Anyone who travels to the United States, at least once in their lives, can see that Americans have curious behaviors and that the culture and lifestyle in the most powerful nation in the world are quite different than what we are used to in Brazil. American habits catch our attention.
Check out 30 curious facts about the United States:
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The United States has two political parties in evidence: the Republican and the Democratic.
2. The majority of the population in the United States follows the Protestant religion.
3. The highest point in the United States is Mount McKinley, Alaska, at 6,194 meters above sea level.
4. The southern and southeastern coasts of the United States are frequently hit by hurricanes.
5. In the United States, elections are held with paper ballots.
6. The story goes that New York was bought by the Dutch for 24 dollars.
7. Cars are required to stop when school buses are picking up or dropping off students at stops.
8. The age to start taking a driver’s license is 16.
9. The age to consume alcoholic beverages is 21 years old.
10. It is forbidden to consume alcoholic beverages on the street.
11. To carry a bottle of alcohol on the street people need to use paper bags. They cannot be exposed.
12. In some states there are no gas station attendants to fill cars at gas stations.
13. In the United States, anyone can buy a firearm. 9 out of 10 Americans have a gun.
14. Taxes are charged separately for each purchase made in the United States. Thus, it is possible to know exactly how much tax is paid.
15. Alaska is the largest American state.
16. Disney has 56,000 employees in the United States.
17. Many American buildings do not have the thirteenth floor.
18. When driving, the driver can turn right even with the red light. This is just not possible when the location has the sign “No Turn on Red”.
19. On highways, all cars must stop at the shoulder immediately when an ambulance or fire engine passes.
20. Towns, small towns in the counties, usually do not have public transport. People need to have cars to get around.
21. In the United States, people are not in the habit of hugging and kissing others when greeting. The traditional handshake dominates social relations.
22. Americans are extremely punctual.
23. Americans don’t bathe every day, like Brazilians.
24. In restaurants and taxis, tipping is mandatory. The tip varies between 10 and 20%.
25. Even if you are a foreigner, if you go to a bar to have a beer the waiter will ask to see your document to prove that you are over 21 years old.
26. Americans don’t have food for lunch. They just make a snack. Food just for dinner.
27. On some days, Americans insist on having a hearty breakfast, with eggs, bacon, sausages, pancakes with syrup (syrup) and toast.
28. In the United States, children attend school from 8 am to 3 pm.
29. The American’s working hours are from 9 am to 5 pm
30. Many snack bars and fast foods in the United States offer free refills for free soft drinks and water. You can drink as many times as you want.
Bonus curiosity:in the United States, toilet paper is thrown in the toilet.