Nobody’s perfect, and everyone has knowledge blind spots. It’s healthy to recognize your shortcomings and be able to laugh at them. Sometimes, that means chuckling at yourself after you get called out online for saying something, well… less than smart.
Bored Panda has collected some of the funniest moments when Europeans gently roasted Americans for writing bizarre comments online, from all over the internet. Scroll down to see some of the most cringy insights and witty takedowns.
Just keep in mind that none of this is meant to promote meanness. It’s all for the sake of lighthearted humor. We all say dumb things from time to time, no matter where we’re from.
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Ratio In TikTok
Non US Flag In Username Yet Still Assumed To Be American
Hope Y’all Are Enjoying Those Gas Prices
Learning to respect other cultures doesn’t happen overnight. It requires dedication, open-mindedness, and a willingness to acknowledge your own biases and knowledge blind spots. Traveling abroad, doing research about other countries’ histories, and talking to people from different backgrounds and with different perspectives can help broaden your mind. As a rule of thumb, if you can recognize that you’ve said some dumb things in the past, it shows that you’re maturing and that your self-awareness is growing
When traveling, it’s not enough to put on a silly tourist hat, grab your camera, and enjoy the sights. It’s best to go abroad with empathy and curiosity, instead of demanding the rest of the world conform to your expectations and assumptions.
America Is The Reason You Have Cars
Yeah, America is the place where the workers who build them were/are exploited. 'Course it's our fault for assuming the owners have our best interests at heart.
Person Forgets Not Everyone Is American
Shouldn't squawk too much. Have you ever listened to some of those southern US types? I'm not sure they speak English.
Americans Are "Foreign" Now?
It’s very likely that you’ve personally witnessed some awful, disrespectful tourist behavior in your home country. Meanwhile, it’s probably also safe to say that you’ve also met foreigners who were kind, friendly, and respectful of both your culture and other travelers.
According to Go Abroad, you should strive to minimize the amount of bad tourist behaviors. In short, you have to be mindful of the local community, as well as the environment and wildlife.
For example, this can be as simple as not being noisy at night or respecting local religious traditions.
Do Italians Drive To Malta To Fill Up Their Tanks?
I have a friend who lives in Norway, and she apparently drives to Sweden every once in a while to do cheaper grocery shopping there! It was a bit of a mental adjustment to me to understand going to another COUNTRY for cheaper groceries. I live in California, which is one of America's larger states, so it was hard to wrap my head around it at first! XD
Do Germans Even Need A Refrigerator? They Literally Live In Snow Most Of The Time Of The Year
"It's Color Not Colour"
It should be common sense, but seeing as it’s in particularly short supply these days, it’s important to remember not to litter or damage landmarks. Not only is this immoral behavior, but depending on the country, you can get in some serious legal trouble, too.
Furthermore, during your travels, try to avoid taking part in activities that exploit other people or animals.
Americans Really Do Have A Habit Of Assuming That Everyone Celebrates Thanksgiving
Every Video On The Internet Must Be Recorded In The US
A ford is a shallow section of a river or stream where it may be crossed by wading, on horseback, or inside a vehicle. A ford may occur naturally or be constructed Many towns in the UK have ford in their name for just this reason, they were built around river crossings, Oxford, Stratford, Wallingford, etc - it's a big list
For The Local People $1 Is A Lot Of Money
Meanwhile, becoming a better tourist is definitely possible with a bit of effort. You might not change how others perceive you, but you can ensure that you’ve done everything that you can to be respectful.
The first thing you should do is focus on research about the place you’ll be visiting. Read up on the local culture, customs, traditions, laws, and religions. Go through other travelers’ accounts about the challenges they faced. The more time you spend on research, the better prepared you’ll be. Of course, we all make mistakes eventually, but at least you’ll have a solid foundation for your trip.
In Europe You Can't Buy Utility Knifes
Don't Use A Spanish Word Because Of US Race Issues?
"Is There A Setting To Change From Military To Standard" Time?
Go Abroad also suggests eating, shopping, and staying locally for a more authentic experience. On top of that, you’ll also end up supporting local businesses and, potentially, save money.
In the meantime, broaden your horizons and visit other places aside from must-see, super popular touristy destinations.
