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30 Things That Are An Integral Part Of An American House, As Assumed By Non-Americans In This Online Group
Now that we live in such a global environment, there is nothing weird in admitting that we’re influenced by various cultures. Naturally, by being interested and learning about other countries' customs, habits, foods, and other things, we learn about their everyday life, and how it’s similar or different from our own. One of the most interesting, often talked about and compared places is the United States. Having this in mind, Reddit user @u/Ryrylx was curious to find out what are some of the things that non-American people have noticed and now are convinced that these items are in every American house.
Whether it’s picked up from shows or movies or seen in one of their travels, users online were quick to provide their answers to the question that received almost 48K responses. While some people reminded everyone of some American “classics” such as peanut butter or the variety of dressings and sodas found in one’s fridge, other users were fascinated by the garbage disposal installed in the sink and “washing machines where you put everything in the top”.
What are some of the things that you think every American has in their home? Leave your suggestions in the comments down below!
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Laundry dryer. In my country almost everyone dries their laundry on a wire outside, so the concept of a dryer is baffling to me. I only see them in American Movies & shows. Do majority of you have it or not?
Probably every house has both but it depends on where you live and the time of year whether you can line-dry or not. Where I live I can technically line-dry all year but can't do so when it's windy and dust is blowing.
Air conditioning
Depends on where you live. I grew up in WA state, and it's not common there. I also lived in Alaska; no one has it in their homes. Where I live now, you wouldn't survive summer without it.
Every American household have a drawer full with random s**t (died batteries, screws, shoelace etc)
That garbage disposal thing I always see in shows and movies
Edit/update: In ten 10 hours, I've gotten nearly 20k upvotes and 317 replies. Some of you dudes and dudettes have very passionate opinions about your garbage disposals, I love it
The proper use of a garbage disposal is for those food scraps that inadvertently gets in the sink during food prep or clean up. So convenient to turn on the tap. Run the disposal for a moment, and the mess is gone, theoretically won't clog the drain. Most food scrap should go in the compost at best, bin at worst, but it is nice to not have to muck about with cleaning a nasty drain strainer for the bits that make it to the drain.
I have one and only use it if something falls into the sink. They were never meant to be used for all food!
I've had a garbage disposal for a couple of years now and it scares the c**p out of me. Why is the switch for it next to the light?!
It’s really not hard to keep straight which switch does what. Even so, do you have your hand, or some other precious item, down there while you’re flipping the switch? I’m guessing you don’t. So, why is it scary? I promise you will be fine 😊 Edit: I mean this to be comforting. I really hope it comes across that way and not condescending.
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Not all houses in the States have them, although they can be purchased and installed as add-ons. Right now, our house doesn’t have one, and I’m not missing it. I just through food scraps in the trash.
Skip the 1/3 horsepower. Spring for the 1/2 hp. You won't be disappointed.
Or go with the full horsepower. They'll eat some of the scraps.
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The garbage grinder is for food scraps like banana peels but responsible people like my parents try to compost some of that.
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There is a death metal band called Disposal. The "vocals" are done by a garbage disposal.
We left our last disposal-equipped USA house in 1989 and have yet survived. Yay!
When remodelling my kitchen, I asked a friend who had lived in the US, if she would recommend a waste disposal. She categorically said no.
No. Almost unheard of outside the US, actually banned in some countries for environmental reasons.
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What shows/movies are taking the time to show these trivial things?
A garbage disposal is a necessity in getting rid of leftover food scraps. The alternative is to throw it in the trash, which attracts bugs and flies.
They come with most apartments. I don't ask for them, but the one in the cheap apartments I live in are finicky. You have to be very careful with them.
I wish. I've had them in past residences but the house we bought doesn't have one.
Yeah - and I’m not gonna lie, I sometimes wish they were a thing here in Sweden.
Growing up, I always thought only really rich people had these. Now I've had one in almost every apartment/house I've rented. Turns out, my mom just doesn't like them.
We have one but rarely use it. It's mainly for random scraps of food that go down the drain, and I do run it every other week just to keep it clean & clear - not using it will eventually cause it to go bad. We put most of the food waste in the trash, but if I could have a compost bin that's where it would go except for meat scraps. Damned HOA won't allow composting.
American here - I have never had one and have actually only known a couple people with them in all my many years. I think they are more common for newer built homes (1970s + maybe). I live in an area with much older homes. It’s true you can have them retrofitted in if you really want one but that’s not common in my experience - either the house comes with it or you don’t have one.
Drywall....lots of drywall
I mean, it's not like we have stacks of drywall just laying around the house. They're usually hanging around the walls and ceilings.
Fridge with ice dispenser built in
We do like our cold drinks and our convenience. So, I guess I do resemble this comment.
Eggs *in* the fridge
Isn't it because in the US they wash the protective layer off before sale?
A gallon of milk in the refrigerator
Yeah, we in the U.S. never have warmed up to shelf stable milk, and milk does go well with the cereal mentioned in another post.
