SURPRISES WHEN YOU VISIT AMERICA

FOOD VARIETY

The shock many visitors experience when they first see the

enormous portions served in some American fast foods and

restaurants but there is actually one more thing that relates to

food in general – the almost unlimited variety. No matter if it’s

ice cream or sandwiches – you have it in all possible and

impossible flavours, forms and types.

ADORATION OF COLLEGE SPORTSMEN

College and university sport teams can be found in most countries

but the way student athletes are treated in the US is really unique.

The most successful football, baseball and basketball players

are adored as true celebrities.

ATTACHMENT TO ALMA MATER

Speaking of universities, another thing that might be weird to many

foreigners visiting the US, is the strong attachment of local people

to the colleges and universities they graduated from.

TV CENSORSHIP

Nudity is taboo on numerous American TV channels.

Not so taboo on most European channels.

AIR CONDITIONING

In some US states, the weather is really hot and it’s totally

understandable that restaurants, shops, offices etc. use

the AC to cool down spaces. However, what some foreign

visitors might find peculiar is the fact that the AC is often

turned down really low and is even used when outside

temperatures drop to comfortable levels.

DRINKING COFFEE

In many cultures, drinking coffee is almost a ritual. People take

time to enjoy the coffee, sipping it discreetly from little

ceramic cups. Therefore, seeing Americans gulping down

large cups of this beverage as they are on the go, can be surprising.

PRICE POLICY

In some American fast foods and restaurants, soda is

cheaper than bottled water and in food stores, fruits and

vegetables are sometimes more expensive than junk

food and frozen meals. In most countries, fresh fruits

and veggies are usually the cheapest items.

AGE LIMITS

An 18-year-old American is allowed to do a surprisingly wide range

of things. He can drive a car (usually even from the age of 16),

buy a gun, join the Army, get a pilot’s –licence etc. but he needs

to wait another 3 years to be officially allowed to buy beer.