It would be really hard to escape the influence of American culture if you tried, especially in Western countries. It feels like the media is saturated with American life, starting from cartoons and going on to high school-set TV series, Hollywood movies, sitcoms, drama shows, YouTube channels, and everything in between.
Even though we consume so much content based in the US, there are still some things that raise questions. One Reddit user wondered what non-Americans still don't understand about America, and people flooded the thread with their questions. To be fair, some of the things mentioned are just as confusing to Americans as well.
Over 36k comments later, Bored Panda selected the most popular answers to what foreigners just don't get about the US. If you're from the US, maybe you can answer some of these, and if you aren't, maybe there are some things you'd like our American Pandas to clarify, so feel free to leave your questions in the comments below!
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How people seem to be liberal or conservative and will support their side no matter what bad decisions they're making. In Ireland we frequently change allegiance in terms of political parties and support the ones that are doing the most for the people at that time- we are person centred, not party centred. I could never understand this about America.
I also don’t understand that in America you are party centred, yet they still have to elect a candidate. Most other countries trust the party to put forward their best candidate, and will then vote accordingly. Not subject the people to months of campaigns just to elect one person who will then go on to another round of campaigning. What a waste of time and money.
Healthcare and higher education prices. Isn’t having healthy and educated population is what society would benefit from the most?
Why tax is not included in the price tag?
Baffles me how sales taxes vary not only from state to state but often from one area in a state to another in the same state
What is up with Homeowner Associations? Why would you pay to let a nosy neighbour (neighbor sorry) dictate what you can and can not do on your own property? I understand living in an apartment block and paying maintenance fees etc, but in a suburban home?
American here. I don't understand it either, that's why I don't belong to one
The Americans are genuinely friendly and kind, whenever I travelled there I had great experiences. We often see the bizzare side of your vast nation on tv etc. but your average American is a pleasure to meet.
I do find it odd that service industry workers aren’t payed appropriately - tipping really stresses me out as I know it’s not just a bonus for great service. Also, you lot deserve better healthcare.
So, why do you buy politicians' merchandise? Shirts, caps, banners, stickers, etc. They're public servants, not rockstars. Also, usually the more boring they are, the better.
You'll notice, though, that our country's liberals aren't walking around with Biden hats on or waving Biden flags. Because we're not part of an insane cult that believes up is down.
The fact that workers have to file their own taxes, even though the government knows how much everyone owes. But they won’t tell you. They make you do complicated calculations based on a set of ever-evolving rules to figure it out. And then they fine you if you’re wrong.
UK system of taxes being deducted automatically by your employer is much simpler. Can't imagine having to work it all out myself.
Why everything is just SO damn supersized.
My first time in America I went to get ice coffee from Dunkin Donuts, I ordered a large and my friend is like… Are you sure you want large? Yeah no biggie, in the UK a large is not overwhelming I feel so I was expecting the same kinda thing. Oh my god it was like a god damn bucket of coffee. I think maybe a small would have been equivalent to a UK large, lesson swiftly learnt.
The amount of sugar in everything. It's so very very much.
Because they want you to spend money on healthcare for your poor, poor teeth
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a slight trigger warning- when i was a teenager i would not eat for days at a time because i was so scared of gaining weight and the food that my family was able to afford was just sugar with a little flavoring of something else mixed in. we couldn’t buy the healthy stuff so i just… skipped
Don’t forget the all the genetically modified high fructose corn syrup in practically everything. That stuff is poison!!
American here. Oh dear God so much sugar in everything. Cutting it out of your diet is so hard because so many foods I buy at the market have added sugar. To avoid sugar, you pretty much have to cook many foods from scratch.
It’s more important than smoking ever was - that’s not trivialising smoking, it’s spelling out how serious the problem actually is
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No worse than many countries where everything is fried in gallons of oil.
What I really don't understand is pancake's with syrup and bacon what the actual hell is that about.
I can't find a brand of sliced bread that I can tolerate at this point. It's all way too sweet for bread, so I'm going to have to start baking my own. (Actual bakeries are few and far between here.)
it's why we all have high blood pressure and are angry at everything /hj
it is seriously disgusting. People wonder why Americans are so fond of Ice? to dilute the drink so it's a fluid, not cough syrup consistency
I guess the Americans need all that sugar for energy to keep working all those hours, and when they're not working, making the most of their holidays, and figuring out their taxes. . .
