Top 10 Things Americans Want You to Know

There’s a stereotype of the “Ugly American” out there. That they’re rude, arrogant, or brash. And there are certainly Americans like that. But that still leaves room for the tons of friendly people around the country. Those who visit one of the numerous small towns are likely to find locals who will smile and try to strike up conversation. Americans do like to meet new people…if they have the time. In the bigger cities where Americans are constantly on the move, the residents may seem highly focused on their own thing. However, they’re still willing to take a moment to help tourists before moving on. Making friends with Americans is easy when the time and place is right.

Country music videos, as well as TV and movies, probably have most of the world believing that the southern United States are replete with cowboys. But that’s not the case. Although cowboy culture certainly has a large presence in the South, it’s far from universal. Most Southerners dress and act like the average American. Unless you meet someone who actually works on a ranch or farm, they probably won’t be dressed like cowboys. The cowboy lifestyle is also not limited to the South. They’re found everywhere from the Pacific Northwest to central states and beyond. Contrary to popular belief, no part of America has a monopoly on cowboys.

It’s undoubtedly true that America has been reported as having the highest amount of guns per capita than every other nation for years now. And over the years, there have been numerous issues with firearm violence. But when it comes down to numbers, less Americans have access to guns than it might seem. Researchers estimate that around 30-32% of U.S. citizens personally own firearms. While that is still a high number, it’s still a far cry away from everyone having them. The majority of the nation has largely leaned away from keeping guns in their households.

Everyone in the states knows someone who owns a pair of American flag pants or tote the country as the greatest in the world. But for every hardcore patriot, there are dozens of those who are a little less enthusiastic. Plenty of Americans aren’t afraid to express their displeasure with the country or its policies. And while some people love to hoist multiple flags or wear them all the time, there are others who prefer to only show off their U.S. themed items on the big holidays. Overall, while a good chunk of Americans like a lot of things about the nation, they don’t always feel the need to make that obvious to everyone they meet.

From the outside looking in, it’s easy to assume that America is absolutely obsessed with Fast food. Not only are there tons of chain restaurants, but international sensations like Dunkin’ Donuts, KFC, McDonald’s and more were born in the USA. But that’s just one of many options for the average American. Since U.S. citizens have roots in so many different cultures, various cultural meals are often incorporated together to create new fusion cuisine. And every region has its own specialties and flavors. The south has tons of barbecue, Cajun, and soul food. New Englanders love their clam chowder. So while travelers can certainly enjoy as much fast food as they can handle, there’s plenty of exciting and delicious options in every corner of the U.S.

According to recent statistics, over 40% of Americans are overweight because their BMI is higher than what medical professionals have deemed to be average for their height. That number is also projected to go up by 2030. However, there’s still no sign that the majority of U.S. citizens will be considered overweight anytime soon. States like Hawaii, Colorado and more have obesity rates that fall lower than average for both the U.S. and other countries. A lot of complex environmental and individual health factors contribute to the reason why the numbers range over 40%. However, bodies still come in a variety of shapes and sizes in America overall.

Even people who live in the United States can forget how big the nation actually is. America is generally considered the 3rd biggest country by area (and population) in the world. That makes seeing the country’s sites into a truly daunting task. If anyone wanted to do a big cross country drive, it would take about six days of 8 hour drives to realistically complete the journey. And that’s if you barely stopped to see anything! Along the way, it would also be clear that weather patterns in The United States hugely vary depending on where you go. Fortunately for anyone planning to visit the states who’s short on time, they can make a full trip out of one state or city alone.

From the outside looking in, the United States looks pretty…well, united. To other countries, it can look like a homogenous mass of America and Americans. But every state has its own culture and distinct identity. The terrain, climate and culture can greatly shift as soon as you cross into another state. There’s also tons of regional accents and specific slang that can help strangers narrow down where someone is from. And every city definitely doesn’t look like the Big Apple. No two places in the country are quite exactly the same. Although they’re all united under one flag, there’s still plenty of individuality to each state.

While around 71% of Americans have gotten out of the country, it’s harder for the majority to make that a regular habit. The principle reason why lies with the costs. Passports, flights and vacation expenses can be daunting to handle all at once. Even trips to neighboring countries like Canada or Mexico can be princely affairs depending on the itinerary. Despite America’s reputation for being one of “richest country in the world”, the reality is very different. While the USA happens to have a ton of rich people, that wealth isn’t evenly distributed across the wide population. For many citizens, the decision whether or not to embark on an international trip is largely a question of cost instead of interest.

America is a country of immigrants. This has led to plenty of diversity among its residents. While White Americans make up most of the racial majority, there are still cities and U.S. territories where other ethnic groups make up a good deal of the population. This diversity has led to a wide blend of traditions from across the world becoming parts of the wider U.S. culture. Additionally, although English is the first language to over 70 percent of Americans, it’s not technically the official federal language. There’s plenty of multilingual speakers and those picking up the language. The United States is quite the tapestry of humanity. As you travel through the nation, you’ll find many kinds of people with rich and unique stories.