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Not everyone is cut out for book-learning and that’s ok. Realistically, being able to name, say, every capital city in the world isn’t actually that useful. However, knowing the difference between a city, a continent and a country is possibly the bare minimum someone should still be aware of.
We’ve gathered some of the most wild examples of the Americans saying things that are simply an indictment of their education system. So get comfortable as you scroll through, prepare to be deeply confused and disturbed, be sure to upvote your favorites, and share your thoughts in the comments below.
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#1
French, Spanish, Latin Are Dead Languages
RELATED:
#2
America Is The Reason You Have Cars
#3
"It's Color Not Colour"
Learner Panda 5 months ago
Is it impossible for Americans to acknowledge other countries have different spellings?
Americans come to the world with the same enthusiasm that they bring to all-you-can-eat buffets: idealistic, in good intentions, and blissfully unaware of what they've loaded onto their plate. Part of the reason is simply geographical size. In a nation where driving to the next decent supermarket can take three hours (hyperbole, but still), boarding a train to another country and crossing borders seems as distant as taking a camel through Death Valley.
Most people grow up wandering beaches in Florida or Montana's small towns and believe that "world travel" is merely a longer car trip, tolls optional. Another baddie is our school curriculum that sometimes treats world history as an appendix to learning about American history. Students can rattle off the causes of the Civil War in excruciating detail but stall when asked who governed India prior to 1947.
#4
In Europe You Can't Buy Utility Knifes
Ann Kapoxeet 5 months ago
America (US)...where people walk around carrying a*****t rifles like they're lunch boxes 😱
#5
"England Doesn't Speak English They Speak British. America Speaks English"
#6
“No One That Speaks English Writes In Celsius.”
Robin Roper 5 months ago
To be honest, the dote who posted this probably thinks Canada is the 51st state.
It's not really a conspiracy and is more cramming all factoids about domestic politics into textbooks that would make War and Peace seem short. When foreign capitals and cultures get a paragraph wedged at the rear of the book, it's easy to graduate with honors in U.S. geography and a passing mark in "Everybody Else's Land."
#7
This Is Self Explanatory
#8
Solar Panels Run Off Power Plants Which Are Powered By Fossil Fuels
Sally Moen 5 months ago
Depends on where you live. Alot of power plants do run on petroleum products. Used to be there were coal-burning power plants, most were replaced but I believe our current President wants more coal-burning plants. In the Seattle area, our electricity is mainly snowmelt-powered
#9
Modern Europe, Japan And China Is Less Than 75 Years Old
And then there's the media bubble. Turn on most cable news channels or social media feeds, and you’ll find a nonstop loop of domestic stories punctuated by headlines like “Trade Talks with Some Country You’ve Never Heard Of.”
#10
I Figured Out How European Time Works And It Was Like A Lightbulb Went Off In My Brain
#11
"France Has Like 100 People In It"
On a video talking about US insurance and healthcare
#12
Ah Yes, The Ever Trusty No-Internet WiFi Technology
International coverage often pauses long enough to mention a crisis before switching back to celebrity gossip, political theatrics, and sports highlights. With algorithms serving up more of what keeps viewers clicking, little wonder that an average American might recognize every Kardashian but not the prime minister of a neighboring country.
#13
No One Goes To Europe For The Food
Jonas Fisher 5 months ago
I've traveled and lived abroad. I will say that (in my experience) the US has a higher median quality of international foods than many of the places I've traveled. Sure, if you want the best Chinese, go to China, or if you want Italian, go to Italy. But if you are in China, you're not going to find much good Italian. The US (due to such a robust immigrant population) has a higher average quality of many culinary traditions. And as a small note, US barbecue is a wonderful and delicious culinary style.
#14
On A Post With A Recipe That Measures With Grams
#15
Americans With Water vs. Europeans With Water
Upstaged75 5 months ago
You mean they don't carry around 10 pound Stanley bottles like a status symbol?
