100+ Interesting Facts about America and Americans

Tourist visits to the US have dwindled in recent years due to the tightening of the country’s visa regulations, but some interest in the New World remains stable, with travel agencies offering visits to the United States year after year.

But what do you need to know before packing your bags? What traditions did the “nation of migrants” develop in 300 years of independent America? And what is the American way of life like?

We offer you to get acquainted with the most interesting facts about the United States and the inhabitants of this state.

America consists of a multicultural people, which leaves certain imprints on the culture and mentality of the inhabitants of this country. And of course, if you are planning a business trip or a trip, then it is worth studying the peculiarities of behavior in America, having learned all the interesting facts about America and Americans, in order to understand why people in this country act one way or another.

 

100 most interesting facts about America and Americans

1. America is huge: it is the third largest country in the world with over 300 million people.

2. Americans come in many colors, have all kinds of religions, and speak many languages ​​from all over the world.

3. Americans are extremely independent, individualistic, and very eager to be different from each other.

4. 66% of Americans are overweight; 37% of them are obese.

5. Americans believe in freedom of choice.

6. Americans need a lot of personal space.

7. Approximately 1% of Americans are homeless (3.5 million people).

8. Americans easily communicate with the homeless, but have common sense and caution when dealing with strangers.

9. Unfortunately, the streets of large cities are often polluted.

10. Many people, especially teenagers, wear strange clothes and many of them have tattoos and body piercings.

11. Americans follow the rule of law.

12. Pollution (throwing garbage on the street), graffiti and tagging (graffiti), and idleness are against the law and punishable by a fine or imprisonment.

13. Discriminating or making any offensive statement about the religion or ethnic origin of someone else is against the law and can be punished as a hate crime.

14. You must be over 21 years of age and you must have a photo ID in order to purchase or drink alcohol at the establishment.

15. It is illegal in most states to buy cigarettes for people under the age of 18. And often smoking is allowed only in certain places.

16. Americans are very informal and refer to most people by their first name or pseudonym.

17. Americans smile a lot and communicate easily with strangers by telling and listening to personal stories.

18. If you are asked “How are you?” (“How do you do?”) is just a greeting and is not a question about your health.

19. When Americans put their hands on their hips, they are usually relaxed; when they fold them tightly over their chest, they are angry or very serious about something (or cold).

20. Americans don’t push or stand too close to people in line. They always wait their turn.

21. Waiters in restaurants tend to be very friendly and eager to be helpful, often giving their names.

22. If you liked the service, tips are expected in the amount of 15-20% of the bill.

23. Polite Americans eat with one hand while the other is under the table on their knees.

24. Usually, when friends meet in a restaurant, each of them pays for himself or simply divides the bill in half. This method is called Dutch.

25. If you are expecting guests at home, turn off the TV, make sure your music is not too loud.

26. Americans party on many occasions. Sometimes they are for friends to get together or to meet new people. The typical American party rarely features music or dancing.

27. When you meet Americans, be sure to look into their eyes, smile, and shake hands.

28. Have a little conversation at the beginning of the conversation. After some questions, you may be asked, “What are you doing?” (“What do you do?”). This question means: “Where do you work?”

29. At weddings and other festivities, guests leave their gifts in a specially designated place.

30. Americans open gifts and cards in front of people.

31. Make sure you remember to include a card in your name with the gift. The person who received the gift almost always sends a thank you card back.

32. At an American funeral, it is not normal to cry or moan loudly. Americans try to keep strong emotions within themselves.

33. There is no traditional color or flower that would symbolize death. Any flowers can be used at funerals.

34. Americans don’t give money for funerals. Sometimes they send flowers or other plants to the ceremony.

35. After the funeral, there is usually a reception for family members in the house. The table is covered with a variety, sometimes alcohol is also present.

36. Never ask Americans a direct question about their religion, age, money, salary, weight, or dress/suit size, this is considered uncivilized.

37. Do not make any racist or negative remarks about anyone’s religion, family background, or sexual preferences.

38. Men should not make any “sexist” remarks about women or say that women are not equal to men.

39. Americans say they don’t want to discuss politics, but sometimes they do. It’s best to just listen first to get the other person’s point of view, and then let them know your thoughts.

40. Never walk in someone’s house without permission to look around, it is inconvenient for the owners.

41. If you are invited to visit an American family, you may not bring your children, friends, or family members without prior approval from the hosts.

42. Time is money. Never be late for classes, job interviews, meetings, parties (especially weddings!) etc.

43. Some Americans love to hug a lot. It is considered normal for both women and men to hug when they meet, even if they are not close friends.

44. It is normal for American women to have male friends, and vice versa.

45. It is not uncommon for American men and women to share an apartment, that is, to live as roommates and not have sexual relations with each other.

