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It’s no secret—the rest of the world looks at how peculiar American culture can be and wonders if it’s even real.

‘Cause let’s face it—even if it looks fine for us, that doesn’t mean that having police patrol your school, paying for a ride to the hospital, and calling the toilet “restroom” when we all know very well there ain't nobody going there to have a rest shouldn’t raise a brow for others.

So this time, we are looking at what American things make our fellow non-American friends scratch their heads in simple, yet very spot-on questions below. Our dear American Pandas are also welcome to help separate what’s real, what’s rumors, and what only happens in movies in the comments! And after you're done with this post, check out our previous one with things Americans do that require an explanation for non-Americans.

#1

Questions-For-Americans

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Ceredwyn Ealanta
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But taking off shoes and socks when you come in is nearly as good as taking off your bra.

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#3

Questions-For-Americans

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GirlFriday
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have them. They are usually part of the cheerleader squad or dance squad. It is a sports thing. We take sports very seriously.

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Even though Americans and Europeans share many things, like commitment to democratic principles, a strategic alliance, and some of the highest standards in the world, there are still some very notable differences between them.

A 2016 study done by Pew Research Center was very revealing in that respect. First of all, it showed that Americans are more likely to believe they control their own destiny.

The research showed that a staggering 57% of Americans disagreed with the statement “Success in life is pretty much determined by forces outside our control.” The percentage was higher than in any other European nations polled.

#6

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Brendan
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An affective way to make the 'popular' kids feel even more popular.

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The second interesting thing the Pew poll showed is that “Americans prioritize individual liberty, while Europeans tend to value the role of the state to ensure no one in society is in need.”

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When it comes to religion, it turned out that over half in the US (53%) say religion is extremely important in their life, which is nearly double the share with the same view in Poland.

In France, for example, only 14% consider religion a very important aspect of their lives.

#8

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chi-wei shen
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How else would you call them? Students wouldn't use the teachers first name.

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#9

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GirlFriday
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some schools are more strict than others and require them. My schools didn't require them. We just excused ourselves and went to the restroom when needed.

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#10

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GirlFriday
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No. They don't - at least the schools that I went to and my nieces and nephews don't (they are ages 4 - 17). In the past, students were made to recite the "pledge of allegiance" each morning, but I think this is something that has fallen by the wayside.

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#11

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giraffescupcakesandlove
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some schools don't allow it, but at the schools I went to we were allowed to. It was fun! You can put magnets, quotes, pictures of loved ones.

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#12

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Potter
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, and there are usually one or two questions where you have to read something and write a few pages for it.

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#13

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Kat Hoth
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, and sometimes mail does get stolen even though it's a federal offense.

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#14

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#18

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chi-wei shen
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's so unusual with this? I'm Austrian and my children's friends never used my first name.

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#19

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Foxxy (The Original)
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again something that is not just American, I know many people that say this including myself and my daughter. Sometimes my daughter comes up and says “Question” and I reply “answer”.

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Dilly Millandry
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes but which came first - did you start doing it because you saw it being done. Influence from tv shows is sometimes not obvious.

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BG
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you're interrupting someone for clarification. It lets them know that you're not just randomly butting-in.

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Computernaut
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I believe it's a shortened form of "Can I ask a question" or "I have a question".

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Eric Mac Fadden
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Portuguese we do, sometimes - just when you want focus on the matter

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Donny Cromwell
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My girlfriend just said this. "Question. Is this mine?" And had to laugh because I was just reading this the other day.

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Gillbella
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can understand where this comes from: an american friend has a upward lilt on every sentence so everything sounds like a question? Totally hard to understand what she is saying? Like, so hard? .... anyway, if she prefaces with question at least it helps everyone else know if they need to answer.

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Damaris Gilbert
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes, but it's one of those things where you can't understand when it goes unless ur a native speaker or have lived somewhere that speaks English for years. None of us can explain why and when we say it.

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Dark Pearl
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, I do. These things aren't necessarily limited to America...

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Shawn Barry
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and the person asked will reply 'answer' in a friendly, snarky way

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J. M. Montes
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. And the other person always has to say "answer" when responding.

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Kate Yeti
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My kids, every time: "can I ask you a question?" I'm trying to break them of that habit!

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Kate J
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3 years ago

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Weishaar Jamie
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes. In Spanish the ? begins the sentence so, it's kind of the same idea.

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Cassie
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3 years ago

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Gerry Higgins
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, not really. That would be a personal foible of one lame douche jerk loser.

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lara
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, they really do say it and it drives me freaking nuts. JUST ASK THE QUESTION, LET ME FIGURE IT OUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL ME IT IS A QUESTION.

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80 Van
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are two instances where that often happens. The first (likely what this person has seen) is a technique on TV to denote that a character is socially awkward. The other is to set up an ironic or funny question.

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Danieletc
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, not much. We're not that kind of a-hole. We're moar "rant on Facebook" kind of a-hole.

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Stimpy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Similar thing is not uncommon in germany also (" kurze Frage..." or "ich hätte ne Frage...").

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#22

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#24

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chi-wei shen
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think children all over the world have to feel "slightly suicidal" to do this.

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#25

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80 Van
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, we call eye doctors “Optometrists,” and we call Opticians “Opticians.”

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#29

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Bill
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

most countries do because it has been a part of military training for centuries. They want inshape youth for military service.

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#30

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