ADVERTISEMENT

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.)

#1

The belief that they’re more free than the rest of the world.

IPokePeople Report

Add photo comments
POST
james_fox1984 avatar
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#2

The believe that America is the greatest of all democracies while it is just another empire on its way down...

SimplyPwned Report

#3

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Medical debt

victorianfolly , Tyler Report

Add photo comments
POST
idan avatar
Idan York
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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.

#4

A sense of superiority and a denial of the truth of their own history.

Triptrav1985 Report

Add photo comments
POST
nickyoldfielddesciple avatar
IlovemydogShilo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#5

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans 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.

RyzenRaider , Calgary Reviews Report

Add photo comments
POST
wandiledludlu avatar
wandile dludlu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Flags. You really care about showing off flags. Pro tip: Any place with lots of flags has a national identity crisis.

gullman , Best Picko Report

Add photo comments
POST
rubysalisbury avatar
Awkward Manatee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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 :(

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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.

ADVERTISEMENT
#7

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.

TarunVader_10 Report

Add photo comments
POST
dominika-wolski avatar
Dominika Juillet
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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??"

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans 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.

avadakabitch , llee_wu Report

Add photo comments
POST
joleekoop avatar
Jolee Koop
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

cjoharpole avatar
xiaomiao
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Less than 10% of americans have no car, so I don't think this can be true. American cities are , like some americans, more spread out, literally bigger than european cities and towns. Public transport can't be effecient enough to be effective when combined with low usage because, well cars are quite commonly owned.

Load More Replies...
kathrynbaylis_2 avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Considering there are more rural areas than cities, and many people (myself included) have a commute of 20 to 30 miles—-or more—-it would be really expensive to set up public transportation. Besides, the US used to have a better public system, but caved to auto makers post WWII, took out the clean electric trolley system, built the interstate highway system, encouraged people to move out of the cities and into the ‘burbs Mike’s away from work, and started the American car culture. For which we’re paying the price now.

erin_16 avatar
GirlFriday
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that a lot of non-Americans do not understand how large the US is. You cannot hop on a subway and get from one side of the US to the other. We also have many small towns that have no need for public transport. Why would you put a bus system in a town with 600 people in it.

mrkette avatar
Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I haven’t been everywhere in the world, but unless it’s a city/state like Singapore, countries don’t have subway systems that service the entire country. I traveled around Morocco by bus and in some of the less traveled parts of the country was the only obvious foreigner on the bus. Buses are the way many people in the world get from one place to another.

Load More Replies...
juliusmartin avatar
Julius Martin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this one is just stupid, there ares thousands of public transport serivices in just the eastern us, at least use facts if ur gonna criticize a country, and also just becuse you dont "hear" about them, thats because people dont just gossip about public transport or anything

chimesstreet avatar
Tabitha L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a friend in Boston, no car. I have a cousin in Chicago, no car. I have a friend in Philadelphia, no car. I have a cousin in DC, no car. (And, of couse NYC.)

jacobbeccagizmothesquirrel avatar
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But those are big cities. They have subways and stuff, I think. Where I live there are school buses and old people mcat buses. One taxi that have only seen maybe twice. I'm sure people use Uber here. But everyone has cars. We have 52,000 people, kinda spread out.

Load More Replies...
deannawoods avatar
deanna woods
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a small rural town so if you want to go places, you either walk, ride a bike, or you have a car. I am a delivery driver, so I need a car for my job.

mpandgp79 avatar
Malinda Petersen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But the US is way bigger than most European countries...My state is 147 thousand square miles for about 1.1 million people. But I agree, big Cities should do much better with mass transit.

frosted83174 avatar
Danielle McHenney
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is true. Only major cities have subway or bus. I live 30 miles outside Atlanta and I have to drive to get anywhere

truthmonster00 avatar
Truth Monster
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Especially in cities that grew after autos were invented, it is almost impossible to function without a car as the car is the baseline mode of transport. Cars allowed cities to sprawl out instead of up

maverickatlarge avatar
Hugh Walter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's because of the distances involved, but there are good subways or trams in other cities, they love their taxi's and then there's the greyhounds!

mrkette avatar
Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I spent most of my life in San Francisco and got around just fine on public transportation...you just need to learn to schedule your time to include buses, subway, etc. I got a car only after being priced out of my favorite city and was forced to take refuge at my brother’s farm in Oregon. I now live in a small coastal town in Northern California and I find my car really handy but could probably get by without it if I never left the county.

karenjohnston avatar
Louloubelle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Kenosha, WI. Not a huge city (about 100,000). Our transit system isn't perfect, but if you're brave enough to figure out the bus schedule, you can get just about anywhere here. But only until about 7 at night. Never on Sundays and limited on Saturdays. So, if you work a 9-5 job, you can get around. But if you work evenings or weekends, as many retail workers do, this isn't much help.

