It’s easy to assume that whatever customs, systems, processes, and general facts of life you’re accustomed to are the “norm.” However, as soon as you venture out of your home country or region, it becomes extremely apparent that not everything you do or have at home is the norm elsewhere. For Americans, this means coming across a bidet on a French vacation, or having a tip refused at a restaurant, or being forced to make sense of the metric system can come as a shock to the system.
The truth is, the US does many things differently from the rest of the world. From minor differences like an obsession with the American flag, to major ones with political or economic implications, like the use of a sales tax instead of value-added tax, or the refusal to recognize the International Criminal Court’s authority, the US is unique in a number of ways. Below you’ll find many things Americans do differently from the rest of the world – and why.
Why Americans Don’t Use The Metric System
The United States Customary System of weights and measures (or the USCS – think inches and miles) is unique in that the rest of the world uses the metric system (think meters and kilograms). If everyone else has adopted a singular measurement system, why has the US stuck with its own?
Why Americans Put The Flag On Everything
If you look hard enough, you can find an American flag almost anywhere in the US. They’re on government buildings like the post office, of course, but they also fly above fast-food restaurants, are plastered on cars, and wave in front of peoples’ homes
Why Americans Can’t Be Tried For International Crimes
If someone commits an international war crime, the International Criminal Court is the judicial body responsible for trying them. That is, unless the suspected criminal is an American or American-allied citizen. The ICC was established in 1998, with 123 nations ratifying the Rome Statute (which established the ICC). The US is the notable exception to that ratification, meaning the government does not recognize the ICC’s authority.
Why The US Uses The Electoral College
Every four years, American citizens huddle around their TVs tracking the results of the presidential election live. While a lot of attention is paid to the popular vote, what really matters is how many votes each candidate gets in the electoral college. Rather than have the highest seat of government elected by the majority of citizens, each state is afforded a number of votes based on population that electors from each state then cast for the president. This process is unique in that it sometimes means the presidential candidate with the most votes is not the one who ends up winning the election.
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Why Toilet Stalls In The US Have Gaps
Using a public restroom is no one’s ideal situation, and a big reason for that comes down to the lack of privacy. In the US, public privy stalls are notorious for said lack of privacy. The doors and walls don’t reach the floor or ceiling, and there’s usually a gap between the door and the partition wide enough to see through. Using the restroom in said condition understandably makes for a less-than-pleasant experience.
Why American Breakfasts Look Like That
Why It’s Common To Tip In The US
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Why The National Anthem Plays Before American Sporting Events
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Why Americans Charge Sales Tax
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Why The US Has A Two-Party System
