# Things Americans don't do that other countries do **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 14, 2017, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242 "2017-07-14T13:28:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**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:** [July 17, 2017, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/161 "2017-07-17T13:06:05Z")
The only time I’ve actually felt real life frustration with measurements is counting down minutes and seconds on a clock to a deadline. A base 10 clock would have enhanced my life at that point. ---
**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:** [July 17, 2017, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/162 "2017-07-17T13:15:07Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > I’ve also had it in Las Vegas and Washington DC. meanwhile, in MI I don’t think I’ve ever ordered a beer in anything other than “pint/half pint” or “tall/short.” the beer list might tell you how many oz each is, but you don’t order it that way. > [@](#): > > And I’d be pretty comfortable basing an experience like that in Berlin as typical of something one might expect in Germany. way to miss the point. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/163 "2017-07-17T13:15:21Z")
Hmmm, I’ve never seen various specific drink sizes in America, even in Las Vegas and DC. Whereas at least half the places I’ve been in europe specified the mL their drinks were and had several options to that effect. I think it’s a very good entry in this thread, perhaps the best difference I can think of since this thread isn’t meant to be political or controversial. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/164 "2017-07-17T13:22:46Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > meanwhile, in MI I don’t think I’ve ever ordered a beer in anything other than “pint/half pint” or “tall/short.” the beer list might tell you how many oz each is, but you don’t order it that way. When I (rarely) order the smaller option of beer, I ask for the “child size” beer. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/165 "2017-07-17T14:02:45Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I have _never_ been to a place where beers are ordered by the size?? That is definitely _not_ an American thing, it sounds like it was just done by whatever restaurant you were at. Where was this? It is out there, although not very common, here in the states. Some bars will serve them pint glasses or taller glasses. Airport bars too. And then in Dusseldorf in the Altstadt they serve alt-bier in smaller glasses, maybe 6 or 8 ozs each. Good beer, and it goes down easy in those small glasses. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/166 "2017-07-17T14:11:42Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > My college students couldn’t convert measures. Not metric, not american. About 40% of them had problems with the notion of having more than one unit to measure the same dimensionality. Pointing out that “feet” and “inches” and “miles” are an example of units that you can use to measure the same concept of “length”, and that they had been using them all their lives, caused panicked looks. > > Any 5th grader in the rest of the world is supposed to be able to convert measures off the top of his head. Are you sure that the concept that they didn’t understand or could it possibly have been the word " dimensionality" ? That threw me for a second, and I am familiar with the more commonly used word “dimension” , but it wouldn’t surprise me to find out that more 40% of American college students are not familiar with that word either. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/167 "2017-07-17T14:27:48Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > Are you sure that the concept that they didn’t understand or could it possibly have been the word " dimensionality" ? That threw me for a second, and I am familiar with the more commonly used word “dimension” , but it wouldn’t surprise me to find out that more 40% of American college students are not familiar with that word either. I didn’t use that word, having previous experience of needing to explain it to American engineers (the Brits, French, Spaniards, Germans, Swedes, Italians and South Africans had all encountered it before college). ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/168 "2017-07-17T15:22:28Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > I am a machinist, and the metric vs. imperial debate shows up regularly in machinist message boards and YouTube comments, and it is never resolved. Why can’t folks just work with the system they are familiar with and that all of their tooling matches and all of their own suppliers provide, and let the other guys be? As a machinist, you receive drawings from design engineers and build to them, right? Are you saying engineers should use whatever they want, and you’d be happy to work with either system? Even if that’s the case, what about the other people reviewing the designs? Or did you mean other countries should use Metric and let the US be? Because many in the US use sub-components and parts purchased from overseas. And/or want to export their parts overseas. This is why the US automotive industry has switched to Metric. > [@](#): > > Within the boundaries of normal machine shop work, both are decimal-based measurements. The inch and centimeter are equally suitable: imperial users work in thousandths of an inch (or ten-thousandths if they are really good); metric users work in hundredths of a millimeter. Both work in degrees/minutes/seconds. Drawings are just as easy to work with in decimal imperial units as metric units. But the tooling is different. I’ve had delays in my projects when a part called for Metric threaded holes (to interface with a Japanese made part) and the shop didn’t have the correct Metric tap. ---
**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:** [July 17, 2017, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/169 "2017-07-17T15:28:39Z")
Don’t get me started on JIS crosspoint screws. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/170 "2017-07-17T16:12:56Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > Saying “A 32oz glass” means nothing to most Australians, particularly younger ones; in the end I just said “bring me whatever size is closest to a pint” - despite knowing that’d be about 600ml of beer. Actually the [US pint](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pint#US_liquid_pint) is only 473ml (16 oz). ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/171 "2017-07-17T17:26:58Z")
The different sizes are for draft beers. The easy fix is always order by saying “Largest you have” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/172 "2017-07-17T17:37:03Z")
