Every country has its stereotypes, but probably one of the most heavily stereotyped and satirically mocked has to be the United States of America.
Funnily enough, there are behaviors and activities a person from America might perform without thinking twice about it, only to totally reveal to someone from another country where they are from.
Redditor DadIsMadAtMe asked:
"What's the most American thing a person can do?"
The Bigger, the Better
"Drive a monster truck."
- vv_bkn
Travel Prepared
"Demand everybody speak English in non-English speaking countries."
- Midnite_St0rm
The Super-Fans of Politics
"To simp for politicians that are actively exploiting them."
- rookie-number
Medical Debt
"Go into medical bankruptcy because they couldn't afford to get their bullet wounds fixed up."
- Aurelion_Sol_Badguy
Worry More about the Cost than the Care
"It's so frustrating, I woke up in the hospital from a skiing accident, and the first thing that came to my mind was, 'S**t, how much is this gonna cost my parents?' It was the first thing I asked my doctor about, too."
- Vellarev
Unique Measurements
"Describe size by the number of football fields."
"And distance is expressed in driving time."
- vaildin
Sports, Guns, and Beer
"I think if a person would get drunk, target practice with their AR-15 on 2-liter bottles of Diet Coke, while wearing their 2017 State Football champions t-shirt and listening to Hank Williams Jr., that's pretty American. It's 100% Missourian, at least."
- Adept_Ad_4369
Move to Florida
"Become Florida Man."
- Lonebadguy
The End of Every Good Recipe?
"Top it with shredded cheese."
- WorldlyPhilosopher
Self-Worth Based on Work
"I’ve been really sick this week. I’ve also felt crushing guilt for not working while out sick. That feels pretty American."
- BrideOfFirkenstein
Stranger Than Fiction
"There was an incredibly popular television series about a government employee who had to become a meth dealer to pay for his medical bills after being diagnosed with cancer… so, I’m gonna go with that." - El_mochilero
Recite Your Family Tree
"Saying 'I’m 2% [insert nationality] because my great-great-great-great-great grandpa was [nationality].'"
- Icy_Veterinarian67
For the Love of Fireworks
"Have an endless supply of fireworks to shoot off for the fourth of July, any sports event, or just at random, but only fire them after finishing half a case of ice-cold beer."
- Kirmickw
Super Bowl Celebrations
"Have a bunch of people over for the Super Bowl, drink beer, and eat Brats and burgers with chips."
"For extra American-ness, make sure you're drinking out of red plastic cups and saying, 'Wooo!' a lot."
- ixamnis
Flags Like Decorations
"As a Canadian, this is one of the things that weirds me out about the US: American flags absolutely EVERYWHERE."
"Especially in small towns, the streets oftentimes look like the backdrop of some kind of military parade on a random Tuesday."
"Yeah, some people up here have the Canadian flag flying in their yard too, and you see them at government buildings and stuff, but it’s nowhere near as prevalent as the Stars and Stripes are in the States."
- SirTophamFat
While some other countries may do some of these things in a more mild way, and while not every American does these things, these stereotypes are undoubtedly American for those who perform them.
People Break Down The Biggest Scandals In America That Most People Don't Know About
A big scandal has the potential to keep people talking till the end of time.
Even decades later, people are still endlessly fascinated by Watergate and Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme.
But not all scandals are as well remembered.
Indeed, even if the overall consequences were no less extreme, there are some scandals that never quite manage to earn a page in the history books.
Or, at the very least, a Ryan Murphy produced mini-series based on it.
"What is a massive American scandal that most people seem to not know about?"
$400 Billion?!?!?
"How about that time the major telecoms took over 400 BILLION dollars to install fiber optics in homes, schools and libraries across the entire country and just... diidn't?"
"The money was just reinvested in the companies to expand overseas and pay legal fees fighting against competitors with fiber plans and blocking future expansion."
"'Here is 400 billion dollars, please use it to give us all good internet'."
"'Ok'."
"'Hey, where's that high speed internet you were gonna put in?'"
"'Oh we decided that was way too expensive, it would cost like 400 billion and we just don't have the money'."
"Have this DSL instead over the existing network."- Horrific_Necktie
Just When You Think They Couldn't Get More Messed Up
"Operation Snow White, absolutely gonzo stuff."
