What facts about the United States do foreigners not believe until they come to America?

What facts about the United States do foreigners not believe until they come to America?

There are several surprising facts about the United States that many foreigners often **don’t believe** until they experience them firsthand. The U.S. is a vast and diverse country with unique cultural, social, and logistical aspects that can be hard to grasp without seeing them in person. Here are some of the most common "I can't believe that until I saw it" moments for visitors to the U.S.

1. The Size of the Country:

The United States is massive—**geographically** and in terms of population. The scale of the country is often hard to comprehend until foreigners visit. 

**Distances are vast**: The distances between major cities and attractions are much longer than most Europeans expect. For example, traveling from New York to Los Angeles is like flying across an entire continent, and driving from one city to another can take many hours (or even days) depending on where you're going.

**Geographic variety**: The U.S. spans **multiple climate zones**, from snow-capped mountains in Alaska to sunny beaches in Florida, vast deserts in the Southwest, and lush forests in the Pacific Northwest. Each region is like a different world, and its scale is difficult to grasp until experienced in person.

2. Portion Sizes at Restaurants:

In the U.S., portion sizes at restaurants, especially in casual dining or fast food places, are often much larger than what Europeans are used to.

**Massive portions**: Americans are known for serving **large portions** of food, sometimes enough for **two or three meals** in one sitting. It’s common to see a single entrée that could easily serve an entire family in other countries. Many Europeans are shocked by how much food is on their plates, leading them to often take food home as leftovers.

**Refills**: Another surprising aspect is the **unlimited refills** on soft drinks in many restaurants, something that is not common in Europe. Customers often find it strange that, at many places, you can get free refills on coffee or soda without paying extra.

3. The Prevalence of Cars:

In many European countries, public transportation is the norm, and cars are seen as a luxury or necessity for longer trips. However, in the U.S., **car culture** is pervasive.

**Relying on cars**: In most of the U.S., **public transportation** is not as widespread or efficient as in Europe. While cities like New York have extensive subway systems, in many parts of the country, you really need a car to get around. Many visitors are surprised by how difficult it can be to travel without a car, especially in smaller cities or suburban areas.

**Massive highways and parking lots**: The highways in the U.S. are often gigantic, with lanes stretching out far beyond what most European travelers are used to. The sheer scale of **freeways** and **parking lots** can be overwhelming. Even small towns often have vast parking lots in front of strip malls or chain stores.

4. The Power of Tipping:

Tipping culture in the U.S. is unlike that in many European countries, where tips are either included in the price or are a much smaller amount.

**Large tipping expectations**: In the U.S., tipping is expected to be around **15-20%** for restaurant service, and this can come as a surprise to visitors from countries where service charges are included in the bill. Tipping is also common for other services like taxis, hotel staff, and even baristas.

**Service industry dependence**: Many service workers in the U.S., especially in restaurants, rely on tips as a substantial part of their income. This can feel strange to Europeans who are used to more inclusive wage systems or fixed service charges.

5. Guns Are Everywhere:

The prevalence of guns in the U.S. can be one of the most **shocking** things for foreigners, especially those from countries with stricter gun laws. 

**Easy access to firearms**: The idea that **ordinary citizens** can buy and own firearms so easily is hard for many Europeans to wrap their heads around. In many European countries, strict regulations govern gun ownership, and public displays of firearms are almost unheard of. The **open carry laws** in certain states, where people can openly carry weapons in public, are often eye-opening for visitors.

**Gun culture**: The visible presence of guns, especially in rural or more conservative areas, can be startling. Tourists might not expect to see so many people openly carrying weapons or discussing gun rights so frequently, especially in casual social settings.

6. Drive-Thru Everything:

Americans are known for their love of **convenience**, and one of the most striking examples is the **drive-thru** culture.

**Drive-thru restaurants**: Many European visitors are surprised to find that in the U.S., you can get **almost anything via drive-thru**—from fast food to coffee, prescriptions, and even dry cleaning. While drive-thru banks are somewhat common in Europe, they are ubiquitous in the U.S., especially in fast-food restaurants and coffee shops.

**Fast-food culture**: Drive-thru lanes are extremely popular for convenience, and many visitors can't believe how deeply ingrained this culture is, especially when it comes to grabbing a meal without leaving the car.

7. How Expensive Healthcare Is:

The U.S. healthcare system can be a major shock for many visitors, especially those from countries with universal healthcare.

**High medical costs**: Foreigners often struggle to believe the **high cost of medical care** in the U.S. A visit to the emergency room or even a simple doctor's appointment can cost **hundreds or thousands of dollars**, depending on insurance coverage. For someone from a country with universal health coverage, such as the UK, France, or Canada, this is often completely unfathomable.

**Healthcare is tied to employment**: Another aspect that can be shocking is the fact that **health insurance** in the U.S. is often tied to employment, meaning that many Americans lose coverage if they lose their jobs, something that’s not common in most European countries.

8. Americans Are Very Friendly (But Don't Always Mean It):

Many Europeans find that Americans are **incredibly friendly**—even strangers might greet you with a big smile and a cheerful "How are you?" However, the level of friendliness can sometimes feel insincere or superficial.

**Overly polite and chatty**: Americans, especially in places like the Midwest or South, often greet strangers with a **warm smile** and **friendly small talk**, which might seem excessive or overly familiar to Europeans who are accustomed to more reserved social interactions.

**"Have a nice day!"**: In the U.S., service staff often give very friendly, upbeat greetings and farewells like "Have a great day!" or "Thank you so much for coming!" These expressions are often seen as a part of the **customer service culture**, but for many Europeans, the level of enthusiasm may feel somewhat forced or transactional.

9. Shopping Is a Major Pastime:

Shopping malls and retail stores in the U.S. are often much larger and more prevalent than in many European countries.

**Huge malls**: American **shopping malls** can be incredibly large—some are like mini-cities with hundreds of stores, food courts, movie theaters, and even amusement park rides. Many foreigners are amazed at how much time Americans spend in malls, with entire weekends often devoted to shopping and socializing.

**24/7 Retail**: Many **stores and restaurants** in the U.S. are open late into the night or even **24/7**, which can be shocking for Europeans, where businesses generally close earlier in the evening, and stores may be closed on Sundays.

10. The "American Dream" Myth vs. Reality:

Many visitors are surprised by the gap between the myth of the "American Dream" and the reality of life in the U.S.

**Inequality and upward mobility**: The notion that anyone can "make it" in the U.S. with hard work is deeply ingrained in American culture, but many Europeans are shocked by the **social and economic inequality** they encounter. Issues like **poverty, homelessness**, and the lack of affordable healthcare or education can make the dream of prosperity feel elusive for many Americans.

**Cost of living**: Visitors often struggle to believe the **high cost of living** in major cities, especially in places like New York, San Francisco, or Los Angeles, where housing and basic necessities are far more expensive than they might have expected.

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