Hollywood and traditional media often present the US in a more entertaining way, meaning you can’t believe everything you hear about the country. This leads to many completely false things about America being widely believed by foreigners, just like the following 17 misconceptions.
Americans Have Always Spoken English
English is the most widely spoken language in the US today, but it hasn’t always been like this. First, large Native American tribes like the Eskimo-Aleut, Algonquian, Athabascan, and Siouan spoke their unique languages. Even before English, the first European language to spread in the US was Spanish!
Christopher Columbus Discovered America
Many believe that the explorer Christopher Columbus discovered the country in 1492. Even Americans think this is true. In actuality, America wasn’t “discovered,” as natives already lived here, and Viking Lief Erikson was the first European to find America after he landed at Canada’s Newfoundland around 1,000 AD.
Americans are Patriotic
Americans are renowned for being patriotic, and this would’ve been true a decade ago. However, these days, over half the American population has little to no trust in the government and institutions that run it. In fact, as USA Today shares, only 18% of Gen Z are proud of America as their country.
America’s Official Language is English
Contrary to what foreigners and even Americans may think, the country doesn’t have an official language. English is adopted as the government’s means of communication only because it is widely used among citizens. States can actually designate their own official language, as New Mexico does with Spanish.
Everyone Loves American Football
Basketball, baseball, ice hockey, and auto racing have passionate lovers of their own, and even the popularity of “soccer” has grown by many folds over the years. American football may be the most popular sport in the US, but this doesn’t mean that it’s everyone’s favorite.
Thanksgiving is About Turkey
Okay, almost all American households eat turkey on Thanksgiving, and some movies make the day all about it. However, Thanksgiving isn’t even remotely related to turkeys (there weren’t any turkeys eaten on the first celebration), and many Americans choose other meats and vegetarian diets instead.
Americans Are the World’s Richest
Many people believe that America is the world’s richest country, but at least six countries are regarded as richer, with Luxembourg taking the top spot. We understand why it’s easy to believe that Americans are the richest in the world, considering that they have the most millionaires and billionaires, but it’s not true.
Tipping is Compulsory
Not all Americans leave tips or feel like they are important, and you don’t have to when you’re there, either! Americans have created a culture where tipping is a big deal, spilling outside restaurants into other places like barbershops and even e-commerce websites.
Everyone Eats Fast Food Every Day
America is undeniably a heaven for fast food fanatics, but data from the CDC shows that not even half of Americans eat fast food every day. Fast food chains are certainly very popular, but the country has a large population that reflects this, and most people try to consume them only in moderation.
Every Business is Open 24/7
Convenience stores in the US are said to run 24/7, and you can find more of these stores here than anywhere else! However, this doesn’t mean that all businesses have 24/7 operations. Don’t be shocked to see shops close for the day at 6 PM, just as they do in Europe.
The American Flag is Sacred
The US flag is not a sacred symbol, and Americans can treat it as they wish. The First Amendment even considers the right to burn the flag more sacred than the flag itself. Nonetheless, this doesn’t change the fact that Americans love their flags, as over 150 million are sold each year!
All Americans Own Guns
The US enjoys the freedom to own firearms, but sadly, this means gun-related violence breaks out here every day. Contrary to what many may think, however, only one in three US adults owns a firearm. What’s more, Pew Research reveals that almost 60% of Americans want stricter laws around guns.
Americans Love Debt
Debt has become a cultural phenomenon in American society, with 80% of Americans using credit cards, mortgages, and car loans. Regardless, Americans hate debt just as much as you do, as it causes them a lot of stress. It’s sad that systems have been structured to push people into it.
Everywhere is Ultramodern
Foreigners commonly hold the misconception that America is filled with big cities and skyscrapers, just like the movies show. In contrast, USDA data concludes that 46 million Americans live in rural communities, and even major cities such as Detroit, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia are underdeveloped.
American Healthcare is the Best
Some of the best medical innovations spring up in America, and of course, you’ll find most of the world’s best healthcare professionals here, too! Nonetheless, countries like Singapore, Taiwan, Australia, and even Canada have higher-rated healthcare systems. Sadly, this largely comes down to American healthcare being unaffordable.
Everyone Goes to College
College is made out to be incredibly common in American movies, but despite America’s elaborate student loan system, college remains unaffordable for many families. Society has developed so much that more Americans are skipping universities today than ever before, with many considering student loans to be a waste of money.
Americans Are Arrogant
Finally, the world often considers Americans arrogant and loud, but we’re actually some of the friendliest, most hospitable people you’ll find. It’s just as MIT explains: “Many Americans want to preserve their private space and not get too close to people right away.” However, give us a chance, and we’ll warm up to you.
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