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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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#1
Felix Feline 5 years ago
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
Andres Tejeda 5 years ago
Its the easiest reference for us and a football field is 100yards or 300 feet or 91.44 meters.
#3
Kristin Scarbrough 5 years ago
We say goodbye, or something like it. It's an idiosyncrasy of script writing, not Americans.
Ericka s 5 years ago
Retail worker here. No you guys do NOT say goodbye or anything like it. I can count on one hand the number of times someone has said goodbye at the end of a call in the last 15 years I've done the job.
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Bender Bending Rodríguez 5 years ago
Do USAians really believe what they see in 'HOLLYWOOD' movies and TV about the rest of the world? Answer to your and my question is the same.
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Stormapotamus 5 years ago
Okay, it's annoying, but this happens in british shows and stuff too.
Philler Space 5 years ago
It's based on an old screenwriting technique that cuts anything that doesn't advance the plot. Polite goodbyes kill movie momentum, especially when said phone call has just relayed important information to push the plot forward.
BreGerEu 3 years ago
Exactly. It is the same with dialogues in books. They are reduced to just the necessary stuff.
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Rick 5 years ago
Yeah this is like one of those cliches when a down-on-their-luck person in a TV show or film rings up a bank because they need a loan or something and then they slightly get a bit desperate and beg and suddenly they’re like “Hello? HELLO?” And the phone call has been cut because they’ve been hung up on. Does. Not. Happen. Unless someone is being very threatening or swearing a lot, you can not just hang up the phone on a customer because you feel like it and they pleaded with you for a couple of seconds. Yet it’s routinely recreated in tv shows and films throughout the years lol
Laura Maeflower 5 years ago
This annoys me so much! It's a film thing used to save time mainly, but I notice it every freaking time.
DKS 001 5 years ago
as an american: ask the script writers. In real life we say "have a good day" or something like that
Peter Showers 3 years ago
Most people do you say goodbye in conversation. I’ve noticed that too but I never said anything about it out loud.
Randy Roberts 5 years ago
Thats just poor script writing. We all say hi, hello, cya, goodbye, love ya.
LaDonna Hulcy 5 years ago
It's a total guy thing...it also shows you that we do not value woman.
Ty Roberts 5 years ago
It’s just TV/Movies. Every second of screen time is important. Anything that doesn’t move the story is cut out. Notice guns don’t recoil. Not possible if shooting real bullets instead of blanks. Newton’s third law. Also lead doesn’t create sparks.
Siena Valenta 5 years ago
Ummmm...That's called a movie. If you were actually having a normal conversation with one of your friends that had nothing to do with superpowers and creepy people who are coming after you, yeah, of course you would say goodbye.
Mal 5 years ago
This bugs the hell outta me in tv shows. And no one closes doors. AND their coffee cups are empty.
Perfumista Perfumista 5 years ago
For the same reason people don't nail time meet places or times, it takes up valuble screen time with nothing that adds to the program.
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
I hate it when people just hang up on tv. I always say bye.
deanna woods 5 years ago
Whenever I get off the phone I say goodbye and so does the other person.
CORRINE STANLEY 5 years ago
i mean, i say bye. sometimes people just say, "I have to go!" and then hang up
#7
#11
#14
Catlady6000 5 years ago
This is especially true in small towns. The largest parking lot in town is the local teen hangout
#18
Keith Nolen 5 years ago
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.
#25
ROSSELAIRA EUGENIE CRUZ 5 years ago
I guess it depends. My family and friends only do photoshoots for weddings, 18th birthdays (girls), 21st birthdays (boys), or someone's first birthday.
#28
April Simnel 5 years ago (edited)
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.
#30
April Simnel 5 years ago
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.
#35
ROSSELAIRA EUGENIE CRUZ 5 years ago
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???)
#37
ROSSELAIRA EUGENIE CRUZ 5 years ago
Fluorescent lights are the REASON why I have terrible eyesight!
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B 5 years ago
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.