“When possible, try traveling more off-the-beaten path or visiting a destination in the off season. Slow travel also helps one discover a place and its culture more meaningfully.”
"England Doesn't Speak English They Speak British. America Speaks English"
England does not speak english is like saying spain does not speak spanish, which Americans do claim
"No One Counts Eastern Europe. We're Not Visiting That"
We're not visiting USA for the foreseeable future either
Speaks With An Ireland Accent
The Guardian also stresses that slow tourism can be a great idea.
“Slow tourism is about spending more time in a destination, engaging in the local culture and getting to know local people,” Dr. Peter Robinson, the head of the Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Management at Leeds Beckett University, told The Guardian. You could mix things up and go to the countryside instead of only visiting major cities.
It’s “I Could Care Less”
American Thinks Everyone Should Be Using Fahrenheit
"He Looks Very White For A Spanish Guy"
When I was a kid, we had an exchange student from Spain stay with us for a year. His name was Carlos, and he was as pale-skinned as I was (I'm adopted and white af) and he had blue eyes and blonde hair. My adoptive family is Mexican, and I grew up speaking Spanish, so I do admit that, as a child, I was initially shocked that Carlos looked "white". I honestly thought Spanish people looked similar to Mexican people because they both spoke versions of the Spanish language. My dad taught me about Spain and its cultural and ancestral history after that, so I learned a thing XD But I admit, when I was 9, it was a bit of a shock!
Some of the screenshots that we’re featuring today have been shared by members of the popular ‘[Stuff] Americans Say’ subreddit. This is an online community that was founded all the way back in early 2013.
At the time of writing, this group boasts 391k members, or, as the moderators jokingly and ironically call them, ‘commie socialists.’ Meanwhile, currently online members are wittily referred to as ‘hating freedom.’
These are both sarcastic comments about how some Americans have incredibly biased, non-factual, bizarre perspectives about life in European countries.
"Although My Ancestry DNA Gives Me Zero Italian DNA On My Dad's Side, I'll Stick With Being 1/4 Italian"
My dad had a Sicilian grandmother. He was upset when his DNA came back 0% Italian. He didn't understand that there wasn't an Italy until about a generation before his grandmother was born, or that Sicily is the crossroads of the Mediterranean. He wasn't a dummy but he did have blind spots
America Has 50 States. Europe Only 27
This cimment section has the potency to quickly evolve into a raging debate about the nuances between a state, a province and a county. I'll make some popcorn in anticipation.
They Didn’t Even Try
To be fair native american's closest relative in the old world are in Siberia.
Somehow the fact that Russia borders the US seems not to be taught at school in the US.
Load More Replies...She is beautiful and I can only imagine the beauty of her creations. I'm about to jump down a rabbit hole unless someone saves me with some info.
As the ‘[Stuff] Americans Say’ moderators point out, the entire point of their community is to focus on satire and humor. There’s no room for hate. “This is not a place to bring your hatred of Americans or America – we like to keep things friendly and toxic attitudes are not welcome.”
Meanwhile, you shouldn’t post any online conversations that you’re a part of. Similarly, you shouldn’t bait or troll other internet users just to get fodder for screenshots.
"If America Is 250 Years Old How Is Denmark Sending Mail For 400"
We Have Trees Older Than Europe Itself
It Might Be A Texas Thing
Perhaps they have difficulty reading mirror images & thought the "Tesko" on the man's shirt was "Texas."
On top of that, the mods stress that you shouldn’t automatically assume that someone is an American because they “said something silly or they messed up geography.”
They also encourage their members to avoid low-hanging fruit. Certain topics are only allowed to be discussed in a weekly thread. Furthermore, it’s best to focus on more lighthearted posts.
If We (Americans) Stop Visiting, The UK Will Have An Economic Depression Tidal Wave
Considering how few Americans even have passports, we aren't the main tourists to any country but Mexico and Canada, most likely
‘Texas Is Like Twice The Size Of Europe Alone’
Is Texas the standard unit of area size for Americans? This is I think the third one of these I have seen in this thread so far. And just in case you still think Texas is the biggest bigly thing in the whole world, you could put Texas three times into Western Australia and there would still be space left over
The Size Of A State
Which of these comments made you cringe and facepalm the hardest? Meanwhile, which of the roasts did you find to be the most satisfying?
