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It is only after you begin traveling more widely that you realize how different social conventions are around the world. Many of the behaviors that you wouldn’t even notice back home, might instantly make someone else raise an eyebrow when you’re abroad. Similarly, when someone visits your home country, they might be shocked by some of the conventions and traditions that you take for granted.
American Reddit users opened up about the things that are socially acceptable in the United States but not elsewhere, in two viral r/AskReddit threads here and here. We’ve collected some of their most interesting insights and opinions to share with you, Pandas. They might give you a fresh perspective on life in the US, and might make you think more deeply about all of the social conventions that you’re used to in your daily lives.
As you’re scrolling down, remember to upvote the comments that took you by surprise and the ones that you agree are true. Smiling a lot, tipping culture, and weird ads on the TV are just the tip of the iceberg.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Excessive violence? No problem! Nudity and cursing? Protect our children!
October 2 years ago
Went to an all female sauna in the US and everyone was in bathingsuits! I was not...
Little Wonder 2 years ago
Does anyone else remember the big ruckus about a US parenting magazine showing a baby being breastfed on the cover? They had loads of cancelled subscriptions and women complaining that their husbands might see. Lady, if you've got a kid there's a pretty decent chance your husband has already seen boobs.
Circular0rb 2 years ago
You can be p0rnstar or go to war at 18, but not drink until 21. That's messed up too.
Jay 2 years ago
It used to be 18, but there were too many high school seniors buying booze for their younger siblings and friends so they moved it to 21. That's why cigs are 21, too now.
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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 2 years ago
My parents would let me and my brother watch Cheech and Chong movies but wouldn't let us watch Robocop. Guess which one had more action figures.
The Queen Of Upper Butt Crack 2 years ago
Many years ago I had watched a Cheech and Chong just before I headed to Cuba on vacation . Thought I picked up a new word, was calling all the friendly people I met pendejo. Second day a guy asks me if I know what the word means, Sure, it means friend/chum, something like that. He said it means pubic hair.
Load More Replies... GadgetGirl 2 years ago
I once knew someone who had never seen her husband nekkid, even after 5 kids. She wouldn't even take the baby's shirt off to eat messy foods. Nude-phobia is a big thing for some Americans.
Ela 2 years ago
How..why...holy cow. And I laughed when my sister explained that she and her fiance must give sex a trial run before the wedding so she could be sure all his bits were correct. Not that I had a problem with her logic, it seems a much healthier attitude than this, I just pointed out that it wasn't like she was going to dump such a great guy if it turned out the bits weren't entirely standard!
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Son of Philosoraptor 2 years ago
What makes a movie "restricted" in the US? Not gun slaughter or torture or disembowelment. A nipple. Or using "f**k" a few times. That's what ruins children apparently. No wonder Americans are insane.
Mathieu Brouwers 2 years ago
I think it was 1975. Lovely weather and around noon I went naked swimming in the north of Scotland. Out of nowhere an elderly gentleman came to warn me that you could be arrested. I replied, "don't worry, my things are well hidden."
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Jay 2 years ago
Remember when The Walking Dead introduced a gay character and people were like. "THINK OF THE CHILDREN?" Why are your kids watching The Walking Dead. "It's okay for kids to see death and violence because it's part of life."
The Original Bruno 2 years ago
As a matter of fact, they were making this argument when I was a kid growing up in the U.S. The reality was non-sexualized nudity was considered acceptable even for children's programming. The problem was that the standard for "sexualization" was racist: depicting nude white people was pretty much considered sexual by default; Ben Hur, on the other hand, featured nude, Nubian dancers which in context existed purely for the sexual entertainment of the Romans, yet this movie was rated "G." (It was also excessively violent, but this considered OK also, since it a Christian movie... even though the violence was from a chariot-racing scene and nothing to do with Christ.)
The Original Bruno 2 years ago
The Supreme Court issues a ruling which allowed bans on pornography but opened up such massive loopholes as to effectively prevent any bans from having any real effect. The chief justice -- renowned for liberalism! -- who issued the case pretty much defined pornography as anything that arouses him: "I know it when I see it." This decision made pornography 100% protected, as long as it was marketed as being for "research purposes only."
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#2
Having children pledge allegiance to the flag every morning or so.
Mulberry Juice 2 years ago
That sounds more like something from a dystopian book than real life. This actually happens??
aj B 2 years ago
Used to be required now it's just "Highly encouraged" which often involves teachers using various forms of manipulation if you sit it out.
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Mark Wilson 2 years ago
It's a 1950s thing that came out of the Cold War and the Red Scare, spawning a manic need for conformity and patriotism. 1960s and 70s counterculture made the conservatives dig in. These days with the Great Sort it's more likely to be found in "Red" (conservative) states, less likely in "Blue" states. When I was a kid in Indiana we said the pledge every day in grade school, but in high school in Massachusetts we didn't. To an outsider it might sound like brainwashing, but for me as a participant it was so rote as to be almost literally meaningless.
Sebastian J. 2 years ago
The installment of the Biblical Ten Commandments was also a result of the Cold War
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TotallyNOTaFox 2 years ago (edited)
We in Germany had a different variant some time ago, the hand went up in the air instead of towards the heart....
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Tortitude 2 years ago
Seems a bit dystopian to me, but then I was forced to sing hymns, etc in a state school (UK) which I understand wouldn't happen in mainstream US schools?
Panda Boi 2 years ago (edited)
It didn't use to have 'under god' in it. It is part of the religious indoctrination that the right love.
Donkeywheel 2 years ago
What happens if you don’t feel like doing it? Do you have the right to refuse to pledge allegiance? Honest question
Ches Yamada 2 years ago
You can refuse to. I didn't care for how strange it seemed to me so I just stood when everyone else said it. I *was* the school scapegoat, though. No clue how it would affect you if you had a social life there, or anything.
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KamCy Ahaka 2 years ago
I'm not quite sure if it's the same thing but in Nigeria, children are required to pledge to the nation daily at school.
#3
Ridiculously long elections and treating elections like sporting events
Mavis 2 years ago
Also, that lame duck period between election day and a new government. In Australia and Britain if you lose the election you are out the very next day.
Ian Webling 2 years ago
I gives the outgoing government time for last-minute pardons, to clean up the evidence, and get their excuses straight.
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der sebbl 2 years ago
Plus the electoral collage.made sense 150 years ago but is totally outdated now. Additional to that it is total bs that a candidate can win the popular vote but loose the election
Disgruntled Pelican 2 years ago
This is the main thing that needs an overhaul. That, and gerrymandering, of course.
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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 2 years ago
Too much money. Cap political donations to $100 per person (real person, corporations don't count) and see how long those campaigns last.
General Anaesthesia 2 years ago (edited)
Two-year terms for the House of Representatives, before you can find the bathrooms in Washington you're already campaigning for reelection.
Mickysixxx 2 years ago
I don't know how they can stand it, I hate election time here in Australia and it only goes for a couple of weeks
Katie Lutesinger 2 years ago
That whole cult of personality thing just baffles me. We don't have that in Australia, and we don't have those massive rallies with people waving flags and chanting. On the whole elections are a pretty restrained and low-key affair.
Tenacious Squirrel 2 years ago
The advertising for elections in Australia is crazy though. The amount of billboards/posters plastered with people’s giant faces and slogans literally all over the road sides is insane. It feels very American. This is compared to other countries I’ve lived in Europe.
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Mark Wilson 2 years ago
I wish it were like sporting events. Sporting events, there are usually people you can believe in and that you want to win
Lyyyy 2 years ago
What baffles me in the US elections is how polarised the whole thing is, due to having only two seriously taken parties. From what I have heard is that most people can’t think to vote for the opposing party, even though the candidate for their ”own” party is bad. And the candidates spread all kinds of dirt on the opponent, even going so far as to pay for anti-advertisements for the opponent. So aggressive.
The Harvard Business Review notes that cultures around the world can be broadly categorized into ‘peaches’ and ‘coconuts.’ The US and Brazil, for example, can be considered to be ‘peaches.’ People there smile frequently, are open to sharing information about themselves, and ask personal questions. However, at some point, you’ll reach the “hard shell of the pit where the peach protects” who they really are inside.
On the flip side, you have ‘coconut’ cultures like in Germany. ‘Coconuts’ tend to be more closed off: they rarely smile, don’t ask personal questions right off the bat, and are very wary of what information they disclose to new acquaintances. Over time, however, they open up and become warmer. Though it takes more time, relationships with ‘coconuts’ tend to last longer.
#4
For profit healthcare
Mickysixxx 2 years ago
Yeah I don't mind paying tax for free healthcare dunno why Americans are so against it. My colleague who is from NY said he couldn't believe it the first time he went to a Dr here and it was free
Kathryn Baylis 2 years ago (edited)
I’m American and am all for a national health system. Paying for it as a percentage of my taxes would be a lot more fair than the flat rate payment system in place now. The flat rate means that people making less money have to pay a bigger chunk of their pay for healthcare than those at the top of the payscale (a janitor making $10/hr gets $400/wk pre-tax, while an executive making $50/hr makes $2000/wk pre-tax. If the average employee copay is $50/wk, which one is going to feel the loss of that amount more, the one giving up the equivalent of one hour’s pay, or the one giving up the equivalent of five hours’ pay?). Everyone paying 1% or 2% of their pay levels the playing field, and forces those who make more to pay their fair share.
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Nizumi 2 years ago
And for profit prisons. Slavery still exists in the US under the guise of the prison system.
Disgruntled Pelican 2 years ago
This depends on the state, but it is despicable that some still allow this. Thank you for bringing it up.
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Fabian Bernard 2 years ago
This month, I've been to the dentist, a generalist, a dermatologist , a psychologist and a specialist for my snoring trouble. Paid nothing
Cyber Returns 2 years ago
Insulin USA $98.70 Pay or die America! The boss wants a new top of the range Tesla! UK $7.52 per vial... You can either pay for it out of pocket if you are working or get it free on the NHS if you are unable to work, such as being disabled or between jobs
jburgh 2 years ago
Healthcare for profit is immoral. If you don’t have the money, you either suffer, or are in debt for the next 20 years (as I am after a surgery.)
