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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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#2

Questions-For-Americans

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

It's a staple food. Most kids grow up eating PB&J sandwiches.

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

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.

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

Oh, that makes sense. We do NOT put flavored gelatin on sandwiches. We put marmalade or preserves.

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

I love how people in Europe will freak about PB&J, then eat Nutella piled 2.5 cm high on toast...

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

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

I'm from the UK, and I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (although, we call it peanut butter and jam).

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

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

(hides pb and j sandwich.) yes, its an inside joke. No one eats that.....lol

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

Yes, oh GOD yes oh YES oh yes oh nomnomnomnomnomnomnomnom yeeaaaasssssss.

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

Is "jelly" something other than a sort of jam but made with fruit juice instead of the fruit in other parts of the world? I've hear this one before and I get the impression that people elsewhere in the world are thinking something than we are actually eating. Kind of like how US pudding would be what the UK calls custard rather than what pudding actually is in the UK.

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M O'Connell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the United States, per 21 CFR 150, "Jelly" is defined as a cooked and pectin-jelled preserve made from clarified fruit juice, "Jam" is cooked and pectin-jelled preserve made from the whole crushed fruit. This was necessary because definitions varied widely depending on region.

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

peanut butter is the most consumed breakfast food on the planet. I won trivia one week with that pearl of knowledge

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

Oh yes, much less palatable than haggis, tripe, caviar, lutefisk, or pangolin.

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

Peanut butter is an inexpensive protein. And a PB&J is easy to make.

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

Even in Australia we eat peanut butter and jam (same thing as jelly) or honey...it's great!

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

Izzi I really hope you're not from England because I would ask "Is chutney actually eaten or left out to kill zombies!". How dare you make fun of my precious peanutbutter and jelly ! Disgusting looking? Yes ! Tasty? Absolutely !!!!

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

Grew up on it. STILL a favorite with a glass of milk. More strange is why doesn't everyone eat PB&J ?

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

PBJ is awesome. It isn't an American thing either. PBJ is all over the world.

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

I've only ever eaten peanut butter in one other country (New Zealand) and it was nasty. Maybe I just bought the wrong brand, but when I mentioned it to my hosts they told me that peanut butter just isn't as big a thing there as it is here, which gave me the impression that their peanut butter generally isn't as good. (There may have been more to this conversation to give me that impression. It was nine years ago.) Ever since then I've just assumed that pb&j hasn't taken off in other countries because their peanut butter doesn't taste as good. I don't know why it wouldn't since the best peanut butter is just mooshed up peanuts (no salt, sugar, or whatever abomination they put in Jif and Skippy to give it that frosting-like consistency), and the roasted peanuts I bought at the grocery store in NZ tasted fine.

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

Canadian here . The jelly can be purple grape jelly which is a kind like a clear grape jam. Great with PB! Also jam, of course. And banana!

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Catlady6000
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My favorite comfort food! PBJ, butter both sides and grill that sucker like a grilled cheese, then eat it warm.....heaven

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

Sure. Question coming from someone who probably eats Black Pudding and Haggis. Go figure.

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

Among my friends and relatives peanut butter and chocolate sprinkles/flakes (hagelslag) are quite popular. Or PB and sambal. Never tried Pb&J. Does it need to be a specific flavour of jelly/jam?

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

Not to my knowledge. I've had blueberry, strawberry, orange marmalade, grape, and probably others. Haven't yet met a PB&J I didn't like.

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

Why is that so weird? I love PB and strawberry jam sandwiches.

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

I grew up loving peanut butter and jelly. Still do. So many variations can be made too.

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

I'm from NZ and I love peanut butter and jam sammies. I very thin smear of hot English mustard under the jam is good too.

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

I prefer peanut butter and Ruffles myself. Delish. If my girls don't like what we're having for dinner and after they've tried a bite per age they're absolutely allowed to make their own pb&j or pb&h. Even my 2 year old can make one. Not good, but it gets done.

