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The United States—the land of the free. The home of the brave. And the nation of some very peculiar habits, according to the internet. Other countries in the world are confused by some of the things that Americans do. Like calling tuna “tuna fish” and putting too much cheese on everything. I find it endearing, others find it strange.

Bored Panda has collected some of the best tweets that show how confused foreigners are at what some Americans do. Scroll down and upvote your faves. And be sure to check out our previous post about Europeans who shared what problems are too American for them to grasp.

Culture clashes are nothing new. After all, if every country and culture were the same, there’d be no point in leaving your home, right? (Spoiler warning: due to the coronavirus pandemic, you shouldn’t be leaving your home either way.) Benny Lewis, founder of the Fluent in 3 Months blog, spent 4 years living in the US and has some gripes about the culture. Including how Americans are too politically correct while at the same time they think that everything is “awesome.”

#1

Things-Americans-Do

hesthehabit Report

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European other
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It makes sense to start with the day, but I guess it's what you get used to

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#3

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Prince Maroochy
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We choose from a lot more at first, eventually narrowing it down to two and choosing from them.

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According to Benny from Ireland, Europeans traveling around the US will find a lot of things weird. Like the fact that Americans smile way too much and it’s difficult to know when they mean it and when they’re smiling out of reflex.

Another thing that Benny found very unusual is something a lot of people complain about when they arrive in the US. Yup, you guessed it—tipping! “I really think tipping as a means of waitresses and others earning the vast majority of their living is ridiculous. If I have to pay, say 15% anyway, then include it in the bill! It's not a bloody tip if it's mandatory!” Benny expressed his opinion. Some of us can agree that mandatory tipping is sneaky and that servers should earn a decent wage that isn’t based on tips.

“Why not tip everyone who you interact with in some way—bus drivers, or leave money on your trash can for the garbage man? It's inconsistent, and waiters, hairdressers, and taxi drivers should just charge us what needs to be charged,” Benny writes in his blog.

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#4

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Kaisu
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This also goes for strict gun laws. Why do Americans think strict gun laws won't work in their country when it works in literally all other developed countries?

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#5

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Thomas brennan
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an irish person I dont mind it, it is nice for people to be proud of their heritage. What I do mind is when they ask do I know paddy mcsomething from donegal. I know Ireland's small but we don't all live in one village. Oh and the accent impersonations are damn annoying...although in my experience the English are the worst for imitating accents.

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#6

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Alan Green
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The other day when they announced America now has the highest C19 infections of any country an american in the comments said "BS, I'm sure Europe has more". Seems some Americans think Europe is a country.

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He also has issues with how in some parts of America prices aren’t what they seem because the tax isn’t included to make the cost seem lower than it really is.

Of course, taxing is different in different states, but this doesn’t excuse corporations from printing up different product costs for each state. Or, as Benny puts it, “We have the same product sold across many European countries and somehow someone in the company found the time to punch numbers into a $1 calculator in advance to tell people how much they are actually paying.”

#7

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Foxxy (The Original)
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why was fahrenheit even invented? The metric system just makes so much more sense. Freezing point is 0C and boiling point is 100C. A litre is 1000millilitres, 100 centimetres is 1 metre etc.

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#8

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Petra Schaap
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thats not just American. I think it depends on the person. I have local friends who do and local friends who dont, and American friends who do and dont.

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Johnny Farnen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a product of differences in traditional sanitation standards and cultural differences in hygiene. Remember, the US started out as primarily farmers, then switched to heavy industry in a time when running water in the house was a rare thing. In other words, stinky, sweaty boot feet. Also the difference in climate is a factor. much of the US has cold damp winters and it is highly uncomfortable to waltz around with cold feet. In Japan, I had to decide if I wanted to insult my hosts by stinking up their embarrassingly clean home with my sweaty size 12s, spread the athlete's foot infection most military end up with or insult them by just not visiting them in their home. A lose/lose situation for sure until I started carrying fresh, dry socks in a plastic bag in my pocket to change into...

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

Why is this "American"? It's just a personal preference, also, who cares?

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

To all those offended Americans who do take shoes off while at home. It's the media, watch any movie taking place in the US and you'll see people wearing outdoor shoes indoors, like, even in bed o_O

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

In our house, we have indoor shoes, when needed. Otherwise, all shoes are worn outside.

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Paige Johnson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Personally I prefer to be barefoot but it hurts my feet to stand for too long without shoes. I have bad arches and need the support. Plus I don't like things sticking to my bare feet, so I wear shoes while I clean.

