The drinking age here is strictly 21. Serving anyone under 21 will get the location slapped with a fine and shut down. Younger Americans are pretty psyched to visit other countries because they can drink. All hail Bacchus, the God of Wine!
In the U.S. people look down on those who sneak their kiddos a sip or two of a harmless beer. If you ask around, kids who grew up with liquor in the home have a more responsible relationship with beer and wine than kids who didn’t It’s that whole forbidden fruit concept that happens when you try to hide something from a kid.
Leave your kids outside a store or restaurant in America and see what happens, but don’t say we didn’t warn you. In Scandinavian countries, this is apparently totally chill—pardon the pun. The cool air apparently helps babies sleep? Guess it’s hard to fuss when you’re freezing.
In America, because crime is so horrible, that kid would be snatched! Parents are forced to hover over their children at all times, because of how out of hand crime has gotten. We’re not saying that other countries don’t have crime, but other developed countries do have a better community around children.
Curse words are pretty chill in other countries, especially England and Australia (of course, Australia). Even in France, it’s perfectly fine to say the word “merde” in public. We’ll let you Google that one.
Cursing in the U.S. is such a taboo thing, even though people do…all the time. Throwing around colorful language all the time can be a serious no-no in the corporate world, or even in the general public. The moment you drop the F-bomb, you’re on everyone’s bad side.
If you really want to be offensive in America, don’t leave a tip. In other countries, you’ll get a pretty funny look. Sometimes, the person may even get offensive if you leave a tip, so it’s a good idea to look up customs before going to a restaurant in another country.
The only reason Americans tip is because no one pays restaurant staff enough to work as hard as they do. However, serving in another country is a perfectly acceptable career choice, leaving a tip could mean that you think they’re poor!
Whoa, hey. Put a shirt and shorts on your little one! People wouldn't think that elsewhere in the world. Other countries aren’t so obsessed with all that because people generally don’t care. For some reason, it isn’t the same in America.
Nudity in general is a big no-no in the states, but for other countries, it’s no big deal. We guess they think kids will just be kids!
Unless you live in New York, it’s pretty dang rude not to smile at someone when you make eye contact. In other countries, it doesn’t matter. They got places to go and people to see—probably people not to smile at.
Smiling is a genuine act of kindness or expression in other countries. However, in the States…it’s just cheap. You can see a smile on every stranger, that doesn’t mean they’re friendly. In fact, the people who smile the most…aren’t friendly at all!
Some businesses in America actually bar you from discussing your salary with your coworkers, so it’s an offensive, fire-able thing. In other countries, it’s totally fine to talk about. We’re open to the idea.
Talking about your salary is sort of an informal union! It’s not always right for one worker to get paid more than the other for the same work. So, equal pay right? Especially for women! You heard it here first…talk about your salary with your coworkers, folks.
American cuisine can be questionable—looking at you, chitterlings. Still, some foods are considered downright offensive. Ever heard of balut? Crack open a half-formed baby chicken, and you’re sure to have someone yelling at you.
Not to mention the whole fad where hillbillies have been eating bull testicles all these years! That’s just disgusting. However, overseas, don’t be surprised to see people eating snails among other creatures. It’s just part of it!
When you go overseas, don’t get offended when someone comments on your weight. It’s just what happens. One Reddit user claimed a skipper in Fiji said, “you two fat ones come and sit at the front, one on each side.” Dear lord—that would end in a lawsuit in America.
Weight in other countries has a couple of notions around them. Number one, Americans are fat…even the fit ones. Number two, people really don’t find weight that serious of an issue. Beauty standards have gotten way out of hand in the U.S. and that’s given us a complex.
South Korea has a super competitive job market and looks are important; so much so, the majority of people attach a headshot with their application. Hiring someone based on looks in America? Uh, that’s called discrimination, my friend.
Listen, it’s undeniably that pretty-people-privilege is a thing. Other countries are just more up-front about it. No one wants to sit around and look at a bunch of ugly people all day, it’s just human nature. However, that doesn’t mean that ugly people shouldn’t have a job.
If there is one thing everyone in the world has in common, it’s that we all have a human body. Now, split everyone down the middle and some people have different “equipment.” Regardless of what’s in your pants, nudity isn’t an inherently sexual act…even in public! It never has been, either!
