NEWS
RELATIONSHIP
PARENTING & FAMILY
LIFE HACKS
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy
AMPLIFY UPWORTHY is part of
GOOD Worldwide Inc. publishing
family.
© GOOD Worldwide Inc. All Rights Reserved.
AMPLIFY.UPWORTHY.COM / NEWS

Americans reveal 15 ‘biggest reverse culture shock’ they experienced on returning to the US after living abroad

American culture has been known to catch many foreigners by surprise. However, these 15 lifestyle factors managed to shock the country's very own
PUBLISHED NOV 29, 2024
(L) Man stunned at big banners in New York City (R)Mini donuts covered with extra sweet chocolate sauce. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images| left photo by Marco Bottigelli and right image by coldsnowstorm)
(L) Man stunned at big banners in New York City (R)Mini donuts covered with extra sweet chocolate sauce. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images| left photo by Marco Bottigelli and right image by coldsnowstorm)

Every country has its culture and it is quite a unique venture for foreigners to experience the same. Many people from different countries have completely different or in some cases, contrasting cultures with their specific deep-rooted symbolism. America's culture has been known to catch people off guard. Right from the food, clothing, mindset and whatnot, several tourists and citizens of other countries have been either enchanted or boggled by the same. As a student, parent or even an employed person, there is so much that people cannot seem to fathom. However, this has always been the case for foreigners. 

Young gen Z woman sitting outdoor and texting on mobile phone with an US flag on the background. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Leo Patrizi)
Young gen Z woman sitting outdoor and texting on mobile phone with an US flag on the background. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Leo Patrizi)

Interestingly, even Americans who had moved abroad and returned to America have been taken aback by their own culture. Believing that they know everything about their home country, they have been stunned to see the changes over time. So, while culture shock is quite normal, reverse culture shocks have left Americans jaw-dropped at their own country's functioning. u/zealanderrat shared a post on Reddit asking, "Americans who have lived abroad, what is the biggest reverse culture shock upon returning to the US?" Tens of thousands of people commented with vivid experiences of how they were astounded upon their return. Right from changes in working laws, family dynamics and more, these 15 responses sum up the emotion. 

1. Nature of people


Comment
byu/Zealanderrat from discussion
inAskReddit

 

2.  Physical structuring 


Comment
byu/Zealanderrat from discussion
inAskReddit

 

3. Advertising and hustling 24/7


Comment
byu/Zealanderrat from discussion
inAskReddit

 

Times Square in the morning. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Alexander Spatari)
Times Square in the morning. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Alexander Spatari)

4. Complicated healthcare


Comment
byu/Zealanderrat from discussion
inAskReddit

 

5. Driving everywhere


Comment
byu/Zealanderrat from discussion
inAskReddit

 

6. Obnoxiously loud


Comment
byu/Zealanderrat from discussion
inAskReddit

 

Customers covering ears while worker plays loud music. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by CREATISTA)
Customers covering ears while worker plays loud music. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by CREATISTA)

7. Lack of freedom


Comment
byu/Zealanderrat from discussion
inAskReddit

 

8. Walking is absurd


Comment
byu/Zealanderrat from discussion
inAskReddit

 

9. How crucial tipping is


Comment
byu/Zealanderrat from discussion
inAskReddit

 

Customer putting in tip at counter in cafe. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by LuckyBusiness)
Customer putting in tip at counter in cafe. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by LuckyBusiness)

10. Carefree leisure


Comment
byu/Zealanderrat from discussion
inAskReddit

 

11. Dangerously freaky eating habits


Comment
byu/Zealanderrat from discussion
inAskReddit

 

12. Troubling dominance of authority 


Comment
byu/Zealanderrat from discussion
inAskReddit

 

Policeman looking in car window for criminal activity. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Peter Dazeley)
Policeman looking in car window for criminal activity. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Peter Dazeley)

13. Persistent customer service


Comment
byu/Zealanderrat from discussion
inAskReddit

 

14. Work culture and offs


Comment
byu/Zealanderrat from discussion
inAskReddit

 

15. Unhinged fashion sense


Comment
byu/Zealanderrat from discussion
inAskReddit

 

POPULAR ON AMPLIFY UPWORTHY
MORE ON AMPLIFY UPWORTHY