Field Guide · Vol. 01What Americans actually do,
What Americans actually do,
charted with love.
A gently teasing field guide to the rituals, refills, and road trips that make the United States behave like the United States.
Today's specials
400 mL
Average iced coffee — even in February.
13,500 mi
Driven per person each year. Per. Person.
$5,200
Spent at the grocery store, annually.
3 hr
Of TV daily. Yes, still. Streaming counts.
The numbers
Americans vs. the rest of the table
| Habit | 🇺🇸 USA | 🇫🇷 France | 🇯🇵 Japan | 🇩🇪 Germany |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee per day (cups) | 3.1 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 2.6 |
| Tipping at restaurants | 18–22% | Optional | Don't | 5–10% |
| Car trips under 1 mile | ~46% | 22% | 9% | 18% |
| Refills on soda | Free, infinite | Pay each time | Pay each time | Pay each time |
| Smiling at strangers | Constant | Suspicious | Polite nod | Why? |
Sources: assorted national surveys, lovingly rounded for vibes.
Curious why the cup is that big?
Dive into the habits chapter for the cultural backstories, the receipts, and the oddly specific superlatives.
Postcard
The country is best understood at 70 mph with the windows down.