"The Church of Scientology successfully infiltrated the government at high levels and purged records which were unfavorable to L. Ron Hubbard."- sancho___panza
"The church of Scientology blackmailed and threatened IRS people to get their tax exempt status."- Gaelir
stan marsh pictures GIF by South Park GiphyA Literal Train Wreck
"The Ohio train derailment and the decision to burn the spill releasing chlorine gas into the prevailing winds."- Naive-Background7461
What ISN'T A Scandal In American Politics
"In terms of political scandals that were major at the time but hardly remembered today:"
"The ABSCAM operation."
"The FBI set up a fake Arab investment company and offered various state and federal officials bribes to pass bills that would better enable their investment process."
"It led to the convictions of half a dozen Representatives and a Senator for bribery."
"The Keating Five."
"In 1989, in the midst of the Savings and Loan crisis, banker Charles Keating was charged with fraud and racketeering."
"During the investigation, five Senators to whom he'd donated substantial sums (including John Glenn and McCain) were accused of having pressured federal regulators to drop previous cases against Keating."
"The Senate Ethics Committee found that none of them had formally broken any laws, but found three of them were implicated enough to be formally censured."
"The House banking scandal."
"It was revealed that numerous Congressmen had been overdrawing their office accounts with zero financial accountability."
"It resulted in the convictions of three former Representatives and the House Sergeant-At-Arms for bribery and corruption."
"The Abramoff scandals."
"Jack Abramoff was a federal lobbyist, primarily involved in gambling and Indian tribal law, who was convicted of defrauding and over billing Indian tribal councils he was representing to the tunes of tens of millions of dollars."
"Investigations also revealed that he was giving unlicensed gifts to Congressmen, leading to a Representative being convicted of accepting bribes and the Deputy Secretary of the Interior being convicted of obstruction of justice."- AdmiralAkbar1
Voting United States GIF by Jimmy ArcaGiphyAn Ongoing Issue Which Needs To Be Fixed
"The absolute and cataclysmic FAILURE of the foster care system."- SunsetKittens
A Global Disaster
"The Dupont scandal."
"DuPont chemical dumped thousands of tons of chemical waste containing a long chained fluorocarbon also known as PFOA into waterways in Parkersburg, West Virginia."
"These chemicals were found to directly cause cancer and birth defects."
"Unfortunately the irresponsible disposal and manufacturing of this chemical didn't just effect America."
"Trace amounts of PFOAs can be found in virtually every single living creature on earth."- super_mega547
Dealing With Children Here!
"The for-profit juvenile detention system."
"Basically, judges in Pennsylvania were intentionally handing out harsher sentences because these for-profit juvenile prisons contributed to the judge's campaign ."
"In PA they elect their judges which blows my mind for this very reason but that's another story."- granweep
And Yet Woman Are Still Fighting For Control Of Their Own Bodies
"DES given to pregnant women from 1940 until 1971."
"It gave girls who were born after prenatal exposure a much higher risk of several cancers, including one cancer that no one else gets."
"It also causes an inability to carry pregnancies in some women who were exposed to it before birth."
"Boys born after exposure were cryptorchid and had a high rate of micro penis."
"There was a registry for these children so they could be tracked for medical needs and if other effects cropped up, but Congress did away with the registry."
"The changes that DES caused to gene expression are heritable, and it is now affecting DES granddaughters and great-granddaughters."
"While Congress has funded continuing research on effects, there is no registry anymore so no possibility that DES daughters will ever see any compensation."
"The FDA approved the drug for use in pregnant women based on a single non-blind study."- randomusername1919
Before You Take Another Sip
"The current and previous pollution of PFAS chemical compounds across our water systems."
"There has been reporting on it, but everyone I bring it up to hasn’t heard of it."- PM-me-your-tatas---
Kimmy Schmidt Drinking GIF by Unbreakable Kimmy SchmidtGiphyAs If Global Warming Wasn't Bad Enough
"It is literally raining acid in Ohio right now."- Polengoldur
Overshadowed By The New Deal
"The business plot against FDR."
"Wall Street tried to lead a coup against sitting president FDR."- Reefermaniabruther
It's an unfortunate sign that the fact that all these scandals didn't cause much of a stir not because they were minor.
