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56 Hilarious Times Americans Proved They Had No Idea How The World Works
Interview With Expert
We live in a world where the internet lives in our pockets and somehow, basic facts still manage to slip through the cracks.
While not everyone is clueless, some Americans seem to live by the motto “ignorance is bliss.”
It’s not always the small stuff, sometimes it’s geography, sometimes politics, and sometimes things that should be common sense.
Bored Panda has put together a list to showcase some of the most head‑scratching and facepalm‑worthy moments that perfectly capture this kind of ignorance.
Get ready to cringe and laugh because the funny (and slightly painful) part is how confident some of these takes are.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
"Tarrifs Will Bring Some Prices Down Hopefully, Like iPhone. And Samsung Phone $1000-$1200 Is Ridiculous"
Multa Nocte 11 hours ago
Please do not insult pigeons. They are very smart and would have taught this idiot better than that.
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#2
"Slowly Introduce Europeans To The Concept Of Drinking Water"
#3
We Are The Most Creative Nation In The World
Believing that the US is still the greatest country in the world has led some people into pretty embarrassing territory.
It’s not just casual online comments either, like people saying the dollar is unbeatable or that Fahrenheit somehow makes more sense than Celsius.
Many studies and surveys have shown that a number of Americans can’t answer even basic questions about their own government, let alone the rest of the world.
#4
Apparently Cleopatra VII Was African American
#5
Someone Got Their History Tests Handed Back Face Down
#6
"While In Germany I Found An Aldi. The Aldi Is Nothing Like An American Aldi"
Zig Zag Wanderer 13 hours ago (edited)
No, it isn't. Because Aldi actually is German, not American. It's a difficult concept.....
A 2019 survey by the Council on Foreign Relations and National Geographic found that Americans only got about half the questions right on geography and world affairs. Only 6% scored 80% or higher, even though most say global issues matter to them.
Back in 2011, when Newsweek gave 1,000 Americans the official US citizenship test, 29% couldn’t name the vice president and nearly three-quarters couldn’t explain why the US fought the Cold War. They aptly titled their result as “how ignorant are Americans?”
Another survey found that more people could name characters from 'The Simpsons' than the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment.
#7
“Insulin Is A Privilege, Not A Right”
Daisydaisy 14 hours ago
They make a good point. My insulin (Australia) is free and I'm VERY frivolous with it. I add it to soups and stews, use it for watering pot plants and even bathe in it sometimes. Perhaps I'd be less wasteful if I had to pay a gazillion dollars for it
#8
Neanderthals Are Not Real
#9
The Universal 13th Amendment
Bored Panda spoke to George A Barnett, PhD, a professor of communication at the University of California, to understand why some Americans are clueless and what perpetuates this stereotype.
“The US is isolated from the rest of the world, with direct contacts with only Canada and Mexico. This makes travel to other countries difficult. Only 20 some percent have passports to visit other countries and those with passports tend to be those who go on cruises or to all-inclusive resorts,” he says.
He believes that a lot of American news media outlets mostly concentrate on domestic events, not on what is taking place around the world. "Research indicates that the media only reports on those countries that are physically proxemic and culturally and economically similar."
#10
Could Someone Like Jimmy Kimmel Even Exist In Germany?
Tucker Cahooter 14 hours ago
Much more likely to be tolerated in Germany than America at the present moment
#11
"American Women Don’t Have Armpit Hair"
#12
"If America Is 250 Years Old How Is Denmark Sending Mail For 400"
Daisydaisy 14 hours ago
I refuse to believe that most Americans are this dumb. Surely they have some geography and history lessons in school?
Barnett notes that the American educational system focuses heavily on American and Western/European civilization and history. “We are taught nothing about Asia, Africa and Latin America.”
He says research on social media also indicates that people have network ties with only those that are similar, which could be another reason why Americans are less aware about the rest of the world.
#13
You Ought To Have A Basic Grasp Of Latin If You're Working In... Latin America
#14
"I Refuse To Submit To The British Mind Virus Of Adding Random U's"
LakotaWolf (she/her) 12 hours ago
I, as an American, cannot fathom the fact how some of my fellow countrypeople apparently can't handle the fact that it's the same language with just a FEW words spelled slightly differently. Or that American English did NOT come first, since, you know, the whole colonies thing. Seriously, though, how can you look at the word "colour" and apparently get angrily offended by the letter u?
