ADVERTISEMENT

In the world of social media, you'll occasionally stumble upon a gem that makes you laugh and facepalm simultaneously at the situation. Today’s topic also revolves around that but from an American’s perspective on certain things. What sort of things you might be thinking? Well, think of something along the lines of English spelling that twists the American mind into a flurry of confusion at times. The British "realise" with an 's' might just as well be a whole new language for some.

Oh, and clocks, those ticking conundrums, which, apparently, in Europe, have evolved beyond the need for numbers... Some Americans might gaze in bafflement at that, wondering if the Europeans have a special temporal sixth sense. And well, well, well, who could forget the heated debates over Celsius and Fahrenheit? "Boiling water at 100 degrees? Surely not!" Only to be gently nudged towards the revelation that temperature, like tea preferences, varies greatly from one side of the Atlantic to the other.

The said cultural differences have clearly turned into a form of amusing content, spawning memes that travel faster than the speed of light—or should we say the speed of 'misunderstandings going viral'?

As we mentioned previously, social media is full of moments where we just have to shake our heads and laugh at certain situations. Americans sometimes give everyone a good laugh without meaning to, just by being themselves. Like when someone asks why all screenshots are in a "European language" and gets the reply that, yep, there's a whole world out there beyond the U.S. borders. It’s a bit like realizing your neighborhood is way bigger than you thought!

#4

It’s Well Known That 5/4 People Have Problems With Fractions

It’s Well Known That 5/4 People Have Problems With Fractions

zulqarnain_ch Report

Add photo comments
POST
professormcgonagallminerva avatar
Stardust she/her
Community Member
1 week ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do they not teach about signs for comparison? The crocodile always goes to the bigger number

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

Two Types Of Nations: Those Who Use Metric, And Those Who Went To The Moon

Two Types Of Nations: Those Who Use Metric, And Those Who Went To The Moon

alexho66 Report

Add photo comments
POST
anne-karina avatar
Anne
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All the women in Europe are more free than the women in the US.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Oh, and when talking about more examples (specifically talking about content in this post) there are some times when someone's showing off their American pride, but oops, they've actually tweeted the Liberian flag—talk about a geography oopsie! Or when people are arguing about politics and someone points out the mess right now, and all you can do is laugh (or cry a little). It’s all in good fun, though.

ADVERTISEMENT
#6

Because The English Language Comes From America

Because The English Language Comes From America

EliasMihael Report

Add photo comments
POST
77542 avatar
Arnold Larkins
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'MURICA. THE LAND OF THE FREE, HOME OF JESUS AND THE BIRTHPLACE OF ENGLISH/s

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

Unfortunately for some Americans though, the internet is a place that doesn’t let anyone forget these slip-ups. They turn into memes and jokes that zip around the globe. We all get a kick out of it, whether we're from the U.S. or somewhere else. Honestly, these little situations seem to show up every day, and they remind us that perhaps... America's got its own way of seeing things.

#9

I’m At A Loss For Words With This One

I’m At A Loss For Words With This One

JSkillet28 Report

#10

American Jesus

American Jesus

Chuckadoolah Report

Add photo comments
POST
pethmantonya avatar
flower petals
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are actually plenty of people out there wearing T-shirts that say ‘Jesus was an American’, and a portrait of him with guns in his hands.. The brown skinned, Middle Eastern, non English speaking pacifist guy.. 🫨

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

The Greatest You Say?

The Greatest You Say?

zenmondo Report

Add photo comments
POST
sepantt avatar
Superb Owl
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So the greatest fighting force the world has ever known fought in exactly one war, which it lost?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

And to add to this whole debate, let's not forget that Americans talk about their weight in pounds, so folks from other places might scratch their heads, because they're all about those kilograms, you know? Then there’s the temperature talk that sends everyone into a tizzy. Say "It's thirty degrees outside" to someone from the States, and they might just think you're in the middle of a snowstorm, not a nice spring day.

