For foreigners, American life is usually considered by means of the eyes of Hollywood. However as vacationers flood American cities for the World Cup, many are turning to social media to point out on a regular basis America from a contemporary perspective.
The world’s largest sporting occasion, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, kicked off this week, cohosted by Mexico, Canada, and america.
However past the video games themselves, the greater than 10 million vacationers anticipated to go to the U.S. this summer season are additionally getting a glimpse of on a regular basis American life—and either side appear to be having fun with it.
A number of vacationers who touched down within the U.S. per week forward of kickoff have been taking social media customers alongside for his or her adventures all through the nation, sharing their amusement and awe over seemingly typical American options from hearth vans to outsized sodas.
“Not gonna lie, Large Gulps from 7/11 are simply one among my favorite issues I’ve found in America up to now,” a user from England visiting Orlando stated on X.
One other added, “Each Scottish individual in America wants to instantly attempt Rooster Fried Steak, and also you’ll realise we and the Individuals are kindred spirits.”
“Enjoyable to see in individual”
For a lot of, the summer season go to is one among their first interactions with America in actual life.
“I feel most of us know the US solely by means of tales and films. Stuff like a US fuel station or a yellow college bus may be very recognizable and enjoyable to see in individual,” a person said on X.
For some soccer followers, the World Cup has change into a chance to discover American cities and cities in a brand new means, with some road-tripping from metropolis to metropolis in between video games.
“I do know some folks will say I’m too optimistic about every thing I see, however this place was loopy,” one German vacationer posted whereas road-tripping by means of the South. “They’d a taking pictures vary within the retailer.”
The identical person, whose observations have been going viral, shared his fascination with Walmart, his first Waffle Home meal, and the pure great thing about landscapes in Tennessee and Georgia—and even embraced American traditions like watching the NBA Finals whereas having fun with a Chipotle bowl.
One other vacationer, from Sweden, shared snippets of her time within the U.S. whereas actively seeking to attempt American meals and experiences.
“Why did nobody inform me ranch sauce is like crack? EUROPE WE NEED RANCH ASAP,” she said on X.
Whereas visiting San Francisco, this person additionally identified the great thing about fire trucks, a newfound appreciation for American-style hash browns.
Actuality test
In fact, not each publish was essentially optimistic, with customers additionally questioning American customs they discover unusual, like locked-up products at pharmacies, or selling rifles inside a division retailer.
The accounts now frequently attain hundreds of social media customers, each American and foreigners alike, with many U.S. residents discovering their overseas fascination equally fascinating.
“It’s sick to see what number of Europeans came visiting right here to really take pleasure in US tradition. Noticed a man take a look at a Buc-ee’s fuel station the identical means I’d take a look at Stonehenge,” a person said on X.
However not everyone seems to be satisfied that the thrill is real—with some accusing the vacationers of engagement farming.
“I’m sorry to be that man, however on some stage you all know these World Cup German vacationers are pretending to search out America tremendous superior for the clicks, proper?” stated one person said on X.
For probably the most half, although, commenters have opted to deal with the optimistic mild that vacationers are bringing to American tradition.
As one X user put it, “A few Germans on a street journey have executed extra to encourage patriotism forward of America’s 250th anniversary than the whole lot of the U.S. authorities.”