Candi Cabaniss 2 years ago
Then how do you pay for upgrades, better diagnostic machines, more effective drugs?
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Notyomama 2 years ago
I read an article yesterday where more and more people are opting to purchase private health care outside of the UK because of the long wait list for surgery. A lady was on a 3 year wait list for knee replacement. She went to Lithuania for the procedure. A man went there for a hip replacement. The lady had to sell her home to pay for it. Probably gonna get down voted for this, but that is sad.
#5
The price tag on items is not the actual price.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 2 years ago
I need to send you a picture of a price tag from a block of cheese from our local Safeway. Literally four different prices listed. Normal Price, Price with Safeway Card, With Tax for both, that's four. That's why our grocery receipts are measured in feet now. I've heard it's even worse at CVS.
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Mickysixxx 2 years ago
Huh? What's the actual price then and why do we bother with the tag and not add all of it on the tag?
Jay 2 years ago
No clue. Anyone notice that bars don't typically do this? $4 beers are $4. Everywhere else, the taxes are done at the time of payment.
Load More Replies... The Original Bruno 2 years ago
In addition to state, county and city taxes, here's what's often NOT mentioned: Non-profit organizations and, in some states, welfare recipients do not have to pay sales tax.
Little Wonder 2 years ago
Completely confusing, especially when the BIG numbers on the screen say $19.45 and the tiny little numbers are the actual price. Made a dork of myself at quite a few stores lol
Shayla Katherina 2 years ago (edited)
Because each state and locality have their own tax rates on clothes. Each store isn't going to calculate prices them specifically for the location they're selling in.
Just Mich 2 years ago
Except, this is easily achieved by keeping track of tax rates, adjusting prices using a formula and voilà. This is just plain ignorant laziness.
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Ace 2 years ago
Many product prices are set nationally, so the customer sees the same price regardless of which state they're in and can see that the store owner isn't ripping them off, even though the higher sales tax may make it more expensive that other states. I like that apparently some places now at least display the real till price as well as the pre-tax price, even if it is only in the smaller text.
Ariom Dahl 2 years ago
Is it because the sales tax is added on afterwards and varies from state to state? In Australia there is a gst and it's part of the displayed price.
XenoMurph 2 years ago
Surely the shop owner knows which state the shop is in?
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Shannon McGill 2 years ago
Only at Ross, where they show the manufacturer's suggested price and then their discounted price so you know what a deal you are getting
#6
Commercials for medicine
Prescription medication specifically. Ads for boner pills and depression medicine etc. bombarding all ages all day long
Uncanny 2 years ago
‘Feeling sad cos you can’t get it up? Let us help with our Woody Smile capsules. One a day and we’ll change what’s hard in your life!’
Little Wonder 2 years ago
That voice over, with footage of happy couples smiling at each other in the park, then a super fast voice saying "Woody Smiles may cause depression, death, limb loss, an extra arm, explosion of the face."
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Kathryn Baylis 2 years ago
Yeah, most of us here in the States are uncomfortable with those commercials too.
Tree P 2 years ago
It wasn't always like that. I remember the time before these ads became the norm.
Load More Replies... Mark Wilson 2 years ago
My favorites are the ads where they don't tell you what it is because then they'd have to read out the side effects and so on, so you just get a smiling guy in a bowling alley saying "I asked my doctor about Puritab!"
Cyber Returns 2 years ago
Feeling depressed and hate life? Want to end it all and leave a note? Then try 0-fakit! That's the number 0 and not the letter O because 0-Fakit is made with Zero Faks to help you say Fak It!
Tamra 2 years ago
Side effects may include explosive diarrhea and increased risk of suicide.
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GadgetGirl 2 years ago
Ads for men's pills to force something to work when an underlying condition causes it to cease function. No ads for something similar for women. Because women know to treat the underlying issue first? Because men don't care if a woman is satisfied?
Ela 2 years ago
Because there is a notion that women can always 'perform' so whether or not she actually wants to is irrelevant?
Load More Replies...One of the most stereotypical ways to tell that someone is probably from the US is to see how often they smile. A study done in 2018 showed that European American students smiled twice as much as East Asian students in their ID photos. The former were also more likely to display ‘excited’ smiles, Naveed Saleh shares on Psychology Today.
Moreover, students at US universities were more likely to smile while walking on campus, compared to students at Chinese universities. Over 29% of Americans were spotted smiling, versus barely 3% of Chinese students. There are two possible explanations for this.
First of all, this rate might show a difference in life satisfaction between the two countries. Secondly, it indicates that different cultures value different things. For example, Americans tend to value high-intensity positive emotions. Hence the smiling!
#7
Having ~~100k+~~ debt as 18 year old just for going to school.
Remi (He/Him) 2 years ago
Just checked for reference and the enrollment fee in the university of Helsinki for the 2022-23 semester was whopping 46€. Multiply that by 5 and your masters degree would cost 230€
Lyyyy 2 years ago
I’m from Finland and what Remi said applies to all students from EU/ETA countries, not just Finnish ones. Plus at least Finnish students here get support money like 300 euros a month plus up to 80% of their rent subsidised(to a certain limit), given they don’t earn too much money by working (the limit is something like 10 000euros/year). This means anybody can get a decree
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Joshua David 2 years ago
The best part is most don't do anything even remotely close to the occupation that was studied. Forcing 18 year olds to decipher the entire future before them is borderline irresponsible.
Maggie Dinzler Shaw 2 years ago
Doesn't matter. My daughter has aa music competition degree and ended up in IT because that degree gave her the creativity and problem solving skills many with IT certifications didn't have.
Load More Replies... Fabian Bernard 2 years ago
Less than 200€ fees for a year here in France. Just paying the person who does the papers probably. And if you're broke but talentuous, you'll get an annual dotation. Also, you can go studying all around UE for the same price ( Erasmus program) On the other hand, most students work part time as rents are expensive. 40% of French students live behind poverty line sadly
Ace 2 years ago
I love your translation of "talentueuse", but we'd normally say "talented" in English.
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RandomPanda 2 years ago
Yeah, but it's not FAIR! I had to pay my loans, so everyone should have to! If I suffered, everyone needs to! It's only fair! /s
Begone Fool 2 years ago
The purpose of the U.S. is to take as much money from the poor as possible to help the richest few get richer. We are a Capitalist system, first and foremost.
StumblingThroughLife 2 years ago (edited)
Over £9,000 per term in England (FREE in Scotland), then add overpriced study books, and lodgings if you can't commute re: distance." Until 1998, full-time students in England could attend public universities completely free of charge. Two decades later, most public universities in England now charge £9,250 – equivalent to about $11,380, or 18% more than the average sticker price of a US public four-year institution."
Shannon McGill 2 years ago
Only doctors incur student loans like that because they figure their income will enable them to pay it back. Only a fool would take on a lot of debt to get a sociology degree
#8
Carrying visible guns in public
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 2 years ago (edited)
My brother was at Ft. Hood, (Army base, Texas), when that mass shooting happened. Hundreds of soldiers, the only armed were the MPS. They were too far away to stop 30 people from being shot. Here's the punchline... The shooter bought the gun at a private gun shop off site. He was in the Army and he wasn't allowed to carry a weapon on base so he had to sneak one in. Conclusion: The Army has better gun control than the civilians. P.S. As far as my brother goes, he heard the gunfire and started moving people to cover ASAP. He was fresh back from Iraq and instantly shifted into OH SH*T mode.
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rob 2 years ago
To most countries. Americans are on of the few countries that believe everyone needs a gun to be safe.
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Kathryn Baylis 2 years ago
Believe me, most of us here in the States are appalled by that too. We don’t want to live in the f*****g Wild West.
Johnnynatfan 2 years ago
This is not a thing. People don't just walk around with guns all over the place.
censorshipsucks 2 years ago
It's an implicit threat. It''s saying that everyone around you has such low life-value that you feel it is appropriate to implicitly threaten their lives. It is disgusting.
Shayla Katherina 2 years ago (edited)
I've lived in some areas with a pretty strong gun culture and this is not a common thing (even though open carrying is technically legal.) If people do carry them in the open, it's usually while hunting or at shooting ranges. Or it's concealed. The only other time I've seen open carry was during protests.
Alex Martin 2 years ago
I live in Texas. You very very rarely see someone open carrying a firearm. If someone is carrying a weapon it is concealed and I've never seen anyone draw a weapon except when hunting or on a shooting range.
Tushar Roy Mukherjee 2 years ago
Criminals and Politically powerful people and their henchmen carry guns in public in India, sometimes without a license. They alsoshoot people dead in Public, and the Police and Public must turn a blind eye and deaf ear to them.
Jody Whitmarsh 2 years ago
Not all states or jurisdictions allow this. But the ones that do, it's weird to see, even for me. I support the right to own a gun. Smartly. And not some hundred round machine gun. It's a bit crazy
Joshua David 2 years ago
I never saw this as someone from small town Illinois until I moved to Atlanta. I saw this at a BBQ place and was like WHY?
Vermontah 2 years ago
1. Welcome to the south - yee ha. 2. Can't afford a red sports car.
Load More Replies... #9
Military recruitment centres in schools, general worship of those serving or who have served.
BetterBitterButter 2 years ago
I read somewhere that a in the US veterans are homeless as well. It was a shock for me. I come from the developing world so not a rich country but soldiers being homeless was something unbelievable for me. And in case of the US many of the soldiers have been deployed abroad and seen actual war. If the US is truly grateful for them then do something for them(especially for their mental,physical and financial health)
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Little Wonder 2 years ago
The saddest thing about that, IMHO, are the people who join the military to avoid student debt. What a choice to have to make.