Language plays its part too. In many European countries, you’re more likely to encounter people who speak three or four languages by high school graduation. In the USA, however, learning something besides English is typically presented as an after-school elective for extra credit rather than as a required ability. Why bother, after all, if everyone else "speaks English"?
#16
“Pretty Sure Scale Wise The Entireity Of Europe Would Fit Between NY And Chicago.”
Michael Largey 5 months ago
This is what I call The Pretty Sure Principle. No true statement has ever followed those two words.
#17
'Im Proud To Be Irish'
#18
"They May Have Created The Language But We Perfected It"
This monolingual concept can make visitors lost not just because they can't read signs and menus, but because they've lost the mental exercise of navigating the world in another language.
#19
"Euro-Poors Do Not Believe In Refrigeration"
#20
“Our American Language”
#21
Calls People Out For Bad Grammar. Also, Has Bad Grammar
Financial and logistical barriers erect a last shell of insulation. Passports used to be trinkets rather than necessities, and the cost and inconvenience of visas even deter inquiring minds. Holiday budgets are spent on the cost of flights, little left to go and visit museums or chat with locals when you're there. It's easier and cheaper to binge-watch a foreign drama on Netflix than to fly to its filming location, and you get subtitles instead of jet lag.
#22
The Holy Trinity Of Trying To Teach Someone What Prefixes Are
#23
You Can’t Arrest Somebody Without Their Consent In Europe
#24
There Is Not, And Never Has Been Fascism In America
Under a post about American scientist who wants to move to Europe.
There are such barriers, though, that there is hope: every American who finally gets that Europe is not a Midwestern state, or that Africa is a continent, not a country, gets closer to being a world citizen. A spoonful of humility, a sense of humor, and the ability to say you've been blissfully unaware are where it begins. And who knows, once you observe the world doesn't end at your state line, you might find that the smorgasbord of human experience tastes a lot more delectable than you ever imagined.
#25
“It Is Spelt ‘Payed’ Outside Of America As In Australia, Brittain, And Other English Speaking Non American Countries”
#26
“NYC Has Better Asian Food Than Asia Does.”
#27
La Has A Bigger Economy Than The Whole Of Europe
#28
Keep That Commie Frenchness Away From Us
Spidercat 5 months ago
Wow...an American who's never heard of a 9mm round. Wonders will never cease.
Crystalwitch60 5 months ago
Actual as a 60 yr old woman in uk lol I hate metric 😂I always work in feet n inches m pounds n ounces so much easier ,so I agree either way him here , another reason we left the eu !!
Mike Price 5 months ago
Here in Canada we drive in km/hr, buy milk and gasoline in litres and cheese and butter in grams, but we still use inch-sized lumber in house construction, and plywood in 4ft x 8ft sheets . . . .
Mike Price 5 months ago
( - and a 2x4 wall stud is really one-and-a-half x three-and-a-half inches - (my computer keyboard doesn't do fractions)).
Load More Replies... #29
“Niche Dialects Like British English”
Hippopotamuses 5 months ago
Oh really. I didn't know that. I wonder why! Untitled-6...e5ec3e.jpg 
#30
American Freedom And Liberty
Hippopotamuses 5 months ago
Is US history not taught in US schools? It's self-evident that geography isn't. But you'd think in such a dazzling world leader, their own history would be.
#31
A Classic Celcius, Fahrenheit Thing
#32
"Europe Is The Size Of An American Parking Lot". It Was A Video Of Cities In Europe vs. The Us
#33
Steve Irwin Is An American Hero From Australia
#34
My Brain Hurts
Michael Largey 5 months ago (edited)
Teacher: "A double negative makes a positive. but a double positive never makes a negative." Student: "Yeah, sure."
#35
“Alaska And Puerto Rico”
Robin Roper 5 months ago
live in NC and would be happy to have my area become a part of Canada. Can we secede?