Have to say it (as I have European relatives). Bathe/shower regularly. Regularly means at least once a day. With soap. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/173 "2017-07-17T17:40:39Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > As a machinist, you receive drawings from design engineers and build to them, right? Are you saying engineers should use whatever they want, and you’d be happy to work with either system? Even if that’s the case, what about the other people reviewing the designs? > > Or did you mean other countries should use Metric and let the US be? Because many in the US use sub-components and parts purchased from overseas. And/or want to export their parts overseas. This is why the US automotive industry has switched to Metric. > > But the tooling is different. I’ve had delays in my projects when a part called for Metric threaded holes (to interface with a Japanese made part) and the shop didn’t have the correct Metric tap. Both valid points. Of course you build to the drawings, and of course you deal with the tooling your partners and vendors have. In the days when I was in the trade (early 90s) all of our drawings were in imperial units and all of our tooling was, but I’m sure that a modern job shop has to deal with both. These days I’m building model steam engines, with all of the fasteners using British Association threads, requiring tooling that is neither metric nor imperial. It’s the tool for the job and I deal with it. I just get tired of folks using measurement systems to smugly knock the other guy down a peg, and that’s the attitude I see in those flamefests. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/174 "2017-07-17T18:57:14Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > I’ve also had it in Las Vegas and Washington DC. And I’d be pretty comfortable basing an experience like that in Berlin as typical of something one might expect in Germany. LA is kind of a black hole in the beer world, it has an unusually mediocre microbrew scene, especially when compared to small towns that are disproportionately competitive. Las Vegas is not much better (Tenaya Creek maybe an exception), can’t comment on DC but nothing big on the top of my head. Every brewery I’ve been to either specifies the size in oz, usually on paper menus. Either that or they show graphic logos on the wall (tulip is usually about 11 oz, pint shape 16, mug with a handle 22, half pint glass 8 oz). If they have only 1 size, a pint is assumed, but pretty much every brewery has tasters of ~4 oz. > [@BwanaBob](#): > > Have to say it (as I have European relatives). Bathe/shower regularly. Regularly means at least once a day. With soap. ? Who does/doesn’t? ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/175 "2017-07-17T19:25:12Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > Some colleagues and I were in the US recently trying to order beers with dinner, and the waitress was asking what size we wanted, but kept giving them in ounces - which are totally meaningless to us. > > Saying “A 32oz glass” means nothing to most Australians, particularly younger ones; in the end I just said “bring me whatever size is closest to a pint” - despite knowing that’d be about 600ml of beer. > > On a different topic, I’ve noticed Americans are very specialist in their roles. A security guard probably knows nothing about the event they’re guarding, just that their job is to stand on the door and make sure the only people who get through are wearing purple wristbands (or whatever). > > Also, you guys need to A) Learn to make decent coffee and B) Put actual milk in it 😛 The confusion over beer size ordering is a little funny coming from an Aussie. At least you were given the sizes so you can pick bigger vs smaller, compared to the pony, schooner, pot, etc. nonsense you insist on down under 😃 ---
**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:** [July 17, 2017, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/176 "2017-07-17T19:36:11Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > LA is kind of a black hole in the beer world, it has an unusually mediocre microbrew scene, especially when compared to small towns that are disproportionately competitive. Las Vegas is not much better (Tenaya Creek maybe an exception), can’t comment on DC but nothing big on the top of my head. > > Every brewery I’ve been to either specifies the size in oz, usually on paper menus. Either that or they show graphic logos on the wall (tulip is usually about 11 oz, pint shape 16, mug with a handle 22, half pint glass 8 oz). If they have only 1 size, a pint is assumed, but pretty much every brewery has tasters of ~4 oz. > > ? Who does/doesn’t? Daily bathing is not as common outside of North America. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/177 "2017-07-17T19:44:58Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > The confusion over beer size ordering is a little funny coming from an Aussie. At least you were given the sizes so you can pick bigger vs smaller, compared to the pony, schooner, pot, etc. nonsense you insist on down under 😃 Beer that Utahns consider weak 🙂 > [@Acsenray](#): > > Daily bathing is not as common outside of North America. I know about the (probably undeserved) stereotype. But see the title of the thread, hence my confusion. Americans seem equally likely to shower in the morning or night, perhaps based on the type of job they work. I believe that showering/bathing in the evening is the norm in Japan. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/178 "2017-07-17T21:55:51Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > The confusion over beer size ordering is a little funny coming from an Aussie. At least you were given the sizes so you can pick bigger vs smaller, compared to the pony, schooner, pot, etc. nonsense you insist on down under 😃 This is partly true, but if you ask the bar staff they’ll be able to tell you a pot/middy has 285ml and a schooner has 425ml, so if you’re somewhere weird like Adelaide or Hobart you can still work out how much beer you’re going to be getting. This stuff matters because Australia has very strict drink-driving laws. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/179 "2017-07-17T22:32:22Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Daily bathing is not as common outside of North America. Apparently, as far as showers are concerned [America is pretty middle-of-the-pack](https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/02/how-often-people-in-various-countries-shower/385470/) in this regard. It does seem Europeans, in general, do slightly average fewer showers per week than Americans, but it’s not a big difference. Of those that _do_ shower at least once a day, Americans do seem to have a higher percentage of people that do that, but it’s lower than Mexico, France, and Australia. My own anecdotal experience is that in my 6-plus years abroad (mostly in Hungary), there was no obvious difference in how often people bathed out there. Same with my experience in Poland with my relatives. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242/180 "2017-07-18T00:25:00Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > My college students couldn’t convert measures. Not metric, not american. About 40% of them had problems with the notion of having more than one unit to measure the same dimensionality. Pointing out that “feet” and “inches” and “miles” are an example of units that you can use to measure the same concept of “length”, and that they had been using them all their lives, caused panicked looks. > > Any 5th grader in the rest of the world is supposed to be able to convert measures off the top of his head. No machine shop or retail outlet in Aus is going to ask anybody to convert measures. All lengths are given in mm. Up to about 9999mm. Because most people can’t handle decimal fractions, or decimal conversions. Sure 5 graders are taught decimal conversions, but after that, it’s back to panicked looks. (And people didn’t laugh at the way my GF used cutlery when she visited the states in the 70’s. They just watched in fascination. As a teenager, she found that a bit traumatic.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-americans-dont-do-that-other-countries-do/791242.md?page=10)