25 Local Habits And Behaviours That Stunned Americans After Returning From Travel
Reverse culture shocks American expats felt upon their return to US soil.
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Travelling abroad is an eye-opening experience that can profoundly alter one’s perspective on the world. Individuals often acclimatise to their surroundings, and exposure to foreign cultures can lead to lasting changes in what they consider normal. For some, returning home and readjusting to life as it once was can be quite challenging. This was evident when a Redditor asked, “Americans who have lived abroad, what was the biggest reverse culture shock upon returning to the US?" Many expats shared their surprising experiences and insights upon their return, and we've shared a few top picks in the gallery below.
Image source: TravelerMSY, EyeEm/Freepik (not the actual photo)
Everything is super sized. Including the people.
Image source: RGJ3x2, Freepik (not the actual photo)
How freakin' LOUD Americans are.
Image source: capnhist, EyeEm/Freepik (not the actual photo)
Lived in Japan for 6.5 years, had a kid there, came back to the US in December 2016.
- *Everything* here seems to exist to create profit for someone: your health (or more likely your illness), your poverty, your education, etc.
- There is zero concept of "the greater good" or public welfare here, even when it would make more economic sense to do something collectively.
- In a similar vein, that you put a dollar value on your family's health. I had just started working when my toddler got really sick, and I had to try to figure out "is he sick enough that I can afford the doctor visit?" "Is he sick enough that I can afford a day off work to take him to the doctor?" "How long can I afford his care if it's not just the flu?" etc.
- Given all the above, the conclusion (here come the downvotes) that America is a massive machine designed and perfected to completely and utterly f**k poor people.
Image source: ChubbyAngmo, Aaron Burden/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
I lived abroad for 10 years, 4 in Europe and 6 in Asia with a few months in Latin America thrown in for good measure. Others have called out several that I agree with, tipping, obesity, lack of public transport. I could write a book.
The biggest shock, however, is the ignorance of the population. The propaganda and political system here are sophisticated to such an extent that Americans will tell me directly and with no personal experience or seeming review of the facts that a for profit healthcare system is the only way to go. They’ll defend and believe that this is the greatest and freest country on earth. They still believe that most countries outside of the U.S. and Europe are third world. They’re still convinced that running everything, including social services, on a profit motive is the only way to guarantee a positive outcome for society. Many believe that China and Iran are the greatest sources of evil since the N**is. They tell me this without ever having been on the Bangkok metro, to a Taiwanese hospital, or seemingly having ever talked to a Mainland Chinese person.
Americans do travel and in great numbers. For those that do, they’re incredibly insightful and open minded. For the majority, however, they live in the biggest bubble of ignorance I’ve ever encountered.
Image source: Negative-Flight5146, Freepik (not the actual photo)
The extremely processed food. I gained something like 30 pounds in less than a year before I realized I couldn’t eat like I did abroad.
Image source: Chumbolex, wirestock/Freepik (not the actual photo)
Australia made me realize how much racism in America affected my life. I did the same s**t in Australia that I do in America: teach at a university (USQ!), go to the gym, hang out with friends... normal s**t. But it felt extremely different. White women weren't afraid of me (they actually didn't even notice me mostly). When I met people, there weren't awkward jokes or comments about black people. No one followed me around the store. I even felt comfortable asking police for directions, and they gave them to me and went about their business. I came back to Houston, which is super diverse, and it was the exact opposite. Even my 60 something year old mother (who came to visit me in Australia) noticed it. I felt so.... normal.
Image source: CauCauCauVole, jhatiprio/ Freepik (not the actual photo)
You elected WHO?!?!
Image source: bewires, leeevgen/Freepik (not the actual photo)
I'm from the US, but moved to Germany when I was 7. Went back to the US for college, then decided on Germany for good. Bread, dude. Americans do not know bread. Germany, there's a bakery on every corner and you will get a decent roll for about 20 cents. Americans have bakeries but like why is there so much sliced bread for sale and so little fresh? Why is everything in the bakery section sweet?
Also, fun fact: Germans call all square, pre-sliced white bread toast. Americans only call it toast when it has been toasted. You do not know how confusing this is.
Image source: sphinxyhiggins, SkelDry/Freepik (not the actual photo)
The rage. So much anger over the smallest things and not enough anger over big things.
Image source: Spare-Way7104, wavebreakmedia_micro/Freepik (not the actual photo)
That people think the US health care system is normal. "GoFundMe" is not meant to pay for your hospital bills. It's insane that literally every other....EVERY OTHER....developed country can find a way to make health care a basic human right. And Americans are just like, "too bad if you're poor and get sick....just go ahead and die, you're going to die anyway." I don't understand the American mentality.