From your perspective, what could be done to improve education, no matter what country we’re talking about? Meanwhile, what do you think your biggest knowledge blind spots have been in the past? Tell us all about it in the comment section at the very bottom of this list.
"We Rank Higher Than Most Countries In Food Health And Safety"
“North America Law Is Law Across The World”
Celebrating A Foreign Holiday Is A Requirement
"Can You Do This Report With Someone Who Doesn't Have That British Accent"
He Speaks English And Says Euros
"They May Have Created The Language But We Perfected It"
“Isn’t This A Violation Of FAA Regulations?”
Nor is it subject to TSA. An issue that astounds Americans. Some try to bring in weapons, too.
American Wants To Move To Europe On An 'United States Of America' Visa
Do Americans Not Use 24 Hour Format Or Get Taught About It Or What?
Assumes The Accents Of The American Newscasters Is The Default Global English
I’m German... But I Never Spoke German (On A Danish Video)
"Your Little Countries Are Not Big Enough To Be Recognised Separately"
7 Days In Europe
To be fair, some cities in America are completely unwalkable/un-cycle-able. Things are just too spread out and too far apart. We're a car-centric country, sadly, and a lot of cities are laid out to make it impossible to easily walk to get groceries, go to the laundromat, etc. However, we all should be walking for EXERCISE XD
Global Default Measurements
Saw a post wondering why the US does not use the metric system as they've been using 9mm in schools for years.
Where Do They Live? Norway
"Your Biggest Trail Is Still Smaller Than Our Smallest"
On A Post About Snow In Norway On 4.1.2024
English Please, Reddit Is An American Website (German Subreddit)
I love when Murican Pandas get all het up about BP and "laws" etc. - BP is a Lithuanian website, it's not bound by Murican internet rules! XD
"Isn't America First?"
“Europe Is Hardly A Continent”
As an educated, well-read, well-spoken, and multilingual American, this is painfully embarrassing.
Well, all countries have their share of fools. The US is easy to pick on, especially in the current situation...
Load More Replies...Can anyone explain why some comments have "This comment is hidden. Click here to view." even when they are not in minus points?
I can't explain it. However, I have noticed it a lot this week and there seems to be no rhyme or reason. And it seems any post where BP star what they deem as an unacceptable word is also now hidden. They're making this site unreadable
Load More Replies...I had to stop halfway through. It's depressing to live in a country with so many willfully ignorant people. It's even more depressing that because of my nationality, I get lumped in with them. I hope to leave someday when I have the funds to d o so, and I hope the folks where I go can look past my American origins.
The first few made me laugh, then feel superior. But then before I even got to the tenth, it just kinda made me wanna die a little bit?
My usual reaction is frowning really hard. Or eyebrows on the ceiling.
If we (the U.S.) need to be roasted, then this needs to be followed up with a roasting for those of you across the pond.
Enough stupid people over here, but the difference is that here in Europe people are more afraid to be labeled "stupid".
Load More Replies...As an educated, well-read, well-spoken, and multilingual American, this is painfully embarrassing.
Well, all countries have their share of fools. The US is easy to pick on, especially in the current situation...
Load More Replies...Can anyone explain why some comments have "This comment is hidden. Click here to view." even when they are not in minus points?
I can't explain it. However, I have noticed it a lot this week and there seems to be no rhyme or reason. And it seems any post where BP star what they deem as an unacceptable word is also now hidden. They're making this site unreadable
Load More Replies...I had to stop halfway through. It's depressing to live in a country with so many willfully ignorant people. It's even more depressing that because of my nationality, I get lumped in with them. I hope to leave someday when I have the funds to d o so, and I hope the folks where I go can look past my American origins.
The first few made me laugh, then feel superior. But then before I even got to the tenth, it just kinda made me wanna die a little bit?
My usual reaction is frowning really hard. Or eyebrows on the ceiling.
If we (the U.S.) need to be roasted, then this needs to be followed up with a roasting for those of you across the pond.
Enough stupid people over here, but the difference is that here in Europe people are more afraid to be labeled "stupid".
Load More Replies...
