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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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#11

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

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

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#12

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

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

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#13

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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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

Only the disrespectful little twits. Pretty sure that's true in many places of the world.

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

i hate hearing kids tell their moms that - sometimes i'll tell my mom to shhhh when im trying to talk and she inturrupts or something but telling them to shut up is downright rude

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

I've often wondered that. My mother is the gentlest person but I still wouldn't dream of telling her to shut up.

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

I had a few of them thrown at me lol! But never for telling my mom to shut up. I was usually doing something I wasn't supposed to be doing and didn't notice my mom until a chancla came flying over my shoulder :D

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

Only in a sarcastic manner, where she gets where I'm coming from. Otherwise, it's just downright rude

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

I wouldn't do that to my parent, and I wouldn't allow my kids do that to me. That's extremely rude and disrespectful.

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

Ow, don't dare to do that to asian mother... even asian-american mother

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

I'd probably get disowned if I ever said that to my Asian parents...

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

I only did that once. She told every relative and visitor and they all looked at me like I was a little s**t. Never again.

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

You tell mom (or grandmother) to 'shut up' at your own risk. XD

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

Not where I'm from. That'll get you a quick beat down and grounded for a month.

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

I never heard it from my children; my grandchildren, I doubt it, though kids these days are mouthier than I ever dared be.

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

Who would so this to your mom? I'm an American and I have NEVER said anything remotely like that to my mother

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

No way my kids no better and when I was a kid it was still acceptable to get whipped with a belt so not wise thing to say

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

@WilvanderHeijden I didn't blackmail my daughter or tell her to keep her mouth shut. I gave her the phone number. What I did was explain how the process worked, because here, when a kid calls CPS, they might be removed from the home. What she wanted was to frighten me, have me thinking that she had the upper hand, and be punished by the government, so that she would be free to do/say whatever she wanted. Not on my watch.

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

I heard they can do it once... but never found any one who did it and talked about it...

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

My kids say it jokingly, like when I am cracking on them (making light fun of them), but if they ever used it seriously, I would drop kick them, and they know this X)

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

Not if they want to live. Seriously? Most of us do not. Of course, people with abusive parents might.

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

When I have a child, and they EVER tell me to "shut up"... No. Just no. They'd better respect their mom.

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

It is actually a healthy part of adolescence when a child is learning boundaries and separating their concept of self from their parents. Seeing their parents as human, rather than just in the role 'parent'. It is an essential part of becoming a functional adult. Most people move through it by 17/18.

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

If I had EVER told my mom to "shut up" even when I was 30, there is no way I would have ended up a "functional adult."

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BorPand8
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

@Curry on and people wonder why Americans leave their parents to rot in old people's homes...

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

Not sure I understand your response. Are you for or against my comment? As for the rotting in an old folks' home, I have never expected my kids to take care of me when I get to that point. They are now adults, show me the utmost respect, are very kind, and two of the best people I know. Still, I stand by my comment. I did not, and do not, respond well to threats.

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

I used to go to school with a kid who used to punch his mom...little psychopath. His mom was a total gem and really nice, he got her in the eye once and she didn't do a damn thing about it..she had a black eye the next day, he was like 12/13ish...kept away from him after that

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

This kid grew up, in all likelihood as an abuser, to women, pets and children. They start when they are children and if they are not stopped, they consider it "normal."

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

I wouldn't dare tell my mother to shut up....not because she would hurt me, but because I love and respect her way too much. Also I'm way taller than my mother and possibly stronger

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

Mine certainly don't! They don't tell anyone else to shutup either, at least not while mama's around!

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

Not if I wanted to survive to adulthood. Plus, it's called respect.

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

Not if they want to see tomorrow with both eyes and stand up straight.

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

Never in my experience, at least not until the "child" is around 25-30 years old.

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Eric Mac Fadden
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3 years ago

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Just when lacks education.... or when they are really impressed of something: "shattaaap"

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#25

Questions-For-Americans

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

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

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#29

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

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

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#30

Questions-For-Americans

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