A dog !
Cereal
There is not any cereal in the photo. One a bag of 'Cereal Toppers', not sure what it is
A garage fridge. Filled with beer and frozen boxes of c**p from Costco.
A dishwasher.
A dishwasher cycle can often be more conservative of water than hand washing and rinsing. A gallon or two versus quite possibly many more!
Oh oh, the washing machines where you put everything in the top! This fascinated me when we visited the states. They’re huge!
and they suck too...because they frequently go off balance in the spin cycle.
Just a literal block of cheese just chilling in the fridge. I'm certain they woke up randomly at 3am and go 'Omg cheese sounds good right now.'
Always have cheese n the fridge and peanut butter in the cupboard
A musket for home defence, just as the founding fathers intended.
I’m convinced almost every american has a mountain of pillows on their bed
We have a mountain of stuffed animals instead of pillows. Much more cuddly.
Apparently americans are rather fond of Pickles and Peanut Butter. Is that a fair assumption to make?
Edit: I meant either or not both at the same time. ☠️
Those f*****g red disposable beer cups
Plastic bags
Alternatively, an ever increasing pile of reusable and paper bags when people forget certain places have banned plastic bags.
Something that is individually wrapped that doesn’t need to be individually wrapped
Compared to Singapore?? LOL They would individually wrap grapes if they could LOL
One of those giant containers of orange ball food.
Note: this post originally had 35 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
HUH??? What kind of people wrote this thread? Where do they come from? It's like saying most USA houses have a toilet. DUH. Most of the things mentioned here are available in the modern western world. They may look a little different but that's about it. Oh GOSH ... you have a washing machine? I mean really. Sheesh
Since turnabout is fair play: I watch a lot of British crime dramas. From these I've learned that every house in the UK has a collection of transferware dishes displayed on a china hutch. Also, everyone is having an affair, and it leads to a lot of murders.
And a butler. I’m fairly sure. And, possibly, a massive candle stick.
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I feel like most of the things on this list could be in any house in any country. The only one I would consider "American" is the waste disposal in the sink, not that I think every American has one but more I have not seen or heard of one in any other country.
I'm from america I only have about a quarter of those things that the entire rest of the world has. So here is my assumption based off tv and movies that every house in Europe has. Turnips
Unless these are answers from the 3rd world this is a ridiculous thread.
A handegg that father and son can play catch whilst having a father/son talk.
Ahh yes, the American hand egg as opposed to the European testicle boing boing that can neither be thrown nor kicked with any accuracy. Also, let's not forget the futballers who deserve an Academy Award every time someone hurts their feelings and they end up rithing in pain on the pitch until they're healed by the magic sponge...or a yellow card.
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I would like to point out to a lot of the commenters here that the list does not say that these things are ONLY found in American homes.
I have 24 from the list (live in the US). Edit: gotta get me a musket
I'm American and have very few of these things in my house. It constantly baffles me how people can understand that diversity exists within their own country, but simultaneously believe Americans are a bunch of clones who think, behave, eat, drink, etc. exactly alike.
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Other than the gun, the waste disposal, and a sofa facing a studio audience, many homes in Europe have these
HUH??? What kind of people wrote this thread? Where do they come from? It's like saying most USA houses have a toilet. DUH. Most of the things mentioned here are available in the modern western world. They may look a little different but that's about it. Oh GOSH ... you have a washing machine? I mean really. Sheesh
Since turnabout is fair play: I watch a lot of British crime dramas. From these I've learned that every house in the UK has a collection of transferware dishes displayed on a china hutch. Also, everyone is having an affair, and it leads to a lot of murders.
And a butler. I’m fairly sure. And, possibly, a massive candle stick.
Load More Replies... I feel like most of the things on this list could be in any house in any country. The only one I would consider "American" is the waste disposal in the sink, not that I think every American has one but more I have not seen or heard of one in any other country.
I'm from america I only have about a quarter of those things that the entire rest of the world has. So here is my assumption based off tv and movies that every house in Europe has. Turnips
Unless these are answers from the 3rd world this is a ridiculous thread.
A handegg that father and son can play catch whilst having a father/son talk.
Ahh yes, the American hand egg as opposed to the European testicle boing boing that can neither be thrown nor kicked with any accuracy. Also, let's not forget the futballers who deserve an Academy Award every time someone hurts their feelings and they end up rithing in pain on the pitch until they're healed by the magic sponge...or a yellow card.
Load More Replies... I would like to point out to a lot of the commenters here that the list does not say that these things are ONLY found in American homes.
I have 24 from the list (live in the US). Edit: gotta get me a musket
I'm American and have very few of these things in my house. It constantly baffles me how people can understand that diversity exists within their own country, but simultaneously believe Americans are a bunch of clones who think, behave, eat, drink, etc. exactly alike.
Load More Replies... Other than the gun, the waste disposal, and a sofa facing a studio audience, many homes in Europe have these
