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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.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Ceredwyn Ealanta 5 years ago
But taking off shoes and socks when you come in is nearly as good as taking off your bra.
Cori 5 years ago
I never wear shoes in my house. I live on a farm. My shoes are barely allowed to come inside at all. It always leaves me feeling super awkward when I go to someone else's house though. Because I never know what to do. I'm hardwired to take off my shoes, but then am I going to just walk around someone's house in my socks, or worse, bare feet? It's a conundrum.
Marilynn Hanson 5 years ago
Where is your farm? My dad was from Nebraska and he always said farmers ( 30's&40's) keep their shoes on until bed. I just grew up with that in my head :) of course I guess that's compared to going barefoot outside :)
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Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
Gah, yes! Some do! Some don't. It's either regional or personal, but I was raised to NEVER wear shoes indoors. Rude, dirty, ick, forget it. My spouse, however, sees no issue with it.
Petra Schaap 5 years ago
not that again, lol. l know a lot of people in Holland and Belgium who keep their shoes on, only take them off when they are dirty or wet.
Courtney Christelle 5 years ago
We take our shoes off. I don't want outside germs getting inside.
RELATED:
#2
Ben Smith 5 years ago
This gets rehashed all the time. "Jelly" in the UK is what Americans would call "jello." So yes a PB and jello sandwich would be disgusting. Jelly in the US is jam or marmalade in the UK. PB and jam is amazing.
CrunChewy McSandybutt 5 years ago
Oh, that makes sense. We do NOT put flavored gelatin on sandwiches. We put marmalade or preserves.
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Anxious Pansexual Nightmare 5 years ago
PEANUT BUTTER IS AMAZING AND NOBODY CAN CHANGE MY MIND
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
I love how people in Europe will freak about PB&J, then eat Nutella piled 2.5 cm high on toast...
Weishaar Jamie 5 years ago
As above, that's because jelly in the UK, and probably elsewhere, is gelatin not jam or marmalade. A PB and G would be pretty disgusting. Americans (and I know, I am one) believe the world revolves around them and that all cultures, people, and countries should follow our "examples". Just a little political diatribe. The US has become so embarrassing
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Brendan 5 years ago
I'm from the UK, and I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (although, we call it peanut butter and jam).
BG 5 years ago
Jam is made with whole fruit. Jelly is made with only the juice (and usually corn syrup). Jelly is WAYYYY more popular here (USA).
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Truth Monster 5 years ago
(hides pb and j sandwich.) yes, its an inside joke. No one eats that.....lol
#3
GirlFriday 5 years ago
We have them. They are usually part of the cheerleader squad or dance squad. It is a sports thing. We take sports very seriously.
Cassie 5 years ago
Not sure what Darko Pešić experienced here, but every high school here has multiple competitive sports teams and a mascot. Lots of kids get into college on a sports scholarship because sports gets even more competitive at the college level. I've seen brutal fights between people going into a store wearing opposing team gear. We're trained to be rabid fans from a young age. Even our junior high/middle schools have competitive teams and mascots and some elementary schools, too.
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Danieletc 5 years ago
Yes. And no one - absolutely NO ONE - is jealous of the one that dresses up as one.
Dilly Millandry 5 years ago
Some do, some don't. It isn't a thing generally though.
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b l a n c 5 years ago
a lot of the high school stuff i see on TV about proms and mascots i've never seen in any of my schools, so i always found it weird, but i'm pretty sure it's a common thing where i live too
Dilly Millandry 5 years ago
I'm assuming there isn't as much bullying as TV and films portray in high school as well.... hopefully.
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BryanR 5 years ago
YES! Ours was the Panther! Robert Lee Paschal High School, Fort Worth, Texas, US
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.
#4
lara 5 years ago
Wood chipper, composting with style, keeping things environmentally friendly, great veggies next year.
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Doris Won-Lee 5 years ago
And someone else tries to pick up the spoon with their hands
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Suzi Gauthier 5 years ago
At smaller schools it's a big deal, but there are so many different cliques in bigger school that only the people who are going for it & their friends care. It was a bigger deal back in the 50s.
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Panda Lurker 5 years ago
I have it in Norway, it's not an uncommon thing. It's just for organic waste, better than using plastic bags for it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
AndyR 5 years ago
They were quite common in the UK in the 80s. You won't see them in a newbuild though.
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Nathan Jones 5 years ago
Then you've literally never been to anyone elses house, or you just didn't notice it. I'm 40 and I've been in a ton of houses new and old, and I've only ever seen one house that didn't have one.
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Jim Ellington 5 years ago (edited)
No, we just have a problem with wolverines that live in our drains and get very angry when we hit the light switch.
Computernaut 5 years ago (edited)
They're actually really good for getting rid of old food or anything that straddles the line between drain and garbage.
Koalamonster 5 years ago
I'm American and they kind of creep me out. I don't like the idea of something in the sink that can hurt a friggin fork.
#5
Lynne Williams 5 years ago
Lol! Well I eat 3 different cereals as a base for my breakfast in the morning.
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b l a n c 5 years ago
same in canada, although it's not all full, it often consists of granola bars and snacks too
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Cassie 5 years ago
Our government and various cereal-producing companies spent a great deal of effort throughout the 70s and 80s to convince us that sugary cereals were the main part of a "healthy" breakfast (generally shown as a bowl of cereal, a buttered slice of white toast, and a cup of orange juice).
chi-wei shen 5 years ago
They might not really need them, but they have them in many supermarkets.