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Brandon Collinsworth
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know this will get down voted but I hate being barefoot so much, once I went to friends house and he told me I had to take off my shoes to come in, I just got back in my car and went home.

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Gwen Pollock
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I prefer having something on my feet. But I try and switch to my "indoor" shoes when I get home from where ever it is I was. I think in the end, it boils down to personal preference.

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Just Carmen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm American and I walk around my house barefoot all the time. Even in the dead of winter when it's freezing outside.

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Ms.GB
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think most people do but a lot of times when you have guests or are a guest people will wear shoes.

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Kathy Baylis
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband is British, and he always kept his shoes on in the house. We both do—-if only from the door to the bedroom to change into comfy clothes (or pajamas) and put on our slippers after work!

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deanna woods
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We don't, I take my shoes off the minute I come into my apartment. So does the rest of my family.

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Brandy Grote
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Especially now. Take off your shoes at the door so you don't track Covid all through your house!

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C Black
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Americans?" We are all different. I don't wear my "outside" shoes in the house. It's unsanitary and I prefer to take my shoes off as I am entering my home. I'm not quite sure how you can generalize and group all Americans into "ANY" group, as you have done.

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Florence Kirsch
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

🤔 I’ve heard this. Keep a our feet clean? Most of us put on slippers or some variation. We have a love affair with “hard wood floors” which does not make for comfortable bare footing in North Dakota. Florida a different story. Big country

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Carina Elise Hagen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Norway, the surest way to offend someone is to NOT take your shoes off when you enter their house. No one here wear shoes inside, it's disgusting and rude.

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Ms.GB
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's almost the opposite in the US...if you go to visit someone and they don't expressly ask you to take your shoes off some people will be grossed out that your walking around on their carpet with your sweaty stinky feet...I know it doesn't really make sense as streets are dirtier

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

oh no I hate shoes, this is NOT a thing in my house. No shoe on in the house. If I had my way I'd never wear shoes. I hate it.

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Flash Henry
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't mind people keeping their shoes on in my flat, but I do offer slippers to guests.

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

I used to go in slippers but I have bad arches and so my feet hurt if I dont wear shoes..

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Kay Nuehark
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

https://www.spencofootwear.com/category.aspx?catid=5 Have a look at this if your feet hurt without support!

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

Cuz my dogs are dirtbags & I hate walking on the debris they track in the house. Especially during spring.

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jamie1707
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm American and I take my shoes off at the door. I expect guests to do the same but I don't make an issue of it if they don't.

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I Just Changed My Name
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We do not do this at my house as it's unsanitary. Regardless of where you at in the world

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Layla Corman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ewwww! I'm American and dirty outside shoes come off immediately when anyone steps in my home! I have a basket of house shoes by the door for anyone who is uncomfortable. Lord only knows what kind of s**t gets tracked through the house! 🤢🤢🤢

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Lynda Momalo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's funny though, my Chinese DIL would be grossed out by people walking in shoes in their condo but will, without thinking twice, roll the stroller that just was on the dirty sidewalks and streets in. A lot of it is just cultural or habit, not sense.

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Rage Racer
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once again individuals. I like to but my wife and daughter do not.

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Food Gurl
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i think its more american white people because me and all of my friends are no shoes in the house policy but the minute i came over to a white persons house she ran through her house in her dr. martens i thought she was crazy

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Kori K. Warriner
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stop generalizing. I walk barefoot in my house and even outside. And I'm American. Not by choice, but by birth.

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Rae Black
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of Americans don't walk thru their home with shoes on.

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Joseph Wolf
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did this when I lived in Nevada but I stopped doing it once I moved to Seattle

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Heidi I
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Considering how many germs one will spread throughout the house if wearing shoes indoor, you either take them off or stay outsider. The end.

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

Many of us don't. A lot of Americans I know prefer to have shoes off when going indoors.

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Id row
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've always taken my shoes off as soon as I enter the house, as I'm sure a lot of us do. But since they show it in movies, we all must do it, I guess.

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Junebug04
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not everybody here, I personally do but simply bc I have a much higher arch than most ppl, so it is painful to walk around on hard floors, but a lot of my friends do not wear their shoes indoors. Plus in my experience it has been mostly city folk who always take theirs off at the door.

