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After Noticing These 30 Things Americans Do In Movies, People Are Wondering Whether They Do Them In Real Life
Americans have long been exporting their pop culture to the world. With TV shows and movies being among the most consumed global American exports, it's no surprise that US actors and directors are recognized all around the globe. However, for all of us non-Americans out there, sometimes the silver screens get us all dazed and confused. Do American people really drink from those red plastic cups at parties? Do they really wear shoes inside their houses? Is homecoming really such a big thing as movies make it out to be?
But we're gonna need a true expert's opinion on the matter—our Bored Panda readers living in the US! So scroll down below to read all the questions that people had about the things they saw on TV and feel free to share your answers!
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Living in a college town I can attest that yes they do. It's all anyone talks about, and the traffic jams are awful. High school football here is just as bad.
Its the easiest reference for us and a football field is 100yards or 300 feet or 91.44 meters.
We say goodbye, or something like it. It's an idiosyncrasy of script writing, not Americans.
This is especially true in small towns. The largest parking lot in town is the local teen hangout
Because Americans have been sold the lie (mostly by Nestle, thank you!) that bottled water is better than tap water in some way. In truth most of the bottled water IS tap water.
As someone who works at a water plant (municipal) I can assure you that tap water is some of the healthiest out there. Better than bottled. It doesn't sit on a shelf.
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Yeah, I was surprised to learn years ago that Manhattan's water comes from upstate and is really good. Not sure if this is still the casr.
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It depends on the water source. Some areas have very hard water that is so full of minerals (and not in a good way, like bottled mineral water) that it tastes awful. I have a pot that I use for boiling eggs. After having used it for a while with tap water, the inside is encrusted with a layer of mineral residue! :-P
As an American, this drives me crazy unless it is a reusable bottle of water. I don't buy single-use plastic water bottles for my house and I have had guests get annoyed with me. I them them I have filtered water they can drink with a glass or bring their own.
Because situations like in Michigan were the water was pretty much poisoned.
I can attest to this! I tried filtering it but its so bad it kills filters stupid fast.
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Where I live the water tastes like literal dirt, so we buy gallon jugs and single bottles to drink from
We get 5gal jugs and have a little spout that screws on to it. The jugs get returned, so there is no waste
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I think they drink it because it’s so easy to carry their water with them. And yes, it can get expensive.
But why don't have a bottle of water that you just refill? (Though not too often because mold can develop). I always use a stainless steel cup of 24oz and just refill it with tap water. (Though carrying that cup is easy for me, since I am in a wheelchair. I just put it in between my hip and the side of my chair. I can understand carrying a large cup in your purse is not always the best option). Constantly buying bottled water is a waste of money and plastic in my opinion, and bad for the environment. Since a low percentage of plastic (bottles) REALLY gets recycled. Most of them just end up in landfill / the water / the sea. Even though I am not a total environment conscious person. I like to contribute where I can without too much hassle. But still I like to use my stainless steel cup in stead of a plastic water bottle. I bring it with me everywhere, because I drink a lot of water.
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At my previous house, the water was sketchy and I just havent got out of the habit
The majority of tap water in the US is safe to drink, but may contain trace levels of substances you object to. Or depending on the size and location of where you live may smell like rotten eggs, or dead fish, or something else wholly unpleasant that turns you away from drinking tap.
Most tap water in America is perfectly safe to drink. Bottled water became a "thing" that doesn't seem to go away. Many Americans have turned to reusable water bottles (such as Hydroflask) which they fill with tap water. It solves the portability problem but doesn't add to the plastic problem.
Most people have begun to switch over to actual metal refillable water bottles and so less of the plastic water bottles
Same in Italy. We (well, not me) also use bottled water to cook out of distrust of public administration
The water's safe in most developed nations, I don't know what you're talking about
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Most Americans have been victims of aggressive marketing over the years about how bottled water is better purified, and is filtered better than tapwater. Unfortunately I’m one of those people that mostly drink bottled water
No, American tap water is not guaranteed to be fit to drink, British is.
Americans like to CREATE PLASTIC WASTE so they can form foundations to REMOVE PLASTIC WASTE from rivers and oceans.
Do some investigating and find out exactly what they put into Tap Water.