The ancients were pretty much naked all the time, regardless of who was watching. San Francisco is one of the only places where you can be naked in the street without going to jail. If you visit anywhere else, don’t be surprised to see nudity both on tv and in person. It’s just a way of life!
Personal space? What’s that? Okay, okay. America isn’t the only country that has a problem with it, but our personal space bubbles are pretty big. Stand too close to someone in America, and you’re asking for something bad to happen.
American’s like wide-open spaces, that’s why they flock to places like Texas, which is literally larger than most of Europe! If you ask us, getting too close to someone isn’t the best, but sometimes it’s just part of it. People need to take a chill pill.
So apparently, it’s perfectly normal for women in other countries to go topless? Just wow. You'd probably get a ticket in America...or end up in jail.
We get it, people love the way women look. But not everything is about that…sometimes a woman just wants to live in her skin without being objectified. Is that too much to ask for? No! That’s why women have started the #freethenipple campaign.
Going to eat a meal with a friend is cool and all but vacate the table when you’re done (in America). This has to deal with tipping. More tables equals more tips for the wait staff. If you want to have a two-hour conversation after a meal, go to a coffee shop.
However, in other places, people are encouraged to stay and visit! Part of a restaurant’s charm is that homey feeling. People have gathered around food since the beginning of time! It’s just human nature, and the rest of the world has it right. Sit down, stay awhile…and America, pay your servers better so they’re not scrounging for tips.
In America, it’s ridiculous to expect the birthday person to pay for their own food. In other countries? Yeah, they’re paying for it all. Why? They invited everyone, so why should everyone else have to pay?
We don’t necessarily disagree with this notion. Not everyone in a friend group has the same taste or financial situation. So, if you’re going to drag all your friends to celebrate your birthday, be courteous or pick up the tab. Remember, the world doesn’t revolve around you…even on your birthday.
Snapping, waving, or yelling for a waiter in America is offensive. Somehow, you’re supposed to telepathically let them know you need their assistance. In France? Call “GARCON!” and your waiter will be right over.
There seems to be a lot of customs surrounding waitstaff in other countries, and most of them drastically differ from America’s customs. Want to know why? A server’s job is so miserable in America, we have to dance around asking them to do it! Maybe if we paid them a little better, we could get better service!
Don’t put your elbows on the table and don’t slurp—or at least, don’t do this in America. In Japan and some other countries, slurping is considered a great compliment. Your food is so good, I can’t get it in my mouth fast enough.
Furthermore, slurping is necessary to get the full flavor of some foods! So, if you’re not slurping it down, it’s not finger-licking-good! Culture seems to revolve a lot around food, and we’re not sure why the Europeans have such a stiff relationship with it.
This one isn’t just the United States either, but a lot of countries don’t really care about the national anthem. Heck, in England, people neither know the words nor care about their anthem. Here, you gotta stand and put your hand on your heart. ‘MURICA!
Listen, it’s great to love your country and all, but sometimes too much of a good thing turns bad! There’s a fine line between being patriotic and turning into a nationalist…and no one wants that. All countries are valid and important…and it’s not about being the best. If you love your country more than the next guy, that’s great. Just don’t expect the same from someone else.
This one is a double-edged sword. In America, you can’t put money on the counter when you’re paying at a cash register. In other countries, it doesn’t matter. Then, in some places, it’s offensive to hand the money to the person. Putting money on the counter will just piss the cashier off in America.
Ask us why? We’re really not sure why it matters! Maybe we’ve been offending people this whole time and just didn’t have a clue!
Yeah, no. Don’t put your mouth on my face and spread your germs everywhere. I don’t care if it’s affectionate in other countries. Let’s not do that here, okay?
Kissing on the cheek should be something saved for your special someone, and maybe your mother when you’re five years old. Otherwise, back off! In other countries, romance and physical affection is just a way of life. Even outside of your marriage in some cases! So to them, a peck on the cheek is no big deal.
This one isn’t like a 100% thing, but it’s common enough to mention. A lot of people get bombarded and yelled at because they’re just speaking their native tongue. The funny thing is, America doesn’t even have a national language, so people can speak whatever.
However, most people do speak English and haven’t educated themselves in another language. This is something America needs to get better about. Being bilingual is a great trait, and not only when it comes to corporate life! It’s just a language, it’s nothing persona.