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Helen Haley
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shoes are more comfortable. Plus we were largely agricultural until fairly recently. Living on farms and in small towns where you go in and out of the house a lot and the repeated application of shoes and stinky work feet would be not only inconvenient and inefficient but ridiculously stinky. Also as agriculture ruled for so long large families were the rule for a very long time. There's just no way to do all bare feet indoors when you have 12 kids. That became ingrained in our social norms and mores. If someone wants me to visit their house, I will be wearing shoes.

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

Shoes are off at my front door. I'd like to do less sweeping, thank you very much. - american

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kkathleen517
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate being barefoot. Floors are dirty. Yes, even my own, even if i mop every single damn day. I have 4 cats too. Floors are dirty!

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is normal for me and pretty much everyone else I know. From the top of my head I can only think of 2 people I know personally that don’t wear shoes in their house but other people can.

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Breez Brown
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do ignorants lump a small group of people with a whole country?

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

Taking your shoes off keeps your floors cleaner. Keeping your shoes on keeps your feet/socks cleaner.

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

this one i don't get, i hate wearing shoes in general but especially in my house, i don't even wear socks indoors anymore

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

We actually talk about this whenever we see it on tv or whatever. Canadians take their shoes off it seems more often than not but not in the US.

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

I'm not American. I live with children. I wear shoes because .... lego and biscuit crumbs.

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Kerri Russ
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know of no Americans who walk all over their house with their shoes on. We take them off and toss them aside so the carpet stays cleaner longer.

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Funtime Foxy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wear my new flip flops inside to get them ready (idk how to say it :/)

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Elizabeth Gardner
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Quite possibly because they are too lazy to take them off whether they are muddy or otherwise.

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

It's a secret plot by the Dane's. Creating Lego blocks and wham! never walk in bare or stocking feet again. Fibbing..I suspect actually preceded by "Jacks", "Fivestones", "Tali" & "Knucklebones".

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Logan Colee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What’s the point of taking your shoes off before going inside? The floors still get dirty and it wastes time. Besides where I live, you’re not exactly gonna be walking into the white house

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Aria Whitaker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What? Who the hell is wearing shoes on their beds? Been in America 39 years and have no idea what you are talking about!?

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

This one is extremely debatable as I'm American and NEVER met anyone that wore shoes in their home yet "heard" about people doing it....nasty muricans lol

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#9

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Just Carmen
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know about other Americans, but at our house, we just call it TUNA.

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But before you start thinking that all Europeans have it out for the US, Benny also mentions some awesome things about Americans. For example, nobody can deny that Americans have an incredible work ethic and how open-minded and diverse most of the country is. It’s a country with plenty of positives, peppered with a whole lot of bizarreness.

#10

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Colin Bayler
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because you don't need a bloody scale to measure grams. All you need is a simple cup with lines. DUH!

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#11

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Just Carmen
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well actually, most of the time we say that we don't give a s**t, so.....

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#12

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Stimpy
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I tried changing it to "the poopery" but people won't listen to me

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#13

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Carol Lewis
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think that, nor have I ever thought that. I don't know anyone who does. Where did you even come up with that nonsense.

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#14

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Mette Olsen Douglas
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think I know anybody who lives like they have free healthcare - quite the opposite actually. "Is it truly bad enough to go see a doctor or can we survive without going"? Nobody want those bills that follows a doctors visit!!

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#15

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Kaisu
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some Americans also love making fun of people who speak English with a foreign accent, when they themselves can only speak one language

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#16

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Brick
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anything to not use the metric system whats next: glazed donuts per bald eagle who knows

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#17

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Winston Smith
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hear it said at least 3 different ways depending on what news channel you watch

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#20

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Bill
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because educators didn't want parents to think E meant "Excellent"

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#21

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Chewie Baron
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't get me started on how Americans pronounce 'mirror'. They miss out the 'o' and say "mirrrrr". Madness!

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#22

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

High school was pretty much the worst time in my life. My daughter is going through it now and I wish I could just fast forward her outta there.

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#23

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C Black
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Americans get MAD? Rather they probably just don't know which sport you're speaking of. In America, football and soccer are two different sports. That's probably why they don't know what you're talking about. As for being "mad..." I doubt they are mad about it, LOL.

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#24

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Marcellus the Third
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah but then you also have 'drinks halls' in germany with liquor, beer, water, soda... Why? Also you're ignoring the "dry county" thing where within one state many counties may sell absolutely zero alcohol and the next does.

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#26

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#28

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Anne
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are handy when you bring cooked food to a meeting/people etc.

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#29

Things-Americans-Do

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