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When it comes to one’s perspective on individualism, free expression, government, religion, and morality, Europeans and Americans are worlds apart, according to Pew Center. But to really grasp some of these cultural differences, you don’t need to look far.

Think of red Solo cups, free refills, air conditioning, and something as simple as bulk shopping. Now think of Europe, for example, France, where daily trips to local grocers for fresh produce are common, and Italy, where air conditioning is a rare sight unless it’s in hotels meant for tourists.

So when someone put up a question “Europeans who’ve visited the US, what made you go 'What The Heck'?” on Reddit, people had a lot to share about their experiences. 33.8k comments later, the answers are in right below, and it will surely put some much-loved all-American things into a very different European perspective.

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#1

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Was staying with the nicest family ever. They worked extremely long hours and lived in the suburbs. I wanted to cook for them as a surprise and set out to the store on foot, with an empty backpack for the groceries. Had to walk along the curb of, and then cross, an 8 lane highway to get to the store. Had to stop a really really old man from bagging the groceries. Then was stopped by police on the way back. They were very friendly, just wanted to know where my car had broken down. Ended up explaining to me that there was basically zero infrastructure for walking out in the burbs. They took me home. On the way, I saw a sign "gas 99 cents a gallon, Bud's Xmas Gift to the Community", blew my dad's mind when I told him later. Got home, thanked the nice officers, made a vegetable casserole. When my wonderful host family came home, they were blown away but also extremely worried. All in all, I would say that no matter how crazy America may be or seem, Americans make up for all of it. They are some of the friendliest, most welcoming people I have ever met.

suckcorner4nutrients , flickr Report

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

We stayed in the US and were gobsmacked that you couldn't just walk to the convenience store. Neither of us could drive at the time - it cost a fortune in taxis just for a handful of groceries.

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#2

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread The cheerful, smiling faces on a medication TV add while the voice over mentioned that death is a possible side effect.

Idilthil , Yuya Tamai Report

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#3

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Roadside billboards scattered along the interstates in the South.

Billboard # 1: JESUS

Billboard # 2: PORN AND BOOZE, NEXT EXIT

Billboard # 3: GUNS! GUNS! GUNS!

StandardResort , Quinn Dombrowski Report

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

This is so accurate. Billboard #4 Biscuits. (US biscuits, not cookies.)

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To find out more about what it’s really like for a European to move to the US for studies and life, Bored Panda reached out to New York-based filmmaker and video producer at NYL Studio 51 Ieva Lukauskaite. Ieva, who spent her school days in Lithuania before immigrating to the US, said that as a European living in the US, she has noticed a lot of cultural differences, some good and some bad.

“The thing that perplexes me the most is the lack of selectiveness and authenticity when it comes to creative education. Everybody knows the United States as the land of Hollywood and legendary cinema; however, when it comes to teaching cinematic art, it falls short.”

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Having obtained her BFA at a respectable American art college, Ieva said she was surprised by the curriculum and the mix of students. “A creative portfolio or any proof of your creative process is optional to get in, all you need is decent grades from high school. Of course, that attracts a colorful assortment of students, like the guy in my Intro to Film class who told me that he chose to study film because he was 'bad at math.'"
#4

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Especially as a bloody introverted Finnish person (stereotypes kicking in) it was terrifying how people had a ton of chitchat and were really talkative. Wished me a good day and asked about useless stuff

DON'T TALK TO ME PLEASE I AM NOT QUALIFIED FOR THIS

mizzuus , Kris Radder Report

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#5

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread The political ads on TV that do not promote but instead demonize candidates!

“So and so is a devil from hell that will eat your newborn for breakfast if you vote for them! Don’t do it if you love America!” Scary music and black and white footage included. Weird, very weird.

MagsClouds , Kelley Minars Report

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

. . . And we HATE those ads SO much but they don't stop until the election.

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#6

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Was on an exchange. 2 most memorable questions were "Can you see the moon in Europe" and "Do you have Pizza in Europe". Something else I'll never forget was the map of Europe in the school I went to which still showed the country of Yugoslavia (which doesnt exist anymore) and all the borders were messed up. A map IN THE SCHOOL.