Image source: AccusedOak04, New Africa/Freepik (not the actual photo)
I spent a semester abroad in Sri Lanka then moved back to the US. What struck me the most was the amount of food people waste. In Sri Lanka it's heavily frowned upon to waste food, even among the wealthy who don't deal with issues of scarcity. Returning to my college dining hall and seeing my friends pile their plates with food to then eat half and throw the rest out was a little jarring and disheartening.
Image source: randomuser6753
People are fatter and more ignorant than I remember. Entitled victim mentality is very prevalent now.
Image source: ShogunLoganXXII, Freepik (not the actual photo)
Get rid of a for profit medical system, and suddenly our food gets healthier. In the U.S., the fatter and sicker we are, the fatter Big Pharma’s wallet gets. When you have to make something to work for EVERYBODY, you’re forced to maximize it’s efficiency. Cleaning up s****y foods is the easiest way to do that.
Image source: rory_breakers_ganja, Jakub Żerdzicki/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Trying to figure out the actual price of anything since state and local taxes are never in the listed price.
Image source: Frank_Melena, EyeEm/Freepik (not the actual photo)
The song and dance of the waiter bringing your bill and leaving, taking your card and leaving, then waiting for them to come back with the receipt so you can give them a tip and finally go home.
In many restaurants in New Zealand you just go to the host station to pay when you’re done, and there is of course no tip.
Image source: cephalopodomus, EyeEm/Freepik (not the actual photo)
We put a LOT of ice in drinks.
Image source: anon, Sam Dan Truong/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
The tipping culture and rude a*s people.
Image source: Beagle001, onlyyouqj/Freepik (not the actual photo)
Not sure this counts as "returning".So, Back and forth. Mexico and US. Currently in Mexico. We flew domestic from one Mexican city to another last week on Volaris. Super orderly getting on the plane. Everyone had their luggage in the overhead and were seated in a weirdly, quiet and efficient manner. I think they closed the doors early and we were off. Then really weird...when we landed...NOBODY stood up. They just sat there. Usually in the US there's about a dozen morons that just stand up and start elbowing to get their stuff out of the overhead and then stand in the aisle breathing on you. Nope. Then the flight attendant would walk down the aisle and open 4 overhead doors on each side and the people under those would stand up in an orderly fashion and get their stuff and walk off the plane. Then the attendant would do the same with the next 4 compartments, rinse and repeat. It was AMAZING. Everyone was off quickly and in a super smooth fashion. Why can't WE do this!!!???
Image source: Jerry_Westerby_78, senivpetro/Freepik (not the actual photo)
America is full of people in a hurry to get to places they don't really want to go. It's very, very odd.
Image source: FocusOk6215, EyeEm/Freepik (not the actual photo)
Everything in the US is HUGE. I spent three months in Japan, when I returned home, I ordered a small drink from Pizza Hut and it was enormous. I could’ve gone swimming in it. I hadn’t noticed how big portion sizes and homes and vehicles are.
Grocery stores have so many options and bright colors (after coming back from Central America)
People are loud and not concerned with how their behavior affects others (Coming back from Japan)
Horrible public transportation (Coming back from Europe and Japan)
Lots of dirty streets (Japan again haha)
People don’t take pride in their appearances (Guess what? Japan!)
Males aren’t very affectionate toward one another (Middle East and Australia)
Children don’t respect their parents that much (Nigeria, Middle East, Central and South America, and….Japan!)
Image source: tasteitshane, Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
I was in Europe, and I really miss relying on public transportation, or just walking. Sure, it slowed down my day, but that was the normal.
I didn't realize the small but pervasive exhaustion and strain that having to drive everywhere causes on my body and brain.
Image source: snotsdale, Kateryna Hliznitsova/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Crazy healthcare prices, normalization of gun ownership, student debt, tipping culture, size of trucks.
Image source: queenofthepoopyparty, Kristina Kutleša/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
The lack of public third party spaces that are free to hang out in.
Europe has so many free public spaces and youth/elderly centers for people to spend time with others without paying for entry or having to purchase something. The US is so desperately in need of more spaces like this. Especially for kids. It makes me really sad to see how much pay for play happens here.
Image source: Existing-Ad-4961, Abdullah Guc/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
I was so annoyed by not being able to pass on the left on the escalator.
In the UK you stand to the right if you're stationary so if people are in a rush they can pass on the left.
In the UK Public transportation was quiet and you avoided eye contact. No one would dare blast music without headphones. Not the case in the US.
It's like once you land back in the US everyone suffers from main character syndrome. The entitlement is palpable.
Image source: Competitive-Cuddling, stockking/Freepik (not the actual photo)
This was 20 years ago, so it’s only gotten worse but….
It was the food.