vjsmart2001 avatar
SupernaturalPanda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I lived in Germany I mainly used public transport but living in US you almost always need a car....unless you live somewhere like NYC

enbygilbert avatar
Enby Gilbert
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how "I haven't heard about" has become too accepted a weird arbiter of truth. I've been without a car in Southern California, of all places, for nearly a decade. Many suburbs and rural areas struggle with the sheer vastness of our country to provide effective public transport. But in many urban areas other than NYC, it takes planning and persistence, but it can be done. Please learn more about our country before you start complaining about something you haven't researched. There are hundreds of millions of us that don't live in New York.

ohnmat1 avatar
Johnnee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of people in the US live in suburban areas far away from the city centre. In European countries we live in the cities or in residential areas close to the city centre. You can't ask the US to build a public transportation system for all in such a huge country.

kotakat3 avatar
CharliAnn Olney
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People in other countries simply don't understand that America simply does NOT consist of JUST New York, Washington, DC and LA. There are a few MILLION of us who live in what the lovely people on the Coasts like to call "the flyover states" as those we don't count at all. Like we do not provide 95% of all the food they eat. Yep, we don't have a lot of Public Transportation because it is really hard to take a non-existent subway from Fargo, ND to Sioux Fall, SD or from Kansas City to Omaha! Get real people!

dodsonmichelle avatar
Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in East San Diego county and had to explain to work that I wouldn't be able to come in on national holidays. The buses literally don't run in my neighborhood on those days. And no - I'm not walking 2.5 miles to catch the other bus line. You don't pay me nearly enough for that (it took 2 buses & a trolley & 1:45 hours to get to the office - NOT gonna happen).

jmdrago_27 avatar
J
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You forget how big the country is vs Europe. Its smaller than the SE USA.

admfrncs avatar
Adam Francis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

European countries and cities are small and clumped together. Public transportation works there just fine. You haven't "heard" about other functioning public transportation in the U.S. because it isn't really a big deal in the media other than N.Y. Northern California has BART. It goes all over the place and many people use it; probably more than those that drive on a daily basis. Overall the U.S. is spread out and cities can be small and far away from other cities so public transport isn't always ideal.

jmiller_2 avatar
j miller
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There were reliable light rail systems in many cities years ago...which were bought up by oil/car companies and than closed down.

oberlinmom1 avatar
Susan Egan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We live in a rural area. Having to get to major shopping areas or entertainment means a drive. Most rural areas do not have public transportation since there isn't enough population to have it pay for it's self. The US has many areas like mine. Public transport is available in cities but when you look at the size of the US and compare it to other countries it should be understandable. Is there regular public transport in Europe in their very rural areas?

talie_bocci avatar
Talie Bocci
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are the idiots who don't understand how large the United States of America is (are). To compare this country with entire continents is ridiculous.

jeannie_carle_50 avatar
Jeannie Carle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

IN all our large cities there are city buses. We are quite a lot rural and therefore, there are none. If you work in a city/town 20+ miles away, it is necessary to have your own transportation.

clanselkirk avatar
Lee Selkirk
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The population density of most European countries makes public transportation financially viable. Trams are quite narrow, allowing them to traverse the equally narrow 'old city' streets. I was in Finland and found the trams in Helsinki running at 2 am...! It helps that the fares are quite cheap, again as a result of heavy passenger traffic.

faithhurst-bilinski avatar
Faith Hurst-Bilinski
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most large cities have great public transportation. I've been on most of them in the last 6 years or so.

fluffyfricks avatar
WhatEvenIsLife
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I visited Toronto once and was blown away by the subway system there (first time ever seeing/using a subway). I can't imagine why we don't have more of them here (Texas/US in general). It's such a convenient way to get around. Here, we only have buses and it takes ages to get anywhere on them. It puts people without a car at a serious disadvantage. So frustrating that so many people in this country are opposed to making things easier across the board for everyone, because "lazy" people don't deserve "handouts." Hands down the American attitude I hate the most.

ngaerew avatar
NWB
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Public transport not that great in Australia, but we are massive!!

zacke_01 avatar
Isak Nygren
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Salt Lake City has a decent public transportation at least in 2012 when I was there.

racheltagge avatar
Rachel Agge
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not true. I used to live in a very rural area in Yorkshire that required a car to get to town. From there one could get on a train or bus. For those in the farming community public transport was often not an option.

sashakuleshov avatar
Sasha Kuleshov
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can't forget when a company forced the public transport to go bankrupt in San Francisco :P

stanflouride avatar
Stannous Flouride
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There used to be streetcars all over the US, even in small towns. But they were almost all privately owned. After WW2 they were bought up by GM, Ford, & Chrysler and allowed to fall apart so they were undependable and people would buy cars.

kaylaj avatar
Kayla J
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It just seemed bad before but thanks to Covid you're seeing even more issues popping up as well. Some bus and subway lines all over the country are looking on ways to cut back on stops and times. Even in Washington DC they are talking about cutting weekend times altogether.

sluclakito avatar
LittleMissLotus
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's even worse is that going on the few functioning public transport systems is like being in a slice of hell on wheels. Have you ever seen a subway in new york...?

