# Perceptions about USA from non-Americans that Americans might be surprised to learn **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 13, 2015, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918 "2015-05-13T06:28:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/321 "2015-05-18T21:37:13Z")
> [@Coyi](#): > > In America you can be a club and be world champions at a sport. The rest of the world however think you have to be a country to earn that right. [Not exactly](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_Club_World_Cup), but you have to compete against clubs from other countries. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/322 "2015-05-18T21:58:58Z")
> [@Moris](#): > > One of the things about America that really blows my European mind: different laws for the each state. > > In the state _x_ you’re not aloud to turn right on green traffic light… That’s an old joke immortalized in _Annie Hall_. The only place in all 50 states where right on red isn’t automatically legal is New York City. (Amended to reflect **Doreen** ’s post regarding New York state law.) It’s been legal everywhere else for 35+ years. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/323 "2015-05-18T22:17:46Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > _And you’re from Clinton’s home state._ I knew that while being called “The First Black President”, he had done something unpopular concerning welfare. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/324 "2015-05-18T22:59:43Z")
Half of the Fiestas on my local Ford dealer’s lot are manual transmissions. There appear to be a fair number of Focus’ with them too, though not anywhere near half. So they’re more common on the low end cars, but I wouldn’t exactly call them ‘niche cars’. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/325 "2015-05-18T23:13:25Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > [Not exactly](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_Club_World_Cup), but you have to compete against clubs from other countries. Does Canada count? ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/326 "2015-05-18T23:34:58Z")
> [@JustinC](#): > > Is it so common for USians to have tvs in their bedrooms? Just noticed this on another thread. Not sure of the % but I don’t. Mostly because I’ve read that it’s not a good idea (not sure why. Maybe because it encourages bad sleep habits). I’m sure there are plenty of “Merkans” who do, though. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2015, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/327 "2015-05-19T01:13:43Z")
> [@racepug](#): > > Not sure of the % but I don’t. Mostly because I’ve read that it’s not a good idea (not sure why. Maybe because it encourages bad sleep habits). I’m sure there are plenty of “Merkans” who do, though. Many people, but not I, like background noise when they go to sleep. TV that I am not watching is very irritating to me. I like to listen to trains, frogs and birds when I go to sleep. Yeah, I used to live out in the woods. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/328 "2015-05-19T01:16:20Z")
> [@amarone](#): > > Does Canada count? Never. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2015, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/329 "2015-05-19T02:33:12Z")
> [@amarone](#): > > Does Canada count? > [@Shagnasty](#): > > Never. In fact, it’s Canada’s fault! ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2015, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/330 "2015-05-19T02:44:15Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Half of the Fiestas on my local Ford dealer’s lot are manual transmissions. The automatic version is actually fairly high-end for a car in this segment. It’s also better than the manual. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2015, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/331 "2015-05-19T02:56:47Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > In fact, it’s Canada’s fault! Blame Canada! Blame Canada! ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2015, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/332 "2015-05-19T03:12:41Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > I think foreigners are amazed at how American Democrats use simple OPs as a platform to piss about Republicans, irrespective of what the thread is about. From a foreign perspective, American politics aren’t so much partisan as they are sectarian. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2015, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/333 "2015-05-19T03:32:31Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Blame Canada! Blame Canada! Hey. There’s no such thing as bad publicity, eh? ---
**Author:** ![Dioptre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/278dde/32.png) [@Dioptre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dioptre)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2015, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/334 "2015-05-19T03:45:00Z")
A few observations from an Australian who’s spent time in England and New England: 1. Americans seem to talk a lot about being free, despite being very class-centric and respectful of authority 2. We are all secretly envious of the primary system (you don’t seem to have to put up with the candidates your main parties want to force on you, particularly in safe seats) 3. Common electoral practices in the US would get candidates at least disqualified, and possibly jailed for electoral fraud or corruption in Australia and the UK. 4. US judges are openly partisan political. Good grief! (Australia has High Court judges appointed by the current party in power - attempts to make politically favorable appointments are notorious for backfiring) 5. US tourists probably have a better reputation than you might think. There used to be a stereotype of the Hawaiian-shirt, camera wielding ignoramus. Mostly modern US tourists self-select for friendly people interested in other cultures. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2015, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/335 "2015-05-19T04:11:51Z")