One of the biggest bottled water companies is Evian. Spell it backwards and you'll have your answer.
I use a brita filter because I don't like the taste of my little town's water. I do NOT buy bottled water!
Because tap water tastes gross. A lot of places its not good. Also we get our own wster purifiers for sinks too.
Wait... so it isn't worldwide thing? It's not that expensive, but, well, it do cost more than regular water.
It depends where you live. Some areas have great tap water (Louisville, KY) some have undrinkable tap water (Flint, MI). If you live in an area with natural disasters the tap water can be contaminated or pipes break and unable to get tap water. Some people just like bottled water better.
Our tap water tastes terrible. I couldn't do without bottled water, any brand.
Only reason I can think of is because americans have polluted their water so badly it’s not safe to drink.
It's a chance for "product placement" in the film, which can generate more money for the filmmakers. Different brands of bottled water will actually pay to have their own bottles featured in the film. Almost any product in a major studio movie where you can see the label clearly has probably paid to get it in there. Generic products are used otherwise, to protect that business opportunity/potential revenue stream for future films.
For me, at home, my water tastes terrible. It has a very strong odor of chlorine. So at home, if I have it, I may drink bottled water, but it's usually filtered, and I'll re-use the same bottle.
My well water is straight up unsafe. There's a lot of terrible city water, gross old pipes releasing toxic metals, etc etc
I have a well and my water is filtered via the refrigerator. I do drink bottled water sometimes, but it's home water for the most part.
It depends on where your tap water comes from. (Just ask Detroit!)
It's easier on the set designers. The sets are very basic. If you had someone use the tap, then they would have to plumb the sink.
Companies in america only care about money so they don't care that their companies are dumping their waste products into the rivers and forests, which then pollutes our drinking water. Just ask the state of Michigan about water pollution.
there is bottled water, and then there is purified bottled water. It is best to filter or purify your water here because of how many chemicals that cities have to treat the water with to keep inclement organisms from getting into your gut from your city water.
Have to chime in here I only drink water and it must be spring water. A.I only like water and hate sodas B. Tap water and many bottled waters contain chlorine which makes we ill when ingested. So 100% bottled spring water it is. And if they ban it I'm in trouble.
I don't about Americans, maybe their water is dirty, but here in Europe water is clear.
Good marketing on the part of the bottlers. Same skill set that sells absurdly overpriced coffee, burgers, pizza and sneakers.
most U.S. cities don't test for carcinogens (no test updates for past 20 years) so we are better off with bottled water.
Partially because of advertising to make people think it's somehow healthier, and partially because some cities' tap water is repugnant
My city, Memphis, has the best tap water in the U.S. There are several companies that bottle it in fancy bottles and sell it to dumb people. Some places, like Pheonix, have terrible tap water. Everyone has a water cooler and refills bottles with filtered tap water.
Aussie here all i drink is bottle water,for some reason i dont like the taste of tap water !!!!
We don't use plastic bags anymore (because of the whales) so we have to use plastic more in other ways. Like bottles and forks.
not to mention a lot of that bottled water on TV is product placement
I grew up drinking from the tap as did many Americans, but we've been conditioned to drink the bottled stuff. We have a whole generation where some have probably never tasted tap water. During this coronavirus isolation, I've stopped going out and buying it; I'm drinking tap again.
Los Angeles has the worst tasting tap water possible. We saw it on TV and it became a thing. It’s electrically filtered water like what you find in soft drinks.
I live in Florida and Nestle is tearing up our rivers to bottle our water and they don't even pay us for it. Every time I see a Floridian drinking out of a plastic bottle I want to slap them. I grew up in those rivers, they are some of the best rivers in the world and Nestle is just f*****g us right up the a*s.
Funny, the only time I‘ve ever seen bottled water used regularly was when I went on my Europe trip. Here where I live we only drink tap water unless you are paranoid about the government poisoning the water
I'm British and also find that "on the continent" a lot more bottled water is consumed than here. We for example are told not to drink the tap water when we go abroad, however the reason for this is largely that the mineral contents are different to what we are used to in UK and this can lead to upset stomachs. Here, water tastes different in different areas. I also notice the effect it has on my hair. I moved about 20 miles out of the city into a more rural area... the water tastes different (even though we have the same water provider) and it took ages for my hair to adjust to the water change. I just bought a Brita filter jug and the taste was fine then!
