A Balkan woman opened up about her experience in America while visiting supermarkets – she could not get over the portion sizes or difference in products sold. Her honest opinions have divided people
A tourist visiting America has divided opinion after being left gobsmacked by a number of culture shocks while shopping in a US supermarket. You may not realise just how used to your native country you are until you go on a long holiday or move abroad and start missing things from back home. It’s no secret that American stores are renowned for having significantly larger portions, but one woman, named Lucija, who is from the Balkans, was shocked by a number of things she has never seen while shopping before.
Sharing a video online, Lucija created quite a stir with her post, which has raked in over 6.9million views on TikTok. She listed “things in American supermarkets that would put Europeans into coma”.
Bread
Lucija was shocked to learn was ‘normal’ bread looks like in US supermarkets as she found endless rows of burger buns.
Typically, American families buy bread which lasts a longer time, rather than a fresh loaf like in many European stores. The bread sold in the US tends to have higher levels of added sugar, preservatives, and dough conditioners, particularly when compared to bread sold in the UK. These ingredients are used to extend shelf life and enhance sweetness.
Our sister site, Daily Express, previously reported that in an investigation is was discovered that a standard-sized loaf of Warburtons contains 17g of sugar, whereas the same-sized loaf of Wonder bread packs a staggering 50g of sugar.
“USA, the land of sugar and additives,” commented one individual on the post. “American bread is anything but normal,” wrote another.
READ MORE: B&M shoppers left divided after discovery on shelves that’s ‘ruining Christmas’
Size of portions
Lucija could not get over how big a bag of popcorn is in supermarkets – or the unique flavours like cheddar cheese flavoured popcorn. “Cheddar cheese popcorn… I feel sick,” commented one individual.
She was also gobsmacked by a “lifetime supply” of Vaseline in a giant tub that is bigger than her hand.
One American pointed out: “US is a big country everything is far each other unless you live in the city. They don’t like to go out every time to go to the store. They like to store food that last. Weeks or months that’s why they sell it big portion.”
Another agreed and shared: “The root cultural difference is that America is too damn big. for most people, grocery store is too far away. European countries smaller, grocery stores are closer. Europeans more likely (or more capable of) going grocery multiple times/week. Americans want to go once a week or less.”
“When people buy food to last a week, not a singular meal,” said another. One other insisted: “Oh come on Balkan families would be excited to use products with that size.”
Cookie-flavoured bath products
Lucija was shocked after she spotted the Dove Crumbl cookie flavoured bath and shower products she spotted in supermarkets. “I have no words for this one,” she said.
Earlier this year the Crumbl company, which has become one of the fastest selling dessert chains in the US, collaborated with Dove to roll out dessert-scented body washes, hand washes, and body scrubs. The three scents are Confetti Cake, Lemon Glaze, and Strawberry Crumb Cake.
“What/s wrong with the Dove one? It’s just a selection of scents,” added another. “The Dove is the greatest of all time, I want that in Europe,” insisted another.
Bright orange Fanta
“ORANGE Fanta,” wrote Lucija in her baffled post.
There’s nothing like tucking into a cold Fanta on a warm day, but in many European countries, the colour of the treat looks a lot different to other continents. While in the UK and other European countries, it looks light a deep yellow or light orange, in the US it is a bright and bold orange colour. The colour varies because of the ingredients used and regulations.
One US-based Redditor shared their experience drinking the fizzy beverage in Europe, explaining the colour difference was due to different ingredients and varying levels of sugar content. “Fanta in Italy has no dyes or artificial flavours,” they wrote, alongside a photo of the pale yellow drink
They added: “Slightly less sugary and a bit more tangy. It’s the same soda only by name.”
One other commented: “You’re so right about everything but I will not accept Fanta slander. Fanta in Europe is just sparkling orange juice.”
Another shared: “I’m from the Maldives and the Fanta here has the same neon orange colon, isn’t it supposed to be like that?”
“I am from an African country and orange Fanta is so nice but once you move to a European country their Fanta is just disgusting,” another insisted.
Skittles drinks
Lucija was shocked to see what she has dubbed “radioactive soda” after she found Skittles drinks on the shelves of US supermarkets. She found a purple, red and green version of the beverage.
Pre-made hard boiled eggs
Lucija could not believe her eyes as she saw 12 hard boiled eggs in a sealed plastic, grab-and-go bag. “Just ew,” she wrote.
“Hard boiled eggs? Can’t you just boil them by yourself?” commented one confused individual.
Another shocked person said: “HARD BOILED EGGS IN A BAG!? I wonder how it smells when you open that hard boiled bag.”