#15
These People
Tucker Cahooter 14 hours ago
I think they need to find the bozo who first coined "I could care less" and slap their head
Surely, Americans aren’t the only ones who get facts wrong. But their voices are everywhere online, so their mistakes get noticed more.
And with English being the main language of the internet, their clueless comments travel even further.
But that doesn’t mean they get a free pass — if anything, it’s all the more reason to pay attention and actually know what’s going on in the rest of the world. Or at least fact check from reliable sources before posting something online.
#16
I Agree. American Beer Is Drunk By 99.9% Of The World. We Just Call It Water Everywhere Else
#17
I Saw 5 Burning US Flags On My Way In To Work This Morning, It's True
Did I say that out loud? 14 hours ago
Because obviously,US laws apply to the rest of the world.
#18
That’s More Money Than Many Europeans Would Make In Their Whole Lives
LakotaWolf (she/her) 12 hours ago
I'd pay $10,000 to MOVE to Denmark or Greenland from America. I'd like to escape, please XD
Experts recommend that people should educate themselves more by travelling abroad, studying a second language, and talking to people from other cultures and countries more often.
Try getting your news from somewhere besides your local TV channel or a US newspaper.
There are plenty of ways to learn beyond your own backyard, and honestly, with all the information available online, there’s really no excuse to stay ignorant anymore.
#19
Blood Nearly Boiling But Heart Rate Normal
#20
Harvard (University In Massachusetts) Is The Oldest In The World
#21
Bro Nobody Uses Euros
“Americans can’t ignore things that are happening on the other side of the world, because they do impact us. … Water availability and climate change and religious conflict — those are things that don’t pay attention to borders,” says Kathleen Schwille, former vice president of education at the National Geographic Society.
#22
"Yet We Occupy Your Country With Our Military"
Oskar vanZandt 6 hours ago
Amrica actually reduced its military presence by 90% in Greenland prior to laying claim on the sovereign territory... When I heard about the ludicrous idea of the US offer to possibly purchase Greenland, I thought about all the people Trump src3wed in his business deals along the way. And he knows nothing about " the art of the deal" as his tactics are intimidation and bullying when he doesn't get his way- in the case of Greenland with military force!
#23
What's Trinity?
#24
“American Is Too Big For Public Transport”
It can be frustrating and challenging if you try to reason with ignorant people, especially when they hide behind their keyboards, and it’s easy to jump straight into an argument — but that rarely leads anywhere productive.
You can approach such conversations with curiosity rather than being annoyed so that you actually help someone learn, not just send them in an automatic defense mode.
Provide facts from reliable sources to clear doubts if someone is willing to listen to reason.
#25
There's A National Gallery In Washington DC
Daisydaisy 14 hours ago
Wait - what? TWO National Galleries!? Imagine the confusion if there were other nations with galleries as well as these two!
#26
I Disagree With His Reasoning, But I Must Admit; France Would Be Much Better Off Without French
Zig Zag Wanderer 13 hours ago
You might find way too many French speakers in France itself, too. Be careful!
#27
"The Cities Are No Different Than Ours"
Zig Zag Wanderer 13 hours ago (edited)
Cities are the same in Europe? Wow! Although they're typically a bit older. That might scare some Americans....
Some people aren’t always ignorant on purpose, maybe they just haven’t had the chance to learn or the right environment or sources to help them.
Yet, we can't deny the fact that a lot of people online say things just to get a reaction and aren’t that interested in educating themselves. In that case, the best response might be no response at all.
Sometimes, the smartest move is simply to choose your battles. Not every dumb remark needs a rebuttal.
#28
I Thought No Kings Tho?
#29
“Does Every State Have A Rugby Team Or Only Georgia”
Remi (He/Him) 11 hours ago
Tbf, knowing if someone is talking about Georgia, you probably need to check if it's the state or the country. Of course you can say that Georgia produces nuts and it's right for them both
#30
"Im 100% Italian, Grew Up In Chicago"
#31
They Don't Accept US IDs?