ADVERTISEMENT
#12

Person Forgets That Not Everyone Is American

Person Forgets That Not Everyone Is American

Doggo_Epik Report

#18

The Entitlement Of Some Of These Tourists

The Entitlement Of Some Of These Tourists

0xLynkos Report

Add photo comments
POST
professormcgonagallminerva avatar
Stardust she/her
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that depending on their position, an airport employee should be able to speak some amount of English if they’re dealing with foreign travellers

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

Spain In Pain

Spain In Pain

scndaccount112 Report

Add photo comments
POST
fred_18 avatar
FreeDragon
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It will blow his mind probably to hear that Dutch is spoken in The Netherlands, also incorrectly known worldwide as Holland. And that it has tropical beaches.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#22

I Would Have Answered Him In Light-Years Since It's A Unit Recognised By Everyone

I Would Have Answered Him In Light-Years Since It's A Unit Recognised By Everyone

Klutzy_Gear Report

#24

Some Responses By Americans On A Reel, Where Comedian Michael McIntyre Was Joking About The Differences Between US English And UK English During An Interview

Some Responses By Americans On A Reel, Where Comedian Michael McIntyre Was Joking About The Differences Between US English And UK English During An Interview

reddit.com Report

#26

Don't You Just Love It When Someone Tries To Correct Your Already Correct Spelling

Don't You Just Love It When Someone Tries To Correct Your Already Correct Spelling

ANotDisneyAuthor Report

#27

Travels To A Country In Another Continent, But Expects To Find The Same Brands That Are In The US

Travels To A Country In Another Continent, But Expects To Find The Same Brands That Are In The US

Borgenschatz Report

Add photo comments
POST
rayceeyarayceeya avatar
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why I know all the proper non-brand names of the d***s I might need. Tylenol = Acetaminophen. Claritin = Loratadine. Advil = Ibuprofen. And about a dozen others.

jill_rhodry avatar
jennylind avatar
Jenny Lind
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An American scared of chemicals in other countries when the regulations in his are so effed up that you get cancer from playing in a fkn sandbox

christinekuhn avatar
Ael
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All those foreign chemicals, you know? British iron, French carbon, and hopefully the poor wee soul didn't suffer too much from the Dutch H2O...

elfvibratorglitter avatar
ElfVibratorGlitter
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would. Overall Europe has more protective laws related to medication/ what c**p can be in food.

d4rkpone avatar
TotallyNOTAFox
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a very big difference between Europe and the US - We europeans call them by their agents while in the US it's more common to call them by brands

appletreechild avatar
FantasianMind
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't trust the 'merican product regulations though.... people, correct me if I'm wrong, could just mix something up and sell it without having to register the product and don't have to get it tested before throwing it on the market...

nitka711 avatar
Nitka Tsar
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Plus: I would wager that European medicine might be safer, what with the differences in „allowed only when proven safe“ and „allowed until proven unsafe“.

general0ne avatar
Lester the Space Duck
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

N-acetyl-para-aminophenol is the chemical name which both Paracetamol and acetaminophen are derived from.

mindykany avatar
Min
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've had similar conversations with people in Britain who claim they can't take ibuprofen, they can only take Nurofen.

livlisbon84 avatar
Olivia Lisbon
Community Member
1 week ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol, if I Google ‘acetaminophen’ it explains what paracetamol is. But then I’m guessing it’d be different in the US.

tinaharnish avatar
Tina Harnish
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same ingredients. Imported into the country from the same sources. Assembled in America.

Load More Replies...
krissie avatar
Krissie
Community Member
6 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a 'murican myself, I'd trust anything from Europe over US products. And most other countries as well

revieweruk01 avatar
Reviewer UK01
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The one I know to be a problem one is Benadryl. I'm the USA Benadryl is diphenhydramine. In the UK is acrivastine. Guess who found out the hard way that you can be allergic to allergy medicine?

frederickclause avatar
frederick clause
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't tell them how much of the ingredients of their American pharmaceuticals come from China.

bobbrooce_1 avatar
Bob Brooce
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Better still, don't tell them that a lot of our meds are made in Europe, using those "foreign chemicals".

