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30 Things Americans Can’t Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans
Cars and guns. Flags and freedom. Fast-food and air-conditioning. That’s what the United States is all about—or at least the stereotypical version of America, according to the internet. No matter how hard people try, it looks like there are some stereotypes that Americans just can’t shake.
Whether because of pop culture or anecdotal experiences with tourists, some foreigners have a very clear-cut picture in their minds of what American everyday life is like. Even though it actually varies so much. And redditor Pfl2020 wanted to find out what exactly non-Americans think that Americans can’t live without.
Check out some of the most interesting responses to their thread and remember to give the ones that you relate to a big ol’ upvote as you scroll down. We’d also love to hear your opinions on what you associate Americans with, dear Pandas. And if you’re from the US, share your thoughts and feelings about these stereotypes in the comments.
For instance, I personally associate Americans with extremely warm and friendly people, delicious homecooked meals, great education, excellent four square skills on the playground, flags, and… powdered donuts (yum!). I’m pretty sure there are unfriendly Americans out there, but I’ve yet to meet one in person. (They could be a myth conjured up by jealous Canadians.)
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The belief that they’re more free than the rest of the world.
Definitely NOT. Every country has there issues but for a western country the US has some serious big issues that aren't as prevalent in other western countries.
The believe that America is the greatest of all democracies while it is just another empire on its way down...
Medical debt
Not just medical debt, but serious debt of many kinds. Everything paid on credit or loan, and people working just to pay interest while being "1 paycheck from the street" while the government will not help you if you get in financial or medical trouble, are hungry or face eviction.
It’s best to think of cultural stereotypes as incredibly rough guidelines that sometimes help us navigate life, but you should never think that they’re completely accurate representations of reality. Life’s too complex and deep to be summed up in a couple of throwaway phrases.
Not all Americans are overweight, own a gun, only speak English, and tip their waiters all the time. But does the country have a problem with obesity? Yes, it does. According to the CIA, 36.2 percent of all Americans were considered to be obese in 2016. And the US ranked twelfth in the world by obesity. But it would be unfair to ignore that in such a vast country there are plenty of fitness enthusiasts and healthy eaters out there, too.
A sense of superiority and a denial of the truth of their own history.
I am English and I am ashamed of MY country's sense of superiority and a denial of the truth of their own history. Especially concerning the slave trade and the way they treated the Irish during the Irish famine.
Fast food. I remember watching a piece about how fast food is sometimes the cheapest option for poor families. They literally can't afford to eat healthily.
The fact that even their fast food is worse... there is this show on youtube where they compare Uk and US fast foods from the same brand. example: chips in the UK have potatoes, vegetable oil, salt... in the US, it has 11 other ingredients.
Flags. You really care about showing off flags. Pro tip: Any place with lots of flags has a national identity crisis.
I mean, this flag site is probably a memorial/grave to veterans so yeah, this specific picture might be a tad offensive. However, as an American, I really don't understand why everyone is so obsessed with American flags. Although uh I'll take that flag over,,, certain,,, other flags that show up in the south :(
Some stereotypes are nearly perfectly true, however. Like how much Americans love cars. They're not the only ones, though. The US really does have a car obsession and ranks fourth on Planet Earth by the number of motor vehicles per capita, but it falls right behind—you’ll never believe it—New Zealand. That’s right, our loveable Kiwis own more cars, on average, than Americans do. Who needs eagles when our hobbit protagonists could have headed to Mordor in a Volvo?
Plenty of Americans really can’t live without cars because they rely on them for their day-to-day lives. Those who argue against this would point to the fact that, in 2019, Americans also took a whopping 9.9 billion trips on public transportation. Which sounds very impressive...
...Until you realize that there were 328.2 million people living in the US that year and that they'd each end up using public transportation just over 30 times each, on average. All year. So there's some truth to the stereotype about loving cars after all. But it's not the entire story. Nor the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Not by far.
The goddamn Imperial System of Units.
I don't even live in the US but a lot of content on the internet is American and it annoys me when I need to multiply miles by 1.6 to get kilometers.
omg yes, this is terrible. I've been here over five years and I still can't get used to it. :"My god, the temperature is over 100? are we FRYING TO DEATH??"
A car. In European countries, it’s pretty common that you can get anywhere by public transport, but I haven’t heard about any properly functioning public transportation besides New York’s subway.