Meyer Weinstock 5 years ago
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.
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Kenny Kulbiski 5 years ago
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.
Little Wonder 5 years ago
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.
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Jane Alexander 5 years ago
Why do foreigners expect to find uniformity of thought or behavior in a country full of individuals and people from other places?
Daria B 5 years ago
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.
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Lana Raven 5 years ago
Idk, I am not from USA, not even near, but all of these things seems pretty normal to me...
CaptainDinosaur 5 years ago
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.)
mph seti 5 years ago
Movies and TV =/= real life, no matter what country or region you're talking about.
Foock Auff 5 years ago
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
Carrie de Luka 5 years ago
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.
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BlueCustardAngel 5 years ago
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.
KatPanda 5 years ago
* standing ovation ^ That was beautiful! @bluecustardangel; I appreciate you!
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Lauren Caswell 5 years ago
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
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
What grades are primary? We have kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school.
Load More Replies... deanna woods 5 years ago
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.
Lauren Caswell 5 years ago
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
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Erin 5 years ago
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.
AndersM 5 years ago
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.
Carrie de Luka 5 years ago
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!
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Claes Gustavsson 5 years ago
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?
Carrie de Luka 5 years ago
Nowhere seems to be getting better these days though - don't you think? Mass consumerism and greed has many downsides.
Load More Replies... David 5 years ago
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
Tor Rolf Strøm 5 years ago
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.
DemPugs 5 years ago
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.
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Nomadus Aureus 5 years ago
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?
Spikey Bunny 5 years ago
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.
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Holidays in Alghero 5 years ago
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
Destiney Haddox 4 years ago
#21 really?! How is eating potato chips as a side with your lunch weird?
Bryan Page 5 years ago
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.
Gwen Pollock 5 years ago
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.
Ivana 5 years ago
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.
Full Name 5 years ago
The kinds of questions you ask if you've never been to America but have seen tropes of on tv your whole life?
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Aragorn II Elessar 5 years ago
This guy has fewer downvotes than Daniel Lewis
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B 5 years ago
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.
Meyer Weinstock 5 years ago
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... Kenny Kulbiski 5 years ago
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.
Little Wonder 5 years ago
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... Jane Alexander 5 years ago
Why do foreigners expect to find uniformity of thought or behavior in a country full of individuals and people from other places?
Daria B 5 years ago
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... Lana Raven 5 years ago
Idk, I am not from USA, not even near, but all of these things seems pretty normal to me...
CaptainDinosaur 5 years ago
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.)
mph seti 5 years ago
Movies and TV =/= real life, no matter what country or region you're talking about.
Foock Auff 5 years ago
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
Carrie de Luka 5 years ago
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... BlueCustardAngel 5 years ago
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.
KatPanda 5 years ago
* standing ovation ^ That was beautiful! @bluecustardangel; I appreciate you!
Load More Replies... Lauren Caswell 5 years ago
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
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
What grades are primary? We have kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school.
Load More Replies... deanna woods 5 years ago
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.
Lauren Caswell 5 years ago
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... Erin 5 years ago
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.
AndersM 5 years ago
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.
Carrie de Luka 5 years ago
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... Claes Gustavsson 5 years ago
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?
Carrie de Luka 5 years ago
Nowhere seems to be getting better these days though - don't you think? Mass consumerism and greed has many downsides.
Load More Replies... David 5 years ago
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
Tor Rolf Strøm 5 years ago
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.
DemPugs 5 years ago
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... Nomadus Aureus 5 years ago
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?
Spikey Bunny 5 years ago
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... Holidays in Alghero 5 years ago
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
Destiney Haddox 4 years ago
#21 really?! How is eating potato chips as a side with your lunch weird?
Bryan Page 5 years ago
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.
Gwen Pollock 5 years ago
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.
Ivana 5 years ago
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.
Full Name 5 years ago
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... Aragorn II Elessar 5 years ago
This guy has fewer downvotes than Daniel Lewis
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