Summary

Sonja Glucksburg shares her observations and cultural surprises while traveling across the United States, from Seattle to Yellowstone, highlighting the country's wealth, unique consumer practices, vehicle preferences, tipping culture, and public restroom designs.

Abstract

The article by Sonja Glucksburg details her experiences as a first-time visitor to the United States, expressing surprise at various aspects of American life that differ from her European expectations. She notes the country's significant wealth, exemplified by high GDP per capita figures that rival those of entire European countries. Glucksburg is taken aback by the convenience-driven consumer culture, such as pre-peeled hard-boiled eggs sold in packaging and the use of tablets for restaurant menus, which she views as environmentally unfriendly. She comments on the American preference for large trucks and SUVs, which contrast sharply with the smaller vehicles more common in Europe. The author also discusses the American custom of tipping in restaurants, which is essential to the waitstaff's income, and the design of public restrooms that prioritize openness and security over privacy. Throughout her journey, Glucksburg remains curious and open-minded, inviting readers to share their own surprising experiences in the U.S.

Opinions

The author finds the American practice of selling pre-peeled hard-boiled eggs in packaging surprising and indicative of a culture that values convenience over environmental impact.
She is critical of the use of tablets for restaurant menus, seeing it as another example of prioritizing convenience over sustainability and societal values.
Glucksburg questions the necessity of large vehicles like trucks and SUVs for everyday use, suggesting they reflect a disregard for the environment and a desire for power and status.
She considers the American tipping system, referred to as "gratuity," to be unusual, though she acknowledges its importance in supplementing waitstaff salaries and participates in it by tipping generously.
The author is puzzled by the design of American public restrooms, which feature large gaps at the bottom and top of stalls, viewing it as a strange and unfamiliar approach to security and privacy.
Despite these cultural differences and her initial reactions, Glucksburg maintains a positive and adventurous attitude towards her ongoing exploration of the United States.

5 Things That Surprised Me in the US

It’s nice to be rich

I’m currently traveling from Seattle to Yellowstone, and I’m having a blast.

People are lovely, and the US is a huge, beautiful, and rich country. Very rich. In fact, most states have a higher GDP per capita than European countries. For example, Germany has the same GDP per capita as Idaho (around $45,000).

For someone who’s here for the first time like me, many surprises are waiting for you.

Peeled and ready-to-eat hard-boiled eggs

When my host asked me if I wanted some hard-boiled eggs for breakfast, I didn’t expect to see this:

I had never seen eggs packaged like that in my life and would never have thought pre-peeling hard-boiled eggs was a sound business idea. Same with pre-boiling them. For me, eggs are fresh, not packaged in plastic. But maybe, if I was rich enough, I would pay someone to peel my eggs.

Restaurant menus on tablets

That’s another example of the abundance mindset.

I didn’t do the research, but tablets for a restaurant menu sound very environment-unfriendly.

Of course, it’s slightly more convenient, especially for the owners who can change the prices when they want, but I can’t believe it makes sense from a greater perspective. It’s a little thing but it shows the priority of our society in general: our luxurious comfort before anything else.

Trucks used as cars

I’m driving a Mazda model CX-30 here. In Europe, I would consider it already a big car. In the US, it looks like a toy compared to the Suburban Chevrolet, Ram 1500, and other “cars.”

Maybe some people have a real usage for these, but I would guess most don’t need such a truck to go shopping at Walmart. Again, it seems to be a case of “why not?”

Since we don’t care about the environment and are rich, why not have a bigger car with an engine that makes a nice sound? It makes us feel more powerful. I sure do when driving my Mazda!

The only positive of these giants is that the clowns driving Ferraris look ridiculous next to them.

Gratuity in the restaurants

This one’s different. According to Merriam-Webster, gratuity is “something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service especially: tip — added a gratuity for the server.”

I tried to walk away with a 0% gratuity from the first restaurant I visited.

Not a good idea.

The waiter ran after me and insulted me in every European language she knew!

I made this up. I knew beforehand how important it is to tip in the US as tips make the waiters’ salaries. It’s not an easy job, so I tip 18/20%. But the system is a bit strange to me as a European, and calling it gratuity is even weirder.

Closed public toilets that are very open

I’m used to toilets that have real walls and close with real doors. I guess it’s different in people’s homes, but public toilets here are super open.

There’s a huge space at the bottom of the stall and an even bigger one at the top. I mean, I could enter the bathroom from the bottom without opening the door if I wanted!!

Which I guess is more or less the goal. I suppose It’s for security reasons in case someone’s sick or something.

Still, that’s another strange thing on my list.

Since I still have a few weeks to spend in this fantastic country, I’m looking forward to all the other weird things that will surprise me. Tell me your favorite in the comments!

God bless America! (And the rest of the world!)

Sonja is currently visiting Seattle, Mount Rainier, and Montana. A few other hiking routes are on her list. Follow her adventures here. Or read more now: Fuckless in Seattle, My Twilight Fantasy on Rialto Beach, Sue Me, I Love Looking at Breasts.