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Growing up in a European country and never witnessing what it's like to go to an American school, watching American high school comedies, to me, has always been a pretty surreal experience. I'm sure that most of you fellow non-Americans reading this article could relate to me on this.

There are so many things about American schools that have always seemed utterly fascinating to me. For instance, you get letter grades instead of number ones, schools have swimming pools inside them, there's a club for almost anything, you have to get a hall pass to go to the bathroom during class, and lunch meals are usually pretty bizarre. The list goes on. With that being said, Bored Panda invites you to look through this list of tweets from non-American Twitter users in which they share things that they find the strangest about American schools. Feel free to explain to us the things we don't understand or add your own in the comment section!

#1

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

scultator Report

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

I don’t ever know what A levels etc. are. One of these days I need to look it up.

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#3

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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

Yes, but the cheerleaders were just normal students, not stuck up and they didn't wear their uniforms in class.

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#4

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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

Yes, because if you're in the hall without one, then you MUST be commiting murder (Sarcasm lads)

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#5

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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Charlotte A.
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Sweden it starts in august and ends in june. Nothing odd about it, to me.

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#8

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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

They used to have E as a failing grade, but people thought it meant Excellent, so they changed it to an F.

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#10

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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

Wait, don't all schools have cafeterias? Where do you eat your lunch?

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#12

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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

Canadian here. They don't close schools in Canada unless it's been colder than -40C for three days in a row.

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#16

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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

Go to France - school lunches have 4 courses and they're really good quality

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

maaan the lunch at this one school i went to was soo good the cantaloupe here tastes like sterilizers and sleep medicine

I'manoob!
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same goes with our school's cucumbers, carrots, celery...basically all vegetables you see as you get your lunch. And sometimes the occasional apple :(

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

Yup, that was what our lunches looked like, and the bad thing is that gross pizza was a treat - I *loved* pizza day.

Xandra, The Little Hufflepuff
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They give us trash food, and give high schoolers elementary sized portions and expect us to get through the day on that

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

At our school it is more like a buffet thing where you can pick what you want, like a panini, a waffle, and a bottle of Yazoo choccy milk. At least until corona. It was so good tho, always good quality food. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Oh and they had fresh sausage rolls too, and fresh pizza slices!

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

I will tell that pizza days was amazing! best pizza ever. The lunches have changed a lot over the years

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

Mine was closest to the bottom left except we had that shitty tru-moo chocolate milk or what ever it was called

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

bottom left is triggering the Thanksgiving special meal. they made it decent since parents came to that meal

TheGr81sComing
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am confused, kaboodled and possibly bambozzled. my school lunch is really good. (yes im american)

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

We had big blobs of chicken in ours sometimes. Once my friend found plastic in hers.

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

The top two look most familiar. I think the apples are a new thing.

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

Ironically, the 'healthy school food' was not so healthy. 'why?' you ask? The vegetables there taste like they were cooked in some fatty oil, the egg rolls look and taste like the filling is expired, the cheese for nachos is literally processed American cheese, I could go on and on. I started noticing these little details because I was taking a nutrition STEM course.

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

These school lunches look really good! The cheese on our sandwiches melts at room temperature, the meat is green, and there is feathers in our chicken.

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

This one, I wish was true, most places have hot dogs that function like bouncy balls, not joking.

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Lauretta Payne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thoses lunches actually look GREAT compared to what most kids get.

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

that doesn't look that bad, of course it could taste awful. Better than cold sandwiches and juice with an apple. In the winter months my school had soup ladies who came in to school every morning and mad a big pot of soup. We had to take our soup cup and line up to get warm soup to go with our cold sandwiches. The soup was Campbell's so there was variety.

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

Lunch at my school: Cheese Calzone with broccoli on the side The calzone had zero cheese, was in a cardboard-like tortilla, and had a few sad pieces of broccoli in it, the broccoli on the side looked (and tasted) rotten

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

I never ate school lunch, because all we got were like kindergartner sized portions and the 2 dollar gas station pizza as a treat. They spent all their budget on the flags decorating the lunchroom and didn’t even include the chocolate capital Switzerland.

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

My school has that food and it is really good they also served pizza

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

It was a good day if rectangle pizza was on the menu at school. Some fire.

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

Too bad that most of it ended up in the trash. Picky eaters wasted millions of $$$$.

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

Kids in South Africa would scramble over thistles to get at that food.

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

I always made my own lunch at home and brought it in a brown paper bag.

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

When I was a kid (don't ask) We had local good cooks in the cafeteria. I still use a few of those recipes. ♫ Those were the days ♪

starhunter64
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i love how there's just a whole thing of green onions on there, bulb and all. (and no that's not accurate, you have far to many healthy green things on there and not enough wilted grey 'veggies' also all the silverware is cheep plastic)

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

Yes, and sadly for some it will be their only meal for the day. They are supposed to be designed for nutrition.

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

Dang, that looks super good. Our school lunches were not nearly this fancy.

