125Kviews
After Noticing These 30 Things Americans Do In Movies, People Are Wondering Whether They Do Them In Real Life
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!
This post may include affiliate links.
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.
Its the easiest reference for us and a football field is 100yards or 300 feet or 91.44 meters.
We say goodbye, or something like it. It's an idiosyncrasy of script writing, not Americans.
In Canada nobody except dirtbag teenage boys in their first apartment keep their shoes on. It's so gross. I don't care if it's Tom Hanks that's coming over, he's taking his goddamn shoes off. Period.
You'd let Tom Hanks walk around like a dog with shoes on his hands if he called over, admit it!
Load More Replies...I'm guessing it depends on the type of family. Obviously it's more common in certain countries, like America, but people do have shoes on inside in Europe.
Not wearing shoes in their home is the domain of people with very clean floors or very dirty feet.
funfact. in Svalbard, the most norther town in the world, you have to take of you shoes to the pub, grocery store and cafe. Due to permafrost, and a muddy top in the summer it is so greasy outside, that everyone takes their shoes of..... even at the pubs toilet
Not a myth, I wear shoes constantly during the day, I only take them off when I am getting ready for bed in the evening.
The majority of people in Europe wear their shoes on at home. I mean, do you not have pavements, doormats and mops, mops are great. I mean, do people not clean their floors and carpets? And people who make visitors take off their shoes when theirs no need are weirdos, just stop it, stop it now!
You track in all sorts of dirt. I don't wear shoes in the house and the difference in mop water from the rest of the house to the black of the entry way is striking
Load More Replies...Growing up in Massachusetts, as long as we were wearing regular clothing, we also wore our shoes. I moved to the Midwest, and most people here take their shoes off when they enter a house. It can be awkward when my Midwestern children take their shoes off when visiting family in the northeast. Its a real cultural difference.
We wear them in the house, the shower and to bed. Just not swimming. Especially lakes. Makes you too heavy!
I don't because it's more comfortable, but will never understand what the NO SHOE crowd is walking in that makes it so unseemly. I live in a nice middle class neighborhood of NEW YORK CITY and the sidewalks are clean of anything that would frighten or disgust me SOOOO whatzup with that ????
Removing one's shoes, from our American frontier origins, is sign of forcing one to lower their guard, and potentially to be unable to defend oneself in a fight. Fighting is the basis for national growth, and so it is an ingrained value. In fact, without shoes, many of us west of the Rockies may feel that something is missing, and we start looking around aimlessly. -Dr M, historian (and Native American)
I demand my guest to take off their shoes. I don't know why Americans think that is okay.
I never make demands of guests, only that they feel at home.
Load More Replies...Yes most Americans wear shoes inside the house. I was aware of some cultures taking her shoes off at the door, but I don’t at my house nor do my friends.
uh depends on the family, most in my neighborhood don't, but my family does. the dogs bring dirt everywhere anyway, so what's the point?
i live in america and we wear our shoes in bed, in the house, while taking a shower, while taking a bath, and while swimming.
Was born in 1967. Growing up, many people (maybe most) wore shoes in the house. But somehow now (thankfully), I think most everyone removes their shoes at the door. They just show it in movies so they can show the housewife strutting around in high heels at home because it's sexy. (Who TF does that?!)
I switch from outside shoes to inside shoes or slippers. I don't like being barefoot.
Is that a problem, I wear my shoes inside the house as well, because I am frequently going outside all the time. Not in the US, I am in Australia.
Kiwi here... we do it all the time. Only social climbers get out Gucci slippers or the like.
We did growing up unless we had mud on our shoes or walked through the grass. My grandma said " id rather have shoes on my floors than peoples nasty feet".
I often wear mine in the house, but it;s because my feet swell and the shoes help keep it under control.
No more than we wear our glasses to bed. I see that on TV and just laugh! I walk in the door, drop my purse and kick off my shoes. Every time.
I don't even wear my shoes outside if I'm just going to the mailbox or into the yard. I hate shoes.
