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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!
This post may include affiliate links.
#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.
#7
#11
#13
Bettina Jansen 5 years ago
Hahaha ! And there goes my mind into the gutter ;-)
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deanna woods 5 years ago
I never take my pills without water. I don't know what show you are watching, but I don't do that.
Carrie de Luka 5 years ago
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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Perfumista Perfumista 5 years ago
mainly a tv thing to show toughness or that they don't have time to bother finding water.
CORRINE STANLEY 5 years ago
im american and i cant do that. like its still hard for me to swallow pills with a drink
Andres Tejeda 5 years ago
I always wondered this as well, I tried it once and its hard to do for me for some reason.
Summer C 5 years ago
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 5 years ago
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.
criminalgirl 5 years ago
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.
Randy Roberts 5 years ago
Its to look tough or uncaring on tv. It's not the normal way for us.
Aimee Simmons 5 years ago
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.
Bumblebee 5 years ago
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..
Erin 5 years ago
I have never been on TV and I rarely drink when taking a pill. I can swallow just fine.
Chris Jones 5 years ago
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 3 years ago
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
Sarah Grape 4 years ago
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
Suzanne Haigh 4 years ago
Some people in Britain do, my father never needs a drink with a pill/tablet
Lacey Heward 5 years ago
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.
Brent Kaufman 5 years ago
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.
Jill Emburey 5 years ago
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!
Jeannie Carle 5 years ago
I can't speak for "Americans" but I need at least a sip of something. Of course, that depends on the pill, too.
Nia Loves Art 5 years ago
I’ve never seen anyone do this and have trouble imagining how it would be possible.
Tiffany Marie 5 years ago
Idk.. Its stupid. I don't. I force my husband to take them with water. Better then choking.
Andrea Anthony 5 years ago
no idea. I need water to take pills. not to mention, that's not great for your stomach.
Kerri Russ 5 years ago
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.
Jill Emburey 5 years ago
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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Kenny Kulbiski 5 years ago
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.
ravina nimje 5 years ago
I do that too, not an American. When one eat too many pills in life, it get easier.
#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
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!
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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
Load More Replies... 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
Load More Replies... You May Like “What Things Are Normal For Americans But Weird For Non-Americans?” (43 Surprising Answers) 43 Foreigners Share Traits That Instantly Reveal Someone Is American 131 Well-Known Quotes About Patriotism
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