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

And I have heard quite a few Europeans (from various countries) refer to "Africa" as if IT is a country. We all have our things.....

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

I don't know why people are downvoting the comments about Americans traveling to multiple countries when they say they're traveling to "Europe". It's a saying here. Like when I traveled this summer I said Poland and Turkey (because it is only two countries), but my friend said he was traveling to Europe because of a business trip and he was supposed to go to several countries. He wasn't going to list everything, he generalized it. We know it's a continent, this is just a saying here...

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

We also say....I'm going to the Caribbean. We don't think that all the Caribbean islands are one country.

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

I imagine it's probably because they're going to visit multiple European countries since it's easier to get around in Europe (speaking as an American who lives in Germany).

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

If you can drive through 15 countries in an afternoon, it's more efficient to just say you're visiting Europe.

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

If you think you can drive though 15 European nations in 1 afternoon you're a crazy speed demon.

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

I can see a couple explanations: 1) They are ignorant. 2) They are going on a European tour, which means multiple countries so easier to say "Europe". 3) Precision speech is not their friend.

visable1 avatar
Eatthe Damncookie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same reason Europeans say they're going to America instead of saying what state and town they're going to. Heck, America isnt the United States. America includes ALL of North and South America.

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

Americans are vague about geography because many of them don't have a clue what/where anything is. Case in point: the number of times people asked me how long the drive was from USA to UK.

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

Some of us don't see it as just going on vacation/holiday, but many have never been to anywhere in Europe before- so where they go isn't as important to them as the fact they are even going.

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

Continental US is so large that you can fit France inside of Texas. Saying that you’re going to Europe is about the same size as saying you’re going to the US.

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

Alternately, Europeans who visit America often think they can see the entire thing in a day's walk "We'll start in Toronto, pop down to Miami, maybe get some real Memphis barbecue for lunch, Las Vegas for the afternoon, and dinner in San Francisco."

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

Now you’re making things up. Most Europeans are well educated and know more about the world than the rest of the world does.

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

Agree, but same with Europeans going "to Africa" or "to America"

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

When you say the "US' what state are you referring to? Same concept. Are you going to Michigan or California? Very different areas.

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

Well yes, but if you are going to drill it down like that the USA is a country as is France which is also full of 'département' but you wouldn't say you are visiting the Bourgogne for instance? You would mention the country not the continent or the départements or states as a foreigner surely?

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

So hard to answer these when they are blanket statements. I have been to more countries than I have U.S. states. I am pretty sure my daughter has experienced more of the world than most of the people asking these questions but I wouldn't hold that against them or make blanket statements like "why are all Europeans/Americans/whoever less cultured than my daughter". It all comes down to individuals and experience.

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

When the Brits say they traveled to America, what do they mean? Do they mean South America? And if so, what country? If they mean North America, what state? We can go back and forth all day on cultural differences.

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

Foe me, European, it make sense Americans saying...going to Europe. If they like they can make a mention of the country they are visiting. I also saying: I'm going to South East Asia and when people are interested I mention the countries.

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

But then again, we call them alf Americans and the place is America. U.S? Canada?Mexico? Or are we talking South America?

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

It's like saying you're going to another country without having to be so specific. MAYBE they're going to MANY countries in Europe.....MAYBE they don't want to spend all day telling someone their entire itinerary. It's much quicker to just say "Europe."

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

They are planning on visiting several countries while on the other side of the globe

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

Yes, since our Country is bigger than Europe it's harder to rationalize a country that is the same size as our states. I lived in UK and people would always tell me they've been to NY when they found out I was American. I'm like... cool, never been... since I'm from San Diego and almost 3000 miles away (4500 k)

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

If I was going on vacation to a European country, I wouldn't be vague about where I was going. I would be specific because I know not every European country is the same.

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

Their going to several countries. Would you want them to name them all? It would take to long.

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

When you say "America", which part are you talking about exactly? Its the same size as the entire continent of europe.

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

It's still one country though! The European Union is not...many defined countries, if it helps each of them like the USA is also divided into different counties, départements!! So if you expect us to tell you which part of the USA we are visiting then why can't we expect you to say your going to Yorkshire or the Bourgogne instead of a very vague Europe which is a monetary union?

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

Why are Europeans so vague when they say they're coming to America rather than naming the state(s) they will be visiting. We are 50 INDIVIDUAL states under one protectorate (kind of like the EU is now with their countries). .

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

Yeah, no... Germany has 16 states as well. The US is one country, the European Union is not a country.

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

I have found that in New Zealand. To other countries Europe is vast and they talk about it collectively.

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

This American for one does not share that praticular misunderstanding, Europe is a collection of countries.

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

Because most European vacations are tours of several European countries, not just one. If we're going all that distance anyway, we're gonna get our money's worth.

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Jaybird3939
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When it's something good, some Americans are proud as punch, but when something bad pops up, no, no it must be __________________ (fill in the blank).

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Tardis42
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Frequently, when an American says they're going to Europe on holiday, it's because they plan to visit multiple countries, and it's just easier to say Europe. If I'm only going to Italy, I say Italy. As a matter of fact, when I went to London, and London only for a week, I said I was going to London on vacation.

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

Maybe what they're trying to say is they're going to many different parts within europe, so saying "going to europe" is faster than saying "I'm going here, then there, then there."

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

To alien green, it’s not that we think Europe is a country, but it’s easier than listing every single country on that continent

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

Because they are visiting more than one country in Europe

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

Because on the whole Americans are way dumber than Europeans because we are less well educated, being more diverse

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

Europa people speak about Africa the same way. A business intelligent man told me he already travel all over the world but his favorite country is Africa. I wanted to cry.

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

No we don't, why are you tarring us all with the same brush, I'm well aware that Africa is a continent!

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

To be fair, many Europeans (and probably Americans) often refer to Africa as if it were a country.

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

I’ve never heard a European refer to Africa as a country. Most Europeans are well educated, compared to the rest of the world.

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

Well, I guess that is because they manage to "see" Europe entirely on the 2 weeks holiday

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

You’re gonna need more than two weeks to see all of Europe. You couldn’t visit every country in such a short time even if you rushed it.

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

It's the short answer. Often it is because they are going to visit more than one country in Europe.

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

Possibly when Americans visit Europe they hope to see several countries on their trip? -and so 'Visit Europe'?

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

I think it's because they are probably going to several countries. If I am going to Germany, I say I'm going to Germany but if I'm going to Germany, Denmark, The Netherlands, France, and Italy, I say I'm going to Europe and then list the countries if someone asks.

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

Well I lived in the UK and people there didn't yelich specify what state they're going to, just "America " which is a misnomer in itself, so shut it

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

My two favorite places to vacay are West Europe and South Europe.

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

True! The EU is trying to "homogenize" the continent with a set of common laws and currency, but the UK has broken free!

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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)
Community Member
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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#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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#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

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