People Outside Of US Left Shocked After Seeing Customers Inside Restaurant When American National Anthem Plays

People from outside the U.S. were left shocked and unnerved after witnessing the reaction inside a restaurant when the American national anthem began to play.

It’s usually pretty cool to find yourself immersed in the customs and habits of other countries.

However some behaviors can be really hard to wrap your head around if you’re not familiar with them. 

TikTok user Paulina (@paulinappa_0) found herself confronted with one of those behaviors during a trip to the Rainbow Oaks Restaurant in Southern California.

She decided to share the entire experience on the video platform.

The Rainbow Oaks Restaurant is described as a 'lodge-like eatery offering breakfast all day and night’, and it’s known for playing the American national anthem every single day.

People stood up with their right hands on their chest. TikTok/@paulinappa_0

Paulina didn’t know about this tradition, so she was totally caught off guard when 'The Star-Spangled Banner' started playing.

Her video captures the moment when the song begins to ring out in the restaurant, and it’s like the entire world came to a sudden stop. 

Customers all around Paulina stood up, placing their right hands on their hearts, while she and her friend stayed seated, still enjoying their pancakes.

Alongside the video, Paulina added a bit of humor, writing: 

"By far the most dangerous situation I've ever been in #godblessamerica #getout #illegal #whitepeoplethings."

Viewers, especially those from outside the U.S., were stunned by what they saw.

One TikTok user from Australia commented: "Whaaaat?? So freaky. We play ours at the Olympics and ANZAC Day and that's pretty much it."

Another viewer added: "In Spain we don't even hear the national anthem that much, so this would 100% freak me out so much."

One comment even compared the scene to something out of a horror movie, saying: "Everyone stands up as soon as the music plays as you find yourself being the only person not standing."

Even some Americans were a bit unsettled by the video, though many used the opportunity to defend their love for the national anthem and their pride in their country. 

One viewer sarcastically remarked, "Yeah I can see how dangerous this is. Everybody respecting the flag and not paying any attention to you whatsoever. How did you survive?"

After the video went viral, Jeanene Paulino, the owner of Rainbow Oaks, assured everyone that she has no plans to stop the tradition. 

Speaking to Fox & Friends First, she explained:

She went on Fox News Wednesday to defend herself from online critics. Fox News

"I come from a long line of patriots, so I was thrilled to keep the tradition going. No, we won't be stopping."

She continued, "I feel like, if we take a few minutes out of our day to be grateful for the men and women who have made the sacrifices so that we can stand up and say how we feel... 

"And she said how she felt. And I wish she realized that it's because of those men and women who made those sacrifices that she was able to do that."