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[AskEurope] Fellow Europeans, what is the aspect of USA lifestyle that surprises you the most? (discuss.tchncs.de)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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First of all, let's try to avoid American-bashing, and stay respectful to everyone.

I'll start: for me it's the tipping culture. Especially nowadays, with the recent post on [email protected] with the 40% tip, it just seems so weird to me to have to pay extra just so that menu prices can stay low.

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[–] [email protected] 27 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Many years ago, I was chatting with a friend from California and she told me her family votes Republican. As in, by default. No matter the policies or political needs of the country.

Aside from the US parties being very similar back then (pre-Trump), I've also learned since then that this may have to do with party affiliation programs.
In the US, you need to register to vote and the parties basically offer to do the registration for you, if you promise to vote for them. So, you end up being 'affiliated' with them, even without being actively a member.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm not sure voting by default to one party is a consequence of registering with that party. Maybe some psychological effect.

I'd say the main cause is the fact there are only two parties to choose from, so unless you are a moderate (or these days right-moderate) it is just a waste of time looking at candidates and their policies beyond party affiliation.

The related issue is this: in some places in america, the primaries are run by the parties. So you can only vote for canidates (within a party) in the primaries IF you register with that party. In some races the primaries are the important part, because everyone knows which party will win the main election, so who gets the party nomination is basically the undecided part.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I thought there are multiple small parties too?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

There are, but first-past-the-post all but guarantees none of them ever win a seat.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

I do get asked when I vote, which part I belong to. I just flip flop every time to keep them on their toes