You know that feeling when you land in another country, walk into a grocery store, and suddenly… everything is familiar but not? That’s exactly what’s gone viral thanks to the trending piece, “31 American Things That Look A Whole Lot Different In Other Countries.” From McDonald’s menus in Japan to colorful Fanta bottles in Europe, travelers are realizing just how different “the same” things can look—and taste—once you cross a border.
Instead of seeing these differences as trivial, smart travelers are turning them into a whole new way to explore a destination. The global conversation happening right now around packaging, portion sizes, and local twists on American brands is basically a giant invitation: get curious, look closer, and let everyday places become part of your adventure.
Below, we’ll show you how to turn this trend into a travel superpower—with five practical, easy-to-use tips you can apply to any destination.
Treat Supermarkets Like Mini Culture Museums
The viral “American things abroad” photos are almost all snapped in one place: supermarkets. And there’s a reason for that. A local grocery store is like a fast-forward button for understanding a country—prices, priorities, flavors, and even values are right there on the shelves.
On your next trip, plan at least one intentional supermarket visit, not just a dash-in for water. Wander the snack aisle and compare familiar brands (Oreos, Pringles, Coca-Cola) to their local flavors. In Japan you might find matcha KitKats; in Spain, Iberian ham-flavored chips; in Germany, Fanta flavors you’ve never even heard of. Check the ready-meal section to see what a “quick dinner” looks like here versus back home. Pay attention to packaging sizes—smaller soda cans, giant yogurt tubs, or single-serve wine can tell you a lot about local habits. Treat it like a scavenger hunt: snap photos (where allowed), note what’s different, and try at least one “same-but-different” item. It’s a low-cost, low-pressure way to step into local daily life.
Make Global Fast Food Chains Your Secret Culture Shortcut
The trending article highlighted how American chains like McDonald’s, KFC, and Starbucks shape-shift around the world. That’s not an accident—brands localize menus to fit regional tastes, regulations, and expectations. For travelers, that means a built-in way to compare cultures in real time.
Pick one global chain you know well from home and visit it once in your destination, not as your main meal plan, but as a deliberate experiment. In India, McDonald’s leans heavily vegetarian with the McAloo Tikki; in France, McCafés feel like chic pastry stops; in South Korea, you’ll spot seasonal specialties and spicy add-ons. Check the menu boards first like you would a museum exhibit—what’s new, what’s missing, what’s prioritized? Use the visit as a jet lag-friendly option on your first or last day when you’re too tired to decode a fully local restaurant. Add a note to your travel journal: what surprised you, what felt familiar, and what you wish your hometown location would copy. You’ll never look at “just fast food” the same way again.
Build a “Contrast Day” into Every Trip
The viral fascination with how American products look different abroad is really about contrast—you only notice the change because you know the original. You can turn that into a powerful way to structure your travel days.
Choose one day of your trip and consciously build it around contrast. Start in a local neighborhood café or bakery—no English menus, mostly locals, maybe cash-only. Later that same day, visit a more globalized area with international stores, a recognizable coffee chain, or a big mall. Pay attention to how you feel moving between them: does the “global zone” feel relaxing, or a bit generic? Does the hyperlocal stop feel intimidating at first, then rewarding? This intentional back-and-forth helps you appreciate both sides of modern travel: the comfort of the familiar and the thrill of the truly new. It also makes your itinerary more resilient—you’re not demanding “authenticity” 24/7; you’re designing a realistic mix that matches your energy levels.
Use Packaging and Menus to Plan Smarter (and Cheaper)
One underrated thing the “American things abroad” photos show is information: portion sizes, ingredient lists, price differences, and how locals actually consume certain items. You can turn that into concrete planning power for your trip.
Before you splurge on restaurants every night, scan a nearby supermarket for picnic-ready options and grab-and-go lunches. Compare prices: is bottled water dramatically cheaper in a multipack? Are there local snacks or yogurts that can double as breakfast, saving you time and money? Examine packaging sizes—if everything is tiny, you may need to buy more frequently; if everything is huge, maybe share with a travel buddy. Menus at both local and global chains can help you estimate average meal costs in that city, which you can plug into your daily budget. And if you have allergies or dietary needs, reading local labels side-by-side with familiar brands can clarify what’s safer for you to eat, before you’re staring at a complex restaurant menu.
Turn Everyday “American Things” into Shareable Travel Stories
The reason that “31 American Things That Look A Whole Lot Different In Other Countries” is taking off is simple: it’s incredibly shareable. People love spotting the unexpected twist on something they thought they knew. You can use that same instinct to turn your trip into engaging content—without over-curating every moment.
When you travel, keep an eye out for small, visual differences linked to well-known American brands or products: a Starbucks with a regional bakery case, a Coke bottle with another alphabet, a familiar cereal in a completely new flavor. Take clear, well-lit photos and pair them with short, curious captions like, “Did you know Fanta tastes totally different in Greece?” or “McDonald’s breakfasts in Tokyo > McDonald’s breakfasts at home?” These “micro-stories” are perfect for Instagram Reels, TikTok, or travel threads because they’re relatable even to people who’ve never been to that country. Just remember to be respectful—focus on the fun of discovery, not on mocking differences. Over time, you’ll build a personal archive that’s part travel diary, part global culture scrapbook.
Conclusion
The explosion of interest in how “American things” show up abroad isn’t just a quirky internet trend—it’s a reminder that travel isn’t only about famous landmarks and bucket-list sights. It’s also about grocery aisles, paper cups, soda bottles, and menu boards that quietly tell you, “You’re somewhere new.”
When you treat everyday places like part of the destination—supermarkets as museums, fast food chains as culture labs, packaging as data—you unlock a totally different layer of your trip. You spend less, notice more, and come home with stories that go way beyond “Here’s me in front of a monument.”
Next time you plan a getaway, don’t just search for “top things to do.” Add one more question: How does the familiar look different here? That simple shift can turn even the most ordinary corner shop into a moment you’ll be talking (and posting) about long after you’re back home.
Key Takeaway
The most important thing to remember from this article is that this information can change how you think about Destinations.