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J-A Laine
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

PEANUTBUTTER JELLY TIME, PEANUTBUTTER JELLY TIME, WHERE HE AT? WHERE HE AT?" pbj-time-6...32-png.jpg pbj-time-61bcc68193032-png.jpg

suzi63 avatar
Suzi Gauthier
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, although my mother raised me on peanut butter & sugar sandwiches. I don't know where she got that. There's also peanut butter, banana & mayonnaise and peanut butter with marshmallow fluff.

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

I have eaten a PB&J samwich for lunch almost every day of my life, yes, it's true.

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

I'm curious what things the media shows in other countries that makes this a question. lol

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May-Lize Nel
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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

One of the best sandwiches. If you leave it overnight, the jelly crystallizes and it's even better.

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

Are you serious??? Never heard of a pbj????? Oh my, you have no childhood XD

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

I think it's the same as PB and jam - and no, not weird at all here in Oz.

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

Whoo, that was a train wreck. I meant I didn't have have one until I was like, six. You know the rest.

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

I found this very very weird until I found out that "jelly" in America is just what I would call "jam". Then I was like oh OK, I eat peanut butter and jam sandwiches too. (My idea of "jam" is what Americans would call "jello" so, a peanut butter and jello sandwich... no.)

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

ARE YOU INSANE?!! Its the most delish thing ever! Also has lots of fat, protein and carbs - everything the body needs.

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

Dude why would dance so hard to a song about it? Peanut butter jelly time is a real song, dance, and lifestyle. PB&J is a good go to food if you're hungry and you don't want to cook. Also kids love the stuff so its an easy meal for them.

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

Where do you live? In a jungle surrounded by rock people? Wtf is this sh!t

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

An American staple. Easy to put in kids school lunches but most schools banning them because parents freak out about their kids with peanut allergies.

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

like i understand peanut butter and jam but when it comes to peanut butter and jelly i just dont get it like how do you spread the jelly onto the bread without it being all chunky and slippery?

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

Peanut Butter and mashed banana and Honey on white crusty roll is delish!!

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

One year in elementary, I only ate peanut butter sandwiches. The next year, only jelly. I can't believe I was allowed to eat just jelly sandwiches. So unhealthy.

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

I eat them almost every day. You can buy PB&J swirled together in one jar. Look up Smucker's Goober Grape. You can also buy them pre-made by the carton (PB&J Uncrustables).

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

I used to eat something similar in the 70s in the US called Koogle. Can't remember if they had peanut butter, but I seem to remember chocolate/banana. There were other flavors as well.

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

oh, he doesn't know about peanut butter, he thinks its just butter

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

It's actually pretty good, but don't get me started on root beer, that's just not palatable.

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

Love peanut butter, hate jelly. Peanut butter on crackers is a meal in itself! PNB and untoasted bread--SQUISHY AWFUL!

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George-Florin Constantin
Community Member
3 years ago

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Peanut butter is disgusting. I tried it combined with jam and I came to the conclusion that I had ruined a perfectly good spoonful of jam... But I guess Americans are used to this combination.

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

Jam is made with whole fruit. Jelly is made with only the juice (and usually corn syrup). Jelly is WAYYYY more popular here (USA). Also, our peanut butter has alot more sugar added.

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Rabbit Carrot
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3 years ago (edited)

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I tried one once. It was so sickly sweet and weird I couldn’t finish it.

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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

Questions-For-Americans

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Brendan
Community Member
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

Questions-For-Americans

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chi-wei shen
Community Member
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

Questions-For-Americans

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GirlFriday
Community Member
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
Community Member
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

Questions-For-Americans

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giraffescupcakesandlove
Community Member
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

Questions-For-Americans

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Potter
Community Member
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
Community Member
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

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chi-wei shen
Community Member
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

Questions-For-Americans

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#24

Questions-For-Americans

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chi-wei shen
Community Member
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
Community Member
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

Questions-For-Americans

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Bill
Community Member
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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#31

Questions-For-Americans

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

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.

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#33

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

I'm Italian. Children eat pasta with butter and Parmigiano here. I also do when I want the comfort of a warm pasta hug.

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#34

Questions-For-Americans

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

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.

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