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If you grew up watching American movies, you probably have a certain image of the United States—a land where dreams come true, everyone’s chasing success, and patriotism runs deep. But hey, there's so much more to the US than what Hollywood shows us!

Today, we’ve put together a collection of intriguing and surprising things about life in America that might catch you off guard, leave you questioning some stereotypes, or make you realize that life in the U.S. isn’t always as glamorous as it seems in the movies. So, Pandas, let's dive into the real deal!

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    America is a place full of quirks that can feel completely foreign to outsiders. From the suspiciously big serving sizes to tipping for a cup of coffee to even just how people go about their lives, the experience of being in America can be a real shocker for visitors and new immigrants.

    And while some things don’t fully make sense until you’re actually there, these posts give you a fun glimpse into the quirks of American life. They might not prepare you for everything, but they’ll definitely show you a unique side of the States.

    #4

    The Guy On The Left Has Had A Slew Of Signs Like This

    The Guy On The Left Has Had A Slew Of Signs Like This

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    #6

    Florida Teacher Here. This Is Our School's "Library" Now

    Florida Teacher Here. This Is Our School's "Library" Now

    Florida passed a law that said no books can be displayed in a school until they've been reviewed and approved by an appointed team. If a teacher shows a book that has not been approved, they could be charged with a felony.

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    When it comes to food, it seems like bigger is always better for Americans. Whether it’s a pizza or a soda, the portion size is often double what you’d get in other countries. So, what’s considered a large soda in Europe might just be a medium in the States.

    #8

    America's Response To The COVID-19 Global Pandemic All Boiled Down To One Picture

    America's Response To The COVID-19 Global Pandemic All Boiled Down To One Picture

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    Libstak
    Community Member
    20 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If "There's none so blind than them that cannot see" were a picture.

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    #9

    "Not Medically Necessary"

    "Not Medically Necessary"

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    ZGutr
    Community Member
    20 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Your doctor has had years of education but does not know sh.it .... We have money, we know what's best

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    Apart from their supersized food, Americans have a reputation of being fans of sugared beverages as well. If you are planning on visiting the US, prepare for a lot of flavored sodas and sweet iced teas.

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    Compared to countries like Italy, where people sip on small, strong espressos, or Japan, where green tea is the norm, US drinks are super sweet and come in sizes that could last all day.

    #10

    Only In America Would A Restaurant Display On The Wall That They Don’t Pay Their Staff Enough To Live On

    Only In America Would A Restaurant Display On The Wall That They Don’t Pay Their Staff Enough To Live On

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    On top of this, they have truly become successful at being able to do things quickly, especially when it comes to food. There are many fast food places in the States that come with drive-thru features. But that’s not simply it.

    There are even drive-thru pharmacies, banks, and coffee shops. In other countries like Spain, people usually enjoy sit-down meals with friends and family. To these people, the concept of taking a cup of coffee through the window is quite alien.

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    #13

    I Had To Pay $39.35 To Hold My Baby After He Was Born

    I Had To Pay $39.35 To Hold My Baby After He Was Born

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    ManBlob
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    20 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Here's your baby!" "Such a beautiful baby!" "Yes, that'll be $39,35, cash or credit?"

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    #14

    A Gun Store And A Daycare Center Sharing The Same Building. God Bless America

    A Gun Store And A Daycare Center Sharing The Same Building. God Bless America

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    Lavern Defazio
    Community Member
    19 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm sure irony is lost on its citizens. And if it's not, then it's just sad and horrible.

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    While tipping is a common practice in many countries, it is practically a requirement in the States. And no, you can't skimp on tips—15-20% is the expected norm at restaurants.

    On the contrary, in countries like Japan, there is an actual cultural principle not to tip anyone, and a good number of European nations include the gratuity within the bill itself.

    #17

    Not Sure If This Belongs Here But In My Opinion, This Is The Real Problem With America

    Not Sure If This Belongs Here But In My Opinion, This Is The Real Problem With America

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    Libstak
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    20 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, yes that is a humiliating situation for anyone to find themselves in.