TAS_Snoop , Blondinrikard Fröberg Report

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However, Ieva believes that some higher education establishments may have low standards on purpose. “With the ridiculously high tuition costs, they gain quite a bit of profit cycling through misguided students who go through the years switching majors, repeating classes, or dropping out altogether,” she commented.

Another big difference that surprised the NY-based producer was that in US film education, you are taught more technical trade than an art subject. “The focus is on what kind of software you can use and which equipment you can name and operate. This is not necessarily a negative difference because most students will never get to be very creative in their future careers anyway.”

With all that being said, Ieva concluded that American film education is more focused on future employability through technical skills instead of abstract concepts like inspiration or unique story building. “The approach does usually result in a better-paying job than in Europe,” Ieva concluded.

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#7

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread The amount of obese people. Obese people riding electric scooters at shopping places. Being handicapped because you are obese.

explision , Sandra Cohen-Rose Report

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

You don’t really see the type of morbid obesity in a lot of other parts of the world that you do here. Those other countries have the same illnesses and diseases we do so it’s really down to a matter of lifestyle, including eating habits, not diseases that’s causing the obesity.

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#8

-Everyone drives everywhere
-Toilet bowl has a lot of water
-Toilet stalls have large gaps
-Portion sizes in restaurants are huge
-Advertising anti-depressants etc. drugs on tv and billboards
-Bumper sticker politics
-Liquor stores everywhere
-Jesus everywhere
-Lot of homeless people
-Most people have manners and are friendly

Alchemysecrets Report

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#9

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Went there as a german soldier on a semi work related trip, wearing uniform. The sheer number and the way people thanked me for my service (apparently as a german I qualify for this by extension), gave me discounts or even stuff for free (Starbucks) was astonishing. In germany, the public treats its servicemen with what one federal president called "a friendly non-interest". The US showed me a different world... But I also gotta admit that it was frightening to a certain degree. It feels like... a bit too much of everything. Too much admiration, too much trust in what the uniform stands for, too much "automatic repetition" of the phrases and as a result too little normality. Still a memorable and enjoyable one-time experience

-Z0nK- , SC National Guard Report

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

There are huge amounts of patriotism behind this. Americans are normally told that we need soldiers and constant military action, otherwise we would be speaking Chinese and slaving away to an emperor/dictator. Frankly speaking, police and judges do more every day to protect our livelihood, but it's just not as "heroic" as our image of soldiers.

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#10

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Almost all food tastes sweet, including bread.

back-in-black , John Greenaway Report

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

Yup. Subway sells bread in the Netherlands but due to the sugar content it is taxed as cake! And therefore has a higher tax. Bread is considered staple food, cake luxury food.

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#11

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread The Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas absolutely blew my mind. The fact that outside it they have what looks like a scale for use on a farm, but for weighing people, and if they weigh over 350lbs they eat for free, was horrendous and it took me ages to get my English mind around it.

6footbunny , daryl_mitchell Report

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#12

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread I ate a blue slurpee ice-drink thing in a theme park and three hours later, I kid you not, I did a VIBRANTLY BLUE [POOP].

No food in Europe has ever contained an ingredient that made my [poop] come out blue.

That made me go go "WTF" - I was WTFing so hard that eleven years later I still remember that blue [poop].

Thanks America! Fond memories...

SubjectsNotObjects , Lauren Siegert Report

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

Imagine what would happen if you drank a rainbow slurpee...

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#13

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Went to L.A. a week last year for work.

Things like portion sizes, the average weight of people, quality of food and commercials etc. are just what I thought they would be. But the surprises for me:

1. I do know the modeled Los Santos in GTA from L.A. but I didn't realise how well they did it. People talk and behave basically the same way. The sound, the light, the landscape, the frickin RADIO! I thought a big part of it was just exaggeration. Nope! This was actually kind of fun, driving around looking at things going "oh wow this is where that thing happened in the game". Awesome!

