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The United States has plenty of pros and cons, just like any other country. However, you can’t deny America tends to have more of each and some of them are turned all the way up to 11 on the weirdness scale. Like having the police patrol your school, writing the date in a weird way (let’s not even talk about the Imperial measurement system), and having full-on smear ads against political opponents.
Welcome to the Wonderland that is the USA. And what better way to learn about the bizarre things that Americans think are completely normal than by asking non-Americans for their opinions? That’s exactly what one Reddit user (who told Bored Panda that they wish to remain anonymous because of all the attention they're getting) did in a viral thread that got more than 50.9k upvotes and over a whopping 38.9k comments. Scroll down, have a read, check out our in-depth interview with the original poster, and upvote the weird things that happen in the US that left an impact on you, dear Pandas.
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#2
Talking about their freedom as if they're the only country in the world who has it...
#3
Gratuitous violence in entertainment is normal. But show one boob and people lose their s**t.
The redditor who posted the thread in the first place told us that they usually don’t hang out in the crowded default subreddits. “Either the thread gets too big for a conversation or it goes unnoticed in a sea of similar topics. In hindsight, it's not strange it got so much attention, Reddit is very diverse but a US-centric view is still dominant, and everyone wants to weigh in. Lots of people just wanted to vent, some had a strong political opinion, and some just wanted to ridicule the US.”
According to the Reddit user, they made the thread “on a whim” after they saw a comment by a redditor who was surprised to learn that not everyone has police officers at school.
“I did hope that starting this topic would end up in a couple of people sharing that kind of information among each other, because the US is going through some [crap], and it helps your morale to know that alternatives do exist.”
They continued: “Some people took it as a competition of which country is better, but it was intended without any kind of nationalist feelings, more with an idea of people defining things among themselves vs. how things are shown to be in schools and TV shows, in and outside the US.”
#4
When you are 18 years old, you can be shipped to a foreign country to kill humans, but you are not allowed to drink alcohol.
Richard Brown 4 years ago
I laughed when Will Smiths son wanted to celebrate his 18th birthday in the UK because he would be allowed to drink legally!
#5
Ambulance rides costing money seems pretty absurd to people from other countries
#6
Paying people less than minimum wage. How is it a minimum if it's legal to pay less than that?
One thing that the redditor did expect to see in the thread but was surprised to hear so many voices speaking against it was the “circumcision of infant males for non-medical, non-religious reasons but rather as a default procedure.” The redditor added: “Parents who decide against circumcising their newborn child but don't know how it works and what to teach their kid: there's a WikiHow!”
The thread shone a light on a lot of problems in the United States and suggested that these things need to change. “The things that got repeated most in the thread were division of ethnic groups, gun culture, military drafting and continuous warfare, cop culture, nutrition issues, corporate lobbying... and wearing shoes in the house,” the OP explained.
#7
Wondering if you're sick enough to call that ambulance or if you should just risk ubering it.
Medical bankruptcy after you're charged $200,000 for a week long hospital stay and now you're homeless.
Being mentally ill and getting hospitalized by others for your own safety, but then getting a massive bill for it that you cant pay (which will totally help the suicidality right?)
Choosing between food and medicine.
Deciding that it's less expensive to just go into palliative care and die instead of fighting a disease like cancer.
As you can see I really hate the american medical care system.
#8
Turning scientific information into a political discussion.
#9
Archaic, unhelpful standard units of measurement.
Martti Laurson 4 years ago (edited)
In 1983 canadian airplane had a lucky escape when fuel was calculated in pounds not kilograms. 1 kg is 2,2 pounds. So more than half of the fuel was missing.
“It's not as if all those comments came from non-US redditors, a lot of the criticism was from US citizens with genuine concern and investment in their future and their surroundings. Combine that with getting active and finding each other, just as widespread protests are helping to create a framework of solidarity, I think change is already happening if you just keep at it,” they said.
“I saw a lot of people from outside the US who feel racism or racist police brutality are a typical US thing. It sure looks like there's a structural issue, but please don't use the US as a way to shift blame because ‘they're worse,’ to get out of examining the same structural issues in your own locality,” the redditor added.
#11
Gun ownership.
mph seti 4 years ago
Many Americans are afraid all the time. It's a horrible habit, and our media/politicians reinforce it. It stems from the fact that our country was founded on genocide and slavery, IMO. White people fear BIPOC revenge that's never going to happen, and gun companies own the right wing of the government.
