20 Weird Things About America
First published: Tuesday July 27th, 2021
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Look, I don't hate America by any means. In fact, it's the opposite. I love it! I know many of you are gonna say why are you bashing your own country??? Well, because America is as much weird as it is good. I can safely speak for most Americans for these facts too...so....
1. We Microwave Water
Yeah, I know. It's weird. Microwaving water is weird. For some reason, us Americans like to put water in the microwave to make it warmer, even if the water is already hot. Even when the water is already hot.
Since I'm still growing up, I never really realized this, but when I wanted to make hot chocolate or something, I just threw hot water in the microwave (I know, but yeah) to make it even hotter.
But what I didn't realize is that America is really the only country to do this, even when we think many other countries do it.
2. We Call Our "Main Meal" The "Entree"
If you're American, you might think it's normal. Isn't entree what you would call the main parts of the meal we eat? Yes....and no.
If you're non-American, you're gonna be just as confused. Appetizers in America (and Canada) and the rest of the world are different. The entree is what you would call the appetizer in different countries, while in America, the appetizer is the pre-meal and the entree is the main meal. So if you're in an American (or Canadian) restaurant, and the waiter asks if you would like an appetizer, you might be confused at first (this is for tourists) if they bring you something like crab cake or sushi.
If you ask them, they will explain to you that there's a difference between an appetizer and an entree.
I know, America is weird.
3. How We Write The Date
Why? Like just, why? Why do we have to put the month before the day? Is that hard to be like the rest of the world? If you have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure you're not alone. There are 7.5 billion other people who are yelling their heads of due to the fact that we can't be like everyone else.
If you have no idea what I'm talking about, I'll give you an example. I'm gonna put this in the world way first. For example, if you wanna write the 23rd of March or 23/3/21 the "American" way, you would have to write March 23rd, 2021 or 03/23/21 or just 3/23/21. Even though we're so used to it, why can't we just be like the world???
4. We Use The Imperial System
Miles instead of kilometers. Feet instead of meters. Inches instead of centimeters. Pounds instead of grams. Ounces instead of grams. Gallons instead of liters. Fahrenheit instead of celsius.
I know, it drives all of you nuts! When tourists visit America, they have to get all the units right before they can validate anything.
I would feel really bad for you. I really wish we could use the metric system, except for one part. It's so hard to understand celsius. Americans would think that 30 celsius is cold because they'd be think of fahrenheit. But nevertheless, if a number is high in fahrenheit, you'd know the exact distinctions. If it's anywhere from 1-40 in fahrenheit, it would be really cold. 41-60 fahrenheit would be moderate, 61 and above is just really hot.
But I still think that the imperial system is a bit weird, except for the temperature part.
5. The Gun Laws
I know this is gonna cause a huge commotion in the arguments. America's gun laws are just interesting. The one part I'm gonna defend here is that yes, kids should be allowed to use guns. I know many people will disagree, but I respect that.
Kids should be able to shoot guns for firearm safety. Robberies and those sorta crimes are really common in the US, and if a kid is living with a senior citizen who wouldn't know what to do, the kid can just take the gun and scare the person off.
Also, firearm safety can be a huge practice for kids in the US; though, American kids should be under the supervision of a trusted adult for this.
That said, what I don't defend is that kids should be able to own guns. And yes, American kids can own guns. The reason I don't agree with this is because kids can make a number of errors, and they might just learn the wrong way like that.
Why are gun laws in America weird though? Imma say one word- Walmart. You can just walk into Walmart and buy a gun without any notice.
6. Lemonade Is Sprite....?????
This one needs some explaining as this took a lot of research. But apparently, in other countries, lemonade is soda. Lemonade in America is that sugary drink that everyone loves, especially if you wanna have a sugar high.
But why is this weird? Because apparently, we're supposed to call our lemonade American lemonade so people will know the difference.
Let me say this right now....I defend our lemonade. It is our icon.
Especially if you wanna plain sugar.
By the way, in the United States, there's a distinction between Sprite and lemonade.