But simply because there were other, more glamorous scandals that overshadowed all of them.
People Share The Most Dangerous Places For Americans To Travel
International travel is an incredible, priceless experience, but there are certain safety concerns that a person should always address before traveling.
But there is a lot more to it than sharing your travel itinerary with a trusted love one, depending on where you want to go.
Digging for unique travel advice, one Redditor asked:
"Where are the most dangerous places for Americans to travel?"
A Legitimate Question
"I wonder if this sort of thing actually draws Americans there: either for the near-death rush or to prove that they survived despite all the clear advice not to go."
- LTVOLT
According to the U.S. State Department...
"The US State Department has a color-coded advisory system about how dangerous countries are for Americans to visit."
"The highest level (don’t travel there for any reason) are: Venezuela, Haiti, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, North Korea, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Mali, and Burkina Faso."
- ShinjukuAce
Venezuela
"VENEZUELA. As soon as you leave the airport, you can be intercepted by criminals and even corrupt police to rob you or worse."
- Ari_Goddess305
Seriously, Venezuela
"Little-known fact: From 2016–2019, Venezuelan government death squads are believed to have murdered at least 18,000 people, according to this report by Human Rights Watch. They've undoubtedly killed thousands more since then."
- KurtisC1993
Central African Republic
"Some tips for traveling to the Central African Republic:"
"Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney."
"Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, etc."
"Be sure to appoint one family member to serve as the point of contact with hostage-takers, media, U.S. and host country government agencies, and Members of Congress, if you are taken hostage or detained."
"Establish a proof of life protocol with your loved ones, so that if you are taken hostage, your loved ones can know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to be sure that you are alive (and to rule out a hoax)."
"Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them."
- Passing4human
Iran
"I have a Croatian citizenship and in fact, many people speculate that Croatians originated from Iran (at least language-wise) and thus, Iranians are welcoming to Croatians. I have had friends go there and said it was great, super welcoming people, cheap, etc.; just don't go with an American passport."
- Fancy_Poetry_1705
Florida Interstates
"On I-4, you would never get anywhere, you can only go 0 miles per hour between Tampa and Orlando. Some people were supposed to be at work ten years ago and they're still stuck in traffic."
- han7nah
Unsafe for Women
"Can confirm, my good friend never felt more harassed or uncomfortable than when she was in Egypt. And she has been all over for work."
- JRoll555
The Sentinel Islands
"The Sentinel Islands in India. Inhabitants will kill any foreigners that come to the island, even if people at sea wash up on the island. They consider everyone not from the island a threat, therefore killing anyone coming there. The Indian government actually put a three-mile no-boat border there to protect everyone from the Sentinel Islands."
- Alarmed_Koala_1558
Get to the Appointment on Time
"Parts of Mexico are scary as h**l. I used to live in a border town where Americans went across the line for medical and dental care. It’s reached the point with the Drug Cartel violence and kidnapping that these offices have armed security meet the Americans at the border crossing, escort them to and from the doctor's office, and then back to the border."
- toddfredd
Unkissable Rock
"Blarney castle. When Americans come here, they almost always pay money to kiss a stone that is routinely defiled by the locals on a regular basis, and has been for decades."
- Fathertedisbrilliant
North Korea
"The American government does ban citizens from traveling to North Korea (you have to ask the Department of State for permission and get a special passport. You have to have a reason for going and tourism won't cut it). It's a relatively recent ban put in place after the Otto kid, if I recall correctly."
"I believe North Korea is also the only country the US government bans us from visiting. I wonder why some other countries haven't been banned (some are more dangerous than North Korea at this point)."
- PM_SOME_OBESE_CATS
Mogadishu
"Mogadishu is number one."
"From what I read, if you travel there, it is a guarantee that you will be dead within hours."
- death_or_glory_
Tanzania
"I'll never forget the time I (an American) was in Tanzania and trying to arrange passage to Madagascar via a shipping vessel (I met someone who knew someone who knew someone who could get me on the ship for very cheap). Eventually, the captain told me he would grant me passage, but warned me that if pirates boarded their ship, they would likely take me with them and hold me hostage."
