7 Reverse Culture Shocks You’ll Experience as an American
You don’t have to be a world traveler to be familiar with the term “culture shock”. Honestly, you don’t even need to leave your own country to understand just how candor that phrase can be… especially if you live in the United States.
Going from California to New York is like getting on a spaceship en route to another planet.
However, not only have I traveled all over the U.S. – but I’ve been abroad many times; most of them being to Europe… and every time I come back after a long overseas trip after visiting places like Switzerland, France, Spain, and Germany…
… the reverse culture shock gets worse and worse.
Landing in Newark International Airport; November 2023
Here are 7 things you’ll realize when you’re plane lands back in the U.S.:
7 Reverse Culture Shocks When You Come Back From Your Trip to Europe
1. Airport Security SUCKS
When I went through airport security in Israel with a full bottle of water, I was dumbfounded, to say the least.
No routine shoe or belt removal, either.
Australia is the same way: you can walk through with an already open bottle of water, you don’t need to take out your 3-1-1 bag of liquids, no airport security workers screaming at you the same, reiterative phrase…
“… liquids and laptops need to be placed separately in the bins, cell phones and tablets do not need to be removed… remove all liquids, remove all laptops…”
You’ll realize just how unpleasant going through airport security is in the United States when you return from travelling abroad.
2. Cracks in the Bathroom Stalls
I know, I know – this one seems so weird. You’re thinking, “Stephanie, what cracks are you talking about?”
Here’s what you need to do:
1. Go abroad.
2. Go to a bathroom stall.
3. Notice that no one can see you through the cracks in said bathroom stall.
4. Return to the U.S. and wish that you could un-see what you now understand.
3. Bread Being Too Expensive
When in European countries, especially in France, you can walk into any local grocery supermarket and get fresh, baked bread… usually, for under €2.
When you come back to the States, not only will the taste of the bread disappoint you exponentially – but you will not understand why a baguette costs $3.65.
4. We’re Constantly Saying Sorry
Someone accidentally brushes your arm in the elevator,
“Sorry.”
Walking by someone in the bathroom,
“Sorry.”
When two people are both about to go out the same door,
“Sorry.”
You will suddenly be ultra-cognizant of how often we as Americans apologize for our normal parts of existence more so than any other group of people in the world.
Guess that’s why people around the world think we’re so polite.
5. Excessive Air Conditioning
This is me every time I go grocery shopping for the first time in the U.S. after a long trip abroad:
It’s true. We make houses, stores, and basically anything indoors way too cold.
6. We Beat Around the Bush
After all the Europeans I’ve met, I could say a million amazing things, but perhaps the most controversial one of all is this:
They are direct.
Maybe it’s that they don’t speak English in the colloquial way that Americans do. Maybe it’s that they speak in the simplest translation.
All I can say for sure, is that you will not be talking in circles with them.
When I was out and about in Lisbon for the day with a friend from the French Alps (I met her at the hostel), there came a point where I was getting tired and lightheaded from all the walking in the heat…
… and she could tell.
We were in a flea market, and I was secretly praying for a place to sit and take a breather and a bite to eat. Most Americans would check up on their travel partner like this:
“Hey, you okay?”
The conversation would continue like this,
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“You sure.”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
With my French-hostel-roommate, it went like this:
“Are you doing okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine… but soon I’m going to be ready for a break.”
After a few more minutes of my fatigue growing more apparent, she said,
“Look, if you want to go do something else, or go see something else, or if I am bothering you… it’s fine, go, and we can meet up later, or not meet up again later…”
“Oh, no – I just need to take a break is all, like find a place to sit for a few minutes.”
She then later pointed out the food market hall behind us and told me to go inside while she shops, and that she would call me to meet back up with me when she was done.
Most Americans would find this kind of blunt behavior beyond rude… and I admit, there are times when it still catches me off guard, but at the end of the day – I appreciate it.
Because I don’t have to lie or sugar coat things.
You’ll realize how our politeness isn’t always a pro-personality trait in cases like these. Europeans will always paint you a picture in black-and-white.
Unless you’re dealing with the French.
That’s another story for another day.
7. Tipping
Ugh.
This is the one that bothers me the most.
Now, it is becoming more common to tip in Europe… and that’s because of us influencing them that tipping should be standard across the pond as well.
Still, if you had an awful waiter and don’t feel that they deserve a tip… in Europe, you aren’t obligated to give them one – whereas in the U.S., tipping is still considered compulsory: no matter how awesome or abysmal your service was.
Want to hear more of my thoughts on when I visit the U.S. as an American living in Paris? Watch my vlog below!
Did I make you curious about my other European experiences? Click here to read more.
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Last updated: June 16, 2025