2. There are a lot of homeless people and you can tell a lot of them are sick and/or have psychological problems. This sure doesn't remove any of my prejudice about american healthcare and social security...

3. The extreme differences between neighbourhoods that are right next to each other. Sure, I understand why one street might have houses that look nice and are well taken care of and another not so much. But why is there a difference in how well paved the road is? Why is the "poor" street in such decay with lots of potholes and the "rich" street so clean and free from pot holes? Aren't things like fixing the roads the responsibility of the city? Mind boggling that they care more about rich neighbourhoods and the poor ones. If they did that so blatantly back here there'd be some things and a big fan involved.

Generally the social class differences are of a magnitude I've never seen before. Honestly I thought the things I heard before where somewhat exaggerated. I was wrong. And it is right in front of you basically all of the time! Really really sad to see.

Pinky9 , Antonio Fucito Report

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

Generally speaking, this is why city folk tend towards liberal/welfare views: They see it every day. Even if you keep your head forward and just continue your role in your social standing, you'll still see it. Living in rural areas separates people from the variety, diversity and disparity of individuals in our country.

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#14

French married to a US citizen here. The one thing that surprised me most, apart from the portion sizes and the overload of sugar eveywhere that everyone mentions, is the convenience culture.
As long as you have a car, you can go buy anything and everything at virtually any time of day or night. And, oh, the amount of stuff you can have delivered at your place in less than an hour ! The workers do not seem to enjoy such a huge quality of life. Who would, if they had to work the 2am-12pm shift in a fast food place for minimum wage ?

On top of that, one other thing is how people are proud of working themselves to death, picking up all the overtime they can and not sleeping. Some of them have to to make ends meet, but most I know do not need the overtime and could use it to catch up on sleep, but don't. Instead, they drink coffee... It seems like companies managed to make the people link personal worth and pride to how much one works. Not the quality of it or the enjoyment of the job, but simply the amount of hours.

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#15

On the first day of our US roadtrip we stopped for lunch at a roadside restaurant south of San Francisco. When we tried to pay the waiter told us that another customer that just had left paid for our meals and whished us a nice trip.

WTF, who does that. So nice! Totally made my day and honestly the whole vacation.

GuantanaMo Report

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A Cat Named Dragon
A Cat Named Dragon
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in San Francisco and I am so pleased to know that. Most of us here really do love visitors from other places and I am so proud to know that my neighbors welcomed you and treated you so well!

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#16

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Tax not included in the price tag. It's...weird!

avlas , Kzoo Cowboy Report

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

It's bad enough for normal retail items. Then there are dozens of industries which have carved out their own special "fees". Hotels will add a "room tax" and "city tax" on top of "sales tax"; Restaurants require a tip as if the service is an optional extra; car dealerships will add maintenance and destination fees, etc. The bottom line is: there is no way to pay the advertised price and get the advertised item.

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#17

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread It’ a minor thing, but everyone asking “how are you” without wanting to know the answer.

Huhlaka , Free-Photos Report

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Paul K. Johnson
Paul K. Johnson
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The worst part is when you ask someone, 'How's it going?' and then the start to tell you.

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#18

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Flags everywhere. Not just in front of people's homes, but in front of everything. I even saw a US flag in front of a supermarket. WTF.

EnoughMaintenance , Brian Cantoni Report

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

It wasn't like that before 9-11. Just a normal amount of flags and proper flag displays. Now people stick them in trees and on cars and all kinds of places.

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#19

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Ads for prescription medicines. Like what the actual hell.

qbnaith , Clean Wal-Mart Report

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

This is where anti vaxxer were born... The Americans all think they know better because ads have made it seem so. They start telling doctors which medication they want since they saw it on tv

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#20

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Extreme air conditioning — like fridge temperature inside.

Grumpy_Yuppie , Open Grid Scheduler Report

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

Agreed. 65F/18C in my office blows my mind! Are sweaters and air conditioners made by the same company?

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#21

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Portion sizes, vehicle sizes, road sizes, house sizes.

