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

#14

An American In London

An American In London

LibertyCapping1 Report

Add photo comments
POST
funkybluegirl avatar
andreadevine avatar
Full of Giggles
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Idk. I live in the US desert. I’ve had other Americans ask me how often I have to fight the Indians and Mexicans off my land. These people genuinely believe that us desert dwellers live like it’s still 1850.

Load More Replies...
hammerheadsharkgamer avatar
Dragons Exist
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

...but could you not read a clock if it didn't have numbers? The hand positions are usually enough

andyfrobig avatar
Andy Frobig
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember when Movado's most popular watch model had a diamond at 12 and nothing else. Good looking watch

Load More Replies...
sarah_a_tate avatar
Upstaged75
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How do these people manage to walk and breathe at the same time??

heather_talma avatar
Heather Talma
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dude my clock has cats on it instead of numbers and I can still tell the time.

natalietorp03 avatar
H_NGM_N
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I learned how to read analog clocks with roman numerals when i was like 7. Not ALL americans are stupid. (a lot nowadays are though)

andyfrobig avatar
Andy Frobig
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've seen Roman-numeral clocks in the US all my life. I own at least one watch with strange lines

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

My friends 13 year old could not read an analog clock. She was not even kind of interested. She said they don't teach it in schools anymore, in Billings, MT anyway.

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

My youngest, in Germany, was supposed to learn how to read analog clocks during Covid school closure. He still avoids it and is terrible at it, while we find it hard to remove all the digital clocks.

Load More Replies...
lorijohnston avatar
Lori
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't get it. This has to be a troll. We have plenty of clocks with roman numerals on them. So either this person is a complete moron or is trolling.

evan_13 avatar
Evan
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

no way bro does not know how to read a simple clock

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

This is a regular feature of these posts. We have no idea if the OP is stupid or playing with us.

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

For those that wonder why 4 is IIII, not IV: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://newgateworld.com/blogs/style/should-it-be-iiii-or-iv-on-a-clock-dial%23:~:text%3DWhen%2520Roman%2520numerals%2520were%2520in,so%2520IIII%2520was%2520introduced%2520instead.&ved=2ahUKEwjTt7Lc-tiFAxV2QUEAHXw2D04QFnoECBAQBQ&usg=AOvVaw16_YjNBwBUkp8BbZ4zHMw_

simperium avatar
Šimon Špaček
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even if you don't know Roman numbers, it is not that hard to understand that the one on top in 12. This was in M*A*S*H, episode Korean surgeon. "The one on top is twelve, the bottom one is 6" if I recall correctly.

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

Anybody else who always thinks of Bart Simpson deducing the Roman numerals from the Rocky movies?

karina_8 avatar
Karina
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even tho its a bit dumb, its understandable that kids do not know how to tell time "in analog".

clairebailey avatar
Bored something
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The hands read the same regardless of the numbers. Some clocks have only 3, 6, 9 and 12, others have a line marking the numbers, or only have a dot at 12, others have nothing. The hands still read the same no matter what is on the face.

lisaking_1 avatar
LadyKing
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We are taught line time clock speak in school. It should be global really

oliver3 avatar
blobby
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tbh this would be confusing to somebody who hasn't seen this before.

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

We have plenty of clocks with Roman numerals in the US. This person is simply an idiot and that is not a US-specific trait. ;)

Load More Replies...
hobbit4420 avatar
Sue Phillips
Community Member
3 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What, like only British clocks have Roman numerals on them? I, too, don't think this is real.

annabellew avatar
Ur_Fav_Lazy_Panda🫶
Community Member
3 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Off topic, but the architecture is SO pretty, one reason I’d like to visit Europe

debstu1972 avatar
Dainty72
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Americans don't do 24h clocks either. I find this astonishing that they don't know Roman numerals. Americans are taught about America as the rest of the world doesn't exist. That's why they have an overrated ego about how their country is the greatest country ever! I'm going to get haters slating me.

tennyson4president avatar
Valerie Woods
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reading analog clocks is definitely a Generation Z problem. If you don't understand Roman numerals, though, that's purely having a poor education.

miket_2 avatar
Mike 10-4
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can tell when it's day or night most times also know 4 seasons

ariel_4 avatar
ari el
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Check out the anomalous "Roman" number 4 symbol on the clock - should be iv, not llll - long story, British made clock and some king getting it wrong about no4

janinesmith avatar
J9
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not just an American problem, I know quite a few South Africans that are just as confused 😐

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

Let me ask you a question to clarify something... How do you think colorblind people know when the traffic light is green?

matojakubik avatar
Cuppa tea?
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is purely touristy decoration, obviously time wasn't imported yet, it exist only in the Americanest states of unidity.

shopgirl012974 avatar
Alicia M
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This has to be fake bc really young children can read clocks without numbers. They understand it.

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

Wish you were right. With the ubiquity of digital clocks (the stove, the microwave...), kids can avoid learning and thoroughly training how to read real clocks.

Load More Replies...
guessundheit avatar
Guess Undheit
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No doubt the yanks can't figure out Stupor Bowl numbers either.

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

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.