#6
Kayla J 5 years ago
In my high school, instead of naming a Prom Queen & King by popular vote, it was who had raised the most money for charity which was a really nice twist.
Viviane 5 years ago
Kayla J, I like that. In my old town, a small high school would hold a lottery for the girls. The winner was crowned "Miss Leftovers". Wearing a sash and crown, Miss Leftovers would kick off a charity football game called "The Garbage Bowl".
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Foxxy (The Original) 5 years ago
I hate the idea of this because essentially it is a popularity contest.
Eric Mac Fadden 5 years ago
It's the American culture of being the best. Not against it but it creates a lot of "losers".
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Jimmy Wakeman 5 years ago
Yes they do but unless you are in the popular crowd no one is really interested in it anymore
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.”
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.
#7
Veronica Volz 5 years ago
No, microwaves are faster. Kettles take much longer in the US vs the UK eg, because of the the lower voltage/wattage.
Jack Chandra 5 years ago
Since European electricity is 240 volts, while North American electricity is 120 volts, British kettles will boil twice as fast as American ones.
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Rosesinmyhair 5 years ago
Glad I live in Australia with 240V. Kettle is quick to boil. I tried making a cup of boiled water in the microwave for my tea once and it tasted foul! Like the water was salty and it made the tea taste bland. Never again!
Torchicachu 5 years ago
i guess it depends where your water comes from tho..
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Foxxy (The Original) 5 years ago (edited)
I am actually surprised with how many people think majority of people use stove top kettles. Have they never heard of electric kettles? I don’t know anyone or seen anyone use a stove top kettle unless camping, everyone I know uses electric kettles which boils water super fast.
Just JoLynn 5 years ago
I have a stove top kettle and I love it, heats up my water super fast too.
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XianJaguar 5 years ago
I do too. If i need really hot water, I put it in the microwave to heat it up because it can heat it to a temperature higher than what comes out of the faucet.
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Wubbleyew 5 years ago
This is probably in part due to the fact that American households only have 110volt outlets unlike the 200-240v a lot of other places. So their electric jugs are quite likely a lot slower.
Johnny 5 years ago
I was just going to say that -- our 120V electric kettles top out out 1500 watts of power, so a 220V 3000W kettle heats water twice as fast. Plus many Americans just don't heat water for beverages all that often -- they use a dedicated coffee maker for coffee and that's the only hot beverage some people drink regularly.
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Virgil Blue 5 years ago
Seems to be a lot of kettle hate out there judging by the downvotes. Personally I prefer kettles because I drink a lot of tea.
Torchicachu 5 years ago
i know some of you wont agree with this, but i really believe putting water in the microwave for a minute or two is way easier than boiling water in a kettle or in a pot. sorry if im wrong.
Something 5 years ago
I don't see how it's easier than an electric kettle, which exists in the United States as well. To microwave water, you fill a container, put it into a cabinet, and press a button. To boil water with an electric kettle, you fill a container and press a button.
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#8
chi-wei shen 5 years ago
How else would you call them? Students wouldn't use the teachers first name.
Cristina Sacchi 5 years ago
Not in Italy. We call them teacher or professor depending in wich grade you are.
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GirlFriday 5 years ago
Yes. And at 46 years old, I see my past teachers in public and still call them Mr/Mrs/Coach because that is a sign of respect.
Phunny Philosopher 5 years ago
Haha, me too! It just seems so strange not to.
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Nia Loves Art 5 years ago
In most schools yes. Calling a teacher by their first name is considered disrespectful.
Martin Thomsen 5 years ago
In Denmark we use first names. Always. At all levels of education. Some students probably don't even know my last name
b l a n c 5 years ago
i know your last name, it's thomsen (if it's your real last name)
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lailyfnoor 5 years ago
Maybe most of country use mr/mrs/ms 'last name' to call their teacher. But in Indonesia, we call our teacher mr/mrs/ms 'first name' since calling people's last name is uncommon here (even some people don't have last name)
Foxxy (The Original) 5 years ago
Same in Australia, on occasions the teacher may use their first name if their last name is difficult to say ie Miss Katie instead of Miss Giannocopolis. Even as an adult when I talk to my son or daughters teachers I use Mr, Mrs such and such to address them.
Little Wonder 5 years ago
Yep, when I got to "senior campus" (years 11 and 12) we used first names, but up till then it was Title and Lastname
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GirlFriday 5 years ago
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.
Laurie 5 years ago
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.
Load More Replies... BG 5 years ago
You DO NOT want to see some random weird kid walking down the hallway of an American school while classes are in session.
NamiKoa 5 years ago
Growing up in Europe this thought never occurred to me. America is so messed up in that regard.
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Dragonfruit'nrollerskates 5 years ago
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.
Cat Houston 5 years ago
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.
Jill Pulcifer 5 years ago
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.
Torchicachu 5 years ago
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
Jimmy Wakeman 5 years ago
Yes most places require hall passes so kids don't hang out skipping classes
Koalamonster 5 years ago
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?
Sas Oostvogels 5 years ago
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.
#10
GirlFriday 5 years ago
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.