#12
Having only two parties: Republicans and Democrats. I know there are some smaller parties, but the system is stacked against them.
Electric Ed 4 years ago
When you think about it, this turns out to be the root cause for so many other problems. If not all of them.
While the US thinks a lot of weird things are normal, the one that isn’t giving us any peace and quiet is that Americans write the date as mm/dd/yyyy. So, why exactly do Americans write the date by putting the month before the day?
Of course, it seems completely logical to somebody who’s grown up with this system and uses it every single day of their lives. Nothing could be more natural, in their opinion. But from an outsider’s perspective, it looks downright weird and illogical. And the US is the only country in the world that does things this way.
There are several theories about this. One of them is that in certain cases, it’s more convenient to know the month first rather than the day. For instance, when somebody asks you when your birthday is, it’s more useful to know the month first to get your bearings right before zoning in on the exact day.
#13
Not putting the final price on the tag. I'm not sure whether it's still like this, but a few years ago one never knew whether the $1.00 item in McDonald's or Burger King is actually $1.00 or maybe $1.08.
Hans 4 years ago
It is absolutely ridiculous that not the final price tag is put on products. The European Union now rules that any taxes and mandatory fees need to be put up front. Thing like flight ticket = 30 EUR but then having to pay mandatorily for seating are ruled illegal. The opposite in the US. I have literally seen: hotel room: 200 USD/night. + mandatory resort fee, 30 USD, + mandatory service fee, 40 USD, + mandatory gratuity, 12,5% + local tax 4,1% + state tax 3,7% (number from my head). Thus, this really is a ~325 USD hotel room. No comparison possible.
#14
Date Order (MM/DD/YYYY)
Electric Ed 4 years ago
YYYY-MM-DD, please. Its an international standard, unambiguous, and sorts alphabetically. And equally uncomfortable for everybody :)
#15
Portion sizes.
Goth Nurse 4 years ago
While living in Texas (I am Finnish) I saw huge people and huge portion sizes, rarely a healthy option available. It was unbelievable how big the portion sizes were!
Another theory is that American colonists inherited the monthly date format from the British Empire. In time, the British moved over to the European style where you put the day first, then the month, then the year. While Americans stuck with the old-school format.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the International Organization for Standardization claims that putting the year first, then the month, then the day is the internationally accepted way to represent the date. To make things even more confusing, the US military uses the dd/mm/yyyy format for correspondence but it switches to the mm/dd/yyyy format when corresponding with civilians. Does that sound like a lot of info to take in? You bet! And that’s just one of the weird things that Americans think are normal.
#16
The plot of Breaking Bad being about a science teacher getting cancer and worrying about leaving his family with massive medical debt when he dies.
#17
My maternity leave was an unpaid 6 weeks, and I had to fight them on not shorting me because I went past my due date and didn’t keep working until the day I went into labor.
Brittania Douglas 4 years ago
Not to mention the hospital bill after having your baby. Like children aren't expensive enough without having to either pay for an at home doula\midwife, or a hospital birth.
#18
American flags everywhere. I traveled throughout Europe and the Caribbean and I usually only saw their flag on government builds and here and there. Where as here in the USA the flag is like Franks Red Hot. We put that s**t on everything. Magnets, churches, cars, condoms, every front porch, and street lamp. #murica
MikeyG 4 years ago
It does surprise me that the USA can be so proud of their flag and history, when their history is actually quite shameful and very short. A country less than 250 years old that seems to just ignore the native american history before that just astounds me.
Felix Feline 4 years ago
Other than Iceland, what country does not have a shameful history?
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Wouldn't You Like to Know 4 years ago
That's because we are proud to be American. Some other countries burn our flag...but she means something more to us.
David McKendrick 4 years ago
But even in America it is not illegal to burn your flag.. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/law-protects-flag-burning-united-states/story?id=43855624#:~:text=In%201990%2C%20Congress%20passed%20the,it%20violated%20the%20First%20Amendment.
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Lynn Spalding Jr. 4 years ago
You people seem to conveniently forget what your country's have done in the past,yet that is okay for you but it is a crime for the U.S.
