"Drive-thru pharmacies?" African woman shares her American culture shock
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- A woman from Africa now based in the US posted a TikTok series about American habits that genuinely caught her off guard after relocating
- From tipping culture to drive-thru pharmacies and windowless bathrooms, the list resonated deeply with Africans living abroad
- Fellow Africans flooded the comments section with their own surprising American experiences after watching the viral TikTok series
An African woman living in the United States has gone viral after sharing a candid TikTok series about the everyday American habits that left her completely stunned following her move abroad.
TikToker @rabia_mlauzi posted the multi-slide video on August 9, 2026, filmed from Atlanta, Georgia, walking viewers through a list of cultural experiences that felt utterly foreign compared to life back home.
The relatability of her observations quickly drew massive attention from Africans both on the continent and in the diaspora.
American Habits That Caught Her Off Guard
One of the first things she pointed out was bathrooms with no windows, relying solely on extractor fans for ventilation.
For someone raised in a home where natural airflow was simply the norm, the setup still feels odd even after settling in.
Portion sizes were next on her list. She described restaurant meals so generously sized that a single plate appeared capable of feeding an entire family, a stark departure from the more modest servings many Africans grow up with.
Tipping culture also featured prominently. Unlike back home, where a tip at a sit-down restaurant is the exception rather than the rule, Americans are expected to tip hairdressers, nail technicians, makeup artists, Uber drivers, food delivery riders, and even guides on boat excursions.
She was equally amazed by American return policies. Shoppers can purchase a product, open it, use it, and still return it with little resistance, even fast food, something that would raise eyebrows in most African countries.
Drive-thru services were another standout. Pharmacies, banks, and coffee shops all offer drive-thru access in the US, prompting her to joke that America had simply decided cars never need to be parked.
Back-to-School Preparations Surprised Her Most
Perhaps the most striking contrast she highlighted involved high school students.
In the United States, preparing for the new school year can include professional nail appointments, lash extensions, and manicures for teenagers.
This is a world away from the reality in many African schools, which typically prohibit nail polish, restrict certain hairstyles and hair colours, and almost universally enforce school uniforms.
The TikTok series resonated widely, with Africans across the diaspora sharing their own moments of culture shock in the comments, many of them echoing her exact experiences or adding fresh surprises to the list.
Netizens weighs in on the culture gap
@🌻Mamami🌻 noted: “Ironically America decided to make people get out of the car for gas.”
@Orisha 𓋹 connected the dots: “Portion size of food and drive thru for everything hence obesity is so prevalent.”
@Nwa Mushavhi shared: “There is a tip for boat rides, had my birthday at Miami on a boat tipped.”
@Zim_M admitted: “I would enjoy the drive thru.”
@user2388439428361 said simply: “American food scares me.”
@Sethu Langa pushed back on the returns point: “You can also return anything in SA though, it's just that most people think it's only reserved for non food items.”
@Phi_Lani 🇿🇦🇿🇼🇨🇦🇺🇸 added a detail she felt was missing: “Make a mistake and get an American ID with your address. The amount of mail that they rely on. They are so loyal to paper mail.”
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.