30 Ways Americans Were Awoken From The American Dream When Travelling Abroad

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Emma Saven
Aug 12, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

The American Dream: The land of the free, and the mega-sized Big Mac.

The U.S. of A!

America is one of the world's leaders in innovation and efficiency. In simple terms: you want it, you got it.

They gave us the Kardashians. They gave us the Dallas Cowgirls. They gave us the NFL, the NBA, and WAGs. From Taco Bell to Wendy's, we laughed with Jimmy Fallon and cried when the final episode of Friends aired in Times Square. They made it bigger, and they made it better.

There are many aspects of daily American life that are vastly different from the rest of the world. And who better to talk about them than the people who've crossed the Brooklyn Bridge or swum near the Santa Monica Pier?

So here's the big old million-dollar question:
What's something you didn't realize was very American until you left the U.S.?

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  • So here we've gathered 30 hilarious ways in which America is set apart from the rest of the globe…from Americans themselves!

    We hope you've got your American flags out on display as you read through these accurate, funny and somewhat worrying character traits of the American Dream!

  • 01
    shyvananana The price on the shelves not being the actual price
    via nobiliorimages2, shyvananana
  • 02

    What’s something you didn’t realize was “very American” until you left the U.S.?

    sniper91 Ranch dressing Ranch flavored Doritos are still sold, but they're labelled "American flavor"
    via sniper91
  • 03
    back2therockinghorse Here in the US, outside of big cities, it's pretty much required to drive a car. When I lived abroad for a few years I was able to survive completely off public transport, the occasional taxi, and walking on my own two feet
    via back2therockinghorse
  • 04
    Consistent-Fig7484 I don't care which one we decide to go with, but can't the world just decide on one type of electrical outlet?
    via Consistent-Fig7484
  • 05
    hubert--cumberdale Portion sizes and taking home leftovers
    via hubert--cumberdale
  • 06
    fezfrascati Red Solo cups. When I studied abroad in New Zealand, everyone asked me about them. Granted, this was at the height of Jersey Shore's popularity.
    via fezfrascati
  • 07
    niels_nitely Competitive sports among high schools and colleges
    via niels_nitely
  • 08
    jaulak Ads for prescription medication is WILD
    via jaulak
  • 09
    millenialperennial Public bathrooms that show your ankles
    via millenialperennial
  • 10
    GoddessoftheUniverse Unlimited refills of coffee at restaurants
    via GoddessoftheUniverse
  • 11
    Which Owl5583 Greeting people when you walk. Especially in places like Hong Kong it's a "Mind your own business" culture, definitely surprised me
    via Which_Owl5583
  • 12
    OnSecond Thought Peanut butter and jelly.
    via 0nSecondThought
  • 13
    phage5169761 Chitchat, Americans can start conversations with random strangers & feel completely normal to share their stories.
    via phage5169761
  • 14
    StreetOwl Tornadoes
    via StreetOwl
  • 15
    RisingStock Opinions with no factual basis. Living in Japan now, if they don't know something, they will say, "Sorry, I don't know enough about that subject." It's so refreshing.
    via RisingStock
  • 16
    olympiarocco Ads everywhere. Even if you're driving through the desert in the US you will see billboards the whole time.
    via olympiarocco
  • 17
    Sea-Value-0 As a quiet, sound-sensitive American, this one bothers me the most. I know people are simply unaware but their unapologetic loudness (day and night) comes off as incredibly selfish and self- centered.
    via Sea-Value-0
  • 18
    zeroshock30 AIR CONDITIONING. Summer of 2019 I visited Italy / Czech / Germany / Austria. Insanely hot, and hardly anywhere we went had AC.
    via zeroshock30
  • 19
    Standard_Strategy_25 Tipping. As a kid I figured that was normal everywhere in the world. As I got older I realized people look sometimes at you weird and it can even be considered insulting in some situations.
    via Standard_Strategy_25
  • 20
    UnicornHandstands I didn't realize how loud Americans were until I heard them in other contexts and I was like. Sorry about that folks. We don't notice it here because we're all loud lol
    via UnicornHandstands
  • 21
    shyvananana The price on the shelves not being the actual price
    via shyvananana
  • 22
    See You On16 Trash cans everywhere. Go to Asia and you won't see one anywhere on sidewalks or in public spaces and you won't see any litter either.
    via SeeYouOn16
  • 23
    LovelyCushiondHeader Thinking that you're more free than other developed countries, or some sort of pioneer of freedom
    via LovelyCushiondHeader
  • 24
    Emotional-Praline448 Ask for a restaurant to modify my food a lot of countries find a disrespectful
    via Emotional-Praline448
  • 25
    GTRari Not standing on the right side of an escalator for people on the left who are walking.
    via GTRari
  • 26
    Mama2moody Leaving the house in workout clothes to go any place other than the gym or sports club
    via Mama2moody
  • 27
    LFC9_41 people all over the world can spot americans based on that we lean on everything.
    via LFC9_41
  • 28
    Individual_Scheme_11 Food outside America actually tastes good and my body actually feels good with increased nutrients. In USA, food has so many chemicals and manufactured sh. you feel terrible constantly
    via Individual_Scheme_11
  • 29
    blking Someone bagging your groceries. I'm so bad at it and they do such a good job. I missed it.
    via blking
  • 30
    xiaoyuji Holding the door for the person after you.
    via xiaoyuji
  • 31
    hashbrown_lad Grocery stores that have everything you need (one stop shopping)
    via hashbrown_lad

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lifestyle usa hilarious united states merica text liberty travelling response north america america super size land of the free differences stereotypes large funny
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