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It would be really hard to escape the influence of American culture if you tried, especially in Western countries. It feels like the media is saturated with American life, starting from cartoons and going on to high school-set TV series, Hollywood movies, sitcoms, drama shows, YouTube channels, and everything in between.

Even though we consume so much content based in the US, there are still some things that raise questions. One Reddit user wondered what non-Americans still don't understand about America, and people flooded the thread with their questions. To be fair, some of the things mentioned are just as confusing to Americans as well.

Over 36k comments later, Bored Panda selected the most popular answers to what foreigners just don't get about the US. If you're from the US, maybe you can answer some of these, and if you aren't, maybe there are some things you'd like our American Pandas to clarify, so feel free to leave your questions in the comments below!

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#1

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed How people seem to be liberal or conservative and will support their side no matter what bad decisions they're making. In Ireland we frequently change allegiance in terms of political parties and support the ones that are doing the most for the people at that time- we are person centred, not party centred. I could never understand this about America.

Parking_Ad_9208 , Mike Von Report

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Kristy Marion
Kristy Marion
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I also don’t understand that in America you are party centred, yet they still have to elect a candidate. Most other countries trust the party to put forward their best candidate, and will then vote accordingly. Not subject the people to months of campaigns just to elect one person who will then go on to another round of campaigning. What a waste of time and money.

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#2

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed Healthcare and higher education prices. Isn’t having healthy and educated population is what society would benefit from the most?

onneseen , Accuray Report

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#3

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed Why tax is not included in the price tag?

Siniii22 , prostooleh Report

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Tucker Cahooter
Tucker Cahooter
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Baffles me how sales taxes vary not only from state to state but often from one area in a state to another in the same state

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#4

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed 10 vacation days a year. There’s life outside of work.

CMB2404 , wichayada69 Report

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#5

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed What is up with Homeowner Associations? Why would you pay to let a nosy neighbour (neighbor sorry) dictate what you can and can not do on your own property? I understand living in an apartment block and paying maintenance fees etc, but in a suburban home?

Skoodledoo , Nick Youngson Report

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Blackheart
Blackheart
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

American here. I don't understand it either, that's why I don't belong to one

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#6

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed The Americans are genuinely friendly and kind, whenever I travelled there I had great experiences. We often see the bizzare side of your vast nation on tv etc. but your average American is a pleasure to meet.

I do find it odd that service industry workers aren’t payed appropriately - tipping really stresses me out as I know it’s not just a bonus for great service. Also, you lot deserve better healthcare.

TrishIrl , Felix Rostig Report

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#7

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed So, why do you buy politicians' merchandise? Shirts, caps, banners, stickers, etc. They're public servants, not rockstars. Also, usually the more boring they are, the better.

akashyy , Marco Verch Professional Report

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Jeremy James
Jeremy James
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You'll notice, though, that our country's liberals aren't walking around with Biden hats on or waving Biden flags. Because we're not part of an insane cult that believes up is down.

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#8

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed The fact that workers have to file their own taxes, even though the government knows how much everyone owes. But they won’t tell you. They make you do complicated calculations based on a set of ever-evolving rules to figure it out. And then they fine you if you’re wrong.

probably_a_raccoon , Kelly Sikkema Report

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Did I say that out loud?
Did I say that out loud?
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

UK system of taxes being deducted automatically by your employer is much simpler. Can't imagine having to work it all out myself.

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#9

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed Why everything is just SO damn supersized.

My first time in America I went to get ice coffee from Dunkin Donuts, I ordered a large and my friend is like… Are you sure you want large? Yeah no biggie, in the UK a large is not overwhelming I feel so I was expecting the same kinda thing. Oh my god it was like a god damn bucket of coffee. I think maybe a small would have been equivalent to a UK large, lesson swiftly learnt.

ChemistHorror , Mike Mozart Report

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#10

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed The amount of sugar in everything. It's so very very much.

wadezero27 , Satura_ Report

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#11

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed Lobbying - that’s bribing.