UsernameCensored , n.karim Report

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#22

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread I thought the gap in bathroom stall doors was a myth until I visited the US. Didn’t get privacy for my five-day stay. How do you s**t when someone can look you in the eye?!

watercolorinc , iwishmynamewasbrian Report

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#23

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Seeing an 80 year old woman working behind the register at a supermarket

Dominusatrox , Preserving Retail & More Report

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

I have a friend who is 92. She goes to 'work' everyday. She volunteers for 2 hours at a school. She doesn't want to stop. It is her life. It is her routine.

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#24

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread The general weirdness surrounding alcohol. Us Brits went for a drink at lunchtime once and our American friends were referring us to AA

Jagermeister_UK , Daniel Spiess Report

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elia 84631
elia 84631
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean in my home country the alchool is allowed to 18+ costumers and America to 21+

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#25

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread The choices of cereal at the breakfast in the hotel all had at least 20% sugar.

kwowo , Ian Ransley Report

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elia 84631
elia 84631
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Was there a law that almost banned food companies to use cartoon characters in snacks for advertisment to children?

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#26

Australian here.

I did a lot of hiking in America around Cali and the south west. My first comment is how amazing your national parks are, backed up by an organised park service. I haven’t seen camp sites in Australia half as organised as yours.

Second was how cheap food is! as i was road tripping I originally planned to cook for myself out the back of my van. But honestly it was cheaper to eat at Denny’s, where I only had to hit breakfast and dinner and I was set for the day - the portion sizes were huge.

Third. Wtf is with your toilets! They are filled to the brim with water, and your poo just sorta floats around until you flush where it then goes around in circles until it goes down the drain. My first few poops in your great nation was really unsettling. But I got used to it by the end.

Fourth. The disparity between rich and poor. Like you see it in Australia a between suburbs bit - but it was just so pronounced in America.

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

The poop comment made me laugh. But why would poop float anyway? Doesn't it sink to the bottom?

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#27

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread When in Boston someone realised we were British and came over to have a conversation:

"Oh my god, I have a friend in England. She lives in London. Do you know her?"



Hmm, there are 9 million people who live in London, and 65 million in the UK. The chance of me knowing one individual is quite remote!

rb357 , Elliott Brown Report

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#28

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread The amount of homeless people. People straight-up walking past an elderly woman living on the streets to get to the 7-Eleven.

bighow , Carl Campbell Report

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

Our homeless problem, IMHO, has more to do with American's contempt for what they perceive as failure. We venerate success, but have no tolerance for poor people because they are failures. But, we give money and aid to other countries, aid we don't give ourselves, because that proves the idea of American Exceptionalism. We are better than they are and they need us to survive. So it reinforces the belief in most Americans that we are the best. But, poor people are an affront to that. They prove the idea most people have of America is wrong, so we have nothing but contempt for them.

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#29

I saw a woman put sugar in her coke at Ihop for breakfast. I've been told that's gross even for other Americans.

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

Once I saw a family on the Greyhound, with a cute kid (about 1 -1.5 year old) I was shocked to see the parents put coke cola in the feeding bottle and feed the kid! Please tell me this is not normal.

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#30

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Indoors feels colder than being naked in the winter

RefreshingAC , Nicolas Henderson Report

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

Yeah I never got this. Why set the temp to like 18 degrees celcius if it's 35 outside. Set it to 25 or something. That's still a 10 degree difference. which is huge!

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#31

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Went to Mc Donalds and ordered what i always order. But it tasted completely different. And fanta was just weird orange juice Syrup.

Bugbreach , Takahiro Yamagiwa Report

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

McDonald's fries in the UK have 3 ingredients - potato, oil, salt (sometimes a tiny amount of dextrose). McDonald's fries in the USA have 14 ingredients.

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#32

The sheer size of the place is amazing. Each state is its own little country. I lived there for 7 years and visited some different places, and each time I crossed a state line it was like crossing a border in Europe — everything was different again.