Lisa Chambers 4 years ago
It is a beautiful sight when you come home from combat and you know for sure where you are. And we pretty much do not care what anyone else things about it.
Jana Boardman 4 years ago
What's wrong with pride? It's not like we're ignoring what happened before, or haven't tried to make amends. People forget that there have been huge strides made, the US is not the only country who mistreated the initial natives (Australia, anyone? How about Canada?) We've accomplished a lot in 250 years, and we never went through the royalty thing, or the peers/peon thing. We don't still have Earls and such. And we weren't the last to rid our country of slavery. In fact, there are countries where it is still the norm.
Andrew P Jump 4 years ago
That's because everyone else wishes they had American flags everywhere...
Nathan Girard 4 years ago
The ironic part is that printing it on disposable/wearable objects is actually against the flag code, yet we see it everywhere!
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
Canadians seem ofnd of their flags, ditto Brits, so this isn't only the US. I've seen people with a Union Jack on his speedo at the pool. (In UK)
Uncle Schmickle 5 months ago
That's the mentality of " We're the best country in the world " ..... and they believe it !
MarsFKA 1 year ago
Must be trying to compensate for something. On one trip to the US, while driving through Melbourne, Florida, we saw the biggest US flag we'd ever seen hanging from a huge construction crane. Next day, at the Kennedy Space Center, we saw the flag on the side of the Vehicle Assembly Building. That flag is so big, our bus driver said, one of the stripes is wide enough to drive his bus down.
Dusty Biorge 4 years ago
Obviously you're not from America so you will never understand what it is to be an American and you probably have tried to beat American and this is why you're so bitter
William Clark 4 years ago
Yeah we love our country. We are proud of our country. We believe this country is the greatest in the world! Don't like it? Too bad, deal with it! Let me ask you this, if this isn't the greatest country in the world, then why are so many immigrants from all over the world dying to get into this country? More than any other country in the world, people want to come to America!
Kate Cie 4 years ago
They want to get to the US because you guys keep saying that your country is the best lol. I always wanted to move to America, but after two visits not so much anymore ;)
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universal waffles 4 years ago
@J. Zingler this information is from Wikipedia and that is a reliable resource?
Shelley DuVal 4 years ago
I agree that most countries have shameful pasts, but most countries do not have their flag plastered out front of houses, on buildings, magnets, cars, schools, etc which is the point the original question was making.
Aileen Grist 4 years ago
In the UK people who put up flags in their gardens or on thir houses are thought somewhat weird.
Daniel (ShadowDrakken) 4 years ago
Honduras slaps their flash on everything too, it's not exclusively an American thing. But it is annoying as f**k
Pseudo Puppy 4 years ago
It's simply reinforcing the indoctrination / brainwashing that everything is about the US. It's prayed to it daily, in school, from age 4 (?), and is being promoted as a symbol of the entitlement of being a US citizen.... so of course, everyone needs to be reminded how "special" they are as often as possible..... :(
GirlFriday 4 years ago
Ah yes, the American Flag...one of the greatest marketing ploys in history, paid for by the US Government.
Liz 4 years ago
I've always found it so weird how attached to the flag American people are. It's bizarre and nonsensical, and usually embarrassing, too.
#20
Identifying as your heritage instead of your nationality. Americans will say that they’re Italian, German, polish, etc. when they don’t speak the language and have no real connection to those countries anymore.
In other parts of the world people just identify with the country they were born in or have lived in for a significant amount of time regardless of their ancestry.
#21
Had some American colleagues in Norway asking us how we celebrate 4th July
Richard Brown 4 years ago
Happens a lot. America seems to think the world is separated into 2 parts. America and Not America, yet.
#22
Big glasses of water WITH ICE at restaurants. I live in Texas usually and I drink ice water like 24/7. It’s a good habit here, especially in Summer. When I was in Europe I would get the smallest glasses of luke warm water that I had to ask for more every ten seconds. I felt annoying! Aren’t y’all thirsty?! Or am I missing something?
HelgaMaria Gehrmann 4 years ago
Yes, we are just as thirsty as everyone else;) But why should ice-cold water (especially) help against thirst? I have never understood (so do many people) why there are tons of ice in every drink. Especially when it is hot, it is totally counterproductive to drink such ice-cold drinks. It is much healthier and more effective against thirst to drink only slightly chilled drinks (directly from the fridge or 1/2 ice cubes max. ;) However, lukewarm water is rather unusual in restaurants ... unfortunately bad luck
#23
Toilet cubicles, where people not only can peek, but an adult person could crawl into your cubicle, there is so much space under the "door".
