18 quirks in American culture that Americans themselves don't even notice

In any culture, there are phenomena that seem at least strange, illogical and bizarre to representatives of another nationality. We will give some examples of American habits and traditions, to which foreigners react with great surprise. 

Restaurants always serve ice water, regardless of the weather. It's cold outside or hot, it doesn't matter. But what is really strange is when there is much more ice in the glass than the water itself.

Air conditioners are always turned on everywhere at full capacity. 

Order­ing a large with @Cookie_133 may have been a mis­take… #nypiz­za #amer­i­can­por­tions pic.twitter.com/9reVZLKgRh

— Jack Stewardson (@AWellArmedMonk) January 15, 2021

The portions in restaurants are simply astronomically huge. One dish intended for the average American is enough for a whole family of foreigners. 

Wait­er: is every­thing ok with your food? Me: pic.twitter.com/uyONBetSgQ

- Tom Eaton (@DorkyUdon) April 12, 2021

The waiters come up every three minutes and ask if you are comfortable, if the food is delicious, etc. Every three minutes.

Amer­i­can Car vs. Euro­pean Car pic.twitter.com/wMoOkEMBAv

- Rogue (@TooRogue2Handle) May 27, 2021

American cars are simply gigantic in size. Especially in comparison with European brands. By the way, the highways are also huge.

haha­ha more wine, 2 three liter bot­tles and 1 six liter bot­tle #Wine­F­reaks pic.twitter.com/EA03En9Hzj

— Zach Dixon (@zachdixon_) March 2, 2021

Three-liter bottles of wine are sold in stores. And sometimes even 6-liter.

A pho­to post­ed by Andrea Ale­jan­dra (@away_we_go23) on Jun 16, 2014 at 10:15am PDT

Order­ing a large with @Cookie_133 may have been a mis­take… #nypiz­za #amer­i­can­por­tions pic.twitter.com/9reVZLKgRh

— Jack Stewardson (@AWellArmedMonk) January 15, 2021

You are always asked for an ID card in a bar or in a store if you buy beer, although it is quite obvious that you are over 30 years old. 

A photo posted by Max Kiryanov (@maximkiryanov) on Feb 4, 2016 at 11:14am PST

Wait­er: is every­thing ok with your food?
Me: pic.twitter.com/uyONBetSgQ

- Tom Eaton (@DorkyUdon) April 12, 2021

Banknotes are very similar to each other. It is difficult to distinguish, for example, one-dollar and five-dollar bills, because they are all the same size and color. 

Pharmacies sell sweets, soda, cigarettes and beer. 

Strangers are constantly smiling at you. On the street, in supermarkets, in public toilets-everywhere.

Many people wear fitness clothes, even though they are not in the gym. And in the shales — not on the beach.

It is not uncommon to see people in pyjamas in supermarkets. Because they don't really care, to be honest.

The breaks for advertising on television are terribly long. For example, a 40-minute episode of a TV series together with an advertisement takes an hour.

Shops and restaurants are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

American flags are everywhere. In case you have forgotten which country you are in. 

Americans constantly drink coffee on the go. Many foreigners think this is wild, because they are used to enjoying a drink while sitting somewhere in a pleasant place, and not intercepting on the run.

The shower head can not be adjusted in any way.