Cyber Returns 2 years ago
That's where the tax payers money goes. America would rather pay to put holes in people than pay to make people whole
Mark Wilson 2 years ago
Not worship, but here in the States we are genuinely appreciative of those who volunteer to serve in the armed forces. Part of that is a backlash over how the soldiers returning from Vietnam were not always celebrated because of the collective foul mood over having lost the war; but mostly it's honest appreciation of the risks and sacrifices involved for the soldiers, regardless of whether we agree with the war that was being fought. That said, there's plenty of controversy about recruitment, and protests about efforts to do so on school campuses.
der sebbl 2 years ago
Part of that my be that the USA was an invading force. Neither Iraq nor Afghanistan attacked the USA (yes, the Taliban his bin Laden). Even worse: 20 years of war in Afghanistan achieved nothing but more hatred because of people loosing their loved ones
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Living Example 2 years ago
I'm a Viet Nam vet and I hate that "Thank you for your service" too. Regardless of politics it's a gratuitous gesture at best. Some employers require it of their employees. I wasn't forced to enlist in the Air Force, and I got a salary, free housing, free health care, and got to spend a year in Thailand. You're welcome.
censorshipsucks 2 years ago
We had this in apartheid south africa. Let me tell you what else was similar in apartheid south africa: police brutally beating black people. Randomly invading other countries because they were "commies". Pushing indigenous people into small unfertile parcels of land called "homelands" or what you may call "Reservations" leaving them the only real option of building a casino since they were illegal elsewhere. Being ultrareligious and not allowing atheists in public office. All these things I've just listed were apartheid SOUTH AFRICA but also modern-day america.
Maple Porkly 2 years ago
Until retirement. Then they are kicked to the curb to deal with mental trauma on their own and on their own tiny pension.
Icecream Sarang 2 years ago
Ok, my husband is a vet. I fully respect what he has done for our country, and for others. Our family pays an heavy price for that time he spent in two wars. Unless you’ve been through it, or watched someone else go through it…leave the Vets alone, please. You’re dead on about recruitment, but please don’t bring those who have served into it.
GadgetGirl 2 years ago
It's an ebb and flow though. We're about due for it to switch to "f soldiers and the military that employs them" again.
In the US, it’s normative to maintain eye contact for around three seconds at a time, take turns during the conversation so as not to interrupt someone else, and to allow two or three feet of personal space between you and others, according to Natali Kerr, PhD.
What’s more, Americans tend to use the phrase, “How are you?” as a greeting, rather than a legitimate question in its own right. If you want to aim for a deeper, more meaningful connection with someone, try to use the question more sparingly and with intent. Actually ask someone how they’re doing when you want to find out, not as a way to extend your “hello.”
#10
Our portion sizes. Other countries literally have "American" as a size option.
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 2 years ago
I had to watch the documentary ‘Super-Size Me’ for 6th grade health… I literally had to step out into the hall, it was really disturbing and upsetting.
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SealOfDisapproval 2 years ago (edited)
I just bought an "American size" jar of mayonnaise. It literally reads "American size - 50% more" on the jar.
Dan Bexell 2 years ago
I bought a jar of "Cheese Whiz marked: "now with 10% more Whiz."
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Sonja 2 years ago
When we visited America, it was almost impossible to get what we'd consider a small size. Even when we ordered a small pizza for me, they then brought 4. But we managed to make them understand that we only wanted one, and when my sister went to the bathroom she caught a passing glance of an employee happily munching on the extras and giving her a friendly wave. Since my father had paid for everything, the manager had let them have the pizzas we didn't want. But just to be clear, those pizzas were already made, but not put down on the table. The next day we went back and only had the 4 'mini' pizza deal and each of us had one of them. They had the size of a normal pizza in Germany.
Marcos Valencia 2 years ago
In a cafeteria in Milan, I heard the barista offering a "tourist size" capuccino to 2 tourists. He was foreseeing their probable deception with the size of a regular, Italian size capuccino.
Yodelis Sosa 2 years ago (edited)
I Still Can't Imagine Other Countries' Super Small Portion Sizes!! Like I'll Probably Go Broke Just To Get Full Once 🤦♀️🤦♀️😭😭💔💔😋😋 Don't Judge Me, I'm A Foodie!!
#11
In Sweden you either take your shoes off when you enter someone's home or we saw your dirty f*****g feet off.
Ches Yamada 2 years ago
WE TAKE OUR SHOES OFF, TOO. Tv shows and movies show it otherwise, that's all.
Little Wonder 2 years ago
American TV really messed with my idea of the USA. For the longest time I thought there was no toothpaste in the US because no one on TV used it. Took WAY too long to realise that's because it's hard to deliver lines with a mouth full of foam lol. I was a lil dork.
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Dianellian 2 years ago
Not in my house but if guests want to keep them on, that’s perfectly fine.
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NJM 2 years ago
Finland too. I don't understand why someone would wear shoes inside their houses.
R Dennis 2 years ago
We never wear shoes in our house... I have been to many people's houses in Europe where they kept their shoes on.
Gigi 2 years ago
because it's rude to take someone's shoes off. unfortunately, more and more people follow this custom, but in this case they usually keep enough slippers or house shoes for the guests so that they don't have to strain in socks
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#12
Tipping
Ivo H 2 years ago
Tipping itself is nice if it serves as appriciation for work well done. Not if it's forced and abused by employers to avoid paying living wage to their employees.
troufaki13 2 years ago
Also, can anyone explain why it has to be a percentage of the bill? Like, I have to tip more because my dish costs more but the amount of work the server did is exactly the same? I don't get it
General Anaesthesia 2 years ago
Why in heck are employers allowed by law to pay half of the minimum wage to servers, making them dependent on tips to make a living?
Tamra 2 years ago
Just heard an interesting story about this. The Restaurant Association requires food service employees to pay for ServSafe training. The Restaurant Association uses a great amount of this money to bribe (lobby) politicians to prevent them from raising the wages for their workers.
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Francis 2 years ago
i've been in a restaurant on saturday. the service was miserable! really bad. i didn't tipp. why? because the waiter was the owner of the restaurant and even if it was a waiter, they're paid a living wage! tipps here are like gifts for good service!
Somebodys grandmother 2 years ago
I live in a country were all employes paycheck are included in the prices. It is så much easier.... it is actually a joy. We don't tip... we know they get a decent pay!
Steven 2 years ago
Hello fellow Nordic country resident. That "å" that slipped in, is an easy identifier ;) I'll even venture a guess, and say that you are probably a Dane like myself. And what you say is true, it is a joy living in a country where everyone is getting a living wage.
Load More Replies... marcelo D. 2 years ago
if everyone in the world believes it's stupid, even people from your country, instead of always complaining about how people laugh about this stuff.... maybe, try changing them
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#13
Cheese in a can.
What the s**t America.
Me 2 years ago
60 years in the US and I've never seen that product. Tip, if the last word on the label is spread, product or powder, it's not cheese. Legally those products are restricted from calling themselves cheese so they do everything to imply cheese and still meet FDA regulations.
FABULOUS1 2 years ago
me either and I have been here all my 47 years of life
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Herbie S. 2 years ago
*SIGH* I will post this link in every "America doesn't know what cheese is" thread. https://www.wisconsincheese.com/ The local grocery store has an aisle 20 meters long of every cheese imaginable.
RagDollLali 2 years ago (edited)
That is quite a few of our grocery stores in Houston, we have amazing cheese aisles and cheeses from all over the world. And yes, there are people that will eat Eazy Cheese in the can (trust me, it hits different when you're broke or as a drunk college student), but I have absolutely no idea what the hell that c**p is in the picture up there!
Load More Replies... Ches Yamada 2 years ago (edited)
Oh? Eels in a can isn't odd to some folks because it's their norm. Or rotten fish. I will say, however, I've never seen canned cheese here, ever. As an American, I'll also say that anything Kraft is "not cheese". It's like tasteless plastic.
Will Cable 2 years ago
Just thinking that there are 4 or 5 cheeses in my kitchen at the moment and not one in a can.
#14
Smiling at strangers. Back in high school, I spent some time in St. Petersburg, Russia as a short-term exchange student. As someone ethnically ambiguous, I assumed most Russians would think I was from one of the Central Asian Republics, like Uzbekistan. Nope, they guessed American every time.
"Olga, how does everyone know I'm American?"
"You smile too much and have good teeth."
Quirinus 2 years ago
This is more a "Russians don't smile at strangers" than "Americans smile too much" thing.
TotallyNOTaFox 2 years ago
We germans also don't smile at strangers, it's quite creepy
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Caro Caro 2 years ago
`That doesn't mean we don't smile in ... say ... Europe or Australia or some other country. I like the American smile :)
BluEyedSeoulite 2 years ago
I get this in Asia too. I've had Korean American friends get spotted easily based on their facial expressions and smiling unprompted. It's amusing, Americans are known to be AHs around the world but also for appearing extremely friendly
Brandon Parisien 2 years ago
Canada does this too .... just being polite. Like our non-apology apologies.
Ela 2 years ago (edited)
In America, especially as a woman or girl, if you do NOT smile at strangers they will often order you to do so! Smile! You're so much prettier when you smile! Why aren't you smiling? What's with the sour face? Its very uncomfortable but everyone assumes they have a right to dictate your expression. Edit: typo
Gracie Jay 2 years ago
Gave you an upvote because that’s also been my experience. I hate it.
Load More Replies... #15
You can get fired for any reason. Or no reason. Just if the boss feels like it From an external point of view, that's f****d up, going to work must be terrifying each day knowing that something like wearing the wrong shoes or whatever could get you sacked on the spot
Mystery Egg 2 years ago (edited)
On the flip side, the Country I live in Europe, you can be the laziest employee, do the bare minimum, essentially take the p*ss and you wont get fired because you haven't technically breached your contract or behaved in a way that is gross misconduct. If you did, you could take the company to a tribunal and potentially win a few thousand euros.
GadgetGirl 2 years ago
Literally written up and threatened with being fired for wearing the wrong shoes. Bless my doctor, who offered to write a letter saying they were "orthopedic shoes" bought under his direction. (They were extra wide, and hard to find)
wordsupfool 2 years ago
I was fired once -immediately- for cutting my hair. In WA state. (Now I work under union protection).
Jody Whitmarsh 2 years ago
If not sacked for the wrong shoes, written up. Which is just a veiled threat that your y that much closer to the chopping block. Land of opportunity, my a**e.
censorshipsucks 2 years ago
In south africa we are heavily unionised AND you have to give three written warnings and you can STILL get taken to arbitration if you fire someone. It's really pro-worker here.