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We had a water crisis in WV. In 2014 4-Methylcyclohexanemethanol (MCHM) was spilled into our water supply. this occurred upstream from the West Virginia American Water intake and treatment and distribution center. I still drink tap water but it makes you very wary.
Ikr. Bottled water is bad for you. Especially on a hot day, the plastic melts and the chemicals get released into the water(That's most likely just tap water anyway). It's also really bad for the environment. My grandparents are always drinking bottled water, and I'm always trying to get them to stop.
This is generally in scenes where they are not at home. Not convenient to carry a glass in the street. Also, some places have better tasting water than others (although tap water any place here is better tasting than in Iceland).
I figure that's because a lot of people DO drink pre-bottled water as opposed to tap water (which is what's in a lot of bottled water...go figure). I have nothing at all against regular tap water and, even if I did, there are a LOT of good tap-water filters available to "purify" it (even though in MOST American cities the water is perfectly fine). Some people believe that drinking water that's been stored in plastic bottles is somehow preferable, though. *shrug*
There are a lot of areas with really yucky tasting tap water. I filter mine.
Awesome way to create product placement. Thats about it, I've been drinking tap water for 3 and a half decades.
In cities and suburbs, tap water tastes horrendous unless you have your own well. It tastes kind of mildewy or bleachy, or both.
Oh, so we've always gotten water in 5 gallon containers delivered for the water cooler, rather than getting bottles all the time.
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My city water tastes like the 60 year old pipes that deliver it.
It just tastes better. We have a lot of minerals and most of the water in the US is hard water. Bottled water adds electrolytes making it smoother.
Majority of water in North American is fluoridated - which many people don't agree with. Hence the bottled water.
I guess it depends. My family and friends only do photoshoots for weddings, 18th birthdays (girls), 21st birthdays (boys), or someone's first birthday.
It's ground meat with binders like egg and breadcrumbs, and can also have minced onions and peppers (capsicum), and seasonings that's all mixed together and baked in a loaf pan in the oven. Most people make it with just ground beef, but when I was little in the 70s, in our home it was made with ground beef, pork, and veal, and we had it maybe once a month with homemade mashed potatoes and brown gravy, and a green vegetable. I don't eat meatloaf now. It's not horrible, it's just not my first choice for comfort food.
In the big cities, all you need to do is raise your arm on a busy street. I've lived in NYC almost 30 years now, and no one yells "TAXI!" here. I grew up in a smaller town, though, and in the smaller places, you pretty much have to call a taxi in advance. I never flagged a cab until I moved to NYC.
Note: this post originally had 40 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
Did Americans have self-drive cars five decades before the rest of the world? Because in films a driver never seems to look anywhere near the road.
They are filmed in the vehicle while the vehicle is being towed by another vehicle. It allows them to act out the script while being safe from accidents.
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Dear Panda, you know what would be a refreshing change? Ask why other countries do things that are considered odd, weird, or " hilarious ". I don't know, maybe start with Norway.
I think these lists are predominantly US based because US media is consumed globally. We in Australia don't see much from Norway for eg, so the tropes aren't as ingrained.
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Why do foreigners expect to find uniformity of thought or behavior in a country full of individuals and people from other places?
Exactly. And, please, people, note how this question doesn't apply exclusively to the USA, this is also a problem directed towards other regions and countries too.
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Idk, I am not from USA, not even near, but all of these things seems pretty normal to me...
I replied to a bunch of these 'cause I'm trying to provide legit answers. Others did so as well. Good luck ya'll. (Full disclosure, I recycled the 'Boston Harbor' joke.)
Movies and TV =/= real life, no matter what country or region you're talking about.
