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The optimist in me wants to believe there are no stupid questions. The realist in me knows that, unfortunately, there absolutely are.
And if you need proof, look no further than this Reddit thread, where users shared some of the most baffling things people have asked them about their country. We’re talking next-level ignorance—questions so absurd they make you wonder if common sense is handed out in limited supply or if Google suddenly started charging per search.
You know, the classics: “Do you have electricity?” or “Do you ride elephants to work?”
Scroll down to see some of the most mind-blowing ones.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I’m in the US, originally from India. Someone once asked: I heard people have pet cows in India, do they just walk around the house like dogs? I said “yes, they also have a favorite spot on the couch”.
Auntriarch 10 months ago
But the size of the cow-flap in the door... Goodness Gracious reference
RELATED:
#2
From Norway, studied in Australia for 3 years.
I was asked, on a handful of occasions throughout my stay, whether or not it was true that we had polar bears walking the streets, etc.
Not only did I confirm the multitude of polar bears present all around Norwegian society, I also divulged to them the traditional manhood ritual of wrestling an adolescent polar bear cub in order to proceed from boy to man.
Unfortunately, with the rise of HSE, we had to cancel these rituals in recent times.
Hell'n Damnation 10 months ago
I hope you got to ride a kangaroo to school while you were there.
Beak Hookage 10 months ago
Oh, us Aussies do that all the time! Though in more rural areas some people ride emus instead.
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🇫🇮 Goth Nurse 🇫🇮 10 months ago
Being Finnish, I have been asked that question too. By an American of course.
Remi (He/Him) 10 months ago
To be fair, Svalbard is a part of Norway and there's polar bears everywhere there. It's far away from the mainland tho
#3
Not so much a question, but my mom and I were eating dinner in Paris, and we both ordered duck l'orange or something to that effect. The poor waitress who spoke zero English brought over and presented us with a bottle of Heinz ketchup, since we're American and all and Americans put ketchup on everything. We laughed so hard I don't think we even told her we didn't need it, she just walked away. I can only imagine the war crimes committed on food she has witnessed.
Skogsrået 10 months ago
I have seen people drench their food in ketchup here too and i live in Sweden.
BookFanatic 10 months ago
When we (US) were in Ireland, my friend asked for Ranch dressing for her chicken. The poor waitress was so confused.
XenoMurph 10 months ago
I'm Irish, when I first heard the phrase, I thought of a cowboy's outfit.
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elmortero 10 months ago
Of course not all Americans put ketchup in everything! But in Europe we don't have ranch (except in McDo), so second best seems to be ketchup:-)
ninjaTrashPandaBoom 10 months ago
It's bad enough when they do that in America, it's far worse when those type of tourists travel thousands of miles to try some regional cuisine only to cover it with ketchup. Why bother? Stay home and eat that ketchup with whatever else was hiding under there. Visiting France, eat as the French do. Visiting the Philippines, eat as the Filipinos do and so on...
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WonderWoman 10 months ago
It's the sugar - people are addicted to the sugar content of ketchup
Donna Peluda 10 months ago
I live in Spain we have the best olive oil in the world. Yes Italy we do, you just rebrand the Spanish oil. I was shocked when I moved to the south of Spain the amount of mayonnaise and ketchup people use. If I have toast I put oil on it.
BeesEelsAndPups 10 months ago
I did not know what ketchup was until I moved to the United States. And I can say that ignorance is indeed bliss
Hippopotamuses 10 months ago
Does anyone else remember Clark Griswold's interaction with the French waiter in National Lampoon's European Vacation? Classic.
Just how many forms can this kind of ignorance take, and how far does it stretch? To find out, Bored Panda reached out to one of the Redditors who contributed to the thread, AllHailSkynet, to hear about his experiences.
He shared that, on one occasion, someone insisted that South Africa—where he’s from—isn’t a country, but just a direction. But that was just the tip of the iceberg.
“I’ve had to explain that South Africa is a country more than once,” he said. “I’m a South African of Dutch, German, and English descent, but I consider myself to be South African and nothing else. I often get asked where I’m from, and it usually ends with me having to explain where South Africa is—then convincing the person that I’m actually from there.”
For example, during a trip to Şanlıurfa in eastern Turkey, where European tourists are rare and English isn’t widely spoken, he encountered a familiar struggle. “I ended up trying to explain where South Africa is to a couple of curious teenagers,” AllHailSkynet recalled. “Eventually, I had to show them on Google Maps that it really is a country, but they still seemed a little dubious about the fact that I was actually from Africa.”
#4
A lady from the US once asked someone at the Zurich Airport baggage claim if the water there was safe to drink... in Switzerland -- I couldn't help but ask where she was from -- she said Flint Michigan... fair enough I guess.
David Houde 10 months ago
I live very close to Flint (not on their water supply though). The Flint water crisis traumatized the entire region, not just the city.
Load More Replies... ninjaTrashPandaBoom 10 months ago
Anywhere actually, tap water quality varies widely from place to place, sometimes even from home to home, depending on the plumbing. Better to ask than to spend your entire vacation on the toilet. How is asking this dumb in any way?
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Marko Jovanović 10 months ago
I don't see how is this a dumb question - it's reasonable safety and heath concern to ask such things than to guess and assume
Remi (He/Him) 10 months ago
Why? It's just tap water and if the area has good tap water so does the airport
Load More Replies... #5
Can you realy buy d***s all over the place? No you can not. Is the Netherlands a part of Germany? Only between 1940 and 1945.....
Con O Cuinn 10 months ago
Well, Amsterdam has cleaned up a fair bit but I was still being offered coke and ecstasy openly on the street last time I was there, probably about 3 years ago.
Nice Beast Ludo 10 months ago
I wonder if there is such a place where you can buy d*cks all over the place
#6
Travelling up to a conference in New England on a coach with lots of Americans. It was the evening of July 4 and we saw lots of firework displays as we drove by. One of the Americans asked me: 'So do you celebrate July 4 in England?' I told him it was not a particularly auspicious day for the British...
David 10 months ago
As a side note, the British Embassy in DC is known to throw every year the biggest 4th of July Party that is considered the hardest invite only 4th of July event in the DC political community. They go all out. Been doing it since after WW1. It celebrates the US-UK alliance and friendship.
🇫🇮 Goth Nurse 🇫🇮 10 months ago
Someone wished me a happy thanksgiving, and was all question marks when they asked me how I celebrate it and I said no. I'm Finnish. Had to explain some things.
Ageing_Changeling 10 months ago (edited)
Should have told him: 'Yes, lots of British people celebrate American independence from Britain'. And see if he understands what you're really saying... (Just joking)
ninjaTrashPandaBoom 10 months ago
Yeah, yeah, yeah...just rub it in that you guys across the pond don't have to deal with the red-hat cultish 'muricans and their orange jeebus idiot-child all the damn time. I need a strong drink...
