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

Crystal
2016-08-31T12:32:50.711Z
While visiting Russian seeing family, at the train station, you had to go to the bathroom in a hole in the ground. You had to qwuat. Nothing to hold on to and no privacy. Makes you appreciate American plumping!
Elaine
2015-08-17T22:58:42.263Z
Warming
Emma
2015-08-16T08:03:09.551Z
Its truw that you have to pay for bathrooms in Europe
Beryl
2015-08-16T07:09:10.665Z
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 !
Sarah
2015-08-16T15:18:51.165Z
Free bathrooms are like a blessing
Jem
2016-08-31T04:34:05.703Z
The laundry places! They are the best sooooo big
Katie
2015-08-16T00:57:36.691Z
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 :)
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!
Tango
2015-08-16T11:19:37.388Z
All of this in Britain-except target 💫 personally I think England is 50% better lol
Elly
2015-08-16T00:04:05.148Z
I'm from the U.S. and take like all of these granted haha