Luna Lovegood 5 years ago
It has most definitely not fallen by the wayside. I am still a student in America. Every school I have ever been to or heard of does this. We don't really think it's weird because it's normal. Idk it is a bit weird but it's just what people do.
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Koalamonster 5 years ago
They made us do it in elementary school, I don't remember doing it in high school though.
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
The Pledge of Allegiance, August 1892, by socialist minister Francis Bellamy. Bellamy hoped that the pledge would be used by citizens in any country. In its original form it read: "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." In 1923, the words, "the Flag of the United States of America" were added. In 1954, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words "under God." Bellamy's daughter objected to this alteration. Today it reads: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." We don't salute but put hands over hearts.
A.M. Pierre 5 years ago
Fun fact: you can google pictures of school children doing the original salute, which was later changed (for what will be obvious reasons when you see it). Let's just say, it's a bit shocking at first when you see what looks like a schoolroom full of American children "heil-ing" the flag.
Load More Replies... Jill Pulcifer 5 years ago
Yes and we say the Pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america, and to the republic for which it stands one nation under god indivisible (ha what a joke right) with liberty and justice for all. All the way through High School now, as my eldest 17, has refused since Trump became president. When I was growing up it was just elementary.
Jesse 5 years ago
It's crapping right on the separation of church and state and it's indoctrinated into kids heads that it's fine to completely ignore the Constitution.
Load More Replies... ebony1k124 touch 5 years ago (edited)
In the early 80s in Elementary school we said the Pledge with our hands over our hearts.
Andrea Malone 5 years ago
In the 50s, 60s, and 70s also. It was in the 50s that "under God" was added. I think that should be removed as many do not believe in God (or have other beliefs) and should not be made to feel left out because of it. People of any religion can be proud Americans.
Load More Replies... Jo Choto 5 years ago
Every day, students in schools all around America gather in their homeroom classroom. An announcement will come over the tannoy to say the pledge of allegiance. All teachers and students will then stand, place their right hand on their chest, and recite the pledge. This is the first thing that happens every single day in American schools. You should see the looks you get when you don't do the recitation.
#11
giraffescupcakesandlove 5 years ago
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.
Stephany Miller 5 years ago
Less then 5 minutes to move from one side of the school to the other with dozens of kids in your way. No time for a locker it was run with your 50 pound back pack
Bridgette Helms 5 years ago
My kids in high school. They don't use their lockers anymore. We used to to keep all of our books so we didn't have to carry all of them around. Now they just use their phones to take picture of what they need to read and homework so they don't even carry around their books.
Weishaar Jamie 5 years ago
Do schools still use books? I thought they were considered passe
Load More Replies... jtrisn1 5 years ago
We didn't even get lockers. The lockers were inside classrooms and if you tried to claim one, the janitor will clip the lock and take everything inside to lost and found. When you go to claim it, you're taken to the Dean's office to be interrogated on why you were using that locker.
#12
Potter 5 years ago
Yes, and there are usually one or two questions where you have to read something and write a few pages for it.
Big Blue Cat 5 years ago
I literally can't remember having even one multiple choice questions during my school years. But I'm from North Europe and we needed to know the answer.
My O My 5 years ago
We always had to answer in complete sentences - with some teachers even in math
Load More Replies... Jo Choto 5 years ago
There are tests called SATs. These are the tests that determine whether somebody will get into university or not. The vast majority of those SAT tests are in multiple choice format. From the American perspective this serves two purposes. 1/ The tests can be graded by a machine, not a person, saving a lot of time and money. 2/ The results are very standardized. If the answer is either right or wrong, there is no possibility of favoritism or bias in the marking.
AndyR 5 years ago
But presumably don't test sustained writing/analysis skills?
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ClaireM 5 years ago
Oh my gosh yes, I studied in the US when I was younger at a state university (I'm British) I was so confused when we had our first test and the professor asked if everyone had a pencil. I was an adult, I brought pens, I hadn't used a pencil since I was a kid. I had to borrow one. I was then even more shocked that it was to fill in a multiple choice grid!
lara 5 years ago
When I was teaching I NEVER gave out multiple choice, fill in the blank or "matching." You did ID's [who or what and why it was important] and two essays. It was impossible, back then, to cheat on my tests. They tried, but they couldn't because I never gave out the same test, ever. Used once, thrown away.
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
In my experience? No. There are many sections on most tests. True-False. Multiple choice. Essay. Etc.
Tired-Panda 5 years ago
We had multiple choice tests in England, especially verbal, and non-verbal reasoning for your 11+. I don't think we had multiple choice for our SATs though.
#13
Kat Hoth 5 years ago
Yes, and sometimes mail does get stolen even though it's a federal offense.
Nevits Yibble 5 years ago
Nobody dares to steal mail from an America's mailbox because, you know, guns
Load More Replies... Jo Choto 5 years ago
The best thing about those mailboxes is not that you get your mail delivered into them. It's that you can put all your outgoing mail into them and the mailman picks them up when he delivers your things. That's what the little "arm" is for on the side of the box. when you put it up, it means you have outgoing mail to be collected. The mailman will put the arm down when he takes your mail and delivers the new stuff.
Brendan 5 years ago
Oh my God, that's amazing! I wish we had that in the UK.
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Heather Pobicki 5 years ago
I've never had my mail stolen. If packages fit in my mailbox they will put them in there too.