Load More Replies... Talis 10 months ago
But why?! After all, England is responsible for a lot of independence day celebrations all around the world! Join the fun! 😉
Joe Reaves 10 months ago
Really we should be celebrating it. Buy a Frenchman a card to say thank you next July 4th. They helped us dodge a bullet.
Nice Beast Ludo 10 months ago
But there is something they celebrate called Bonfire Night cause I read it in Harry Potter. I imagine it's probably similar? Ooh been meaning to look that up tata
Not knowing where South Africa is—despite the name being a massive clue—is one thing. But some people also seem to think life there is straight out of The Lion King.
“From my experience, and that of many other South African travelers, the most popular question we get asked is if there are lions in the streets,” AllHailSkynet shared. “For white South Africans, the most common question is, ‘How can you be from Africa if you’re white?’ I’ve been asked that in Germany, France, Belgium, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, and Jordan.”
#7
"How many leprechauns have you seen?"
No joke.
He was American and actually being serious. I lost more faith in humanity that day.
I'm from Ireland (in case it's not obvious).
BeesEelsAndPups 10 months ago
You have to know where in Ireland. Everybody knows leprechauns all live in Donegal.
Vinnie 10 months ago
One of them mugged me there. I'll never go back. A$$holes.
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Marko Jovanović 10 months ago
Those are probbaly the same people thinking that game of thrones plot is based on historic events ...
#8
French guy on the metro in Paris asked me where I was from so I told him I’m South African. He kept insisting that that’s not possible because South Africa was a direction and not a country. He refused to believe my explanation that it was both a country and the southern part of Africa. I’m pretty sure he thought I was messing with him.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 10 months ago
Too young or too ignorant to remember Nelson Mandela and Apartheid.
#9
I came home for Thanksgiving one year and my cousin asked me if I had to learn French when I moved to England. I gave her a really confused look and asked why. She said because they speak French there don’t they. I just said “England, English” 7-8 times and walked away. Her eyes just glazed over.
Billo66 10 months ago
And ironically probably be being treated as people not subjects, as we currently seem to be.
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marianne eliza 10 months ago
To be fair to the undereducated, French is spoken by a lot of English. I mean it's just a train ride away from France, might as well go there frequently.
But when it comes to the root of these misconceptions, AllHailSkynet believes there isn’t a single explanation. “I’m sure people’s ignorance of South Africa is driven by many different reasons. Sometimes the question is purely out of curiosity, and sometimes it’s not,” he said.
“Most people will recognize Nelson Mandela’s name, but they won’t know he was president of South Africa or be able to point to South Africa on a map. If they’re soccer fans, mentioning the 2010 FIFA World Cup was held there sometimes helps.”
#10
From the US, specifically Texas. Have been constantly asked if I ride horses to school and work.
Huddo's sister 10 months ago
You mean people don't go by horse to your job at the bank or cafe? At least you use them to cart all your groceries still right?
Vic 10 months ago
Moved out of Texas a year ago, I was highly disappointed when my Uber rides were cars not horses
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Peeka_Mimi 10 months ago
I've seen people in the more rural part of Aurora, CO riding horses on the street to run errands.
michael Chock 10 months ago
TBF I knew people that do. Also in Minnesota winter I had a coworker who drove 30 miles to work on a snowmobile every day.
Teagan Gatewood 10 months ago
I'm from Louisiana and people ask if we live on the bayous and use boats to get around like Venice.
Papa 10 months ago
To be fair, I worked with a guy who grew up in rural Louisiana, and he said they could get to the nearest town faster by boat than car.
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#11
For context I was speaking in French to a friend.
A Canadian hears me, knows I'm Swiss (we we were at a camp and wore badges with our nationalities)
"If you're from Switzerland, why don't you speak Swiss? "
I was dumbfounded a Canadian would ask me this because for f***s sake they speak French (although a bit modified) too.
I just responded with
"if you're Fron Canada, why don't you speak Canadian"
And she went *ohhhh right? ".
Verena 10 months ago
Switzerland can be a difficult country to work in, language-wise. I once worked on a tunnel project (German company) in the German speaking part, and got a special Swiss drill team ... which only spoke Italian
Vinnie 10 months ago
I had a teacher from northern Germany who missed an opportunity in Switzerland. He didn't understand the Swiss German enough to know that a woman was propositioning him.
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JB 10 months ago (edited)
My proudest moment, when living in France, was being asked what part of Switzerland I was from. I’m English. We aren’t exactly known for being proficient in other languages.
Ace 10 months ago
I'm quite proud every time a Swiss (Romande) or French person doesn't immediately realise I'm English... my accent can't be that bad after all
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#12
One dude from Russia once asked me if I own an elephant and is it a part of our daily commute. I am from Bangladesh. He was so genuine that I didn’t even have the heart to ask him why or how he thought that is a possibility. I just said no one I know owns any elephants and I have never seen anyone riding one randomly 😭😭.
Karl der Große 10 months ago
Bangladesh has a larger population than any European country, including Russia, but I think most Americans think of it as a tiny place. Full disclosure - I am an American.
#13
“Is it true you actually live in Igloos?” (Canada)
JB 10 months ago
Awwww, crāp! Totally caught out. I don’t live in a perfectly ordinary house. I’ve been living in an igloo for the last 20 years. Sorry fam; that house you stayed in? Yeah, I rented it for the week.
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Jess H.S 10 months ago
I was once asked by a girl I made friends with on a flight who was from L.A, how many turkeys we had in our back yard. I was like what? She was completely shocked that all Canadians do not raise turkeys in their yards.....
#14
In the US, while processing paperwork, this lady asks me where I’m from. After replying I’m from France, she says very proudly "Oh, I’ve been there on vacation ! I spent a week in Italy… that’s part of France right ?". As a European you can imagine how much it hurts to hear that. I had to explain for 5 minutes that Italy was a different country, close to France but certainly not a French region.
PFD 10 months ago
You could explain it like "Only in the way that Canada is part of the US," but these days that might be confusing
Isabel Galvez 10 months ago
I can understand when someone is not good at geography. But not knowing where you are?
#15
My 16 yr old European nephew asked if we change the names of the months in Australia. Because December means cold to him. It would make sense to call the last month of the year July and celebrate Christmas then.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 10 months ago
Tim Minchin does a wonderful song about Christmas in Australia called "White Wine in the Sun". "I'll be seeing my dad My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum They'll be drinking white wine in the sun"
Khavrinen 10 months ago
There's also a Christmas song, "Six White Boomers", about Santa swapping out his reindeer for kangaroos when he's in Australia.
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Talis 10 months ago
It would make sense to move September, October and December 2 months ahead, as they are literally named 7th, 8th and 10th, respectively. That's because in ancient Rome, the year started with March. We shouldn't rename the other months, though. They are (partly?) named after Roman rulers (Julius, Augustus,...), and I definitely don't to have a month called Trumpober! In addition, each region of the world would use local leaders, so that month would be called Maober in China, Churchillber in UK and Mandelastan in Africa...
#16
When I was in Ireland someone asked how many cowboys I know (I am from New York).