My friends are always confused when I tell them how there isn't any public transport in most of the US. They didn't understand why Uber was doing so well in the US, well thats why. You need a car to get anywhere and most people can't afford one
Bumper stickers informing others of their opinions.
And on t-shirts. If I wear a t-shirt with a graphic on it, it’s a band name or beer merch (because I get those free from work lol)
High Self confidence. Good thing in most people. Bad thing in flat earthers and antivaxxers
That is not all of us, just the loud ones. You really only see the loud ones.
Material consumption. This is true in most places but from my observation it seems to go to another level in America. Everyone spends so much time discussing the latest thing they bought and how great it is.
Yes, ew. I'm American and I hate consumer culture so much.
Insurance. If they get sick without it, they're [screwed]. Meanwhile, if I have an health issue in Europe, I'll get free assistance in case of emergency and pay a small fee (usually between 30€ and 70€) for a routine visit.
A house. Even if you can't afford it. No flat — a house. Big house with two living rooms: one for family, one for ????
Maybe I am just privileged coz I could never live in a unit or apartment. I don't need 2 living rooms though. Just an extra room to clean lol.
Mentioning someones race/culture/sex etc. constantly
The history of the US is steeped in race/culture/sex atrocities. I think it is an attempt at over correction.
War? Jk but I read somewhere in all layout history you’ve only had 17 years when you weren’t at war with someone or the other
Some say that the USA is a culture of war rooted within a widespread ethos that uses military force in pursuit of self-interests. The truth is however that the USA has been continuously at war since the earliest days of its existence as a nation and the political, economic, cultural, and moral costs and consequences of war have reduced the USA's moral authority, political stability, and economic viability. Way out? I don´t know the right answer. Perhaps the USA must establish itself as a “culture of peace” by pursuing a new set of cultural ethoses.
News telling them who to be angry and outraged with this week.
Air-conditioning. That's usually the first complaint that American migrants have in Germany.
Guns, walmart, and deep friers
Deep friers are pretty standard in Belgian households: we love our fries :)
Soda pop. Spent some time in the southwest. Everyone had these enormous refillable beverage containers they would refill with soft drinks multiple times a day. While I agree it is important to stay hydrated, the jugs i saw held 1.75 quarts, and that much fountain drink could contain more than 200 grams of sugar.
Caffeine. It is the only reason any of us are awake. We don't take vacations, and our sleep patterns suck. Ergo, caffeine obsession.
Garburators, garbage disposal. Every time an American was house hunting on House Hunters International, the Americans always wanted a garburator and would be disappointed if the kitchens didn't have one.
I have never heard the word Garburator before and uh wow I like it much better than garbage disposal.
Fahrenheit... it’s such nonsense. Celsius is where it’s at!
I think both of these systems are equally arbitrary. That's why scientists use Kelvin.
A credit card. Not sure why people use it over there, possibly because of their weird credit system that seems to be so essential to their lives, or because of their even weirder mindset of liking to spend money they don't have. Probably both.
Ice. What's the deal with ice machines and them being such a big deal in any TV show or movie set in a hotel or motel?
These people must live somewhere with a cool climate coz we have ice machines all over the place from petrol stations, supermarkets and bottle-o's etc
Paper plates. Used in your own home? That’s quite bizarre to me.
Military.
Our oligarchs are control freaks who like playing chess with the world.
Loans or debts of some sort, especially in their younger years. And i think Americans literally can't live without insurance.
We'd love to live without loans and debt, but for the majority, if you want a job you need a car which needs a loan. You want a job that pays an almost living wage? You need an education, for an education, you need a loan.
Cheddar cheese, and jumbo everything
Cheddar cheese is a big deal in the UK too. After all it comes from the town of Cheddar in Somerset, England.
Yeah, but that's actual cheddar, not whatever orange abomination the US calls "cheese"
Load More Replies...I had someone ask me "What is American food?" I had to stop and think...Anything covered in loads of melted cheese! And beef, so much beef in America.
It's processed cheese, cheddar cheese is something completely different!
I think it was better to say American cheese... (is not cheese but what is it actually?)
Don't eat canned cheese. Don't go for jumbo anything - trying to live healthier. Lots of us are trying to do the same.
Americans love fake cheese. That's why they have it in tins or cans you can spray the cheese out.
I'm American and let me tell you... that spray cheese in NASTY
Load More Replies...I don't necessarily eat straight up cheese, its kinda gross. I mean, I like cheese, but you understand what I mean, right?
