Yes, those from the United States are unique. It's a unique nation. There are habits that some United States residents do that would greatly annoy those from outside the country. According to site Splash Travels, they have compiled a list of 30 norms that United States residents do that annoy those from outside the US
After reading these habits, it makes me feel awkward about being from the US because of other people's habits. I try to avoid doing any of these if I can. If I am talking to someone from outside the US and I ask, out curiosity, where they are from, I'll put it as "What part of the world is home for you?" Hopefully it sounds respectful. And if I do make an error, I am quick to apologize and explain that I was unaware.
1. Calling the United States "America"
-When traveling abroad, refrain from referring to the United States as "America". Just say you're from the United States. For example, if you are in South America, and you claim you're from America, this can be seen as politically incorrect, as if only the United States is considered America and that South America is not good enough to hold the title of being part of America
2. Wearing shoes indoors
-A lot of countries, especially Japan in particular, frown upon shoes indoors. It can be seen as disrespectful in many countries. For many European, Asian countries and even in Canada, remove your shoes because it's considered unhygienic to wear shoes indoors
3. Metal Horns
-Most do not know what the so called "Metal Horns" are. They only know it as bull horns. This hand gesture is created by using the thumb to hold down the middle and ring finger, leaving the index finger and pinky finger raised. This gesture was coined "Metal Horns" by former Rainbow, Dio and Black Sabbath vocalist Ronnie James Dio. He claims that he got it from his Italian grandmother, who was religious and used it to ward off evil energy. This gesture is most often seen at rock / metal concerts. It's a sort of symbol to "Rock on"
-But, be forewarned. In some countries, such as Spain, Italy, Portugal and certain parts of South America, this gesture is used to indicate to a man of his wife's infidelity. This is often considered to be an "annoying American trait"
4. Eating with your left hand
-While it doesn't matter what hand you use to eat with in the United States, this is not how things work in other countries. In India and many countries of the Middle East, a person's left hand is used to clean themselves, making it unavailable for use at the dinner table. It's certainly shocking for foreigners when they see it
5. Tipping
-Most countries outside of the United States do not believe in tipping because the wait staff are already paid so well that tips are not necessary. Or in some countries, tipping is considered offensive or rude. In the United States, not tipping is considered rude because wait staff do not get good pay, especially for what they have to put up with. In many Asian countries, such as Japan or Korea, tipping means something else entirely. These countries have wait staff getting paid a good wage. Tipping them sends the message that you think they need more incentive to do their job
6. Hands in pockets
-If you want to avoid offending others with hand gestures, either don't do them or keep your hands in your pockets. Meanwhile, outside the United States, especially in Japan or Korea, keeping your hands in your pockets can be seen as a sign of arrogance, a sign of disrespect to the locals
7. Taking the back seat of a taxi
-In the United States, it's customary to hop into the back seat of a taxi because the front seat is where the driver is. It's their domain. The only time the front seat is used is when the back seats are unavailable. Not only that, but in the United States the back seat is safer. If you're in certain parts of Ireland or in Scotland, New Zealand, Australia or The Netherlands, it's customary to ride in the front seat, as sitting in the back is considered rude
8. Not finishing food
-In the United States, it's common to see plates with food still left. That's because you became full and didn't want to overstuff yourself. In other parts of the world, unfinished food on your plate is seen as not only wasteful, but that you didn't enjoy your food, even if you couldn't eat another bite
9. Finishing your food
-This will certainly confuse a lot of people. Contrary to the above point, in countries like China, The Philippines, Thailand and Russia, clearing your plate of food states you didn't have enough and are still hungry
10. Thumbs up
-In the United States, the thumbs up gesture can be seen as a way of saying something is good. But, if you're in Greece, Western Africa, the Middle East or Russia, this can have a different meaning. The thumbs up gesture is a way of telling someone off. It's considered vulgar
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11. Crossing your fingers
-In the United States, people cross their fingers as a way of saying "hope for the best". It can have different meanings in other places. If you're in Vietnam, avoid crossing your fingers because that could be seen as a sign of imitating female private parts
12. Laughing with your mouth open
-In the US, when people are happy, they will laugh, usually with their mouths open. However, in Japan, when one laughs, they cover their mouth when laughing. Laughing with your mouth open is considered rude. This is one of the reasons why Americans are stereotyped as "loud" and "obnoxious"
13. Wearing certain articles of clothing in public
-Some countries are very conservative in their appearance. They frown upon certain articles of clothing being worn or displayed. It's a common sight in North America to see people running around in sweat pants, flip flops, pajama pants or wrinkled clothing. "Be yourself" is a motto lived to the max by many. In many European countries as well as Japan, you have to dress conservatively because an unruly appearance, wearing sweatpants or flip flops or even pajamas is considered disrespectful. You can even be refused in some places for your attire. So think about what you're wearing prior to going out; you never know who you're going to meet
14. Altering the food
-In the US, people tend to add a lot of spices and condiments to foods, especially foods prepared for you. In countries that foodies (people who have an interest in food) enjoy going to, such as France, Japan, Italy or Spain, asking for condiments like ketchup, hot sauce, soy sauce or salt is considered to be of the utmost disrespect to the person who prepared the food. Unless that condiment is already on the table, do not ask for condiments. Instead, enjoy the meal as it was prepared
15. Customizing orders at restaurants
-This is similar to the altering of food. In the United States, asking someone to hold off on the onions, cheese or change the side dish is no problem. But it is a problem in Japan and Korea. When you ask for the order to be customized, this gives the impression that you are not willing to try the food as it was presented. This can be a deeply strong insult to the chef.