StumblingThroughLife 2 years ago (edited)
The latest 'trick' in the UK is to Fire and Rehire (with lower pay, more hours and less benefits). The odd company has been forced to back out, but many are getting away with it. Even our Political Opposition Party has been found to be doing it, too. So much corruption from those in power.
Roland Nijveld 2 years ago
Here in the Netherlands there has to be a 3 month gap to be employed again by the same employer. Still happens though but as much before they set this limit.
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Roland Nijveld 2 years ago
Maybe explain instead of just stating it's wrong. Your comment has 0 value this way
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Shannon McGill 2 years ago
This is only true in right to work states. Many areas have protections and a good employer would always counsel someone before firing them.
#16
The car as the priority on the road. In the U.K. We have a policy that the more vulnerable the road user, the more rights they have. Therefore, people have the most rights, then horse riders, cyclists, bikers, cars and so forth.
XenoMurph 2 years ago
And that's not just the rules, that's also the attitude of most people. Most of us don't obey because we HAVE to, we honestly believe it's the right way to behave.... mostly
Ace 2 years ago
Actually it's not the rules in the UK at all. Pedestrians and cyclists have no more "rights" than any other road user except in very specific situations like crossings and dedicated cycle lanes. That doesn't mean a driver has carte blanche to mow them down though.
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30_Helens_Agree 2 years ago
Pedestrians have the right of way literally everywhere I’ve been in the states. My town is built for bikers and walkers.
Vix Spiderthrust 2 years ago
As Terry Pratchett wrote: "The pedestrian has right of way and the husband is head of the household, and as long as neither of them try to prove it they'll be fine."
Gracie Jay 2 years ago
That would work for cities only, there are only two cities large enough for that to work in my state. Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Everyone in rural areas have to drive into the city for work and if weather is bad, those roads don’t get cleared. You aren’t getting public transit out there good roads or bad.
Shannon McGill 2 years ago
This is way more true in Uganda than it ever was in the US. Crossing the street is terrifying because motor vehicles do not mind hitting you and do not have to stop if they do
Carissa McFarland 2 years ago
I believe that people ,cyclists, etc have a right to space BUT they shouldn't be on dangerously windy roads, especially when its dark. Those people make me mad because no one driving can see you till they are about to hit you.
Nora Petricien 2 years ago
I've heard people say that jaywalking is illegal in the US like you could get a ticket for it, is that true ???
#17
I love explaining to non Americans that we can go buy beer, food, televisions and guns at the same store.
Šimon Špaček 2 years ago
If you don't add ammo, you can combine beer and guns. But jokes aside, do you know what is the most important rule for historical fencers? The rule you learn on the first training, the rule you learn before you learn names of other people? It is "alcohol or weapons, never mix those two!" If you mix them, you might not be let in the group again, ever.
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Donkeywheel 2 years ago
The only issue here, the only weird thing is guns. That’s common all around the world to have big stores selling food, alcohol and home appliances or electronics. And the issue with guns is not so much the place where you can buy them.
Little Wonder 2 years ago
I remember walking into Walmart and being confronted with an entire huge wall of guns. Very weird.
Uncanny 2 years ago
I’d have been tempted to do the ‘Guns, guns, guns!’ line from Robocop. 😂
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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 2 years ago
But you have to go to a special store to buy toys for naughty bedroom activities.
Liz Fuller 2 years ago
Nope. Walmart sells those, also. Their own brand, even.
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#18
wearing the flag as a bathing suit.
Mat Hall 2 years ago
The thing about having clothes effectively made from the American flag is that the people who do it are generally the "America is the greatest country in the world" type of "patriot" who would get super angry if you "disrespect " the stars and stripes, but ironically are likely violating the flag code which states "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery"...
Katie Lutesinger 2 years ago
It's a similar situation here in Australia: the people who go around with the flag plastered across their bodies or hung from their car windows are the super patriotic types and are also often extremely racist. (They also love to get the Southern Cross constellation tattooed on them).
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Lord Mysticlaw 2 years ago
Also having the national flag hanging outside your house, is this on the list somewhere? In South Africa, people only have their rugby team's flag up 😄
Liz Clarke 2 years ago
Yeah, in the UK only nationalists and/or racists do this.
Load More Replies... I Am John 2 years ago
I actually think this one is quite fun. Lots of flags it wouldn't work with. Oooh, tartan swimwear, for cold Northern waters. Hahah.
StumblingThroughLife 2 years ago (edited)
They're doing a lot of that in UK (esp England) since the Referendum- Used to be mainly when it was The World Cup (and right-wingers/Racists).
Maggie Dinzler Shaw 2 years ago
We are not supposed to. But don't tell me the Brits don't wear the Union jack as clothing. I have seen it. In the US, the flag code says it is not to be worn aas garments.
#19
Waiters bothering me while eating. And bringing me the bill without asking for it.
Šimon Špaček 2 years ago
In Europe, if the waiter brings you a bill before you finish your meal/drink (or ask for it), it is considered as the last warning before they call cops on you. Basically it is silent signal for "Sir, please pay and leave. We don't want to escalate things."
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Thorsten Massow 2 years ago (edited)
In Europe it is ok to ask once, after everyone has tasted their meal, if everything is correct, but that is it. No more interruption until the plates are empty.
Firstname Lastname 2 years ago
I almost wish it was a call button system, like at a hospital. But knowing me, I'd accidentally hit my button and still get interrupted mid bite to have to awkwardly chipmunk cheek my dinner before waving them off.
BluEyedSeoulite 2 years ago
We have those at many restaurants in Korea. I love them, it really streamlines things. Waiters aren't bothering customers, they have plenty of stuff to do. Customers get service when they NEED it. Great all around
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James Bishop 2 years ago
I hate asking for the check....if it could be brought with my food that would be perfect.
Jody Whitmarsh 2 years ago
They want you to hurry up and give the table to the next party that tips.. rent is due
Scott Bullock 2 years ago
visited Alaska and always felt like a nuisance to the waiters. one even rolled her eyes when we wanted dessert.
LivNLearn 2 years ago
You can’t base opinions on America from what happens in Alaska- it has a different vibe from all of the lower 48. Populated by folks who are willing to live in the most remote and brutal region of a country that allows for and has many more comfortable options- to the point they are subsidized to live there by government.
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IamMe 2 years ago
In my first waitress job, the company had a two bite rule. We were supposed to wait for the customer to take two bites, then ask how everything was. It always made me very uncomfortable, because I was just at the table bringing their food and felt like I was being a bother at that point. I got caught skipping that step, and was written up.
#20
Saying: "How are you?" as a greeting, not a question.
Alexia 2 years ago
This goes for some European countries too. People ask "how are you?" but nobody is really interested to hear any other answer than "fine, thanks" (or similar).
Uncanny 2 years ago
We also do this in Oz. We don’t want an answer! This is understood. Otherwise, we’d all be slamming on the brakes having undesired conversations all day.
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Paulo Freitas 2 years ago
Dude i don't understand this One, because we do the exact same thing here, and Im not American nor do i live in the US.
Marcos Valencia 2 years ago
Same in Spain, but you're allowed to provide explanations, if you want.
Little Wonder 2 years ago
Same in Australia. "How's it going?" "How's it going?" as you pass someone you know lol.
#21
Mobility scooters and wheelchairs for obese people who are capable of walking. Went to disneyworld and people were using wheelchairs becuase they were lazy. They'd literally wheel them up to a shop get up walk around the store and then back to the chair. You could say well that was one person so it doesn't count but there were multiple people doing the same thing, even entire families sometimes.
Helena 2 years ago
I have always walked a bit weird because of how flat my feet are and slightly pigeon toed. I had my feet fixed (mostly), but my walk is still affected because of a lifetime of compensating. The result is I can't walk very far before crippling pain sets in. It sucks butt. Go easy on people. You don't know.
BluEyedSeoulite 2 years ago
I hope you have a handicap plate too so you can use the handicap parking spots. I hate how those get used and healthy **looking** people get comments and c**p for using them when they have a handicap plate
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Caroline Higson 2 years ago
A lot of people with invisible illnesses, like fibromyalgia, FND, etc can walk only short distances, so need scooters for longer days out. They would be able to/have to get up for places the scooter doesn't fit. People who chronic conditions are usually too exhausted or in too much pain to exercise so end up overweight or obese. Not everyone on scooters is just lazy.
James016 2 years ago
You didn't think that maybe the person in your example has limited mobility so while they can spend a short amount of time walking around a shop, they are not able to walk around the entire park?
LivNLearn 2 years ago
Recently injured both of my feet- way crazy nerve pain, doing physical therapy to get better, cortisone shots in toes, very painful and frustrating. Went with family to a theme park and had to use a scooter- it was that, try to walk the long distances and be miserable, possibly worsening the injury after healing up for months and starting all over, or stay home alone and miss out on having time with family. I wanted to be part of the memories, so sucked it up (my pride) and went with the scooter- cost $50 to rent for the three hours we were there (went at night to see the lights for Christmas). So glad I did even though I felt some judgmental side eyes when I’d get up to stand in a line or use the bathroom. Took a ton of courage for me to deal with that, but being with my family was worth it.
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Sharkbait1313 2 years ago
I work for a big box retailer and see this almost daily. Entire families including the young children using every electric shopping cart we have available and scooting around the store in a motorized parade of sorts. It just gets under my skin because it leaves other customers who desperately need those chairs waiting in the front of the store for an available handicap cart.
BluEyedSeoulite 2 years ago
I hate this misconception. My mom had lymphodema and it was difficult to walk. She looked fine with a big butt and legs so she looked overweight and healthy since she was young but had issues walking for long periods of time. She'd push herself just not to get nasty looks and comments from people. Yes, someone might be obese and have joint issues. You don't KNOW which came first or if the two are even related. Mind your own business and be aware of your facial expressions. Also, if you don't NEED a scooter, don't take a scooter. It's simple, don't be a D!ck
Barbara Kayton 2 years ago
Not every obese person uses these out of laziness. As someone who was unable to walk properly after an operation for several years, I was mortified to have to use one, because being unable to didn’t help my weight, and this very view is one I - paradoxically- hold.