Nope, do not understand what you mean. If you don’t like cheese on its own you probably need to try more different types of cheese.
Load More Replies...How is cheddar cheese weird, we have it but 1. It's not Orange and 2. We call it tasty cheese but it is still cheddar.
some cheese is "fake" with a ton of color and other bad stuff. Real cheddar (aged) is delicious
Load More Replies...How dare you knock our cheese? Our old cheese makers came from your countries, where even today you are making horrible cheeses. And I will take jumbo over the tiny baby portions you folks serve.
Yes, quantity over quality, the American dream!
Load More Replies...Automatic transmissions.
I drive a car with manual transmission (I'm in Europe), but I have no problem with automatic transmissions. They just make driving easier and more inclusive. Similarly, IMO there are no brownie points for being able to drive a manual. It's just a car. Drive what works best for you.
Buying expensive [crap]. Everytime I see someone talk about their bad living situation, I check out their profiles. Most of the time it´s people with Iphones, Macs, expensive 4K TVs, going out drinking every Friday (before the rona), high end fashion, etc. And they complain about how they can´t afford food, how they can´t afford assurance, to pay their medical bills, etc. Why the [hell] do y´all have to have all the expensive [crap], when there are cheaper options?
If someone is actually poor, they have a cell phone (likely not an iphone unless it's a hand-me-down) because this is likely the cheapest way to contact places like work and family. It is basically essential to life at this point. Same with the other stuff (except drinking) that you listed. Chances are it is second-hand, hand-me-downs, or something someone gifted them. Our medical bills can run in the tens of thousands. Is everyone supposed to live on ramen noodles in a studio apartment with no furniture until the never ending bills run out?
Corruption. It scares the [hell] out of me how the system overlook things when it's a judge or cops.
7/11's barrel-sized beverage cups of soda. What the [hell] is that about?
And how is it cheaper than a small cup in europe?!
Customer service. They love complaining. Which I truly understand now. Most of the service here is subpar. Everything moves around money. People working are stressed out and people who needs service mostly feels the same way. I’m surprised whenever I encounter a happy worker around here.
I’ve worked in customer service myself, so understand the system. Don’t start yelling, cussing, and calling names. Stay calm but firm, and don’t cross the line into personal insults—-it gets you nowhere. If you become abusive, the CS agent is allowed to tell you the call is over and hang up on you. Also understand that the first person you talk to has the least amount of authority. If they can’t help you, then calmly tell them you understand they can only do so much, so thank them and ask if there’s someone they can transfer you to who might be authorized to do more. And be sure to write down names, especially the ones who went above and beyond to help you, then ask to be transferred to their boss to give them kudos—-and be sure you tell them that! Believe me, they will love you, because complaints are common, but kudos are rare. Everyone lives a pat on the back!
Extra-large everything.
I spent a summer working at a summer camp way back in the 2000s. Back home, at McDonald's, meals came as a Medium and, for a little extra, you could 'Super size' it. One day, while I was in the US, a friend and I decided to go by McDonald's, and since I was pretty hungry, I decided to go 'Super size.' Yeah........ I found out that day that the Medium I was used to was a US Small, our Super Size was a US Medium, and then came Large and Super Size. My friend and I decided to share ... Insane.
Thanksgiving ritualistic family torture
This one is weird. All family holidays are like this if you don't like your family. And other people who do like their family have a nice time.
Corporate products. Half the words out of your mouth are from advertising campaigns - and you don't see how f***ed that is. You glorify Oreos, when they taste like synthetic cardboard and fondant.
Pick-up trucks.
For some, it is just some over-compensation for some perceived masculinity. For others it is for work, for some it is because of the local weather conditions, others it is because you have something you haul on a semi-regular basis, for others it is the convenience of hauling building materials, or furniture or what-not for home maintenance.
Drive-thrus.
You have multiple jobs and only a little time between both. You drive through, eat in the car and change for your next job when you get there.
"Justice". Like: "You did something I consider wrong, so f**k you, you deserve everything bad that could happen to you."
That’s a stereotype of a tiny minority of emotionally retarded people—-who exist in every country on the planet. It just looks like there are more here in the US because our population is so large, and the media plays them up for ratings. Most of us here are emotionally mature, and prefer the punishment to fit the crime instead of overkill. Authoritative instead of authoritarian. Problem is, because we’re so unsensational, we don’t get on TV as much.
