10 Surprising Things All Tourists Love about America ...

By Jennifer

10 Surprising Things All Tourists Love about America ...

There are so many things that tourists in our country love about America that I just never considered til I hosted some European friends for a few weeks. Some struck me as odd at first, but with a little explanation, they all make sense. Ready?

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1

Our Candy

... but not our chocolate. Twizzlers, Dots, Sour Patch Kids, and Swedish Fish are all faves.

2

Petrol Prices

While we're whining that gas is hovering around $3 a gallon, they'repaying a heck of a lot more - like, $10 a gallon. Also a bonus: we apparently have a lot more gas stations than most European countries.

3

Target Stores

I kind of hate Target (because somehow I always, always end up spending at least $100 there), but my friends love the place.

4

Free Restrooms

Most malls, stores, theaters, museums, restaurants and other public places have restrooms, and we tend to take them, and the fact that they're free here, for granted.

5

Unrelenting Friendliness

We Americans are pretty friendly, walking around with smiles on our faces, always ready to help a stranger find directions and to recommend a good restaurant. That's a plus!

Famous Quotes

Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration.

Niccolò Machiavelli
6

American Sports

Baseball is a hit, but another surprising favorite is American football. Who knew?

7

Our Accents

Tourists especially adore southern accents, with extra points for funny expressions and Texas accents, in particular.

8

Yards

Again, something I kind of hate (lawn mowing, ugh!) but something most Europeans may not have - a front and/or back yard.

9

Minivans/SUVs

While most of my European friends have driven a small SUV at home, most are mystified and then enamored of minivans.

10

Huge Serving Sizes & Free Refills

Our "normal" serving sizes are about twice what my friends are used to - which may explain our ample waistlines? And high cholesterol?

If you've spent time in the U.S. as a tourist, what did you love? What surprised you?

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

I have lived and visited America I miss going for happy hour, or restaurants at 11pm most places here in the UK stop serving food at 9.30pm and 10pm and I love southern accents and southern accents in southern men :)

10!!!

Have been several times to the States. Love travelling around there. Huge open spaces like the ones I miss in Africa. I live in UK being English. Travelled around Florida,Arizona ,Nevada and visited San Franscisco. Always found people approachable and friendly. Usually public toilets are spotless - some of ours are ghastly !

I don't know why u think ppl love Americans when in reality when u travel everyone hates Americans and refuses to help them, you're not very friendly and the southern accent is one of the worst accents. Also how bout you're having a huge racism issue and all the "good" stuff u listed can be found & done in Canada, Australia & a ton of other countries Except target cuz uh well that was tried & failed miserably in Canada. I do love San Francisco, NYC, Hawaii & a few other states 😉

Kinda hard to get a US visa I guess.

Well soon it might change after election . Who knows

All of this in Britain-except target 💫 personally I think England is 50% better lol

Not that true actually. When I was in Europe people would always ask if I was American and when I said no, they were like oh good! It was odd

One problem with this: How can you HATE Target?! It's just not possible!!!

I don't understand the comment about stalkers. I have lived in the Midwest, Nevada , and east coast and never had a problem going out by myself. Shopping, running even at night, running errands, working on the Vegas strip, etc.. And never once had a problem.

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