Liz Clarke 2 years ago
I'm an ambulatory wheelchair user, we exist you know- not all of us are paralyzed. I am overweight, bit that's probably because of my disability (genetic-EDS) that makes it harder to be active.
Ches Yamada 2 years ago
Just because they could get up for the store doesn't mean they were lazy. Invisible disabilities exist (especially as you get larger) and it was very likely safer for them to not strain themselves. You usually can't exert too much energy when you're morbidly obese or you run the risk of a heart attack, etc. You have to do easier, smaller tasks and then work your way up.
Sarah Spencer 2 years ago
Incredibly sad reading some of the comments here. Mobility is not as binary as "able to walk" and "completely incapable of walking" there is a whole range in between. Physical and cardiovascular limitations might mean a person can walk for short periods but must rest in between - in fact, access to a scooter/mobility aid that allows them to get out, and to have those short walks when they can actually encourages movement - within the capability of the individual. Yes of course illnesses limiting movement are often seen in conjunction with weight gain. Illness/poor mobility causes weight gain. This is not new information. Would you rather those people hid themselves at home in shame - or took the positive step of using a mobility scooter out for the day and did some walking as and when they were able.
Rumina Io 2 years ago
I'm really glad there are so many comments here pointing out that ambulatory wheelchair and scooter users exist. Large shops, airports, and themeparks can be hard to get around, but you still can stand up to get something off a shelf. It doesn't mean you're somehow "cheating"
#22
Collecting money for election campaigns.
Uncanny 2 years ago
I think you’ll find this is the case in most countries. Over or under the table. Or both. 🤷♀️
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 2 years ago
Collecting money for campaigns is common, collecting nearly unlimited funds from corporations and special interests, that's America.
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General Anaesthesia 2 years ago (edited)
It costs more than a billion dollars to win the presidency of the US. The necessity of constant fundraising, "corporations are people too" Citizens United corporate money, dark money from so-called non-profit foundations and PACs, corruption is almost guaranteed.
Little Wonder 2 years ago
Common here (Australia), although we don't go QUITE so hard on the pageantry (and our campaigns are capped at 6 weeks maximum)
Dill 2 years ago
They can indeed. There are, of course, rules on how much can be spent on election campaigns.
Load More Replies... Shannon McGill 2 years ago
It works in reverse in African nations, where corrupt politios pay you for your votes instead of asking you to pay for your politicians.
Brandon Parisien 2 years ago
If you're not rich, you can't win....I find this defeats the purpose....
Scott Crosby 2 years ago
Yes, it's terrible when industry has to pay for this. You would almost think that they expect something in return.
#23
Customers in restaurants or any other store staying past closing, I work in a restaurant and this annoys me beyond belief.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 2 years ago
My personal record was 3hrs after closing because the server who left me with their table over served them at closing. I wasn't allowed to ask them to leave so I quietly waited. I'd been there for 14 hours before they finally left. That server was buddy buddy with the owner and never got fired no matter how much he abused the rest of us.
Load More Replies... Liz Clarke 2 years ago
I've never understood the stories of customers ordering 5 minutes before closing time and then being served as normal. In the UK it's typical for the kitchen to close 30-60 minutes before the restaurant itself.
Kathryn Baylis 2 years ago (edited)
If you’re truly in and out in a couple minutes, I think that should be OK. I’ve run into a store ten minutes before closing, found and paid for what I urgently needed (and couldn’t wait til tomorrow to buy), and been out the door and in my car five minutes before closing. What employees object to, and rightly so, are people who come in ten minutes before closing, then stroll through the aisles like they have all day, and are still strolling, nowhere close to being done, ten, twenty, thirty minutes AFTER closing time.
Just me, myself, and I 2 years ago
I'm VERY conscious of closing times! If I dash into a shop 10-15 mins before closing I make sure to call out "I'm only here for XXXX". Just so the employees don't sigh and fret over how long I'm going to take. And I run in only if I know exactly where to find what I need!
Load More Replies... BluEyedSeoulite 2 years ago
I worked at a coffee shop and we had to vaccum before we closed. The owner refused to let us vacuum and finish closing because a couple was still chatting at closing. They stayed 30min late. We were not allowed to go home. It was BS.
Just me, myself, and I 2 years ago
Time to start turning off lights and music! And putting chairs on the tables. And all employees come out front, lean against the counter with their arms crossed, silently looking at the dawdlers.
Load More Replies... Fabian Bernard 2 years ago
If in France, if the restaurant/ bar blinks the lights and obviously sweeps and cleans around you, it's really time to leave
jburgh 2 years ago
As an older person, this drives me nuts. I worked in a plant nursery and people would come in at 2 minutes before closing time and then wander around asking all sorts of questions, even though they were notified that we were closed. Do you think people are no longer being taught manners by their parents? I would never think of doing this - the employees have been there all day and want to go home.
James016 2 years ago (edited)
On our first date, my now wife and I were somewhere for so long, that when we looked up, they were stacking chairs away. Quickly got the bill, apologised if we were keeping them back and left. Turned out they didn't want to disturb us as it was clearly a first date.
Yeah, okay. 2 years ago
My family and I did this unknowingly, because in Canada we will tell you when it's closing time. We were in LA at a lovely place (can't recall, sorry) and we were having drinks after dinner and chatting away into one of us noticed it was well past 11 and didn't this place close at 10? We were appalled no one reminded us and we tipped them extra for their time, and (of course) apologized for not noticing. I felt so bad for those poor girls they looked exhausted.
#24
Sueing.
Honu 2 years ago
Those are mostly for personal injury. I think it goes hand-in-hand with so many people having no (or inadequate) health insurance coverage under our for-profit system, as well as our disability system not providing enough to survive on. If you're injured, you may be saddled with medical bills that will break you and not have enough money coming in to live on.
Load More Replies... Jody Whitmarsh 2 years ago
Because any business or person with power will take advantage of the little guy and will be unreasonable so lawyers are required to police character and mete out basic human dignity. It sucks
Nykky 2 years ago
It's suing, but yeah, big issue here for reasons that are arbitrary and so very stupid. I opened a disc jewel case once and on the inside it said "do not consume". I can guarantee you there was a lawsuit and that's why that was there. Question is, who was the dumbass that needed that label? (Don't give me mental handicaps either, means they should have been watched over.)
Shannon McGill 2 years ago
Trust me, if you can't seek compensation for someone who harmed or cheated you, you are incredibly vulnerable. In Uganda police will not even take a report unless you pay them, so be glad for the protections you are entitled to
Begone Fool 2 years ago
Well, with more lawyers than the rest of the world combined, we need to keep em busy somehow.
Kevin J. Henning 2 years ago
In the past most American phone books had a section called "The Yellow Pages" for advertising. Just out of curiosity I decided to count the number of pages for lawyers, law firms etc. I counted 33 pages and this was just the phone book in my area. It was about 13 years ago.
#25
I think in America its way more socially acceptable to drive .2 miles to your destination than to walk.
LK 2 years ago
This is something many non-Americans simply don't know. In the suburbs, there's often nothing but houses. There's no little shops, no restaurants, cafes, petrol stations, only houses. The streets are set up for cars, and two houses where the gardens back on to each other might be a 5 minute drive away. The shops are often clustered in an area, each shop with its own parking lot. To go from one shop to another you get in your car and drive to the next parking lot. And there's very few pavements for safe movement of pedestrians.
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Nathan Wolfe 2 years ago
The gas station is .9 miles away from my current house. I don't want to walk right now because there's no sidewalk, and the ditch has 5 feet of snow. So, apologies for being "lazy".
Rostit . 2 years ago
only if you dont have the option. I dont think Europeans have a remote clue about how large the distances are. Ugh the further I go, I am almost impressed by how stupid this entire thread is but I am not. Its stupid and cringey.
Celina 2 years ago
For me it was always super weird when fellow students on my year abroad in the U.S. would drive 2min instead of waking or taking a bike (which everyone there had) like I did. People did mention that it was a lot more unsafe to walk though and we sometimes got alerts about shootings and kidnappings. This was a neighborhood with families that was considered "safe" though.
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Just me, myself, and I 2 years ago
My favorite grocery store is not quite a mile away but more than half of that is highway. Much too dangerous to walk or bike, no matter how much I want to!
BluEyedSeoulite 2 years ago
A friend of mine had his teenaged nephew visiting and we walked the 10min to the restaurant. I was 5 months pregnant and this teen didn't stop whining about walking DOWN a hill. When we went back, I made him walk up the hill instead of using the other sidewalk, close to the road, just to watch him suffer lmao
BlueEyesWhiteDragon 2 years ago
It can be dangerous to walk, especially as a woman alone. It's also dangerous because of the rising number of pedestrian deaths. People in cities built for walking don't have to do this.
#26
Talking about money. How much you earn or don't earn. How much debt you are in, how bad or good your credit is. People don't really talk about those things even with close family members other places I've been.
Sonja 2 years ago
But I think this one is better in the US. Talking about wages helps people to realise when they're underpaid by their company and what to ask when changing jobs. I have often severely lowballed myself because I didn't know for how much I could ask and what was normal in a job
StumblingThroughLife 2 years ago
My daughter's company (Accountants) have a rule where you aren't allowed to discuss what you earn (England). She found out by accident that a younger (male) with lower Quals (she's in Management now) who'd been recently employed, was on £4,000 pa more than she was. She immediately told them she was thinking of applying elsewhere as they offered more than them (not dropping in the male colleague). As she'd specialised in one area for 6 years, she had to accept a rise a little higher than his. #GlassCeiling
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Johnnynatfan 2 years ago
We dont talk about it here either. This is not a thing. Its considered rude to ask people what they make so this is b******t.
Owen 2 years ago
I have lived with several Latvian people, and that was their main conversation every day. They thought it was weird that I didn't want to talk about it much (I am poor).
Owen 2 years ago
I thought it was weird that they talked about it like it was small talk.