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Mewton’s Third Paw
Mewton’s Third Paw
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Part of why we’re “uncultured.” You can vacation here forever and see tons of different things but still be in America. Of course it’s not nearly the same as international travel, and of course as the years go by, things in the US have become more homogeneous and lame.

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#33

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread How low down the toilets are compared to here in the UK. Went to sit on one, dropped as I thought I'd missed the darned thing then felt like I'd broken my ass on impact. It's like missing the bottom step of the stairs, but even worse.

Karazhan , Pat Guiney Report

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

I never noticed a big difference when I was in Europe. But, I think the holes in the floor in Korea would freak this person out.

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#34

During my first visit, I was astonished at the number of small airports and incredible number of small aircraft. So much freedom to fly across a vast country. Amazing.

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A Cat Named Dragon
A Cat Named Dragon
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s a really interesting perspective that I have never heard anyone say before. Thank you for that!

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#35

Tipping being obligatory, whether it was good service or not.

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

The federally-mandated minimum wage for servers is maybe 15% of a living wage -often just enough to cover income taxes. This allows the restaurant industry to effectively outsource labor costs. The diner pays the restaurant for the food, and pays the server separately for the service. It's a horrible system, and income varies widely from business to business according to the clientele. But until the system is changed, tip your server!

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#36

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Movies set in New York prepare you for everything except the smell of [poop].

carbonar0 , Helen Alfvegren Report

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

It doesn't even smell that bad....I mean here and there but it's not like you have to walk around holding your breath

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#37

I was going to count the number of American flags I saw on my two weeks in Florida.

I gave up on the ride from Miami Airport to South Beach.

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A Cat Named Dragon
A Cat Named Dragon
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am probably going to get down voted, but I think it’s good to be proud of who you are and where you’re from. I don’t like it when we turn that healthy enthusiasm into boastful nonsense, but I think all of us should be proud of ourselves, our families and our communities.

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#38

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Jay walking and the lack of pavement/sidewalk on many roads. I found it so hard to just get from one place to another.

DaveLakowski , Elvert Barnes Report

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

As I Brit watching US tv/movies I always wondered what "Jay walking" meant. We have no such thing over here. When I found out I was like "You can get arrested for crossing a road??" Mind blown. How are you supposed to walk anywhere? I guess you can't. Another reason they have an obesity problem.

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#39

1. You guys do not seem to have have touch and go card payment systems. A lot of places still rely on signatures.

2. Almost all food tastes sweet, including bread.

3. Credit history anywhere outside of the US isn’t considered “real” and will not hep prove you’re a real person when you want to open a bank account.

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

I've heard some crazy stories in Suze Orman show about "my mom opened a credit card in my name and didn't pay".........isn't there checks and balances in place?

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#40

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Perfect strangers asking me how I am doing.

FakeRealist , Boganm9p Report

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#41

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Raccoons stealing our bread over night while camping. The box was closed and we put weights on it, yet these clever little trash pandas found a way in and out.

TheBassMeister , ZeMoufette Report

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Paul K. Johnson
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Raccoon have at least three times the IQ of the average anti-vaxxer, Trumpster or Flat Earther. I mean I know that's a low bar but they're still just forest animals. But they are freaking smart. When I saw the video of raccoons helping a baby get over a wall by holding each others feet it really freaked me out how smart they are. Seriously check this out and you'll never doubt the intelligence of raccoons again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMbQIGHUvLI

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#42

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Went to Burger King and got a "medium" fizzy drink and they gave me this plastic tank that held about a liter and a half. Plus, about half of it was ice. What the hell.

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#43

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread The portion sizes. A meal in a restaurant at home will usually leave me fairly full, but I had to be rolled out of the place after eating in a US restaurant

Rustymag , Drew Tarvin Report

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Evil Little Thing
Evil Little Thing
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You didn't have to eat it all. There's nothing wrong with asking for a box to take home the extras.

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#44

Why so much sugar?!

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A Cat Named Dragon
A Cat Named Dragon
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because we need a little pick me up after an exhausting day of asking people how they are and telling them to have a great day!

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#45

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Advertisements every few minutes on tv.