AdeptHumor9203 , Blogging Guide Report

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#12

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed MM/DD/YYYY.

SuvenPan , Behnam Norouzi Report

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#13

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed Pledging allegiance. To me that's just silly. i love my country but I would never expect or be expected to stand and salute the flag in school (or is that just the movies).

Throwaway-420220 , frank mckenna Report

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Trillian
Trillian
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being German I cringe so hard at all those displays of nationalism. Here, I side-eye people who fly the flag unless they are a government building or it's soccer world cup.

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#14

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed The amount off National Parks! My dream came true in 2017 to make an RV trip southwest off USA. Yosemite blew my mind away.

Independent-Ad9787 , AboutImages Report

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BetterBitterButter
BetterBitterButter
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

National parks of the US and the public library system are two of many great things about the US(for me).

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#15

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed The weird obsession with race and heritage.

The_noble_Athelstane , Roman Kraft Report

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Blackheart
Blackheart
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

America isn't called "the melting pot" for no reason. I am Native American, and my ancestors were told to comply and worst of all assimilate. The US government tried to commit genocide of Native Americans. My particular tribal family did not go on the Trail of Tears, and were labeled outlaws at their own peril. You're damn right I'm proud they stuck up for themselves. I'm proud of it because they tried to obliterate it.

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#16

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed The tipping culture is so foreign to me, I would be so scared to make a mistake or not tipping enough if I ever go to America, because it's not something which is common here in Denmark.

Cupsuu , drazenphoto Report

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#17

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed Why do public restrooms include a small opening between the doors that allows passersby to see you when you're taking a p**s?

Kaoxpzx , AZ-BLT Report

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Tucker Cahooter
Tucker Cahooter
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always needed so in crime dramas the cop can look to see where the crook is and bust down the door

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#18

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed How ready people are to sue.

My_2_Centz , drazenphoto Report

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Blackheart
Blackheart
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See the one about the scummy lawyer billboards. There's your answer.

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#19

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed Scottish person here but the work/always available for work culture. Minimal vacation time, minimal maternity/paternity leave and the fact you can pretty much just be let go. It makes me sad to think about it!

But I do love that you guys cram so much in to your time off - you guys love a road trip!

Frosty_Dragonfly_682 , halfpoint Report

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#20

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed Valet parking. Why would I want some stranger messing with my car? I can park my own car, thank you very much.

Fl3g1a5 , Blue Arauz Report

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SarahBee
SarahBee
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When in an area with little parking, valet parking is a godsend!

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#21

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed Shoes indoors.

It is *intensely* weird. It must result either in dirtier floors, or a need for more frequent cleaning and there does not seem to be a good reason.

eam2468 , arthurhidden Report

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Blackheart
Blackheart
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The climate varies widely across the US. Shoes may be for warmth in some areas. In the summer, my family roams around barefooted, indoors and out.

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#22

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed The culture of just... Talking to people, strangers you dont know and just up and start a conversation with them or join a conversation.

Im British, and we go through great lenghs to not talk to people, let alone opening up and pouring our hearts out to a random person.

MrGlayden , halfpoint Report

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Blackheart
Blackheart
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have had some great conversations with strangers. I have also learned a lot. For example, when I was young, I was buying my own groceries for the first time and had no idea how to pick out a cabbage. An elderly lady just up and told me how to do it. It worked!

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#23

There's a lot. But I visited the US for the first time in December, and one thing that stood out to me: billboards. All along the highway. Billboards everywhere. Most of them for scummy looking lawyers. Why this?

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#24

I’m American but I’ve worked with a lot of people who aren’t. The one thing they always wonder is why Americans are so obsessed with the NFL. They think it’s a boring sport. They explained “you wait for 30 seconds, they hike the ball, you get about 5-10 seconds of action, then you wait another 30 seconds, another 5-10 seconds of action, then commercial break”

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#25

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed Why is that one Kansas, but the other one is not Arkansas? America explain. What do u mean its aRkAnSaW???