Load More Replies... Scott Crosby 2 years ago
All part of being annually retentive LOL. Not something to just throw out for general discussion, or to brag, but finances are part of life. Why should they be hidden like a venereal disease?
DeoManus Argentem 2 years ago
It's my experience that the only people who talk about how much money they have/earn in the US are not bragging - they are begging. That is, either they're looking for a loan/handout or they're implying you owe them something. It is very rarely done amongst adults. Exceptions could be if you both work at the same employer or in the same field and are seeking guidance. I've never seen it come up in conversation, if anything some of my associates will talk in percentages if they've had a particularly good or bad time period, but not amounts.
#27
Driving a car at 16 years old.
BluEyedSeoulite 2 years ago
I kinda agree. Many teens are idiots that shouldn't be driving. Not all, just a lot. 18 would be a better age. I personally think Europe has it right, alcohol first then a couple years later, when the novelty has worn off, driving
Dill 2 years ago
You can apply for a provisional driving licence when you're 15 years and 9 months old. You can drive a car when you are 16 if you get, or have applied for, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payments. Otherwise it is, a tad weirdly, 17.
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StumblingThroughLife 2 years ago (edited)
UK: "You can apply for a provisional driving licence when you're 15 years and 9 months old. You can start driving a car when you're 17. You can drive a car when you are 16 if you get, or have applied for, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment" (Disability payment).
Robert T 2 years ago
You can also ride a 50cc motorcycle at 16 in the UK.
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Segovax the Pict 2 years ago
You can get your learners permit at 14.5 in Idaho. I was driving a big flat bed truck hauling onions at 16.
wifeofweasley 2 years ago
You can get your licence at 16 in germany but you can only drive with a parent (or other supervision) in the car. Once you turn 18 you can drive on your own.
#28
Going to the store in your pyjamas
Rabbit Lord 2 years ago
Pyjamas are not the worst you can see in US stores if you're really looking for...
RagDollLali 2 years ago
When it's late at night, you had a very long hard day at work, and you suddenly realize you're about to run out of baby formula or diapers, you tend not to really give a s**t about classy or not.
Load More Replies... R Dennis 2 years ago
I am disabled and getting dressed can take a couple hours to get the energy back to do anything... but I still won't go out in my pajamas. I feel like it's a societal courtesy.
Annie 1973 2 years ago
Same for me. I have fibromyalgia plus numerous other issues. Just changing clothes from pyjamas to outside clothes costs 3-4 spoons and it can take a couple of hours to feel up to going outside. Tomorrow I'm going to the supermarket. Taxi is picking me up at 12.45pm which means get up at 7am, drink coffee and then change from pyjamas to my regular trousers and top and then I have to rest for a couple of hours. When my grandkids were here for 24 hours, never longer, it took me a minimum of 3 days to recover.
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#29
America was influenced heavily by the post WWII "nuclear family" model where everyone should be independent and own their own houses, live as a family unit etc. I married a Filipino and it changed my world like they have everyone in one baller house going back to great grandma. And it's amazing like when you have kids it's so much easier, if your car breaks down and need something it's easier, if you need a loan they pool all the money and give micro loans among their extended family with virtually no interest. I'm like wait, we've been getting f****d in America. Ultimately we decided to embrace it and pool together with my mom who lived next to us anyways and buy a baller a*s house for us and the kids and it costs us nothing because we share the cost. She left and now I'm stuck living with my mom in my 30's until I can refinance or sell but still was worth it.
Greenmantle 2 years ago
OK, for the rest of the world, please explain what a baller house I'd?
cadena kuhn 2 years ago
No way am I living with my whole family we would unalived each other in a week
Mickysixxx 2 years ago
This how Aboriginal people live minus the baller house lol. I grew up in a house with my Aunties, Uncles, Cousins and siblings. Unfortunately welfare have used this as an excuse to take Aboriginal children away
Jennifer Casey 2 years ago
Oh no! It's crazy. When they (welfare, cps,etc.) should get involved they take their sweet time, or don't get involved at all. And when they are not needed, they want to be taking children for no good reason. Crazy.
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Donna Peluda 2 years ago
All that is very well if the family gets on. In Spain it´s normally for the family to be close but it can also be very toxic. My exes family there was something social nearly every week end. 7 uncles and aunts, countless cousins, it was social incest, they had no social life out of the family.
BluEyedSeoulite 2 years ago
I hope this is going to end up changing soon, especially with the housing prices. Many ppl are living with their parents longer then they have kids and it's a lot easier to have a retired family member to help out daily then pay for child care. This is the norm in Korea and it's a LOT more expensive for us to even hire a babysitter. Daycare is free for us but hiring a babysitter so I can work on the weekends ends up canceling my payment some days.
Johnnynatfan 2 years ago
I would never do this. I dont want to liv with my parents and a bunch of other people.
Jennifer Casey 2 years ago
I have always had my own (with a boyfriend) place since I was almost 16. In the 70s it was pretty easy to change your age on your birth certificate to get a job.I made $2.30 an hourand my boyfriend $10. Our rent on a 2 bedroom apartment in Portland Oregon was $75. in an old walk-up. The same apt. now is $1,100.
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#30
I don't know about every single place in the world, but compared to a lot of Asian cultures, the way Americans treat moving out of our parents' home as a huge achievement is pretty weird. Adult kids still living with their parents isn't embarrassing in Asia. In America, it's still considered somewhat weird, although it's getting more common for financial reasons
Uncanny 2 years ago
When I was young (in Oz), it was very unusual for anyone to still be living at home at 18. We finished school, got a job and got the hell outta there. 😂 Times and circumstances change.
Mickysixxx 2 years ago
Yep I'm still in Australia and I couldn't wait to be on my own with my own rules
Load More Replies... BetterBitterButter 2 years ago
The way the prices are going up more people are going to be living with their parents.
Glass Ghost 2 years ago
At this point, it really depends on financial stability and your location. I'm 27 and currently still live with my mom cause the cost of living alone is basically impossible and I live in a small run down town that doesn't have many options home/apartment wise. Not ashamed. Wish I could be more dependent and able to live on my own but I'll keep doing my best until then.
Tamra 2 years ago
And you absolutely should not be ashamed. Your story is actually much more common, and I don't see that situation changing any time soon.
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Bobby Edler 2 years ago
When our kids (now 46 & 49)were at home, we put a sign on their bedroom doors... Checkout time is 19 years Be prepared.
Kim Kermes 2 years ago
Maybe you shouldn't have had them, then. My brothers stayed at home through college and would have been welcome to stay longer. I had planned one hitch in the Army to pay for college and to go back home while in school..
Load More Replies... Julie Snelling 2 years ago
I still live at home I did move out but hated living on my own, so moved back home. I've told my parents unless Mr right comes along and sweeps me off my feet your stuck with me for life!
Reviewer UK01 2 years ago
I once saw an Indian TV ad which described the situation as "so and so lives away from her parents" - living at home is the accepted default position.
#31
Ads that compare one brand to another openly, like Duracell vs Energizer, rather than Brand X.
Cyber Returns 2 years ago
They do, but the outcome is so common that it balances out to the point that they pay each other's compensation with the compensation they have won and have automated the legal battles to save time and money
Load More Replies... BlueEyesWhiteDragon 2 years ago
As long as it's a proven fact that has documentation, they can make the claim. Some claims are easy: cost, ingredients, nutrition. Saying that your (specific flavor) ice cream has 5% less calories than Ben and Jerry's (specific flavor) ice cream is just a matter of citing both nutrition labels. There's nothing you can sue about. Other claims that are a matter of taste, effectiveness, popularity, etc. have to go through some research and are often couched in very specific language. Like the Pepsi challenge. They couldn't say Pepsi tastes better than Coke. They had to say that xx% of tasters liked Pepsi more than Coke.
Tammie Braggs 2 years ago
Non-Americans: A large number of comparison brands are owned by the same company. They’re not worried about being sued because they own both brands. So whether you buy one instead of the other doesn’t matter. The people at the top still profit
Scott Crosby 2 years ago
EU laws protect the slugs. Big company will take everything you have because you made a bad experience with their product or company public.
#32
In many African countries/cultures, looking at someone dead in the eye when talking to them, particularly adults, is very very rude. In Murica, looking an adult in the eye is a sign of respect/confidence in the speaker
And i was like WTF!! 2 years ago
I am from EU and here is normal too, it means that you are paying attention on the speaker and that you respect him/her
Owen 2 years ago (edited)
Heavy eye contact can be seen as confrontational or sexual sometimes.
Matthew Wilkins 2 years ago
Therapists never sit across from the patient for this reason, it's too confrontational and can be stress inducing, hence they always sit at an oblique angle. Eye contact is still possible when the patient wants to but is avoidable by default.
Load More Replies... StumblingThroughLife 2 years ago (edited)
I tend to do it too ( Brit). My father hated it when we didn't look directly at him when he was talking to us, so it's a habit now. Admittedly, I often see discomfort, which then makes me realise and look away, feeling equally uncomfortable.
Begone Fool 2 years ago
African culture sounds good on that score. I find eye contact extremely uncomfortable.
Ela 2 years ago
NATIVE American (aboriginal American) culture also considers it dead rude to look someone in the eyes. It's aggressive, like inviting a fight. Therefore non-aboriginal Americans will interpret this a dishonest, disrespectful, etc. It's really frustrating trying to explain to school teachers and such, no my kid is not ignoring you. Yes I know he won't look at you but he shouldn't get in trouble for that.
censorshipsucks 2 years ago
Can confirm. In africa you can only make eye contact with an equal or inferior. If addressing a social superior you look down or aside.
Mickysixxx 2 years ago
In my culture you look away when speaking and listening to someone. if you look them In eyes directly this is seen as a challenge to a fight
Frank H 2 years ago
Animals do that. I don't mean this to be rude, I'm genuinly surprised. Is that you whole country's culture or is it more a social group culture thing?
Load More Replies... #33
I am English and have lived in America for over twenty five years. As a nosy person I ADORE the way Americans will show you the interior of their houses. In England the deeply curious usually find them selves in a locked bathroom examining the contents of the hosts cabinet. This is the last resort for the nosy person as access to the rest of the place will not be encouraged. Americans will walk you around the house from top to bottom and show you everything. In England you only get to do that when you know your host very well indeed.
