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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
Community Member
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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#5

cereaImiIk Report

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

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.

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

You'd let Tom Hanks walk around like a dog with shoes on his hands if he called over, admit it!

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

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.

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

Not a myth, but I hate wearing shoes in my home, and have always either walked around barefoot in the house or worn slippers.

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

No it's not a myth but in my home we change into house shoes

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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: depends on where you live, you might want to wear your shoes. It's good not to step on a scorpion, for example.

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

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

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

In Florida, I absolutely wear shoes in the house. Hardwood floors throughout, 2 animals and 2 kids, sand constantly comes in the house. Run the room a daily and it grosses me out to walk on sand in my kitchen. So, yeah, accurate for my house.

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

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.

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

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!

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

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

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

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.

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

We wear them in the house, the shower and to bed. Just not swimming. Especially lakes. Makes you too heavy!

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

Is it so common to take your shoes off inside the house? I only do that when I visit my korean friend... and I'm from Argentina.

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albertmarksjr@aol.com
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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 ????

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

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)

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

I demand my guest to take off their shoes. I don't know why Americans think that is okay.

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

You, Earthlings have no idea. The Americans who do wear shoes in their homes have saved us all from the domination of Keroro gunsou! ☆

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

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.

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

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?

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I_Love_Food🍰🍨🍱🍤🐕🐈
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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

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?!)

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

I switch from outside shoes to inside shoes or slippers. I don't like being barefoot.

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

Yes, even in the shower. Oh yes and that means the bathtub too.

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

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.

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

Kiwi here... we do it all the time. Only social climbers get out Gucci slippers or the like.

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

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".

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

I often wear mine in the house, but it;s because my feet swell and the shoes help keep it under control.

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

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.

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

I don't even wear my shoes outside if I'm just going to the mailbox or into the yard. I hate shoes.

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

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

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(((Sherlocat))) she/her
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

LOL @ the Americans trolling the rest of the world with the belief that anyone wears shoes for shower, bed, or sex. *LMAO* ! ! ! ;D

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

Unfortunately some Americans do. My fiance wears his to bed if I don't stop him

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

I know many people who wear shoes in the house, mostly americans

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

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...

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

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.

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

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.

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

...........most Americans can't afford shoes. Thanks for asking.

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

Why not? I don't wear them inside if they've got mud or other dirt on them, but I'm not a germaphobe.

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

Not all. I always ask if I should take my shoes off when I enter someone's house because I take them off in mine.

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

They wear their shoes inside, often without even wiping them before crossing the threshold.

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

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

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

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.

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

I'm an american, but i'm also asian. I take my shoes off at the front door and put on slippers.

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

No. Most people probably kick their shoes off shortly after getting home and will perhaps wear socks or slipper if anything.

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

It's kind of funny, we're just north of America, but Canadians tend to take off our shoes inside the front door. Usually we're very similar to the US in culture, but that's one thing we don't share.

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

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.

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

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.

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

It's a regional thing. I've noticed it's less common in the hotter, southern states.

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

I take mine off in my house, but don't ask other people to. Most people do take them off, though.

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

Not all Americans do. I'm an American and I've always found wearing shoes. inth house super weird.

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

Depends. Not everybody is the same. My grandparents do it all the time, but my family would freak out.

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

Yes, we do. And it seems strange to us that people in other countries take off their shoes in another person's home.

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

It's considered a matter of respect. In Canada, it would be rude to track outside dirt into someone's home.

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

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 .

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

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.

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

I know that in most of Europe countries we take shoes off, but again Americans are and always have been little lazy

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Bored Silly
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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

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.

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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

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#9

disposablefilms Report

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Erin
Community Member
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
Community Member
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
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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

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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

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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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