BG 5 years ago
It is a federal offense to even touch someone else's mailbox. Quite a few advertising companies have received hefty fines for tucking brochures behind the flags of mailboxes or placing them inside.
GirlFriday 5 years ago
No it isn't. Is a violation of federal statutes to interfere with the delivery of the mail. You aren't going to jail for bumping into someone's mailbox or opening a letter that was misdelivered to you as long as you either return the letter to the postal service or its rightful owner. The crime is when you stop the Letter Carrier from doing their job or stealing the mail.
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Louise Stange-Wahl 5 years ago
I was a part-time rural mail carrier, and my route had several hundred mailboxes. I had to drive the vehicle from the British side, and most all the boxes were single-family. Yes, mail theft is a problem...also for Amazon, UPS, and FedEx. I live in the foothills of two large mountain ranges (Southern Rockies) and they use Cluster Boxes here where perhaps 20 to 50 addresses share a large Metal box. They are constantly getting broken open. The cluster box we would have to use is 5 miles away...so we rent a box at the post office, which is so close to home I could walk or ride one of my horses (but don't LOL). BTW--our post office and Walmart have hitching posts and water for your horse if you decide to ride on down.
Gerry Higgins 5 years ago
All they will get is junk mail, no one steals bills. But Porch Pirates for UPS deliveries is quite a problem.
Catlady6000 5 years ago
They used to steal credit card bills, to get the number
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lara 5 years ago
The US government OWNS the mailbox. If you are not the addressee and someone opens the mailbox and takes something they have broken federal law. You do not want to screw with the Post Office. They do have inspectors who do investigate them, they are officers and they can and do cross state lines. More drug dealers have been taken down by the Post Office than any other individual group. They work in concert with all other federal agencies.
Madb vonMesser 5 years ago
Generally those types of boxes are there because they are on a "mounted" route, which can have near to a thousand deliveries on them sometimes. They are convenient for the mailman because they don't have to get out of the truck unless there is a package that won't fit in the box, allowing those massive routes to get delivered in good time. Source: Currently a mailman
XianJaguar 5 years ago
Those of us in high-crime areas get locking mailboxes, where you can put mail in through a slot, but you need a key to get it out of the box.
#14
lara 5 years ago
Why not? Especially extra crunchy. I even make "shortbread" cookies, substituting half the butter with peanut butter.
#15
ebony1k124 touch 5 years ago
Mine burnt my hand with the end of a hot test tube. I still have the round scar 28 years later.
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Nubmaeme 5 years ago
My physics lab partner died two months before graduation due to some kind of genetic blood disorder. He could explain things in a way that made them easier to understand, something the teacher couldn't do. I was lost without him and at the worst possible time when we were heading into finals.
Walter Smith 5 years ago
Dogs ARE a man's best friend. I never go anywhere without my Lab partner.
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
You have two people running an experiment together. You study the topic, design the experiment, run the experiment, record the data, analyze the data, and reach conclusions about the data. You then (hopefully both!) write up the whole thing. So, y'know... You do science with them.
Peko 5 years ago
It's the permanent nature of it that surprise us. We'd do the same things but with whomever we happened to sit next to that day.
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Bama Belle 5 years ago
My lab partner almost caused me to pass out. We were dissecting a frog. She poked an internal organ w/ her scalpel & it burst. I felt it hit me in the face. She yelled, "Ewww, that got in my mouth!". Suddenly, I was in a black tunnel, swaying back and forth. I snapped back before falling over, though.
Dilly Millandry 5 years ago
I get grey fizzy vision before I pass out... A friend of mine insisted everything went yellow. I know that's not the main point but I find the differences interesting.
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Dani Colombick 5 years ago
my lab partner threw vitreous humor at me when we were dissecting a cow eye. she is now one of my closest friends.
Mikal Du Preez 5 years ago
"What do they do with them" lol. I'm not American but in my school we had partners for practical stuff in science or biology class because there would never be enough equipment for every student to work alone.
#16
Luna Lovegood 5 years ago
Yep!!! What do you do, spend 15 minutes trying to stab a flat, crunchy object with a fork?
Donny Cromwell 5 years ago
Why would I dirty a fork when I'm eating nothing but a plate full of bacon.
Computernaut 5 years ago
How else would one eat bacon? You can't exactly stab it with a fork very easily.
Rachel Adams 5 years ago
Is it because American bacon seems thin and crispy? In the UK we have different types of bacon and having it for breakfast you use a knife and fork
80 Van 5 years ago
Correct. American bacon is made from pork belly, which is very fast and gets very crispy, so it’s difficult to eat with a fork (sort of like a potato crisp). British bacon is meatier and therefore easier to eat with a fork.
Load More Replies... danielw 5 years ago
if you can eat it with a fork... it's not cooked fully. Bacon should be crispy. otherwise it's just ham.
Nevits Yibble 5 years ago
This question is confused. American bacon, yes (there's no other way to eat it). English, Irish, or Canadian bacon - hell no, of course not. And American bacon is no more greasy than a potato chip
#17
Iapetos 5 years ago
I find it relaxing how you can swear so f*****g much on Bored Panda.
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Jill Pulcifer 5 years ago
Yep, and we frequently get even more colorful than that. I have at more than one time in my life addressed someone as a "C**k Smoker" insults are like a national past time here.
Foxxy (The Original) 5 years ago
Why is it only American. I often use douche of douche canoe and today I called my mum a jerk, don’t worry we have the kind of relationship where we can tease each other playfully. Wasn’t nasty.