He was hugely disappointed when i said none.
David 10 months ago
NY Upstate ranches are Dairy farms, we have a small cattle industry ourside of dairy and no ranches the size of texas ones. Texas average ranch is 47-55 heads of cattle, NY average is 15. And we dont call them cowboys here, we call them ranchers. https://www.nybeef.org/raising-beef/beef-production-in-new-york#:~:text=beef%20by%20the%20numbers%20NEW%20YORK%20STATE,REPORTED%20IN%20THE%202017%20CENSUS%20OF%20AGRICULTURE.
Load More Replies... #17
Not my country, but while on a group tour in Peru our guide was telling us about the history of Incan ritual sacrifice of children to stop natural disasters. A woman on the tour asked if the sacrifices worked. She was not joking.
Anony Mouse 10 months ago
Fair question. There’s a lot of that sort of stuff in the Bible too.
Donna Peluda 10 months ago
Don't give them ideas, they'll be sacrificing children to save the pope
Nicole Weymann 10 months ago
Risking a whoosh: sacrifices never work. Gods don't exist. But apart from my atheist bias: If the brutal slaughter of children had actually worked to prevent or stop natural desasters you can others would have followed the glowing example and summoned rain to end droughts/stop rain from flooding fields by tórturing and kiIIling children.
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#18
I was asked why I don't sound black by some Slovenians and Germans. I told them I grew up in the suburbs so I sound like people who I grew up with and that not every black American sounds the same. They were super confused and pretty much thought every black person should sound like they are from a Tyler Perry movie. Even after I gave my response they felt the need to show me how black Americans sound and then continued to question why I didn't sound like that.
Vinnie 10 months ago (edited)
Accents can also be influenced by social class, education, peers, aspirations, family. Black people who grow up in Canada tend to have the same accents as white people. Ditto for folks of other shades. Folks from the Caribbean have different accents, depending on nation, but not usually on colour.
BeesEelsAndPups 10 months ago
I've heard Europeans are flummoxed when they learn that there are Black people who speak Spanish and Portuguese living in the US.
Ashtophet’sRevenge 10 months ago
I am a biracial American and have had many experiences of other Americans commenting on the way I speak. Good times…
Geoffrey Scott 10 months ago
Hate to admit it, as a North American it still blows my mind to hear someone of African descent speaking with a British accent.
#19
An elderly group of US Americans I met in Cambodia asked me, a woman from Germany, if we all also wore our Lederhosen to bed.
So I told them a story about how every German has to undergo a rite-of-passage kinda ritual upon hitting adulthood, whereby we have our Lederhosen fitted to our bodies permanently and just use the front flap when using the toilet.
Nitka Tsar 10 months ago (edited)
I understand having fun with these people, but lieing to them does not help get rid of these stupidities. If I ask a stupid question, I‘d rather get a straighed answer and be corrected (learn something) then told lies and be laughed at behind my back.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 10 months ago
That would be sooo uncomfortable. I know Germans hate anything fun but even they wouldn't do that.
#20
When my then 19 year old Aunt moved to the US from India to study in the 1980's, she was asked by her dorm roommate if she rode an elephant to the airport and if it was true that Indians 'parked' their elephants in their backyards.
#21
Do the natives still wear grass skirts? Oh you’re a native? Do you wear grass skirts at home? I’m from New Zealand and this was in England. Level of stupidity was way too high to have further conversation. Yes they were serious.
V 10 months ago
In the US I had people asking if we had the internet and electricity (this was in the mid 2000's) and how long does it take to drive over the bridge to Australia.
Tom Hutcherson 10 months ago
You could tell them that there's no bridge, but walking that far, you know, take a step, come up for air, take a step, come up for air, and you get really tired of fish.
Load More Replies... #22
On a trip in the US, I was once asked why we (Brits) are not allowed to drive on Sundays. No idea where they got that from.
Tilly’syellowsnowman 10 months ago
Probably something to do with religion and they got it mixed up?? Honestly I have no idea either
Bettye McKee 10 months ago
From reading historical romance novels. There's always mention that they can't travel on a Sunday.
michael Chock 10 months ago
It's a good question, why aren't you Brits allowed to drive on Sunday?
#23
I lived in Australia in high school. Pretty much everyone asked why I wasn't fat and they weren't remotely kidding. (US, clearly).
Tilly’syellowsnowman 10 months ago (edited)
I mean, while 60% aren’t obese, with the amount of c**p in the food really makes it really no surprise they would think that
Nils Skirnir 10 months ago (edited)
And US has highest obesity rates in the so-called developed world. And just behind Kuwait and Egypt. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_obesity_rate
Load More Replies... 🇫🇮 Goth Nurse 🇫🇮 10 months ago
I lived in Texas for a while, and travelled around the US a bit. I have never seen so many obese people, it was so obvious all around, and the portion sizes were HUGE!
Laura Lawson 10 months ago
I'm going to call this one out. As someone who has lived in Australia for almost 30 years & raised Australian children, nobody here gives a c**p about that, especially teens. Seriously, Aussies just don't care as much about Americans as they like to think. Plus we also have an obesity issue, although it's not as bad as the US.
Laura Lawson 10 months ago
It's Vegemite, you heathen! Marmite is a wannabe.
Load More Replies... Johnnynatfan 10 months ago
Yes we have an obesity problem here. But its not as if we are the fattest country in the world or are the only one that has this issue. Just another stupid stereotype about Americans.
#24
Live in the UK. Went to Germany last year, a German woman asked me if we have trees...
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 10 months ago
Now I want to know if there is a country that does NOT have trees.
#25
"Do you have rice in Australia?"
I am Sri Lankan and live in Australia. I was asked this while I was visiting Sri Lanka one time.
Nitka Tsar 10 months ago
Well…. I think this is a valid question. Not everything can be had in every country. How should they know that rice is such a staple in countries where it isn‘t grown? For example: there is a snack/ sweet/ desert in Poland called Kisiel, that is not known in Germany and these two countries are right next to each other!
#26
I'm from Australia. People from just about every nationality ask how do we avoid all those dangerous snakes and spiders?
The answer is they tend to avoid us.
They also ask about those huge, dangerous huntsman spiders. Huntsmen are non-venomous and as we spend a lot of time outdoors, due to our warm climate, having a friendly huntsman or two around the house keeps the annoying insects at bay.
V 10 months ago
I would rather have huntsmens than cockroaches or Redbacks... And I am scared of spiders
Kathrin Pukowsky 10 months ago
I've come to find that I'm fine with spiders if they are just chilling in their web or sitting somewhere, but IF THEY MOVE my brain goes, "NOPE! Does not move like mammal! Not friend!"
Load More Replies... BeesEelsAndPups 10 months ago
Brazilian here. I get these questions a lot. In the cities though we don't get a lot these animals. I have seen a giant centipede in my apartment. But the most dangerous animal after humans is the humble mosquito.