IsezToHimIsez , Robert Couse-Baker Report

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Foxxy (The Original)
Foxxy (The Original)
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn’t this normal in other countries. We get about 10 mins of show viewing then about 2 mins of ads in between.

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#46

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Armed officer at movie theater..

I need prescription from a doctor to buy contact lenses???

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Mewton’s Third Paw
Mewton’s Third Paw
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I HATE THE CONTACT LENS THING SO MUCH. LEAVE ME ALONE, I’ve been an adult for years. I don’t need to update the prescription every 2 seconds.

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#47

The ads in between TV shows felt unnecessarily long, and also repeated the same info over and over, just worded differently.

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

I remember when I went to the US as a kid, the breaks were so annoying when you were trying to watch cartoons. (Glad the UK has far less)

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#48

Honestly...WalMart!! Went there to buy a sim card and some groceries. Also found out that I could also buy pet fish, car parts and shoes..ALL IN ONE BUILDING?!

Also, while in the queue to the checkout, we were next up and they just decided to close the lane? We had to requeue somewhere else.

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

Admittedly closing the lane like that usually gets someone in trouble. They're generally expected to wait until last customer in a line and put up a lane closed sign/turn off their light to prevent people lining up further

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#49

Answering for someone else. (I'm American answering for a German)

Ice machines in hotels. They couldnt understand why the hotels had so many ice machines and why there are signs for them.

I couldnt stop laughing about it and honestly have no idea why we love ice so much.

He also asked what people had in the big plastic cups. I said pop/soda. He laughed and said they look like they are 1.5 liters, there is no way they are drinking soda. Silly friend, yes yes they are.

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

In UK only time anybody buys more than 1 litre of sugary fizzy drink it's to be taken home and shared out among the family or drank over the course of a few days. Not to wash down your last meal with lol.

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#50

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Dutchy here, the USA is my favorite holiday destination, I'd even move there if I could.

I've toured the west, California, Arizona, Nevada. Spent a week in Las Vegas and another week in Manhattan.

The biggest WTF: you guys are really friendly, this is not the image to US has abroad but I can't remember any notable bad encounters, just one waitress with a nasty attitude insisting on getting a tip anyway which is somewhat understandable. I don't even know why the NYC subway gets a bad rap.

Second WTF: how huge your roads are, driving in the US boils down to pressing the gas to go, pressing the brake to stop. Just point it in the general direction you want to go and you'll be fine, lanes are too wide to hit anything.No engine braking though, drive up to the traffic light, hit the brakes at the last possible moment. I've had multiple people honk at me for letting go of the gas and just letting the car roll when I saw a red light in the distance.

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James016
James016
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being able to turn right at a red light if it’s clear got me.

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#51

The poor education system and the school culture portrayed in movies and tv shows (especially aimed to teenagers).
The college and student debts.
Why Americans do learn few things.

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#52

The way complete strangers would just initiate conversation with me inside an elevator. It's so weird but I honestly loved it.

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A Cat Named Dragon
A Cat Named Dragon
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am pretty sure that I am one of the people who do this! It’s funny because I always am impressed by how friendly everyone is in other countries, but now I’m starting to wonder if maybe it was me who initiated it? : )

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#53

The absolutely mind boggling level of advertising you put up with just about everywhere.

Also the extent to which cars have moulded the country, socially, geographically and psychologically. The place sometimes feels like the web of highways always existed there and civilisation just attempted to adapt to it, living in between the roads.

J walking!!?! Wtf

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Uncommon Boston
Uncommon Boston
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Premium 3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because it is legal in most places to make a right turn when the traffic light is red, crossing at intersections can be difficult/dangerous. Left turn arrows and "walk" lights timed to go off together are another danger. Usually I cross when it looks safe to do so.

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#54

Free water in any restaurant. FREEEE.

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Foxxy (The Original)
Foxxy (The Original)
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Australia tap water is also free in restaurants. I actually think it is illegal for restaurants to refuse you free tap water if you ask for it. They can charge for bottles water and boutique waters though.