7. Having 24 Hour Restaurants
Since New York never sleeps, it's literally the only city with 24 hour businesses. Foreign tourists might be surprised to find out just how many other destinations in the U.S. have restaurants that are open around the clock. We like to eat when we like to eat—and if that means going to Denny's at 3 a.m., so be it. Who cares about sleep? Or even sleep schedules?
8. We Tip
I get this. Tipping is weird when it doesn't happen in basically any other country. Americans may be working for commissions, however the weird part about this is that we don't include the tax price in the price tag of the item.
So when you walks into a pizzeria, you may be thinking the pizza slice is $6.19. When you go to the cashier, they say its $7.15. You may be confused at first, but if you see a tip jar on the counter, that'd explain everything.
9. We're A Bit Too Patriotic
Flags everywhere. On the streets, on the cars, on the highways. That's American patriotism for ya. But how is that weird?? Turns out, not a lot of other countries are like that.
Even though our patriotism is quite famous, it might be a cultural shock for tons of foreigners.
Just remember one thing though. Don't think everyone is the president. 😉
10. Same Color Money
I'm against this too, just don't blame me for this. America needs to change its currency bill colors. At least bring some variety in it. When people come from all over to go to New York or LA, their shocked by how we have the same color and same weighted (I think that's correct, I forgot everything I learned in school) bills that we use every single day. Especially Australians, lmao.
I'm not against the fact of same color money, but it just gets old sometimes.
11. Putting A Lot Of Ice In Out Drinks
Ahh yes. The old really cold ice in out water argument. That's not a real thing, I made it up. If you walk into an American restaurant, chances are, first thing you see is someone getting served water
(just maybe). But what else do you see? When you walk up closer, you see that the water is really really cold. But what's the 3rd thing you see?? Ahh yes, the waiter putting ice in the very cold water. So there you have it, Americans loving to put a lot of ice in our very cold water.
12. We're Loud And Obnoxious
Going to NYC or LA, you might as well have been flabbergasted by the amount of people just loitering on the streets or having phone conversations that everyone can hear on the train.
According to the outside of the US, people just "don't hang out in public or let other people into their business on public transport."
But to me, that sounds weird. Why wouldn't you hang out in the public when it's literally the public?
13. We Live To Work
Ahh yes, the American "We Live To Work" statement. Honestly, I couldn't agree more. Work is basically the center of tons of Americans' lives. Same thing with students. But this isn't necessarily their fault; I've seen how much work American teachers can give.
In those separate countries, people might work, yes. But that doesn't mean they let work take control of their lives. When people finish up with work in office, they might just party, they might just chill, they might just relax.
But that doesn't mean they work more when they get home. That's exactly the case with Americans.
So umm yeah...when you come to America...don't be surprised to see "Live To Work" Joe or Bob or Steve.
The randomest names I could think of.
14. The Penny
Why? Just, just why? What's the use of a penny? What on this huge Earth will buy you 1 cent?
I don't get why there are so many pennies lying around, because I've read that pennies actually cost more to make then what they look like when they're finished.
But according to the internet, we still make pennies because it takes energy to extract the zinc from the ore, roll it out, stamp it into coins, and send it off to banks.
It's almost like the U.S. Mint wants to just waste the natural resources. Wait, not almost, but that's exactly what it's like!!!
15. Supersize Everything
I know, people are gonna say America is so unhealthy after seeing this. Well yeah, America is unhealthy. Most of that comes from our love of fast food and the gigantic portions we have. It's unhealthy, therefore weird...but it's also unique.
It doesn't end there though! Oh, no, no, no.
You can also find supersize highways, supersize cars, supersize restaurants (food portions), supersize tv's, supersize stores and mall, maybe even supersize people?
Well, what do you expect to find in a supersize country?
16. Spray Cheese (Orange Cheese)
So basically, this is like a 2 in 1. We have spray cheese, yes. But why? It's just, ewww. It may be convenient, but it's disgusting at the same time. Like why would you put that in your pantry?????
Then we have orange cheese. Orange cheese is the stuff in spray cheese. But umm, orange cheese is just so unnatural. Who on this Earth would have thought about making "orange cheese?"