What? I live in europe and I wear shoes inside... It's rude to actually ask your guests to take of their shoes. I've only known one person to do that in my entire life, and I hated it. It's not like i'm going to lay on the floor or eat on the floor. I can maybe sit on the floor sometimes, but I also do that in the middle of the street. If the floor gets dirty, I'll clean it. wtf
LOL @ the Americans trolling the rest of the world with the belief that anyone wears shoes for shower, bed, or sex. *LMAO* ! ! ! ;D
Unfortunately some Americans do. My fiance wears his to bed if I don't stop him
I always wear my shoes in the house. I have neuropathy after chemo and cant afford to bang my feet on anything. My husband wears slippers. My daughter goes barefoot all the time lol Depends on the situation...
My shoes come off the second I'm home. My socks too if I'm not going back out. Usually get in my shorts too no matter what season it is.
ya we do. I have to because I have an old injury that makes one of my legs a tad shorter than the other, and if I don't wear my inserts to even me out, my muscles protest so bad, I end up unable to get around without pain for a few weeks until my body rebalances out.
Why not? I don't wear them inside if they've got mud or other dirt on them, but I'm not a germaphobe.
They wear their shoes inside, often without even wiping them before crossing the threshold.
Depends on who's house it is. We own cats who go outside and walk all over our floors so we wear slides and flip flops downstairs
My family in Asia thinks thats crazy. Usually, if you are visiting, you keep your shoes on -- unless your host is Asian. At home we were slippers.
I'm an american, but i'm also asian. I take my shoes off at the front door and put on slippers.
No. Most people probably kick their shoes off shortly after getting home and will perhaps wear socks or slipper if anything.
I have slippers to wear in the house. Due to a medical condition, I shouldn't go without shoes. But shoes worn outside come off inside.
UK here. Our house rules are no shoes upstairs (mainly because we have cream carpets), downstairs (wooden floors) shoes are allowed. I tend to wear slippers or in the summer flip flops around downstairs and take my shoes off as soon as I get in the door. Sometimes barefoot.. but i am a smoker so regular trips into the garden necessitates some form of footwear.
I take mine off in my house, but don't ask other people to. Most people do take them off, though.
Not all Americans do. I'm an American and I've always found wearing shoes. inth house super weird.
Depends. Not everybody is the same. My grandparents do it all the time, but my family would freak out.
Yes, we do. And it seems strange to us that people in other countries take off their shoes in another person's home.
It's considered a matter of respect. In Canada, it would be rude to track outside dirt into someone's home.
Load More Replies...My ex American (Texas)Husband flat out refused to take his shoes off when entering our house or anyone else's when we moved to Canada. We had a berry tree in the front yard and because of this there was a red path of berry guts right from the front door across our beige carpet. He though Canadians were weird for taking their shoes off . I thought he was nuts for not .
Some people wear slippers at home. And some wear shoes when they're visiting. Here in Minnesota, it's an unwritten rule that when you are visiting someone during winter or when it has been raining, you take your shoes off. But as a rule, people don't wear street shoes in their own home.
I know that in most of Europe countries we take shoes off, but again Americans are and always have been little lazy
This question has been asked three times and I will answer it for a third time: no one I know wears their shoes in the house.
This is especially true in small towns. The largest parking lot in town is the local teen hangout
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.
I guess it depends. My family and friends only do photoshoots for weddings, 18th birthdays (girls), 21st birthdays (boys), or someone's first birthday.
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.
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.
We only leave a spare key somewhere if we're not home and a relative/friend is going to stay with us. And even then, it's not under the doormat. (Anyone else does do this???)
Fluorescent lights are the REASON why I have terrible eyesight!
Did Americans have self-drive cars five decades before the rest of the world? Because in films a driver never seems to look anywhere near the road.
They are filmed in the vehicle while the vehicle is being towed by another vehicle. It allows them to act out the script while being safe from accidents.
Load More Replies...Dear Panda, you know what would be a refreshing change? Ask why other countries do things that are considered odd, weird, or " hilarious ". I don't know, maybe start with Norway.
I think these lists are predominantly US based because US media is consumed globally. We in Australia don't see much from Norway for eg, so the tropes aren't as ingrained.
Load More Replies...Why do foreigners expect to find uniformity of thought or behavior in a country full of individuals and people from other places?
Exactly. And, please, people, note how this question doesn't apply exclusively to the USA, this is also a problem directed towards other regions and countries too.
Load More Replies...Idk, I am not from USA, not even near, but all of these things seems pretty normal to me...
I replied to a bunch of these 'cause I'm trying to provide legit answers. Others did so as well. Good luck ya'll. (Full disclosure, I recycled the 'Boston Harbor' joke.)
