Europeans baffled after realising what Americans do in restaurants when their national anthem plays

One person described it as a scene from a 'horror movie'

TikTok user Paulina shared a video to the video platform of customers in a restaurant standing for the national anthem.

The video taken from inside the Rainbow Oaks Restaurant in Southern California went viral.

The lodge-like eatery which serves breakfast ‘all day and night’ plays the national anthem on a daily basis but Paulina was caught off-guard by the tradition as customers around her stood with their hand on their heart for The Star-Spangled Banner.

The TikTok user stayed seated with her friend and filmed the video, posting it with the caption: “By far the most dangerous situation I've ever been in #godblessamerica #getout #illegal #whitepeoplethings.”

As the video began to gain traction, TikTok users around the world shared their thoughts on the matter.

One user from Spain said: “In Spain we don't even hear the national anthem that much, so this would 100% freak me out so much.”

An Australian commented: “Whaaaat?? So freaky. We play ours at the Olympics and ANZAC Day and that's pretty much it.”

Even some Americans criticised the tradition whilst others defended their patriotism.

The owner of the restaurant, Jeanene Paulino, has now spoken to Fox about the viral clip, explaining the tradition.

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.

"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 those men and women who made those sacrifices that she was able to do that."