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.

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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!

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?

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Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Jem
2016-08-31T04:34:05.703Z
The laundry places! They are the best sooooo big
Zeekiah
2015-08-16T13:11:17.903Z
Kinda hard to get a US visa I guess.
stubbornpanda
2015-08-16T07:40:46.288Z
The only thing I didn't like in America was that as a woman, you can't go anywhere by yourself! You can't go out late without anyone else! There are "stalkers everywhere!
Sarah
2015-08-16T15:18:51.165Z
Free bathrooms are like a blessing
GunnerChiK
2015-08-16T00:46:12.293Z
Great article Jennifer! I absolutely agree with the free restrooms. Not only is it free to use but it comes stocked(most times) with toilet paper and hand dryers while in other countries you also pay for that. Definitely love living in the good ol' US of A!
Elly
2015-08-16T00:04:05.148Z
I'm from the U.S. and take like all of these granted haha
Tango
2015-08-16T11:19:37.388Z
All of this in Britain-except target 💫 personally I think England is 50% better lol
Splashhhh
2016-08-30T23:49:51.263Z
Well soon it might change after election . Who knows
Sarah08
2016-08-31T04:20:59.866Z
sorry ladies I'm from so cal and we are pretty relaxed and smiling often😋the free bathrooms I do take for granted as well as the toilet seat covers, that they do not have in public restrooms on the east coast!!!!
peony
2015-08-15T23:35:55.229Z
What I loved on New York was the free coffee refills also I loved the fact that you are automatically given a glass of water so you don't have to indulge in soft drinks if you don't want to when I bust America next time I plan on visiting target it sounds awesome yee has!