Especially in foods you would never expect to have any sugar. Try to get people addicted to their product to keep buying it. Should be illegal.
They even cook thrir popcorn in sugar. I’m dead, fricking, serious! It’s revolting! 🤢
Kettle corn is amazing! But we make it a lot of different ways. I airpop.
Load More Replies... 🎶But a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down 🎶 even if it makes you too fat to sit in a regular chair
MM/DD/YYYY.
Pledging allegiance. To me that's just silly. i love my country but I would never expect or be expected to stand and salute the flag in school (or is that just the movies).
The amount off National Parks! My dream came true in 2017 to make an RV trip southwest off USA. Yosemite blew my mind away.
National parks of the US and the public library system are two of many great things about the US(for me).
The weird obsession with race and heritage.
America isn't called "the melting pot" for no reason. I am Native American, and my ancestors were told to comply and worst of all assimilate. The US government tried to commit genocide of Native Americans. My particular tribal family did not go on the Trail of Tears, and were labeled outlaws at their own peril. You're damn right I'm proud they stuck up for themselves. I'm proud of it because they tried to obliterate it.
The tipping culture is so foreign to me, I would be so scared to make a mistake or not tipping enough if I ever go to America, because it's not something which is common here in Denmark.
Why do public restrooms include a small opening between the doors that allows passersby to see you when you're taking a p**s?
Always needed so in crime dramas the cop can look to see where the crook is and bust down the door
How ready people are to sue.
Scottish person here but the work/always available for work culture. Minimal vacation time, minimal maternity/paternity leave and the fact you can pretty much just be let go. It makes me sad to think about it!
But I do love that you guys cram so much in to your time off - you guys love a road trip!
Valet parking. Why would I want some stranger messing with my car? I can park my own car, thank you very much.
Shoes indoors.
It is *intensely* weird. It must result either in dirtier floors, or a need for more frequent cleaning and there does not seem to be a good reason.
The climate varies widely across the US. Shoes may be for warmth in some areas. In the summer, my family roams around barefooted, indoors and out.
The culture of just... Talking to people, strangers you dont know and just up and start a conversation with them or join a conversation.
Im British, and we go through great lenghs to not talk to people, let alone opening up and pouring our hearts out to a random person.
I have had some great conversations with strangers. I have also learned a lot. For example, when I was young, I was buying my own groceries for the first time and had no idea how to pick out a cabbage. An elderly lady just up and told me how to do it. It worked!
There's a lot. But I visited the US for the first time in December, and one thing that stood out to me: billboards. All along the highway. Billboards everywhere. Most of them for scummy looking lawyers. Why this?
I’m American but I’ve worked with a lot of people who aren’t. The one thing they always wonder is why Americans are so obsessed with the NFL. They think it’s a boring sport. They explained “you wait for 30 seconds, they hike the ball, you get about 5-10 seconds of action, then you wait another 30 seconds, another 5-10 seconds of action, then commercial break”
Why is that one Kansas, but the other one is not Arkansas? America explain. What do u mean its aRkAnSaW???
Any British person pointing the finger at Americans about the disconnect between spelling and pronunciation is definitely a case of the pot calling the kettle black
How you have to share a room with some complete rando when you go to college.
I'm american and I still don't understand why 5280 feet is a mile.
College and even high school sports. One of the last times I was in the US I passed a high school. Their football field looked like a university stadium — complete with lights, stands, logos, and advertising. My Canadian high school had football too but nobody cared about it other than the team and the players’ families.
My mom is from Moscow during the Soviet Era, and she is confused why there is no teacher-student hierarchy. She thinks it's weird when teachers participate in school plays or speak to students informally.
She also DOES NOT GET pajama day. To her, it's just the weirdest thing in the world. In Russia, there is an important distinction between "clothes for home" and "clothes for outside". They have a concept of "home clothes", like your cozy or ugly clothes, that you are supposed to change into after school or work. At bedtime, you change out of your "home clothes" into pajamas. As a result, pajamas, for both adults and children, are considered extra-extra private in Russia. My mom perceives pajama day as something extreme like wearing only undergarments to school. That's how private pajamas are considered to be in Russia!