Movies and TV =/= real life, no matter what country or region you're talking about.
Ok judging by the pizza icon, I thought these questions were going to be about pizza. They were not, , but I came here to answer pizza questions g----mn it (LOL): YES --- we love pizza and eat a ton of it. God bless Italy. YES --- we fold our large triangular pizza slices down the middle before eating. This is to control the drip of any grease (or to siphon it right into our mouths). YES --- people do eat pizza with their hands, but can also use a knife & fork. To each their own! YES --- we eat pineapple on pizza, but those that do often don't admit it for fear of persecution. YES --- Chicago deep dish is a thing. But it's only good when it is FRESH. If you walk into a pizza place and order a slice, it'll taste bad because it's probably been sitting around and wasn't made especially for you. So if you're gunna deep dish, get a whole pie fresh and made custom. I recommend Lou Malnati's! They ship too :) Thank you for coming to my TedTalk lol
I don't care about persecution! I EAT PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA AND LOVE IT. Feels so good to get that out there! The only thing I found unusual was the pizza being called a pie. This is just a comment - not a criticism please note folks. Call it what you like - just enjoy it. Best pizza I ever had was, perhaps unsurprisingly, in Italy (Lake Garda!) Thank you for the Pizza TedTalk, Foock Auff.
Load More Replies...I think it's great for us all to be curious about other country's culture and traditions. What bothers me is when some people start to judge each other for where they come from. Regardless of the seemingly strange things we may do, we were all born where we were born. We didn't put in requests before birth. So we should all celebrate the beauty of our differences and have respect for each other's home no matter where it may be. Because we all love and respect our homelands. And we all deserve respect.
* standing ovation ^ That was beautiful! @bluecustardangel; I appreciate you!
Load More Replies...Do Americans really get to have cap and gown graduations right from primary school? Here in nz you only do cap and gown ceremony when graduating tertiary education
What grades are primary? We have kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school.
Load More Replies...I don't mean to sound rude, but I thought that a lot of these things were incredibly stupid. I understand that certain things are not common the world over, but most people know that the way a particular place is portrayed on tv is not how it really is. Also, I don't understand how a lot of these things are so weird and mind blowing. I am certain that not everyone in French small towns breaks into song like in Beauty and the Beast. I am certain that not all Germans wear lederhosen everyday. I just wish that the world, especially in these times, could forget all of this stuff and just get along.
I think as American tv is a dominant force in a lot of places, it is essentially the only reference point for American culture for some places and ppl, especially in far off or isolated places like where I am (nz). Most of my pop culture knowledge comes from the Simpsons parodying events etc
Load More Replies...My company had some of our coworkers from Denmark working in our office in Indiana not so long ago. One of our coworkers got married and invited the people from Denmark to join us at the reception. Well, they played the Hokey Pokey and the people from Denmark thought we were playing a joke on them. They had never heard or seen such a thing for children in their entire lives. They couldn't believe it.
I find the questions a bit stupid. I ha e one very intelligent one though. Do Americans always eat ice cream from the same 10 l. bucket? Because it's freaking disgusting.
Do you mean when you see a character on TV get out a fairly large carton of ice cream and spoon straight from it - typically a women who has been dumped? Sometimes shared with a female room-mate. I've seen that on a number of sitcoms (Friends - the women get a tub for Chandler). I just assumed that it was an exaggeration tbh. The characters in these programmes clearly don't eat that much ice cream!
Load More Replies...I used to admire the US. Seventies, eighties. Growing up. Now, I'm just glad I don't live there. What's wrong with you?
Nowhere seems to be getting better these days though - don't you think? Mass consumerism and greed has many downsides.
Load More Replies...Do Americans actually use that yellow pencil for everything? I see those pencils all the time in movies, like when police writing reports and stuff
Ok, I thought this was gonna be a fun read, but no. These questions are way too friggin stupid. Like "do Americans really have a salad with dinner".. or "do people really eat pb&j-sandwiches".. And what is meatloaf.. Like REALLY!? You never tried any of those? I saw like 3-4 questions here who were actually good.
Not everyone's had those things. Pb&j's and meatloaf are things that are less common outside of the US. It's like a Swedish person demanding to know why Americans haven't tried Knäckebröd.
Load More Replies...Why is everything super-sized in the US? Food portions are insane and the cars are immense. Also: why do you guys turn the AC in public buildings and offices to Arctic settings?
