Why Are Americans Like That?

If you’ve ever lived in the United States as an expat — or even just visited — you’ve probably had the same thought: Why are Americans like that?In this episode, we step away from technical expat topics and explore the cultural side of living in the U.S. From enthusiastic greetings to oversized everything, American behavior can feel confusing, amusing, or even overwhelming when you first arrive. But once you understand the values behind these habits, things start to make a lot more sense.We talk about the difference between friendliness and friendship in the U.S., why Americans ask “What do you do?” so quickly, and why enthusiasm is such a core part of communication. We also cover everyday cultural quirks like large portion sizes, the focus on work, frequent apologies, and the way space and scale shape American life.This episode helps decode the behaviors that often surprise newcomers and puts them in cultural context. Rather than judging these differences, we explore how they reflect deeper American values like optimism, efficiency, openness, and social ease.You’ll learn:Why Americans are so friendly — but not instantly “friends”The role of enthusiasm in everyday communicationWhy work is a common conversation starterHow “bigger” shapes American lifestylesWhat American politeness really meansHow understanding culture reduces culture shockIf you’re new to the U.S. or hosting someone who is, this episode offers a light, relatable look at the habits that make America feel different — and often more enjoyable once you get used to them.Visit Baobab Wealth AbroadBuy a copy of Jimmy's book, Divorce the IRSDownload our guide for foreign nationals in the USFollow us on FacebookSubscribe to us on YouTubeConnect with us on LinkedIn