
8. Cashiers do not sit down
Cashiers in America stand all shift lengthy.Canva Images
Individuals who work the money register usually sit down in most elements of the world, together with Europe. It is extra comfy and ergonomic, and, in reality, there’s one thing known as Proper to Sit that ensures this profit.
In America, cashiers are sometimes forbidden from sitting down whereas working, which comes as an enormous shock to foreigners.
9. HOAs
HOAs exist in some elements of the world, however they’re notably intense in America. It may be a bucket of chilly water for individuals who transfer right here from overseas.
“A consumer of mine had a sick husband. He sadly handed away. She leaves her rubbish cans out throughout this time and begins to get fined by the HOA on a regular basis her cans are omitted, and letters posted on her door,” one consumer shared.
10. Faculty kids reciting the Pledge of Allegiance
America loves the Pledge of Allegiance.Canva Images.
Some international locations world wide have their very own model of the Pledge of Allegiance. What’s extraordinarily uncommon is a democracy forcing kids to recite their loyalty each morning and even face punishment in the event that they refuse.
“Did a pupil alternate [in the US] once I was 17 and acquired detention on my first day for not saying it. I didn’t comprehend it, however even when I did… It’s not my nation! Tried so laborious to politely clarify that to the instructor and so they wouldn’t have a bar of it,” one commenter shared.
11. Our obsession with grass lawns
The love, nay, obsession, with lawns discovered within the America suburbs will not be a world phenomenon. A variety of foreigners discover it to be extraordinarily unusual, and a bit of disturbing. However there’s a brilliant aspect:
“As a married, center aged man with 3 children, in poor health let everybody in on a bit of secret: Its the one time we get to ourselves… It additionally is admittedly satisfying. However the precise purpose behind why it grew to become a factor is rooted within the classwar and racism like every thing else on this nation,” one consumer wrote.
12. Declawing cats
Beauty surgical procedures on pets are…a alternative.Canva Images.
Non-obligatory or beauty surgical procedures on pets are fairly distinctive to America, all issues thought-about:
“Docking tails, and clipping ears, and dew claw removing on canine, too! Our miniature pinscher has had all three completed to her by her earlier proprietor, and it is simply so needlessly merciless. She did not want any of these surgical procedures,” somebody wrote.
13. Carrying sneakers in the home
Sneakers in the home will not be uniquely American, nevertheless it’s extra widespread right here than most different locations world wide.
“That is insane and nasty. Town I stay in sadly has loads of shit — and I don’t imply from canine — on the bottom. Carrying sneakers in the home is disgusting,” somebody wrote.
Personally, I like carrying sneakers in the home—in any other case I would consistently be stubbing my toes!
14. Circumcision
Once more, a number of different locations world wide carry out circumcisions, often for non secular causes, however America is exclusive in the way in which it has turn into the default alternative for nearly each boy no matter faith or background. Europeans, specifically, discover this apply extraordinarily unusual.
“So glad I didn’t do that to my son. My fiancée’s household gave me critical backlash for selecting to not as a result of all the boys on her aspect of the household are circumcised. I merely advised them that I’m not a barbarian and I don’t care what they suppose,” one consumer wrote.
15. Sugar in bizarre locations
America loves additional sugar in savory meals.Canva Images.
A variety of meals objects on American cabinets embrace tons of added sugar and excessive fructose corn syrup. You anticipate to see it in soda, sweet, and desserts. However bread? Pasta sauce? Why is there a lot sugar in every thing?
Sugar is used repeatedly in America to reinforce taste and work as a preservative, whereas the practices is not as widespread in lots of different international locations.
This text initially appeared in June.
