It’s clear that every country have their own customs, traditions and habits. However, there are things in the US that non-Americans don’t understand. In fact, in most parts of the world, there are few common aspects of life, that regardless where you come from, you can identify to such as the measurement system for example. Yet, in the US, it seems that they have established their own ”universal” ways of doing things. From how they count their money to their health-care system, non-Americans have always wondered why they are so different from the rest of the world.
We have looked at the most asked questions on the internet, and brought you 5 of the main things that every non-American has asked a US citizen about, at least once before.
Paying For An Ambulance
When I was an exchange student in Austria, I got a food intoxication, which required the ambulance to come pick me up from the dorm. Obviously, my medical insurance did not only cover the check-up and treatment at the hospital, but also the ambulance fees. In Europe, it’s a pretty normal thing. However, my American friends were utterly surprised that we don’t have to pay extra cash for riding in an ambulance, and said that back in the US, you can even end up paying more to be taken to the hospital on an ambulance then the actual hospitalization charges.
Massive Student Debt
We know that going to college in the US is really expensive. We are also well aware that some of the best universities and educational programs are in America. However, the rest of the world just don’t comprehend how can ”one of the best countries in the world” make their citizens live the rest of their days paying for their degrees. Many countries all over the world also do offer ”expensive” educational programs as well, however, you always have the option of attending a public university, free of charge.
How Americans Write The Date
It’s safe to say that one of the strangest things to a non-American visiting the US, or attending college there is how Americans write the date. In Europe, Africa, Australia and even South America, the date is written as such: Day-Month-Year. As oppose to the US, who write the date format starting with the month-day-year. However, the shocking part is that when you ask Americans why do they use it this way, most of them don’t know the answer.
Prescription Drugs Ads
Medication that require a prescription can only be obtained by a legitimate doctor’s order. Moreover, this something that happens in every country, no problem. However, in the US, there are a bunch of ads on TV that market these prescript drugs. For us non-Americans, we do not understand how can you promote on television something that can not be obtained without a medical emergency.
The Tipping System
Finally, this is nightmare to all foreigners visiting the US, especially for the first time. You go to a restaurant, and when it’s time to check the bill, non-Americans just don’t understand the tipping system. Is it 20% of the bill, is it more? does it depend on the service? Why should we pay so much for tips? Although it’s not a rule, not tipping waiters is very frowned upon in the US, and considered rude. This is something that was actually explained to us on the plane when we were on our way to New York.
Photos: Pixabay, Youtube.