World Cup tourists to the US joke about gaining the “FIFA 15”

Sometimes it can be hard to find wholesome, uplifting content on the internet. However, this week has seen plenty of joy, as World Cup fans have posted exuberant stories about trying American foods for the first time. While they have posted about everything from hot dogs to barbecue to all manner of fast foods, one item in particular has stood out: ranch dressing. It led to TSA posting a joke about not chugging ranch dressing while in line at the airport, noting that travelers could put a bottle in their checked luggage.

While some of the posts may seem cringe to American foodies, who probably aren’t going to eat at Chipotle five days in a row, it is interesting to see how people react to different foods. One popular German soccer superfan, @FreddyLA7, took a road trip from Georgia to Texas, posting about every meal along the way. He called Taco Bell “the holy land” and braved a 1:00 a.m. visit to Waffle House. Freddy must really be trying to capture the entire American experience in one trip.

When I host friends from abroad, my inclination is to take them to small, local places when we eat out, but there’s something to be said for the novel experience of eating for the first time at a uniquely American establishment like McDonald’s or Taco Bell. It would certainly provide a different perspective from dining at a James Beard Award nominated restaurant or even a local favorite mom-and-pop place. There is space for all of these restaurant experiences to exist – and millions of Americans can’t all be wrong about ranch dressing.