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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
Community Member
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

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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
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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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#13

mrsmop68 Report

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

We're tough! We don't need... er... pill lubricants?

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

I never take my pills without water. I don't know what show you are watching, but I don't do that.

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

Well, I'm not into believing 'all americans' but as you're asking House - Dr Gregory House always takes his dry! But then I'm hoping no-one thinks he's the norm of any kind!

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

Only if I'm being filmed. I don't chase whiskey on camera either.

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

mainly a tv thing to show toughness or that they don't have time to bother finding water.

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

This bothers me, too. I feel like I want to choke just watching that. When they chew up aspirin, too. People just don't do that.

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

im american and i cant do that. like its still hard for me to swallow pills with a drink

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

Another thing I hadn't noticed in movies! I don't think that this is common with us IRL.

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

I always wondered this as well, I tried it once and its hard to do for me for some reason.

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

Same. Plus, supposedly you’re suppose to drink water when you do it. (Though that may have been simply something my father told me XD)

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

Idk. I mean, I would if I could, but I am just NOT GOOD AT SWALLOWING PILLS. I can take five minutes just to swallow.

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

I've done it because I couldn't be bothered to get some water, but usually I get a drink. Don't believe everything you see on media.

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

THAT is a lie SOME OF US DON'T HATE OURSELVES some of us do...

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

I knew someone who did this regularly, a couple of years later they ended up with surgery on their oesophagus, they had caused serious problems and ended up with ulcers which were eventually cut out. It affected their voice and how they could eat. They are still suffering from this many years later. It stopped me taking any meds, including aspirin or paracetamol without a drink to flush it down properly. True story, which you still might be able to google.

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

Its to look tough or uncaring on tv. It's not the normal way for us.

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

bad writing. or it's the character aesthetic... When I see people do that, I wanna slap em. Your body needs that water to help break down and absorb that pill you dumbass.

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

Pills are small, why do you need a drink? Do we Americans have bigger throats than the rest of the world?

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

NO! It's so they don't stay in your windpipe but get flushed through it into the stomach. Dissolving pills in the windpipe can cause cellular changes=cancer!

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

Because they’re technically just Tictac and no one needs water to eat a tictac. Lol

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

I don't get it. I need to use a lot of meds, sometimes 10 or more at the same time. I just need a sip of water, not a whole cup, but without water? I couldn't do that. Not even one pill, even though I am used to take many at a time. It would feel like it is stuck in my throat..

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

I think it's just easier and quicker for a show / movie to show people gulping back pills without something to drink. Probably the exception rather than the norm.

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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: again ... ask the script writers not real people

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

I have never been on TV and I rarely drink when taking a pill. I can swallow just fine.

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

Some pills can actually be bad for you if you don't take them with liquid - just be careful which ones you swallow dry. The contraceptive pill is especially bad taken that way. Cancer risk.

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

Yeah that’s pretty hard to do, but some pills and medication’s are made to be chewable: Meaning that it doesn’t taste bad to swallow and you can chew the medication. That indicated on the bottle

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

idk laziness i guess. or they don't want to get and entire glass of water just for one swallow. I just don't find it effective

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

Some people in Britain do, my father never needs a drink with a pill/tablet

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

I take my handful of pills all at once with a big gulp of water or whatever I have... coffee? Tea? Soda? Juice? Any liquid.

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

Not only that but movies show people chewing them. That is gross. We don't do this. I mean, I think it's not common.

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

PEOPLE!!! PLEASE!!! Take it from me - ALWAYS read the info leaflet with pills. 99times out of 100 pills will need cold liquid to flush them through your windpipe into your stomach. A small glass at least - not a sip. The pill will stay in your windpipe otherwise and start to dissolve. This can cause cellular changes which could, at best, leave you with a permanent sore throat; at worst, cancer of the throat. Just drink the water!

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

I can't speak for "Americans" but I need at least a sip of something. Of course, that depends on the pill, too.

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

At 500$ a pop, one wants to savor all that expensive bitterness...

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

I’ve never seen anyone do this and have trouble imagining how it would be possible.

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

Idk.. Its stupid. I don't. I force my husband to take them with water. Better then choking.

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

no idea. I need water to take pills. not to mention, that's not great for your stomach.

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

That is an individual preference, actually. I cannot take pills without a non-hot beverage, always. My husband, though, can do dry swallow just fine. I picture a pill getting stuck in my throat so I just can't do it.

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

It shouldn't be an individual preference! You MUST flush pills through your windpipe or else they will dissolve there. This causes cellular changes over time causing throat cancer! Always read the info leaflet!

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

Once again its tv...we consume liquids with our pills

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

Because on tv providing a glass of water would take time and extra work, while adding nothing to the story. I don't dry-swallow pills and I don't think many people do if they can help it.

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

If it's a recreational drug you want it to hit that stomach acid and start working NOW. Water just slows it down. Chewing it is even better. That's what I heard in the 60's anyway. I, of course never indulged.

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

I'm not American but I also swallow pills without water.

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

I do that too, not an American. When one eat too many pills in life, it get easier.

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

I do that and my mom says she hates to watch me swallow pills.

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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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