'I once put a whole pineapple in [the garbage disposal]': 22 Weirdest Americanisms According to Foreigners Journeying to the USA

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Oct 5, 2024 5:00 PM EDT

America is a strange and vast place. 

Accompanying as much land mass as the entirety of Europe, travelers to our red-white-and-blue lands sometimes forget that it takes 45 hours to drive across the waistband of this enormous country. And as you go, you pass through 1,000 microcultures, strange accents, unique National Parks, and state lines that would probably be considered entire countries anywhere else–Yet we are all somehow still quintessentially American. 

It's those Americanisms that unite us. But there are some Americanisms that are weirder than others that you probably never thought about living in the States–but the travelers certainly notice. 

No matter if you're deep in the bayous of Florida, the foggy coasts of the Pacific North West, NYC, or southern California, nearly all Americans have an angry sink that chops up leftover foods, we can make revisions to any meal on the menu, and we'll always open the door for a little old lady. 

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  • 01
    SO. MUCH. SPACE.❞
    via Gagliardi Photography
  • 02
    Non-Americans who have been to the US: What is the weirdest thing about America that Americans don't realize is weird?
    via rickyjones75
  • 03
    toastehmonstah Putting the real estate agent's face on the for-sale signs Whols YerWan Can't buy a house from ugly paperwork people ewww.
    via toastehmonstah
  • 04
    cairfrey. It's big. Like, really big. I'm from the UK, and 2 years ago, I did route 66. Even taking the interstate (so not actual route 66, but you get the idea), it took 4 days of 12+ hours driving to do it. It's huge.
    via cairfrey
  • 05
    Muter Yall can strike a conversation with a tree. You literally don't need anyone to respond and you'll yabber away relentlessly.
    via Muter
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    It's a generalisation, as I know there are some quiet Americans, but I was just down in a Publix trying to decide what beer to buy and some woman's suddenly talking to me about how she met her husband..
    via Muter
  • 07
    Bizzle B The options when ordering food, I thought it was a TV joke! I feel naughty asking to swap chips for mash but you guys can request pretty much anything!
    via Bizzle_B
  • 08
    RedSolez My friend from the Netherlands described his visit to the US as the "land of endless choices" which is how Americans like it.
    via RedSolez
  • 09
    bungle bogs As a Brit how amazingly, and genuinely, friendly you are. How enamoured you are with British culture and people. I was invited to a BBQ, in a public place, by someone
    via bungle_bogs
  • 10
    that I met because he liked the t-shirt I was wearing. I felt like some sort of celebrity! I'm an average guy, but everyone wanted to chat to me. I've traveled extensively and have met many other nationalities, whilst in their
    via bungle_bogs
  • 11
    country. I've been made to feel welcome in almost all, but how I was treated once my accent was heard in the US was on another level. Thank you for making me feel so welcome. I've had several amazing trips to US. They hold a very special place in my heart.
    via bungle_bogs
  • 12
    Lattice-shadow Prescription drug ads on TV that casually say "side effects may include death". I was shocked. BlueeyesblazingZ And they say it while the people are dancing joyfully
    via Lattice-shadow
  • 13
    Dungleinthejungle How easy it is as an outsider to make friends. You guys are nice as *. I moved here back at the start of the year. I've got my small group of friends back in NZ and thought I'd have trouble making new ones but Americans have been some of the friendliest people I've met.
    via Dungleinthejungle
  • 14
    Murmurmira The gigantic open spaces everywhere. SO.MUCH.SPACE KhaosElement "Americans can't understand how old Europe is, but Europeans can't understand how big America is."
    via Murmurmira
  • 15
    faeriefountain I went there for university and honestly Americans just do a lot of little things that are generally nice. Holding the door open, smiling if you make eye contact while walking, randomly saying a quick greeting, etc. Random compliments too, and I never got
    via faeriefountain
  • 16
    the vibe that people were just making them up like some of my friends who haven't been say (if someone complimented someone's clothes/hair/whatever it seemed like they meant it, they just didn't seem to hold back the random thoughts and said them out loud).
    via faeriefountain
  • 17
    Statesbound I lived in California for 3 years. I made more friends there in that time than I did living in my home country for over 3 decades.
    via Statesbound
  • 18
    Raioc2436 Your news channels display FAR TOO MUCH info on the screen EatYourCheckers DON'T BLINK YOU'LL MISS SOMETHING! Except they repeat everything like every half hour anyway.
    via Raioc2436
  • 19
    Dutchmagnet242 Small talk to random people. When I am in Europe once in a while and start to talk to the cashier at the gas station or whatever they think I am a crazy person, in the USA this normal. I prefer the US way.
    via Dutchmagnet242
  • 20
    Hazz3r The toilet is so FULL of water. I always have to convince myself that I'm not about to dunk my cheeks.
    via Hazz3r
  • 21
    Mind Extract They have those angry sinks that chop dakotafluffy1 I worked at a multi national company. Besides my truck, the garbage disposal was the thing most people wanted to see
    via Mind_Extract
  • 22
    moneybagsukulele Mine is branded the "Insinkerator" PrisonerV Best disposal of all time. Mine has never clogged. I once put a whole pineapple down it.
    via moneybagsukulele
  • 23
    Iracing Muskoka The billboards on the interstates.... "Only 20 miles to....", "Only 15 miles to...." and some chain or business. Oh, and fireworks... everywhere... relevant comment Buc-ee's - "see ya in 50 miles!"
    via Iracing_Muskoka
  • 24
    Casey 19 The tax isn't automatically added to the price shown in shops, restaurants etc. If I only have a dollar in my pocket I'd like to see straight away what I can buy for that dollar, without trying to find out the tax rate and calculating it.
    via Casey_19

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