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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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#23

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Rabbit Carrot
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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.

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

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

Is this unusual? Everyone I know has it memorized (in Norway). Use it all the time.

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

I have my entire family's memorized. It's only 9 digits. When we were kids we had dozens of our friends phone numbers memorized so a couple SSN are easy.

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

Yes, to prove you are who you say you are without revealing tmi. But as often as not, one has to recall the entire number to determine the last 4 digits.

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

I have mine, my child's and my dads memorized. I'm an Air Force brat

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

I had to use mine to rent videos at the BX/Shopette on base before I was old enough to be issued an ID card. Who rents videos to an 8 year old? It was different times then...

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

Usually the last four numbers are used as a confirmation of identity over the phone, on line, etc... giving out the whole number you risk identity theft (although it occurs anyway). I memorized my full SSN in middle school. Actually, you aren't suppose to carry your card (which is just paper) so, you really have to memorize it.

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

Not just an american thing, Think most residents in Denmark knows it all by heart from an early age

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

Why not? I have both my documents numbers memorized (RG and CPF in Brazil). it's useful.

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

It's only four digits. We usually know the whole thing, plus credit card numbers . Nobody knows phone numbers anymore though

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

All of my Social, my Driver's License Number, My phone number, My *wife's* birthday ... yeah. All that stuff

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

Most of us do have the entire number memorized, but the "last four digits" is not a TV thing to save time! It is a security measure to prevent identity theft. A bank, insurance company, or other institution has your whole number on record, but on the phone or in person they only ask you for the last four digits, so people can't eavesdrop and hear the whole number. If criminals get your number they can steal your identity, open bank accounts in your name, get loans in your name, get credit cards in your name, etc.

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

Everyone I know has their 13-digit ID number memorised. When I was a student I also had my 8-digit student number memorised. It's like mesmerising a cellphone/telephone number.

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

By the time you're legally an adult, I hope everyone here has it memorized.

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

we know the whole thing. Sometimes use the last 4 for identification.

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

I know my social security number... Don't think that's an American thing. Mine is really easy if you ignore the usual spacing :)

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

I know the entire thing. And my drivers license number. And my children's social security numbers.

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

I have my social security number and my driver's license number memorized because sometimes we need them for paperwork.

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

Memorized my ss in college, it was my id number. It's only 9 digits

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

Heck, I know my whole number...and library card number too...that is just me. I have always been able to remember numbers for YEARS after I ever needed them...like the first phone number our family had 50 years ago LOL!

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

We have it memorized. The four digit thing is to "protect" the holder of that particular number.

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

I used to live in TX 20 yrs ago, and I still have mine memorized. Or, more like I can't forget it bc I literally had to provide the number so ofte

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

Why don't they simply use their ID? Do they have id cards?

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

Your ID card is issued by each state's department of transportation. You don't have to have one. You can't get one until you're old enough to drive and the number can change, especially if you move from state-to-state. Your Social Security Number is federally issued at birth and never changes.

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NortonR3
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You must remember the full name, although normally only the last four digits are needed for security reasons.

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#24

Questions-For-Americans

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

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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