John-Paul Bitler 5 years ago
I don't hear people going around saying jerk and dousche. More like B*tch and Motherf*cker
Sue Prewitt 5 years ago
Yeah. Unlike other countries that use c**t. Here in America that is an EXTREMELY offensive slur.
Marzipanda 5 years ago
Yes, it's quite cathartic to say jerk and douche to the face of a bona fide jerk or douche, like Danny Bonaduce who can be a damn bona fide douche at times.
Chewie Baron 5 years ago
I remember when Home & Away (Australian soap to those who don't know) first came to the UK. Cue every insult in school being "Rack off you drag!!!"
Truth Monster 5 years ago
I think that's a regional/generational thing. And yes, its not uncommon
Michael Capriola Jr. 5 years ago
I believe Jerk and Douche are the names of Donald Trump's sons.
#18
chi-wei shen 5 years ago
What's so unusual with this? I'm Austrian and my children's friends never used my first name.
Cassie 5 years ago
It's generally considered disrespectful for kids to call adults by first name in the US. If the adult permits it, it's fine, though. I thought this was typical in the UK, too. I'm curious where these places are that it's typical for young people to refer to adults by first name.
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GirlFriday 5 years ago
I still call some of my childhood friends' parents Mr and Mrs even though I am grown. It is a sign of respect here in the US.
Rissie 5 years ago
You know, it just sounds fine and to be honest here in the Netherlands you get called the "Mother of name" which is very elaborate. "Simon's mother asked me to ask the mother of Dennis for some cookies".
Luka Hamer 5 years ago
I came here to mention this. 'Michael's mom (and then the question or comment)'
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Alexis D. 5 years ago
it's a regional thing in the US. I was born in California and called my friends' parents by their first names. then moved to Maryland and everyone was Miss *first name* or Mister *first name*
Pusfarm 5 years ago
I was born and still live in CA and rarely did I or other kids use first names, unless invited to do so.
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Susan Reid Smith 5 years ago
I do too. It seems uncomfortable using just their first name.
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Pan Narrans 5 years ago
In most parts in The Netherlands even your employer of managing director is addressed with their first name. The family name is only used when the first name is too common in the company.
#19
Foxxy (The Original) 5 years ago
Again something that is not just American, I know many people that say this including myself and my daughter. Sometimes my daughter comes up and says “Question” and I reply “answer”.
BG 5 years ago (edited)
If you're interrupting someone for clarification. It lets them know that you're not just randomly butting-in.
Computernaut 5 years ago
I believe it's a shortened form of "Can I ask a question" or "I have a question".
Eric Mac Fadden 5 years ago
In Portuguese we do, sometimes - just when you want focus on the matter
CrunChewy McSandybutt 5 years ago
I do if I want to interrupt a discussion to ask my question.
#20
Wicked Witch 5 years ago
They do if you work for the prison system as well.
Load More Replies... Evil Little Thing 5 years ago
That's a military thing that occasionally works its way into academia. I LOVE being called by my last name, and for years have signed documents with my first initial and last name. I like thinking that if people can't tell I'm a woman then they will judge my work on its merit.
Susan Stead 5 years ago
Not civilians, although I've seen it in an office where many people had the same first name. Nicknames are normal, though.
Koalamonster 5 years ago
soldiers and athletes mostly. Things where your last name is the thing people see on your shirt. I did have friends who tried to do a weird nickname with my last name- I did not enjoy it.
Jenny Rosbach 5 years ago
Yes, if you've got a common first name. My first name, Jennifer, was so common my friends started to call me by my initials, JT, which I still go by today. Or, if someone's got a cooler sounding last name than first name.
jessica hoke 5 years ago
Depends if there are too many people with the same first name, then last names make sense, but I think first names are preferred. My work calls me by my last name usually.
#21
Ceredwyn Ealanta 5 years ago
Not at my school dances, people were trying to show off their moves (not US here though).
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PixieVonBehr 5 years ago
I'm British and have very cringy memories of slow dancing as an awkward tween/teen. First ever dance was to Westlife, Flying Without Wings *hangs head in shame*
AndyR 5 years ago
Your school was definitely doing it wrong. Girls on 1 side of the hall, boys on the other and occasionally somebody sliding across the floor on their knees...
Load More Replies... Foxxy (The Original) 5 years ago
We never had school dances except for graduation and no one slow danced. We had set choreographed couple dances and that was it for Primary school graduation. I didn’t graduate high so I don’t know how the formals work but I know it is nothing like the ones in the US.
Jo Choto 5 years ago
Yes, they do, but usually there are teachers and chaperones whose job it is to make sure that kids keep a "decent" distance between their bodies when dancing. I mean, when the fast music comes on, the kids are grinding and twerking, but when slow dancing, must keep the distance between the bodies.
Miss Cris 5 years ago (edited)
So they can twerk their butts in a sexist song but they cannot touch each other (in a sexist song, too)?
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#22
Truth Monster 5 years ago
Some do. We don't talk about those heretics....those mad, mad heretics....
Carissa Blair 5 years ago
I eat ranch with my pizza hell a lot of people where I live do!! PINEAPPLE DOESNT I REPEAT DOESNT GO ON PIZZA!!!
