Certainly! Here are some intriguing facts about the United States that often surprise foreigners when they experience them firsthand:
Vastness of the Country: Many visitors underestimate just how enormous the U.S. is. For instance, people from countries like South Korea, which is essentially an island with ocean on three sides and a closed border on the fourth, may intellectually know that America is large. However, it often doesn’t fully click until they spend hours on a transcontinental flight, gazing out over the endless expanse of the southwestern desert regions. The feeling of “Holy crap, it just keeps going!” can be quite overwhelming 1.
Economic Disparities in Food Prices: Foreigners are often surprised by the cost of food in the U.S., especially when comparing fresh produce to fast food. For example:
A bag of grapes: $6
A box of strawberries: $7 2.
Restroom Stall Gaps: Restrooms in the U.S. have significant gaps between stalls, which can be quite disconcerting for tourists. In many other countries, the gaps are much smaller or nonexistent, so visitors may feel quite exposed when using public restrooms here 3.
Obesity and Body Size: Some foreigners are taken aback by the physical size of Americans. For instance, a visitor from Singapore turned around on a road trip from Texas to Los Angeles because Texas felt “stupidly big.” Additionally, encountering morbidly obese individuals can be a shock for those who’ve never seen such extreme body sizes 14.
Road Trips and Distances: The concept of long road trips is also surprising. El Paso, Texas, is actually closer to Los Angeles than it is to Louisiana. Exploring the vast landscapes of the U.S. can be both exhilarating and eye-opening 1.
Descriptive Language: Americans tend to use superlatives generously when describing things. Anything larger than their living room might be labeled as “massive,” “giant,” or some other exaggerated term 1.
Remember, these observations vary from person to person, but they highlight some of the unique aspects of the United States that foreigners may find fascinating or unexpected. 🇺🇸
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