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Americans have long been exporting their pop culture to the world. With TV shows and movies being among the most consumed global American exports, it's no surprise that US actors and directors are recognized all around the globe. However, for all of us non-Americans out there, sometimes the silver screens get us all dazed and confused. Do American people really drink from those red plastic cups at parties? Do they really wear shoes inside their houses? Is homecoming really such a big thing as movies make it out to be?

But we're gonna need a true expert's opinion on the matter—our Bored Panda readers living in the US! So scroll down below to read all the questions that people had about the things they saw on TV and feel free to share your answers!

#1

221Lauren Report

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

Living in a college town I can attest that yes they do. It's all anyone talks about, and the traffic jams are awful. High school football here is just as bad.

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#2

euricawithhope Report

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

Its the easiest reference for us and a football field is 100yards or 300 feet or 91.44 meters.

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#3

PaigeImogenxx Report

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

We say goodbye, or something like it. It's an idiosyncrasy of script writing, not Americans.

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#6

kaya_lorne Report

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

When my relatives from Ireland come to visit, they love to play with the garbage disposal. Even the people in their 60's think it is hilarious. They refer to it as "the murder sink".

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#7

XXXX_G0LD Report

#8

sIeepfordays Report

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

Yes, we do. It is the only access we have to water.

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

We had these in the UK when I was a child so it doesn't seem strange to me.

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

I think they do.. well you never see them with a proper cup of tea.

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

Some do still. A lot of them however, have been converted to fill bottles

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glowworm2
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, we actually do and not just in schools--in malls, museums, etc.. I do so when I'm desperate and thirsty.

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

Yeah. They're everywhere. School, doctor's office, factory, wherever. But putting your mouth on the faucet is a major faux pas.

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

I was in school in the 60s and 70s. We had to drink from those because no other water was available. Other beverages were available in the cafeteria at lunch time.

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

Ummm don't all schools everywhere have water fountains. I am Canadian and we have them.

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

Nope, in France and the Netherlands (and Belgium, from second-hand knowledge) we have classic sinks/faucets in the restrooms.

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

At regular intervals in school halls. You have to remember, if you're not too young, that bottled water and reusable fluid containers (plastic, glass or metal) did not exist not all that long ago. I think we acquired a lot of immunity that way. I rarely get colds and I have no food allergies. It might be a mistake to raise kids in overly-cleaned environments. Just food for thought.

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

That's not always the case. I used to play in the dirt, mud and ponds, collected rocks from the ground, drank from fountains, went on nature hikes regularly, and I still ended up immunocompromised, with many environmental and food intolerances. And my older brother, who did much the same, gets colds all the time and also has a lot of environmental allergies. Our family only used regular cleaners to clean things, not disinfectant types. The house was clean, but not Clean! . We had pet frogs, toads, newts, anoles, snakes, fish, rats, crickets, cats and birds. Lots of plants inside the house. So I had a lot more exposure to nature than almost any of my classmates.

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

Ah yes the freedom fountains. It is the source of our hydration and government mandated mind control serum

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Not A Panda
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wasn't in the US but our school in Brunei had them and you bet we used them.

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

Yeah. It's actually really helpful. And a way to be late for class. ;)

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

Yes????? We aren't allowed water bottles or cups in class.

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

You aren't allowed? I'm a teacher and I don't think that's fair. I always let my students bring a water bottle and they can fill them at a water bottle fill station we have above our water fountain.

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

We do... but most people just sneak soda/coffee/tea in via opaque water bottle...

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

Yes. It is the only water we get if you don't bring a bottle. Which half the teachers don't even allow anyways

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

Do you know how long drinking fountains have been around? There’s nothing weird about this.

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

Yes, and we have them in office buildings. What's so "weird" about drinking water from a fountain?

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

And not just in schools. It's a way to provide water without having to touch anything but the water with your lips. What do you use for mass water providing?

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

If you don’t have a water bottle yes. Otherwise you will probably be thirsty

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

We drink from the toilet too if we're really thirsty. But you have to make sure it's flushed first!

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

Have 'em in New Zealand schools too. No paper cup trash to dispose of either.

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

I remember there being public drinking fountains in seaside towns when I was a kid back in the 70s. I also remember drinking from one and almost pooping myself inside out a couple of days later.

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

I do but I wouldn't actually trust the water but I have no other choice

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

We have water drinking fountains in schools, business buildings, malls, libraries and parks among other places I've forgotten.

