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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'?

#2

European vs. US Party System

European vs. US Party System

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

Yeah - January 6, 2021, was a great example for a total lack of chaos and mayhem.

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

It tends to actually be the other way around. Having a two party system often contributes to a ‘us against them’ sort of thinking, and focus tends to be on what differentiates the two groups of people, instead of what they have in common. In countries with a two party system (US, UK, Australia et c.) this can lead to an increase in political conflicts, to a ‘blaming everything on the other side’ type of thinking and to whataboutism (“no, we’re not perfect but what about them, they’re even worse!”) All of this can contribute to an inefficient political decision making process, and can slow progress down.

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martin734
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was agreeing with you right up until you said the UK was a two-party system. It Isn't, we currently have Members of Parliament from; The Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Reform, The Green Party, the Scottish National Party, Sinn Fein, Social and Democratic Labour Party, Plaid Cymru, the Democratic Unionist Party, Alba Party, Alliance Party, the Workers Party of Britain and we have 18 Members of Parliament who are independent and not members of any political party.

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

I wonder if that guy then thinks that a one party state is perfect order. Emperor Palpatine, is that you?

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our two party system has been highly unstable for about 60 years. The current chaos is not unprecedented. There are some weird echos of 1968 in fact. There were riots at the Democratic national convention in Chicago, same place it's happening this year. The OG Robert Kennedy was running for president. Damn shame somebody shot him. Just a couple of small things but still weird.

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

Over 800 political parties are set to contest the national election in my country :)

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Joe Bloe
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

US is not represtative of anything in the western world. They are the special need cousin.

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

To be fair, there's a fair chance that we'd be better off if RFK jr wasn't also a presidential candidate.

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Guess Undheit
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A two party system ~~~IS~~~ a one party system. There is ALWAYS a majority government in each branch of government, and majorities are easy to bribe and influence. Minority governments are forced to listen to the junior partner ("do that, and we'll force an election").

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

I guess you could argue that most politicians are sorted by similar morals- also parties are a huge way for funding campaigns.

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Mental Liberals
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Corrupt US - 2 sides of the same corrupt coin! The corrupt US is run by the oligarchy!

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C .Hunger
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would think a pro of a two party system is, in theory, at least 50.1% of the people in a democracy would get the person they wanted for presidency, while in a three party system, in theory, at least 33.4% would get who they wanted, etc. Yeah, not much there I admit...

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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

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Stardust she/her
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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

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#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

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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.

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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.

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#6

Because The English Language Comes From America

Because The English Language Comes From America

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Arnold Larkins
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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

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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

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#10

American Jesus

American Jesus

Chuckadoolah Report

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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.. 🫨

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#11

The Greatest You Say?

The Greatest You Say?

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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?

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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.

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#12

Person Forgets That Not Everyone Is American

Person Forgets That Not Everyone Is American

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#18

The Entitlement Of Some Of These Tourists

The Entitlement Of Some Of These Tourists

0xLynkos Report

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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

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#19

Spain In Pain

Spain In Pain

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FreeDragon
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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.

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#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

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#23

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

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#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

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#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

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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.

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#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

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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.

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#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

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#31

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

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#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

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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.

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#36

Mount Everest Has Relocated To South Dakota

Mount Everest Has Relocated To South Dakota

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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.

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#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

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#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

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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.

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#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

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#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

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Daya Meyer
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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.

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#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

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#43

The "This Is The Internet, Not America" Moment

The "This Is The Internet, Not America" Moment

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#44

On A Post Comparing US And UK Fanta

On A Post Comparing US And UK Fanta

Borgenschatz Report

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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*

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#46

Clean Hands For Sure Will Heal Broken Bones

Clean Hands For Sure Will Heal Broken Bones

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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.

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#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

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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.

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#50

Europe Is My Favorite Country

Europe Is My Favorite Country

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