I'm European.
I recently visited the USA for the first time since 2018, hitting up Las Vegas and New York City.
What I witnessed left me stunned.
15 American oddities I still can't wrap my head around:
I recently visited the USA for the first time since 2018, hitting up Las Vegas and New York City.
What I witnessed left me stunned.
15 American oddities I still can't wrap my head around:
In the US, money is an open topic, unlike the taboo it has in Europe.
I noticed that people are excited to talk about their work and financial success without any negative vibes.
As someone who likes these topics, it felt freeing to chat about it with other like-minded people.
I noticed that people are excited to talk about their work and financial success without any negative vibes.
As someone who likes these topics, it felt freeing to chat about it with other like-minded people.
Fast food was disappointing.
I was so excited to try American fast food after watching tons of YouTube reviews.
But man, In-N-Out was such a letdown. The fries tasted like cardboard, and the whole experience was just meh.
I give it a 2/10.
I was so excited to try American fast food after watching tons of YouTube reviews.
But man, In-N-Out was such a letdown. The fries tasted like cardboard, and the whole experience was just meh.
I give it a 2/10.
"How are you?" is thrown around too casually.
As a German, I'm not used to exchanging pleasantries with strangers such as cashiers like that.
It feels kind of fake to ask a question that no one really wants an honest answer to, but I guess it's part of American social norms.
As a German, I'm not used to exchanging pleasantries with strangers such as cashiers like that.
It feels kind of fake to ask a question that no one really wants an honest answer to, but I guess it's part of American social norms.
Tipping in America feels like a broken system.
I don't get why taxes aren't included in the prices, and then you're expected to add an extra 18-20% on top?
Also, tips for basic service like a coffee order seems EXTREMELY excessive to me.
I don't get why taxes aren't included in the prices, and then you're expected to add an extra 18-20% on top?
Also, tips for basic service like a coffee order seems EXTREMELY excessive to me.
The American dream is still going strong from what I can tell.
There's this huge desire to innovate and create a better future.
I heard a lot of conversations about world-changing ideas, startup ventures, and the pursuit of progress.
I honestly loved this aspect of America.
There's this huge desire to innovate and create a better future.
I heard a lot of conversations about world-changing ideas, startup ventures, and the pursuit of progress.
I honestly loved this aspect of America.
Americans are so much louder than Europeans.
Like 10x louder.
I don't understand this, it seems so unnecessary when I'm right next to you.
The constant noise was jarring and confusing for someone like me who's used to more reserved conversations.
Like 10x louder.
I don't understand this, it seems so unnecessary when I'm right next to you.
The constant noise was jarring and confusing for someone like me who's used to more reserved conversations.
Stepping into a casino for the first time was wild.
I couldn't believe my eyes, watching people chain-smoke and lose money on slot machines.
It was both fascinating and super sad.
Everything is designed to hijack your dopamine, even when you know better.
I couldn't believe my eyes, watching people chain-smoke and lose money on slot machines.
It was both fascinating and super sad.
Everything is designed to hijack your dopamine, even when you know better.
Obesity is off the charts.
I was shocked by how many severely overweight people I saw in the US — it felt dystopian.
But at the same time, I also noticed a ton of extremely fit people.
It's like America is a land of extremes when it comes to physical health and appearance.
I was shocked by how many severely overweight people I saw in the US — it felt dystopian.
But at the same time, I also noticed a ton of extremely fit people.
It's like America is a land of extremes when it comes to physical health and appearance.
Compared to Europeans, Americans are super outgoing and talkative.
They'll strike up conversations with strangers like it's no big deal, which can be both refreshing and a bit overwhelming.
This openness is a defining aspect of American culture that really stood out to me.
They'll strike up conversations with strangers like it's no big deal, which can be both refreshing and a bit overwhelming.
This openness is a defining aspect of American culture that really stood out to me.
The lights are always on in America, which is so different from the energy-saving habits I'm used to in Europe and Asia.
I guess this 24/7 brightness comes from America's wealth & love for convenience.
It creates a feeling of constant abundance I haven't experienced elsewhere.
I guess this 24/7 brightness comes from America's wealth & love for convenience.
It creates a feeling of constant abundance I haven't experienced elsewhere.
Everything is supersized, from drinks to cars.
At the Fontainebleau in Vegas, my "small" Diet Coke was nearly a liter.
Drinks are consistently 50% larger than Europe, with no option to downsize.
The same goes for food portions & vehicles – everything is just bigger in the US.
At the Fontainebleau in Vegas, my "small" Diet Coke was nearly a liter.
Drinks are consistently 50% larger than Europe, with no option to downsize.
The same goes for food portions & vehicles – everything is just bigger in the US.
Trying to eat healthy in America was an annoying challenge.
I was shocked by how expensive and hard to find nutritious options were compared to Europe.
Back home, I can easily grab a healthy meal without breaking the bank, but in the US, it felt like a treasure hunt.
I was shocked by how expensive and hard to find nutritious options were compared to Europe.
Back home, I can easily grab a healthy meal without breaking the bank, but in the US, it felt like a treasure hunt.
American customer service is super attentive & friendly compared to Europe.
I assume it's because of the whole tipping culture, as well as the fact the US is a more consumer-oriented society.
Servers really go the extra mile to make sure customers are happy, which I enjoyed.
I assume it's because of the whole tipping culture, as well as the fact the US is a more consumer-oriented society.
Servers really go the extra mile to make sure customers are happy, which I enjoyed.
Flashiness and status symbols are everywhere.
I saw way more designer watches, luxury cars, and public displays of wealth than I'm used to seeing in Europe.
It's obvious how American culture places a high value on financial success and all the material stuff that comes with it.
I saw way more designer watches, luxury cars, and public displays of wealth than I'm used to seeing in Europe.
It's obvious how American culture places a high value on financial success and all the material stuff that comes with it.
Overall, I was really inspired by the risk-taking spirit of American culture.
People here aren't afraid to change the world, even if it means leaving their comfort zones.
It's a stark contrast to the more risk-averse mindset in Europe, where people tend to play it safe.
People here aren't afraid to change the world, even if it means leaving their comfort zones.
It's a stark contrast to the more risk-averse mindset in Europe, where people tend to play it safe.
I think this stems from the history of America.
The US was built by immigrants who took a leap of faith, leaving their families behind to sail across treacherous oceans in search of a better life.
That's a massive risk.
These risk-taking genes are still present today imo.
The US was built by immigrants who took a leap of faith, leaving their families behind to sail across treacherous oceans in search of a better life.
That's a massive risk.
These risk-taking genes are still present today imo.
Thanks for reading!
If you liked this, follow me @oledoteth for more on internet business, AI, psychology, and investing.
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