#36
Idiotic Commenter Doesn’t Know That Opposite-Sex Fraternal Twins Exist
#37
Fahrenheit Is The Only Measurement
Auntriarch 5 months ago
Fair point about politeness though, it's rude call someone dumb. Especially if they are.
#38
American Math
#39
The USA Invented... Peace On Earth
#40
"Europe Doesn't Even Have Gasoline And Electricity Rn"
#41
"No One Counts Eastern Europe. We're Not Visiting That"
Scott Rackley 5 months ago (edited)
"No one counts eastern Europe" Eastern Europe. Eastern...EUROPE. I have to wade through pools of d*****s like this daily. d u m b a s s
#42
"Your Little Countries Are Not Big Enough To Be Recognised Separately."
Greg Hedley 5 months ago
Texas is smaller than NSW, the third largest state in Australia.WA ,the largest state,is a million square miles. Texas? Alaska? Tiny by comparison. Blame the Mercator maps that led your weird boss to think Greenland was huge.
#43
“Does Anyone Know Where Portugal Is Actually Located?”
Gavin Johnson 5 months ago
Toured Europe a few years ago, got to the western side of Spain and drove straight into the Atlantic Ocean, I asked myself exactly the same question, where is Portugal located?
#44
“50 Of Whatever Weird Currency The Aussies Use Is Is Probably Like A Dollar American”
#45
"I Learned That In Europe, When Locals Asked Where I Was From And I Said “Minnesota, USA”…turns Out They Don’t Know Where That Is"
Depressed Lesbian(she/they/he) 5 months ago
Yeah and if a Canadian said they were from Alberta, you wouldn’t know where that was.
#46
Being An American In Any European Country Feels Like Being The Only Playable Character Around A Bunch Of Npcs
Joe Reaves 5 months ago
And in Europe it's legal to do that, but in America it's jaywalking. Also I don't know where the f**k in Europe he was, but the only time people wait for the green light in the UK when there's no traffic is if there are small kids around (can't give them a bad example lol).
#47
Europe - No Ice Cubes
#48
Only The USA Is A Full Democracy, Rest Of The Democratic Nations Are Behind
#49
"Is This Military Time? What Country U In?"
#50
Rugby Players Are Just Big Guys That Didn't Make It To The NFL
Michael Largey 5 months ago
Rugby is for people who feel there are not enough injuries in (American) football.
#51
"23 Stands For The Month"
#52
Remember Who Won The War Champ
#53
On A Post About Not Microwaving Metal
#55
Europeans Eat Melted Cheese Over Boiled Potatoes And Call It Luxury. In A Discussion Over Whether A Volvo Is Considered A Luxury Vehicle
#56
"USA Allows France To Exist"
Under a post on the french politician Glucksmann demanding back the statue of liberty..
Joe Reaves 5 months ago
USA exists because of France. Have they said thank you? I bet he's not even wearing a suit...
#57
"Being Born In America Doesn’t Make You American"
#58
“No World War Nothing”
#59
"If Not For United States, Canadians Would Be Drinking German Alcohol And Stiff Arm Saluting!"
#60
“Literally All The Medicine Those Countries Use Is Developed Here.”
#61
"Isolate Us Statistics To White Wealthy Neighborhoods And We Match Anywhere In The World"
On a thread about the Finnish education system.
#62
"Completely Dominant In 5 Years"
#63
"This Is Going To Sound Really Stupid, But Outlet Plugs"
#64
"State Owned Grocery Store"
#65
"Pizza Is An American Invention, Not Invented In Italy"
Vinny DaPooh 5 months ago
American style pizza was indeed invented in NYC. However Italy had pizza long before that. And most Mediterranean nations have some variant of a flatbread meal.
#66
The Cherry On Top
#67
Do Titles Really Matter?
Schrödinger's Douchebag 5 months ago
I bet this person doesn't know about the bottom end holes either.
#69
Absence Of Humour Detected
#71
If You Remove USA, The World Would Have No Culture
#72
All European Countries Are Poorer Than The Poorest Us State
Schrödinger's Douchebag 5 months ago
Says someone who has never left the poorest state in the US.