After living in Thailand for a year, losing a ton of weight, and feeling 1000% better in general, the first time I got back to the states the realization hit.
All of the food was terrible, expensive, and basically p****n. It was like the scene from jaws in terms of my perception.
#1
Image source: TravelerMSY, EyeEm/Freepik (not the actual photo)
Everything is super sized. Including the people.
#2
Image source: RGJ3x2, Freepik (not the actual photo)
How freakin' LOUD Americans are.
#3
Image source: capnhist, EyeEm/Freepik (not the actual photo)
Lived in Japan for 6.5 years, had a kid there, came back to the US in December 2016.
- *Everything* here seems to exist to create profit for someone: your health (or more likely your illness), your poverty, your education, etc.
- There is zero concept of "the greater good" or public welfare here, even when it would make more economic sense to do something collectively.
- In a similar vein, that you put a dollar value on your family's health. I had just started working when my toddler got really sick, and I had to try to figure out "is he sick enough that I can afford the doctor visit?" "Is he sick enough that I can afford a day off work to take him to the doctor?" "How long can I afford his care if it's not just the flu?" etc.
- Given all the above, the conclusion (here come the downvotes) that America is a massive machine designed and perfected to completely and utterly f**k poor people.
#4
Image source: ChubbyAngmo, Aaron Burden/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
I lived abroad for 10 years, 4 in Europe and 6 in Asia with a few months in Latin America thrown in for good measure. Others have called out several that I agree with, tipping, obesity, lack of public transport. I could write a book.
The biggest shock, however, is the ignorance of the population. The propaganda and political system here are sophisticated to such an extent that Americans will tell me directly and with no personal experience or seeming review of the facts that a for profit healthcare system is the only way to go. They’ll defend and believe that this is the greatest and freest country on earth. They still believe that most countries outside of the U.S. and Europe are third world. They’re still convinced that running everything, including social services, on a profit motive is the only way to guarantee a positive outcome for society. Many believe that China and Iran are the greatest sources of evil since the N**is. They tell me this without ever having been on the Bangkok metro, to a Taiwanese hospital, or seemingly having ever talked to a Mainland Chinese person.
Americans do travel and in great numbers. For those that do, they’re incredibly insightful and open minded. For the majority, however, they live in the biggest bubble of ignorance I’ve ever encountered.
#5
Image source: Negative-Flight5146, Freepik (not the actual photo)
The extremely processed food. I gained something like 30 pounds in less than a year before I realized I couldn’t eat like I did abroad.
#6
Image source: Chumbolex, wirestock/Freepik (not the actual photo)
Australia made me realize how much racism in America affected my life. I did the same s**t in Australia that I do in America: teach at a university (USQ!), go to the gym, hang out with friends... normal s**t. But it felt extremely different. White women weren't afraid of me (they actually didn't even notice me mostly). When I met people, there weren't awkward jokes or comments about black people. No one followed me around the store. I even felt comfortable asking police for directions, and they gave them to me and went about their business. I came back to Houston, which is super diverse, and it was the exact opposite. Even my 60 something year old mother (who came to visit me in Australia) noticed it. I felt so.... normal.
#7
Image source: CauCauCauVole, jhatiprio/ Freepik (not the actual photo)
You elected WHO?!?!
#8
Image source: bewires, leeevgen/Freepik (not the actual photo)
I'm from the US, but moved to Germany when I was 7. Went back to the US for college, then decided on Germany for good. Bread, dude. Americans do not know bread. Germany, there's a bakery on every corner and you will get a decent roll for about 20 cents. Americans have bakeries but like why is there so much sliced bread for sale and so little fresh? Why is everything in the bakery section sweet?
Also, fun fact: Germans call all square, pre-sliced white bread toast. Americans only call it toast when it has been toasted. You do not know how confusing this is.
#9
Image source: sphinxyhiggins, SkelDry/Freepik (not the actual photo)
The rage. So much anger over the smallest things and not enough anger over big things.
#10
Image source: Spare-Way7104, wavebreakmedia_micro/Freepik (not the actual photo)
That people think the US health care system is normal. "GoFundMe" is not meant to pay for your hospital bills. It's insane that literally every other....EVERY OTHER....developed country can find a way to make health care a basic human right. And Americans are just like, "too bad if you're poor and get sick....just go ahead and die, you're going to die anyway." I don't understand the American mentality.
#11
Image source: AccusedOak04, New Africa/Freepik (not the actual photo)
I spent a semester abroad in Sri Lanka then moved back to the US. What struck me the most was the amount of food people waste. In Sri Lanka it's heavily frowned upon to waste food, even among the wealthy who don't deal with issues of scarcity. Returning to my college dining hall and seeing my friends pile their plates with food to then eat half and throw the rest out was a little jarring and disheartening.
