US TIPPING CULTURE CONFUSES EVERYONE
Things That Are Normal In The US That The Rest Of The World Finds Weird
Some common practices in the US are actually quite strange to people from other countries.
Using money that is all the same color
[It seems hard to navigate different bill sizes when they all look similar. Jo Yong-Hak/Reuters]
In the US, dollar bills are all the same shade of green, and they all look very similar, aside from slightly different images.
If you travel to other countries, you'll find that their bills are typically all different colors and sizes according to what they're worth. Many foreigners find our currency to be a bit confusing since it all looks the same.
Putting a lot of ice in drinks
[Cocktails are often packed with ice. Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Here Media]
One small thing that stands out when you visit Europe is that restaurants there don't use a lot of ice — at most restaurants, you won't get it unless you ask for it.
Americans are among the few people who use an excess of ice in their drinks. Articles have even been written about why we do it. Writer Lisa Bramen for The Smithsonian speculates it may be related to our "more is more" vibe in the US.
Advertising prescription drugs all over the place
[Drug ads are in magazines and on television. Image Point Fr/Shutterstock]
Some are surprised to find that many print advertisements and commercials in the US advertise prescription drugs.
The advertisements must follow a few FDA regulations — that's why many will say, "Ask your doctor about X" and not just tell you to take a drug — but they're not common in most places around the world.
Eating bread that almost always tastes sweet
[People in the US may not even realize how sweet bread is. DmyTo/iStock]
Many visitors to the US have noted that the bread here is really sweet. Recipes certainly vary, but sugar is found in many American breads.
Many typical European breads don't include sugar as an added ingredient, which means it's often less sweet.
Taking leftover food home from a restaurant
[It's not uncommon to take your leftover meal back home for tomorrow's lunch. Alexander Spatari/Getty Images]
In the US, we don't think twice about asking a server to box up our uneaten food so we can bring it home to finish another time.
In other countries, this is incredibly strange and even considered rude. In France, for example, it's so frowned upon that a law had to be passed to allow "doggy bags" to happen to get rid of food waste.
Eating giant portions
[Some foreigners can't believe the portion sizes. OhEngine/Shutterstock]
Speaking of leftover food, people from other countries also can't believe how big American portions are.
That's true when it comes to the size of dishes in restaurants, sodas, and other drinks in fast-food chains, and even items that aren't food.
In part, large portions can perhaps be linked to companies in the US wanting bigger profits. Bigger serving sizes mean you can charge more money.
Using red cups to drink alcohol out of
[Red cups are common in US movies and in real life. Shoshy Ciment/Business Insider]
People around the world can't believe how often Americans use red cups. In some countries, people throw "American parties," where they all make sure to use red cups.
Throwing baby showers
[Some foreigners find it to be rude. Jeneil S/Getty Images]
People in countries around the world celebrate the birth of new child in their own ways, but baby showers are very American.
Baby showers are thrown for expecting parents and usually have games, cake, and presents — but you won't find many celebrations like these in places like Russia or England.
To read about more common practices in the US that people from other countries might find strange, head to Business Insider.