People outside of US left shocked after seeing customers inside restaurant when American national anthem plays

Picture the scene: you’re enjoying a nice breakfast at a cozy restaurant, casually chatting with your companions, when suddenly, the familiar strains of the American national anthem fill the air. What happens next might surprise you – or even unsettle you, if you’re not from the United States.

That’s exactly what TikTok user Paulina (@paulinappa_0) experienced during a visit to the Rainbow Oaks Restaurant in Southern California. As the “Star-Spangled Banner” began to play, Paulina and her friend remained seated, while the other patrons in the restaurant immediately stood up and placed their hands over their hearts.

Paulina’s video of this unexpected moment has gone viral, sparking a cross-cultural discussion about the deep-rooted patriotism that can be found in certain American establishments. For many non-Americans, the sight of an entire restaurant spontaneously honoring the national anthem was a jarring and even unsettling experience.

The Rainbow Oaks Restaurant is no ordinary eatery. It’s a lodge-like establishment known for serving breakfast all day and night, and for maintaining a longstanding tradition of playing the national anthem on a daily basis.

For regular patrons, this ritual is likely a familiar and even comforting part of their dining experience. But for Paulina, who was visiting from outside the US, it was a completely unexpected occurrence that caught her off guard.

As Paulina’s video went viral on TikTok, it drew a flood of commentary from viewers around the world, many of whom were left perplexed and even unsettled by the scene they witnessed.

One TikTok user from Australia remarked, “Whaaaat?? So freaky. We play ours at the Olympics and ANZAC Day and that’s pretty much it.” Another user from Spain added, “In Spain we don’t even hear the national anthem that much, so this would 100% freak me out so much.”

Some viewers even went so far as to compare the experience to a “horror movie,” with one commentator writing, “Everyone stands up as soon as the music plays as you find yourself been the only person not standing.”

While some non-American viewers were clearly taken aback by the display of patriotism, many Americans rallied to defend the restaurant’s tradition. One viewer snarked, “Yeah I can see how dangerous this is. Everybody respecting the flag and not paying any attention to you whatsoever. How did you survive?”

The owner of the Rainbow Oaks Restaurant, Jeanene Paulino, also stood firm in her commitment to continuing the daily anthem ritual. Speaking to Fox & Friends First, she said, “I come from a long line of patriots, so I was thrilled to keep the tradition going. No, we won’t be stopping.”

The conflicting reactions to the national anthem playing in the restaurant highlight the cultural divide that can exist when it comes to expressions of patriotism. For many Americans, standing and honoring the flag is a deeply ingrained habit, a way of showing respect and gratitude for the sacrifices made by those who have served their country.

But for those from outside the US, such displays of patriotism can be unfamiliar, even jarring. The idea of an entire restaurant freezing in place to honor a national anthem might seem strange, or even uncomfortable, to those who aren’t used to such overt expressions of national pride.

The viral video of Paulina’s experience at the Rainbow Oaks Restaurant has opened a window into the cultural differences that can exist when it comes to matters of patriotism. While Americans may see the daily playing of the national anthem as a cherished tradition, for those from other countries, it can be a bewildering and even unsettling sight.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, these kinds of cultural clashes are likely to become more common. It’s a reminder that even simple acts of patriotism can be deeply meaningful to some, while completely foreign to others. By acknowledging and understanding these differences, we can work to build a more inclusive and tolerant global community.