16. Eating at places that doesn't serve food
-In the United States, it's a common sight to see people eating and drinking whatever you want, whenever you want, wherever you want. It's not the case in other countries. In countries like Rwanda and Japan, eating and drinking in non-restaurant settings is frowned upon and considered bad manners
17. Refusing food
-In the United States, the role of the host can vary. It's common for people to "help themselves", inviting them to feel at home. Those in the United States will also refuse food, making it feel easier on the hosts. In the country of Lebanon and similar countries, it's considered highly rude to refuse anything offered, including food. In some Asian countries, it's considered uncomfortable to refuse food
18. Blowing your nose in public
-In the United States, it's all too common a sight and sound to see and hear people blowing their noses in public. It's a sign of either allergies or the common cold. What's not common is those same people excusing themselves to discreetly address this issue in the privacy of a bathroom. But, think twice if you want to do this in countries like Japan, France, China, Saudi Arabia or Turkey. Blowing your nose in public is not only considered rude and poor manners, it's also considered gross
19. Asking about employment
-Whenever someone is getting to know someone new, the conversation will or may include a reference to what that person does for employment. This is all too common a conversation starter or "icebreaker" in the United States. But, it would be wise to avoid this question in other countries because they would look at this question as being nosey. It's also considered an uncomfortable question
20. Getting too personal
-In most parts of the world, getting too personal and asking questions about things like marital status, age or salary is considered highly inappropriate, especially in North America. But some countries are bold in their "getting to know you". In Italy, it's widely accepted and even commonplace for people to ask why you're single. All in all, you should avoid getting too personal with someone, especially if you don't know them well. Keep it light. Ask questions about what kind of music they like or what their interests are
21. Complaining about meals and services
-It's a common thing in the US to complain about whether a meal or services were not up to scratch. It's perfectly fine to let someone know. Just do it in a respectful way so that you come off looking the better person. Other countries, however, frown upon complaints on services and meals. They consider this poor manners. They prefer that complaints be filed quietly and only if absolutely necessary
22. Free refills
-The United States is one of the only places where you can get free refills at most restaurants. This, unfortunately, leads to the American stereotype of "Americans always want something for free". Other countries don't do the free refills. You have to pay for refills. In many European countries, free refills are something foreign to them. If you want another refill, you need to pay
23. Shirtless at the beach
-Yes, it's a common sight to see shirtless men at beaches in North America. But in some countries, this is a socially unacceptable thing to do, even unlawful, even for men. In South Korea, all people attending the beach must remain fully clothed and stay that way. It's one reason why South Koreans are amongst the most modest people in terms of swimming
24. Pointing
-Pointing with your fingers is a common sight in North America. But in other countries, such as China, The Philippines, Japan, Indonesia and Latin America, that's to be avoided. For example, in Japan, if you need to gesture someone, use your whole hand
25. Turning right on a red light
-Unless there is a sign that says "No turn on red", then it's generally accepted that you can turn on a red light. If there is a sign, simply obey it, even if the impatient driver behind you honks their horn repeatedly and flashes their bright lights at you. This could be considered road rage or aggressive driving. But then again, that impatient driver should be able to see the "No turn on red" sign. It's common knowledge that every country has its own unique traffic rules. It's mostly just a North America habit to turn on a red light. Those who come to the US do not know this. So they patiently wait for the light to turn green, much to the annoyance of some impatient drivers. It's always good to research the traffic laws prior to traveling outside the US
26. Open Carry
-This refers to the concept of openly carrying a gun. This is a common practice in the US. Many people have concealed weapons and permits to state they have legal right to carry said gun. In many countries, there are strict laws when it comes to owning a gun. They also don't think the same thing about carrying firearms, even for protection. The idea of open carry is incredibly shocking to many countries, especially Canada
27. Drinking age
-This is one that certainly surprises a lot of people. When those who are from outside the US hear that the legal drinking age is 21, but the age in which you are considered an adult is 18, that baffles a lot of people, even people in the US. Citizens of the United States, to this day, don't understand why the legal drinking age is higher than the legal adult age. They believe "if you're old enough to die for your country in the military, you should be old enough to drink." The reason the legal drinking age is higher is because underage drinking is considered a very serious thing in the US. Those from outside the US are baffled by that. In Mexico, the legal drinking age is 18 while in Canada it's 19. As for Germany, you can start drinking legally at 16, or even at 14, but you need an adult with you
28. Energy drinks for minors
-Seeing youths drinking energy drinks in the US is such a common sight, that no one even thinks twice about it. There are no legal age requirements to buy or consume energy drinks. But, some places will refuse to serve them to anyone under 18, like Suffolk County, New York. Many European countries, however, prohibits the sale of energy drinks to minors
29. Showing the soles of your feet
-During the warmer seasons, especially in North America, it's a common sight to see bare feet. Other countries consider the showing of bare feet to be incredibly offensive. In Asian countries or Middle Eastern countries where the religions are Hinduism, Buddhism, Muslim or Islam, the showing of the soles of your feet is considered highly disrespectful. They are considered the dirtiest part of your body, as they touch the ground
30. Too specific
-It's an annoying American trait when getting to know someone from outside the US and the American gets too specific, especially asking where they are from. One thing to keep in mind is that not everyone knows every detailed location in the world. You'll quickly find out that not everyone knows what the states of the United States are. So, for example, if someone from outside the US asks "where are you from?" and the person answers "Idaho", the other person will be puzzled, being confused about where that is. Don't expect people from outside the US to know the names of all 50 states or know much about
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