46. ​​Most American women don’t like bossy or jealous men.

47. Also, most American women do not feel comfortable if the other person pays for everything all the time.

48. Be careful: meet new friends in public places, do not get into a car with a stranger or give someone your address.

49. American parents talk to their children like adults and teach them how to take responsibility for their actions.

50. American parents encourage their children to ask questions and always ask “why?”

51. It is common for American children to have very dirty rooms.

52. It is common for young Americans to take their blanket or favorite soft toy with them to visits.

53. Americans do not beat their children, but the discipline is very strict from childhood.

54. American men are trying to take care of the upbringing of children and housekeeping equally with their wives.

55. Americans hire nannies to take care of their children when it’s time to go to work.

56. Americans love their pets, sometimes even more than people.

57. Homosexuality is protected by law in the United States.

58. Most older Americans choose to retire at home on their own rather than live with their adult children.

59. Americans always consider themselves young, often working at age 65 or older, or may re-educate at that age.

60. Domestic violence is against the law. It is illegal to hit anyone: a spouse, a parent, a child, or even an animal.

61. There are special places in front of the buses reserved for the disabled and pensioners.

62. Be careful when you offer your seat on the bus to an older or disabled person. Most older people don’t want to think they need help.

63. Most buses require the exact amount of money to pay for the fare and do not give change.

64. Because of stealing money from pockets, Americans carry credit cards and checks rather than cash.

65. Pedestrians always have the right to cross the road.

66. Pedestrians must cross the road at the intersection if there are identification signs or a pedestrian crossing. Crossing the road in the middle is against the rules.

67. If there is a life or death emergency, call 911.

68. Rent must be paid on time otherwise there will usually be a late fee.

69. If you pay rent in cash, be sure to get a receipt.

70. Americans love to buy things on sale and often buy used things.

71. If the police show headlights for you to stop the car, pull over to the side of the road. Stay in your vehicle.

72. Look directly at the policeman. Smile and say, “Is there a problem, officer?”

73. When you drive, make sure you have your license, registration and insurance with you at all times.

74. Never argue or give money to a police officer.

75. Always arrive on time for a job interview.

76. Dress appropriately for an interview.

77. Smile, make eye contact with the interviewer, and shake hands firmly when you meet.

78. In an interview, try to be positive and describe your good qualities.

79. Sexual harassment is against the law.

80. Students should ask questions.

81. Never use a cell phone in class.

82. It’s normal for an American teacher to sit on a desk.

83. Always call your teacher by name.

84. It’s never too late to go back to school and you’ll almost certainly find free adult classes.

85. You are allowed to visit most colleges and universities on campuses to see what they are like.

86. Children between the ages of 6 and 16 must attend school in the United States.

87. Do your own work. Copying from a book, from a friend, or from the Internet is called plagiarism.

88. Deception leads to severe punishment.

89. Americans try to take care of their health in advance.

90. When you have serious health problems, it is a good idea to visit several doctors, listen to several opinions.

91. You can always contact the registrar and find out how much a doctor’s appointment will cost.

92. If you need to make an appointment with a doctor, list all your symptoms in English before calling.

93. Most states have free or low cost clinics.

94. Never go to the emergency room unless it is a matter of life and death.

95. Americans are very careful and careful, they will not leave the house with bad breath or body odor.

96. Most Americans take at least one bath or shower during the day.

97. Most Americans use a good deodorant after swimming.

98. If you can’t understand the sign on the toilet door, ask someone or wait and check who comes in or out.

99. Americans often talk to each other on a cell phone while taking a bath.

100. There are very few “public” toilets available in American cities.

Interesting facts about Americans

I have been living in America for the second year. I decided to write a post about the peculiarities of American life, which will definitely surprise you.