Load More Replies...
bettyvanderhooven-schmaaschmaa avatar
Betty Vanderhooven-SchmaaSchmaa
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brand name and generic are not the same d**g. The brand name uses proprietary ingredients. I've had side effects from generic but not brand name. There are other ppl that have had reactions to brand name. The active ingredient is the same but there are filters & dyes that are different.

conniehirsch avatar
Connie Hirsch
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can always ask a friendly local British chemist (American: pharmacist) for help.

tristanjones avatar
Tristan J
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'I have been conditioned to only buy "reputable" and profiteering brands, as advised by my exorbitant health insurance provider (because they get kick backs).'

catchat avatar
Cat Chat
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they are extremely bad at trying to say the FDA controls that monitors the drügs sold (and what's in them) don't cover what is in other countries. But, most countries have their own version to ensure drügs are safe, and I have never heard of Holland being one where their drügs are sketchy. So still idiotic to say.

jppurves avatar
JP Purves
Community Member
3 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Holland is not a nation. The Netherlands does have two (of twelve) provinces with Holland in their names: Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland.

ben_dreyer_1 avatar
Ben Dreyer
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Americans are all born with a natural deficiency. It's calle brain dead.

harleyquinn92010 avatar
Cass Malone
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The "foreign chemical" argument from my fellow Americans tickles me cuz most other countries ban chemicals that we use here.

damonhill avatar
Seadog
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And in reality American products are the ones loaded with a bunch of c**p that' is not only unneeded but is often very bad for you. I've often seen people tell people visiting America to not eat ANY fast foods and to be careful about many other consumables. It will make them sick.

lena-flising avatar
Lena Flising
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Red ought to be worried about the LACK of chemicals, as regulation is usually stricter in Europe than in the US.

rcarbin avatar
Richienotsorich
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the UK you generally can't buy more than approx 32 paracetamol or ibuprofen in one purchase. Managed to buy a tub of 250 in the USA. There were bigger tubs available!

nek1027 avatar
veryvenasaur
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I carry a first aid kit so often I have classmates' teammates etc. ask me for basic first aid supplies. One time I had someone ask me for Advil. I said, "Yeah here's some Ibuprofen." out of habit and this person absolutely loses their mind yelling, "I asked for Advil, I want Advil, I don't want some weird d**g I just want Advil." Needless to say, they lost first aid kit privileges.

myronmog avatar
moggie63
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I now buy 16 paracetamol 500mg, Asda own brand, at 45p for 16 tablets. 2 years ago they were 19p. Ibuprofen 200mg is 40p for 16.

bobbrooce_1 avatar
Bob Brooce
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why are people calling this one stupid? Doesn't everybody know that once Pangea broke up all of the chemicals evolved on different paths? What if he has no natural immunity to foreign acetaminophen?

katejones_1 avatar
Kate Jones
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes both brands are owned by the same company so it's really just a different label.

michaelchock avatar
michael Chock
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone knows each country establishes laws on how atoms are allowed to bond to become chemicals.

jaysea1997 avatar
J C
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tylenol never helps my headaches anyway, I take Ibuprofen for headaches.

marilyn-holt-3 avatar
Marilyn Holt
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This does get to be a bit annoying. I think I need an acetaminophen from yourope.

j_nieuw avatar
Jayjay
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The differences between burgers from different brands can be HUGE! Just like the compounds in simple medication as a Paracetamol or Tylenol. You just don't know what is added or altered.

rachel-pelz avatar
Rachel Pelz
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I don't think I'd trust myself buying a non-American brand"...well, ask someone else if you don't trust yourself then, maybe?

beizhudi-serv avatar
Judes
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The American poster has a point. For some people the inactive ingredient in a medication is important due to allergies or intolerances. These people do need to stick to specific brands which they know they can tolerate, so simply know the scientific name for the active ingredient isn't sufficient. However, it's not clear that that is this person's problem...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

For Reference, Longitude Is A Music Festival In Ireland And The Drinking Age Here Is 18

For Reference, Longitude Is A Music Festival In Ireland And The Drinking Age Here Is 18