Zenozenobee 2 years ago
I hosted a playdate for my kids and their friends right before Halloween. I had set up a table with food, candies, drinks, glasses, plates and all. A father helped himself in my cupbord to take a glass he liked better ( I won them at the school lottery and refused to trade them for the plastic toys he had, on multiple occasions). And then, after using the bathroom, he complimented a cute box I have on the bathroom shelf calling it " the box where you keep your pads". So, yeah he opened it. I'm not ready to invite his daughters again any soon, and it's totally because of his behavior.
Load More Replies... BluEyedSeoulite 2 years ago
I'm fine letting people look around, it's when they start opening doors I find weird. My husband's friend did this at our last housewarming. There's usually a reason a door is closrd
natie marie 2 years ago
Can confirm. As Brit who visited America reciently, my friend showed me their whole house. Even got mugs out of storage for me to see. It was amazing.
RagDollLali 2 years ago
You didn't go through their bathroom cabinet, did you? 😆
Load More Replies... Honu 2 years ago
I'm used to people giving a bit of a house tour if it's a housewarming party. They just moved in. It's not a thing I've had happen otherwise. Also, there's a reason half-baths are popular in the US. It just has a toilet and sink. It's there for guests. The family doesn't generally keep personal items in there.
Rougarou Cher 2 years ago
I show people around my house because it has a strange layout they always ask about but it would be impolite if they just started wandering around without me and looking through our stuff.
Julie Snelling 2 years ago
I used to do that look in people's bathroom cabinets (don't ask why because I have no idea) I stopped when I opened my friends and saw their false teeth! Never again
Page intentially left blank 2 years ago
Not necessarily. I generally do not give "house tours," nor do I expect them of others. Seems a bit on the creepy side.
#34
Spelling bees
Temoni 2 years ago
I'm from Finland. And I think so many countries f****d up their language, because in finnish, there is no need for spelling. The whole language is spoken exactly how it is written. Only exception is the swedish å, but it's spelled as a regular o. And it's always funny when foreigners try to speak finnish, because they try to pronounce letters within their own language's guidelines. And as a sidemark, in finnish, there is the word "ei". Which means "no". But it's pronounced exactly like the letter "a" in english. So all of you know how to say at least one word in finnish. 🙂
Pink Aesthetic 2 years ago
No jep, mustaki on outoo aina kuunnella ku ulkomaalaset yrittää puhua suomee ku ne lisää yytä paljon xD (Well yeah, I think its weird too always to listen when foreigners try to speak Finnish because they add "y" to everything (I wrote in Lappish dialect btw))
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Lizz 2 years ago
We desperately need these ( again ) here in Belgium.... I get annoyed by the spelling mistakes made by the teenagers of the simplest words in our vocabulary....
censorshipsucks 2 years ago
Wait but Vlaams is pretty phonetic, right? What could you mess up in the spelling? I can hear the difference between UI and EI, for example. Or Sk and Sch.
Load More Replies... Scott Crosby 2 years ago
What in Sodom & Gomorrah is your problem? There are spelling bees at national level all over the world, from France to Uganda to China. Is there some reason that Bored Panda doesn't research the c**p it posts? Or do the not care that stupid people all over the world are being influenced by these lies?
Julie Snelling 2 years ago
Yes if you don't know how to spell a word you just ask the bee 🐝
Load More Replies... Ian Webling 2 years ago
A good question: "Spell B." "Could you use it in a sentence?" "Question B: When is it best to be a bee?"
BetterBitterButter 2 years ago
Spell be won't work in my language since we write a word exactly how we speak (although people still manage to write incorrectly).
patricia patricia 2 years ago
Aren't there any exceptions? What language is that? Wonderful!
Load More Replies... Nora Petricien 2 years ago
I used to be in those in France when I was like 6-7 but the oldest were like 8-9 never more and it was just a town thing not a national thing like in the US, I seriously don't get it, also some old kids are in it like middle school, even high school I've seen once, I get why you would want to make it a competition to spell properly for a kid that's learning to write but once you're old enough to be supposed to be able to read and write on your own it doesn't make sense, like you participate in a spelling bee in between writing two essays ?!?
#35
when I studied abroad in Spain they extensively warned us about how rude it is to stretch at the dinner table... I never realized how much I love stretching at the dinner table till I got in trouble for doing it
Fabian Bernard 2 years ago
In France, it's putting your elbows on the table. And cutting again lettuce
Tim 2 years ago
I read that it's rude to have your hands under the table in France.
Load More Replies... Paulo Freitas 2 years ago
Its not just in Spain, in Portugal its the same thing dude, you streach at the dinner table ( especially at a restaurante ) everyone Will look at you like you're a pig.
Remi (He/Him) 2 years ago
Things to remember! Would you happen to know how this got started?
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Michelle Morales 2 years ago (edited)
It is this way cause you're using too much space, something very needed on most Hispanic tables because there tends to be a lot of people. Also because is believed that stretching on a full stomach may cause cramping. It's not only this way in Spain but also in other Hispanic countries, like Argentina where I'm from
Rougarou Cher 2 years ago
Welp, that would be a bummer for me because I stretch pretty constantly because of back issues.
#36
1. Using time as a measure of distance. ("How far is the store?" "Oh, about a five minute drive.")
2. Starting conversations with strangers in order to fight boredom (stuck in line, stuck on the bus, stuck in the waiting room) with the understanding that nothing with come from it. (Outside of a super casual "Nice talking with you.") It's understood that these conversations are not the start of friendships. They are simply boredom busters. (If there is one thing Americans hate more than anything else, it's being bored.)
3. Sending children as young as four alone on a school bus. (Okay, I know Canada does this as well. But I am not sure they start as young as America does.)
4. Having incredibly long election times. In other countries, their elections last a few weeks to a couple of months. In the US, people can start stumping two years before election day without anyone blinking an eye.
5. Building towns and cities without the pedestrian in mind. People always assume that there will always be cars around.
Jilltdcatlady 2 years ago
42 hogsheads of burgers. 37 if using cheeseburgers.
Load More Replies... Little Wonder 2 years ago
I was catching the school bus at 5, it stopped right outside my house so there was no real need for a parent to drive me unless I missed the bus, which I often did because even at 5 I knew sleeping was nice.
Robert T 2 years ago (edited)
The school bus system is actually one I admire. The busses are only for children, so apart from bullying, they are relatively safe environments for children and it keeps a lot of cars off the school run. In the UK the school buses tend to run a normal bus service, with fixed stops, rather than dropping the kids at their homes. In Malta they seemed to run a more similar system to the US, with kids being picked up very close to their homes on minbuses.
RagDollLali 2 years ago
US here, I can tell you that the school bus that picks up my 5-year-old has special seats and safety belts for them, and definitely does not pick up strangers that are not registered with the school for bus service. The one bad thing though is that it arrives at 5:30 in the morning, which I can tell you is an ugly ugly hour to be awake!
Load More Replies... censorshipsucks 2 years ago
1. is because you have wacky measurements. Why should a mile be 1760 feet? Makes no sense at all. 1km = 1000m = 1000mm.
Nizumi 2 years ago
Regarding #3 - Have you seen the Japanese TV show "Old Enough"? And at 4 I was walking the 10 blocks to school on my own. Sure it was only a kilometer, but to tiny legs that's FAR! :) (And I just found out, 50 years later, that my mum actually shadowed me to school. Not home again, for some reason. Just to school. I never knew...)
Gourdeous 2 years ago
I really wish we had school buses in the UK. What easier way to reduce congestion, make life easier for parents and encourage independence in children
Vix Spiderthrust 2 years ago
We do have school buses, at least where I live, and always have had.
Load More Replies... Cyber Returns 2 years ago
People start conversations with strangers in the UK too while waiting
#37
For Christmas day with my girlfriends family, we went out to public field for shotgun shooting and blasted some clay pigeons out of the sky. It was a blast and several other families were out there too. I'm pretty sure that doesn't happen anywhere else, except maybe Australia.
Tess 2 years ago
At a gun club, or on private property over a certain acreage, yes. Otherwise, in Australia you would be arrested.
Grant Barke 2 years ago
In Australia, we like to use clay funnel web spiders for targets down the park.
StumblingThroughLife 2 years ago
Clay shooting is only allowed on Private property in the UK (as far as I know).
Tenacious Squirrel 2 years ago
Yep, and it’s relatively common in some countryside circles. At least, I grew up with it happening occasionally (on private land my family owned, at parties and such, my Dad used to shoot competitively). Hunting and gun ownership in the countryside in the UK is also common but it’s obviously much stricter than the US. A lot of UK people who’ve not grown up around farmland or proper countryside don’t think it exists. I remember my friend from London was incredibly alarmed when they asked me what the noise was when we woke up one day. It’s gunshots of course, it’s Sunday during shoot season. I had no idea it was so shocking to them. But this hunting/shooting lifestyle is definitely a small minority in the UK. And no, it’s not always the rich.
Load More Replies... Little Wonder 2 years ago
Never heard of it in Australia, not as a family activity thing. I'm sure there are clay pigeon shoots (in the UK too).
#38
With the exception of hot summers in the UK, quoting the temperature in Fahrenheit.
Sarah Richardson 2 years ago
Never known the temperature in the UK to be quoted in Fahrenheit, even when it was very hot last year. No one would know what you were going on about
Robert T 2 years ago
It is quite rare to hear it on a weather forecast these days, but very occasionally they will drop it in if talking about records, similarly with the news. There are still plenty of people alive in the UK that think in Farenheit, such as my parents.
Load More Replies... XenoMurph 2 years ago
That's just the oldies and the newspapers they read. I'm 50 and have always used C
Will Cable 2 years ago
I'll admit I use both and when it comes to measurements of length I will change depending on what length something is If it is really small I'll use mm, a bit bigger cm or inches, then either meters or feet and inches when bigger.