Libstak 10 months ago
Sometimes we give our resident huntsman spiders pet names and worry when we dont see them for awhile....
Huddo's sister 10 months ago
My favourite was named Gwendolyn and was around for almost the whole time I rented a place on my own. Now I live with someone who is scared of spiders and will even kill daddy long legs :(
Load More Replies... Beak Hookage 10 months ago
Huntsmen are the biggest wimps on the planet! If you get too close to one, it will run away. And they look like complete dorks when they run, too.
Illustrious G 10 months ago
Haha, I’m from the US and that’s the first thing I met an Australian I recently met! Guilty!! 🙈
#27
Do they speak English in England? I've been asked that several times in the Philippines.
Beak Hookage 10 months ago
Better - a whole range of different funny accents!
Load More Replies... #28
Had an Italian ask me if we have pasta in the US. (No, millions of Italians did not move here and bring their food and culture and traditions.) I informed them that, yes, pasta is available in the US.
Had another ask if they can drive from New York City to Miami for a short weekend trip when they visit. (With the right attitude and planning, you can technically drive anywhere.) I told them they can certainly try, just don’t expect to spend more than 30-45 seconds in Miami before having to turn around.
Lyone Fein 10 months ago
TBF, most European countries are much smaller than the United States. So they really have no idea how far apart different locations are.
Rinso The Red 10 months ago
Europeans think 100 miles is a long way, and Americans think 100 years is a long time.
Load More Replies... Donna Peluda 10 months ago
My Italian GF overheard an American family in Italy "look they have pizza here too"
Illustrious G 10 months ago
TBF, the “pasta” we have in the US is a far inferior food to Italian pasta!!
Extinct Animal 10 months ago
Also pisses me off that most people from the US call and type of straight long pasta "noodles" when it just f*****g isn't that...
Sophia Pandia de Delphia 10 months ago
Extinct Animal, we could call them "crispy entrails of my dead enemy" and it wouldn't change what they actually are. But it would be easier all around for you to include the pasta's name so you don't have an aneurysm being upset over ignorance of pasta types. Maybe, just maybe, your education could save a US person who could die for not knowing. Since pasta kills, save my life and the lives of my US friends and family.
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Lee451 Henderson 10 months ago
I live in Fredericksburg, Va and it is an 11hour drive to Jacksonville.
Definitely a Human 10 months ago
Why do USians always assume that everyone is familiar with their geography?
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Hellcaste's Wife 10 months ago
We're moving from Virginia to North Dakota soon. Family of 5 with a dog. This is not a trip that happens in a day. We're looking at two and a half days. Sad, innit?
Boredandsomea 10 months ago
this is not true, americans don´t have pasta, they only eat hamburgers and sloppy joes or beans if they are out to heard cows. This is also one of the missunderstandings, the tourist asked for the driving time from NY to Miami without driving cows along the trip and the person thought it would be impossible because as most americans don´t know about traveling for fun and not bring cows from one place to another.
#29
Somebody asked me if we have Instagram in Poland.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 10 months ago
I mean there are a lot of countries than ban Instagram. China, Russia, Turkey, Brazil, Egypt.
Broccoli 10 months ago (edited)
china bans everything(source: lived in china
Load More Replies... #30
I have been asked or told, "do you have electricity?" "your English is so good" "it's tropical" "it's always snowing" "do you know my friend?" "Your Christmas is in summer?"
I'm from New Zealand.
General-Bumblebee180:
Someone asked me if New Zealand was at other end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge!
geezeronthehill 10 months ago
Imagine the emus crossing that bridge to invade kiwi land.
Load More Replies... Beak Hookage 10 months ago
I crossed that bridge once but I just found more Sydney on the other side.
Even if humor often spices up the internet, historical gestures of diplomacy, like the annual gifting of a Christmas tree from Norway to the UK, have their own stories to tell. The reactions from the Brits reveal much about modern cultural exchanges and international friendships. When it comes to cultural misunderstandings, the story about baffling questions people ask about different countries brings a similar sense of bewilderment and amusement.
Exploring how the Norwegians continue their tradition could shine a light on the good-natured jests the Brits indulge in when they receive Trafalgar Square's spruce.
#31
As an American, I was asked in Germany if I am afraid to get shot when I leave the house.
TacohTuesday:
A lot of foreigners seem to feel like guns are everywhere all the time in America. Yes we have a gun problem but it's not nearly as bad as that. As a Californian I think I've seen someone packing a couple times in my life, and they were probably off-duty police.
JB 10 months ago (edited)
When you have hundreds of gun related incidents a year and you train kindergarten aged kids how to react in a gun related situation how can you possibly support the right to bear arms? ETA I’m so happy to see that every time I question my neighbours on the generally perceived US stance towards firearms I’m being downvoted less and there are more people from there saying they recognize it’s become an unacceptable problem. You shouldn’t have to train children to hide in fear in a first world country. Honestly, you shouldn’t have to train children to fear. We’ve been around long enough that we should be able to do better.
RedMarbles 10 months ago
You may have been getting downvoted in the past because it came across as lecturing to a populace that is already overwhelmingly in agreement and extremely stressed about it (honestly, to me it still does come across that way, but maybe I've just become even more sensitive in these horrifying times). The odds of anything being done, despite the majority's wishes, just got even worse for the next four years. Hoping we can get a true democracy back and get this done in the future, but I have concern that we have already lost what little grip we had on it. Will never understand the risk so many voters took with our democracy this last time around. It is spreading, too. Don't let it happen in your country if you are able to stop it.
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Chris 10 months ago (edited)
One thing I notice about this subject is that a lot of people like vote people down for stating an opinion. And we haven't even heard from the "real gun nuts" at this point. So, think about that, this thread is about "assumptions foreigners make", and one of them seems to be that they think everyone from a given country thinks the same or has the same experience. The US is a BIG country, and frankly a pretty divided one at this point, making any general assumptions like this is just not going to hit the mark.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 10 months ago
Just to let you know, somebody who really really loves the 2nd amendment is downvoting every single comment on this thread. Such fragile masculinity. It must be chilly in their mom's basement tonight. Stop downvoting us and confront us directly please like a mature adult.
superfluous 10 months ago
So if it is the Secretary of Homeland Security, her masculinity is fragile?
Load More Replies... Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 10 months ago
I live in Portland, Oregon and a couple times a year the MAGA crowd decides to head to the big city and make some noise. They are always armed. As blue as Oregon is, it's still an open carry state so you are allowed to open carry just about anything without a licence. I'm usually one of the counter protestors so I've stared down these gun humping maniacs before.
Nils Skirnir 10 months ago
The US is the most violent country in the ‘developed’ world. About on par with Ukraine and Tanzania.
Peeka_Mimi 10 months ago
I live in North Aurora, CO the answer is i try not to be walking around after dark, because yes I'm afraid I'll get shot. It's fine during the day.