#73
Ya’ll Are Poor, How Do You Even Have A Phone?
#74
"Most History Is Us History That's Why"
Hippopotamuses 5 months ago
If most history is US history, why do they clearly not teach in in US schools?
#75
When Irish People Speak English, They Refer To It As Irish
Hippopotamuses 5 months ago
It's moments like this that really wish that the group who allegedly petitioned the US government in the late 18th century to make German the official language had been successful.
#76
It's Like Only One Country Exists
#77
Main Character Of The World
#78
“Everyone Wants To Come To America”
Michael Largey 5 months ago
It's called the American Dream because you have to have your eyes closed to see it.
#79
America Has Objectively Done More Good For The World Than Any Other Nation
#80
‘6.5mm Of Gas’
#81
Raw Milk Is The Newest Body “Cleanse”
Diane Tucker 5 months ago
My daughter got E. coli poisoning when she was 5 and almost died of it. Her kidneys shut down and her life was saved only by two blood transfusions. Oh and we didn't have to worry about having her treated because health care is paid for by taxes where I live. Lord have mercy on this poster's kids.
#82
Mario Is Not Italian
Zoe Vokes 5 months ago
He was designed by a Japanese game designer but the character is canonically an Italian plumber. In the beginning Mario and Luigi were from New York then later they were taken to The Mushroom Kingdom. They always were designed to be Italian characters though, hence why they went for very typical sounding Italian names.
#83
Apparently Only People In America Watch Stranger Things
#84
"More Complex Games Such As Football"
detective miller's hat 5 months ago
yes, soccer sucks so much 2 countries actually went to war over it.
#85
"It's Mine Boggling That People Don't Understand That Canada Would Cease To Exist Without The United States."
#86
“Just Because We Been Around For 200 Years And Are Better Than Everyone Else”
#87
"My Family Has Been In America For Nearly 400 Years, But My DNA Results Are Still 100% English"
#88
“Why Nobody Wear Socks But Americans?”
#89
Well That's The Correct Format So
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Forrest Hobbs 5 months ago
I have to wonder if some of these stupid comments were actually meant as satire.Then again, as has been observed: you know how dumb the average person is? Well, half the population is even more stupid than that. 😁
Dekker451 5 months ago (edited)
Strictly speaking, the dumber half is below the statistical median, not the average, though they are often close together.
Load More Replies... 
Peeka_Mimi 5 months ago
I am an American who actually reads books, studies history and geography and I lived in Germany for a few years. This was totally embarrassing.
B Jean the Jelly Bean 5 months ago
No. They only cherry plc what suits their purpose!
Load More Replies... Jonas Fisher 5 months ago
It's hypocritical that folks around the world dislike Americans who are reductionist and wrong, but then judge all of America based on exaggeration and a few loudmouthed idiots. It's maddeningly frustrating.
David Andrews 5 months ago (edited)
To be fair, it's also pretty frustrating when the US gives a few loudmouthed idiots the keys to power and free reign to interfere and inflict their nonsense on the rest of the world
Load More Replies...
Onan Hag All 5 months ago
This level of gross stupidity is unsustainable. The USA will soon slide into mediocrity.
Dariusz M. D. 5 months ago
As funny as it has been, it gets a bit old. I have a suggestion. BP please select another country to showcase its people stupidity. How about Lithuania?
B Jean the Jelly Bean 5 months ago
I'm very tired of the slams directed at America. We are not perfect,, but we are there when other countries need us. I have lived in other countries, they are not superior! So bugger off!
Johnnynatfan 5 months ago
Once again BP has a list making fun of Americans. Come up with something original already. Its lazy.
Forrest Hobbs 5 months ago
Johnnynatfan, BP's just reposted a list of Americans making fools of themselves. If there weren't so many Americans demonstrating their incredible ignorance and bigotry every day on line, it'd be impossible to make such a list. The list compilers aren't mocking anyone - they're just showing us the truth. It's up to the reader how to react. In my case, that reaction is on the spectrum of: 🤣 to 🤯.
