Apparently, People From Other Countries Think These American Foods Are Disgusting
America is a place where you can find a world of different cuisines in a one-block radius. Go to New York City, and you can get Chinese takeout a few steps away from a high-end Italian restaurant. But while Americans are used to eating exotic dishes, people from around the world aren't quite as fond of American dishes.
According to the people of the internet, these classic American foods are downright repulsive. Who knew it was even possible to hate a particular type of chocolate? If loving these foods is wrong, then I don't want to be right.
For Brits, Biscuits And Gravy Don't Make Sense Together
It makes sense why biscuits and gravy can immediately throw off someone British, because across the pond, "biscuits" means cookies. Cookies and gravy definitely would be really weird.
But just because the name is weird doesn't mean Brits should completely rule out the dish. It's one of America's favorite breakfast staples for a reason -- people find it to be completely delicious! Oh well, it's their loss for not wanting to try it.
Even I Have Trouble Liking 'American Cheese'
You'd think American cheese was just cheese from American cows, but it also means cheese that is less than 50% real. So Velveeta, sliced cheese, and aerosol cheese are all considered to be "American" varieties.
This one makes a little more sense The fact that cheese can come from a can is a bit gross and even kind of unsettling, if you really think about it too much. Which we clearly have.
A Pie Made From A Gourd Is Weird To Some Folks
I didn't think pumpkin pie would weird people out, but I guess it's strange to others to turn a gourd into a pie. Who cares if its a gourd when it's delicious?
If pumpkin pie isn't enough, the world probably thinks we're downright crazy when pumpkin-spice-everything hits America every fall. I mean, there's even a Pumpkin Spice Latte Deodorant. As much as I love pumpkin pie, nobody needs to be going around smelling like it.
You Won't Understand Grits Until You've Had Them
Southerners might love their grits, but if you've never heard of them and you're served a bowl of something like look soggy rice, it can be offputting.
Grits are coarsely ground corn kernels mixed with water or milk, and usually paired with a seafood such as shrimp. It sounds delicious to me. I think some people who aren't into grits might be confusing them with Cream of Wheat, which is a disgusting product that should be avoided at all costs.
Apparently, Even Our Chocolate Isn't Good
British people think Hershey's chocolate is tasteless in comparison to Cadbury. I thought chocolate was chocolate, but apparently, America's chocolate is not as good as the rest of the world's.
Brits feel so strongly about this that they even started a petition to ban Hershey's from the rights to produce Cadbury chocolate eggs. C'mon now. Don't take away our rights to delicious egg-shaped candy just because you don't like our chocolate!
How Do You Hate Root Beer?
It's mind-blowing that anyone can hate a soda as classic as root beer, but apparently, people outside of America think it has a waxy aftertaste. Some people think that root beer is hated because it isn't widely distributed. Coke and Pepsi both own brands of root beer but it isn't commonly sold outside of America.
Anyone who hasn't tried a root beer float owes it to themselves to take a taste, though.
Chicken And Waffles Is A Southern Treasure
I don't understand how chicken and waffles can sound gross to someone even if they haven't had it before. Everyone likes fried chicken. Everyone likes thick, fluffy waffles. Someone in the South decided to put the two together, and magic was made.
Some geniuses just aren't appreciated in their time. However, it looks like chicken and waffles as a dish is gaining in popularity since they're now on every trendy brunch menu in the USA.
People Aren't Booming For Blooming Onions
The Blooming Onion is an Outback Steakhouse favorite and classic fair food, but other countries widely criticize it. I'm not sure how having a massive plate of bite-sized onion rings is gross, but to each their own. Maybe it's a double-whammy because it's served with spicy mayonnaise.
So many items on this list fall into the "don't knock it 'til you've tried it" category, and fried onions are in the top ten.
Apparently, Bread Shouldn't Be This Squishy
This criticism isn't all that far-fetched. Anyone who has baked their own bread knows that the outside is a hard shell and the inside is soft and warm.
