7 Things that Never Fail to Amaze French Visitors in the USA

As someone born in the USA, who has spent a considerable amount of time in France, and is currently in a relationship with a French guy residing in Atlanta, I've compiled a list of the top 7 things that often leave French people (and other foreigners) stunned when they visit the United States.

1. Sales Tax Shock

Let's start with a common surprise that baffles most of my non-American friends. Whenever we dine out, regardless of how many times we've done so, they can't help but be taken aback by the bill. Here in the Peach State, the sales tax typically hovers around 7%. This tax is added on top of your order, so if you ordered a steak with green beans and mashed potatoes for $24.99, your total won't be $24.99; it'll be $24.99 plus 7%, which totals $26.74. Sales tax is rarely included in menu or shelf prices and varies from state to state, with only five states (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon) having no sales tax. Keep in mind that this applies to shopping as well, not just dining!

2. Tipping Culture

Another perplexing aspect for our European friends is the tipping culture in the USA. In addition to sales tax, when dining at a restaurant, you're expected to factor in a tip, which is typically around 20% of the bill after tax. Let's revisit the previous example of a $26.74 bill before tip. You'll need to decide on the tip amount and jot it down by hand. Legally, it's not obligatory, but socially expected. My French friends usually resort to calculators at this point and often opt for a 15% tip, which is considered acceptable but slightly discourteous. A 20% tip signifies good service; 15% is generally reserved for subpar service. Even if you've had an exceptionally unpleasant experience, a 10% or even 0% tip is rarely warranted.

Typically, most Americans round up their total in their heads and calculate a tip that falls between 18% and 22%. For example, with a $26.74 bill, I would mentally think, "10% is $2.67, which doubled is slightly over $5, so I'll round up and leave $6 for the tip." Consequently, my total would be $32.74. If you can't quite muster up a 20% tip, 18% is acceptable, but it's best to steer clear of 15% unless the service was truly unsatisfactory.

Nowadays, the tipping trend has gone a bit overboard. Self-checkout machines are even asking for tips, which many find excessive. It's important to note that tipping is primarily expected at sit-down restaurants and for beauty services (e.g., hair salons, nail salons, spas). You don't need to tip at every counter-service restaurant or for services like oil changes. Coffee shops and bars typically have tip jars, and leaving a dollar is customary, regardless of the order's cost. While not mandatory, it's a social norm. Nonetheless, it's crucial to emphasise leaving at least 18% for sit-down restaurants and beauty services.

3. Arctic Air Conditioning

In the USA, air conditioning often operates at frigid levels that even we find uncomfortable when wearing shorts and a T-shirt in the summer. It could certainly be dialed down a notch. If you've never experienced the sensation of "getting sick" from walking indoors during a scorching American summer, you're probably not French. French individuals tend to react as if they're suffering from the flu when they encounter a chilly indoor breeze lol. Perhaps, for the sake of the environment, we could consider lowering the thermostat a few degrees, but we definitely should send that saved cool air to France for their sweltering summers. After all, stepping out of the shower when it's 40°C inside and immediately breaking into a sweat feels counterproductive.

4. Dress Code or Lack Thereof

American fashion is notably casual in most cities, which often surprises visitors. While office attire for men typically consists of button-down shirts, dress pants and shoes, women don heels and dresses or business casual outfits. However, during weekends or trips to the supermarket, cinema, or any average outing outside of work or nights out, you'll frequently spot people in "athleisure" wear. This can range from trendy Kim and Kanye-inspired chic neutrals to Lululemon gear or even plain old Walmart sweatsuits. Speaking of Walmart, it's perfectly acceptable to venture there in pajamas for late-night or early-morning shopping. The same applies to fast-food establishments. Our style may not be high-fashion, but it's all about comfort.

5. Vehicles and Driving

In the USA, practically everyone drives, and often, it's a necessity. Except for a select few cities like New York and Chicago, public transportation is either scarce or inadequately serves the city. A car is essential to get anywhere. The good news is that obtaining a driver's license in the USA is much cheaper than in France, costing only about 3% of the French price. In Georgia, for instance, a license will set you back a mere $32. If you arrive in Georgia with a French driving permit, all you need to do is visit the Department of Driver Services, pass a brief computerized written exam, undergo a quick driving test with an instructor (by appointment), and within about an hour, you'll have your temporary paper license. The official plastic card arrives by mail a week or so later. (I am assuming it is a similar process in most states). American teenagers can start driving at the age of 15, long before they can legally consume alcohol. Oh, and, you won't find many manual cars here, it's all automatic, but you can rest your hand on the PRDNL if you want to pretend lol.

6. Soaring Healthcare Expenses

I'll spare you the intricate details on this one, as it's widely known that our healthcare system leaves much to be desired. Let's just say that during a February road trip through Alabama, I had to visit the hospital due to a corneal injury (a long story). However, I didn't even see a doctor; only a nurse provided me with pain medication, eye drops, and oil. They sent a photo of my eye to the specialist because he couldn't be bothered to come in, and I was billed $165. Later, back home, I had to follow up with an eye doctor to ensure my eye had healed, and he glanced at it for a mer

e two seconds, charging me $170. After insurance coverage, my total expenses amounted to approximately $750, including the hospital bill and medication. If insurance hadn't covered anything, I would have faced a staggering $3,000 bill, all for a few eye drops.

7. Drinking Age Dilemma

Yes, the legal drinking age in the USA is indeed 21. Expect to be asked for identification every time you attempt to purchase alcohol until the age of 40, as they "just have to be sure" you're not under 21. Although many individuals in the USA indulge in underage drinking during high school and university,

and some even possess fake IDs, it remains illegal and more challenging to acquire alcohol compared to what I've witnessed in France. I once saw a 12-year-old at a Carrefour self-checkout, and the cashier simply asked, "Are you 18?" Upon receiving an affirmative response, she allowed him to proceed without checking his ID. Surprisingly, I've never encountered such rigorous carding in France, even when I was just 20 years old and could easily have passed for younger. Therefore, it's prudent advice to always carry your identification when going out in the US, regardless of your age. For those aged 18 to 20 who are accustomed to enjoying a drink in France, the US enforces strict adherence to the legal drinking age of 21. While I unequivocally discourage underage drinking and the violation of laws, I will share this intriguing tidbit: US IDs list birthdates in the MM/DD/YYYY format, a potential loophole that some fortunate 20-year-olds may exploit, as most American bouncers and bartenders are unaware of the DD/MM/YYYY format commonly used in France. I'll leave the math to your discretion on that one.