QuizzaciousZeitgeist , Jimmy Emerson, DVM Report

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Tucker Cahooter
Tucker Cahooter
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Any British person pointing the finger at Americans about the disconnect between spelling and pronunciation is definitely a case of the pot calling the kettle black

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#26

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed How you have to share a room with some complete rando when you go to college.

ChoppingOnionsForYou , Visual__Production Report

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Kitti B.
Kitti B.
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not an American thing. I went to university in Europe and I lived with 3 complete strangers. I was lucky because later all of us became very close friends.

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#27

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed I'm american and I still don't understand why 5280 feet is a mile.

holycannol , SundryPhotography Report

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Blackheart
Blackheart
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The mile is a British imperial unit. We once belonged to Britain.

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#28

College and even high school sports. One of the last times I was in the US I passed a high school. Their football field looked like a university stadium — complete with lights, stands, logos, and advertising. My Canadian high school had football too but nobody cared about it other than the team and the players’ families.

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#29

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed My mom is from Moscow during the Soviet Era, and she is confused why there is no teacher-student hierarchy. She thinks it's weird when teachers participate in school plays or speak to students informally.

She also DOES NOT GET pajama day. To her, it's just the weirdest thing in the world. In Russia, there is an important distinction between "clothes for home" and "clothes for outside". They have a concept of "home clothes", like your cozy or ugly clothes, that you are supposed to change into after school or work. At bedtime, you change out of your "home clothes" into pajamas. As a result, pajamas, for both adults and children, are considered extra-extra private in Russia. My mom perceives pajama day as something extreme like wearing only undergarments to school. That's how private pajamas are considered to be in Russia!

racheltolmach2022 , AnnaStills Report

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Blackheart
Blackheart
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have many students from the Ukraine. We have certain morale boosting events at school to make things fun, but students are not required to participate. Not all of the American students participate. As for how we speak to students, I am always respectful, and I speak in a way I think they will best understand.

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#30

Why your toilets have so much water in them? Just came back from a holiday there, very deep. Just seemed wasteful of water in some places I've heard with drought conditions before.

Also, the gap in public toilet doors as well. I've heard people mention before on reddit, but didn't realise until experiencing it. Never seen that gap anywhere else in the world I've been.

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charli
charli
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

THE WATER THING. I have been saying this forever!! In Australia the toilets are only so full of they are completely clogged and flushed. Like why???

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#31

American high schools. Growing up watching American media made my perception of high school so distorted. Apparently at some point in one's late teens to mid-twenties, you're still attending school, but you're also dating on a pretty serious basis and have a car and a job (not to mention a fairly dedicated sports career), and if you're really driven you might also be in a band and tutor while managing the yearbook, school newspaper, and local Shakespeare production. And you still find another two hours to spend lunch with your friends at the mall!

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BetterBitterButter
BetterBitterButter
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am sure this is just in the movies and shows. Plus no one looks like that in High School. Edit: I am an idiot!

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#32

Waiting like eight weeks after your elections until the new guy comes into power is pretty damn weird.

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LK
LK
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is down to the communications system when the USA started, and it's sheer size. It took a lot of time for the election results to be returned to each state, and then each state to send their appointed official to the capital to inform the other officials.

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#33

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed Why most of the shower heads are glued to the wall. How on earth do you wash your t**ts.

Didyoufartjustthere , Ika_kachka Report

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Ches Yamada
Ches Yamada
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Most" is an odd statement. In apartments and hotels, sometimes yes. They don't want you messing with them. In our homes? We have handheld showerheads.

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#34

35 Aspects Of American Culture That Leave Non-Americans Perplexed Housing codes, and why all your front gardens are just grass, and identical.

PairLost , monkeybusiness Report

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John L
John L
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lawns, used to be a status symbol...coming from England. The tradition just persisted when Americans started building homes. But times are changing. With water becoming more scarce, people are opting to go without lawns (especially if you live in a townhouse).

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#35

Why do Americans put their TVs so high up the wall? I understand that sometimes it’s because there’s a fireplace below where it should be, but how do they even watch the TV without straining their necks?

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