2 different questions. Super Size is about McDonald's and they started that trend. The AC is on because men wear a wool suit and a jacket so they need to be cooled off. Women always end up feeling cold and have little heaters under the desk and a sweater hung on the back of their chair.
Load More Replies...Do Americans really knock on doors instead of ringing the doorbell? Some houses in the movies are so big but no one uses the doorbell
#21 really?! How is eating potato chips as a side with your lunch weird?
Kind of tired of the "I can't believe Americans..." Any one of these could be answered"yes" or "no" I'm 62. Not a football fan. Never had a garbage disposal. Went to one high school homecoming, never at college. Never heard of chicken and waffles. Did grow up saying "Sir" and "Ma'am" and if films are to believed, that equates to students saying"Yes,Miss..." We tend to continue what we grew up saying and doing.
I think that it can safely be said that if it is in a movie, or on t.v., Americans do it. There are always exceptions, but it is like asking the British, do you always curtsey/bow when the Queen walks by, or do you just stand there?! Of course you curtsey/bow when she walks by! What people see actors doing on film and t.v., regardless of country, are every day things that are done. While some may do it, and others don't, it just depends on location, upbringing, and personal preference.
You all think it is weird that we have to pledge allegiance to our country every day since we were 4/5 years old? I thought it was weird. I still think it is weird. If I can't vote then what is the point of my allegiance? Plus, you know if Russia bought me a pony, 4 year old me would have broken that allegiance right quick.
The kinds of questions you ask if you've never been to America but have seen tropes of on tv your whole life?
Load More Replies...This guy has fewer downvotes than Daniel Lewis
Load More Replies...Did Americans have self-drive cars five decades before the rest of the world? Because in films a driver never seems to look anywhere near the road.
They are filmed in the vehicle while the vehicle is being towed by another vehicle. It allows them to act out the script while being safe from accidents.
Load More Replies...Dear Panda, you know what would be a refreshing change? Ask why other countries do things that are considered odd, weird, or " hilarious ". I don't know, maybe start with Norway.
I think these lists are predominantly US based because US media is consumed globally. We in Australia don't see much from Norway for eg, so the tropes aren't as ingrained.
Load More Replies...Why do foreigners expect to find uniformity of thought or behavior in a country full of individuals and people from other places?
Exactly. And, please, people, note how this question doesn't apply exclusively to the USA, this is also a problem directed towards other regions and countries too.
Load More Replies...Idk, I am not from USA, not even near, but all of these things seems pretty normal to me...
I replied to a bunch of these 'cause I'm trying to provide legit answers. Others did so as well. Good luck ya'll. (Full disclosure, I recycled the 'Boston Harbor' joke.)
Movies and TV =/= real life, no matter what country or region you're talking about.
Ok judging by the pizza icon, I thought these questions were going to be about pizza. They were not, , but I came here to answer pizza questions g----mn it (LOL): YES --- we love pizza and eat a ton of it. God bless Italy. YES --- we fold our large triangular pizza slices down the middle before eating. This is to control the drip of any grease (or to siphon it right into our mouths). YES --- people do eat pizza with their hands, but can also use a knife & fork. To each their own! YES --- we eat pineapple on pizza, but those that do often don't admit it for fear of persecution. YES --- Chicago deep dish is a thing. But it's only good when it is FRESH. If you walk into a pizza place and order a slice, it'll taste bad because it's probably been sitting around and wasn't made especially for you. So if you're gunna deep dish, get a whole pie fresh and made custom. I recommend Lou Malnati's! They ship too :) Thank you for coming to my TedTalk lol
I don't care about persecution! I EAT PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA AND LOVE IT. Feels so good to get that out there! The only thing I found unusual was the pizza being called a pie. This is just a comment - not a criticism please note folks. Call it what you like - just enjoy it. Best pizza I ever had was, perhaps unsurprisingly, in Italy (Lake Garda!) Thank you for the Pizza TedTalk, Foock Auff.
Load More Replies...I think it's great for us all to be curious about other country's culture and traditions. What bothers me is when some people start to judge each other for where they come from. Regardless of the seemingly strange things we may do, we were all born where we were born. We didn't put in requests before birth. So we should all celebrate the beauty of our differences and have respect for each other's home no matter where it may be. Because we all love and respect our homelands. And we all deserve respect.
