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

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

They made us do it in elementary school, I don't remember doing it in high school though.

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

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.

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A.M. Pierre
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Yeah, I find it strange and forced. What if you don't agree with an aspect (or all) of the pledge?

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ebony1k124 touch
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the early 80s in Elementary school we said the Pledge with our hands over our hearts.

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

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.

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

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.

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

No, not exactly. We pledge, not salute. Hand to heart, not head.

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SJM
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3 years ago

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

Every damn day. It's total brainwashing. I'd expect that from North Korea but not the USA. I refused to do it - told them I was a Jehovah's Witness, since they were exempt from doing it, though I was not one.

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CatWoman312
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that’s just a myth. I went to a public school and the only time we did this is when we were learning about the pledge of allegiance

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

We did it everyday in elementary school (not the salute though, that’s not a thing). It’s not a myth, it depends on the school.

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

My children do in elementary school. Their principal had morning videos during quarantine and we did it at home. In the 80's and 90's I did it every grade through 12th

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

Good gosh yes, unless you have a religious exemption (Jehovah Witness, usually). I even have one co-worker who makes the kids sign God Bless America, every day!!! I'm not a classroom teacher, so I can just pretend like I busy during this time (they do it over the loud speaker)

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

When I grew up we always pledged to the flag first thing in school. I only salute the flag if going by me like in parades

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

I do, I always have done the pledge every morning at school, but sometimes i sit instead of stand hehe ;)

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

Nah. I was taught to, but these days it’s annoying to be considered one, so I just pretend I’m born on the moon and I grew up watching hallmark movies

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

We sang the National Anthem at the flag on our birthday at my Primary School in New Zealand.

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

Some private schools still do. It's sad that most schools don't do it anymore.

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

We used to . Most schools give you the option to now. I was raised in a military family, so saying the pledge made us feel proud. Whenever they play taps over loudspeakers the kids on the military bases will stand with their hands over their hearts too

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

...Do you also have big screens where the headmaster constantly spews propaganda everywhere?

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

We did when I was in school to show respect and honor to our country and those that died and fought to defend our freedom. However it seems to be a lost practice....which makes me sad :(

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

You ought to see what they did in Catholic School 50 years ago...

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

Shamefully it's not done much anymore. Too many complaints about "freedom of speech and religion" or something.

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

We certainly did and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. It stopped because it had the word "God" in it.

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

Not anymore, but we used to. I do now agree to the absurdity of that ritual.

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

pff, we did that in the Communist regime, not with the American flag, of course :) now only in soccer competitions

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

Each morning the young students stand, place a hand over their heart, and begin to recite a chant to a cloth. They use their right hand, of course, because they dare not upset the fabric. In the halls, students will hear the droning voices of their classmates and rush to find a flag. Meaningless words fall from their mouths, never wondering if the words are true to the country or what they mean. They all sit in unison, apart from a few student who sat a little early. They resume activities quickly, for it is the strange norm.

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

Gross nationalism has long been part of our culture. Again, brainwashing begins at birth.

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

Not American but elementary and secondary schools in my country do this every day at 7AM :')

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

'United under god' raises a lot of fighting when you have to first figure out which god your talking about. and then there's those of us who don't believe in any god. Best just to not bother.

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

We do it in my country. On Mondays we held a flag ceremony before the school start.

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

Not any more. We did in the 60's in elementary school. I know I'll get negative replies for this but, I don't believe in it.

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

In Canada, we would stand and sing the national anthem. They would alternate the French and English versions every other day. The Jehovah’s Witness students would sit silently while this happens.

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

We used to when I was in school, but that was when they taught you common sense. In kindergarten We had a block of wood we’d pound nails in. I think it was a coordination thing, but it may have been a lesson in the hard knocks of life.

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

YES! Every. Day. We either did it in the classroom after morning announcements or we had a small morning assembly with other classes and did it there. As a kid, I felt pride. As an adult, I feel creepy "pledging allegiance to [a] flag".

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

Now, working in schools, I just stand but don't put my hand over my heart or say anything

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Nia Loves Art
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We don’t salute the flag. Children say the pledge of allegiance everyday at school and put their hands over their hearts.

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

I pledge allegiance to my 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.

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

They did when I was a kid in California. They haven't with any of my kids in Portland, Oregon. I think it depends on how conservative your city/state is.

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

Older generations used to. In Texas we did the Pledge of Allegiance to the US AND the Texas Pledge.

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

Up through maybe grade 10, I think. I graduated in 1976

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

Yes, in the South we do. We love our country and FYI America should be in caps

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

I did and it was a good experience, it gave me a feeling of participation and style, it made me feel important and integral to our country. I never felt "abused or forced or minimized" I felt proud. If you think that is a bad thing, it tells me a lot more about you than me.

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

Children shouldn't be forced to "pledge allegiance" to anything, let alone something they are not informed about. Kids should be taught to think critically, not forced into communist-like mantras.

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

Note: Informatoin copy/pasted from https://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm

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

A friend of mine had to in the 90s and early 00s. Don’t know what it’s like now though. Indoctrination at its finest.

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

For any European who hasn't tried it, you really should. You'll be hooked

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

I'm a European in America, and I want to say that no one I know likes doing it.

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Nathan Jones
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3 years ago

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Unless you're a pinko commie prick you do. Murica!

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#11

Questions-For-Americans

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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

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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

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#18

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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

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