A microwave. It looks like 90% of Americans don’t know how to boil an egg.
Convenience. Where I am from all the shops close early, and things will take days to be delivered. From what I read on hear, it sounds like you can just get whatever you want any time of day.
I live in Indianapolis, IN, the 12th largest city in the US. Pre-pandemic, I could get my teeth cleaned by a licensed hygienist at 3AM if I wanted. I LOVE that I can grocery shop at 1AM or eat in a restaurant at 4 AM. I LOVE that most online retailers will have deliveries to me within 24 hours.
I experience Americans as very superficial (not sure if this is the right word to be honest). I think it might create turmoil if you take this away from American society and people actually would tell each other what they really think about each other. Just my experience of the "fake-smile"-syndrom.
Sugar
Ice in their water or very cold water
If I'm going to drink hot water then it had better have milk, coffee and sweeteners in it. I like my water VERY cold and I live in the UK
I am a Non-American and I used to have a pretty negative perception of the USA. I don't know why, probably the mass and brain washing opinion of the surrounding I was raised. But growing up, and especially reading threads like this, made me curios about the USA, and even like it more and more. IF everything is like it is described in so many threads, it is awful for the people there. But why do I have to read this all the time. Americans really seem to be such fun persons with a great kind of humor. It's a huge country and they have their (major) problems, but why do we have to rub it under the noses of our American Pandas? I think they are pretty aware of it. It's not that we can solve it by constantly repeating it, and it stopped being informative. I'm literally a Bored panda right now...
Thank u random panda. Yes we do have problems and we do have jerks but so does every other country. Most of the people I know are friendly and well meaning. Thx for the consideration. Maybe one day u should visit and find out if you like it or not. Just make sure you research where to go first because some places are better than others, going by both the people there and the area itself.
Load More Replies...I've travelled extensively in the US and I found from east coast to west coast, the people to be friendly, humorous and welcoming. Of course you have your rude people, stupid people but that is no different from any other part of the world. I received acts of kindness, even in the big cities, that you would not even imagine in the more reserved capitals of Europe. I wish Americans would travel more and be welcomed better around the world. If these US small towns would just see that people around the world hold dear the same things they hold dear, safety, security, family and loved ones the world would be a better place.
Well said. I'll add that I've travelled both the US and the World extensively, and the reality is people and countries around the globe are more similar than they are different. These kinds of articles can be fun and interesting, when they highlight interesting differences in cultures. These days it's just a bunch of attack pieces, and often based on stereotype and anti-American propaganda.
Load More Replies...Can't we vary this theme a little and pick what we think some other countries can't live without? Stop picking on the US. I'm a Brit and I'm bored with it. I'll start - yes, I can't live without my cup of tea first thing in the morning!
I also cannot live without my cup of tea in the morning! With cream. Oh, but I'm in California. There are too many people in these huge countries for this kind of thing. I can't tell you how many times I've stared out the window at the snow coming down while I read about how there is no snow in Southern California. You'd think we all lived on the coast or something. I've traveled this entire country, expect Alaska (someday, Alaska!), as well as several countries and we are far more similar than most of the people writing these would like to believe.
Load More Replies...One thing I hate about the US is that there's a lot of propaganda here. Before I came to Bored Panda, my elementary school taught us that the US is the best country in the world and every other country honored the US. We had to sing songs about how great the US is. I believed all this. But then in middle school, I came to bored panda. I learned that other countries are actually better and more advanced. Then, i realized what the US education system is. They were instilling in the minds of young kids that the USA is awesome, and we are the ruler of the world. They are also covering up the country's serious flaws. This is why there are many idiots in the US.
Where do you live that this is happening? What songs do you sing about the US?? I find stories like this so fascinating. I went to a Christian elementary school. We were too busy singing songs about God's greatness to bother with songs about US greatness.
Load More Replies...You know, as a non-American threads like this really rub me the wrong way and I can't quite seem to place my finger on it. Every country, I repeat, every country has their own quirks and problems (ps-for the person in image 21 that mentioned "deep-fries" being exclusively American, I invite you to come to Scotland and eat a deep fried Mars Bar--we'll fry anything). I know that these threads are supposed to be tongue-in-cheek, but they come off as rather ignorant and mean-spirited. I feel like threads like this continue to reinforce and perpetuate dumb stereotypes.