If you see someone on American TV sans-clothes and saying curse words on TV, you’re probably watching HBO or Starz or something. Our regular channels don’t have that kind of stuff. Heck, networks have been known to get thousands of letters because of a little wardrobe malfunction during a live event.
Honestly, it’s ridiculous that American’s have developed such a phobia of the human body. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, we all have one! Now, we’re not advocating for full-fledged you-know-what on TV, but there’s nothing offensive about the human body.
We’re in America, so use ambiguous measuring systems! We don’t use liters, kilometers, or anything of the sort. How big is it? "Well, it’s about two football fields wide." Um, okay?
If you ask anyone else in the world, they don’t know what a cup is! The metric system just makes sense. It’s a much more efficient system of measurement, and that’s why scientists everywhere use it!
Some cabbies get pretty mad when you sit in the front seat. It’s just weird. Plus, it puts them in danger. It’s just easier for everyone if you sit in the back seat. In other countries, it’s rude not to sit in the front seat.
If you’ve read anything on this list, you’ve probably gotten an understanding that Americans like to be left alone! Both on the job, and off the job. This is strange because they also want to be acknowledged and talked to. So, sit in the back of the cab, but strike up a conversation.
In other countries, it’s totally fine to give people nicknames based on their appearance or ethnicity. Doing that here would probably get you knocked in the face or yelled at for half an hour.
Here’s the deal, mocking someone isn’t nice. But a little obvious banter is all in good fun! If you’re missing a tooth and they call you toothless, pick a flaw of theirs to call them by.
Intense snogging in public is fine in other countries. Sure, a lot of people do it in America, but it’s pretty taboo. It’s so bad that someone can call the police on you, and you could actually get arrested for it.
Affection is so taboo in America, that there’s actually an acronym for it…P.D.A. For some reason, American’s don’t want to see two lovers doing what they do best. In other countries, don’t be surprised to see a little too much for comfort!
Not every place has a red light district but hiring a “lady of the night” is perfectly legal in other countries. In America, the idea of having such a thing is offensive (and illegal). People will literally avoid these neighborhoods.
In some countries, like the Netherlands, the government actually gives disabled people a stipend to hire a friend for a few hours of fun…and get this, depression rates drastically improved among the disabled population!
Sometimes eyes wander, alright? It isn’t because your face is particularly interesting, but people still get offended by staring. In some places, like Germany, it’s whatever. People stare when they’re waiting for the train to get to the next stop.
Eye contact is one of those things that signal connection, but it can also signal assertion. Staring someone dead in the eye can say “hey I like you,” or “Make one wrong move and you’re done!” No wonder it gets confusing in other places.
A growing number of people are offended when someone “takes” another person’s culture. In other countries, it’s just seen as sharing. Some cultures are even happy to see other person embracing their culture.
Like with most cultural things, always do your research about how people will respond to an outsider enjoying their culture. It’s always a good practice to use a little reverence when taking part in another person’s culture. We think there’s a balance to be met in this situation.
In America, you don’t whip it out and feed your baby. There are special stations in the bathroom for such things, and not going into one will get you chastised. Elsewhere, it’s fine because a baby gotta eat when a baby gotta eat.
Again, this is a ridiculous instance of women’s bodies not being seen for anything other than “the deed.” This is honestly an offense that is not justified in America. This is feeding a baby…not something salacious and gross. People need to get over their weird issues with women.
It’s great to have people defending your country, and those people deserve respect. But some other countries don’t glorify the military as we do in America. Basically, you have to thank anyone in uniform for their service. Elsewhere? Not so much.
Joining the military is a great and noble thing to do, and we think that deserves something. It’s a service to your community, and family. However, some of the fawning people do to the uniform is a bit overkill. Just respect it for what it is…but don’t sensationalize it.
Even mentioning breaking monogamy to your spouse will end up with divorce proceedings. Actually, going through with it is illegal in America. We’re not sure what would happen, but it probably wouldn’t be good.
The only place where it’s semi-legal to have more than one spouse is in Utah…and even then people raise an eyebrow. Ask any American straight man, and they’ll say that one wife is all they can maintain at once.
