I hate this "thing" thing, where everyone, or a very large group of people fall into doing the exact same thing because of some social status... Just f*cking grow up already!
Yep. Hive-mind mentality, all do the same thing.
Social media expresses it well.. like that "planking" phase. Bunch of mindless twits laying on something flat and carrying on like fuckwits because it was the "in thing". Recording themselves and posting it on every popular site they can find.
Unfortunately you see it everywhere.. even on this forum.
Ironically, these same people often whinge and moan about "individuality".
*puts his nurse's uniform back on its hanger and back in the closet...* 
****** bars are different, different atmosphere and what not.
Especially if it's one of those country style ones.. which I'm assuming it is, considering your mid western American background.
They are quite similar to the Australian pub.. much more relaxed and easy going, rather than fancy coloured lights bouncing around and blasting bass music that makes you feel like you're about to have an epileptic fit.