Thank you so much for saying that. Some of us in the US fight so hard, every day, to dispel these stereotypes and just be better. Every country has its issues. I would object loudly if there were a thread like this about any other country. The head Pandas must be extra bored and completely uninspired to post a list like this. BP, please do better. We'll try on our end, too.
Load More Replies...Obviously the US has some serious problems. Really, we do. But "all Americans" is bullshit. We are a diverse country with roughly the same size and population as all of Europe. We have numerous dialects/accents (some extremes to the extent that it can be impossible to communicate), lifestyles, politics, and values. What you see on TV is not real - it's entertainment!
The US is a huge country. For every stereotype there is another region somewhere with the opposite practice. No one consulted me or any other average individual I know regarding metric vs. imperial, portion sizes, tipping practices, sugar fat or chemicals in our foods, or the public transportation system. PS America isn’t a country.
Soooooo... was the point of this post for people outside the United States to all criticize the United States?
It helps us to get through this difficult time. :D
Load More Replies...Surprised there was no mention about tips. Cost of living not only food. Having to pay to have skin-on-skin contact with your child after birth and the cost of giving birth. Guns. Commercials about medications.
Ok, ok, we get it, BP, the US has issues. I've experienced some in person. But honestly, a post about it every other day is just starting to become a bit cumbersome, and if you're living in the US, it's just a sad reminder of all the sh*t that's happening right now. I come to BP to relax, not get even more stressed!
Stereotypes. Just stereotyping people all the time Oh wait ... this post is full of those. Hmmm 🤔
I'd like to add 'lawsuits' and 'lawyers'. Also, going to law school seems like the highest educational achievement or something.
Amen. Tell that to my father. He is still disappointed that I am not a lawyer.
Load More Replies...One thing that always bugged me about Americans is the Super Bowl. its such a big deal to the point where most business' close that day. ITS NOT A HOLIDAY!!!
Super Bowl happens on a Sunday so the only business I know of that are closed on that day are the ones that usually are anyways. Also the Super Bowl is a big deal because it's basically people getting together to watch the commercials and the halftime show. Even people who are not football fans go to the parties, eat the food, and have a good time.
Load More Replies...Why is everyone dissing America, especially bacon? I know we have problems, but no place is perfect. Our society isn't the best and we know about how corrupt our government is, but is any government perfect?
i know i bet half the authors on here have never been to america
Load More Replies...I'm an American and honestly, I hate living here. I agree with every single post up there, yes, America sucks! I'm 13 and I know that I don't want to live in America for the rest of my life. Once I'm old enough, I'm moving either to Canada or somewhere in Europe. This country sucks
As a fellow American, why not work at making this a country you can be happy to live in? These last 4 years have been HORRIBLE, but we do have so much potential to make our country better. Please do not give up take what we have and make it better.
Load More Replies...Wow, slamming the USA why? I'm not American, but have gone there many times for holidays or shopping and they are overly nice. I was asking directions to the info lady in a mall, she took me outside to better tell me how to get there. Staff in stores and restaurants were over the top nice.
when i was 6-10 my father would drive around the USA, to visit national parks and states in the summer. I enjoyed it a lot. We enjoyed the environment and how the different states are so different to each other (Arizona deserts and California forests,etc.) I always loved earning "junior ranger" badges
as a Canadian, I drove to California in early 2020, and found a 60/40 split of amazing Americans and total douches - though nicely enough the amazingly good out-weighed the oh-so totally bad ... I do believe if America can recover from their oranged bull-in-a-china-shop experience, things can begin to get better again - and maybe going in the right direction at least
why is it always non americans why cant it be people who mf live here and why is homophobia never mentioned witch is my biggest problem in the us besides rascism
As an American fan in Australia, we are very Americanised down here with a healthy dollop of the UK and Europe, but TV and Movie America is very different than RL America. We see coolness and ahead of the curve, we see fashion and music and movie stars, and in reality it is a lot of wholesome, church following, family loving regular folks. Even shows we see down here on free to air, most have never seen and wouldn't watch because it would not only cost but be too racy. We did things down here to often try and be cooler, we don't have the same bible belt etc, we are just far enough away from everyone to just do what we want, but often based that on fantasy... thank goodness we kept school uniforms, but I think many down here would have loved all the school things you teach like drama, swim teams, chess clubs, school papers etc... one thing you do the best in the US is you seem to teach GO FOR IT! on such a different level, you have people giving up everything to become entrepreneurs .