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

Give? Not unless you qualify for free lunch. If you don't, it's between $4.00-$5.00 (maybe more) depending on where you live.

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

Some of that looks good compared to what we were given in grammar school. My friends and I used to have hot dog dropping contests.

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

What are u supposed to do with the spring onion in the 4th picture???

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

I believe that a lot of the difference in quality depends not only on the are but, whether it's s public or private school.

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

Heck. If they'd do that in NZ that would be awesome. So many kids here come to school starving. *worked as a teacher aide at a primary school where kids would line up for toast and margarine because they hadn't eaten. this happened every day.*

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

Yep. Foods that look even remotely appealing to kids, can be made in bulk and still follow required nutritional guidelines can be tricky. Popular items include mac and cheese, pasta (usually lasgana), hamburgers, chicken nuggets, meatloaf and these days....pizza.

Don't Look
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends on the state. Since it’s now supposed to be free.... yup.

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

In Louisiana it’s usually half that quality. We get bagged milk water and whatever they can microwave.

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

You have School dinners in the UK too. But not in Ireland which is a shame. I went to school in England and Ireland and the school dinners were great. In Ireland you had to bring your own lunch which was alright for me as my mother made sure I always had plenty to eat but there was a little girl who lived near me whose parents were alcoholics (it was sad the adults on the estate called the Social Services time and again, but nothing happened), and she barely had anything just a couple of crackers and some water. At least if you had school dinners you were assured at least one hot meal every day.

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

Sort of. Some times they're that good sometimes worse or better

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

When I was in elementary school the used to give us a whole boiled peeled tomato at least twice a week. It was discusting.

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

I need to get into plastic moulding. All those schools and prisons, I'll be a billionaire, maybe run for president....x

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

Yes, and we have suggested many times to Pizza Hut and Domino's they need to offer corn as a side item with pizza.

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

What confuses non-Americans about the American school system is that the US, allegedly the richest nation on earth, doesn't even appear on the list of the world's top 20 K-12 systems. What frightens the rest of the world is that our children are among the most ignorant of any rich nation, and by any measure, the most violent.

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

I don't think school lunches are *as* bad as the media makes them out to be, but they are still pretty terrible...

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

People care about their luxeries more than their kids, that's why. How much money is spent on movies and video games and sports, etc. while kids are eating what would be considered poverty food 100 years ago but people just don't want to spend more.

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

not give . you have to purchase this lunch or bring your own.

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

no, we get worse. my elementary gave us A PIECE OF BREAD WITH CHEESE ON IT. and nothing else, unless you count the rotten fruit. other options include a cold, congeled, brick of vegan cheese with SWEET gluten free noodles. blech. occasionally we'd get a fruit cup tho.

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

All looks great, apart from the spring onion/scallion! As if kids hitting puberty didn't have enough to deal with! lol

Rae the lemon
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never got that. I always brought my lunch. Or got hot lunch 🥙 and that started in 8th grade.

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

In my school time in Germany we always have to bring our own food. At daycare after school there was a warm meal. I remember in high school we had a lunch area where you could buy lunch or snacks but I rarely had the money to buy extra food.

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

Yes yes they do that is food. Is it good, healthy food? .........well it’s served food and ppl ate it

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

somewhat -- can't say i've ever seen anyone serve a green onion like that.

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

ha! I live in America and we don't get that much in my district.

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

No. That kind of fodder happened in primary and middle school. In high school, there were choice-menus like restaurants and students picked from the choices. If you did not like the choices, you could skip lunch and just go outside for "high school recess" to (in the 60's/70's) smoke a cigarette or, now, to smoke a blunt.

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

That looks like some of the crap we got served before they started aiming for healthier alternatives.

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

Yes it actually looks like this. And it smells bad sometimes too. That's why I eat salad almost every day cause it's actually good. Except when it has chicken

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

Wow they look so testy. Our lunches are dry bread, apple that tastes like chemicals and plastic, and sum milk

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

Mine looks most like the bottom-left one with an apple and a disposable tray.

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

Cafeteria food was seriously the worst. I see all those posts about what schools in other countries serve and I get so depressed. Our kids deserve better.

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

Only if you went to a reallllly great awesome well-off American school, is my guess. Mine? HA! Not even.

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

that is gourmet compared to the ones i had. in the end, i packed lunches every day from then on.

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

This looks significantly more appetizing than American school lunch

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

this is quality food though, we got a slice of cold pizza in a bag and a juice cup (not box, c u p)

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

We didn't had school lunch. You brought your own sandwiches and drinks to school.

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

Um, I don't know about these, but my school has pretty good food....

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

oh yeah. and d=that weird square gas station pizza on fridays.

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#18

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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#21

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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

To be very honest, I'm English and I usually do page count rather than word count

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#25

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#26

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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

Not really. We have nearby schools we compete against in sports, but any rivalry is very light-hearted.

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#32

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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

Candy was usually a very tiny part, if it was there at all. But it was the most exciting part!

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