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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

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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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#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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#19

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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 own and drive a truck and I LOVE it! You know what I put in it?! Everyone else's s**t when they wanna move. Or I put all the dirt and plants I want to plant in my garden in the backend of my truck so the inside of my vehicle doesn't get dirty. Or, I'll put all that heavy DIY stuff that could NEVER possible fit into a car, in the backend of my truck and I'm off! They're a handy vehicle to own.

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

Pickup trucks are incredibly utilitarian. Don't have one currently, but I've had two myself. Used them for hauling things, mine and my friends. Going camping and other outdoor activities. As far as why SUV's or UTES are called trucks, is because they are built on the same chassis, just the bed is shorter and enclosed.

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

Work tools and supplies. Need 4wd to make it to some jobsites

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

We use our truck all the time.Its actually a shared truck with my grown kids.,Dump runs, branches, furniture, movng, helping others move. I could probably think of more too.

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

The US is different than Europe, there are parts of this country especially in west you can go three to four hundred miles and not see a thing and we have a lot of farms and you need to haul hay and feed for the farm.

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

Funny you should ask. How many people have been to an Ikea parking lot full of people trying to take stuff out of the box to get into a car? How may people ask a friend with a truck to help them move. How many people need a car towed? If you are a DIYer of any kind you find the value of a truck and man do I miss my Tundra.

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

Because we have a large rural culture where trucks are an important part, and it has a hold on our culture

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

Trucks are commonly used by folks to haul supplies or equipment. For example, if you need to do home repairs, you might need to pick up piping, lumber, or other long objects that will not necessarily fit in a Toyota or a BMW. Also, when one is moving to a new home, a truck is useful for moving personal belongings without having to hire a moving company or rent a U-haul.

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James Arvidson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I put lots of guns in my truck. I fill the whole bed with machine guns and ammo. AMERICA!!! /s Really, I pull a trailer and put 2 ATV's in the bed on a rack and go deep into the mountains away from everyone for days at a time.

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

We use ours most often to haul our recycling. Not even joking.

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

I presume she is talking about the Utes and 4WD’s coz Trucks are used for hauling large amounts or heavy freight and cargo.

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

You ever try off-roading in a car? Hauling a horse trailer? Equipment? What a dumb question.

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

The United States is a very large country with over 325 million people and enormous diversity. We are good and bad, rich and poor, intelligent and not so much, but we are overall a giving country with a big heart and we help each other during the bad times. Clearly, we are imperfect but have been very generous to the world. How much foreign aid do we give your country? That foreign aid comes from people just like me who work and contribute in taxes to the betterment of our country and yours if your country receives our aid. It might be prudent show a little respect.

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

The majority of the country live in rural areas, the large disparity in weather also contributes. to the need for vehicles that can handle rough terrain. The city dwellers who feel the need to drive trucks back and forth to work are usually just guys compensating for what they perceive as some lacking in masculinity.

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

tsk! Maybe city guys just want to own a truck cuz they like it. Why do so many females have to compensate their idiotic look at me I am woman wah wah by putting down men - every single time.

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

Trucks were work vehicles and as such had tax concessions. To take benefit of that the manufacturers increased the passenger capacity turning them into affordable 'family' vehicles. (Wow! I'm from the UK and I knew that... sometimes I surprise myself)

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

America is a big country, and many of us live far away from conveniences like stores. So we have to stock up when we go. Also, many Americans use trucks for their work.

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

Yes, we love trucks. And cars. And motorcycles. And we like to go fast.

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

Again, not all of us. There's a certain subset who see trucks as manly and macho.

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

Bc a pick-up truck is the best for literally any situation you find yourself in. Plus I mean let's be real, they're frikin awesome

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

They're great for hauling things around. That means big things that need to be transported that cannot be transported in a sedan.

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

They get rid of them the first time a friends asks for help moving

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deanna woods
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We haul things for our friends and that is so much easier than hiring a moving company. They have big trucks because some live in rural areas and a truck is easier to maneuver in those areas.

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

Whatever we want.... and we can take them off roading. And some people that have certain syndromes need the biggest and loudest of them all but we call those show trucks and they don't get respect with the real off roaders and mudders.

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

at least where I live, Missoula, Mt just that's out of the way, they haul around housing project materials, sometimes concrete, diy materials, lots of stuff actually.

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

I found out from my Spanish teacher that in most other countries, they don't buy in bulk. In America, we do. Have you ever seen a Costco? Their toilet paper is sold in packs of, I think, 3 by 2 by 5, which is 30 rolls. They are big and shockingly heavy. And a lot of other things are like that too, just not necessarily as extreme, and it's really cheap, because it's cheaper to buy bulk. It's also better for the environment because they add something to diesel, which is usually used in trucks and buses.

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Jolee Hang
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3 years ago

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

My mom has one. We move a lot because she is in the Marines, and haven't stayed in the same place since my other mom remarried for any more than two years. So we need lots of space to pack stuff. She is also the president of the Women Marine's Association, and does a lot of work for them. We also have five cats and a dog, so when we have to put all of them in a car it gets cramped, and her truck is roomier than my mom's car.

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

How are you supposed to haul a sheet of plywood without a truck?

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

How are you supposed haul a sheet of plywood without a truck?

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

I live in a rural area, and lots of people drive trucks. They use them to pull horse trailers, and they load them with farm related equipment.

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

Gardening and hobby farm equipment and plants. Also I move furniture with it.

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

Anything we want, plus all our friends'/neighbors' stuff whenever they need to move.

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

Also, I find towing a full cattle trailer with a Honda Civic very difficult.

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

My mom has a RAM truck. We were commuting for a while, between Vancouver and Albany, but then Mama was able to do school from home, and she stays here most of the time. Whenever she goes there to get something one of us really needs, we always take that and put as much as we can from out Albany house into the truck. The last big thing we loaded in there were six-foot and 3-foot cat trees for our five cats. We would have had to rent out a U-Haul if we didn't have that. Also, trucks run on diesel more often (I think) so it's better for the environment.

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

While some people use them to haul stuff, the greater number buy them, men and women, because it makes them feel safer when driving, and it's a status symbol. Save with SUVs. Most people that have trucks or SUVs really only need a four door car, or a station wagon.

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

Bigger is better. More is better. Manlier is better. TRUCKS!

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

Ps we don’t call out pickups trucks. Our pickups are pickups, and unless you want to pick a fight with Oklahoma and Texas I suggest you leave the topic along.

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

Nothing. Some guys really like the way they look, and like to have contests to see who’s is biggest, fastest, and has the most horse or torque

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

I believe BIG trucks have filled the void for some men that was left when cod pieces went out of fashion.

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

Trucks (pickups) are classified as work vehicles and therefore eligible for tax concessions. The manufacturers increased the passenger capacity to provide cheaper family vehicles. (Wow! I'm from the UK and I knew that?! Sometimes I surprise myself!)

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

B******t. Pick-up trucks are classified as CARS. You get NO special tax breaks for owning and driving one. You pay the same rate of tax you'd pay if you drove a car.

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Id row
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3 years ago

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Again, half our population is limited in their intelligence and the men who fall on that unfortunate side equate a truck with having a big d**k. It's basic Freudianism. Only about 10% of truck owners actually need them.

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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)
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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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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

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