Ok judging by the pizza icon, I thought these questions were going to be about pizza. They were not, , but I came here to answer pizza questions g----mn it (LOL): YES --- we love pizza and eat a ton of it. God bless Italy. YES --- we fold our large triangular pizza slices down the middle before eating. This is to control the drip of any grease (or to siphon it right into our mouths). YES --- people do eat pizza with their hands, but can also use a knife & fork. To each their own! YES --- we eat pineapple on pizza, but those that do often don't admit it for fear of persecution. YES --- Chicago deep dish is a thing. But it's only good when it is FRESH. If you walk into a pizza place and order a slice, it'll taste bad because it's probably been sitting around and wasn't made especially for you. So if you're gunna deep dish, get a whole pie fresh and made custom. I recommend Lou Malnati's! They ship too :) Thank you for coming to my TedTalk lol
I don't care about persecution! I EAT PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA AND LOVE IT. Feels so good to get that out there! The only thing I found unusual was the pizza being called a pie. This is just a comment - not a criticism please note folks. Call it what you like - just enjoy it. Best pizza I ever had was, perhaps unsurprisingly, in Italy (Lake Garda!) Thank you for the Pizza TedTalk, Foock Auff.
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I think it's great for us all to be curious about other country's culture and traditions. What bothers me is when some people start to judge each other for where they come from. Regardless of the seemingly strange things we may do, we were all born where we were born. We didn't put in requests before birth. So we should all celebrate the beauty of our differences and have respect for each other's home no matter where it may be. Because we all love and respect our homelands. And we all deserve respect.
* standing ovation ^ That was beautiful! @bluecustardangel; I appreciate you!
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Do Americans really get to have cap and gown graduations right from primary school? Here in nz you only do cap and gown ceremony when graduating tertiary education
What grades are primary? We have kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school.
Load More Replies... I don't mean to sound rude, but I thought that a lot of these things were incredibly stupid. I understand that certain things are not common the world over, but most people know that the way a particular place is portrayed on tv is not how it really is. Also, I don't understand how a lot of these things are so weird and mind blowing. I am certain that not everyone in French small towns breaks into song like in Beauty and the Beast. I am certain that not all Germans wear lederhosen everyday. I just wish that the world, especially in these times, could forget all of this stuff and just get along.
I think as American tv is a dominant force in a lot of places, it is essentially the only reference point for American culture for some places and ppl, especially in far off or isolated places like where I am (nz). Most of my pop culture knowledge comes from the Simpsons parodying events etc
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My company had some of our coworkers from Denmark working in our office in Indiana not so long ago. One of our coworkers got married and invited the people from Denmark to join us at the reception. Well, they played the Hokey Pokey and the people from Denmark thought we were playing a joke on them. They had never heard or seen such a thing for children in their entire lives. They couldn't believe it.
I find the questions a bit stupid. I ha e one very intelligent one though. Do Americans always eat ice cream from the same 10 l. bucket? Because it's freaking disgusting.
Do you mean when you see a character on TV get out a fairly large carton of ice cream and spoon straight from it - typically a women who has been dumped? Sometimes shared with a female room-mate. I've seen that on a number of sitcoms (Friends - the women get a tub for Chandler). I just assumed that it was an exaggeration tbh. The characters in these programmes clearly don't eat that much ice cream!
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I used to admire the US. Seventies, eighties. Growing up. Now, I'm just glad I don't live there. What's wrong with you?
Nowhere seems to be getting better these days though - don't you think? Mass consumerism and greed has many downsides.
Load More Replies... Do Americans actually use that yellow pencil for everything? I see those pencils all the time in movies, like when police writing reports and stuff
Ok, I thought this was gonna be a fun read, but no. These questions are way too friggin stupid. Like "do Americans really have a salad with dinner".. or "do people really eat pb&j-sandwiches".. And what is meatloaf.. Like REALLY!? You never tried any of those? I saw like 3-4 questions here who were actually good.
Not everyone's had those things. Pb&j's and meatloaf are things that are less common outside of the US. It's like a Swedish person demanding to know why Americans haven't tried Knäckebröd.
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Why is everything super-sized in the US? Food portions are insane and the cars are immense. Also: why do you guys turn the AC in public buildings and offices to Arctic settings?
2 different questions. Super Size is about McDonald's and they started that trend. The AC is on because men wear a wool suit and a jacket so they need to be cooled off. Women always end up feeling cold and have little heaters under the desk and a sweater hung on the back of their chair.
