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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

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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

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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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#20

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

That's a military thing that occasionally works its way into academia. I LOVE being called by my last name, and for years have signed documents with my first initial and last name. I like thinking that if people can't tell I'm a woman then they will judge my work on its merit.

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

I think this is a lot more prevalent on TV than in my experience, at least. Ironically, I first noticed this kind of thing when reading the Harry Potter books and thought it was strange that the teachers called the students by just their last names.

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

Not civilians, although I've seen it in an office where many people had the same first name. Nicknames are normal, though.

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

soldiers and athletes mostly. Things where your last name is the thing people see on your shirt. I did have friends who tried to do a weird nickname with my last name- I did not enjoy it.

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

Yes, if you've got a common first name. My first name, Jennifer, was so common my friends started to call me by my initials, JT, which I still go by today. Or, if someone's got a cooler sounding last name than first name.

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

Did it in my school, but that's because there were repeating first names, made more sense to use last names. Even in friend groups.

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

Depends if there are too many people with the same first name, then last names make sense, but I think first names are preferred. My work calls me by my last name usually.

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

That's usually just a military, police, or sports thing. It's kind of macho.

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

It’s very common for friends to use last names when addressing one another.

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

No... I thought that was a british thing, like in the harry potter films they will call eachother by last name,

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

I usually hear it in sports, but sometimes other teachers do it.

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

We only called each other by last names during gym class or when playing sports. That way, there's no confusion. There were almost always multiple Jennifers or Jessicas in my classes 😅

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

Military thing. I didn't know very many people's first names while i was in the Navy. Weird to find out their first name. Ha

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

Depends on where you were. Friends use first names. The TV show "House" had people using last names for their co-workers. BBC does that a lot too, especially with period pieces. Isn't that right, Holmes? It's quite elementary, my dear Watson.

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

pretty common if some people have the same first name; with my pals, there were 3 johns, so no one went by john

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

Well, there may be several people by the same first name

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

I think that's really only a police drama thing.... it is also mirrored on cop shows from England and parts of Europe.

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

All the hockey boys put a Y at the end of the last name ie Smithy, Jonsey, Gibby, Fitzy etc.

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

Used to happen at my school alot (UK) Teachers to students... usually when they were pissed at me lol. So it was never a good sign when you hear it

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

I get that all the time. Actually my Dad and brother do as well. It might have something with our last name or being Latino. Back in the day when we had a land line someone would call and ask for Lechuga. We always had to have them clarify which one.

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

sometimes but if you have a wack last name like me its a big nope

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

It's not just Americans. It happens in all English speaking countries. It can be done in a friendly way that show familiarity, or an aggressive way to show superiority or dominance, or an insulting way to show contempt or dislike.

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

I've often been going by my last name. It started in college, when there were several other Dans in my dorm hall.

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

Yalls questions makes me want to ask are all foreigners stupid or just the ones who are mesmerized by American culture

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

In high school, we called out friends by their last names.

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

It doesn't sound practical for women not having and own second name and changing it everytime they marry a new person.

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

Started with the military and people thought it sounded "cool" and wanted to sound tough, now it just sounds rude.

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

Some people do, I know a couple people that everyone calls by their last name, but it was a nickname given to them, not that they selected.

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

YES [Sarah's last name]!!!! Like, duuuuh! Deal! Until we're friends, then you're either TOTES Sarah, or TOTES [your last name here, Sarah]. Or you're called whatever dumb nickname you're assigned by some a*s, Lovey.

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

Because of my surname lots of people calls me that way... and we are very informal in Brazil.

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

We go by nickname, if any your surnames is good enough for a nickname, then that will do (however in Sampa ppl do last surnames more often while in DF people do more first name or first last name)

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

I’m originally from Europe and this was happening there too.

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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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