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It’s no secret—the rest of the world looks at how peculiar American culture can be and wonders if it’s even real.

‘Cause let’s face it—even if it looks fine for us, that doesn’t mean that having police patrol your school, paying for a ride to the hospital, and calling the toilet “restroom” when we all know very well there ain't nobody going there to have a rest shouldn’t raise a brow for others.

So this time, we are looking at what American things make our fellow non-American friends scratch their heads in simple, yet very spot-on questions below. Our dear American Pandas are also welcome to help separate what’s real, what’s rumors, and what only happens in movies in the comments! And after you're done with this post, check out our previous one with things Americans do that require an explanation for non-Americans.

#1

Questions-For-Americans

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Ceredwyn Ealanta
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But taking off shoes and socks when you come in is nearly as good as taking off your bra.

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#3

Questions-For-Americans

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GirlFriday
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have them. They are usually part of the cheerleader squad or dance squad. It is a sports thing. We take sports very seriously.

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Even though Americans and Europeans share many things, like commitment to democratic principles, a strategic alliance, and some of the highest standards in the world, there are still some very notable differences between them.

A 2016 study done by Pew Research Center was very revealing in that respect. First of all, it showed that Americans are more likely to believe they control their own destiny.

The research showed that a staggering 57% of Americans disagreed with the statement “Success in life is pretty much determined by forces outside our control.” The percentage was higher than in any other European nations polled.

#6

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Brendan
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An affective way to make the 'popular' kids feel even more popular.

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The second interesting thing the Pew poll showed is that “Americans prioritize individual liberty, while Europeans tend to value the role of the state to ensure no one in society is in need.”

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When it comes to religion, it turned out that over half in the US (53%) say religion is extremely important in their life, which is nearly double the share with the same view in Poland.

In France, for example, only 14% consider religion a very important aspect of their lives.

#8

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chi-wei shen
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How else would you call them? Students wouldn't use the teachers first name.

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#9

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GirlFriday
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some schools are more strict than others and require them. My schools didn't require them. We just excused ourselves and went to the restroom when needed.

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Laurie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In 7th grade, I had a science teacher named Mr. Butler. He was VERY strict and formal, but also a very good teacher. You couldn’t just ask for a hall pass, you had to state the reason why. Saying you had to use the restroom wasn’t good enough. You had to say why you needed to. I remember one girl stood up and said loudly to him and the class it was because she started menstruating (couldn’t say period, pee, Pooh) and didn’t want it to bleed through her clothing. LOL After she did that, students no longer had to say any more detail.

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BG
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You DO NOT want to see some random weird kid walking down the hallway of an American school while classes are in session.

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NamiKoa
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Growing up in Europe this thought never occurred to me. America is so messed up in that regard.

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Toasty
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We needed a hall pass to leave the classroom. I though it was disgusting that they handed out the same trinket to every kid who went to the bathroom, I mean, most kids don't wash their hands.

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Dragonfruit'nrollerskates
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep. My middle (and high) school was ridiculous about this. There was only one bathroom open at certain times of the day, and sometimes none. You had to walk around the school looking for it, and if you didn't have your ID or a "proper" hall pass, you couldn't go. By proper I mean last year my spainish teachr signed a piece of cardboard and let everyone take it around, and even though THEY KNEW IT WAS HIS SIGNATURE, I got sent to the office.

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Cat Houston
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, as a kid, I found it completely absurd. Sometimes the teachers would even say "no". They also forced us to stand and say the "Pledge of Allegiance" every morning - which I refused to do because I didn't want to pledge my allegiance to anything at 8 years old. They also completely glossed over the whole genocide of the Native Americans and 300+ years of slavery - not taught in school AT ALL. School sucked.

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Jill Pulcifer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where I went to school and where my kids go, yes absolutely, if you were caught in the halls without one you were in trouble.

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Torchicachu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my school literally doesn't trust kids so they give us 20 hall passes for the semester and that's it. use your bathroom trips wisely

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Jimmy Wakeman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes most places require hall passes so kids don't hang out skipping classes

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Koalamonster
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depending on your school, but we did have them. You just need whatever paper or item the teacher gives you so when some other teacher sees you in the hall and asks wtf why aren't you in class you can show them that you're accounted for. Though to be honest while my school had them we didn't actually use them much and nobody ever really yelled at you for being in the hall. Kids have to pee sometimes, you know?

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Sas Oostvogels
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once worked at a school where you had to put you name down in a register when you wanted to use the bathroom during class.

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Eric Mac Fadden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes its good to show some discipline. If you since early age knows how to behave will be easier to know your boundaries and the others' too. We REALLY need it in Brazil...

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NMN
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know why, you could only be excused one at a time in all schools I went to (SP/DF), it always worked fine and if you were just going around you were caught by a "bedel" and sent back to class or to the counselor

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Lizzie Robbins
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We had a hall pass in Junior high. You got to go twice per term during class or else you had to go during five minute breaks. This suck when it your “time of the month” 😕 worst three years ever.

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JennieLee543
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My high school biology teacher's hall pass was a taxidermy squirrel mounted on a branch.

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Tovah Roche
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I noped out of a college course on the first day for many reasons. One of them was the instructor required us to ASK FOR PERMISSION to use the restroom. We also had to take a hall pass which was two keys with "women" on one and "men" on the other. He kept the bathroom doors closest to his lecture room locked at all times for some bat s**t crazy reason. I was 26 years. I worked hard to pay for college, not high school. I refused to be treated like a child.

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b l a n c
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lol i don't think this is everywhere in america, it depends on the school. i hardly ever see shows/movies with americans using hall passes

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Danieletc
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. If you were in the hall during class, you were troublemaking punk that needed a hall pass. Or not. The ones that did not need it were nerds.