Load More Replies... Do Americans really knock on doors instead of ringing the doorbell? Some houses in the movies are so big but no one uses the doorbell
#21 really?! How is eating potato chips as a side with your lunch weird?
Kind of tired of the "I can't believe Americans..." Any one of these could be answered"yes" or "no" I'm 62. Not a football fan. Never had a garbage disposal. Went to one high school homecoming, never at college. Never heard of chicken and waffles. Did grow up saying "Sir" and "Ma'am" and if films are to believed, that equates to students saying"Yes,Miss..." We tend to continue what we grew up saying and doing.
I think that it can safely be said that if it is in a movie, or on t.v., Americans do it. There are always exceptions, but it is like asking the British, do you always curtsey/bow when the Queen walks by, or do you just stand there?! Of course you curtsey/bow when she walks by! What people see actors doing on film and t.v., regardless of country, are every day things that are done. While some may do it, and others don't, it just depends on location, upbringing, and personal preference.
You all think it is weird that we have to pledge allegiance to our country every day since we were 4/5 years old? I thought it was weird. I still think it is weird. If I can't vote then what is the point of my allegiance? Plus, you know if Russia bought me a pony, 4 year old me would have broken that allegiance right quick.
The kinds of questions you ask if you've never been to America but have seen tropes of on tv your whole life?
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This guy has fewer downvotes than Daniel Lewis
Load More Replies... Did Americans have self-drive cars five decades before the rest of the world? Because in films a driver never seems to look anywhere near the road.
They are filmed in the vehicle while the vehicle is being towed by another vehicle. It allows them to act out the script while being safe from accidents.
Load More Replies... Dear Panda, you know what would be a refreshing change? Ask why other countries do things that are considered odd, weird, or " hilarious ". I don't know, maybe start with Norway.
I think these lists are predominantly US based because US media is consumed globally. We in Australia don't see much from Norway for eg, so the tropes aren't as ingrained.
Load More Replies... Why do foreigners expect to find uniformity of thought or behavior in a country full of individuals and people from other places?
Exactly. And, please, people, note how this question doesn't apply exclusively to the USA, this is also a problem directed towards other regions and countries too.
Load More Replies... Idk, I am not from USA, not even near, but all of these things seems pretty normal to me...
I replied to a bunch of these 'cause I'm trying to provide legit answers. Others did so as well. Good luck ya'll. (Full disclosure, I recycled the 'Boston Harbor' joke.)
Movies and TV =/= real life, no matter what country or region you're talking about.
Ok judging by the pizza icon, I thought these questions were going to be about pizza. They were not, , but I came here to answer pizza questions g----mn it (LOL): YES --- we love pizza and eat a ton of it. God bless Italy. YES --- we fold our large triangular pizza slices down the middle before eating. This is to control the drip of any grease (or to siphon it right into our mouths). YES --- people do eat pizza with their hands, but can also use a knife & fork. To each their own! YES --- we eat pineapple on pizza, but those that do often don't admit it for fear of persecution. YES --- Chicago deep dish is a thing. But it's only good when it is FRESH. If you walk into a pizza place and order a slice, it'll taste bad because it's probably been sitting around and wasn't made especially for you. So if you're gunna deep dish, get a whole pie fresh and made custom. I recommend Lou Malnati's! They ship too :) Thank you for coming to my TedTalk lol
I don't care about persecution! I EAT PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA AND LOVE IT. Feels so good to get that out there! The only thing I found unusual was the pizza being called a pie. This is just a comment - not a criticism please note folks. Call it what you like - just enjoy it. Best pizza I ever had was, perhaps unsurprisingly, in Italy (Lake Garda!) Thank you for the Pizza TedTalk, Foock Auff.
Load More Replies... I think it's great for us all to be curious about other country's culture and traditions. What bothers me is when some people start to judge each other for where they come from. Regardless of the seemingly strange things we may do, we were all born where we were born. We didn't put in requests before birth. So we should all celebrate the beauty of our differences and have respect for each other's home no matter where it may be. Because we all love and respect our homelands. And we all deserve respect.
* standing ovation ^ That was beautiful! @bluecustardangel; I appreciate you!
Load More Replies... Do Americans really get to have cap and gown graduations right from primary school? Here in nz you only do cap and gown ceremony when graduating tertiary education
What grades are primary? We have kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school.