Talis 10 months ago
It's what a lot of people associate with the US, similar to the German Autobahn. Tbf, I've been to the US a couple of times and during one stay, there was an armed robbery at a hotel nearby. The victim was shot twice (but didn't die). On the other hand, there was a bomb explosion (from ETA) in Spain just a week after I passed by the exact location of the detonation.
#32
People just don’t understand that it gets really hot in Canada.
thelittlebird:
When I was visiting Barcelona last summer, Ontario was experiencing a heat wave. It was significantly hotter back home than it was in Spain. People kept asking me if I was enjoying the heat in Spain because Canada must be so cold all the time… It was like 10 degrees Celsius cooler in Barcelona that week, and I was so grateful.
Geoffrey Scott 10 months ago
I tweaked a lady from Canada in the auto parts facility I worked at a couple times: I remarked "the difference between Canada and US must have been tough"'..She said in a very urbane voice, "the cultures are very similar"..."no, I was taking about the fact you have to wear shoes and socks"..jaw drops, laughter ensues. One other time we worked a Sunday and had a sign up for a breakfast on the line. I volunteered to make biscuits for biscuits and gravy. She said "you're making biscuits?" .."yes.(thinks) they're shaped like hockey pucks!" .."I KNOW what buscuits are, I make very good biscuits!"
JenniB 10 months ago
It is about 5-8 degrees Celsius right now and I was overheating in a t-shirt and sweater, I don't know how we handle the 25-30 C but we do and most of us are more miserable at those temps than -10 C to be honest... December, January, February are our only truly "cold" months and even then we only get a day here and there, sometimes a week below -10 C (southern Ontario for reference) but our winters are beautiful and our summers are hot and humid and buggy!
#33
Specifically my part of my country: California. I don't live there now, but it's where I'm from. I'm at least used to the American flavor of ignorance about my home state, but someone in England was terrified to go there because undocumented immigrants were driving "death cars", that were these large uninsured tricked out vehicles, made it sound mid Mad Max style, that were going around deliberately crashing into rental cars because Reasons.
Twenty years in California, and never saw the legendary "Death car". The onion trucks might count. But being from England, this lady's most likely source of Californian vehicular death would be reflex turning the wrong way in an emergency. Same thing nearly took out my cousin when he moved to Australia and instinctively swerved to the *right* to avoid someone and nearly got into a head on collision.
Huddo's sister 10 months ago
There are places in Australia with large signs reminding people to drive on the left (in addition to the regular keep left signs) because they have had so many incidents of foreign tourists forgetting and driving on the wrong side.
Con O Cuinn 10 months ago (edited)
Same with the UK and Ireland, usually near the ferry ports. All the rental cars have warning labels on the visors saying that too.
Load More Replies... marianne eliza 10 months ago
Actually it's not the onion trucks that are a problem, it's the tomato trucks in harvest season. Splattered tomatoes all up and down I-5.
#34
I am Mexican. When I studied in The Netherlands a colleague, upon hearing my nationality, said with confidence: I know all about Mexico because I have seen Breaking Bad 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️.
#36
Ireland - does everyone only wear green clothes?
Of course my answer was yes.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 10 months ago (edited)
This Irish flag is Green, Orange and White. Green for the Catholics, Orange for the Protestants, and White for the peace between them. If you're old like me you can remember when things were not as peaceful as they are now. EDIT: Never EVER order an Irish Carbomb in Ireland unless you are trying to get your teeth kicked out.
Rinso The Red 10 months ago
"Black and Tan" is not a great way to start either!
Load More Replies... #37
When I said that I’m traveling to Belgrade, I was asked: “isn’t that the capital of Brussels?”.
marianne eliza 10 months ago
And I confuse Baltic with Balkan all the time. Gets weird when I'm trying to picture the setting of a news story.
Load More Replies... Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 10 months ago
Brussels isn't even a country! It's the capital of BELGIUM, and Belgrade is the capital of Serbia. That's like saying Kansas City, Missouri is the capital of Kansas but even more wrong.
#38
US-American couple asked me if we have cars in Germany and were floored that I speak English. Met them on a day trip in Thailand.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 10 months ago
BMW, Mercedes, VW. The freaking car was INVENTED in Germany.
Snazzy Smurf 10 months ago
That is scary. What did they think? How did they think they got to Thailand, by goat?
BeesEelsAndPups 10 months ago
I currently live in Pennsylvania. When I was traveling in Thailand I met a Dutch couple who were embarrassed by the Pennsylvania Dutch, because the idea that the Dutch would move to America to live like medieval peasants. They were so relieved when I explained the Amish were Germans, and Dutch, in this case, was a mispronunciation of Deutsch.
#39
Do you surf to school? (In all honesty this was internal-country violence as I’m from Hawaii and this person was from Oregon).
Nils Skirnir 10 months ago
Lived in San Clemente. My son went surfing most mornings at 5:30, before school and sometimes instead of school
#40
I’m from Australia. While overseas, I’ve been asked whether I would see kangaroos on my walk to school, whether we hold Christmas in July, and how many times have I been bitten by a snake.
leendadll 10 months ago
An Aussie friend living in a big city used to laugh about the kanda question, till the day she woke to 5 kangaroos in her yard.
Con O Cuinn 10 months ago
That's like when people say "you're Irish, do you know ___?" And you're just like, "listen, Ireland isn't that sma... Wait, what was their name? Bollix, I do know them."
Load More Replies... Beak Hookage 10 months ago
I saw kangaroos on the way to school (and later work) all the time! And no, I don't live in the countryside.
#41
In China in 2009 a Chinese colleague asked me whether we celebrate Christmas in Italy. When I told him we basically invented that holiday he was even more puzzled.
#42
Serbia
- someone asked me if it's really super-cold there (referring to Siberia) lol.
#43
"I heard your country doesn't exist"
Greetings from Finland.
BeesEelsAndPups 10 months ago
I though that country was Finnish-ed. I'll see myself out, thank you
#44
I once got yelled at in a bar in London because "no one needs to own a grenade, that's just stupid".
She still yelled at me after I informed her that Americans are not, in fact, allowed to own grenades.
Huddo's sister 10 months ago
I find it interesting that they are allowed to own flame throwers in most of the US. Though I presume the reason they aren't legal in California is for the same reason as Australia, the risk of starting bush/wild fires.
Johnnynatfan 10 months ago
They are legal in California they are illegal in Maryland.
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FreeTheUnicorn 10 months ago
They may not be legal, but I know at least two people in the US who have some. One has had them disarmed, the other keeps live grenades in the house.
#45
Oh man, I’m from Malta.
- “where in Italy is that?”
- “so you’re Maltesers?”
- “so you speak Italian?”
- “do you have roads?”
- “ah you must be rich”
- “so you don’t pay any taxes?”
- “so you live in Valletta? (The capital, where maybe 20,000 people live)”
.. list goes on.
Auntriarch 10 months ago
How do you make a Maltese Cross? Ask him a damfool question apparently
#46
An Australian I had met about 8 seconds beforehand at my hostel loudly asked "HOW'S IT GOING WITH THAT COLORED PRESIDENT, EH??"