johnwotruba avatar
John Otruba
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I cannot agree about MOST people cannot afford one(but I have never live in a bigger city than Charlotte,N.C. What most Europeans cannot grasp without coming here is the vastness of the U.S.A.(some states are bigger than European countries) which I think contributes to the difficulty of a country wide transport system. (Cannot imagine a 3000 mile subway ride :-) )

tienmodderman avatar
Tien
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was always baffled by so many kids claiming to need a car. Like wtf? That's a luxury item you entitled brat, over here many families don't even have 1 single car for the whole family. Take the bus or go on your bike. Until someone pointed out that public transport is not available everywhere and going on a bike is often too far and usually quite dangerous

punisher2all avatar
Daniel R.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The way towns and cities are set up is so messy and cumbersome that you definitely need a car to get places. But hey, that's part of the freedom, you have the freedom to build infrastructure as confusing as the American "freedom".

twilight_mist avatar
Astrid Nineor
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pffff, if you don't live in a major city in Norway, and you work in the city, you better have a car, or be prepared to ride a bike. I once worked on a retirement home working shifts. On Sundays there were four buses to town and four buses back, none of them anywhere near the time I started and ended work. During weekdays I could get to work (and back for the morning and mid-day shifts), but not get back after the evening shift..... so I had to use a bike. ...and I lived 15 mins by bus from the city centre, so it's not like I am living in the wilderness :p

kalpanam avatar
Kalpana M
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh no... Not everybody can afford cars in US. Can they? Wish they develop public transport!!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Bumper stickers informing others of their opinions.

AmJusAskin , Michael Pereckas Report

Add photo comments
POST
candacefitzpatrick avatar
Candace Fitzpatrick
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#10

High Self confidence. Good thing in most people. Bad thing in flat earthers and antivaxxers

Chk232 Report

Add photo comments
POST
cynthiabonville avatar
Cynthia Bonville
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is not all of us, just the loud ones. You really only see the loud ones.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans 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.

TauCeti2050 , greychr Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#12

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans 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.

Zek_ , looseid Report

#13

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans A house. Even if you can't afford it. No flat — a house. Big house with two living rooms: one for family, one for ????

Iseult-benoit , daryl_mitchell Report

Add photo comments
POST
james_fox1984 avatar
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

Mentioning someones race/culture/sex etc. constantly

Fasimedes Report

Add photo comments
POST
sammyanne1_sh avatar
Helen Haley
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The history of the US is steeped in race/culture/sex atrocities. I think it is an attempt at over correction.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

Overly-fat-saturated and sugary foods.

Grauvargen Report

#16

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

Babebodysuit Report

Add photo comments
POST
daweka123 avatar
David K
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

News telling them who to be angry and outraged with this week.

Moodog5853 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#18

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Air-conditioning. That's usually the first complaint that American migrants have in Germany.

HabseligkeitDerLiebe , Sagar Verma Report

Add photo comments
POST
michaelghee avatar
MikeyG
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

(Not) a fun fact: The USA consumes more energy each year for air conditioning than the rest of the world combined, and in fact more electricity for cooling than the entire continent of Africa uses for ALL purposes.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Guns, walmart, and deep friers

Hachater , Mike Mozart Report

#20

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans 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.


LOUDCO-HD , Mike Mozart Report

Add photo comments
POST
sammyanne1_sh avatar
Helen Haley
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Caffeine. It is the only reason any of us are awake. We don't take vacations, and our sleep patterns suck. Ergo, caffeine obsession.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans 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.

Queef_Quaff , Chris Winters Report

Add photo comments
POST
rubysalisbury avatar
Awkward Manatee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have never heard the word Garburator before and uh wow I like it much better than garbage disposal.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

Fahrenheit... it’s such nonsense. Celsius is where it’s at!

maymee-masters Report

Add photo comments
POST
earloflincoln avatar
Martha Meyer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think both of these systems are equally arbitrary. That's why scientists use Kelvin.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans 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.

Joe-misidd , Håkan Dahlström Report

Add photo comments
POST
ajb_1 avatar
aj B
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The system is an issue, first car I bought was told no credit score, aka living within your means was a red flag and I'd need a cosigner.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#24

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans 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?

halfshoe , Mike Mozart Report

Add photo comments
POST
james_fox1984 avatar
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Paper plates. Used in your own home? That’s quite bizarre to me.

Notaelephant , Donald West Report

#26

Military.

h2man Report

#27

Loans or debts of some sort, especially in their younger years. And i think Americans literally can't live without insurance.

500Rtg Report

Add photo comments
POST
sammyanne1_sh avatar
Helen Haley
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Red solo cups, they are such an American thing

IIIHenryIII , hannabreezy Report

#29

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Cheddar cheese, and jumbo everything

-butter-toast- , Joakim Jardenberg Report

Add photo comments
POST
nickyoldfielddesciple avatar
IlovemydogShilo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cheddar cheese is a big deal in the UK too. After all it comes from the town of Cheddar in Somerset, England.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Automatic transmissions.

iBendUover Report

Add photo comments
POST
kirstenkerkhof avatar
Kirsten Kerkhof
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 46 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.