There are certain things that are so distinctly American that people from other countries struggle to believe they’re real. Some are part of the country’s history, while others are the result of Americans taking a basic concept and making it ten times bigger than it needs to be. Of course, the United States is a massive country with plenty of regional differences, so not everything extends to the whole of the nation. Still, there are a handful of things that have become synonymous with life in the United States. Here are nine things that are distinctly American.
High School Homecoming
In many countries, high school is simply a place where teenagers go to learn, socialize, and occasionally get into trouble. In America, it’s also the setting for an entire social calendar full of events. Homecoming is a particularly American tradition involving football games, pep rallies, elaborate dances, and the crowning of a homecoming king and queen. Lots of schools even have parades with decorated floats and students throwing candy into the crowd. The whole thing is a big deal to students and a huge, time-consuming production.
Drive-Thru Everything
Americans love convenience and are determined to accomplish as many errands as possible without leaving their cars. Drive-thru restaurants are common in other countries, but the United States has taken the concept and run with it. You can easily find drive-thru pharmacies, banks, liquor stores, and coffee shops. Some say Americans are lazy, and our obsession with drive-thrus doesn’t exactly help our case.
Tailgating Before Sporting Events
In most countries, going to a game involves buying a ticket, showing up, and watching the teams play. Americans decided that wasn’t nearly festive enough and each sporting event needed to be an all-day thing. Tailgating turns the parking lots outside stadiums into an enormous outdoor party with grilled food, extravagant outfits, coolers full of beer, and folding chairs. Those who really do it in style bring motorhomes and outdoor big-screen TVs. Fans arrive hours before kickoff to share snacks, socialize with neighbors, and get a little tipsy.
The Diner
With their vinyl booths, bottomless cups of coffee, and menus that seem to include every possible food, diners are an American staple. Many trace their origins to the late 19th century. During this time, mobile lunch wagons served workers affordable meals outside of normal restaurant hours. Over time, they evolved into the spots we associate with cheeseburgers, milkshakes, and all-day breakfast, and sometimes 24-hour service. Diners became especially popular during the mid-20th century. Their chrome details and neon signs mirrored America’s car culture. Nearly every American has experienced ordering pancakes at midnight from a waitress who calls everyone “hon.”
Massive Portions and Free Refills
Visitors to the United States are surprised by the sheer amount of food that comes to the table after ordering. American restaurants have a longstanding reputation for large portions, with some entrées truly providing enough food for two or even three people. Then there are the free refills, which allow customers to drink as much soda or iced tea as they’d like. While refills aren’t unheard of in other nations, they’re way less common outside the U.S. Americans have also normalized taking leftovers home in a box, which likely results from the size of most restaurant meals.
The Obsession with Guns
America’s relationship with firearms is unlike that of almost any other developed country. The United States has more civilian-owned guns than people, and gun ownership is part of the nation’s history and culture. For some Americans, guns are more than just weapons; they represent freedom, self-defense, and a constitutional right. On the flip side, others see the country’s gun culture as a serious public safety problem. Gun shows, shooting ranges, and stores dedicated to selling firearms are common across the country, and some states even allow residents to carry guns in public without a permit. In certain parts of America, owning multiple guns is just as ordinary as owning more than one TV.
The Obesity Problem
This one piggybacks on America’s enormous restaurant portions, super-sized everything, and love of fast-food chains. The country has one of the highest obesity rates in the developed world. According to the CDC, roughly 40% of American adults are obese, a percentage that has increased swiftly over the last several decades. To put this into perspective, England’s adult obesity rate was approximately 30% in 2024. Of course, the problem goes beyond eating too much junk food. Factors such as sedentary lifestyles, bad habits, and access to healthy options all play a role. Nevertheless, America is synonymous with obesity.
The State Fair
State fairs are a particularly American combination of competition, entertainment, and foods that are so calorie-rich they probably shouldn’t exist. These events were originally started to display livestock, crops, and farming innovations in a time when agriculture was everything. They have now evolved into elaborate annual events featuring many forms of entertainment. They attract hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to see prizewinning pigs, giant pumpkins, and concerts. Fairgoers enjoy amusement rides and highly innovative fried foods. An American fair might be the only place you can ride a Ferris wheel before downing a few fried Oreos.
College Football Experience
Football itself deserves a spot on this list, as the sport is distinctly American. However, America’s specific enthusiasm for college football is even more obvious. In the United States, college teams draw crowds exceeding 100,000 fans. Games come with marching bands, major pregaming, and intense rivalries. Some stadiums are massive and entire towns practically shut down on game days. Alumni stay loyal to their alma mater throughout their lifetime, even if they move far away. To someone unfamiliar with American culture, the idea of spending all day cheering on college athletes might seem excessive. To millions of Americans, it’s simply a Saturday in October.