• Patriotism, unhealthy from the point of view of a European, is a hallmark of any Native American. Each “Yankee” considers himself a descendant of the founding fathers, who earned independence for the country with blood and sweat. And such an attitude to life is brought up in America from an early age.
• Americans are real workaholics. Here it is normal to come to work at 6 am or stay up late at night.
• A wide smile is the rule of good form throughout the United States. Every person who addresses you needs to smile – otherwise you may be suspected of antisocial behavior, or even worse.
• When talking to a stranger after asking “How are you?” immediately followed by the question: “Where are you from?”. If the interlocutor knows at least something about this place, there is already at least one topic for a long conversation.
• Any American watches the news a lot, and opinions about countries are often formed in the prism of what is shown on TV. For this reason, many US residents are called victims of stereotypes.
• Racial segregation finally leveled in the United States only in the 1970s. But until now, in some states, the attitude towards the black population and indigenous Indians is saturated with open hostility.
• Modern political correctness is one of the main rules of the American worldview. This is actively seen in movies and TV shows, where purely positive characters must be played by black actors. Recently, this also applies to homosexuals.
• Every inhabitant of the New World understands the concept of the “American dream” in his own way. In general terms, every person has the right to get what he deserves.
• In the US, almost everyone has a car, at least almost every family has at least one vehicle.
• It is possible and necessary to pass on the rights in the USA at the age of 16. All driving schools are strictly controlled by the state, and part of the money given for driving training is transferred to highway repair funds. Whether an American will drive a car is his own business, but he is obliged to pay for training.
• Important: traffic rules in the United States are among the most stringent in the world. It is useless to give a bribe to patrol policemen: following the road is not the most prestigious occupation in the police, and the cops most often arrest the violator without further ado.
• In the United States, it is considered shameful to live with your parents for a long time. Almost immediately after the age of majority, children try to find rented housing, which is why approximately 40% of the living space in the country is rented / leased.
• Americans are very proud of their origin, they love to tell who their ancestors were, what percentage they belong to this or that nation.
• It is perfectly normal for an American to take out a loan for a car or a house – they live in debt all the time.
• Several large states, including New York and Pennsylvania, have become famous throughout the world for their Amish and Mennonite communities. These are the descendants of sectarians who fled Europe in the 17th century. A distinctive feature of their worldview is the rejection of the benefits of civilization, a strict and ascetic life according to the laws of the Bible. In 2010, almost 240,000 such ascetics lived in the United States.
• American football and baseball are considered national sports in the United States – they are developed at all levels. In third place in terms of the scale of public interest is hockey, although the southern neighbors are still inferior to Canadians.
• One of the most unpleasant character traits of an ordinary American is what we usually call “squealing.” The United States has its own term for such behavior – Neighborhood watch – neighborhood watch. Seeing a suspicious person in the courtyard of the house, or on the street, residents will definitely call the police, in some cases there is a reward for this.
• The high unemployment rate in the US has nothing to do with the lack of vacancies. It’s just that the size of the child care allowance in some states is equal to the average salary. People who do not want to work actively use it.

Americans are very charismatic. No wonder most of the world’s actors are Americans. And in general, how they behave in life – gestures, facial expressions, words – it’s just like getting into a movie, there can be so many emotions in one story of an ordinary person that if DiCaprio saw this, he would decide to share an Oscar)

They love discounts, sales, coupons and promotions.

7 out of 10 Americans will choose what is cheaper than what is better.

There are really a lot of dumb people among Americans🙄.

Most blacks sing like Whitney Houston and dance like Michael Jackson. I think it’s innate in them. Many world famous artists such as Beyoncé, Chris Brown, Rihanna, Kanye West, Drake, Nicky Minaj, The Weekend, Flo Rida, Bruno Mars, Snoop Dog are black.

They are very smiling and talkative.

Most Americans are lonely.

One in five here smokes weed🍀.

Every tenth takes drugs💊.

Every third military Blacks rarely leave tips.

Among blacks, it turns out that the name Tamara is popular😄.

Americans love pets. They are treated as family members here.

Everyone is on loans.

Every third person has dozens of tattoos.

Obsessed with American football and baseball.

Americans most likely do not know what complexes are.

They change their place of residence about as often as boys’ girls.

Most of them do not cook anything at home.

90% of Americans do not have their own living space.

It’s normal for them to work as a waiter or pizza delivery man at 40.

Drink liters of soda.

Most Americans’ favorite thing to do is watch TV.

Americans love to brag about what’s still on credit.

Very law abiding.

The probability that an American will pay for his friend for lunch, some thing, etc. is 1 in 100.

Usually they name their enterprises in the name of their loved ones. Ray’s Pizza, Johnson’s Tire World, Uncle Nick’s premium meats, Jonnie Gregory’s trucks.

Americans (men) don’t like skinny girls. That’s what we call “fuu everything is shaking like jelly”, American men are delighted.

In the summer, when it’s hot, they eat ice😳.

In any incomprehensible situation, Americans call 911.

Education above the average here is far from all.

Americans greet even strangers.

Marriage for Americans is a bigger step than having children. I know many families where there are three children, and the parents are still not married😦.

A lot of people don’t eat pork.

Some cops here ride horses instead of cars🐎. I would like to see the chase in their performance))

Not all Americans have iPhones) Samsungs are also very popular here.

At Christmas, the main problem for Americans is not what to buy as gifts, but how to pack them beautifully🎁.

If these facts about the United States have fueled your interest in this country, but you think that going there will not be so easy, then do not rush to conclusions.