#12
Image source: randomuser6753
People are fatter and more ignorant than I remember. Entitled victim mentality is very prevalent now.
#13
Image source: ShogunLoganXXII, Freepik (not the actual photo)
Get rid of a for profit medical system, and suddenly our food gets healthier. In the U.S., the fatter and sicker we are, the fatter Big Pharma’s wallet gets. When you have to make something to work for EVERYBODY, you’re forced to maximize it’s efficiency. Cleaning up s****y foods is the easiest way to do that.
#14
Image source: rory_breakers_ganja, Jakub Żerdzicki/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Trying to figure out the actual price of anything since state and local taxes are never in the listed price.
#15
Image source: Frank_Melena, EyeEm/Freepik (not the actual photo)
The song and dance of the waiter bringing your bill and leaving, taking your card and leaving, then waiting for them to come back with the receipt so you can give them a tip and finally go home.
In many restaurants in New Zealand you just go to the host station to pay when you’re done, and there is of course no tip.
#16
Image source: cephalopodomus, EyeEm/Freepik (not the actual photo)
We put a LOT of ice in drinks.
#17
Image source: anon, Sam Dan Truong/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
The tipping culture and rude a*s people.
#18
Image source: Beagle001, onlyyouqj/Freepik (not the actual photo)
Not sure this counts as "returning".So, Back and forth. Mexico and US. Currently in Mexico. We flew domestic from one Mexican city to another last week on Volaris. Super orderly getting on the plane. Everyone had their luggage in the overhead and were seated in a weirdly, quiet and efficient manner. I think they closed the doors early and we were off. Then really weird...when we landed...NOBODY stood up. They just sat there. Usually in the US there's about a dozen morons that just stand up and start elbowing to get their stuff out of the overhead and then stand in the aisle breathing on you. Nope. Then the flight attendant would walk down the aisle and open 4 overhead doors on each side and the people under those would stand up in an orderly fashion and get their stuff and walk off the plane. Then the attendant would do the same with the next 4 compartments, rinse and repeat. It was AMAZING. Everyone was off quickly and in a super smooth fashion. Why can't WE do this!!!???
#19
Image source: Jerry_Westerby_78, senivpetro/Freepik (not the actual photo)
America is full of people in a hurry to get to places they don't really want to go. It's very, very odd.
#20
Image source: FocusOk6215, EyeEm/Freepik (not the actual photo)
Everything in the US is HUGE. I spent three months in Japan, when I returned home, I ordered a small drink from Pizza Hut and it was enormous. I could’ve gone swimming in it. I hadn’t noticed how big portion sizes and homes and vehicles are.
Grocery stores have so many options and bright colors (after coming back from Central America)
People are loud and not concerned with how their behavior affects others (Coming back from Japan)
Horrible public transportation (Coming back from Europe and Japan)
Lots of dirty streets (Japan again haha)
People don’t take pride in their appearances (Guess what? Japan!)
Males aren’t very affectionate toward one another (Middle East and Australia)
Children don’t respect their parents that much (Nigeria, Middle East, Central and South America, and….Japan!)
#21
Image source: tasteitshane, Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
I was in Europe, and I really miss relying on public transportation, or just walking. Sure, it slowed down my day, but that was the normal.
I didn't realize the small but pervasive exhaustion and strain that having to drive everywhere causes on my body and brain.
#22
Image source: snotsdale, Kateryna Hliznitsova/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Crazy healthcare prices, normalization of gun ownership, student debt, tipping culture, size of trucks.
#23
Image source: queenofthepoopyparty, Kristina Kutleša/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
The lack of public third party spaces that are free to hang out in.
Europe has so many free public spaces and youth/elderly centers for people to spend time with others without paying for entry or having to purchase something. The US is so desperately in need of more spaces like this. Especially for kids. It makes me really sad to see how much pay for play happens here.
#24
Image source: Existing-Ad-4961, Abdullah Guc/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
I was so annoyed by not being able to pass on the left on the escalator.
In the UK you stand to the right if you're stationary so if people are in a rush they can pass on the left.
In the UK Public transportation was quiet and you avoided eye contact. No one would dare blast music without headphones. Not the case in the US.
It's like once you land back in the US everyone suffers from main character syndrome. The entitlement is palpable.
#25
Image source: Competitive-Cuddling, stockking/Freepik (not the actual photo)
This was 20 years ago, so it’s only gotten worse but….
It was the food.
After living in Thailand for a year, losing a ton of weight, and feeling 1000% better in general, the first time I got back to the states the realization hit.
All of the food was terrible, expensive, and basically p****n. It was like the scene from jaws in terms of my perception.DE
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