I have many students from the Ukraine. We have certain morale boosting events at school to make things fun, but students are not required to participate. Not all of the American students participate. As for how we speak to students, I am always respectful, and I speak in a way I think they will best understand.
Why your toilets have so much water in them? Just came back from a holiday there, very deep. Just seemed wasteful of water in some places I've heard with drought conditions before.
Also, the gap in public toilet doors as well. I've heard people mention before on reddit, but didn't realise until experiencing it. Never seen that gap anywhere else in the world I've been.
American high schools. Growing up watching American media made my perception of high school so distorted. Apparently at some point in one's late teens to mid-twenties, you're still attending school, but you're also dating on a pretty serious basis and have a car and a job (not to mention a fairly dedicated sports career), and if you're really driven you might also be in a band and tutor while managing the yearbook, school newspaper, and local Shakespeare production. And you still find another two hours to spend lunch with your friends at the mall!
I am sure this is just in the movies and shows. Plus no one looks like that in High School. Edit: I am an idiot!
Waiting like eight weeks after your elections until the new guy comes into power is pretty damn weird.
Why most of the shower heads are glued to the wall. How on earth do you wash your t**ts.
"Most" is an odd statement. In apartments and hotels, sometimes yes. They don't want you messing with them. In our homes? We have handheld showerheads.
Housing codes, and why all your front gardens are just grass, and identical.
Why do Americans put their TVs so high up the wall? I understand that sometimes it’s because there’s a fireplace below where it should be, but how do they even watch the TV without straining their necks?
Balances out craning your neck to look down at your phone all day.
Note: this post originally had 38 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.
I would like for once reading an article about USA (and about the rest of the world to be honest) that points out quirky or funny habits without feeling the need of bashing them. The US have big social problems, but most of the Americans are aware of them, they don't like the situation they are in and they are probably frustrated that there's no way to change the system in a eyeblink. Why bashing them for something that is out of their control? Why don't let people know how do they differ in culture, habits and tradition highlighting other aspects of them that aren't just the problem?
I totally agree. I live in the UK and there's easily enough bad stuff here for a couple of posts and I imagine the same goes for other countries. If they're going to criticise they should at least make it equal.
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Enough already, BoredPanda. These articles are nothing but lazy and obnoxious stereotypes. I’m not even originally from the US and can’t believe how many negative articles this site posts. It’s truly disturbing and lazy on behalf of your “writers.” What the heck has happened to this site these past couple of years? It used to be a place where you wrote quirky articles and celebrated artwork from around the world, now it has become so mean spirited. I highly doubt that you actually read your comments, but you’re going to lose your readership
It's either these type of posts or AITA posts where they very clearly aren't. I agree that the quality of BP has dropped considerably. I actually find it kind of boring now.
Load More Replies... Can we talk about the things that make more sense in America? I like the drive-in/ drive through culture, much easier for people with mobility issues and safer during covid. I also like that your cities don't look like the town planners threw a pot of noodles on the floor and called it a map. Edit for clarity - I'm not a fan of driving culture, but I specifically like drive in and drive through facilities along side the regular facilities.
Yes! While driving culture has its ups and downs, and historically f*cked over a lot of minority communities, it has been great benefit to my disabled @ss. I particularly admire our willingness to pave roads up ridiculous mountainsides. I’m not healthy enough to be a mountain climber, no matter how much I dearly want to be, and American roads have gotten me very close lol
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OK time to be nice to the Americans because they get a lot of hate on Bored Panda. America also has a lot of really great things, and has done some great things. Lots of national parks, lots of space, awesome buildings, NASA (omg the best thing), hollywood (I do like it even if it is predictable), silicon valley (we owe you a lot for that), standardisation of english as lingua franca due to the bretton-woods thing, military intervention in ww2 (but wars after that were probably your fault), er... m&m's, those are nice. Fast food... hmm quality needs improving but the basic idea is useful (my country's fast food is slower but better, but the speed with which a big mac is made amazes me)... er what else. Ford and the production line concept, edison light (even if he stole some ideas)... telephone, internet. We owe USA a lot. So I think it's good that even if we pick on the americans for their weirdness (eg imperial units) and violence (e.g. George Floyd), let's also remember we owe them.