Rali Meyer 13 hours ago
you need a passport to leave your country and to enter the next country
#32
Someone Doesn’t Understand Dd/Mm/Yy
#33
Real Carbonara Was Actually Invented In Chicago
#34
I'm Not Fond Of How Many People In Ireland Treat Irish-Americans. They Get Outright Told They "Aren't Irish" At All
Ryan-James O'Driscoll 13 hours ago
Irish people will have no problem with you talking about your heritage (just don't go too wild on the folk tales and faerie stuff). They will have a problem with you claiming to be Irish when you're clearly American.
#35
Girl
#36
This Comment
#37
"Not Europeans They Don't Have It"
#38
"They Just Don't Let Them Have Free Speech"
Remi (He/Him) 11 hours ago
I'm convinced every country has their idiots, English speakers just don't notice, because the idiots don't write their bs in English. The amount of total morony going on online in Finnish might surprise you
#39
Why Can't It Just Be An American Flag? That Applies To Everybody
Hyacinth (Any pronouns) 7 hours ago
The white text on the yellow stripe is hard to read, I feel like black lettering would work better, honestly.
#40
Fahrenheit Is Objectively Better Than Celsius
Rali Meyer 13 hours ago
Fahrenheit scale based on when cattle can survive in the open. Minus 18°C (when water saturated with salt, or blood freezes) and plus 37°C. I take freezing water at 0°C and boiling at 100°C, Alex
#41
On A Post About America Being "The Land Of The Free"
#42
“I Am Wondering If I Should Have Euros And Pounds To Give To Our Tour Guide Or American Dollars?”
Did I say that out loud? 14 hours ago
Euros in Dublin,pounds in Belfast. Perfectly reasonable question and at least they're asking. Just keep the dollars until you get home.
#43
As An American That Seems Pretty Cold, Its Over 100 In Texas Every Year 40s Is Pretty Cold
#44
Why Do People Always Assume People Not From America Know American State Abbreviations?
LakotaWolf (she/her) 12 hours ago
Heck, as an American, I don't always know every state's abbreviation offhand. Some of them are completely nonsensical. California's is CA, which is sensible, but Montana's is MT and Missouri's is MO.
#45
"No, I Live In A First World Country"
Michael Largey 3 hours ago
"A first world country"? But first world countries have public heath care systems.
#46
“Europe Is Depressing. It Has Nothing Other Than Museums And Old Buildings”
#47
There Are No Replicas Of The Statue Of Liberty, So This Is AI
#48
One Of The Best Places On Earth
#49
"We Built Our High Speed Rail In The Sky"
#50
USD Is The Only Currency
#51
“And We Somehow Beat You In 2 World Wars And To The Moon. Incredible”
Did I say that out loud? 14 hours ago
Er...who was the brains behind the*American* space program again?
#52
USA Invented Banking So There Is A Lot Of Technical Baggage
#54
Worldwide For US
#55
“I'd Rather Not Live A Country Where Memes Are Banned”
#56
Physics Is Hard
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What do you think ?
LakotaWolf (she/her) 11 hours ago
As an American, I apologize on behalf of my fellow Americans. I promise not all of us are horrible and stupid, but those of us that ARE horrible and stupid are quite vocal and quite loud. This, of course, is most clearly seen in the dicktator-tot that got elected to our presidency.
MaryHadaLittleLamb 10 hours ago
I, too, found myself experiencing second-hand embarrassment while reading this as an American. However, I've become used to the feeling lately. Actually, the feeling has morphed from embarrassment to outright shame.
Load More Replies...
Ryan-James O'Driscoll 13 hours ago
If confidently making statements about a subject you know nothing about were an olympic sport, America would win every time
LakotaWolf (she/her) 11 hours ago
As an American, I apologize on behalf of my fellow Americans. I promise not all of us are horrible and stupid, but those of us that ARE horrible and stupid are quite vocal and quite loud. This, of course, is most clearly seen in the dicktator-tot that got elected to our presidency.
MaryHadaLittleLamb 10 hours ago
I, too, found myself experiencing second-hand embarrassment while reading this as an American. However, I've become used to the feeling lately. Actually, the feeling has morphed from embarrassment to outright shame.
Load More Replies... Ryan-James O'Driscoll 13 hours ago
If confidently making statements about a subject you know nothing about were an olympic sport, America would win every time
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