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Growing up in a European country and never witnessing what it's like to go to an American school, watching American high school comedies, to me, has always been a pretty surreal experience. I'm sure that most of you fellow non-Americans reading this article could relate to me on this.

There are so many things about American schools that have always seemed utterly fascinating to me. For instance, you get letter grades instead of number ones, schools have swimming pools inside them, there's a club for almost anything, you have to get a hall pass to go to the bathroom during class, and lunch meals are usually pretty bizarre. The list goes on. With that being said, Bored Panda invites you to look through this list of tweets from non-American Twitter users in which they share things that they find the strangest about American schools. Feel free to explain to us the things we don't understand or add your own in the comment section!

#1

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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

I don’t ever know what A levels etc. are. One of these days I need to look it up.

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#3

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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

Yes, but the cheerleaders were just normal students, not stuck up and they didn't wear their uniforms in class.

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#4

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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

Yes, because if you're in the hall without one, then you MUST be commiting murder (Sarcasm lads)

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#5

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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Charlotte A.
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Sweden it starts in august and ends in june. Nothing odd about it, to me.

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#8

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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

They used to have E as a failing grade, but people thought it meant Excellent, so they changed it to an F.

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#10

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

Wait, don't all schools have cafeterias? Where do you eat your lunch?

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#12

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

Canadian here. They don't close schools in Canada unless it's been colder than -40C for three days in a row.

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#15

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

Yeah, it's either "I can barely get the water to come out" or "the fountain spray is so strong that it made a hole in my water bottle"

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

Yes we have them but they are gross AF because kids will put their mouth on the spout. But you’re allowed to bring a water bottle and they sell water bottles in the cafeteria so you don’t have to use one

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

They either put out a water stream that's barely half an inch (1 cm) above the outlet, or they shoot the water halfway to the ceiling. So you either have to get everyone else's germs trying to get the water out of a little bubble, or you get sprayed in the face. Fun.

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

Yes and they are gross. they are always covered in spit.

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

You've never seen a water fountain? I find that hard to believe. I'm in Europe and they're everywhere.

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

Ever had water sprayed in your eye? and enjoyed it? Then yes they're awesome

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

how little is your measurement that you're talking about?

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

Yes, we have them. And I've seen kids putting their WHOLE MOUTH over the spout. Super gross. Do not use.

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

Some do. Ours were recently replaced with bottle filling station ones.

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Carol Lewis
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

New thing in our schools, cold filtered water to encourage kid to usr reusable water bottles to reduce plastic waste. They almost all bring disposable water bottles to school. Not all schools have the filtered ones tho. It has helped reduce our plastic bottles use. It really adds up when that many people use disposable water bottles every day.

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

Yes, we do have them. They're nothing really special around here but handy if you're thirsty in a pinch.

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

The annoying kids put their whole mouths on them. SO yeah, pretty darn cool if you're trying to spread every germ possible.

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

in the age of covid, they're all shut off and you have to bring your own water bottle (theoretically full of water).

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

The water is always nasty and warm and when it’s not the fountain is out of order. Honestly, it’s better when it’s out of order because people are gross.

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001Frozendude
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they taste like crap! and metal, and copper...and lead solder.. yuck

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

This is a weird question, of course they are going to make sure kids have drinking water! What goes on elsewhere? It’s not just school either, but lots of public places

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

wait is this an American thing? where the heck do you guys get water?

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

Yes but the water always tastes and smells like rotten eggs

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

yeah they break down a ton and they're usually really gross

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

Yes and if you have ever drank from one you are probably familiar with the metal taste it leaves in your mouth.

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

Yes, but no one who is even a little germaphobic uses them. Nowadays most of the students bring their water bottles to class and fill them as needed. And we also have a school store where they can by fruit juice and coffee.

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

That makes no sense. There's no difference between drinking from it, or filling your water bottle from it.

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Melissa C
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3 years ago

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

One time some kids stuck leaves and stick REALLY in there and the pipe burst

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

they are not cool. kids will literally lick them and then the teacher won't let you get your water bottle so you have to either drink some weirdos backwash or be beyond thirsty and unable to focus.

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

yes we do. they are not cool. they are a nightmare to drink from. they also dont work half the time

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

Push a button, water comes out, drink, leave. CALL THE PRESIDENT

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angie but who cares
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yeah i dont like them but the water is realy good but they are hard to drink from

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

Yup and they're full of lead! Except for the one in the locker rooms, they're always the best

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PikachuFan7
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once at my school it was so cold in the morning that there was icicles on the playground and the pipes were frozen.

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#18

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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

Yes, teachers want you in class to learn, not loitering in the bathroom.

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#21

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

To be very honest, I'm English and I usually do page count rather than word count

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#25

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

So we aren't "distracted". Even rooms with windows usually had the blinds closed.

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#26

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

Not really. We have nearby schools we compete against in sports, but any rivalry is very light-hearted.

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#32

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

Candy was usually a very tiny part, if it was there at all. But it was the most exciting part!

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