#24
Willingly putting yourself massively in debt for a college degree.
I come from a place with free university education (which has its own drawbacks of course), and the fact that you can make such a huge, life-altering decision at 17 is considered normal over there, that seems downright bizarre to me.
#25
The enabling customer service culture.
It’s created excessive portions in restaurants, created Karen, gives way to a disposable attitude towards products, and generally gives a sense of entitlement where most people start adding it to their list of rights.
#26
When I was there during the last election I was shocked at how phrases like ‘well they have the black vote’ or the ‘Latino vote’ came up all the time on the radio. Obviously it’s not racist but it’s just something that would never come up in my country. Like, why would latino people all vote for the same person?
#27
Actively avoiding healthcare visits/checkups because if there's something wrong and you don't have the money to pay for treatment, then you'd rather just not know
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
And that's insane. The sooner you start treatment on an illness the less it costs to cure. Seems that the basic rule of any maintenance schedule for machines is impossible to apply on humans in the US. That's what you get when your health care system is for profit instead of for everyone.
#28
This one is more on the positive side, because I think we could learn some from it.
Talking and sharing your life with complete strangers. I have met quite a few americans so it seems the norm that you share and engage with strangers in public. The bus, train, parks etc. And then you go on your way.
In Denmark you'd be a "freak" if you did that.
Pixie 4 years ago
Actual question: Why do you want to share your life with strangers on the street? I know I feel very uncomfortable if that happens to me (luckily seldom). Like, what am I to do with what you told me? I don't know you, I don't know if I like you, I don't know what you need as response...
#29
Asking everyone “what do you do?” when you first meet them. I live outside the US and realized there are some people I’ve known for years and I still don’t know their job. I think in the US jobs are a bigger part of a person’s identity than in some other places.
#30
The one that always shocks me (I’ve an L1B so I spent quite a bit of time in the last couple of years living & working in the USA - although back home in U.K. right now) is the whole ‘thank you for your service’ military thing. The military is treated like some sort of god level being. It first struck me at Seaworld when they would make all service personnel stand up. In the U.K. the military guys (a) wouldn’t do it and (b) would be embarassed. In most cases they would be actively told not to do it so they don’t get identified - the fear the IRA stoked still runs deep in the processes in the military of the U.K.
Brittania Douglas 4 years ago
Another thing regarding military is how actively they recruit. I've never seen it in the past 17 years in the UK, but in the US soldiers go into schools to recruit, do talks, tell you how you get a career or can pay for college after military service, etc. Twice I was practically harassed in high school by recruiters because of my good grades.
#31
Side effects on medication adverts.
Friggin hilarious to us Brits.
With James' Hayfever meds, I can get through the day with ease!
Side effects may include:
Loss of sight
Loss of hearing
Loss of sense of smell
Coma
Headaches
Fever
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Loss of consciousness
and death.
#32
American Corporations have convinced us our work culture is totally normal.
Ami Temi 4 years ago
The sad thing is, working more and having no employee rights, doesn't mean you have more money on the long run or that there's more productivity. Countries like Germany and Belgium have a very high productivity, but in less work hours and with better conditions. People have more time for their families, have days off and don't need to fear for their job or their lives when they're sick because of a social security system that works. I think the USA is a bit like Japan: they too, work an insane amount of hours, but one doesn't get more done in those hours. A Dutch woman wrote a book about that system and how it gives you a burn-out, for example. We certainly work just as hard as Americans, but the system is smarter and fairer. It's like with education, we pay less, but our Masters are equally as good as your American ones.
#33
Attack ads against political opponents, ads for law firms or lawyers. These kinds of ads are illegal and considered unethical in our country. Also expecting a teenager to be out of the house by the time they're 18. I live in Southeast Asia. There's no stigma about living with one's parents. Most of the time, there will be three generations living in one house.
chi-wei shen 4 years ago
I am the youngest of 5 sons and it was expected that I stay at home in order to take over and care for my parents in the future.
#34
not owning kettles and MICROWAVING their water for coffee/tea
#36
Having second mortgages on a house. Taking massive loans they can't possibly pay off and buying stuff with it that decreases in value over time such as cars.