And being able to suceed, you have taken social media and youtubers, instagramers and influence to a whole other level. Ladies that clean closets are now famous, entertainment is watching people do stuff. My own books are now in cubes by colour 😁
Load More Replies...I would add dumping grounds. I don't think many civilised countries still do have those
Which was an invasion by Americans, yes, but also British, Canadians, Australian, Belgian, Czech, Dutch, French, Greek, New Zealanders, Rhodesian, and Polish. So no, not everything is about America.
Load More Replies...I am a Non-American and I used to have a pretty negative perception of the USA. I don't know why, probably the mass and brain washing opinion of the surrounding I was raised. But growing up, and especially reading threads like this, made me curios about the USA, and even like it more and more. IF everything is like it is described in so many threads, it is awful for the people there. But why do I have to read this all the time. Americans really seem to be such fun persons with a great kind of humor. It's a huge country and they have their (major) problems, but why do we have to rub it under the noses of our American Pandas? I think they are pretty aware of it. It's not that we can solve it by constantly repeating it, and it stopped being informative. I'm literally a Bored panda right now...
Thank u random panda. Yes we do have problems and we do have jerks but so does every other country. Most of the people I know are friendly and well meaning. Thx for the consideration. Maybe one day u should visit and find out if you like it or not. Just make sure you research where to go first because some places are better than others, going by both the people there and the area itself.
Load More Replies...I've travelled extensively in the US and I found from east coast to west coast, the people to be friendly, humorous and welcoming. Of course you have your rude people, stupid people but that is no different from any other part of the world. I received acts of kindness, even in the big cities, that you would not even imagine in the more reserved capitals of Europe. I wish Americans would travel more and be welcomed better around the world. If these US small towns would just see that people around the world hold dear the same things they hold dear, safety, security, family and loved ones the world would be a better place.
Well said. I'll add that I've travelled both the US and the World extensively, and the reality is people and countries around the globe are more similar than they are different. These kinds of articles can be fun and interesting, when they highlight interesting differences in cultures. These days it's just a bunch of attack pieces, and often based on stereotype and anti-American propaganda.
Load More Replies...Can't we vary this theme a little and pick what we think some other countries can't live without? Stop picking on the US. I'm a Brit and I'm bored with it. I'll start - yes, I can't live without my cup of tea first thing in the morning!
I also cannot live without my cup of tea in the morning! With cream. Oh, but I'm in California. There are too many people in these huge countries for this kind of thing. I can't tell you how many times I've stared out the window at the snow coming down while I read about how there is no snow in Southern California. You'd think we all lived on the coast or something. I've traveled this entire country, expect Alaska (someday, Alaska!), as well as several countries and we are far more similar than most of the people writing these would like to believe.
Load More Replies...One thing I hate about the US is that there's a lot of propaganda here. Before I came to Bored Panda, my elementary school taught us that the US is the best country in the world and every other country honored the US. We had to sing songs about how great the US is. I believed all this. But then in middle school, I came to bored panda. I learned that other countries are actually better and more advanced. Then, i realized what the US education system is. They were instilling in the minds of young kids that the USA is awesome, and we are the ruler of the world. They are also covering up the country's serious flaws. This is why there are many idiots in the US.
Where do you live that this is happening? What songs do you sing about the US?? I find stories like this so fascinating. I went to a Christian elementary school. We were too busy singing songs about God's greatness to bother with songs about US greatness.
Load More Replies...You know, as a non-American threads like this really rub me the wrong way and I can't quite seem to place my finger on it. Every country, I repeat, every country has their own quirks and problems (ps-for the person in image 21 that mentioned "deep-fries" being exclusively American, I invite you to come to Scotland and eat a deep fried Mars Bar--we'll fry anything). I know that these threads are supposed to be tongue-in-cheek, but they come off as rather ignorant and mean-spirited. I feel like threads like this continue to reinforce and perpetuate dumb stereotypes.
Thank you so much for saying that. Some of us in the US fight so hard, every day, to dispel these stereotypes and just be better. Every country has its issues. I would object loudly if there were a thread like this about any other country. The head Pandas must be extra bored and completely uninspired to post a list like this. BP, please do better. We'll try on our end, too.
Load More Replies...Obviously the US has some serious problems. Really, we do. But "all Americans" is bullshit. We are a diverse country with roughly the same size and population as all of Europe. We have numerous dialects/accents (some extremes to the extent that it can be impossible to communicate), lifestyles, politics, and values. What you see on TV is not real - it's entertainment!
