Right now, the planet is on our doorstep. The 2026 World Cup is being played across 11 U.S. cities through July 19, and according to FIFA, it’s already broken the all-time tournament attendance record — with weeks still to go.
That means millions of first-time visitors are loose in America, bumping into all the little things we never think twice about. Some delight them. Some baffle them. A few make them laugh out loud.
Here are 11 things about the U.S. that stop foreign visitors in their tracks.
1. The price on the tag is a lie.
Grab a $10 shirt, carry it to the register, and somehow you owe $10.74. Welcome to American sales tax — which we tack on at checkout instead of printing on the sticker. Almost everywhere else, the price you see is the price you pay. Here, it’s a riddle.
2. A screen is watching you tip.
In the U.S., a tip isn’t a thank-you — it’s part of the worker’s wage, and 15% to 20% is the floor. Then the card reader spins around to face you while the cashier waits. If the rules trip you up, this guide to tipping sorts it out.
3. The soda never stops.
Order a drink at most American restaurants and you can refill it. And refill it again. For free. Visitors from places where every glass costs money tend to stare at the fountain like it’s a magic trick.
4. So. Much. Ice.
Ask for water and you’ll get a glass that’s 80% ice cubes. Order a soda, same story. Americans want everything arctic-cold, and the rest of the world finds it a little aggressive.
5. The portions are heroic.
One American entree can feed a family of four. “Small” drinks arrive in sizes that qualify as buckets elsewhere. First-timers order like they would at home, then sit back in quiet shock when the food lands.
6. The TV keeps telling you to ask your doctor about things.
Visitors are floored that American TV runs wall-to-wall prescription drug ads, complete with a cheerful voice rattling off terrifying side effects. There’s a reason it feels alien: The U.S. and New Zealand are the only two countries on earth that allow it. Those ads exist to sell pricey brand-name drugs — so if you fill a prescription here, it pays to know how to save on it.
One thing before we keep going — the financial world is louder and dumber than ever. Hot takes everywhere. Almost none of it is worth your time. I’ve spent 35+ years cutting through the noise so you don’t have to. Sign up for the free Money Talks Newsletter — 10 seconds, no spam, just the stuff that matters.
7. Fahrenheit, miles, and pounds.
The U.S. never mandated the metric system, so daily life runs on units the rest of the planet abandoned. Tell a visitor it’s 95 degrees out and watch the math happen behind their eyes.
8. Everything is huge — and built for cars.
Tourists plan to see America in a week, then learn that Los Angeles to New York is a 40-hour drive. Outside a handful of big cities, you can’t get anywhere without a car. We even have drive-through pharmacies, banks, and ATMs.
9. The bathroom stalls have … gaps.
Public restroom stalls here come with a generous gap around the door, perfect for accidental eye contact with a stranger walking past. No visitor has ever understood why. Neither have I.
10. Flags. Everywhere.
The Stars and Stripes flies in front yards, on trucks, on T-shirts, on swim trunks. Most countries save the flag for the Olympics. Here it’s a Tuesday.
11. ‘How are you?’ isn’t a question.
A cashier you’ve never met will ask how you’re doing. They don’t want an answer. It’s just hello. Visitors who launch into an honest update get the same confused smile every time.
None of this is good or bad — it’s just us, seen through fresh eyes. And it’s a healthy reminder of how much we take for granted.
Want more of the outsider’s view? Here’s what foreigners find amazing about America — the flattering version. Then go welcome a visitor. Maybe just warn them about the tip screen first.
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