Americans are known for being so focused on their own country that they have no idea what goes on anywhere else. Here are a few things that foreigners find strange about Americans.

1) Never Stop Smiling

In America, smiling is a way to show that you are friendly. But in a lot of other countries, it’s a dead giveaway that you are American. It’s just unnatural, you know.

2) Crosswalk Priority

In America, there’s no way you aren’t getting in trouble if you run over someone. That’s why jaywalkers rarely care. But in other countries, you cross the road with caution.

3) Saying, “Ma’am”

While it isn’t uncommon to be polite in most countries, the overuse of “ma’am” and “thank you” in businesses in particular can be quite strange in America.

4) Pumped Up AC

Foreigners have noted that Americans have air conditioning everywhere. Not only is this expensive but they also believe that it’s unnecessary. Who gets that hot?

5) So Many Trash Cans

This one is ironic. Americans litter more than almost any other country. And yet, they also have more trash cans than most. In Japan, they hold onto their trash for blocks before finding a trash can.

6) Confidently Wrong

If Americans are one thing, it’s confident. While most of us have huge insecurities, we never let it show. We do everything we do, even if we’re wrong, with confidence.

7) All Those Commercials

Even Americans hate these. An hour long show is actually only 40 minutes. In most countries, commercials are not that long or that frequent! Go figure! Must be nice though.

8) Those Bathroom Gaps

You know how the stalls in the bathroom give you little privacy? This might be annoying to you but it drives foreigners insane! Especially those from more conservative cultures.

9) Speak Their Minds

While most Americans agree that you should be polite, they also agree with the First Amendment. You should be able to say whatever you want, whenever you want.

10) Not French Bread

Americans tend to all any sort of uncut load of bread “French bread” but they got it all wrong. That bread is not French and the French are insulted by the term.

11) So Many Baseball Caps

You probably knew this one! Americans wear a lot of baseball caps! There’s a 99% chance you have one in your closet right now even if you don’t wear it. Memorabilla, man.

12) All Those Flavors

Other countries, like Japan, love their flavored candy and cookies, but no one does it like America. Do we really need a hundred flavors of Oreos when we know the original is the best?

13) Flag Pride

We hang our flags high like we’re some kind of cult or commune. We call it pride but others just see flags in their faces. But to us, it’s a sign of freedom.

14) There’s Always A Hostess

Unless you go to a cheap restaurant, in America, you wait to be seated. In other countries, like France, you seat yourself, even in nicer restaurants. Isn’t that strange?

15) Where Did Tax Come From?

A lot of Europeans escaped Europe to have lower taxes. Now, we tax everything! The worst part about it is that the tax doesn’t appear as part of the price. This can be confusing.

16) Saying Restroom

Americans are so uncomfortable talking about “toilets” and such that they use the word restroom. But in other countries, this is just confusing and brings up the image of a bed.

17) Crossing The State Line

There aren’t many countries that have “state” or “province” laws like America. But here, the laws change after you cross the state line which makes no sense at all.

18) Talk Loudly

One American was “casually” talking to someone on a bus in Korea and was told to “calm down” because he was being too loud. Guess Americans are just naturally loud.

19) Ads For Doctors

In other places, you get your doctor’s number from online or word of mouth. You don’t pick him out from a commercial or Subway wall. Unless you’re in America.

20) The Highway Size

The size of our highways are twice as big as those in Europe. But when it comes to lanes, there are less lanes in American than in other Asian countries.

21) Metric System

Enough said, right? The US is the only country that uses the metric system and thinks other countries should do the same. Not only is it more confusing but it is also the minority.

22) They’re Called Sneakers

Whether you call them sneakers or tennis shoes, you definitely wear them on a regular basis. Foreigners say they can tell someone is American by their sneakers.

23) SO Much Ice

In other countries, you get a few cubes of ice and in some, none at all. Americans love their ice and fill their glasses full before adding their favorite beverage.

24) Drug Side Effects

America is one of the only countries that lets you ask your doctor for a certain drug. They also are the only one that has commercials for drugs, listing all those side effects.

25) Never Leave Your Car

These days, you can eat, get groceries, and wash your car without even leaving it. That’s not even a thing in other countries. Even nice restaurants have drive-thrus here.

26) Proud Of Their State

Most countries aren’t as divided as America. When Americans introduce themselves, even overseas, they say what state they are from rather than just what country.

27) Free Condiments

This isn’t true for everywhere, but in other places, like Germany, you usually have to pay for condiments at a restaurant. Free ketchup for the win, America!

28) Using African American

One black man from the Netherlands was called “African American” even though he was obviously not American. Of course, this is cultural ignorance, but still.

29) Singing Aloud

Americans usually aren’t afraid to belt out their favorite tunes, even in public. Even Hispanic people find this strange and can spot any American this way.

30) Giving 15% Tips

In other countries, it can be considered rude to leave a tip. Demeaning, in a way. But in America, it’s expected and catches foreigners off-guard big time.

31) Confusing Money

Most countries make their bills different sizes for blind people. But in America, blind people need assistance if they want to get it right. Is this a Benjamin or a Washington?

32) “How Are You?” But I Don’t Care

Have you ever realized how, “how are you?” usually just means “hello” in American. You don’t expect much of an answer. In most countries, if you say it, you mean it.

33) Cashier Small Talk

We usually talk to cashiers and baristas because it makes us feel uncomfortable when it’s quiet. But it’s the opposite in other countries. They don’t even smile and nod sometimes.

34) Stranger Talk In General

In America, it isn’t weird to strike up a conversation with someone while waiting in line. But foreigners will tell you time and again that it’s strange to do so!

35) Public PJs

Pajamas are for bedtime and lazy days at home. Not trips to the grocery store. Unless you’re from small town American, then you wear them wherever you want.

36) Late Night Visits

Most stores in America are open until 10pm to midnight. Some are even 24-hours! But in the UK, and other countries, they are usually closed by dark or 7pm.

37) Giant Pickup Trucks

Not only do we call our pickups trucks, but they are also as large as a lot of other trucks. The same goes for cars. No wonder Americans think foreign cars are so tiny.

38) The Free Tee

You have a favorite free t-shirt that you probably wear to bed or to Walmart. This isn’t the norm for people in other countries. They see it as a walking ad. They don’t know how comfy it is though!

39) Pharmacies With Everything

Think Walgreens. Where you can get your prescription for your lung disease and buy cigarettes too. Feed your disease and try to cure it all in the same store.

40) Old Isn’t Old

An “old” house in America is less than a hundred years old. In other countries, you can find structures that are thousands of years old. No wonder Americans love to travel!

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Source: Buzzfeed, Buzzfeed, Buzzfeed twitter, flickr/Roger Johnson