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    #18

    On Hold With Covered California For Over 11 Hours Because They Canceled Our Health Insurance

    On Hold With Covered California For Over 11 Hours Because They Canceled Our Health Insurance

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    Medical bills in the US can be shockingly high compared to countries with universal healthcare, like Canada or the UK. In those places, most people do not have to pay for doctor’s visits, surgeries and staying in the hospital, because this is financed by the state. Here, on the other hand, a simple visit to an emergency department could lead to a bill that runs into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

    #20

    Just Got My $39k Hospital Bill For Having A Stroke At 34

    Just Got My $39k Hospital Bill For Having A Stroke At 34

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    Libstak
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    20 hours ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My brother had a stroke at 32. One year in hospital including therapy, years of specialist and hospital visits, procedures for stents you name it, he went through it. Passed 11 years ago at 56. Total bill...$0. Except for medications which were capped at $500 annually, after that free.

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    #21

    It Finally Happened. I Was Prompted To Tip At The Airport Self-Checkout Station

    It Finally Happened. I Was Prompted To Tip At The Airport Self-Checkout Station

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    When it comes to holidays, Americans don’t get much vacation time. With an average of just two weeks of paid vacation, they might feel rushed to squeeze in their trips. Compare that to countries like France or Germany, where five to six weeks of paid holiday is the norm. So it is no surprise that Europeans are said to go globetrotting more often.

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    When living in the US, it is usually hard to get around without a car unless you are located in a major city like New York or Chicago. On the other hand, when people go to places like India, Bangladesh or other Asian countries, they find and enjoy superb public transportation facilities such as railroads, buses and three-wheeler vehicles.

    #26

    I Was Forced To Throw Away Bags Of Bread While At Work. There Is A Homeless Shelter Two Miles From Where I Work. All Of This Food Wasted

    I Was Forced To Throw Away Bags Of Bread While At Work. There Is A Homeless Shelter Two Miles From Where I Work. All Of This Food Wasted

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    #27

    Does Anyone Else Hate That We’ve Normalized Not Putting Back Your Cart? I Just Find It Lazy (In The US)

    Does Anyone Else Hate That We’ve Normalized Not Putting Back Your Cart? I Just Find It Lazy (In The US)

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    ADJ
    Community Member
    18 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Make them like in Europe - insert coin to get cart, return cart, get the coin back. And there is no cart on parking lot problem whatsoever.

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    #28

    What My School Gave Its Teachers For Teacher Appreciation Week. Seven Starburst And A Square Foot Of Bubble Wrap. Score

    What My School Gave Its Teachers For Teacher Appreciation Week. Seven Starburst And A Square Foot Of Bubble Wrap. Score

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    18 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stress relief bubble wrap? At least cheaper that the stroke medical bill! 🤬

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    In the end, America is a land of unique customs and habits that can leave outsiders both amused and bewildered. Which of these quirks did you find the most amusing? Was it the supersized portions or the drive-thru culture? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

    #31

    Drove To An Urgent Care To Have My Throat Looked At, Got To An Exam Room, And Learned They Were Only Doing Telehealth Visits When They Wheeled This In

    Drove To An Urgent Care To Have My Throat Looked At, Got To An Exam Room, And Learned They Were Only Doing Telehealth Visits When They Wheeled This In

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    Geoffrey Scott
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    13 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not to one-up..but went to an urgent care that I had visited before for a Upper Resp infection. Got a bill for the whole amount, when my BC/BS should have paid 80%. Upon investigation it was reclassified by the conglomerate as a Ready Care, or, an offsite ER. Oh...the hospital ER is 4 blocks away. I refused to pay any more than my 20% co-pay due to their "subterfuge". They threatened credit reporting after a few months. Called my (GOP) Rep. and explained the situation. I sent them 20% right after my call to my Rep. Got an e-mail from McClaren telling me it was paid in full.