You don’t disrespect the American flag. It doesn’t matter who you are. For some people, wearing the American flag as a piece of clothing is even offensive. Other places aren't so respectful toward their flag.
In other countries, their flag is just a symbol that is there. It doesn’t have a soul or feelings. It’s a piece of fabric. In all things, there should be a balance…even with patriotism. In fact, an over respect for the flag could become problematic.
In England, you can call your buds literally whatever you want. We’re talking things that would absolutely cross the line in America. You just don’t call someone a nonce here.
If you’ve never heard of a roast, look up the roast of Charlie Sheen. “Roast” culture is when your friends make fun of you in a loving way. It’s supposed to be funny, truthful, and light-hearted. However, take things one step too far and you’ve got a problem on your hands.
We’re pretty sure everyone thinks this is weird, but in America, we constantly reply back to someone. Not replying is just rude and offensive, and it's almost like everyone wants the final word. In other countries? The conversation is over when the topic is discussed.
Silence is a powerful communication tool, and it can be used in just about any conversation. Silence could be funny, serious, or even manipulative. Americas probably don’t like silence because it forces them to think, and one thing’s for sure…no one likes to think these days.
When you’re out in public as a kid, your parents teach you not to talk to strangers. In other countries, people pretty much stay to themselves if they don’t know you. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In the U.S. people have to talk to fill the silence…especially in public.
The “South” particularly has a bad habit of talking to anyone and everyone! In fact, if someone talks to you, and you don’t respond…it’s considered rude. But it’s really not, some people just don’t want to talk and that’s okay! The U.S. should probably normalize not talking so much.
While there are so many differences around the world, there is one thing that is pretty much universal no matter which country you’re in, and that’s coffee! Everyone likes a cup of coffee in the morning. Italians have an espresso at every meal! But, the U.S. may be the only place in the world to get offended over a stupid coffee cup.
This insane melodrama started in 2015 when Starbucks debuted its annual holiday cup. In the past, the cup was decorated with winter-themed designs that celebrated the holidays, but in 2015 the marketing team at Starbucks decided to go a bit more simple with a solid red cup. This triggered a satanic-panic event in which right-wing conservatives hurt their own feelings, stating that Starbucks was canceling Christmas…which just wasn’t true.
In America, people like their space. That’s why suburban sprawl is a thing. In public, don’t be surprised if an American gets in your face for getting all up in their space. Standing too close is seen as aggressive or creepy, and people do not like it…even in big cities.
In other places around the world, getting up close and personal with someone is just the nature of the culture. Cities are crowded and buildings are notoriously smaller, so standing too close is just part of it! It’s not rude when someone is less than a step behind you, they’re just making their way just like you!
Standing around in public is the favorite pastime of teenagers and young people around the world. Hanging out in public isn’t a bad thing! It’s a great way to meet new people and watch strange people meander through the streets…also known as people watching.
In the U.S. businesses and communities cracked down on loitering in the ‘90s and even made it illegal! God forbid people to hang out and chill with their friends in public. That’s the whole point…it’s a public space! In other countries, loitering is perfectly acceptable.
Placing too much emphasis on hard work seems to be a common occurrence for Americans. It’s gotten to be such a cultural problem that people think they have to be working to be worth something…and that’s just not true. We’re human beings that work…for fun. So, taking a break is a perfectly fine thing to do.
In countries around the world, don’t be surprised if someone takes a few hours off work just because. In some South American countries, entire cities shut down in the afternoon for a few hours. In America, that would trigger all those people who can’t even wait 5 minutes in a drive-thru without screaming at someone.
In America, the customer is always right. If they say something is wrong, it’s wrong. If it’s not good enough, it’s not. For years, people have gotten by with abusing minimum wage workers to the point that employers have a hard time finding people to work those jobs! If a worker tells a customer no, they’ll cause a “Karen” level meltdown.
However, in other countries, bad customer service is just the standard. Who wants to serve someone on the weekend when they’re working, no one! Bad customer service isn’t personal to you. They’re not being rude, they’re just working and probably don’t want to be.
Only in the U.S. are you forced to like everyone you come in contact with…well, at least on the surface anyway. No one likes everyone they meet, and that’s a fact. Chances are you’ll cross paths with at least 5 people on your way to work each day that you couldn’t care less if you ever saw them again.