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Omag 5 years ago
We have place that makes a sea food ranch pizza and its insanely good
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Cassie 5 years ago
I had never encountered it and I've grown up moving between many places in the US, but I noticed our local shop now offers dipping ranch if you order a plain cheese pizza, so, apparently it's a thing somewhere around here that may be catching on. Dunno. Sounds gross to me, but I don't like ranch.
Luna Lovegood 5 years ago
I haven't heard of this, but it sounds pretty good? Idk I would try it. Don't knock it til you try it.
#23
Rabbit Carrot 5 years ago (edited)
In the U.K. we have something called a National Insurance number that you get at 16. It’s used for lots of things so it’s good to memorise and know it otherwise you’re having to faff around trying to find where you last put your plastic card.
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Jo Choto 5 years ago
Americans memorize their entire social security number, because it's key to identity for a number of official purposes. You will be asked for the last four to verify your identity.
Rickard Shen 3 years ago
Are social security numbers more or less random numbers, like car plates? In Sweden our equivalent is our birthdate + 4 ID numbers at the end, so it's not much (extra) for us to remember.
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Panda Lurker 5 years ago
Is this unusual? Everyone I know has it memorized (in Norway). Use it all the time.
Electric Ed 5 years ago
TBH, memorizing 4 digits (or an entire SS number) doesn't sound too difficult.
#24
chi-wei shen 5 years ago
I think children all over the world have to feel "slightly suicidal" to do this.
Rabia Sare A. 5 years ago
not in Middle East. mom slipper is counted as a weapon in turkey, so it is not feeling slightly suicidal it is a real attempt.
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Luna Lovegood 5 years ago
I would never in heck ever tell my mother to "shut up" And my parents are pretty lax about things like that. Maybe some really bratty children in America do, but please do not make the mistake that every child over here is bratty.
ebony1k124 touch 5 years ago
Not if you want to live. I have heard some kids do it and their parents say nothing, however if I had tried that I would have had teeth missing once I woke up from my coma.
deanna woods 5 years ago
I would NEVER tell my mother to shut up. Not only is it disrespectful, she would kill me.
#25
Koalamonster 5 years ago
So- fun word time! Opticians aren't doctors. An optician is the person who will help you pick and order glasses, or help you order contacts, and will fix/adjust your glasses. Optometrists and ophthalmologists are eye doctors. I would not recommend letting an optician give you a prescription. But people do in general just say they're going to/at the eye doctor
Iggy 5 years ago
That's a weird one , definitely. How come we don't call proctologists 'a**e doctors'?
Chase Ighani 5 years ago
I have always assumed the need for the term "Eye Doctor" came from the fact that there are Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, and Opticians. Each are different, and many may not know which is which, so "Eye Doctor" covers all three.
Gipsy Kings fan 5 years ago
Most of us do say "Eye doctor" as a generic term because it's a lot easier to pronounce. An optometrist and an ophthalmologist are two different types of Eye doctors. Optometrists have a degree in optometry and do eye / vision care. Ophthalmologists go through medical school to get the M.D. degree, then do additional study about eyes. They can do medical treatment for eyes and eye surgery. Opticians aren't doctors; they are technical practitioners who design and fit glasses per the optometrist's prescription. Sorry for the long explanation.
Donny Cromwell 5 years ago
My girlfriend "or only when you are worried you are going to say the name wrong
#26
Tiari 5 years ago (edited)
And how can you differentiate between a hot chocolate made of chocolate and a hot chocolate made of cocoa?
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Ana Rodriguez 5 years ago
Hot chocolate is something different for Hispanic Americans. Doesn't taste the same. Hot cocoa is the American thing.
Candace Fitzpatrick 5 years ago
Hot chocolate is a pre made powder mixture that you put in a mug and pour boiling water over it. Hot cocoa u make by simmering cocoa powder and milk or cream on a stove top. It tastes good but such a pain in the a*s to make because you have to constantly stir it. Otherwise it can burn and get lumpy.
#27
Rebecca Schultz 5 years ago
A lot of houses do not have fireplaces so they are special. Also wood is expensive so if you do have a fireplace you often save wood for special occasions.
Cassie 5 years ago
Most modern homes do not come with a fireplace, so it's kind of cool when one does.
#28
Cat Houston 5 years ago
Yes, especially here in California. "Loser" is more of a joke now, that friends use when they're roasting someone.
A Random Panda 5 years ago
Why would you be surprised? I honestly want to know. I don't want to offend anyone.
Donny Cromwell 5 years ago
My daughter uses "loser" and I use "lame" I use "lame" it when I want to say something "sucks" , but want to say it like I could hardly care.
#29
Bill 5 years ago
most countries do because it has been a part of military training for centuries. They want inshape youth for military service.
Miss Cris 5 years ago (edited)
I don't know any country wich use it. It looks so dangerous. And also not all countries see physical education or gym as a war or soldiers training. In Europe for example school goals are the opposite.
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Better watch your language bud 5 years ago
In one of the schools I went to in the UK we had an obstacle course with ropes and bars, and when the teachers took the course out for P.E we would all get so excited
Sarah Stalder 5 years ago
I was just thinking about that. I usually quit barely up it. Didn't care. I'd rather be sitting down reading. Jogging-HATED it. They were so brutal back then.