Homemade bread without additives and preservatives also don't have the same shelf life as store-bought bread, so that can also be a major turn off to some people. The nutritional value of Wonder Bread is pretty atrocious, so that's probably not winning any fans eit.
Non-Fat Milk Is Weird To A Lot Of People
It seems like people around the world dislike skim milk for a lot of the same reasons they dislike American foods: because they are overprocessed.
You get skim milk by removing all the fat, but producers replace that fat with synthetic vitamins and minerals. All that processing for something naturally produced makes some people queasy. Actually, a lot of experts say that skim milk is not very good for you.
People Aren't Fans Of America's Favorite Sandwich
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are about as American and apple pie. PB & J was the go-to sandwich for most children because it was cheap, easy, and a meal you could make yourself when you were eight.
Other countries hate the flavor combination though, and can't wrap their head around it. Of all the things to be confused about, this one is the most confusing to us. Just give it a try!
Sweet Tea Is Too Sweet For Many
What are people expecting when they order sweet tea? It's in the name, and it's very obvious that it will be sweet, yet people still complain about it.
I think the confusion comes between "iced tea" and "sweet tea." In America, "iced tea" is literally cold-brew tea, whereas sweet tea is closer in taste to Brisk or Nestle iced tea. If you're in the southern states, "sweet tea" has at least an extra five tablespoons of sugar added.
Naturally, People Think Twinkies Are Too Processed
It's easy to hate America for all their over-processed snack foods, but you can't hate Twinkies. They may taste like a stale sponge cake with a sad, overly-sweet cream, but it's a deliciously stale and sweet snack. If you've had a Twinkie, you know exactly what I mean.
Plus, they have a ridiculously long shelf life, so when the zombie apocalypse hits, we're not sharing our food supply with you.
Is Sweet Potato Casserole Dinner Or Dessert?
For those of you who aren't familiar with this traditional Thanksgiving dishes, sweet potato casserole is a puree of sweet potatoes topped with toasted marshmallows that have been browned in the oven. The result is a sweet, delightfully gooey concoction that has a place of honor on Thanksgiving plates around the U.S.
Apparently, that combination is absolutely disgusting to other people, and they can't stand the idea of something so sweet being served as a dinner dish.
Others Think Corn Dogs Are A Donut Hotdog
There are so many other fair foods you can hate on, but the people of the world want to hate the most popular: the corn dog. The hot, crispy, breaded hot dog just doesn't make sense to a lot of people.
The food is a staple in any ballpark, at any fair, and in the barf bag on the rollercoasters of America. If you haven't tried this meat on a stick, you absolutely must at least once in your life.
Miracle Whip (And Mayo) Isn't Well-Liked
Even though mayonnaise was invented in France, the condiment is known to be one of America's favorites. The mayo knock-off Miracle Whip is just as popular in America, and just as hated elsewhere. The only other country that likes mayo as much as America is the Netherlands, where it's commonly served with fries.
To be honest, there are a whole bunch of Americans who don't like mayo though. It's one of those things you either love or hate.
It Makes Sense Why Spam Freaks Some People Out
Spam understandably freaks some people out. The canned ham was invented during World War II, as a meat product with a really long shelf life. All the preservatives freak people out though. Plus, the fact it stays in the shape of the can after being removed is creepy.
That being said, Spam is really popular in some parts of the U.S. -- namely Hawaii. You can buy varieties of the stuff there that aren't available anywhere else in the world.
Liquid Popcorn Butter Can Be A Bit Gross
I love buttered popcorn just as much as the next person, but that vat of hot, liquid butter at the movie theatre is offputting. Who knows how long that has been sitting there, just waiting to drench my popcorn.
Who cares though, because it tastes so darn good. I'm the person that asks for like three pumps of it on the rare occasion I do go to the movie theater.
Salad Dressings Shouldn't Be Sweet
Other countries seem to have a pretty strict policy when it comes to salad dressing, because America's are apparently too sweet.
People from around the world say that dressings should only be vinaigrettes or oil based, and that raspberry, honey, and even ranch dressing are way too gross and sweet. How else are you supposed to get all those bitter greens and healthy veggies down without a "spoonful of sugar," though?