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Rabbit Carrot
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had this in primary and secondary school in the U.K. My son uses one too and so do my nieces and nephews at their schools.. A pass to show staff you might run into on the way that you’re really going on the toilet and not just skipping class.

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Rachel Adams
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never had this in my school in the UK, or my nieces schools and one of my nieces goes to private school. Non of my friends have ever had to have it as well

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leah
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends on the school. I'm the one who got rid of them when I was in 2nd Grade. My teacher told me I couldn't go to the bathroom and my bladder responded. My mom raised holy hell and no more hall passes or asking to go after that.

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Damaris Gilbert
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok so some schools do that, the crazy thing is some places you just ask and the teacher can refuse and make you wait, which is stupid bcs how are you gonna learn with a full bladder? Idk if that's just the US tho.

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Leslie Burleson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You don't necessarily need a pass , but you definitely need permission. My son peed his pants a few times waiting on the teacher to answer him. Not cool

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Ana Rodriguez
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Colombia South America, you couldn't go unless you had a health condition. Had to wait in between classes. Discipline was huge when I was growing up.

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Arctic Fox Lover
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I myself am pretty weirded out about physical hall passes, but of course we need our teacher's permission before leaving the classroom under most circumstances. Are you telling us you just get up and walk away mid-sentence of the teacher?? I mean, that's pretty disrespectful, isn't it...?

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Lyra Rey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In college there were always a few Freshmen who didn't catch on right away at the beginning of the year and would raise their hand to ask the professor if they could go. Sometimes the professor would be a jerk about it because it interrupted their lecture.

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Lyra Rey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Substitute teacher here. My understanding is that we do this in order to deter kids from skipping class because we are responsible for supervising them. That said, probably less than half of the classrooms I sub in actually use passes. Most of the time you just ask the teacher's permission before leaving. I will almost always let you go unless the teacher's notes specifically tell me not to, although if multiple students have just gone I might tell you to wait until someone gets back and then catch my attention to let me know when you're leaving. Some teachers have a sign out sheet so if there's a fire drill you know who's out of the room and where they're supposed to be.

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Gipsy Kings fan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think my elementary schools used them in the 1960s - early 70s, but my high school didn't. In high school, smoking in the restrooms was the major forbidden activity. There was a Boys' Vice Principal and Girls' Vice Principal who prowled the hallways, making unexpected visits to restrooms to pounce on offenders.

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Bob Belcher
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had a friend once that was not the greatest student. He had to go and the teacher refused to give him a pass. He went in the trash can in the corner, facing away from everyone but still. Got suspended for a week. That's America for you.

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Candace Fitzpatrick
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We would just ask to be excused. If you asked CAN I go to the washroom, the teacher would ignore you until you asked MAY I go to the washroom.

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Ford Summit
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We're "supposed" to use hall passes, but almost none of the students or teachers care about it (except for finals).

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Cat Houston
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. I found it absurd, myself, growing up in those schools.

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Cuddles
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My school had them and some teachers didn't even care. If you needed to go, just say you were leaving the room so they would have -some- idea of where you went. LOL I had one video productions teacher who was chill and would cover for kids who snuck out of school to get fast food lunch. "I sent them out to get some footage from up there." The only time I ever needed to leave was because I got a severe nosebleed. It was one of the crankier teachers and I went up with my hand over my nose and said "I need to go to the restroom." "WHY DIDN'T YOU GO BETWEEN CLASSES?!" "Well *removes hand and reveals blood everywhere* I wasn't exactly bleeding then." The teacher freaked out and was like "Do you need the nurse? OMG. Go go go..."

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Aimee hester
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The best is when your teacher has a giant, embarrassing, product you have to not only ask for but then be laughed at by everyone for having to walk to and from the bathroom with.

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Susan Stead
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You need to receive permission to leave class for any reason, unless you're carried out on a stretcher.

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Lola
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s just a way to keep track of the students who are out of the classrooms. Most elementary schools have girl/boy pass. This way the teacher knows who is out of the room.

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Sabse
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What? Is it a jail or something?😅 Cannot believe it.

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Jo Choto
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, you have to have a pass to go to the bathroom. They have hall monitors whose job it is to detect anybody in the hallways during lesson times and report them if they don't have a pass that allows them to be there.

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Electric Ed
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But what if you have an empty spot in your schecule? You have to wait for the next class outside of the school building or something?

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Truth Monster
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My public school required it, and you'd better have a good reason for it.

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Liz the Wanderer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It prepares our children to be accustomed to having zero control over their own lives. The brainwashing begins very early here.

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Toni Alabakovski
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All teachers use different things. It could be a handwritten note or it could be a laminated card or other random objects.

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#10

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GirlFriday
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No. They don't - at least the schools that I went to and my nieces and nephews don't (they are ages 4 - 17). In the past, students were made to recite the "pledge of allegiance" each morning, but I think this is something that has fallen by the wayside.

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#11

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giraffescupcakesandlove
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some schools don't allow it, but at the schools I went to we were allowed to. It was fun! You can put magnets, quotes, pictures of loved ones.

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#12

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Potter
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, and there are usually one or two questions where you have to read something and write a few pages for it.

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#13

Questions-For-Americans

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Kat Hoth
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, and sometimes mail does get stolen even though it's a federal offense.

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#14

Questions-For-Americans

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#18

Questions-For-Americans

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chi-wei shen
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's so unusual with this? I'm Austrian and my children's friends never used my first name.

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#22

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#24

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chi-wei shen
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think children all over the world have to feel "slightly suicidal" to do this.

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#25

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80 Van
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, we call eye doctors “Optometrists,” and we call Opticians “Opticians.”

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#29

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Bill
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

most countries do because it has been a part of military training for centuries. They want inshape youth for military service.

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#30

Questions-For-Americans

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