This was in the netherlands, in 2008 just after Obama had been elected.
To be fair, after talking for a few minutes it did seem they were legitimately curious about Obama, and seemed to support him. They seemed to be using "colored" more in the way some really old people in America will, without necessarily having the racial overtones that it'd have for basically anyone else.
Geoffrey Scott 10 months ago
As Michelle said, it's one of the rare times I am truly proud of our country. I am sure that's where the 'Orange God' got the idea there is election fraud. Inconceivable that a black man would be elected. Dude was well spoken and sophisticated, was given the utmost respect by his opponent (McCain) I had a problem with the world wide apology tour he did, but he was good.
Petra Peitsch 10 months ago
I have to confess, that reading "colored president", my first thought was the Orange Man.
FreeTheUnicorn 10 months ago (edited)
Considering the strong connections between southern Africa and the Netherlands, the person was possibly acknowledging that Obama is mixed race.
T'Mar of Vulcan 10 months ago
Imagine being South African and talking about Coloured people, and being told, "You can't say that! It's a slur!" Not in South Africa, it isn't. You call a Coloured person anything but Coloured and they will make sure you never do it again. Ja, Masekind?
Sian E 10 months ago
In many parts of Australia if people refer to someone as Black, they're almost certainly describing someone from an Aboriginal community. With the older generation you might hear the term 'blackfella' (a contraction of black fellow). If used by a white person, it's a rather derogatory term, often used in the same way a white person would use the N word. But people from Aboriginal communities do also use the term in the same way that some Black people use the N word as part of everyday language.
#47
“Canada? The country north of Argentina right?” Hell yeah brother. Canada is north of Argentina. Just slightly:):).
#48
My fellow north africans will surely agree [I am Tunisian], I was asked twice: « How can you live in Africa and not be black?! »
Also, not a question but a common exchange. many europeans, in order to sympathize (i guess), would tell you:
- Where are you from ?
- From Tunisia 🇹🇳
- oh that’s so cool, I had a moroccan neighbour for a few years..
- … 🤨
- [blank].
BeesEelsAndPups 10 months ago
I lived in Sub Saharan Africa. It was fun to go from being the evil brown immigrant in the USA, to the evil white colonizer in Africa. When I go back to Brazil, I'm an evil Jew. So the evil part is not new.
#49
I’m from Brazil. When I moved to the US I was asked if there were monkeys in the city, if I’m from the Amazon, if we have snakes around, if I had ever seen a microwave and a clothes iron. I was also asked if I spoke Spanish, and what part of Mexico Brazil was.
BeesEelsAndPups 10 months ago
Yes. Also, do you play soccer? (No I'm fat) Do you call it football? (Futebol, but close enough). Do you know my friend...? (Of course, we all know each other). Can you drink the water? (Easier than eating it) Why don't you look Brazilian? (What does a Brazilian look like). My personal favorite, how much is a brazilian? (It's not a number)
#50
While at the Grand Canyon I was asked where I was from, and I replied Portugal. The follow up was: “oh cool! Did you come from Portugal by car?”.
Velvl-Kai Ryder 10 months ago
Live in NZ born in Ukraine. I worked with a Hawaiian girl at a restaurant who asked me if Ukraine was near Florida.
Con O Cuinn 10 months ago
Given the names of American places, I wouldn't be surprised if there was somewhere called Ukraine near Florida.
Load More Replies... #51
Not travelling but I can’t even count on my hands the number of times British people have asked me if I used to live in mud hut in Zimbabwe. There are countless other stupid things they’ve asked on top on this. The schooling system isn’t doing a good job unfortunately.
Auntriarch 10 months ago
I had the mud hut question, but in fairness my interrogators were about 9. Obviously I said yes (fibbed) and added that leopards used to knock the dustbin lids off. I hereby apologise to everyone in the British School, Abertillery, 1967.
#52
I thought it to be a myth, but recently asked in San Fran how long the drive is from Auckland (NZ) to Sydney (Aus) as the last time they went to Australia, they didn't get time to get to Auckland. They've heard so much about it though!
#53
I went to Scotland when I was 12-13 and I’m from Hawaii. An old Scottish man asked if we had umbrellas and mountains in Hawaii-it was very funny.
#54
I’m from the US. The weirdest experience I’ve ever had regarding my country was when I met someone who had never heard of it.
This was in Parepare, Sulawesi (Indonesia), in 1994.
#55
Do we really ride kangaroos to school (I’m an Aussie).
Beak Hookage 10 months ago
Yup. In their pouches. It's kind of sweaty in there but it's comfy enough next to the joey.
#56
In China in 1989 I was asked if I knew many movie stars cause I’m from the US.
BeesEelsAndPups 10 months ago
Lol. When I was working in Egypt people would ask me if I knew Ronaldinho. I am Brazilian.
#57
Canadian here. I frequently get asked if I know xzy person from Toronto/ Vancouver. Even if I lived in either of those cities, the chances I know xyz are so small. We’re a huge country!
Robert Trebor 10 months ago
In Athens. Are you in the Navy? Yes, ma'am. Maybe you know our grandson? Ma'am, there are 300,000 people in the Navy. Then she gave me his name, I did know him, and was able to say exactly where he was. I was able to connect them, and got a thank you dinner at the Grand Bretagne Hotel.
JenniB 10 months ago
Funny story about do you know xyz from Toronto... My friend Dani went to Antigua (1990s) and met two men from Southern US. Back home (Toronto) about a year later, Dani came out with me one night and met a group of my University friends. Another year later my Uni friends went to Mardi Gras in New Orleans and met the two guys Dani had met in Antigua two years prior... The chances are astronomical but I love that story!
#58
An American (USA) asked me if, because Australia is an island, you could swim under it?!? I still don’t understand.
Rinso The Red 10 months ago
US literally had a politician, can't remember who, that thought islands could flip over if too many people stood on one end of it...
Franz 10 months ago
I do! In her imagination an island is just like some ship-like stuff floating on water so she thinks you can swim under it! (now that I have said it I need to go for therapy to get over this one oh gosh what the f**k)
Load More Replies... #59
Living in NYC at the time, was asked if I was in a gang while traveling in Southeast Asia. Sincerely your basic white girl in her 20s.
#60
Canadian.
Have been asked if we have 'bike paths'. And where do we go to buy summer clothes since it's apparently winter here all year round.
Also have had several people be surprised that Canada has its own currency and we aren't just another state of the United States.
Rose 10 months ago
Orange person Love that. My teenager refers to the current POTUS as that
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#61
Do you have Slack in Europe?
Does Finland have animals?
#62
When in Vancouver way back when, my partner was working with someone from Newfoundland. She asked her whether there was a bridge for her to get here.
We're from Australia.
#63
If people in Canada really encounter bears everyday? I said yes....and looked like a bad*ss lol.
Jess H.S 10 months ago
must depend where in Alberta. I have never seen one!