Load More Replies... Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 2 years ago
Of all the Imperial units that make zero sense, Fahrenheit is the least sensensical. Freezing at 32? Body Temp at 90? Boiling at 212? What even is Zero Fahrenheit?
DennyS (denzoren) 2 years ago
The shock on my face the first time I heard "100degrees" on the news. I was like...how aren't they all dead? Lol
Chairman Miaow 2 years ago
I dimly remember my temperature being given in Fahrenheit as a kid with a fever, but can't remember the last time I used it. Means nothing to me outside of the extremes: for some reason I know 100 f is about 40c, and 30 is 0c.i think.
#39
Not paying for water at restaurants!!!
Owen 2 years ago
In the UK, you can always ask for a glass of tap water. Almost everywhere will give it for free.
Liz Clarke 2 years ago
If they serve alcohol they legally have to give tap water upon request here
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Paulo Freitas 2 years ago
You don't pay for water in any restaurant as long as you ask tap water, apart from that, you Will pay it.
Jacques-Olivier NICOLAS 2 years ago
In France, just ask for a "carafe d'eau", a water pitcher, which is free. Don't take water in bottle which is always overpriced.
Pink Aesthetic 2 years ago
In Finland you'll get free water. It's from the tap so it's fresh naturally occurring underground water :)
Nora Petricien 2 years ago
We don't pay for water in Europe as long as it's tap water, weird thing about the us tho is that the free water jug they bring will usually be more ice than water. I can't drink cold water so it's just a nightmare for me
Icecream Sarang 2 years ago
I’ve been to several countries other than the US, and haven’t paid for still water.
What do you think ?
Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 2 years ago
Gather round boys and girls! It's time for BoredPanda's weekly America is a backwater cesspool filled of cultural depravity and Europe is the paradise of cultural superiority. Honestly though, BoredPanda -ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Stop with these horribly cruel click-bait articles. You are going to lose more and more readers if you continue to cruelly stereotype an entire population of people. Stop with the horrible censorship. Stop banning good users who get down-voted by trolls. I lost my account that I had from the very beginning due to your policies yet you never ever listen to your readers. I have contacted you again and again about trolls on this site, yet I am the one who got my account banned. To other readers on this site-- please downvote articles like this. Stereotypes are cruel and it shows that BoredPanda does not care about its users.
Suzy Creamcheese 2 years ago (edited)
I agree with everything you said. Unfortunately, the only response you'll get from the mods is crickets. By the way, I had the same problem with the downvote trolls and the same lack of interest from the mods (you don't think my name is actually Suzy Creamcheese, do you ;)).
Load More Replies... PeridotPlatypus377 2 years ago
What exactly did the American readers do to the Bored Panda writers to deserve getting isolated and bullied every day. No wonder we are so depressed. I hate starting days like this. They’re just so mean sometimes. They keep pushing acceptance of others but I guess it only includes everyone but Americans. I miss the days where they focused on art and comics annd cat pictures and nobody felt like everyone hated them for reasons out of their control. I’m sorry I am frustrated. It hasn’t been a good last few days. Im only sad about the writers, not you guys. You guys are pretty nice.
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Same feeling. Commenters are 90% awesome people, but BP articles are tiresome. Also, they often fail to identify that some of these things occur in Canada, which reallllly hates being lumped in with the US despite the fact we're fraternal twin nations (I grew up on the border, calling it as I lived it), soooo.... Monday morning hug to you. To us all. :-)
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Andy Saputo 2 years ago (edited)
Per usual , downvote the whole article from the main BP page to get it knocked off the primary page. Also, refrain from commenting or downvoting anything within the article since activity shows the ad companies they are popular and so BP will continue posting this garbage.
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Fellow Pandas, if you think American portion sizes are big? YOu ain't been to restaurants in enough other nations. One meal at a restaurant *run by and for* locals has, in half a dozen nations, shown that they'll serve up justt as much as us Americans.... all.. the.... time.... Seriously, a day's worth of food is a meal. In some places, it's the work culture (physical labor) or the transit culture (you walk it off, believe me). You also find that people are rude, bullying, drug-dealing, manipulative jackasses everywhere, too. But *MOST* people on the planet are doing their best, and I salute them. All 7-plus billion. Whatever their language, nation, or belief system: Thank you, humanity in general, for not being judgmental twits.
30_Helens_Agree 2 years ago
I am always so confused by the American portion size thing. I’ve traveled pretty extensively through Europe and find portion sizes are comparable to most restaurants in my area and all over the states.
Load More Replies... Tenacious Squirrel 2 years ago
As someone from Europe (I’ve lived in a few European countries), Australia has some quite American-esque stuff going on. It’s like a half way house between the UK at one end and USA on the other. Which is strange really, because most Australians I’ve met are staunchly convinced that Australia is the opposite of the USA (even if they’ve never been!). I’ve lived here in Oz for 4 years in 4 different states and travelled round extensively for a couple of years on top, so I don’t think I’ve got a narrow view of the country. NZ is more down the UK end of the scale.
lazypanda 2 years ago
Imagine If this article was titled "things in India that are weird compared to other countries." Downvoted on the spot. But no, because stereotypes are ok as long as they don't affect you! I know I'm gonna get downvoted, but this is just so cruel. Portraying america as this horrifying dystopian hellscape like everyone carries a gun and will shoot you in the head if you don't pledge allegiance to the flag, america is far from perfect, but jeezes Christ BP!
LilliVB 2 years ago
Ok, I'm not American but I'm tired of these posts. Those are aspects of America well known everywhere, and some of of them I think they are hated from most of the Americans themselves (healthcare, upper education, weapons availability). Those posts aren't giving any new information anymore, they have just the goal of bashing America for things that can't be changed in a pair of years. Or you start to give some new interesting facts that I don't know, or I'm done, I'm not going to read them anymore
Joe Publique 2 years ago
You forgot: 'Having an imaginary friend who lives in the sky and tells you what to do'.
Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 2 years ago
Gather round boys and girls! It's time for BoredPanda's weekly America is a backwater cesspool filled of cultural depravity and Europe is the paradise of cultural superiority. Honestly though, BoredPanda -ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Stop with these horribly cruel click-bait articles. You are going to lose more and more readers if you continue to cruelly stereotype an entire population of people. Stop with the horrible censorship. Stop banning good users who get down-voted by trolls. I lost my account that I had from the very beginning due to your policies yet you never ever listen to your readers. I have contacted you again and again about trolls on this site, yet I am the one who got my account banned. To other readers on this site-- please downvote articles like this. Stereotypes are cruel and it shows that BoredPanda does not care about its users.
Suzy Creamcheese 2 years ago (edited)
I agree with everything you said. Unfortunately, the only response you'll get from the mods is crickets. By the way, I had the same problem with the downvote trolls and the same lack of interest from the mods (you don't think my name is actually Suzy Creamcheese, do you ;)).
Load More Replies... PeridotPlatypus377 2 years ago
What exactly did the American readers do to the Bored Panda writers to deserve getting isolated and bullied every day. No wonder we are so depressed. I hate starting days like this. They’re just so mean sometimes. They keep pushing acceptance of others but I guess it only includes everyone but Americans. I miss the days where they focused on art and comics annd cat pictures and nobody felt like everyone hated them for reasons out of their control. I’m sorry I am frustrated. It hasn’t been a good last few days. Im only sad about the writers, not you guys. You guys are pretty nice.
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Same feeling. Commenters are 90% awesome people, but BP articles are tiresome. Also, they often fail to identify that some of these things occur in Canada, which reallllly hates being lumped in with the US despite the fact we're fraternal twin nations (I grew up on the border, calling it as I lived it), soooo.... Monday morning hug to you. To us all. :-)
Load More Replies... Andy Saputo 2 years ago (edited)
Per usual , downvote the whole article from the main BP page to get it knocked off the primary page. Also, refrain from commenting or downvoting anything within the article since activity shows the ad companies they are popular and so BP will continue posting this garbage.
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Fellow Pandas, if you think American portion sizes are big? YOu ain't been to restaurants in enough other nations. One meal at a restaurant *run by and for* locals has, in half a dozen nations, shown that they'll serve up justt as much as us Americans.... all.. the.... time.... Seriously, a day's worth of food is a meal. In some places, it's the work culture (physical labor) or the transit culture (you walk it off, believe me). You also find that people are rude, bullying, drug-dealing, manipulative jackasses everywhere, too. But *MOST* people on the planet are doing their best, and I salute them. All 7-plus billion. Whatever their language, nation, or belief system: Thank you, humanity in general, for not being judgmental twits.
30_Helens_Agree 2 years ago
I am always so confused by the American portion size thing. I’ve traveled pretty extensively through Europe and find portion sizes are comparable to most restaurants in my area and all over the states.
Load More Replies... Tenacious Squirrel 2 years ago
As someone from Europe (I’ve lived in a few European countries), Australia has some quite American-esque stuff going on. It’s like a half way house between the UK at one end and USA on the other. Which is strange really, because most Australians I’ve met are staunchly convinced that Australia is the opposite of the USA (even if they’ve never been!). I’ve lived here in Oz for 4 years in 4 different states and travelled round extensively for a couple of years on top, so I don’t think I’ve got a narrow view of the country. NZ is more down the UK end of the scale.
lazypanda 2 years ago
Imagine If this article was titled "things in India that are weird compared to other countries." Downvoted on the spot. But no, because stereotypes are ok as long as they don't affect you! I know I'm gonna get downvoted, but this is just so cruel. Portraying america as this horrifying dystopian hellscape like everyone carries a gun and will shoot you in the head if you don't pledge allegiance to the flag, america is far from perfect, but jeezes Christ BP!
LilliVB 2 years ago
Ok, I'm not American but I'm tired of these posts. Those are aspects of America well known everywhere, and some of of them I think they are hated from most of the Americans themselves (healthcare, upper education, weapons availability). Those posts aren't giving any new information anymore, they have just the goal of bashing America for things that can't be changed in a pair of years. Or you start to give some new interesting facts that I don't know, or I'm done, I'm not going to read them anymore
Joe Publique 2 years ago
You forgot: 'Having an imaginary friend who lives in the sky and tells you what to do'.
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