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
tinaharnish avatar
Tina Harnish
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What country would allow the U.S. to dictate their drinking rules? We have different ages here in Canada, depends what province you're in.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

I'm From Ireland And Hearing Someone Call Munster A County Just Makes Me Cringe

I'm From Ireland And Hearing Someone Call Munster A County Just Makes Me Cringe

scubasteve254 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#32

Just Wait Until They Realise That GPU And CPU Temperatures Are Measured In C And Not F

Just Wait Until They Realise That GPU And CPU Temperatures Are Measured In C And Not F

ViolatorOfVirgins Report

#33

I Posted A Picture About A River In The Country Georgia, And This Person Had A Lot To Say

I Posted A Picture About A River In The Country Georgia, And This Person Had A Lot To Say

whitebathingsuit Report

Add photo comments
POST
rayceeyarayceeya avatar
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fact that the flag he posts isn't an American flag is the icing on the cake. That's the flag of Malaysia BTW.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

Mount Everest Has Relocated To South Dakota

Mount Everest Has Relocated To South Dakota

KlassyKlutz Report

Add photo comments
POST
rayceeyarayceeya avatar
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK I was thinking, maybe there's another Mt Everest that happens to be in South Dakota, bu t no. I found a list of the highest peaks in SD and NONE of them are named Everest. Had to check because Everest is not an uncommon name so it was possible but NOPE.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

Gotta Love It When You Back Them Into A Corner So They End Up Just Straight Lying

Gotta Love It When You Back Them Into A Corner So They End Up Just Straight Lying

Unwoven_Sleeve Report

#38

On One Side - Single Digit. On The Other Side - Wacky Numbers, All With Lots Of Extra Numbers At The End

On One Side - Single Digit. On The Other Side - Wacky Numbers, All With Lots Of Extra Numbers At The End

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
austinshannon avatar
Realistic Optimist
Community Member
1 week ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's interesting that people can still be so dumb, despite having more access to knowledge than any other point in history.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

America Is Really Obsessed With People's Race, Why Even Comment On The Person's Skin At All

America Is Really Obsessed With People's Race, Why Even Comment On The Person's Skin At All

ivory_ghostt Report

#41

Americans Thinking Ethnicities Have Different Stats Like This Is A Video Game

Americans Thinking Ethnicities Have Different Stats Like This Is A Video Game

Kochga Report

Add photo comments
POST
daya-meyer avatar
Daya Meyer
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Clearly my genetic has been messed up. I am born and raised by a german family in Germany but still can get drunk and have a hangover.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#42

This Comment On A Video Explaining Why European Road System Is Better

This Comment On A Video Explaining Why European Road System Is Better

NagaToroLoli Report

#43

The "This Is The Internet, Not America" Moment

The "This Is The Internet, Not America" Moment

iFoegot Report

#44

On A Post Comparing US And UK Fanta

On A Post Comparing US And UK Fanta

Borgenschatz Report

Add photo comments
POST
77542 avatar
Arnold Larkins
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup! Here in MURICA we only speak in MURICANNNNNNN!!!!111!!11!!!11!!11! *Eagle sounds in background while guns go off and tanks fire*

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#46

Clean Hands For Sure Will Heal Broken Bones

Clean Hands For Sure Will Heal Broken Bones

JustADemomain Report

Add photo comments
POST
pethmantonya avatar
flower petals
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, of course! Just use soap and plenty of warm water when you have a heart attack.. Problem solved, easy peasy.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#48

He Is Right. We Have Parking Meters And Water Meters, But We Also Have Meters As In The Length

He Is Right. We Have Parking Meters And Water Meters, But We Also Have Meters As In The Length

SkyCole123 Report

#49

Wait Until They Hear About Canada

Wait Until They Hear About Canada

thespian-lesbian Report

Add photo comments
POST
acey-ace16 avatar
Ace
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

TBF there are many Europeans too who fail to realise what the continent of North America actually comprises.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#50

Europe Is My Favorite Country

Europe Is My Favorite Country

rode__16 Report

Note: this post originally had 105 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.