Load More Replies... Huddo's sister 10 months ago
I saw fewer bears in Canada than the amount of kangaroos I've seen in my suburb in Australia
#64
Some weird misconceptions about food in the US. Not that weird in the grand scheme of things, but multiple people pointed out that espresso is not watered down “like back home”, I guess they thought that if you order an espresso in the US you get an Americano and that Americans expect that when ordering an espresso. Neither of which are at all true in my experience.
#65
I went to New York and the woman at a show complemented me on my english. I live in Canada....
#66
When I told my friends and family that I was moving to New Zealand, a lot of them asked me if I'd be traveling regularly to Australia using the bridge.
Velvl-Kai Ryder 10 months ago
We ride kiwi birds across it all the time for the emu races
Load More Replies... #67
On a trip to Germany, I was asked if we live in the Nairobi National Park after saying that I was from Kenya.
#68
I'm in Canada, while working at a tourist shop that sold “Canada” things I was asked “Does your flag come in any other colours?”…..also, “are these prices in American?” was another common one.
#69
I came to Australia as a student about twenty years ago. One day while I was waiting for the train at a deserted station an old-ish staff came and sat next to me and we talked.
When I told him I came from Thailand he asked,
"Are you excited to see high-rise buildings here because you don't have that in your country?"
I lost for words for a few seconds then replied, "Yeah, a bit. They look nice."
He then talked about how backward Thailand was and how everything was so uncivilized. How high-tech things in Australia were compared to Thailand.
And sure enough, he went on and on about Thailand sex girls.
I just kept nodding, smiling, and "Yeah" "Uha" "Hmm" etc.
There is no point in trying to correct him.
He probably went to Thailand during the Vietnam War and only had a memory of those days.
The train couldn't come fast enough.
--
Another situation was at the bank around 2010. I was trying to deposit cash into my account but the clerk told me to use ATM deposit instead. I said I didn't want to because I wanted the amount updated instantly. (It was the old system where you had to put money in an envelope and type in how much. A staff would then verify the amount in the envelope at the end of business day and update the bank account in the system.)
Maybe I didn't make myself clear or she didn't hear what I said properly because she kept on insisting, saying "You probably don't have this in your country, but don't worry honey - ATM deposit is quick and safe. Let me show you how it's done."
I know she meant no harm but meh, we had automatic deposit machines in Thailand that updated the account immediately since 1990s. I wasn't afraid to use the machine. I wanted the money to go into my account immediately.
Isabel Galvez 10 months ago (edited)
I think sometimes people get distracted by an accent and don't actually listen to what you're saying. I'm Spanish and live in Germany and sometimes it's frustrating, because they're really nice but I sometimes I think they're trying to identify my accent and don't listen. (I practiced a lot and I sound "foreign" but they can't place me, lol)
#70
You’re from Holland? - I love the Scandinavian countries!
You don’t have guns in Holland? - But how do you shoot squirrels?
marianne eliza 10 months ago
Why would you want to shoot squirrels? Animal abusers turn into people abusers.
#71
1980. Suburbs of Boston. Visiting an elderly relative as a kid with my folks. I saw a dog across the street so went over to meet it.
Guy in his 50’s asks me - hey I see the Canadian license plates (Ontario) - do you take a dog sled to school?
We were from Toronto so no, not exactly dog sled country. 10 year old me said - buddy it’s exactly like here at home, you guys get plenty of snow but only in winter too right?
That one still makes me laugh.
#72
I remember someone asking me if we only eat rice with fish (traditional food of my country Bangladesh).
#73
I'm from Canada and an American in Oakland asked me if there was "anything fun to do in Canada like a mall?".
Ace 10 months ago
It's not exactly what I'd call 'fun' though. It's basically like a whole city just down from street level - you can walk all across te city centre without ever once coming to the surface.
Load More Replies... #74
I'm an Australian who used to live in New Zealand. One day some Americans came into my work and asked if they could use Australian dollars, in New Zealand. No, they are different countries.
BookFanatic 10 months ago
I had a hard time remembering euros for Ireland and pounds for Northern Ireland. Or did I mix that up again? Lol
Nils Skirnir 10 months ago
There was a movement not so long ago to have a common currency and economic system. It died in committee.
#75
I don’t consider it a dumb question, just a charming misunderstanding given the context, place, and circumstances. A few years ago, a kind man from Jaipur, India, who clearly wasn’t entirely happy with his family life, asked us, “Do you also have arranged marriages in Czechia?”. When we told him we dont, he followed up with, “And how long has that been the case?” We replied, “Oh, about 70 years now.” He was very surprised.
Nosirrow 10 months ago
Arranged marriage has its advantages and many people choose it. Mainly bc they have huge expectations and a match maker is needed.
Auntriarch 10 months ago (edited)
Indeed. There's a big difference between arranged and forced. Not everyone realises.
Load More Replies... #76
I’m from the UK and lived in NZ for a while. Came back and was speaking to a Brit about having a hot Christmas period, they said “do they still call it winter?”.
#77
I’m from Costa Rica, when I lived in Norway I was asked in two separate occasions that what part of Spain was Costa Rica in. I was also told in many occasions that I looked too white to be from Latin America.
I also was asked once in the US if we had movie theaters.
#78
Sweden.
"Do you know Alexander Skarsgård (or the name of his character in some vampire show that I forgot)/ABBA/Ace of Base/Avicii/other Swedish celebrity?"
It would be funny if it didn't happen so often and didn't lead to long discussions about vampire shows I have never seen/where the members of ABBA are now/how Avicii died etc. most of the time.
#79
I got asked by a woman in a pub in NYC if I know what a BMW car is?
I’m from South Africa, we have a massive BMW factory. And Toyota, Mercedes, VW and Ford factory.
T'Mar of Vulcan 10 months ago
In South Africa, BMW stands for "Break My Window and take me home".
#80
We were in Rome outside the coliseum and talking to a woman from Ohio. When we said we were from Canada she said “oh, y’all speak English up there?”
I will say, she instantly felt embarrassed for asking.
#81
Every Australian I met whilst over there insisted on saying "You Brits like your beer warm don't you?". Nahhhh mate.
Auntriarch 10 months ago
Well it tastes good warm. Unlike that Ozzie pïss that has to be cold so that you can't taste it . I can't believe i just said that, I do apologise.
#82
I once had a co-worker of mine (lived in the U.S for a few months) ask me if my home country of Ireland was located in Asia. Jfc.
#83
I was talking to an American while on holidays and told them I'm from Saskatchewan. She then asked what state that was in 🤦🏼♀️.
#84
When I was a kid in Portugal with my dad on holiday, we met some older Americans. When my Dad told them his father was Nigerian, they said “…and where in Jamaica is that?”.
#85
I'm from Finland and some American asked if we have polar bears and igloos.
#87
I was in LA. My Uber driver asked me where Canada is. He said “I know it’s close to us but I don’t know where exactly it is”. I’m not making this stuff up.