Load More Replies... Forrest Hobbs 5 months ago
Oh look, it's actual quotes from Americans. Funny how BP can run any number of lists showing how stupid Brits can be and none of us complain, but if BP should dare to present the truth about Americans? Well, there's always lots of Americans on hand to complain and demonstrate their acute snowflake tendencies. 😂
Load More Replies...
Forrest Hobbs 5 months ago
BP does run lists showing how daft Brits can be. The difference is, us Brits don't get all butt-hurt over a bit of criticism. 😁 I mean, there you are, the USA: the richest, most powerful, most technologically advanced nation on Earth, and yet there's always some Americans who get all huffy if someone dares to display the truth about how some Americans are not the sharpest knives in the drawer. Why so sensitive? 🤣
Load More Replies... Forrest Hobbs 5 months ago
I have to wonder if some of these stupid comments were actually meant as satire.Then again, as has been observed: you know how dumb the average person is? Well, half the population is even more stupid than that. 😁
Dekker451 5 months ago (edited)
Strictly speaking, the dumber half is below the statistical median, not the average, though they are often close together.
Load More Replies... Peeka_Mimi 5 months ago
I am an American who actually reads books, studies history and geography and I lived in Germany for a few years. This was totally embarrassing.
B Jean the Jelly Bean 5 months ago
No. They only cherry plc what suits their purpose!
Load More Replies... Jonas Fisher 5 months ago
It's hypocritical that folks around the world dislike Americans who are reductionist and wrong, but then judge all of America based on exaggeration and a few loudmouthed idiots. It's maddeningly frustrating.
David Andrews 5 months ago (edited)
To be fair, it's also pretty frustrating when the US gives a few loudmouthed idiots the keys to power and free reign to interfere and inflict their nonsense on the rest of the world
Load More Replies... Onan Hag All 5 months ago
This level of gross stupidity is unsustainable. The USA will soon slide into mediocrity.
Dariusz M. D. 5 months ago
As funny as it has been, it gets a bit old. I have a suggestion. BP please select another country to showcase its people stupidity. How about Lithuania?
B Jean the Jelly Bean 5 months ago
I'm very tired of the slams directed at America. We are not perfect,, but we are there when other countries need us. I have lived in other countries, they are not superior! So bugger off!
Johnnynatfan 5 months ago
Once again BP has a list making fun of Americans. Come up with something original already. Its lazy.
Forrest Hobbs 5 months ago
Johnnynatfan, BP's just reposted a list of Americans making fools of themselves. If there weren't so many Americans demonstrating their incredible ignorance and bigotry every day on line, it'd be impossible to make such a list. The list compilers aren't mocking anyone - they're just showing us the truth. It's up to the reader how to react. In my case, that reaction is on the spectrum of: 🤣 to 🤯.
Load More Replies... Forrest Hobbs 5 months ago
Oh look, it's actual quotes from Americans. Funny how BP can run any number of lists showing how stupid Brits can be and none of us complain, but if BP should dare to present the truth about Americans? Well, there's always lots of Americans on hand to complain and demonstrate their acute snowflake tendencies. 😂
Load More Replies... Forrest Hobbs 5 months ago
BP does run lists showing how daft Brits can be. The difference is, us Brits don't get all butt-hurt over a bit of criticism. 😁 I mean, there you are, the USA: the richest, most powerful, most technologically advanced nation on Earth, and yet there's always some Americans who get all huffy if someone dares to display the truth about how some Americans are not the sharpest knives in the drawer. Why so sensitive? 🤣
Load More Replies... You May Like 50 Of The Funniest Signs Ever Spotted In The Wild (New Pics) 60 Laugh-Out-Loud Fails From People Who Followed Instructions A Bit Too Hard 50 Posts That Prove Scottish People On The Internet Are Pure Comedy Gold
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