#Travel #CultureShock #IncredibleExperiences #Foreigners #CountryCommonplace ππ€―
### Incredible Things That Are Common in My Country πΊπΈ
Are you curious about the things in my country that may seem commonplace to us locals, but absolutely blow the minds of foreigners? Sit back and get ready to be amazed by some of the everyday wonders that make our country unique and fascinating!
#### **1. Massive Portion Sizes**
When it comes to food in the United States, “super-sized” takes on a whole new meaning. Foreign visitors are often astonished by the generous portion sizes served at restaurants and fast-food joints. From gargantuan burgers to jumbo-sized sodas, Americans like their meals big and bold.
#### **2. Diverse Landscapes**
One of the most incredible aspects of the US is the sheer variety of landscapes you can encounter within its borders. From the sandy beaches of California to the rugged mountains of Colorado and the lush forests of Oregon, each region offers a different natural beauty that leaves visitors in awe.
#### **3. Over-the-Top Holidays**
Americans take their holidays seriously, and the celebrations can be quite extravagant compared to other countries. Whether it’s the Fourth of July fireworks show, the Thanksgiving feast, or the elaborate Halloween decorations, foreigners often find themselves amazed by the scale and intensity of American holiday traditions.
#### **4. Customer Service**
The concept of customer service in the US is on a whole other level compared to many other countries. From friendly greetings to attentive assistance, Americans take pride in providing top-notch service to their customers. Foreigners are often surprised by how accommodating and helpful American service staff can be.
#### **5. Road Trips**
Road trips are a quintessential American experience that many foreigners find incredible. The vast network of highways and scenic routes across the country makes it easy to embark on epic journeys and explore different states and regions. The freedom and sense of adventure that come with a good old-fashioned road trip are truly unforgettable.
### Embrace the Wonders of My Country! π
From supersized meals to diverse landscapes and over-the-top holidays, the United States is full of incredible things that may seem ordinary to us but leave foreigners amazed and enthralled. So, next time you find yourself taking these commonplace wonders for granted, remember how extraordinary they truly are in the eyes of others. Embrace the unique aspects of your country and share its wonders with the world! π
Canada – bagged milk. Not nearly as cool as yours.
China – Drunk Uber for when youβre fucking trashed and need someone to drive you home in your own car.
They turn up on a little electric bike, fold it up, take your car keys and drive you home while you continue drinking in the back.
Finland. Dish drying cabinets.
Marsupials
Every friend Iβve ever had who came to Australia from another country – and thatβs a significant portion of my friend group – has commented on our native birds. Lots and lots of colourful, noisy parrots, cockatoos etc all just kind of hanging out in random trees. Hundreds of them.
Apparently we have the kind of wild birds most countries have in pet shops
(US) Tipping. Everyone has their hand out. I hate it.
To islanders? Trains apparently. I met a guaminian coworker who very much had the island lifestyle going for him. Theres a bar where a train track is right next to it and he just stood out there *until the train left*
Tellin me all about how they dont have them back home and had never seen one in person before. Until he ran out of things to say and just drunkenly stared at it.
He also went on about how cool they were sober so it definitely wasnt a drunk thing
Probably the amount of historical castles, cathedrals and ancient green woodlands we have here in the UK.
Some people are mind-blown by bagged milk.
Most of Europe has those windows you can open at an angle to get some air in, I heard they are not as common in other places.
UK here, how green our grass is here. Seems a bit odd to a native like me but foreigners tend to remark about how vibrantly green the grass is here and that back where they come from, sometimes just in Europe, the grass is always dull and boring.
In America, my Japanese family members were impressed by the commonality of AC in public buildings and cheese and meat being cheap and good quality.
Australia- the beaches. I live on the coast and while I do appreciate the beauty I just assume all beaches look similar. Yet foreigners come here and are awestruck
The ability to snow ski in the morning and ocean surf in the afternoon on the same day.
Also, mountains. Here, if it has snow on it year round it’s a mountain, otherwise it’s just a hill.
Driving from one side of the country to the other can be done legally in only one day. And if you do, it will be coast to coast.
