Each country is known to have its unique traditions, but did you know that there are several in America that are shocking to the rest of the world?
The United States is one of the newer countries in the world, having only been founded a couple hundred years ago in 1776. Other countries have existed for centuries and cemented many traditions that seem normal to the rest of the world. For example, according to footballhistory.org, the sport of soccer (or football in any country other than the U.S.) has been in existence for more than 2,000 years.
From Groundhog Day to giving a thumbs up, many American traditions only make sense if you were born and raised in the U.S. Those who visit America or immigrate here find this list of habits and practices unusual.
To compile this list, 24/7 Tempo reviewed several sources including Business Insider and Forbes. Here are 15 American traditions that are shocking to the rest of the world. (For more reading on cultural differences between countries, check out these iconic American dishes that have become global favorites.)
Groundhog Day
While many wait to see how Punxsutawney Phil will predict the next six weeks of weather in the United States, this absurd holiday is only celebrated in America. This tradition has taken place every Feb. 2 since 1877. Americans wait to see if Phil will see his shadow; as lore has it, we can expect six more weeks of winter if he does. If not, however, we can expect an early spring.
Because incredible advancements have been made in weather prediction, Groundhog Day has become a fun tradition, albeit one unique to the U.S., even though it derives from a German tradition of using rodents to predict the weather.
Tailgate parties
As mentioned earlier, football in the United States means American football, not soccer. And, because the sport is mostly unique to the U.S., so is the way we participate in football activities such as tailgate parties. While fans in most countries simply arrive at a sporting event and take their seats, Americans choose to celebrate a little differently. Many fans will rent parking spaces outside the stadium and arrive hours before the event begins.
When tailgating, people often bring a camper, grill out, or even bring a TV along to watch the game from outside the stadium. Football isn’t the only U.S. sport that draws in tailgaters. NASCAR is also popularly celebrated through this activity.
Black Friday shopping
Many foreigners believe America is excellent at commercializing holidays and special events. It’s no surprise then, that Black Friday shopping is a tradition that might seem odd outside the U.S. In the early morning hours following Thanksgiving, shoppers line up outside stores, hoping to pick up products at amazingly low prices.
Since its birth in the United States, however, smaller, less intense versions of the holiday are practiced in other countries. This is largely tied to Cyber Monday, a tradition of online shopping deals that take place on the Monday following Black Friday. Other countries are more inclined to participate in Cyber Monday due to its online nature.
Tipping
While tipping in and of itself isn’t unique to the U.S., the amount and the way we tip are. In many lines of work including food service, workers in America are often paid a lower base salary. This makes gratuity an expected and helpful act. Additionally, many Americans tip for a wide range of services, which is not the case in other countries.
According to CNBC, workers in other countries don’t rely on tips due to a lower base pay. Gratuity in many other countries is simply a kind gesture or an optional act.
Calling the U.S. ‘America’
If you’re native to the U.S., you likely grew up using the terms United States and America interchangeably. This is largely due to the full name of the country: The United States of America. However, in all other cultures around the world, it’s known that the U.S. is not the only America. There are the continents of North America and South America, so this term seems confusing if you weren’t born and raised here. To many foreign to the U.S., our country is referred to as “The States.”
Free refills
Free refills are not only common but also expected at many restaurants in the U.S. Fast food chains are especially known for this tradition. As these fast food chains spread internationally, their stand on free refills varies by country, however. In most other countries, the price of a beverage is for that cup only. If you’d like a refill, you can expect to pay a fee. Additionally, the BBC reports that France has placed a ban on free refills, noting that the country is trying to limit rising obesity that stems from sugary soft drinks.
Consuming large portions
To piggyback off the tradition of free refills, Americans are also known for consuming food in extremely large portions. This is most notable in the fast food industry as Americans desire convenience and value. In the 1970s, fast-food marketers realized that Americans would consume more of their products if they offered a larger size at a value price.
Today, the Daily Mail notes that the United States is still the country with the largest cup size in fast food restaurants. For example, a large McDonald’s soda in the United States is placed in a 30-ounce cup. In Japan, however, a large beverage is sold in a 20-ounce cup.
Taking coffee to go
It’s known globally that the United States in general tends to move at a faster pace than many other countries. Additionally, because citizens are accustomed to larger portions and free refills, getting large coffees in paper cups “to go” is normal in America. In other countries, however, coffee is served in smaller portions and is meant to be slowly enjoyed. It’s also meant to be enjoyed with friends. When ordering coffee in Cuba, Argentina, or many European countries, you may find that your options involve simple shots of espresso rather than large lattes.
Placing the month first in dates
In the United States, our dates are written as month, date, and year. In almost every other country, however, dates are written with the day first, then the month and the year. This is especially true for European countries, so this dating difference can be quite confusing to foreigners traveling in the U.S.
Baby showers
If you were born and raised in the United States, baby showers are second nature. This tradition began in the 1950s as the U.S. experienced its “baby boom” era. In this tradition, the expectant mother is often “showered” with gifts, food, and games to honor her growing family. However, in other countries, baby showers are not common.
For example, in China, it’s considered bad luck to celebrate a child before it’s born. More often, a party will be thrown after the child is born to celebrate the entire family. Additionally, in France, a child often isn’t celebrated until their first birthday.
Using the imperial system instead of the metric system
According to Statista, the U.S. is one of only three countries that uses the imperial system for measuring. Outside of the United States, Liberia and Myanmar, every other country uses the metric system for measuring. This can be incredibly confusing as Americans measure in miles, feet, pounds, and ounces, and nearly every other country uses kilometers and kilograms.
In the mid-1970s, Congress attempted a push to conform the U.S. to the metric system. This plan failed, however, leaving the U.S. to continue to be different when it comes to measurements.
Having little vacation time
A recent article from 20-Something Finance reveals that the United States is the most overworked, developed country in the world. In all other developed countries, vacations (or “holidays”) are required and expected. Several weeks of vacation are standard, whereas, in America, our vacation time is limited and often goes unused. This goes hand-in-hand with the U.S.’s struggle to manage work-life balance.
This also comes into play when considering family medical leave or parental leave. The U.S. typically falls behind in giving paid leave.
The World Series
In 1856, baseball was officially coined the “National Pastime.” While it’s true that baseball has made its way to various other countries around the world, it’s most popular in the U.S. Because of its popularity, America is home to the World Series, a tournament of professional baseball teams that occurs each October. Additionally, the World Series has been in progress for a staggering 120 years, dating back to 1903.
Trick-or-treating
Children trick or treating on Halloween night in New Canaan, Connecticut, USA. 31st October 2013. Photo Tim Clayton (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Children trick or treating on Halloween night in New Canaan, Connecticut, USA. 31st October 2013. Photo Tim Clayton (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
In the United States, Halloween is a holiday celebrated each year on Oct. 31. One of the ways this holiday is celebrated is by children dressing up in costumes and traveling door to door to gather candy and other treats. However, this holiday is often seen as a commercialized American tradition, and it’s not recognized in other countries. Statista.com shares a map of the countries that practice this tradition, with the U.S. and Canada shown as the countries most known to celebrate it.
Giving a thumbs-up
For most Americans, a thumbs-up is a positive sign. It’s a versatile signal that says “OK,” “got it,” or “I’m good.” However, in other countries, a thumbs-up means something entirely different. In countries like Greece, Iran, Australia, and other areas of the Middle East, a thumbs-up means “up yours.” So be careful when using this hand signal in other areas of the world. (For related content, read what decoding body language and your gestures reveal.)