Load More Replies... I don't mean to sound rude, but I thought that a lot of these things were incredibly stupid. I understand that certain things are not common the world over, but most people know that the way a particular place is portrayed on tv is not how it really is. Also, I don't understand how a lot of these things are so weird and mind blowing. I am certain that not everyone in French small towns breaks into song like in Beauty and the Beast. I am certain that not all Germans wear lederhosen everyday. I just wish that the world, especially in these times, could forget all of this stuff and just get along.
I think as American tv is a dominant force in a lot of places, it is essentially the only reference point for American culture for some places and ppl, especially in far off or isolated places like where I am (nz). Most of my pop culture knowledge comes from the Simpsons parodying events etc
Load More Replies... My company had some of our coworkers from Denmark working in our office in Indiana not so long ago. One of our coworkers got married and invited the people from Denmark to join us at the reception. Well, they played the Hokey Pokey and the people from Denmark thought we were playing a joke on them. They had never heard or seen such a thing for children in their entire lives. They couldn't believe it.
I find the questions a bit stupid. I ha e one very intelligent one though. Do Americans always eat ice cream from the same 10 l. bucket? Because it's freaking disgusting.
Do you mean when you see a character on TV get out a fairly large carton of ice cream and spoon straight from it - typically a women who has been dumped? Sometimes shared with a female room-mate. I've seen that on a number of sitcoms (Friends - the women get a tub for Chandler). I just assumed that it was an exaggeration tbh. The characters in these programmes clearly don't eat that much ice cream!
Load More Replies... I used to admire the US. Seventies, eighties. Growing up. Now, I'm just glad I don't live there. What's wrong with you?
Nowhere seems to be getting better these days though - don't you think? Mass consumerism and greed has many downsides.
Load More Replies... Do Americans actually use that yellow pencil for everything? I see those pencils all the time in movies, like when police writing reports and stuff
Ok, I thought this was gonna be a fun read, but no. These questions are way too friggin stupid. Like "do Americans really have a salad with dinner".. or "do people really eat pb&j-sandwiches".. And what is meatloaf.. Like REALLY!? You never tried any of those? I saw like 3-4 questions here who were actually good.
Not everyone's had those things. Pb&j's and meatloaf are things that are less common outside of the US. It's like a Swedish person demanding to know why Americans haven't tried Knäckebröd.
Load More Replies... Why is everything super-sized in the US? Food portions are insane and the cars are immense. Also: why do you guys turn the AC in public buildings and offices to Arctic settings?
2 different questions. Super Size is about McDonald's and they started that trend. The AC is on because men wear a wool suit and a jacket so they need to be cooled off. Women always end up feeling cold and have little heaters under the desk and a sweater hung on the back of their chair.
Load More Replies... Do Americans really knock on doors instead of ringing the doorbell? Some houses in the movies are so big but no one uses the doorbell
#21 really?! How is eating potato chips as a side with your lunch weird?
Kind of tired of the "I can't believe Americans..." Any one of these could be answered"yes" or "no" I'm 62. Not a football fan. Never had a garbage disposal. Went to one high school homecoming, never at college. Never heard of chicken and waffles. Did grow up saying "Sir" and "Ma'am" and if films are to believed, that equates to students saying"Yes,Miss..." We tend to continue what we grew up saying and doing.
I think that it can safely be said that if it is in a movie, or on t.v., Americans do it. There are always exceptions, but it is like asking the British, do you always curtsey/bow when the Queen walks by, or do you just stand there?! Of course you curtsey/bow when she walks by! What people see actors doing on film and t.v., regardless of country, are every day things that are done. While some may do it, and others don't, it just depends on location, upbringing, and personal preference.
You all think it is weird that we have to pledge allegiance to our country every day since we were 4/5 years old? I thought it was weird. I still think it is weird. If I can't vote then what is the point of my allegiance? Plus, you know if Russia bought me a pony, 4 year old me would have broken that allegiance right quick.
The kinds of questions you ask if you've never been to America but have seen tropes of on tv your whole life?
Load More Replies... This guy has fewer downvotes than Daniel Lewis
Load More Replies... 