New Zealand
Edit: Added more info to make New Zealand a little more unique.
I was impressed by how fast everything happens in Germany when it comes to documents. It’s so automated and the workers are very helpful
My husband is from a remote island in Europeβ¦introducing him to Funyuns and Philly Cheesesteaks has ruined his life.
That being said, he was very disappointed learning the Michael Scottβs amazing β Classic New York Sliceβ of Sbarro pizza was, in fact, not as amazing as it seemed in The Office.
Government pays for school and university. If you have no Job, they pay your rent and your living. Doctors and hospitals are for free. You can drink almost everywhere in public and buy alcohol when you are 16. When you are with you parents, you can drink at 14. You can smoke weed and grow your own plants. With your passport you visit almost every country. We have the best beer and the best cars. Thousands of castles. Big industry but beautiful nature.
New Zealand- the scenery. You can go from the mountains to the lakes to the sea in under an hour in a lot of places.
Throw in a LOT of farm land for good measure.
In winter I get to see snow capped mountains on the way to and from work.
It really is a beautiful place π π’
Netherlands – bicycle infrastructure
For some reason, people are usually flabbergasted that babies nap outside (in their trolleys) during the day (all year) in Norway.
USA and Canada – garbage disposals. You can just dump food scraps, and, well, just about anything down the kitchen sink drain and turn it not a fine mush.
Japan – Bidet. I come from the uk and I love them. I feel so much cleaner down there.
Really old buildings in the UK.
My city has a bunch of old buildings. Some go back to the 12th century. A bunch of the shops, pubs, coffee shops etc are in buildings from the 14th-17th century. I just walk in them as if they were newly built, but there are always crowds of tourists at the weekend taking pictures of tat shops and Starbucks and the like.
(Canada) Squirrels. Black ones, grey ones, red ones. Always pointed out by my Indian colleagues when they visit.
Conversely it would be monkeys for me when visiting them.
Ireland and UK. Double decker buses as standard public transport (not just used as sightseeing buses)
Ireland. Ancient megalithic structures are everywhere!
There are the remains of portal tombs, raths (forts), standing stones etc scattered throughout the country.
The amount of vast space in America Iβve heard is shocking to others. EDIT- to Europeans at least lol
US – Sales tax and the way prices on the shelves aren’t the final price you’re paying.
This is more so on the ‘unbelievable’ spectrum of the term incredible.
Australia-
We had a gun massacre and then dramatically changed our gun laws so it would never happen again.
Santa Cruz, Boliviaβ there used to be sloths in the trees all over the city in the 90s when I was little girl. Then as electric lines were installed more and more, they kept dying because theyβd electrocute themselves climbing them πͺ then I believe there were a couple in the downtown center square but eventually those got moved somewhere safer. Also, thereβs this big park with playgrounds, trees, and trails that I used to walk with my parents every morning. There were mango and avocado trees and I donβt remember what else but you could just pick them and take them home. And lastly, there were monkeys in the trees at this park and sometimes theyβd all be screeching so loudly it almost sounded like you were in the rainforest not in a park in the middle of the city.
For Australia, the casual attitude towards teachers. In many countries (and I’m from an Asian background, as are many of my students), teachers are highly respected and are regarded as an authority. The expectation is that they give you the knowledge you need to know, and if you get it wrong, it’s your fault, not the teacher’s.
Australian society (and the US to an extent) is anti-authority. Teachers are not put on a pedestal (quite the opposite). Students and parents see themselves as equal in power to the teacher and have little to no filter on their behaviour. Students will call out, stand out and walk around the class, and they see nothing wrong with that. And society and policy protects the child, entitling them to do these things and get away with it.
In contrast, schools in Asian countries are often highly regimented and strict. Initiative isn’t rewarded or encouraged, compliance is. This makes it challenging for international students and students of migrant backgrounds because they haven’t been expected to ask questions, because at home it’s seen as being dumb, whereas here you’re supposed to ask for help.
Fucking universal healthcare.Β
Rainbows. Literally an every day sight here yet all my overseas visitors are awed by them..