Other Countries Can't Believe We Eat These Cereals For Breakfast
It is downright shocking to other countries that America eats such sugary cereals for breakfast, and I have to say, they make a good point.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so loading up on sugar isn't the best policy. This is the one time the rest of the world got it right. Just because something is "right," however, doesn't mean that it's what I'm going to choose to do.
Cold Breakfast Is A No No
In some parts of the world, eating a cold breakfast is considered sinful. Apparently, pouring cold milk over dry cereal is disgusting. These people have never learned about the joy that is cereal milk! You know, the milk that has turned pink from all the sugars and dyes in your favorite cereals.
In countries like Guyana, they only serve hot breakfast. Personally, pouring steamed milk over corn flakes sounds gross!
Processed Meats Straight Out Of The Package
Go ahead and admit it, there have been times after a long day of work you've opened the fridge and eaten bologna straight from the package. This only happens in America, where we love our processed meats.
The funny thing is, like with cold cereal, the part of processed meats that freaks out foreigners is the temperature. Fry up that bologna and you'll have tourists lining up at your door!
American Cheese Is Too Patriotic
I think we can all admit American cheese isn't the best. Like, you're probably not going to be serving it at a fancy cocktail reception or wine and cheese party. Still, it's an American staple and is the ultimate hamburger topping.
For some outside of the United States, however, it's a big fat no-no. After so long eating American cheese, the processed flavor doesn't bother me. I understand why it bothers other people though.
Fortune Cookies Are Fake Chinese Food
If you didn't know, fortune cookies were invented in San Francisco, California. Anytime you eat one at the end of a meal, you are celebrating in an Asian tradition. If you ever go to China, don't be surprised when you don't get a cookie after the meal.
It doesn't help that fortune cookies tend to taste stale and papers. The fortune usually a let down too. This is one American specialty I wouldn't mind getting rid of.
Bacon And Syrup Is Not A Marriage Made In Heaven
In many foreign cultures, you don't mix savory and sweet for breakfast. In America, we can't get enough of dipping our bacon into deliciously sweet maple syrup. After all, when it's done dripping off the pancake, what are we supposed to do with it?
I'm told that Russian culture finds this the most revolting. So good luck visiting Russia and ordering a lumberjack breakfast! Bet they don't have chicken and waffles either.
Bread Shouldn't Be Sweet
In America, we put sugar in everything, and if you were silly enough to think bread is any different, you'd be wrong. Sugar is an essential ingredient in bread, and in the States we tend to overdo it. Most foreigners hate American bread because it tastes too sweet to them.
Well, we don't like your boring bland bread either, other countries! It tastes like sadness in loaf form... not a good ingredient to make a sandwich from.
Tomatoes Should Be Sweet
Apparently, American tomatoes aren't sweet enough for people in other countries. I worked at a summer camp once and a counselor from Isreal refused to eat our tomatoes because they tasted like nothing the tomatoes they were used to.
Unfortunately, they might be right. In America, we tend to grow our vegetables for size, not flavor. After all, everything is an Instagrammable moment and size shows up better in pictures than taste does.
Oatmeal Is Sloppy And Gross
Americans love their oatmeal. As far as breakfast foods go, it's one of the holy grails. Korea, on the other hand, can't stand the stuff. It's sloppy and slimy and confusing.
Mexico does like oatmeal, but not as a breakfast food. Most oatmeal there is strained to create a drink. That sounds pretty gross to me. They've never tried oatmeal with fried and honey, we bet! Boy, are they missing out.
Salad Topping Are Next Level
Apparently, salad toppings create a problem for people visiting America from other countries. They don't understand the amount of meat and cheese and dressing we lay on top of our lettuce and other greens.
I know if I'm going to eat a salad, I'm going to make sure that all of the nutritious parts are buried under mounds of salt and sugar. The toppings are the good stuff, eat them first!
