Ready for a big ol’ list? Here’s a diverse and fascinating list of 100 things a tourist might see in the U.S. but not typically in France… spanning culture, food, habits, infrastructure, people, and everyday life. These differences are part of what makes traveling — and comparing cultures — so interesting IMHO, so let’s get into it!
99 Things a tourist might see in the U.S. but not in France
Note: Some of these are state dependent and aren’t everywhere in the U.S. A few may exist in France, but they aren’t as mainstream as in the U.S.
1. American flags on homes, cars, and clothing
2. People wearing pajamas or workout clothes in public
3. Tipping 20% as a standard practice (here’s how to tip in France)
4. Talking to strangers in line (here’s how the French do small talk)
5. Excessively friendly customer service
6. Fireworks stores
7. “How are you?” as a greeting, not a question that requires a reply
8. Big smiles from strangers
9. Police sirens sound different
10. Personal space — standing far apart in lines
11. Large religious/pain center/personal injury billboards
12. Saying grace before dinner
13. Political bumper stickers and yard signs
14. Garbage disposals
15. “Have a blessed day” from cashiers
16. Many air conditioned spaces and private homes
17. Small talk with service workers
18. Eating out a LOT
Photo credit: Depositphotos.com/trongnguyen
19. Suburbs with no sidewalks
20. Strip malls and massive parking lots (and massive cars)
21. Enormous grocery stores (here are some French supermarket differences)
22. Bathroom stalls with large spaces in between the door paneling and down by the feet
23. Lots of pickup trucks on the road
24. Gas stations that double as convenience stores like Buc-ee’s
25. Giant, grid-like road systems
26. People eating dinner at 5 or 6 p.m.
27. Big savory breakfasts at places like IHOP
28. A different style of crutches
29. Writing numbers a bit differently
30. Skunks
31. Marijuana dispensaries/legal medical marijuana
32. College campuses that feel like mini cities
33. Giant high school stadiums
34. Eggs that have to be refrigerated
35. Milk that comes in cartons (in the refrigerated section)
36. 24-hr diners
37. Residential properties without fences or gates
38. Storage unit businesses
39. Mailboxes at the end of driveways
40. Lawns full of Halloween or Christmas decorations
41. Free refills
42. Cheaper electronics like iPhones
43. Pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice flavored foods (other foods you won’t find in France)
44. Peanut butter everywhere
45. Ranch dressing
46. Deep-fried everything (Oreos, butter, etc.)
47. Giant portion sizes
48. Lots of loud talkers
49. Super casual style out at restaurants
50. Asking for your steak “well done” without judgment
51. Grocery store clerks chatting with you
52. Grocery baggers
53. Tons of choices everywhere
54. Candy corn and Peeps
55. Sweet pickles
56. Jell-O salads (or plain old JELL-O)
57. Corn dogs
58. S’mores
59. Root beer floats or root beer in general
60. Coins that don’t have the numeric value on them
61. Teens driving themselves everywhere
62. Wearing school or college logos
63. Baseball games
64. Oversharing in casual conversation (FYI here are some American social norms you won’t find in France)
65. Group hugs
66. High-fiving strangers at sports games
67. Wearing socks with sandals — unapologetically
68. Yoga pants as all-day wear
69. Kids calling adults by their first names
70. Referring to places by highway exit numbers
71. Guns/ammo shops in strip malls
72. People with visible guns on their person (not cops)
73. “In God we trust” written on the currency
74. Huge evangelical churches as big business
75. Separation of church and state… in theory
76. Gun shows
77. Vocal “support our troops” sentiment
78. School mascots and pep rallies
79. College as a massive cultural identity
80. Politicians mentioning God/prayers in their public speeches
81. Reality shows about everyday people
82. Super Bowl parties
83. Tailgating before a football game
84. Country music on mainstream radio
85. Realtors’ faces on for sale signs
86. Open houses (when you put your house on the market)
87. Sports betting ads for things like DraftKings
88. Giant theater chains with recliner seats and waiter service
89. TV commercials for prescription drugs
90. Doggie daycare businesses
91. Over-the-counter meds sold in bulk (e.g., 500 Tylenol tablets)
92. Over-the-counter medication available at supermarkets
93. Drive through car washes (not just DIY)
94. Stores that open very early/close very late
95. Pharmacy and bank drive-through options
96. Sales tax added to your purchase at the register
97. Smoking bans in public parks
98. Many morbidly obese people
99. Cheaper gas (and someone to pump it for you in NJ)
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Do you have any to add? Tell me in the comments below!
If you liked this post, you’ll love 77 little things that are different about life in France.
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I’ll add: Any store other than tiny ones having a free public restroom of adequate size.
Not just drug adverisng on TV, but also doctors and lawyers is illegal.
Prom, school dances, high school sports away games, pep rallies
Free plastic bags at grocery stores
Thank you Muriel, great additions!
Add cell phone conversations on speaker for any and everyone to hear.
Excessively loud music in cars with windows gracing everyone with noise.
You sure added a list of truths.
Number 89 was a surprise when I moved to the U.S. as when I still lived in the UK, it was not so much of a thing. A lot of the list you shared here are also not things typical of my home country. Very interesting list!
One more thing about 89: TV commercials for prescription drugs
After seeing a number of them, one would come to two conclusion:
1. Women eat a LOT of salad and laugh uproariously together
2. Men seem to play a LOT of golf
🙂