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#55

Free refills, my friend. Free refills.

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#56

The infrastructure is much older than what you see on TV

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A Cat Named Dragon
A Cat Named Dragon
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

True dat, sadly. To be honest, that’s capitalism for you. A lot of our infrastructure is owned and expected to be updated by businesses who don’t want to spend the money on updates nor on taxes so that the government could handle it publicly. Don’t give me your baloney about corporate income tax rates. Most large companies shelter their income and pay those taxes only on a small percentage.

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#57

At the Petro station, sorry gas station; you can purchase ammo, gas, milk, rifle, beer, fireworks and other 'daily' use objects. This was in Montana, 2005.

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#58

Irish fella here. I went to America a few years back and was blown away by:
1:how workaholic the country was.
2: how religious. Ireland is extremely religious as well. Eg. You partake in your holy communion with your school, AND IT'S MANDATORY. Schools also belong to churches. But America was on a whole New level of religious. There were Jesus signs everywhere and people actually denounce science, which is just stupid.
3: if I had a cent for every American flag I saw throughout my trip, I would have enough to buy a house in your crappy economy.
4: The fact that when you're 18 you can go into a life long college debt, own a gun, drive, join the army, start a family but not drink alcohol
5: your food portions and how sweet everything was
And finally 6: your healthcare. Nuff said

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M O'Connell
M O'Connell
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

20% of the people make 80% of the noise, remember that.

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#59

The speed at which you guys repair roads. I mean WTactualF. My dad and I went to LA and the day we arrived they tore open a 2km strip of road. When we went to visit Warner studios next day they had started to pave again. When the tour was finished at 4pm and we walked back the road was in full f**king use again. Seriously that project would have taken at least half a year usually a year for that much of a project. I am truly amazed.

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

not sure which country this guy was in but half a year to a year for 2km road is truly insanely slow. It's probably also not sure. Maybe it feels like it.

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#60

Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most "WTF" Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread Once saw an ad for a wallet that was also a knife.

mikedotbluck , Flippy042 Report

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#61

Being carded to get into a bar when I was 29 years old. I'd been drinking in pubs in England for 13 years without having to show ID.

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Foxxy (The Original)
Foxxy (The Original)
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don’t forget that bars legal ages are different in the US compared to the UK so even though you are 29, the person carding you couldn’t tell whether you were under 21 or not. There is a difference between 18 and 21 year olds.

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#62

Portion sizes.

The number and length of ads in tv shows, it’s crazy disruptive.

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James016
James016
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One advert that sticks out for me when I was there 20 years ago when in Florida was an advert for a home jerky maker. It came with everything you need to make your own jerky, some packets of spice mix, skewers, and a free copy of Guns and Ammo magazine

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#63

I've visited New York City several times in the period 2009 - 2014.



Positive WTF: giant buildings with sometimes stunning architecture; Woolworth Building, 40 Wall Street, Chrysler Building, etc ... Already impressive on pics but overwhelming when literally towering above you in real-life.



Negative WTF: some employees of the TSA. Man, I don't expect you to smile and be all sunshine, but screaming with all your might at some passengers while your head turns red with saliva dripping out of your mouth might be a bit much.

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A Cat Named Dragon
A Cat Named Dragon
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got screamed at by the British version of TSA. I was wearing a sports bra underneath a buttoned sweater, and he told me I had to take off my sweater. I did it but I was really unhappy about it.

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#64

The political ads where they just SMEAR the f**k out of the opposition.

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

I find the concept of "First Lady" or spouse of Governor to have any recognition in public/give speeches really weird.

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#65

- The amount of homeless and/or crazy persons who would yell at people.

- Portion sizes and free refills.

- Listed prizes are without the tax added.

- How car-centric even the cities are.

- How many commercials you have on tv.

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staysdontstray
staysdontstray
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3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I guess it depends on where you live but adding on to the first point the number of homeless people openly doing drugs

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#66

Groceries in pharmacies!