The notion that you must like everyone, and everyone must like you is prevalent in the states that therapists are spending hours pleading with patients to not care what people think. It’s true! What if we told you that the rest of the world could give a rat’s you-know-what if they like you or not? American’s need to stop caring.
Listen, if you’re coming to us for health advice…you must be smoking something worse than a cigarette. We’re not here to say that smoking is good. In fact, medical professionals say it’s one of the worst things you could do to your body! However, we will make a claim and say a person smoking on the street isn’t a personal offense to you.
The world doesn’t revolve around you! Go to any other country, especially in Europe, and people would laugh in your face if you shot them a dirty look for smoking. If you don’t like it, walk the other way. It’s just that simple. Get over yourself, life is hard enough…if people want a smoke break to cope with it, they should be able to in peace.
It’s almost like everyone in the U.S. got together and collectively decided to never wear real clothes again…especially lately. This whole athleisure thing has gotten entirely out of hand. If you look around, even at a nice event, chances are there’s nothing but denim and leggings, and that’s just not okay.
The worst part is, if you show up to one of these events in a tux, they’re going to look at you like you’re the weird one! Other cultures look for any excuse to get dressed up and celebrate. Americans however are looking for their next excuse to stay home in their pajamas…maybe that’s because we only get two weeks of paid vacation while the rest of the world gets at least six.
Other languages don’t beat around the bush. Instead of saying “I would like a coffee,” they say something like, “give me a coffee.” Say that to your barista and see what happens in America. Bring a big tip.
Being direct isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, being overly kind and considerate lends itself to being taken advantage of in the U.S. If you ask us, taking advantage of other people is the rudest thing someone could do!
Time and time again, you see the loner on tv who just wants to be left alone. But, along comes Judy goody-two-shoes who convinces the loner that their lonesome ways are bad, and all of a sudden they get a bright cheery makeover, living happily ever after. That just seems a little unrealistic, right?
Wanting to be left alone is a valid need. You never know what someone is actually dealing with, and if they’re not ready to come out of their shell and be the center of attention, you could actually create a rather hostile situation by forcing them to do so. Some people just don’t like people, and American’s need to respect that.
If it’s one thing Americans have a hard time saying, and an even harder time hearing, it’s the word “NO!” The U.S. is all about “yes, and…” we want more, more, more, all the time. But sometimes, the only thing a person needs most is to be told “no.”
In other countries, it’s not uncommon not only to be told “no” but “hell no.” You see, human beings weren’t designed to always be doing something they don’t want to do. Every once in a while, sure, go do something for someone else. However, eventually, that same effort needs to be extended to yourself.
Oh, no. Your new love interest is still close to their ex…what in the world are you going to do? You should probably just chill out, and we’re going to tell you why. In America, you have to drag your ex’s name through the mud just to convince the rest of the fish in the sea that you’re emotionally available to have your emotions trampled on once again.
While the same amount of dating turmoil is present in other countries, this whole melodrama surrounding an ex just isn’t a thing. Who knows you better than your ex? Unless your ex was a narcissist, probably no one! So, if you’re looking for some solid feedback, ask your ex and take that advice with a grain of salt.
In the U.S. people want it, and they want it now. If you show up late to anything, you’re canceled. Your tardiness is a personal attack on whoever you kept waiting…but is it really though? Absolutely not. There are so many things that can make a person late…and the truth is, the world doesn’t revolve around any one of us, so we all just need to chill out.
Being late in other countries is just the norm. Some places don’t put an emphasis on time at all! In some other countries, people just show up whenever they get there! However, in America everything is timed and fast-paced…and if you ask us, it’s about time we all slow down and smell the roses.
Laziness is usually considered rude and generally bad quality, but which caveman stood up and started calling the others lazy? We bet he was one unpopular guy! If everyone was lazy all the time, nothing would ever get done. However, not everyone must work as hard as the hardest working caveman. All jokes aside, the U.S. has become infatuated with the idea of productivity since the invention of the assembly line.
Leisure isn’t just for the rich man, in fact, we all deserve some time to just be. If there’s anything true in the world, it’s that work will still be there tomorrow…but your time won’t be. In other countries, someone being lazy on the job is a personal choice that is not your business…if you don’t like it, go somewhere else.