#38
Extra large bottomless cups for cola or soft drinks.... you could bathe in those....
#39
being able to vote before reaching the legal drinking age
#40
A flag in every corner of a classroom, and Americans being very patriotic to the stars and stripes. Other countries barely give a poop about their flags
What do you think ?
Piet Puk 4 years ago
Kids beauty contests are something I can in no way understand. Children wearing padded bikinis and lipstick, being judged by grown ups. WTF?
Oathbraker 4 years ago
You know whatl always confused me about Americans? Talking about salaries in dollars per hour and yearly. I've no idea how much 15 $/hour is. Or how much $80 000 a year is. Most people just talk about their monthly salary. After all you pay most of your bills per month- electricity, water, heating, internet, phone, etc.
BG 4 years ago
Generally, only administrators are "salaried" employees who make a guaranteed amount. When I worked on construction sites, I earned a certain dollar-amount per hour. I may work 32 hours this week and 50 hours the next. I had no idea how much I made "per month" until the end of the month.
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Mama Panda 4 years ago
Ok Enough about the flags. One time on this list is all you all need. We don't need to keep explaining the same damn thing over and over. There is a lot of speculation coming from people who don't have a big enough sample of living in the US. You live in one place and think you can speak for everywhere but that is not how it is here. I think it would have been a better format if instead of being all smug and s**t, instead ya' all just asked questions and we could answer. Because you are making assumptions without all the facts, and that's not a sign of intelligence. (yeah down voting this comment will prove my point so go ahead! )
Electric Ed 4 years ago
We are making these assumptions based on the propaganda Hollywood feeds us. And the odd tourist. Only by having articles like this can we even start to dig deeper, and find this truth you hint at.
Load More Replies... all caps 4 years ago
Is it already time for BP's weekly article about how weird the US is (which inevitably ends up with people dunking on healthcare, food, measurement/date styles)? I get that some of the things we do are weird (though F is more accurate and useful than C, it just lacks the elegance of 0 - 100) but between this and the 33rd article about this or that artist's rendering of something or other using Disney characters, this site is getting stale.
Demi Zwaan 4 years ago
Honest question. Why do you think F is more accurate? And how is F more useful?
Load More Replies... chi-wei shen 4 years ago
The way many Americans use forks. I've worked in the US for a few month and everyone who watched me eating immediately knew I'm a foreigner. I always kept the fork in my left hand while my American colleagues held it in the left hand while cutting and than took the fork with the right hand for eating with the tines pointing upwards. Quite often I was the only one using silverware, for example when eating a pizza. I always refused to take these triangular pieces with my hand, which was considered as being extremely weird.
Aria Whitaker 4 years ago
Pizza is considered a finger food in this country. It may be "weird" to you...but its very "weird" to us to sit there and eat pizza with a fork. Imagine that...different countries have different customs and ways of eating cuisine! Amazing!
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K.Kobayashi 4 years ago (edited)
Residential neighborhoods with no sidewalks. Cities with no railway stations. Paying money to get into a state park or national park. Elections on weekdays. Throwing all types of recyclables into the same bin ("commingled recycling").
tuzdayschild 4 years ago
That was some good American bashing. We all feel superior now? Sorry, bashing back is not the answer.
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
Enough with the US flag thing! Other nations wave theirs all over the place. Hve it on clothing. Et cetera. (Canada, UK, Eastern Europe post-USSR... Denmark has national flag Christmas ornaments.) Please, enough already with this alleged American obsession with the American flag. Not just the US. Not all of the US. Speaking as someone who has been in the UK and seen the Union Jack on *speedos*. (ANd you worry about the US flying its flags on buildings?!)
Electric Ed 4 years ago
Not all of the USA. Just the part of the USA that we see on TV? Got it.
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oddball0626 4 years ago
Hey, another American hating post, how original. Guess it just allows us to ignore our own issues.
Cesi Baca 4 years ago
They’re obsessed with America and feel guilty about the fact that they have more interest in the US than they do their own country.
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John Baker 4 years ago
Some of these things don't apply only to Americans, and some of them only right-wing nutballs think are normal.