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

Why wouldn't we drink from a water fountain? People outside the US don't drink water in school?

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

Yes and they each have a personality-- some try to squirt you or the person beside you and others draw you in for a kiss.

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

Those water fountains give clean and delicious water. Always nice and cold.

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

Yes, that’s why they are there. Do people in other countries not drink from water fountains?

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

Not if I can help it. They are gross! I bring my water bottle.

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

yes...how do your kids get water b/w classes or during gym class?

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

Sadly, yes. The schools are afraid our kids will bring alcohol or drugs in the drinks and food.

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

we use to. We had them throughout the community. They stopped, due to costs. Schools have them, ewww gross!

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

Children 5-18yo aren't allowed to use sinks. We wash our hands there too. It's complicated but if you aren't old enough to vote, you can't access water any other way.

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DKS 001
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

as an american: that is why they are there ... to drink out of

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

I don't understand the confusion here. It's a water fountain. Where do Europeans get their water in school?

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

Yes 🤦🏻‍♀️ many now have water bottle filling stations though!

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

Why would we not? Also, do you not have water fountains in other parts of the world?

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

Every school I've been to in Canada and the US has had them growing up, so I don't really think of them as weird. It's better if you just bring your own water or other drink.

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

If you dont bring water from home or money to get from the (rare) vending machine, that's your only access to water

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

It’s connected to the sewers that’s why we all have toxic waste radiating out of our bodies.

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

I do not, and I work in a school. That should tell you something.

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

We have them, but.... at least in my school we didn't drink from them. A lot of the water is contaminated. We had a club that actually tested the water because of all the rumors that it was unclean and it turned out it was contaminated with something. School didn't even cover them after finding out. We have an automatic water dispenser in our university that is genuinely clean. Student's refill their bottles for free (if you ignore the tuition they pay).

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bananapower_2.0
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

bro thoses are disgusting my school uses the same water for the TOILET !!!!!

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Ziya (Wenny) Liu
Community Member
3 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

DON'T DRINK FROM IT!!!! THERE ARE DEAD BUGS IN THE PIPES!!!!

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#9

disposablefilms Report

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

When I was in school, it was hard boiled eggs. Now they have high-tech baby dolls called Baby Think About it. It is a Life Skills class that teaches you how to be an adult.

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#12

benallenwf Report

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

The "funeral" is usually in a church and then a burial service graveside.

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#14

RiverrunStately Report

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

This is especially true in small towns. The largest parking lot in town is the local teen hangout

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#15

sam_pIant Report

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

Yes, Homecoming is really big here in the US. Celebrating at high school and university.

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#18

KatieBelsey Report

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

Because Americans have been sold the lie (mostly by Nestle, thank you!) that bottled water is better than tap water in some way. In truth most of the bottled water IS tap water.

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#22

todorokidokie Report

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

We do call them Kleenex all the time probably because that brand is what we used.

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#24

ThandekaMsane Report

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

I think that is to avoid accidental advertising? I'd think that in most (industrialized) countries, the typical bags offered by stores have the store logo all over them...

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#25

tobesostyles Report

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

I guess it depends. My family and friends only do photoshoots for weddings, 18th birthdays (girls), 21st birthdays (boys), or someone's first birthday.

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#26

danaokeke Report

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

Chicken and waffles is a religious experience. I live in the Midwest and some of the best chicken and waffles in the world is right here in Indianapolis at Maxine's Chicken and Waffles. Another awesome place is in Harlem (where chicken and waffles was invented).

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#28

Fkatiee Report

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

It's ground meat with binders like egg and breadcrumbs, and can also have minced onions and peppers (capsicum), and seasonings that's all mixed together and baked in a loaf pan in the oven. Most people make it with just ground beef, but when I was little in the 70s, in our home it was made with ground beef, pork, and veal, and we had it maybe once a month with homemade mashed potatoes and brown gravy, and a green vegetable. I don't eat meatloaf now. It's not horrible, it's just not my first choice for comfort food.

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#30

aIIexx_ Report

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

In the big cities, all you need to do is raise your arm on a busy street. I've lived in NYC almost 30 years now, and no one yells "TAXI!" here. I grew up in a smaller town, though, and in the smaller places, you pretty much have to call a taxi in advance. I never flagged a cab until I moved to NYC.

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Note: this post originally had 40 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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