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

no, never seen it and you do it in NYC you will be banned for life

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

Some do. We don't talk about those heretics....those mad, mad heretics....

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

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

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.

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

I haven't heard of this, but it sounds pretty good? Idk I would try it. Don't knock it til you try it.

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

pizza with ranch is amazing depending on what kind of pizza it is, i prefer frozen pizzas (cooked obviously) with ranch, but not like a chicago deep dish that would be gross

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

I won't eat pizza without ranch...I'm as Midwestern as you can get. And a bacon cheeseburger with ranch and BBQ sauce is a party in your mouth! Second only to Big Mac sauce on fries.

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

In the Midwest you eat ranch with EVERYTHING. I drink it straight from the bottle

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

Youll find it to be alot more prevalent on the west coast of america , not so much in the heartland or east coast.

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

East coast born & raised with ranch for fries, pizza, in tuna. Mix it with salsa too & dip chicken egg rolls

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

Actually, this is common in upper end pizza restaurants on the west coast of the USA. Many restaurants in Reno Nevada ask if you would like ranch and / or honey with your pizza. Not joking.

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

Some places have a ranch sauce that is used instead of tomato sauce. As someone who doesn't like red sauce, I appreciate the effort.

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

This is a thing with my grandchildren. They dip the crust in it after they have eaten the rest of the slice.

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

ranch on pizza tastes good but bbq sauce with parmesan cheese is the bees knees.

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

Yes, it was very common in my high school. Then again, they served terrible quality frozen pizza and the ranch was the only thing that could adequately cover up the taste.

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

That only if the ranch is better then the pizza. I miss New York pizza.

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

I have only seen it with the cardboard pizza at school lunches

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

I eat pepperoni and pineapple pizza...and I like to dip the crusts in ranch lol, or I slather it all in sriracha, take that GI!

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

If the pizza is tasteless, maybe. Kids probably start in school to perk up the school pizza.

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

My daughter does. Funny story. My ex was from France & had friends come to visit. He was trying to let them sample "American" food. They LOVED ranch dressing on their salad (he hated it). They next night he made corn on the cob & they smothered in in ranch dressing. I told him he was going to be responsible for a major shift in French cuisine.

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

sort of, yeah. I don't like regular pizza sauce so I eat my pizza with ranch/white sauce

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

Sadly, yes. I'm sorry you had to find out about that...

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

Never heard of that. We put a lot of weird toppings on pizza, so I suppose somebody's tried it.

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

At my school Friday was pizza day and the side was whole kernel corn with a cup of ranch dressing. My school hated us.

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

Okay while we're here - what's with honey on pizza? There's a honey brand that advertises their honey for pizza, is that a thing? I'm not okay.

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

It must be a Midwest thing! I have eaten my pizza dipped in ranch my whole life, very much a thing we do!!

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

Yes, did it the other night. It's good but I don't always do it.

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

We do in Arizona. You get looked at weird when you don't here

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

Do all other countries (e.g., not America) put corn on your pizza? I encountered that in the UK and Scandinavia.

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

I'm from the Midwest and some places they automatically bring ranch. Mmmmm

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

I've seen many people eat the crust with Ranch or Marinara sauce. In Mexico many people eat it with ketchup or mustard and bring those habits here to the US. Thus I've seen that as well.

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

Ranch, Marinara, and Garlic Dipping sauces are the three most commonly used in the U.S. per any food chain Pizza Place, like Little Caesars, Domino's, or Pizza Hut. There are other sauces like BBQ or specialized per region but those are the big three.

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

yup my friends 4 year old sister loves this idk if its an american thing or just a 4 yo thing

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

Yes, for the crust! and only some people, it isnt common or anything

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

For some folks in the southeast, ANY food is an excuse to get more ranch dressing in you face. Pizza, wings, pasta, etc. You can even buy ranch dressing in powdered form and sprinkle it over everything. Some of my family members like it on popcorn, tacos, meats... Have you never had Cool Ranch Doritos? You can also get ranch dip for your McNuggets here.

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

In São Paulo if you put ketchup in the pizza, they'll take the death penalty.

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

Some do, but on the list of American food offenses, thats literally the least of our problems. aaaaaaasaa...b4c784.jpg aaaaaaasaa-5f24104b4c784.jpg

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

Not typically. Garlic sauce is more common but most people don't add sauce to pizza.

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

what if you eat pizza with ranch you will be banned for life?!? that's crazy

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

EWW that sounds GROSS to me too...When pizzas are judged in contests, usually they judge a basic cheese pizza. My favorite pizza in the world is from a chain in Ohio called Marion's Piazza. Some celebrities and other weathy peeps, order them and have them flown to wherever they are...you can too for about $150. One peculiar thing about pizza there...they cut it into small squares instead of like it should be...pie cut. Now that we live on a small ranch in New Mexico, even though I can't get my Marion's the second best pizza in the world is a little restaurant called Pizza Barn. Everything is homemade. You can literally watch the dough rise. No inside dining allowed during COVAD, but the drive-in window is ALWAYS packed. Only about 1/2 mile from home..and we get carry out a couple of times a week. Like tonight!

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

Some people like to dip their pizza (especially the crust) into ranch dressing. I personally find it disgusting.

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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

Questions-For-Americans

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