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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!
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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.
And some of us don't even use any bread, just a spoon, and the jars of each.
Load More Replies...As a kid, I moved from California to New England. Discovered a thing called fluffernutter sandwiches - peanutbutter and marshmallow spread. I was insanely jealous that my mom refused to make them for my lunch!
Who the hell doesn't eat PB&J sandwiches?? I mean, other than the backwards Aussies.
I’m an Aussie and I love Peanut butter and jam sandwiches and so do my kids.
Load More Replies...Nope. European here and i've only seen that on movies / shows. Peanut butter is rare and expense, cause noone eat that.
Load More Replies...I am an aussie and my kids and myself all enjoy peanut butter and jam sangas.
Sanga? Is that slang for sandwich or is it something else entirely?
Load More Replies...Let me tell you folks something: PB&Js are awesome and I one of my favorite types of sandwiches.
Yaaaasssss!!! I didn't know about grilling PB&Js until I was in my 30s. Life changing.
Load More Replies...Millions of people also eat this in Canada. Don't get why this is considered an American only thing
I thought that eating peanut butter with jelly was just weird, until I discovered that 'jelly' is actually jam. I tried it and it's fantastic. I use crunchy peanut butter and raspberry jam.
So you have never seen an Uncrustable? It's a daily staple at my kids school for lunch.
My family loves PB "popsicles." It's literally just a giant scoop of PB.
Yes, people do it all the time. I'm the only one in my family who doesn't like peanut butter or jelly...
Increasingly rarely as peanut allergies become more common. Many schools actually prohibit PB now. But, yes, it's real, and it's absolutely delicious.
Oh yeah. We do. A lot. We have the same reaction to vegemite or marmite on bread or toast. Gak.
Promote is another option. But sweeter, different taste, not so salty. But which ever one, best with just a little and loads of butter. Especially on toast. Then other options work alright, too. Vegemite and cheese is common. Then there's Borox - a beef stock/powder. Similar taste. You have it as a hot drink. I never really liked it, but older generations trend to rate it. But one use of Vegemite most people would like is in gravy. Just a teaspoon in with the pan juciee. Throw in your flour, and herbs or pepper or ehatever if you like. Delicious. Really enhances the flavour.
Load More Replies...It's not jelly like the rest of the world knows jelly. For Americans jelly = jam
I usually have peanut butter and nutella or PB and butter, since I don't like jelly. We also all had peanut butter on celery sticks as kids.
Grape jelly is the most popular but I assure you as a matter of scientific fact that blackberry is the most delicious. Creamy or crunchy peanut butter is a matter of opinion, but blackberry jam's superiority is quantifiably gospel.
Load More Replies...I had a pb&j almost everyday for lunch from 2nd to 5th grade. Still one of my go to snack/meals
That was a staple in my childhood. Yes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are very American and very common.
I eat PB&J on many things: bread/toast, pancakes, waffles, English muffins or crackers. It astonishes me that it's not a worldwide taste treat.
PB & J is standard, but my mom also did PB & dill pickles and it is delicious.
It's a favorite with school kids everywhere! It's cheap, easy to make and filling. I'm almost 40 yrs old and I still eat one every now and then. :)
it's a main dietary meal, especially in the 12 and under age group.
Wait. Only American's do this? Seriously? What do kids outside the US take to school?
At my school district, if you ran out of money in your lunch account, you got a PB&J sandwich as lunch. Yes. Absolutely a thing
Now you just watch your mouth! We are very fond of pb&j. We even press grape flavored gumdrops into peanut butter cookies so we can have pb&j cookies.
Just like Australians eat Vegemite... (I like marmite better myself) Peanut Butter is sometime we are raised with.
I live in the UK and I've been known to eat it too because it's really tasty.
yeah... nah, can't think of anyone i know here who admit to eating this (in Australia) and we do talk such random c**p a lot. But then, i can't even stomach vegemite and cheese sandwiches.
Generations have been raised on PB&J and provided you don't drown it in jam it can be a healthy sandwich.
I'm English and I eat peanut butter and jam sandwiches all the time. Peanut butter and honey is really good too.
I was never a PB&J fan - I preferred PB and honey. If you add sliced apple to the sandwich, or bananas, it's amazing. Peanut butter and apples are my favorite snack or light meal.
I've had peanut butter and jelly every single day of my life! Only it's gone through several Metamorphoses over the years. Recently it's been cashew butter and apple butter on sourdough toast. The jelly has transformed into Thinly sliced bananas or a bed of raisins, Honey, maple syrup, maple syrup butter (Trader Joe's)… Of course there's the almond butter years. We can't forget the European influence of Nutella.
Do people in other countries really not know the joy of peanut butter and jelly/jam sandwiches? you poor deprived people.
Don't other countries eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Is that truly American?? I had a thin layer peanut butter on a toasted waffle and then I sliced strawberries and bananas on top for breakfast. PB&J is the world's perfect food (for those of us who aren't allergic to peanuts, that is).
Here in México a lot of people eat peanut butter and chocolate sándwiches
Just wait until you try peanutbutter on bologna. I've never does this because the thought makes me gag. But my father swears by them. (He also has 38 heart stints - not exaggerating, not the record btw, already checked, so take his food suggestions with a grain of salt -- pun intended)
belgium right here and I do to eat pb and j its de-licious ! now I m hungry -_-
I would make honey butter sandwiches. I dont know why they were were good, I had one yesterday just to see and it was disgusting.
Jesus, are these people mentally challenged or something? You never had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? I'm frigging Norwegian and I eat that all the time. Possibly one of the best combos ever.
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...