"I didn't fully trust that the crew/captain wouldn't sell me to the pirates, haha... so I never did make that trip. Amsterdam was a nice alternative though."
"I did visit Zanzibar. the red colobus monkeys were cool, but nothing compared to how I imagine seeing lemurs in the wild would be. My only advice to people in Zanzibar: If the ATM in Stonetown isn't working, don't follow a guy named Jeff to the 'other ATM.' There isn't another ATM. And, Jeff will not want Zambian Kwatcha when he robs you. However, if you agree to buy several football jerseys from him, he will not harm you (yes, this is a real story from my trip)."
"Oh, and don't trust the taxi drivers when you want to buy a ticket to the ferry that takes you to Zanzibar... they will take you to a fake ticket place that sells you a one-way ticket, not allowing return passage. This didn't happen to me, but to some of my friends."
- AquanautOrange
Applies to Everyone
"Some of these countries aren't dangerous to Americans specifically. They are just dangerous places to travel to in general, irrespective of what your nationality is. Like, nobody is traveling to Ukraine or Venezuela right now."
"With that said, being a Westerner (especially white, affluent-looking) will make you a target for crime in pretty much any country stricken by poverty, war, or social conflict. Even in politically 'friendly' countries like South Africa, you still need to be extra vigilant."
- Enceladus89
While traveling is an amazing experience, it may be more important than ever to exercise caution while visiting another country. A person should always travel prepared, but it may be more important now than it used to be to send a friend your itinerary and to travel with someone you trust.
But some of the places described here might be better to put off visiting for the time being, at least until the increased political unrest ebbs away a bit.
People Explain Which Things Wouldn't Be As Popular If It Wasn't For The United States
If you've traveled much before the pandemic restricted tourism, you might find American influences are abundant on almost every continent.
We all know Mickey. As in, Disney's infamous cartoon mouse. He is instantly recognizable as a universal emissary of goodwill originating from the shores of Southern California in the USA.
What about the other Mickey? You know, Mickey D's? The Golden Arches pretty much dominate most parts of the globe and much of the world's population has had a Big Mac–the flavor of America.
And although many might argue hamburgers originated in Hamburg, Germany, the popular meat sandwich is almost always associated with America.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg (lettuce).
There are tons of other things that are instantly perceived as unmistakably American.
Curious to hear examples of this, Redditor bigbeantheory asked:
"What wouldn’t be nearly as popular if it wasn’t for the US?"
How Americans do things is sooo U.S. of A.
Major Discounts
"Black Friday. It’s a worldwide thing now even though only the US has Thanksgiving the day before."
– MochaUnicorn369
Preferred Method Of Measurement
"Using inch to measure TV size."
– EnvyGhost
Go Steady With Me
"Proms... in other countries some schools host proms just because they see it on TV."
– RedpilledChris
I Got Your Location
"GPS"
"The American military gave away one of the coolest technologies to the world. No service fees, no subscriptions. Imagine if Meta or Apple had invented it."
– shingogogo
You might find these items indicating we're definitely in 'Murica.
Our Plastic Chalice Of Choice
"Red solo cups."
– wocketywack
"I have friends who've been abroad who have seen them for sale. They don't call them 'solo' cups as Solo is a brand. They call them 'American party cups' and a lot of the ones sold are meant to be reused."
– OneEyedOneHorned
It's For Your Stomach, Not Your Inbox
"Spam in northeast-asia, especially South Korea"
"American soldiers ate it during the Korea war and it gained popularity to the point that it's a common food for both Koreans, Japanese, and some Chinese cultures such as Shanghainese."
– Front_Tomorrow
Quintessential Soda
"Coca-Cola"
– destro23
Many American Households Rely On This
"Propane and propane accessories."
– eternalspark79
The aesthetic and style are unmistakably American.
Doesn't Get Any More Rock N' Roll Than These
"Fender guitars."
– Realeron
"Hendrix with a Fender playing the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock? That's the most American thing that has ever been done."
– Fuzzy-Rocker
Love For Denim
"Blue jeans."
– WolfThick
"Denim originated in France, but the metal rivets (from Jacob Davis) and blue colour (he and Levi Strauss decided on it based on flowers on Nevada) were actually American."