Tom Hutcherson 10 months ago
A LOT of Americans are just plain stupid and uneducated. Just the way tRump likes them.
Nils Skirnir 10 months ago
Just take the LA Canada freeway. La Canada is a town near Pasadena and one of the freeway sign says LA CANADA. Old morning radio bit on KROQ
#88
I was in the US and asked where I was from. When I said Australia, she asked if that was in America.
#89
"Where are you from?"
"Spain"
"So you speak Portuguese?"
This happened in college in the US... the other person was american.
#90
‘Does everyone own a gun?’
Can you guess where I’m from?
Chris 10 months ago
Here is a fact, that some might find surprising. The percentage of people who own a gun in the US is 32%.
Velvl-Kai Ryder 10 months ago
Was gonna say, isn't the country with the highest percentage of gun ownership Sweden or something?
Load More Replies... #91
An american: "I love the interaction of brazilian people with wild life"
Me: "Our interaction with wild life is the same as americans' with a grizzly bear or a moose".
#92
I was in France visiting my grandparents and their friend asked me if we had apple trees and other fruit trees growing in Canada and other dumb*ss questions.
#93
I’ve had “is that place real?” And “isn’t that in America?”
I was born in Transylvania 😎 - not a country but it’s easier to explain that I’m actually Hungarian that way. That part also really confuses people.
Add in that I have an Aussie accent cos I grew up there, people are just confused when they ask me the supposedly simple question of “where are you from?” Uhhhhhhh….
Hippopotamuses 10 months ago
Yes. In the centre of Romania. An unusual mistake for someone originally from there to make.
Load More Replies... Nils Skirnir 10 months ago
Transylvania is a town in Louisiana, a county in North Carolina, a large university in Kentucky, and was once a large colony.
Petra Peitsch 10 months ago
All of them founded by people from Transylvania.
Load More Replies... #94
"Oh, is there a Boston in England? I never knew that".
Hmmm hmmmm 10 months ago
Tbf it is a relatively small town , so not something that a person from another country would have heard about in fairness
What do you think ?
Lyone Fein 10 months ago
I think it's usually better to feel that there are no stupid questions.
Thor's Mom 10 months ago
Met some Russians in Mexico several years ago. They asked where I was from and I told them Texas. They proceeded to point their finger guns at me and shout "Texas!! Pew pew pew!"
Christos Arvanitis 10 months ago
Finally! A post that shows that people from al of the world ask stupid questions... and not just Americans. Also, none of these inane questions are representative of people as a whole in that country.
BookFanatic 10 months ago
Lol I was in Jamaica and a guy asked me if I knew Al Capone (famous Chicago gangster from the 20s). Sir, I was born in 1979. He got points for knowing about Capone, though.
James Twong 10 months ago
There is a famous reggae song called Al Capone by the Jamaican Prince Buster.
Load More Replies... Hell'n Damnation 10 months ago
I don't mind the questions if they are asked with genuine curiosity and interest.
SaraCapybara 10 months ago
Recently I received an email from a friend in the UK asking if we were safe from the LA fires. We live in San Francisco. I had to explain the distance between the two cities and they were surprised because they hadn't realized California was so large. She thought they were in easy driving distance because "they're both in the same state."
T'Mar of Vulcan 10 months ago
Lots of people on the Internet seem to think Africa is a country and all the countries inside it are provinces or something.
Beak Hookage 10 months ago (edited)
One of my favourite parts of visiting America was just how often the locals would get all excited when they heard my accent and exclaim "oh my gosh, an Aussie!" They thought it was the cutest thing ever. I obligingly spent the entire trip wearing flip-flops and a wide-brimmed bushman's hat made out of kangaroo hide, which are of course the national dress.
Broccoli 10 months ago (edited)
I am Chinese and I moved to America a few years ago. I was shocked by how dumb some Americans can be. Here are some of the dumbest questions: 1. Do you speak Asian? 2. Is China a country? 3. Do Asian people learn to speak Asian? 4. Are Korean, Chinese, and Indian the same language? 5. Are you the same race as Indian people? 6. Do a lot of people in China eat dogs and other random animals?(genuine question) 7. Is there Panda Express in China? 8. What do you mean the Chinese food they sell in America isn’t authentic? 9. Wait, there aren’t fortune cookies in China? 10. Why is your English fluent? 11. Do you eat dumplings and other “Chinese” food every day? 12. What do you do in China?
Broccoli 10 months ago
I didn’t know how to answer most of these questions. The questions I posted in my comment are just the tip of the iceberg of stupid questions I have been asked.
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Lyone Fein 10 months ago
I think it's usually better to feel that there are no stupid questions.
Thor's Mom 10 months ago
Met some Russians in Mexico several years ago. They asked where I was from and I told them Texas. They proceeded to point their finger guns at me and shout "Texas!! Pew pew pew!"
Christos Arvanitis 10 months ago
Finally! A post that shows that people from al of the world ask stupid questions... and not just Americans. Also, none of these inane questions are representative of people as a whole in that country.
BookFanatic 10 months ago
Lol I was in Jamaica and a guy asked me if I knew Al Capone (famous Chicago gangster from the 20s). Sir, I was born in 1979. He got points for knowing about Capone, though.
James Twong 10 months ago
There is a famous reggae song called Al Capone by the Jamaican Prince Buster.
Load More Replies... Hell'n Damnation 10 months ago
I don't mind the questions if they are asked with genuine curiosity and interest.
SaraCapybara 10 months ago
Recently I received an email from a friend in the UK asking if we were safe from the LA fires. We live in San Francisco. I had to explain the distance between the two cities and they were surprised because they hadn't realized California was so large. She thought they were in easy driving distance because "they're both in the same state."
T'Mar of Vulcan 10 months ago
Lots of people on the Internet seem to think Africa is a country and all the countries inside it are provinces or something.
Beak Hookage 10 months ago (edited)
One of my favourite parts of visiting America was just how often the locals would get all excited when they heard my accent and exclaim "oh my gosh, an Aussie!" They thought it was the cutest thing ever. I obligingly spent the entire trip wearing flip-flops and a wide-brimmed bushman's hat made out of kangaroo hide, which are of course the national dress.
Broccoli 10 months ago (edited)
I am Chinese and I moved to America a few years ago. I was shocked by how dumb some Americans can be. Here are some of the dumbest questions: 1. Do you speak Asian? 2. Is China a country? 3. Do Asian people learn to speak Asian? 4. Are Korean, Chinese, and Indian the same language? 5. Are you the same race as Indian people? 6. Do a lot of people in China eat dogs and other random animals?(genuine question) 7. Is there Panda Express in China? 8. What do you mean the Chinese food they sell in America isn’t authentic? 9. Wait, there aren’t fortune cookies in China? 10. Why is your English fluent? 11. Do you eat dumplings and other “Chinese” food every day? 12. What do you do in China?
Broccoli 10 months ago
I didn’t know how to answer most of these questions. The questions I posted in my comment are just the tip of the iceberg of stupid questions I have been asked.
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