Tourists Speak Up About What Surprised Them Most When Visiting the United States

Drink sizes can be one of the funniest shocks for visitors. Someone orders a medium expecting something modest, then gets a cup that feels big enough to share. With ice, free refills, giant straws, and cup holders everywhere, American soft drinks can make ordinary fast-food orders feel weirdly oversized.

The rise of huge drinks is tied to fast food, drive-thru culture, and the American idea of more value for a little extra money. Soda is cheap for restaurants to serve, so bigger cups became an easy way to make customers feel satisfied. Over time, large drinks started seeming normal.