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    #33

    This Year, Give Your Special Someone The Gift Of Accessing The American Healthcare System

    This Year, Give Your Special Someone The Gift Of Accessing The American Healthcare System

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    Tucker Cahooter
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    20 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Given the medical costs shown in the other posts, I am wondering what exactly a $49 gift card will get you. "Hello, I'm Dr Smith...sorry, your time is up"

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    #35

    This Classy Individual Climbed On Our Porch To Steal Our Flag Today. Then Promptly Threw It Into A Mud Puddle

    This Classy Individual Climbed On Our Porch To Steal Our Flag Today. Then Promptly Threw It Into A Mud Puddle

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    Savannah greenleaf
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    19 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Clear fishing line with small hooks tied around the base of the flag. My grandmother did this when she was fed up with the theft. Never was stolen again.

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    #40

    First Child Support Payment In Three Years. I Asked My Ex Why He Paid Only Fifty Cents, And He Showed Me The Receipt Where He Paid $300. The State Of Michigan Kept $299.50 In Fees

    First Child Support Payment In Three Years. I Asked My Ex Why He Paid Only Fifty Cents, And He Showed Me The Receipt Where He Paid $300. The State Of Michigan Kept $299.50 In Fees

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    ƒιѕн
    Community Member
    19 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would think the payer would be responsible for and fees, not the payee.

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    #41

    Got Charged 9k For A Doctor To Tell Me It Was Just Period Cramps, And After Going To Another Doctor It Was A Ruptured Ovarian Cyst

    Got Charged 9k For A Doctor To Tell Me It Was Just Period Cramps, And After Going To Another Doctor It Was A Ruptured Ovarian Cyst

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    Miki
    Community Member
    18 hours ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    With f****d up system like theirs, miss diagnosis should be payed back :/

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    #42

    Bathroom Passes. Each Circle Represents One Pass. We Get One Of These Papers Per Semester. To Get More, We Have To Arrange An Appointment With The Administration

    Bathroom Passes. Each Circle Represents One Pass. We Get One Of These Papers Per Semester. To Get More, We Have To Arrange An Appointment With The Administration

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    #44

    Only In America

    Only In America

    The sticker says: "Do not tailgate me. Antisocial gun-toting sociopath behind the wheel. Please just go around".

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    #45

    I Have An Autoimmune Disorder. This Is The Amount Of Bills I Received For A Single Diagnostic Test Due To Insurers Negligence And A Clerical Error. US Healthcare: Do Better

    I Have An Autoimmune Disorder. This Is The Amount Of Bills I Received For A Single Diagnostic Test Due To Insurers Negligence And A Clerical Error. US Healthcare: Do Better

    Morekoolaid Report

    #47

    My Local Grocery Chain Sells Individually Shrink-Wrapped Potatoes At $1.29 A Piece

    My Local Grocery Chain Sells Individually Shrink-Wrapped Potatoes At $1.29 A Piece

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    #48

    Came For Boxer Briefs. Everything Is Locked Up. I Had To Track Someone Down Just To Get These Unlocked

    Came For Boxer Briefs. Everything Is Locked Up. I Had To Track Someone Down Just To Get These Unlocked

    I pointed at a 10-pack and said “The 10-pack in medium” and they grabbed a 6-pack… Of course, I didn't check (which adds to my mild infuriation) just because I thought they saw and heard. They were both the same price so it only made sense. Didn't realize until I got home. Thought it was fine cause I had to get tums, to find the same thing… And find another associate. Finding someone took about 5 minutes. The funny thing is they just hand it over right after and let you take it to the front.

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    elmortero
    Community Member
    18 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And then that sit and wonder why I why online shopping "steals" their business

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    #49

    Lady Goes To Self-Checkout, Makes The Attendant Unload Her Cart, Scan, And Bag Each Item

    Lady Goes To Self-Checkout, Makes The Attendant Unload Her Cart, Scan, And Bag Each Item

    Note that she had way more items than you should for self-checkout, and a recommendation was made by the employee that she consider going to the standard checkout, which had nobody in line, and she refused.

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    Sofia
    Community Member
    18 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the attendand should have refused since is a self checkout (but probabilly is a management problem since "customer is always right")

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    #50

    Anti-Theft Gates On Laundry Stuff And Chocolate

    Anti-Theft Gates On Laundry Stuff And Chocolate

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    Note: this post originally had 102 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.