Nicky OldfieldDesciple 4 years ago
Home Owners organisation. I cannot understand this one. What right does anyone have to tell you that you can't have a certain garden ornament or even tree on your lawn I have heard that some home owners have been brought to task about the type of door knocker or door bell they have. If I have worked hard to to own my own home and am still working hard to pay a mortgage, what right does some jumped up little fascist with more time on his hands then brains in their head to tell me how to decorate my home?. Here in Ireland and again in the UK this would never happen. You can do what you like and call it freedom of expression.
GirlFriday 4 years ago (edited)
Ah! But those Home Owners Associations also guarantee you a lifestyle should you choose to live it. For instance, I bought a place in a neighborhood that is child-free. I pay the HOA fees so that I live maintenance free (they take care of the lawn, the pool, the gym, the roads, the gates, the mailboxes, etc.) and have rules in place and enforce the rules to keep children out of common areas and away from the amenities. I gladly shell out the monthly fee for the peace and quiet and maintenance free life-style that I live. Others choose to lice in neighborhoods that are geared towards children and pay extra to have security and maintenance for their amenities to keep their children safe. There are few HOAs here that tell someone how to live their lives. If you experienced that I am sorry, but that is the exception rather than the norm. The only time my HOA has gotten involved in someone's business is when they piled trash up on their front walk and left it for a week.
Load More Replies... Rick 4 years ago (edited)
Cheques. It’s such an archaic system. I haven’t paid for anything by cheque in decades but when dealing with American clients they always wanted to pay by cheque. Not a huge hassle, but I was surprised they’re still regularly used there.
GirlFriday 4 years ago
I haven't written a check in years and years. Why do you think that Americans write checks?
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Beatriz Branco 4 years ago
Another thing americans are totally obsessed about is competitions!
Sofia Murat 9 months ago
You do know that there are many states, fifty, and all are different. It's like saying "Things that only Asiana think are normal" What do you mean by "Asians"? Japan? India? Kazakhstan? Same here, what do you mean by "Americans"? Texas? Washington? Colorado? Sorry if I offended you, but you have to understand that some things are similar in many states, but some aren't.
MarsFKA 1 year ago
The NRA and its political power and "Arm the teachers" – the most eye-watering viciously stupid comment that anyone in a position of influence has ever made. And, while I'm here: two old men right now competing for the White House. Seriously, America? Is that the best you can do?
Lea S. 3 years ago (edited)
As for the fails of our government; healthcare, massive double mortgages, not having enough for doctors...we don't 'think' this is normal - it just is. We know it's wrong and it shouldn't be this way. Also - THE SHOES IN THE HOUSE. Get over it people. This is personal preference and demands on lots of factors. I hate shoes in my house but guess what - sometimes it happens. Get some frickin' cleaning supplies and relax. This differs at EVERY SINGLE HOME.
OCDRobot 3 years ago
I mean I know my country has it's problems and there's a lot I wish was different, but damn this website really likes to pile on the hate for the US, doesn't it? It feels like every other article is a gross exaggeration of what it's like here. I read one yesterday where they're like "Omg Americans don't use kitchen towels!" I mean seriously? Have any of these people writing these ever even been to the US?
Jody Doakes 4 years ago
With all of these "negatives" facing you, I suggest you not come here. We will both be happy.
Courtney Christelle 4 years ago
Eating contests. Gross, we have people starving in our own country but yeah, lets have a competition to see who can eat more than they need.
Peter Kelly 4 years ago
It is the decimation of the English language that bothers me! Adding 'ize' to every other noun, or employing words were many better exist, such as 'deceasant', instead of 'deceased'.
Electric Ed 4 years ago
This is the internet. Have some understanding :) Might be decimated, but perhaps it still is improving in the long run?
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Ronnie Beaton 4 years ago
Why are Americans so *competitive* about everything? I saw an ad for a competitive barbequing TV show, and thought "Why is this even a thing?"
GirlFriday 4 years ago
BBC has several cooking competition shows. I know that Master Chef is produced in at least 12 countries. We are not the only country with competitive cooking. BBQ is simply another type of cooking albeit probably the most delicious one. Wow, I really want some tips from Kings now. What time do they open?