Hey pandas. French here.
The thing that surprised me the most was to find ham, eggs, potato crisps, beverage, and also souvenirs in a pharmacy.
I mean, what?
"I'll take some aspirin and a sandwich, please. Oh, and this NYC cap, too."
This is really weird for me.

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

Cigarettes in pharmacies. Granted it was about 15 years ago but that was strange. I still remember it was a Duane Reade.

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#67

Everyone wanted me to have a great day.

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Paul K. Johnson
Paul K. Johnson
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They aren't the boss of you. If you don't want to have a great day then nobody can make you. Have a great day all the same. :)

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#68

Years ago, it used be striking how much violence was allowed on tv, while anything even remotely resembling sex was censored.

I think the internet, cable tv and syndication of TV shows has blended the cultures in this regard.

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A Cat Named Dragon
A Cat Named Dragon
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That seems true. I am always startled by the language and sex on non-American TV shows!

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#69

A "what to do if you see a panther" sign

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#70

Guns for sale in a supermarket! I'm from South Africa and we are used to some pretty weird stuff, but, just wow. I used to work on the cruise ships. Going to the supermarket to get non-ship food was a huge part of making it on the ship. I went to Walmart to buy some stuff and next to the electronic section there was a gun section. And a no one was manning the counter. I found that terrifying.

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#71

There's a whole channel about the weather. It runs 24 hours a day and makes everything seem hyper-dramatic.

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#72

The amount of salad dressing options. There were SOOO many to choose from. WTF is 'ranch' or 'Thousand Island'???

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

'Thousand Island' is well known in the UK, I like it. But 'Ranch' isn't.

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#73

I saw an advert on TV for some prescription meds then the presenter started listing off all the side effects, including death!

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

Yes, yes! Don't forget to call your lawyer if you have death, too.

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#74

Dogs or Coyotes howling in the night. When you're watching American stuff and you hear coyotes in the background, it's like "Ok they're just there, whatever", but when you hear it in real life, it's so unsettling.

And also, how far everything is. Went to Florida, and we had to travel through the "everglades", which was just a highway through a swampy area, for an hour or so. Imagine getting stuck halfway through it

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

NO ONE wants to run out of gas on the road known as “Alligator Alley!” a.k.a. Everglades Pkwy, an 80 mile desolate road between Miami and Naples, Florida.

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#75

The size of everything. Still shocks me that driving from NYC to Cleveland, OH takes twice as much time as a trip across my country. Airport security is also overwhelming (and extremely boring).

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

It says it takes 44 hours to drive from near my home in NJ to San Francisco CA

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#76

You can actually go to the ATM without leaving your car. Line for the driveby is longer then in the Coffee shop it self.

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#77

Portion sizes and adverts for drugs would be the big two. All the other differences would be either stuff you don't experience on holiday or within the kind of differences you'd expect from another country. But the meals were just unbelievably massive, and having people hawk serious medication to you through the TV was very jarring.

Oh, and the number and duration of ad breaks as well. One night me and my dad were in some small town on our way to somewhere else, decided to watch Silence of the Lambs on TV. The ad breaks towards the end were insane, completely ruined the film. They managed to put one in the middle of the f**king finale. Remember the bit where Clarice finds the well, and then the lights go out? That's where they put an ad break. F**k me sideways.

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

Less annoying that YouTube playing ads nowadays in the middle of the song!

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#78

For me, it was the amount of blown-out tyres and tyre debris on the highways and interstates.

I love the people though. They always just seem so genuinely pleased to be talking to you. I can't wait for the time that I can visit again!

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12points
Abbs0345
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#79

The missing persons posters everywhere. I was about 9 when we visited, so this would be 1999. We went into a gas station and there were so many missing persons posters on the walls that they also covered the ceiling. My whole family went quiet.

Also, the storms. I’m from Wales and the tropical storms were constant and stopped us going many places on our holiday. We were in Florida.

Also, going into a restaurant and being able to order such an insane range of foods. I think the menu was about 8 pages long. The food was amazing though.

www.gettyimages.co.uk Report

Final score:
7points
Mosritheel
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