Grocery & Dining
Unlike Slovak rye or sourdough, mass-market American sandwich bread often shocks Europeans because it tastes surprisingly like this.
What is sweet / sugar?
In Slovakia, the price on the shelf is what you pay. In the US, the price at the register is higher because this is added at checkout.
What is sales tax?
In Slovakia, guests immediately take off their street shoes and put on papuče. In many American homes, people walk around inside wearing these.
What are street shoes / sneakers?
When an American asks "How are you?" in passing, they are usually not looking for a detailed answer; they are using it as this.
What is a greeting / saying hello?
Unlike colorful Euros, all US dollar bills share these two confusing physical features.
What are being the same size and color (green)?
In American restaurants, you almost never have to pay for extra ice, and soft drinks come with this automatic perk.
What are free refills?
While rounding up small change is polite in Slovakia, standard tipping at a sit-down American restaurant is expected to be this percentage range.
What is 15% to 20%?
European public restrooms feature fully enclosed doors, while American restroom stall doors famously have this awkward feature.
What are large gaps / spaces around the door?
While Slovaks are often described as "coconuts" (hard shell, warm inside), Americans are often compared to this fruit(soft outside, hard seed inside).
What is a peach?
If you order a "small" soda at an American movie theater or fast-food chain, the cup size is usually closer to this European size.
What is a large (or half a liter / 500ml)?
In Slovakia, milk is often shelf-stable in cartons. In the US, milk is usually bought in refrigerators in this giant volume container.
What is a gallon (or 3.8 liters)?
Instead of paying with cash or debit cards (debetná karta), many Americans buy everyday items using this type of card to build a financial score.
What is a credit card?
Even during a hot summer day, Americans keep indoor spaces like cinemas and malls at freezing temperatures using intense this.
What is air conditioning (AC)?
In Slovakia, using formal titles (Pán/Pani) shows respect. In the US, students often address teachers or supervisors much more this way.
What is informally / casually (or by first name in some contexts)?
While Europeans write the date as Day/Month/Year (e.g., 12/10/2026), Americans write this number first.
What is the month? (Month/Day/Year)
Because US portion sizes are so large, asking the waiter for a "doggy bag" or box to take home leftover food is seen as this type of behavior.
What is normal / expected (not rude or cheap)?
In many US stores, prices end in $.99, but payment terminals now present automated tip screens even at these types of self-serve places.
What are coffee shops / bakeries / fast-casual counters?
Unlike European towns designed for walking to local stores, American suburban housing areas usually lack these along roads, making walking nearly impossible.
What are sidewalks?
In Slovakia, you always greet shopkeepers with "Dobrý deň" and say "Dovidenia" when leaving. In large American retail stores, employees will often greet you, but customers usually enter and leave in this manner.
What is silently / without saying hello or goodbye?
At American sports games or concerts, if a camera points at you and your crush on the giant screen, the crowd expects you to do this.
What is kiss (on the "Kiss Cam")?