Thanks, nice list. England still uses Imperial. Violence is everywhere-I mean, you live in SA
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Whew, I’m glad we got another one of these…It’s been a couple weeks, I was getting worried.
A bunch of false generalizations that could apply anywhere in the world peppered with the occasional true comment.
OH MY GAWWD YOU AMERICANS WEAR SHOES IN YOUR HOUSES LOLOLOLOL - I swear my eyes are going to roll back in my head if I see that one more time
No s**t! Not all of us were shoes indoors! I only keep them on if I'm going back out soon. Plus, you CAN wipe your shoes on the door mat before entering, you know!
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The usual weekly USA bashing is right on schedule. The only problem with this is that they are always the same. Can you people come up with something new besides the healthcare, metric system, bathroom stalls, high school football, why it is called football, etc etc etc. C**p is getting old, overplayed and just plain stupid. If you don't like what we do here then just stay away.
For a site that purports to embrace diversity and understand that different cultures do things different ways, BP loves to point the finger at the US with the regularity of an addict jonesing for a fix. The only time fingers should be pointed is when people are being hurt by a cultural practice. Otherwise, live and let live and stop throwing stones from your glass house. We are a relatively new culture, historically speaking, and a melting pot of multiple cultures, including all of yours. The rest of the world has millennia of history of questionable behavior, but it's always the US and its measly 246 years of existence that everyone bashes. It's like bullying the new kid. It's cringeworthy and sad. You should stop.
I completely agree. Going on and writing articles making fun of American culture is totally not ok. If i, an American, went to anotjer country where they were only exposed to these stereotypes, it would be hard for me to embrace culture there. Why cant we embrace our differences in culture instead of criticizing them. This is the same as if i were to weird about the weird things people do in some other country and making fun them
Tbh, I like these kind of articles. I have never been to the US, but heard a lot about stereotypes. So this is a chance to learn and get rid of those stereotypes, right? After this being said... How is is like to live in the Tornado alley?
I was born and raised in Tornado Alley. Although tornadoes tear through nearly every single year, you never really get used to it. It's a terrifying, unpredictable force of nature. I live in Pennsylvania now, and do NOT miss tornadoes, lol.
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I think my biggest reality check after moving to california was just crossing the road and my then g/f started freaking out about jay walking as a couple of beat officers were walking towards me.....jay walking? wtf you talkin bout.... I've been crossing roads since i was like sev... oh hello officers.. i'm not allowed to cross the road here? ok..... but for ffs, please do not tell that woman over there she was right all along cause i'll never hear the e...... yeah... sorry... I'll shut up now and look for a crossing elsewhere...... yall have a nice day now;.
Freshman/sophomore/junior/senior. What? I'm assuming there's some history to this but, still, what? (Also military school, wft is that about?)
I would like for once reading an article about USA (and about the rest of the world to be honest) that points out quirky or funny habits without feeling the need of bashing them. The US have big social problems, but most of the Americans are aware of them, they don't like the situation they are in and they are probably frustrated that there's no way to change the system in a eyeblink. Why bashing them for something that is out of their control? Why don't let people know how do they differ in culture, habits and tradition highlighting other aspects of them that aren't just the problem?
I totally agree. I live in the UK and there's easily enough bad stuff here for a couple of posts and I imagine the same goes for other countries. If they're going to criticise they should at least make it equal.
Load More Replies... Enough already, BoredPanda. These articles are nothing but lazy and obnoxious stereotypes. I’m not even originally from the US and can’t believe how many negative articles this site posts. It’s truly disturbing and lazy on behalf of your “writers.” What the heck has happened to this site these past couple of years? It used to be a place where you wrote quirky articles and celebrated artwork from around the world, now it has become so mean spirited. I highly doubt that you actually read your comments, but you’re going to lose your readership
It's either these type of posts or AITA posts where they very clearly aren't. I agree that the quality of BP has dropped considerably. I actually find it kind of boring now.