Pork Rinds Are Not A Delicacy
Pork rinds are a popular snack in the United States, and that's about it. The idea of taking pork skin and frying into a bloated chip covered in salt doesn't really make most foreigners drool.
I think it's one of those things where the concept might be gross, but the final product is magical. If you've never had a pork rind, please try one and tell me whether I'm wrong.
Cream Soda Is Glorified Milk
I admit I don't know what the flavor of cream soda is supposed to be other than sweet. It's the perfect drink for America. When I go home I'm going to dip bacon in it because I'm a food god.
Back to the point, cream soda has been described by some not in our country as tasting like "long life milk." I have no idea what long life milk is, but it doesn't sound safe.
Pop-Tarts, Yes Please
Pop-tarts are a breakfast staple growing in America. Everyone has their favorite flavor. Mine is the brown sugar one but I think strawberry frosted seems to be the most popular variety. People in other countries hate Pop-tarts. They think the concept is so revolting they won't even try them.
That doesn't seem very fair to me. What better way is there to start the day then on the world's biggest sugar rush?
Beef Jerky Is Pure Americana
When asked to describe beef jerky, one foreigner said, "It tasted like plastic and had the texture of worn shoe sole. Impressive how they took a bit of cow and made it entirely inedible."
That's one way to describe it. I would call it a chew experience with just the right amount of salt. And some people think of it as a fitness/diet food these days. To each their own, I guess.
What Even Is Meatloaf
Aside from sharing a name with a once-popular rock star, meatloaf has become a classic American dish. Foreigners can't stand the stuff.
It's seen as pretty much a glorified hamburger in a lot of peoples' eyes. What's so wrong with that, though? It's a meatball loaf! Maybe if we called it meatball loaf more people from around the world be willing to try it. We might leave the ketchup off for their first taste, though.
Licorice Is Not The Same Everywhere Else
This complaint is specifically about Red Vines and Twizzlers. One person described Red Vines as tasting like soap. I wholeheartedly disagree. They taste like "red" because that's a flavor in America.
Twizzlers, however, really don't taste like anything. That's true. Somehow Twizzlers are incredibly addictive though! And have you ever bitten the ends off one and used it as a straw for your soda at the movies? It's amazing! Do it!
Frito Pie Is An American Original
I wasn't surprised to find out that other countries don't know what to make of Frito pie. The dish, for anyone unaware, is Frito chips with chili poured on top. It sounds gross, but it amazing.
Frito pie is also one of the least healthy things you can put in your body. With most countries being more health-conscious than the United States I doubt this one ever gets popular overseas.
Peanut Butter Is Especially Vile
Peanut butter is a condiment that can be found in just about every household in America. The salty-sweet and sticky concoction goes perfectly with jelly, or by the spoonful. Sadly, that's not how foreigners see the food.
Peanut butter is too salty, too sweet, and too mushy for many people who live outside of the United States. I'm shocked and more than a little offended by this (nut allergies are the only exception here).
Putting Cheese On Everything Isn't Normal
Americans love cheese. Citizens of the world love cheese too. These statements feel about as close to fact as they can be. Citizens of the world, however, hate that Americans put cheese on everything.
Thinking about it, it's true. The United States puts cheese on anything it can. Cheese on sushi, sign me up! Cheese on a cake; isn't that called cheesecake? Heck, I've even dipped a chocolate chip cookie in queso and it was delicious.
Cupcakes Aren't For Everyone
Ignore the heading, because everyone loves cupcakes. The problem people have with American cupcakes is the cake to cream ratio. If there isn't twice as much on top of my cupcake as there is fluffy and moist cake, I'll be wanting my money back.
One person claims it becomes a chore to eat as you fight your way through sweet cream that's a weird texture. I call it an adventure!
Mac And Cheese Is Misunderstood
When asked about mac and cheese, one foreigner said, "for the love of god, do not just pour a vat of cheese over it." For the record, you should always pour a vat of cheese over it. The more cheese, the better, if I'm being totally honest here.
Few pleasures in America are as guilty as mac and cheese. It breaks my heart that this dish is so misunderstood overseas.