The US is a huge country. For every stereotype there is another region somewhere with the opposite practice. No one consulted me or any other average individual I know regarding metric vs. imperial, portion sizes, tipping practices, sugar fat or chemicals in our foods, or the public transportation system. PS America isn’t a country.
Soooooo... was the point of this post for people outside the United States to all criticize the United States?
It helps us to get through this difficult time. :D
Load More Replies...Surprised there was no mention about tips. Cost of living not only food. Having to pay to have skin-on-skin contact with your child after birth and the cost of giving birth. Guns. Commercials about medications.
Ok, ok, we get it, BP, the US has issues. I've experienced some in person. But honestly, a post about it every other day is just starting to become a bit cumbersome, and if you're living in the US, it's just a sad reminder of all the sh*t that's happening right now. I come to BP to relax, not get even more stressed!
Stereotypes. Just stereotyping people all the time Oh wait ... this post is full of those. Hmmm 🤔
I'd like to add 'lawsuits' and 'lawyers'. Also, going to law school seems like the highest educational achievement or something.
Amen. Tell that to my father. He is still disappointed that I am not a lawyer.
Load More Replies...One thing that always bugged me about Americans is the Super Bowl. its such a big deal to the point where most business' close that day. ITS NOT A HOLIDAY!!!
Super Bowl happens on a Sunday so the only business I know of that are closed on that day are the ones that usually are anyways. Also the Super Bowl is a big deal because it's basically people getting together to watch the commercials and the halftime show. Even people who are not football fans go to the parties, eat the food, and have a good time.
Load More Replies...Why is everyone dissing America, especially bacon? I know we have problems, but no place is perfect. Our society isn't the best and we know about how corrupt our government is, but is any government perfect?
i know i bet half the authors on here have never been to america
Load More Replies...I'm an American and honestly, I hate living here. I agree with every single post up there, yes, America sucks! I'm 13 and I know that I don't want to live in America for the rest of my life. Once I'm old enough, I'm moving either to Canada or somewhere in Europe. This country sucks
As a fellow American, why not work at making this a country you can be happy to live in? These last 4 years have been HORRIBLE, but we do have so much potential to make our country better. Please do not give up take what we have and make it better.
Load More Replies...Wow, slamming the USA why? I'm not American, but have gone there many times for holidays or shopping and they are overly nice. I was asking directions to the info lady in a mall, she took me outside to better tell me how to get there. Staff in stores and restaurants were over the top nice.
when i was 6-10 my father would drive around the USA, to visit national parks and states in the summer. I enjoyed it a lot. We enjoyed the environment and how the different states are so different to each other (Arizona deserts and California forests,etc.) I always loved earning "junior ranger" badges
as a Canadian, I drove to California in early 2020, and found a 60/40 split of amazing Americans and total douches - though nicely enough the amazingly good out-weighed the oh-so totally bad ... I do believe if America can recover from their oranged bull-in-a-china-shop experience, things can begin to get better again - and maybe going in the right direction at least
why is it always non americans why cant it be people who mf live here and why is homophobia never mentioned witch is my biggest problem in the us besides rascism
As an American fan in Australia, we are very Americanised down here with a healthy dollop of the UK and Europe, but TV and Movie America is very different than RL America. We see coolness and ahead of the curve, we see fashion and music and movie stars, and in reality it is a lot of wholesome, church following, family loving regular folks. Even shows we see down here on free to air, most have never seen and wouldn't watch because it would not only cost but be too racy. We did things down here to often try and be cooler, we don't have the same bible belt etc, we are just far enough away from everyone to just do what we want, but often based that on fantasy... thank goodness we kept school uniforms, but I think many down here would have loved all the school things you teach like drama, swim teams, chess clubs, school papers etc... one thing you do the best in the US is you seem to teach GO FOR IT! on such a different level, you have people giving up everything to become entrepreneurs .
And being able to suceed, you have taken social media and youtubers, instagramers and influence to a whole other level. Ladies that clean closets are now famous, entertainment is watching people do stuff. My own books are now in cubes by colour 😁
Load More Replies...I would add dumping grounds. I don't think many civilised countries still do have those
Which was an invasion by Americans, yes, but also British, Canadians, Australian, Belgian, Czech, Dutch, French, Greek, New Zealanders, Rhodesian, and Polish. So no, not everything is about America.
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