What’s wrong with Hawaiian shirts? I love them. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2015, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/336 "2015-05-19T06:35:22Z")
> [@Dioptre](#): > > A few observations from an Australian who’s spent time in England and New England: > > 1. We are all secretly envious of the primary system (you don’t seem to have to put up with the candidates your main parties want to force on you, particularly in safe seats) You know, you can vote in a pre-selection ballot in Aus to, if you want to. Several of my friends (Green) and relatives (Liberal, AusDem) do so / have done. And for the rest of us, who aren’t registered members, there is a whole primary / preselection system there on the ballot paper. First you select the candidate you would like to see running. If that candidate does not succeed in the first count he/she is elimiated, and you will have chosen one of the remaining candidates. This continues until there are only two candidates remaining, and an election takes place between those two. The result of the election is called the “two party prefered vote”, and determines who is the successful candidate. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2015, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/337 "2015-05-19T06:44:16Z")
> [@JustinC](#): > > Dad said, in his usual forthright and honest way, that the summer in Texas (or anywhere hot) was very uncomfortable for him, due to health issues, and they’d, regretfully, have to decline the offer. Their response was not taken very well and they were upset at having seemingly committed a faux pas. If you wish to be very polite, you may wish to express your rejection in the form of an acceptance: “Great! I’d love to visit. I won’t be able to do that now due to health issues. Thank you so much.” My mother (Illinois / South Carolina) taught me that this was the only correct way to respond to wedding invitations, but I don’t think she meant it was inapplicable for other occasions. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2015, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/338 "2015-05-19T11:24:36Z")
> [@JustinC](#): > > An interesting social etiquette point: When offered an invitation that you’ve chosen not to take; do you decline politely on the spot, accept graciously and then later decline politely, or do you accept graciously with a provision that you may not be able to attend? > > The reason I ask is that my parents, on a trip to the states, got talking with a Texan couple and were offered an invitation to their ranch for a day or two. Dad said, in his usual forthright and honest way, that the summer in Texas (or anywhere hot) was very uncomfortable for him, due to health issues, and they’d, regretfully, have to decline the offer. Their response was not taken very well and they were upset at having seemingly committed a faux pas. I’ve offered to take a few Texans for a drink and always had my offer accepted but several times they’ve later graciously and politely declined due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’ - no problem, they’ve all been very genuine, friendly people. > > To me declining immediately or later are both perfectly fine, if done politely. Is accepting immediately and later offering a ‘rain check’ a Texan thing, a southern thing, a US thing, or an invention of my fevered imagination? I am from Texas, so maybe I can answer. When was this invitation? Was it, for example, in June or Febuary? Was it a specific date (next week) or not (come visit sometime in the general future)? The reason I ask is because a lot of people (Americans included) seem to think Texas is a heat inferno all year. It’s not. In fact, it’s been really nice out (but getting warmer). Even visiting in the summer is not bad - we have modern facilities such as air conditioning… Even in ranches. So, without knowing the specifics, maybe it just sounded like a “no, I don’t want to visit” and using the weather as an excuse? I can understand someone not wanting to visit in August if they were coming to do outdoor sport, but not declining a short visit in March due to “heat”. I find that in this day, people in general, think of Texas as being like a western TV show, even if they know it’s not correct. I’ve had people visit my home in DFW marvel at how green it is, that we have many trees, etc. Additionally, they know we’re a big state but don’t realize exactly how big. No, you can’t just pop over to Austin - that’s at least 3 hours away (closer to 4 with traffic). ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2015, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/339 "2015-05-19T11:29:04Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The Computer controlled automatic transmissions, like on high end cars are quite expensive. all automatic transmissions are “computer-controlled.” the last hydraulic/vacuum controlled automatic transmission on the market went out of production at least 10 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2015, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918/340 "2015-05-19T11:39:35Z")
> [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](#): > > I am from Texas, so maybe I can answer. When was this invitation? Was it, for example, in June or Febuary? Was it a specific date (next week) or not (come visit sometime in the general future)? Tried to edit, but that seemed impossible on my phone! I saw that summer was stated as the visit time. Just the same, it’s really not that bad - it’s not like we’d make you stay outside! Maybe using heat as excuse came off sounding like “I have to wash my hair that night” when declining a date. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perceptions-about-usa-from-non-americans-that-americans-might-be-surprised-to-learn/719918.md?page=18)