30 Tourists Answer What Shocked Them The Most When They Visited America
Expectations vs. Reality: 'Murica Edition
America can look familiar from movies, commercials, and social media, but plenty of visitors find the real thing far stranger than the version they expected.
That gap between the screen and the street is exactly what made this Reddit thread so entertaining. Tourists from different countries shared the little details that caught them off guard, from giant portions and endless ads to friendly strangers and some very American habits.
The reactions are funny, surprising, and sometimes a little brutal. Here are the things that shocked them most.
Original question posted in a sub-reddit:
Miserablemermaid1. Everything is huge!
salderosan99Also, LA traffic
KirkMouse, radioactive_muffin
2. The sheer amount of advertisements in shows
VodkaMargarine
3. Lawyer commercials telling people they can sue if so-and-so thing happened to them
RegnumRico
Here's an explanation for it
VulfSki
That part of American TV clearly left an impression.
VulfSki
5. Food advertisements everywhere
UnAccomplished_Pea26
6. Medical advertisements urging you to talk to your doctor about this medicine
DifferentAd154, thecolourofchai
4. All of those commercials were found to be a bit obnoxious
Grapezard
7. Unlimited refills on soda fountains in humongous cups
Lord_Disagree
8. The serving size of food
Jimm__y
9. Super polite waitstaff
LucTempest
Service culture was another big surprise.
LucTempest
10. Bulk-sized items at the supermarket
pillemille
This is the same kind of mess as an AITA post where someone planned a group vacation without asking friends.
The miracle that is Costco
IFuckTheDrummer
11. Flavored sodas
howwouldiknow--
12. Inefficient public transport, huge buildings, and wide spaces
ScotchSirin
13. Air conditioning and indoor temperature control
un_saumon
14. Americans take care of their teeth
WhitePhatAss
15. Friendly people who make you feel welcome
Red_Ranger75, e2a0s1
16. Early mornings for everything
helicoptercici
17. Americans love their flag
Conocoryphe
18. Thoughtful road workers
madkeepz
19. It's legal to turn right on red, and people honk at you if you don't
klonricket
20. Each person pays for what they ate
ListenOrElse_
21. Tipping is expected...
wristconstraint
...a livable wage is not
Joessandwich
22. Seeing the person in the stall next to yours
litsto
23. Americans love their sweets
manjeete
24. Guns and the strong feelings Americans have about them
HDUdo361
That topic always gets a strong reaction.
HDUdo361
25. Not pedestrian-friendly places
rioting-pacifist
26. People asking, "How are you?"
barsknos
27. Negative political advertising
horaul14
28. Spray cheese in cans
ItsACaragor
29. Tax is not included
bad_nugget20
30. Americans' love for their men and women in uniform
89Hopper
The United States of America is a place you must visit at least once in your life. Apparently, it's large enough to accommodate all of us.
The people may be loud, but they are friendly, and meeting strangers will feel like being welcomed by family. Keep in mind that the best thing to pack while traveling is an open mind.
America clearly leaves visitors with a lot to talk about.
Want more travel culture shock? See the globetrotter who refuses to revisit five destinations after 105 countries.
