Top 10 Things You Should NEVER Say to an American
#10: “There’s No Such Thing as ‘American Food’”
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It’s no secret that fusion cuisine spans the U.S. The land of immigrants and diverse cultures has inevitably been shaped by a wide range of traditions. But listen… Americans do in fact have a lot of their own regional cuisines—Cajun, Tex-Mex, Pennsylvania Dutch and Soul Food to name a few! Influences from other nations have certainly been Americanized, but Americans would argue that they do have their own, distinct food staples. The hamburger is generally considered the national dish in America—a favorite regularly enjoyed at fast food establishments and all-American BBQs. If you challenge an American on where the hamburger originated, be ready for a debate!
#9: “College Is So Expensive!”
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There’s no need to say this—Americans are well aware! Though many agree that the cost of higher education is outrageously expensive, there’s little they can do about it. It’s a popular item on political agendas that have long been advocated for. Mention of this in conversation will likely just make an American angry about something they've already been annoyed with for decades. They've taken out massive student loans, paid the overpriced tuitions, and students have complained about it extensively amongst themselves. They’d love to enjoy the affordability that exists in Norway and Sweden. So, unless that happens, don’t remind them of how much they're paying!
#8: “That’s Not Real Football…”
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The debate surrounding “soccer” versus “football” will likely range on forever. If there’s one thing Americans unitedly agree on, it's that football means throwing around a pigskin. They never refer to kicking a ball as football. That's soccer. Though soccer is a popular sport in America, it's generally not as beloved as it is by die-hard European football fans. Rather, American football is the nation’s favorite, and citizens are quite passionate about their teams. Americans will probably laugh at you if you try to compare the same-named sports, and they won’t too happy if you question their hardcore fandom. American football is rooted in the culture, so minimizing its significance won’t be received well.
#7: “Do I HAVE to Tip?”
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This question will always be answered with a resounding “yes!” You absolutely must tip at pretty much any establishment where a service is being provided. Unlike in European countries, tipping is habitual, standard practice in the U.S. Failure to do so will be met with shock from employees or glares from Americans you might be dining with. These workers are already underpaid as it is, so many not only expect tips but rely on them as part of their income. Unless you want to look cheap or rude in public, avoid this question at all costs and be prepared to engage in this customary show of respect.
#6: “How Much Do You Weigh?”
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Asking this will likely get you scolded or condemned. While commenting on someone’s weight is not as offensive overseas, it's a rather touchy subject in the U.S. In addition to the number on the scale being regarded as personal knowledge, different and diverse beauty standards exist in America. Movements to accept and embrace body diversity are prevalent, so refraining from discussing weight has become a way to not offend anyone, regardless of whether you think them too small or too large. Inquiring about this sensitive matter is generally a surefire way to piss off an American, so it's best to keep rudely perceived questions and comments to yourself.
#5: “Americans Are Overly Patriotic”
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The flag, the national anthem, the 4th of July, soaring eagles—all encompass and symbolize American patriotism and deep-rooted values of a free, collective identity. Symbols might be just that in other countries, but Americans take their meaning and significance especially seriously. Since winning the Revolutionary War, many citizens have maintained a strong sense of nationality, even through cultural movements and attempts to drive social change. As such, it's safer to avoid criticisms of patriotic displays that might appear to be over-the-top, even if Americans secretly agree with you. It's essentially a lose-lose where you could either offend somebody who doesn’t care, or offend someone who does.
#4: “How Much Money Do You Make?”
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In the U.S., money is kind of taboo—especially in discussions around citizen salaries. This is something that’s more openly talked about elsewhere, whereas Americans are more tight-lipped on the matter. Similarly to inquiring about someone's weight, income is understood to be personal. It's sort of an unspoken rule of etiquette amongst the population that everyone’s intimate financial details are only theirs to know, and others should respect that. Some employers even have implied or written “pay secrecy policies” in place, which discourage talk of employee pay. With this understanding ingrained in the minds of Americans, one would benefit from limiting work conversations to careers, excluding salaries.
#3: “Your Measurement System Is Crazy”
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Though it's used by pretty much the rest of the world, the metric system isn't used by Americans. So talk of kilometers or anything of the sort will probably be met with blank stares. The U.S. has a more complex and confusing “imperial” system that is unique to the nation. Many Americans would likely admit that the metric system is superior in terms of efficiency, but its adoption is unlikely in the U.S. With that said, you’re better off trying to conceptualize measurements with Americans by reverting to descriptions that they would understand. “It’s about 3 football fields long” would certainly get your point across!
#2: “Capitalism Sucks!”
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Capitalism is a founding principle of American culture that has evolved into an ideology. It is the system that dominates both major political parties, as free markets and privatization are solid fixtures in American society. Regardless of whether an American is pro or anti-capitalist, the economic subject is touchy and shouldn’t be casually introduced in conversations. Doing so will most likely spark a heated debate that brings the idea of equally contentious socialism into the mix. Americans of varying ages have strong feelings about the economic system on both ends of the spectrum, so steering clear of it altogether is your best bet.
#1: “America Isn't the Greatest Country on Earth”
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There's that long-standing idea that America is the promised land—the greatest nation. Nowadays, some might disagree, but it's safer to just avoid saying this. Considering the reputation America’s gained, it's no surprise that citizens have tendencies to get defensive when its superiority is questioned, or on the other hand, passionately criticize it. A popular insult thrown around when people go against the idea is the common, “go back to your country if you don’t like it”, which no one wants to hear. You don’t have to say America is the greatest, but never express alternative opinions unless you're up for potential confrontation. If you say it you could also hear something like this.
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