If you wanna see this monstrosity, look below ↓
17. Tons Of Flavors For Foods
I'm not even gonna explain...I'm just gonna give you an example:
Oreo Flavors:
1. S'mores Cookies
2. Brookie-O-Brownie
3. Java Chip Flavored Creme Sandwich
4. Chocolate Hazelnut Flavored Creme Sandwich
5. Peanut Butter Pie Sandwich
6. Chocolate Marshmallow Sandwich Chocolate
7. Dark Chocolate Sandwich
8. Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
Kit Kat Flavors:
1. Dark Chocolate
2. Lemon Crisp
3. Birthday Cake
4. Duos
5. Cookies 'N Cream
Hershey's:
1. Kit Kat Strawberry Flavored Candy
2. PayDay BBQ
3. Cherry Cheesecake
4. Twizzlers Key Lime Pie
18. Drug Advertisements
You heard me right. You're watching TV. An advertisement comes on. But not just any advertisement. A drug advertisement. Are you confused? Don't worry. That's everyone that's not the 333 million people from America.
Here is one example: What does a man walking around a park with a book (that he never reads) have to do with stopping hypertension? Does hugging books lower blood pressure?
Here's another scenario. You're driving on the highway, and what do you see up there? A billboard. But not just any billboard. A billboard like come to our pharmacy to get 20% of your medications today!
It's weird, but it's weird.
19. Flags
Flags. Flags everywhere. Since Americans love to express their excessive patriotism, they put flags everywhere. And I mean everywhere. Cars. Fronts of houses. Roofs of houses. Yards of houses. Framed flags inside houses. Malls. And yes. Then we have framed flags inside houses. LITERALLY.
Americans love America, and they want everyone to know. I do too, but I will not get biased.
20. The Gaps In Public Restrooms
Ok, so there's something going on with public restrooms. First of all, some nutcase actually named them restrooms. Fear not, we do not "rest" there.
Then, there's the gaps. You walk in, you sit down, and you notice the gaps.
Nothing is more un-private (I'm just making up words now) then when you're sitting in there.
When I was like 6 or 7, there was literally enough space for me to crawl through to get out. Since I was 6 or 7 at the time, I obviously did that, because it was "fun". Don't worry, I don't do that anymore.
Not only the gaps under the stalls, but between the stalls. If you're just doing your business there, chances are the stalls have like 3-6 cm of space between them. It doesn't sound like much, but it's a lot when you're in the restroom. The last thing you wanna do is watch someone else doing their business.
I'm sorry for being weird here, but it's the name of the blog. My advice to you- don't go to public restrooms (loos) in America.
I had a lot of fun making this blog for some reason. I just like to be weird I guess. If I missed anything, let me know in the comments. I'll try to get it fixed as soon as possible. Thanks for reading! :)
Anyways, cool “back blog”, and I need to do a Brazilian version, but I’m having so much work on Jet... and I need to finish the Minas Gerais last blog :)
If you would like to do a Brazilian version, go for it!!
One compliment I got though is I actually found #6 interesting, I did not know about that before so thats neat
Oreo:
Only normal Oreo (but you can’t find some other flavors in big markets in big cities, and nobody buys Oreo b
KitKat:
Normal one
Strawberry
Bitter
White chocolate
(But nobody buys KitKat too, I don’t know the reason, it is not expensive actually, and very delicious, but seriously nobody buys it)
Hershey’s:
We don’t have Hershey’s in Turkey
Also, the last fact surely applies to more than just the US. As far as I am aware, every toilet I have been to in public (apart from those in luxurious hotels) have that gap, although probably not as big as the one you've mentioned here
In terms of the dating system, in American English it’s more common to say “March 13th” than “13th of March.” I’m quite certain this is precisely why the US writes dates this way rather than the other way. And in most foreign languages (at least the ones I’m familiar with) the day comes before the month when said aloud as well.
And in regards to the penny, look at most other currencies. We’ll just go with the other really commonly traded currency: the euro. They also have a 1 cent coin. I’m certain there are other examples as well. Can you imagine the outrage when all of the sudden exact change cannot be used and all items must be sold for an amount divisible by .05 or worse?
Now if you referred to how annoying Americans can be about politics on social media or obnoxious about sports (mainly American football), then obnoxious might be a good description. But not necessarily loud in the sense that you’re describing. And using NYC to describe the typical American is also very misleading