Load More Replies... Can we talk about the things that make more sense in America? I like the drive-in/ drive through culture, much easier for people with mobility issues and safer during covid. I also like that your cities don't look like the town planners threw a pot of noodles on the floor and called it a map. Edit for clarity - I'm not a fan of driving culture, but I specifically like drive in and drive through facilities along side the regular facilities.
Yes! While driving culture has its ups and downs, and historically f*cked over a lot of minority communities, it has been great benefit to my disabled @ss. I particularly admire our willingness to pave roads up ridiculous mountainsides. I’m not healthy enough to be a mountain climber, no matter how much I dearly want to be, and American roads have gotten me very close lol
Load More Replies... OK time to be nice to the Americans because they get a lot of hate on Bored Panda. America also has a lot of really great things, and has done some great things. Lots of national parks, lots of space, awesome buildings, NASA (omg the best thing), hollywood (I do like it even if it is predictable), silicon valley (we owe you a lot for that), standardisation of english as lingua franca due to the bretton-woods thing, military intervention in ww2 (but wars after that were probably your fault), er... m&m's, those are nice. Fast food... hmm quality needs improving but the basic idea is useful (my country's fast food is slower but better, but the speed with which a big mac is made amazes me)... er what else. Ford and the production line concept, edison light (even if he stole some ideas)... telephone, internet. We owe USA a lot. So I think it's good that even if we pick on the americans for their weirdness (eg imperial units) and violence (e.g. George Floyd), let's also remember we owe them.
Thanks, nice list. England still uses Imperial. Violence is everywhere-I mean, you live in SA
Load More Replies... Whew, I’m glad we got another one of these…It’s been a couple weeks, I was getting worried.
A bunch of false generalizations that could apply anywhere in the world peppered with the occasional true comment.
OH MY GAWWD YOU AMERICANS WEAR SHOES IN YOUR HOUSES LOLOLOLOL - I swear my eyes are going to roll back in my head if I see that one more time
No s**t! Not all of us were shoes indoors! I only keep them on if I'm going back out soon. Plus, you CAN wipe your shoes on the door mat before entering, you know!
Load More Replies... The usual weekly USA bashing is right on schedule. The only problem with this is that they are always the same. Can you people come up with something new besides the healthcare, metric system, bathroom stalls, high school football, why it is called football, etc etc etc. C**p is getting old, overplayed and just plain stupid. If you don't like what we do here then just stay away.
For a site that purports to embrace diversity and understand that different cultures do things different ways, BP loves to point the finger at the US with the regularity of an addict jonesing for a fix. The only time fingers should be pointed is when people are being hurt by a cultural practice. Otherwise, live and let live and stop throwing stones from your glass house. We are a relatively new culture, historically speaking, and a melting pot of multiple cultures, including all of yours. The rest of the world has millennia of history of questionable behavior, but it's always the US and its measly 246 years of existence that everyone bashes. It's like bullying the new kid. It's cringeworthy and sad. You should stop.
I completely agree. Going on and writing articles making fun of American culture is totally not ok. If i, an American, went to anotjer country where they were only exposed to these stereotypes, it would be hard for me to embrace culture there. Why cant we embrace our differences in culture instead of criticizing them. This is the same as if i were to weird about the weird things people do in some other country and making fun them
Tbh, I like these kind of articles. I have never been to the US, but heard a lot about stereotypes. So this is a chance to learn and get rid of those stereotypes, right? After this being said... How is is like to live in the Tornado alley?
I was born and raised in Tornado Alley. Although tornadoes tear through nearly every single year, you never really get used to it. It's a terrifying, unpredictable force of nature. I live in Pennsylvania now, and do NOT miss tornadoes, lol.
Load More Replies... I think my biggest reality check after moving to california was just crossing the road and my then g/f started freaking out about jay walking as a couple of beat officers were walking towards me.....jay walking? wtf you talkin bout.... I've been crossing roads since i was like sev... oh hello officers.. i'm not allowed to cross the road here? ok..... but for ffs, please do not tell that woman over there she was right all along cause i'll never hear the e...... yeah... sorry... I'll shut up now and look for a crossing elsewhere...... yall have a nice day now;.
Freshman/sophomore/junior/senior. What? I'm assuming there's some history to this but, still, what? (Also military school, wft is that about?)
