Here Are 20 Things That I, A Brit, Find Confusing About The USA

    Having just been to the US, I have some questions.

    Sam Cleal
    by Sam Cleal

    BuzzFeed Staff

    1. Do you really send each other Halloween cards?

    Sam Cleal / Via Buzzfeed

    Just a card to say... I WANNA WEAR YOUR SKIN AS A CAPE.

    2. Why is the "walk" man not green?

    David Jackson / Via Getty Images

    Cue me waiting on the pavement for ten minutes for the light to change.

    3. And when there's no stop sign but there is a crossing, can you just walk out in the road?

    Sam Cleal / Via Buzzfeed

    Just call me Jay Walking.

    4. Why is there so much water in the bowl of the toilet?

    Peter Wells @peterwells

    American toilets are weird. Way too much water in them. THERE, I SAID IT.

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    For more on this, because it is a hot button issue.

    5. Also, why must every men's room have a dedicated lower urinal?

    Barry Winiker / Via Getty Images

    Splash Town. Population = you, bro.

    6. At what point do you not tip?

    Meme Center / Via memecenter.com

    Like, does the server have to slap you across the face or can they just drop your food on the floor?

    7. Why is paying on card so confusing?

    Rede Globo de Televisão / Via tenor.com

    They take your card and swipe it... then you sign and get charged once with tip and one without? 🤔

    8. Why can't you walk anywhere?

    Sam Cleal / Via Buzzfeed

    Everywhere is so damn far apart! It rubs my British sensibilities the wrong way.

    9. WTF is root beer? And why?

    Bhofack2 / Via Getty Images

    Who decided to mix Pepto-Bismol with Coca Cola? And WHY?

    10. Why do bars, stores, and restaurants always have American football on in the background?

    Nomadsoul1 / Via Getty Images

    No, I don't need to know how the Chicago Bears are doing.

    11. Why are all your dollars the same colour?

    Hennadii Havrylko / Via Getty Images

    At first glance, I can't tell which notes I can accidentally drop and which ones I need to run down the street after.

    12. And while I'm on the subject, why is there a one dollar bill and a one dollar coin?

    CW / Via giphy.com

    America, you good?

    13. Why do you advertise prescription medicine on TV?

    David Ellis @DavidEllis

    I still think it's weird that it's legal to advertise prescription medicine on TV here in the US.

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    That seems like asking for trouble.

    14. When did you lose control of portion size per person?

    Deedle-Dee Productions / Via giphy.com

    Thanks for the extra kg I took home on me, America.

    15. Why are you obsessed with ice?

    16. Why do you smile at each other in the street?

    CBS / Via giphy.com

    Attractive person smiles at me.

    *They must want to marry me!*

    17. Why is everything so overly sweet?

    Evgeniiand / Via Getty Images

    I have a major sweet tooth but America takes the biscuit. I mean cookie.

    18. Do you really need to ID me when I'm clearly old AF?

    StudioCanal / Via gfycat.com

    Carding people who are obviously over 21 is seriously not cool guys.

    19. Does everything require a drive-thru?

    Nahum @angelaalfane

    Sana all mag drive thru w babe lolz

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    It's known fact that people in America just have less time on their hands than the rest of the world population.

    And finally...

    20. What's with all the condiments?

    Sam Cleal / Via Buzzfeed

    I can't actually get too mad about this. I LOVE CONDIMENTS!