"Edit: Wow this blew up. Corrections from replies: jeans originated in Italy, in Genova, while denim first came from France. And I’ve been told that blue was used before America caught on. It’s also important to note Strauss and Davis, and many others who influenced American styling of denim, were immigrants."
– 621extra
Music Styles
"Hip hop."
– Try_to
"Jazz too."
– puella_
The Glitz And Glamour
"Hollywood."
– SuvenPan
"Stars and celebrities: what do they know? Do they know things? Let's find out."
– jakehosnerf
Halloween and trick or treating to me are uniquely American experiences.
Kids glorifying creepy creatures, vampires, and witches by dressing up as them and demanding one of two options from strangers is the epitome of American entitlement to me.
My relatives and friends in Japan found it bizarre to understand the concept, and I don't blame them.
The one day-a-year tradition is like a G-rated Purge for kids.
Foreigners Explain Which Stereotypically American Things They've Always Wanted To Try
Most Americans think nothing of their humdrum daily activities or amenities available to them.
However, others with a different perspective might romanticize the things that are otherwise commonplace ideas and concepts for US citizens, like going to a diner or riding the school bus.
One Redditor looked to foreigners to hear of their American desires to respond to the following:
"Non-Americans of Reddit: what is an American thing you have always wanted to try?"
The things depicted in film really captivated foreign audiences.
Casual Dining
"To visit a diner like in the movies. In the middle of the night, it’s raining and just a few people there with great music from a jukebox."
– TotalAd6225
Iconic Student Transport
"Ride a yellow school bus even if I'm too old. Growing up I always loved seeing them on TV."
– infiresemo
Just Like The Ones We Used To Know
"A white Christmas."
"Living in an Australian state where I've never even seen snow in our winter, let alone experiencing that classic Hallmark movie moment of waking up to a street full of it and sitting around a fireplace while opening gifts/preparing a feast."
"Guess it's not strictly American, but the imagery and trope is something I've only really seen from American Films."
– Stoibs
They may be uneventful for us, but they sure seem to be novel ideas to foreigners.
Let's Be Frank
"One of the hotdogs from those little street cart things."
– Who_is_lost
Kitchen Marvel
"A friend of mine from Indonesia said, 'the food chewer in the sink.'"
"Garbage disposal."
– Mnemonic22
American Pie
"Apple Pie made by white-haired grandma, placed near window, who says 'oh dear...' as I levitate towards it."
– MegaJoltik
Pre-Game Ritual
"Proper tailgating before a ball game, the kind where there's ribs and stuff."
– SpiralToNowhere
Fried Delicacies
"Deep fried foods at a state fair. I'm from Scotland and we love to deep fry everything and I wanna know if it's just as good or better."
– fenrisulfr94
Ultimate State Fair
"Come to Minnesota - 2nd largest state fair only behind Texas (little known fact) and the deep fried food is as advertised. Also, Minnesota is nice."
– UnionThugg
Begging For Candy
"Trick or treating at Halloween."
– IvanaHug
Sandwich-y Things
"Smores, Lobster Rolls and Philly Cheesesteaks."
– Select-Run-2394
Batter Up And Chow Down
"Corndogs, I don't understand what it is but I want to try it."
– AFowlWaterfowl
There are places to see!
Backyard Tourist
"National parks."
– nhungoc1508
"America’s greatest invention!"
– nhungoc1508
Backpacking In Nature
"I always wanted to hike The Appalachian Trail if that counts. Or see Yellowstone."
– EphemeralRemedy
Dry Destinations
"Would love to see some of your nature in real life. The New Mexico/Utah/Arizona/Colorado desert area seems amazing."
– ipakookapi
New Chapters
"Being able to start a whole new life 'elsewhere' without having to leave my country and going through an arduous immigration process."
– Gmtfoegy
My cousin told me she looks forward to visiting a Trader Joe's someday when she visits America for the first time.
Her bucket list option was hardly surprising. My parents used to bring treats from TJs as a novelty souvenir gift item, and my relatives ate it up. Literally.
Let's face it. The snacks at TJs rocks.
Even store locations in New York City would have ridiculously long lines during busy hours because the West-coast-based grocer was a novelty on the East Coast.