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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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Scarlet4UrMa Report

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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.

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

She's referring to the Republican/pro-capitalist voters that are opposed to government support for the poor, high taxes for the rich, and anything else which might level the playing field. To sum it up, ~50% of the US votes like they're going to win the lottery tomorrow.

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

No, we think if you work hard enough you will be successful. Never heard anyone thinking they will be billionaires.

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

Again, who do these people talk to? No one, and I mean no one thinks like this. Pull your head out your a*s, and quit watching bad tv/movies. Americans are the same as you, we all have the same desires and needs as you. Our culture maybe a little different, but we are the same as you! I need food, shelter, clothing, some simple social interactions, maybe some entertainment, I'm good. Just like you. Quit trying to make us so different from each other, we're not.

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

I've never met anyone who thinks that. Where are these stupid questions coming from?

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

Someone has seen far too many movies. The reality is most Americans can't even grasp the concept of a billion properly thanks to a badly outdated education system and good old fashioned Ameroggance.

pixienoodle2 avatar
Sasha Ross
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really, I just want a small house with a nice yard, enough food and not have to constantly worry about if I can afford my health care payments(which cost more then my rent. .

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

It's called the American Dream; our constitution grants us three unalienable rights, which are the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If I remember my US history courses from 8th grade correctly, it first appeared in the Declaration of Independance (I like to think of it this way: "Britain, I'm breaking up with you. It's not me, it's you, and here are 23 reasons why:"). They don't guarantee happiness, but they do the right to strive for it. And honestly, this go-getter mindset is much better than the stagnant one. Since when has the latter become the norm? And why have people allowed it to be that way? I don't understand.

andromida777 avatar
Andi Fig
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Carol- poverty in this country is treated as a character flaw. Don’t try’s me act otherwise.

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

I don't think like that. I just think that if I work hard, I will have what I need. Which, by the way, I do.

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

That’s not the saying. It’s if you work hard you can make opportunities for yourself. The key is teaching to work hard. Did you even go to school?

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

Who the f**k have you been talking to? Not the general public, it's clear.

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

This girl is an idiot. The 1% is not just Americans, and you can blame any group of citizens as much as you blame any specific one. I'm guessing this girl blames the North Korean citizens for all the threats coming from their leader.

davenyc88 avatar
Dave P
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

well 20% of those in the top 1% change every 10 years, with a full 5% moving down to the lowest quintile. We have the highest volatility for wealth in the world with the highest rates moving in and out. We see it actually happening. In Europe and most countries, they have way lower mobility and much lower rates of people moving to different brackets.

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

At least two generations of brainwashing by people who use the phrase 'pull yourself up by the bootstraps'. Even though that phrase was originally used to denote the impossibility of something.

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

Well, honestly , I don’t take offense to these comments but I wish you could see all the hard working people who come from other counties to start a life here & actually end up doing well. We don’t want billions, we just want enough to keep our families safe & happy.. well I can speak for the humbles Americans. On the other hand ....

andromida777 avatar
Andi Fig
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Carol- poverty in this country is treated as a character flaw- please don’t act otherwise.

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

What? WHO thinks that? I've never heard of anyone who thinks such a silly thing. Maybe you're the one who is misinformed. :-)

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

It is a country of temporarily embarrassed millionaires...a very bad require from Fitzgerald

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

"Trickle down economics" is the lie that Americans believe. We're Charlie Brown believing that this time we can kick the football and the billionaires won't just take it away like every other time.

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

You do know the origins of the term "Trickle Down" was Keynes referring to how his theories worked. Free Market economists have never used that terms to self describe theirs. It was actually journalists who didnt know economics who mixed it up and now many people still misuse the term "Trickle Down" to mean something it never did and incorrectly

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

Sadly a huge portion of my countrymen, not all mind you, but a large portion say 68-losely higher end 90's percent, are ignorant, arrogant, stupid backwards ass fuckups. Who create problems that otherwise would not have been there.

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

HAHAHAHAHA Valentina I sure hope you dont believe this. If you do please go check yourself back into Elementary School seems you are lacking in the brain dept!

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

Valentina V: Why are you SHOUTING your question. Is that how they ask questions in your country?

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

Americans don't believe that. Most of us feel lucky to have enough to pay the bills.

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

Many of us have been taught a work ethic It is not that we think we will ever get rich. I am a teacher, so it's not going to happen.

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

You CAN be one if you work hard enough. Doesn't mean you will. The message is, you don't know what potential you have until you've reached it, and then there might be more. Also, if everyone was a billionaire, than a billion dollars would be normal, and a trillion would be the ultimate goal.

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

It's this mythical dream that keeps the 99.9 percent of the poor people working their asses off to keep the rich people rich.

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

We all don't believe that, or the lie they told us in grade school, that any one can be president. Only rich people can be president, and unless you come up with something people really want, or you are super good at a job, you are never going to be rich. You will be lucking to be on the high end of working poor, what modern middle class really is.

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Daniel (ShadowDrakken)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, this one is only 48%-ish of Americans. The conservatives who have been brainwashed by their religion and their representatives.

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

My grandpa sold medicine and fishing poles all his life, I don’t think he was well off in the beginning, but now he owns tons of land, a two story house with a huge pool , and is enjoying life in oregon

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

I don't know about billionaires but I have seen and read about too many people that grew up poor with siblings and educated themselves and pushed themselves out of their comfort zone to grow enough wealth to ensure this and the next generation of their family live in comfort. Their siblings could have don't the same but had no drive or set there sights to low. It happens every day in American and around the world. The goal is to love better than the last generation some people do it faster than others. While some have a narrowminded mentality and are stuck in a loop of blaming other for not giving them handouts.

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

To be fair, America has a much higher chance for upward mobility than in other countries. It is a no exaggerated, but it’s there.

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

Agreed, too many Americans swallow that "self-made millionaire/billionare" American Dream c**p. In comparison to more rigid societies, the US DID represent a potentially more fluid class system where only cash mattered, not your pedigree. But it's highly unlikely to actually be the one who breaks into the 1%.

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

15% of Americans will be in the 1% for at least 1 year of their lives, every 10 years a full 20% of the 1% leave it, every 10 years a full 20% of the bottom quartile rise up out of it and others falls down into their place. And every 40 years 70% of those in the 1% will have changed, by 60 years less than 10% of the 1% are the same families

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

Gullible. Too many well meaning parents and teachers saying “you can be anything you want”. Too much buy in to the idea that “all men are created equal” . Failure, too, to grasp the disparity among personality types. Little did the Founding Fathers know that there were such things as psychopaths would one day comprise corporate leadership.

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

WE HAVE AN ENTIRE POLITICAL PARTY, THAT CONSISTS OF ABOUT HALF OF OUR COUNTRY, THAT ABSOLUTELY DO NOT THINK THIS WAY!! TRY LEARNING ABOUT AMERICANS BEFORE YELLING OUT DUMB COMMENTS LIKE THIS, VALENTINA!

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#14

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cutehomelessboy Report

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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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javi_draws Report

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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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greasybananna Report

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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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imwafflingg Report

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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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JennaGuillaume Report

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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
Community Member
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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