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#30
Susan Stead 5 years ago
Booger, yeah, I say that. Barf is much more treasured as far as euphemisms go: driving the porcelain bus, technocolor yawn, yakking, hurling, and that's just from my generation. I have teens in the house, they could probably write a book on it.
Marzipanda 5 years ago
Yes, if that's what we mean to say then we'll probably say it, irrespective of time and place. Everyone now: fart, shart, booger and barf!
Donny Cromwell 5 years ago
What else is a booger called? I say "vomit" because it's WAY cooler.
#31
GirlFriday 5 years ago
The term "20/20" and similar fractions (such as 20/40, 20/60, etc.) are visual acuity measurements. They also are called Snellen fractions, named after Herman Snellen, the Dutch ophthalmologist who developed this measurement system in 1862.
Miss Cris 5 years ago
How does it work? Is it like a percentage? Like 20/40 for 50%?
Load More Replies... Koalamonster 5 years ago
If you're getting glasses you use diopters. As in -1.00 -0.75 x 044. I'm not sure what the fixation with 20/ whatever is. Telling people what your prescription is gives a much better comparison. As an American who works in an optical I do wish people would stop acting like that's the most helpful number- it's so far from it.
Amy Begun Saab 5 years ago
Yes. But the doctors & opticians us +2 etc. we dumb it down so that people can remember. I know my right eye is 20/200...
deanna woods 5 years ago
Yes, we do. For example, I am 20/40 in my right eye and 20/50 in my left eye.
#32
Dilly Millandry 5 years ago
I'm in the UK and we always got proper homework set - every school holiday.
Load More Replies... K.Kobayashi 5 years ago
They definitely do in Japan. Not experienced it in the US, and not sure how it would work because summer is between school years.
Susan Stead 5 years ago
We have a long summer break that lasts for a couple of months (traditionally so kids could help their parents on the farm with the work & harvest), and there's a phenomenon that we call "the summer dummies," where the kids have forgotten much of the last year from being out of school for so long. Summer reading and homework is an attempt to keep their brains active so the teachers don't have to catch them up too much at the beginning of the new school year.
Claire 5 years ago (edited)
Wait, is it an American thing??? Going into my senior year of high school this year I have: 2 books along with essays on their main theme (for AP English), four 20 question worksheets (for AP Calc AB/BC), written response to 90 slide presentation (AP history), and read a few chapters of the Aeneid (AP Latin). I am taking hard classes but other summers were similar in workload.
Jimmy Wakeman 5 years ago
Yes we had to read books during the summer then would have to write about them or have a test in them when school started
staygoldponyboy 5 years ago
Some kids get a summer reading list, which is really just a suggested list of books, but normally there isn't summer homework.
#33
giovanna 5 years ago
I'm Italian. Children eat pasta with butter and Parmigiano here. I also do when I want the comfort of a warm pasta hug.
GirlFriday 5 years ago
This isn't an American thing. I have been to Italy and been served this dish in a restaurant. Granted, it was far better than anything I could make at home, but it was still pasta with butter and Parmigiano.
giovanna 5 years ago
But maybe it was stuffed pasta like ravioli, at a restaurant. I mean it would be really unusual for a restaurant in Italy to serve simple pasta like spaghetti or penne just with butter and Parmigiano.
Load More Replies... Jill Pulcifer 5 years ago
Yes, most children eat their pasta with butter and parm, and adults occasionally do it as well. Its delicious.
Susan Stead 5 years ago
My family will serve that if someone's experiencing a tender tummy. Sometimes sauces don't sit well, and that's when buttered pasta is a nice, mild dinner.
Cat Nip Gal 5 years ago
Us to, I dont like sauce so I eat it all the time
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#34
spirit wolf 5 years ago
I went to school in other countries aswell and boy did I write lines in detention. This is definitely not just an American thing. Yes, I was an exemplary student.
Rabbit Carrot 5 years ago
Yep, I had to as well. Defo not just an American thing!
Load More Replies... K O 5 years ago
I always had to in northern ireland and sometimes during class for forgetting my textbook - wasn't allowed to listen to teacher, just write ' i must not forget my text book' 500 times within the 25 mins class or get detention lol
K O 5 years ago
we're a backwards af country though, didn't realise others had it too lol
Load More Replies... Foxxy (The Original) 5 years ago
My year 6 teacher made us write all different things like lines regarding our behaviour, all our times tables or a certain amount of pages of the dictionary.
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What do you think ?
Kenny Kulbiski 5 years ago
The weird part is that someone would give a rat's a*s about Americans microwaving water or how they eat bacon. Apparently no one has the same questions about Russians, Chinese, or even Lithuanians. Give it a rest Panda.
Lynda Momalo 5 years ago
I think it's becase more people around the globe see American movies or TV shows than they see movies made by Russians, Chinese, or Lithuanians.
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Daria Z 5 years ago
Do Americans actually have that violent bullying culture at schools, with football players and cheer leaders on the social top and geeks on the bottom? Or senior students bullying first-graders? Please, tell me it's all a movie thing!
Luna Lovegood 5 years ago
It's not as openly expressed as in movies, but unfortunately yes. Bullying is a huge problem. Most schools "anti-bullying programs" are some posters and maybe a talk about how bullying is bad every month or so. I remember in seventh grade I was just the kid everyone hated for no reason. It got pretty bad and I was already dealing with some stuff that comes with growing up, but I know the bullying was a huge part of it. I know of lots of other kids who have had to deal with bullying too. It's really sad, but the whole social cliques and bullying thing is very real.
