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The ancient sages sincerely believed that on the other side of the earth's disk (yes, there were even more adherents of the "flat Earth theory" two thousand years ago than now) were people, whom they called "antipodes", who also lived on the other side of the Earth. And since they lived on the other side, then their life flowed in a completely different way.

Almost two millennia have passed - and in the 19th century, the nickname "Antipodes" was given to the Australians, simply because they lived completely on the other side of the planet, according to Britons and Americans, of course. However, we must pay tribute to the Aussies - they were not offended by the nickname, but continued to live in their own way, develop their own version of English - and be surprised at unusual traditions in other countries. For example, in America.

More info: TikTok

#2

Aussie-Too-Stunned-To-Speak

@miraguii Report

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g90814
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

currency differences (currently $1 AUS = 0.66 USD), but still, US still needs to catch up to this decade.

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Various trends are constantly gaining popularity on TikTok, so it’s almost impossible to keep track of everyone. But what we definitely liked was this particular trend, in which Australians, who at different times happened to live in the USA, share their impressions, and also tell what surprised them the most in the American way of life. You can already find dozens of similar videos on TikTok, so Bored Panda has collected for you the most interesting and unusual opinions from people on the other side of the Earth.

#5

Aussie-Too-Stunned-To-Speak

@lil.accidentttttt Report

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LH25
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can transfer from my bank app as well, using Zelle. Honestly, it's no easier than using Venmo.

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By the way, Australia has long and firmly influenced American culture, not just in the series of films about Mick “Crocodile” Dundee, although I personally, having watched them as a kid long ago, was completely delighted. The fact is that no matter which of the Hollywood blockbusters you look at, in almost every one, one of the starring persons will be a native of Australia. Suffice it to mention the names of Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, the Hemsworth brothers, Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Heath Ledger, Naomi Watts - what can I say, Margot Robbie... Yes, that's right, the person who played one of the symbols of American culture was born in Australia!

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#8

Aussie-Too-Stunned-To-Speak

@hrikensjsehduje Report

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Libstak
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an Australian, I call bullsh8t here, sorry we are not all this arrogant.

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S. K.
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not arrogance; it's very mild hyperbole. Education standards are lower in the U.S. than in Australia.

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Sean
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In many US states, the minimum requirements for high school graduation are much lower compared to other parts of the developed world. For example: In my state, the minimum required level of math education for a graduating high school student is basic algebra. This is actually a well known problem in US colleges and universities, since a lot of freshmen students need to play catch-up for their first couple of semesters.

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Mixed Reality Portal
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's getting to be a problem in other parts of the world too. Students are given modular options to make up their exam and they invariably choose the easiest option. They can retake that option to increase the grades, but they leave having achieved a certain grade while not having covered the stuff they actually need. Many of the students I was with at uni has the required grade A in A level maths but ended up having to do a supplementary maths course to continue with the BSc degree. The majority dropped out because they couldn't do it.

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Russ Kincade
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So glad to see that BP hasn't forgotten that "hating on America" is such a great meme. /s

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Quarkbeast
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a graduate student I taught Genetics Labs at undergraduate level (sophomore) in the US. The material I was teaching was the same stuff I learned growing up in the UK in middle school, say age 13.

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Tiffany R
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was teaching multiplication division and rounding to sophomores a few years ago, when these were all done or started in 1st grade when I was growing up... It was "No child left behind" and using school as a daycare. This is why we regularly see homeschooled kids going to college at 12-14...

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Josh
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The real problem is the appalling amount of variation in US education. Two schools in two different states, cities, zip codes, income brackets, etc. can have entirely different standards and difficulties, even if they are supposed to be teaching to the same standards.

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Tiffany R
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The standardization is based on the state deems at level.... So while Maryland standards are lower than all the other states, they also fail to meet their own standards... But AZ is one of the lowest ranked states because of the drop out rate even though the drop outs are more proficient than, say, Maryland graduates.

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Tee Rat
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That usually happens when you attend clown or barber college.

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Wombat1985
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be fair: When I studied abroad in Australia, I was astonished how elementary some of my classes were. We covered stuff in Year 2 that I had already covered in German 11th/12th grade.

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P Wheeler
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends on the school. I got a bachelors from a private university, then took some classes at a state college that made me feel like I was back in high school. Mostly because the other students were whining about homework, talking during class...like they hadn't paid to be there.

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RP
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it is that much lower than Australia, it must be primary school lever for Germans. I was shocked to see that the expectations for maths and literacy in year 7 in Australia were covered in the first year of primary school in Germany. Varies of course from school to school and region to region though.

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Thomas Jones
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Until you're taking 400-level classes, it's a reasonably fair assessment 100-level classes aren't any harder than highschool classes. 10s-level classes are "why didn't you get this in K12??"

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Bex
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Didn't used to be. I went back to get another degree and it was easier than some of my middle school (grade 7-8) courses, so can confirm, especially if this was an older student. May not be a regional but an era issue.

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#9

Aussie-Too-Stunned-To-Speak

@ellajade.7 Report

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Tucker Cahooter
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go to a fish and chip shop in Oz and you will almost always be asked whether you want plain salt or chicken salt

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There is a popular legend that the world map in Australia looks upside down so that Australia and Antarctica are at the top, while Canada and Greenland are at the very bottom, for example. In fact, this is nothing more than a myth, although such a map looks really interesting, and I would definitely hang one in my room.

"The Australian map may seemingly have a strange format, but it's not upside down at all," the Mapshop website claims. "Sure, it's a deviation in convention, an alternative way of looking at the world around us. However, it does not undermine factuality or offer any misrepresentation, as some suggest. Why? Because the more traditional way of representing the world - with north up and south down - is in no way more (or less) valid."

#10

Aussie-Too-Stunned-To-Speak

@official_yeetfeet Report

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Brainmas
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You put your books in the pouch and hop on your kangaroo like everyone else right?

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#11

Aussie-Too-Stunned-To-Speak

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g90814
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are becoming more common, as they are more efficient in many cases.

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Humanity has been living in Pax Americana for at least half a century from a cultural point of view, but in any case, it is always interesting to read and listen to how you look in the eyes of other people. Especially those as resourceful, straightforward and witty as the Australians. So please feel free to scroll this list to the very end and just enjoy these pearls of wit and observation from the Southern hemisphere. Or maybe add some more in the comments in case you were also born somewhere under the constellation of Southern Cross.

#13

Aussie-Too-Stunned-To-Speak

@aawennn Report

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Paul Pienkowski
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

...I live in redneckville and our McDonald's does indeed sell frozen coke. I don't think these Aussies have even tried learning about the USA...

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#14

Aussie-Too-Stunned-To-Speak

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LH25
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My niece was the last person to get a license in our family in the States, about 5 years ago. She had to pass a written test, then a driving test that included residential streets, business areas and the freeway. Much like I did many years ago.

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