* standing ovation ^ That was beautiful! @bluecustardangel; I appreciate you!
Load More Replies...Do Americans really get to have cap and gown graduations right from primary school? Here in nz you only do cap and gown ceremony when graduating tertiary education
What grades are primary? We have kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school.
Load More Replies...I don't mean to sound rude, but I thought that a lot of these things were incredibly stupid. I understand that certain things are not common the world over, but most people know that the way a particular place is portrayed on tv is not how it really is. Also, I don't understand how a lot of these things are so weird and mind blowing. I am certain that not everyone in French small towns breaks into song like in Beauty and the Beast. I am certain that not all Germans wear lederhosen everyday. I just wish that the world, especially in these times, could forget all of this stuff and just get along.
I think as American tv is a dominant force in a lot of places, it is essentially the only reference point for American culture for some places and ppl, especially in far off or isolated places like where I am (nz). Most of my pop culture knowledge comes from the Simpsons parodying events etc
Load More Replies...My company had some of our coworkers from Denmark working in our office in Indiana not so long ago. One of our coworkers got married and invited the people from Denmark to join us at the reception. Well, they played the Hokey Pokey and the people from Denmark thought we were playing a joke on them. They had never heard or seen such a thing for children in their entire lives. They couldn't believe it.
I find the questions a bit stupid. I ha e one very intelligent one though. Do Americans always eat ice cream from the same 10 l. bucket? Because it's freaking disgusting.
Do you mean when you see a character on TV get out a fairly large carton of ice cream and spoon straight from it - typically a women who has been dumped? Sometimes shared with a female room-mate. I've seen that on a number of sitcoms (Friends - the women get a tub for Chandler). I just assumed that it was an exaggeration tbh. The characters in these programmes clearly don't eat that much ice cream!
Load More Replies...I used to admire the US. Seventies, eighties. Growing up. Now, I'm just glad I don't live there. What's wrong with you?
Nowhere seems to be getting better these days though - don't you think? Mass consumerism and greed has many downsides.
Load More Replies...Do Americans actually use that yellow pencil for everything? I see those pencils all the time in movies, like when police writing reports and stuff
Ok, I thought this was gonna be a fun read, but no. These questions are way too friggin stupid. Like "do Americans really have a salad with dinner".. or "do people really eat pb&j-sandwiches".. And what is meatloaf.. Like REALLY!? You never tried any of those? I saw like 3-4 questions here who were actually good.
Not everyone's had those things. Pb&j's and meatloaf are things that are less common outside of the US. It's like a Swedish person demanding to know why Americans haven't tried Knäckebröd.
Load More Replies...Why is everything super-sized in the US? Food portions are insane and the cars are immense. Also: why do you guys turn the AC in public buildings and offices to Arctic settings?
2 different questions. Super Size is about McDonald's and they started that trend. The AC is on because men wear a wool suit and a jacket so they need to be cooled off. Women always end up feeling cold and have little heaters under the desk and a sweater hung on the back of their chair.
Load More Replies...Do Americans really knock on doors instead of ringing the doorbell? Some houses in the movies are so big but no one uses the doorbell
#21 really?! How is eating potato chips as a side with your lunch weird?
Kind of tired of the "I can't believe Americans..." Any one of these could be answered"yes" or "no" I'm 62. Not a football fan. Never had a garbage disposal. Went to one high school homecoming, never at college. Never heard of chicken and waffles. Did grow up saying "Sir" and "Ma'am" and if films are to believed, that equates to students saying"Yes,Miss..." We tend to continue what we grew up saying and doing.
I think that it can safely be said that if it is in a movie, or on t.v., Americans do it. There are always exceptions, but it is like asking the British, do you always curtsey/bow when the Queen walks by, or do you just stand there?! Of course you curtsey/bow when she walks by! What people see actors doing on film and t.v., regardless of country, are every day things that are done. While some may do it, and others don't, it just depends on location, upbringing, and personal preference.
You all think it is weird that we have to pledge allegiance to our country every day since we were 4/5 years old? I thought it was weird. I still think it is weird. If I can't vote then what is the point of my allegiance? Plus, you know if Russia bought me a pony, 4 year old me would have broken that allegiance right quick.
The kinds of questions you ask if you've never been to America but have seen tropes of on tv your whole life?
Load More Replies...This guy has fewer downvotes than Daniel Lewis
Load More Replies...