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Cassie 5 years ago
I think some of these have to do with a word meaning different things in different countries. Jelly in Europe, for example, I'm pretty sure is what we in the US would call Jello (which is a brand name of gelatin that caught on as the general term for that item). So, yea, we don't eat peanut butter and gelatin. Our jelly is a spread closer to jam but made from fruit juice instead of the fruit.
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
My jam (I am American) is made with the fruit. Jelly is made without seeds. Gelatin is Jell-O, or an additive to fancy desserts... So I figure we should call it "Fruit Goop" as my sister did!
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CWF 4 years ago
Some people yeah but hopefully they just die off. Natural selection
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CatWoman312 5 years ago
I couldn’t finish I think they chose the stupidest people they could find to ask questions about American culture. Some of these questions are flat out idiotic
Deborah Chapman 5 years ago
Yup, we really do all of that stuff. At least some of us do all of that stuff. The mom shut up thing varies from person to person. I didn't do it but my son unfortunately did. Question: what's the problem?
Miss Cris 5 years ago (edited)
They're not problems. It's just curiosity when in other places people do different things. Not worse or better, just different. Also it's interesting to learn that something you do in a way can be done diferent. For example, I also keep my medecins in the bathroom and never wondered why (Oh!). Wanting to know about another person or culture is wanting to love it. ;)
Load More Replies... Nevits Yibble 5 years ago
I really don't get the endless fascination here with American behavior. You can play this both ways. Do Australians really call ketchup "tomato sauce?" Apparently so. Do Americans give a f**k? No. Aussies are cool and can call s**t whatever they want
CWF 4 years ago
I mean America deserves to be ridiculed ngl (for the record I am in fact an American)
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Drive Bee 5 years ago
I really don't get most of these questions, they are just normal everyday things, not anything hard to imagine or out of the ordinary.
Peko 5 years ago
Maybe they're asked by people to whom these things are neither normal, everyday, or ordinary.
Load More Replies... Kenny Kulbiski 5 years ago
The weird part is that someone would give a rat's a*s about Americans microwaving water or how they eat bacon. Apparently no one has the same questions about Russians, Chinese, or even Lithuanians. Give it a rest Panda.
Lynda Momalo 5 years ago
I think it's becase more people around the globe see American movies or TV shows than they see movies made by Russians, Chinese, or Lithuanians.
Load More Replies... Daria Z 5 years ago
Do Americans actually have that violent bullying culture at schools, with football players and cheer leaders on the social top and geeks on the bottom? Or senior students bullying first-graders? Please, tell me it's all a movie thing!
Luna Lovegood 5 years ago
It's not as openly expressed as in movies, but unfortunately yes. Bullying is a huge problem. Most schools "anti-bullying programs" are some posters and maybe a talk about how bullying is bad every month or so. I remember in seventh grade I was just the kid everyone hated for no reason. It got pretty bad and I was already dealing with some stuff that comes with growing up, but I know the bullying was a huge part of it. I know of lots of other kids who have had to deal with bullying too. It's really sad, but the whole social cliques and bullying thing is very real.
Load More Replies... Cassie 5 years ago
I think some of these have to do with a word meaning different things in different countries. Jelly in Europe, for example, I'm pretty sure is what we in the US would call Jello (which is a brand name of gelatin that caught on as the general term for that item). So, yea, we don't eat peanut butter and gelatin. Our jelly is a spread closer to jam but made from fruit juice instead of the fruit.
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
My jam (I am American) is made with the fruit. Jelly is made without seeds. Gelatin is Jell-O, or an additive to fancy desserts... So I figure we should call it "Fruit Goop" as my sister did!
Load More Replies... CWF 4 years ago
Some people yeah but hopefully they just die off. Natural selection
Load More Replies... CatWoman312 5 years ago
I couldn’t finish I think they chose the stupidest people they could find to ask questions about American culture. Some of these questions are flat out idiotic
Deborah Chapman 5 years ago
Yup, we really do all of that stuff. At least some of us do all of that stuff. The mom shut up thing varies from person to person. I didn't do it but my son unfortunately did. Question: what's the problem?
Miss Cris 5 years ago (edited)
They're not problems. It's just curiosity when in other places people do different things. Not worse or better, just different. Also it's interesting to learn that something you do in a way can be done diferent. For example, I also keep my medecins in the bathroom and never wondered why (Oh!). Wanting to know about another person or culture is wanting to love it. ;)
Load More Replies... Nevits Yibble 5 years ago
I really don't get the endless fascination here with American behavior. You can play this both ways. Do Australians really call ketchup "tomato sauce?" Apparently so. Do Americans give a f**k? No. Aussies are cool and can call s**t whatever they want
CWF 4 years ago
I mean America deserves to be ridiculed ngl (for the record I am in fact an American)
Load More Replies... Drive Bee 5 years ago
I really don't get most of these questions, they are just normal everyday things, not anything hard to imagine or out of the ordinary.
Peko 5 years ago
Maybe they're asked by people to whom these things are neither normal, everyday, or ordinary.
Load More Replies... You May Like 70 Times People Saw Americans Embarrassing Themselves Online And Just Had To Take A Screenshot (New Pics) Non-Americans Were Not Prepared To Hear That These Unimaginable Things Are True About The US
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