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Kenny Kulbiski 4 years ago
The rest of the world should be glad America exists. It gives them something to feel superior about. And of course we fall all over ourselves apologizing for every little Mickey Mouse thing.
misteriosa 4 years ago
I dread carpeting in all rooms from wall to wall, especially when they use shoes inside 😱 Also having washing machine in kitchens. Student loan debts (I have a certain amount to pay, I pay for years and I still have the same amount to pay?!). Travelling to work for hours on daily basis. Electing GW Bush twice (ok the first time, you didn't know better, but again? that is why I genuinly think Trump can get 2nd term). And what's with the freakshows in ridiculous outfits in places like Wal-Mart?
Patrick Reolon 4 years ago
just as a starter, sorry to say, but being an american is not exclusive for US citizens, it also applies to mexicans, etc... yes there is also a North America, Central America and South america, and they're all americans Cleared that up, the US American concept of liberty and freedom is nowadays perverted by exactly those who want the freedom for everything: free to be pedofile, free to be racist, free to hate (that one I love), freedom to interfere in other countries politics, and last but not least: you're free to elect one of two parties, no more, no less just two, good or bad, black or white, nothing inbetween... How could you pervert the meaning and concept of freedom and liberty? (answer: filosofy and ethics could play a role in that ;-) )
Margot Alexandre 4 years ago
I don't know if it was out of politically corectedness, but the most obvious one is missing : OBESITY.
Mal 4 years ago
I lived in a rural area so I got my driver's permit at 14. Would drive myself to school and back.
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Martha Meyer 4 years ago
Gentrification is happening worldwide in many cities. And all thorugh history rich people and poor people occupied separate parts of cities.
Load More Replies... Aria Whitaker 4 years ago (edited)
"you can lie them as many times"...what? But yeah, we are the "dumbs", huh? lol
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Piet Puk 4 years ago
Kids beauty contests are something I can in no way understand. Children wearing padded bikinis and lipstick, being judged by grown ups. WTF?
Oathbraker 4 years ago
You know whatl always confused me about Americans? Talking about salaries in dollars per hour and yearly. I've no idea how much 15 $/hour is. Or how much $80 000 a year is. Most people just talk about their monthly salary. After all you pay most of your bills per month- electricity, water, heating, internet, phone, etc.
BG 4 years ago
Generally, only administrators are "salaried" employees who make a guaranteed amount. When I worked on construction sites, I earned a certain dollar-amount per hour. I may work 32 hours this week and 50 hours the next. I had no idea how much I made "per month" until the end of the month.
Load More Replies... Mama Panda 4 years ago
Ok Enough about the flags. One time on this list is all you all need. We don't need to keep explaining the same damn thing over and over. There is a lot of speculation coming from people who don't have a big enough sample of living in the US. You live in one place and think you can speak for everywhere but that is not how it is here. I think it would have been a better format if instead of being all smug and s**t, instead ya' all just asked questions and we could answer. Because you are making assumptions without all the facts, and that's not a sign of intelligence. (yeah down voting this comment will prove my point so go ahead! )
Electric Ed 4 years ago
We are making these assumptions based on the propaganda Hollywood feeds us. And the odd tourist. Only by having articles like this can we even start to dig deeper, and find this truth you hint at.
Load More Replies... all caps 4 years ago
Is it already time for BP's weekly article about how weird the US is (which inevitably ends up with people dunking on healthcare, food, measurement/date styles)? I get that some of the things we do are weird (though F is more accurate and useful than C, it just lacks the elegance of 0 - 100) but between this and the 33rd article about this or that artist's rendering of something or other using Disney characters, this site is getting stale.
Demi Zwaan 4 years ago
Honest question. Why do you think F is more accurate? And how is F more useful?
Load More Replies... chi-wei shen 4 years ago
The way many Americans use forks. I've worked in the US for a few month and everyone who watched me eating immediately knew I'm a foreigner. I always kept the fork in my left hand while my American colleagues held it in the left hand while cutting and than took the fork with the right hand for eating with the tines pointing upwards. Quite often I was the only one using silverware, for example when eating a pizza. I always refused to take these triangular pieces with my hand, which was considered as being extremely weird.
Aria Whitaker 4 years ago
Pizza is considered a finger food in this country. It may be "weird" to you...but its very "weird" to us to sit there and eat pizza with a fork. Imagine that...different countries have different customs and ways of eating cuisine! Amazing!
Load More Replies... K.Kobayashi 4 years ago (edited)
Residential neighborhoods with no sidewalks. Cities with no railway stations. Paying money to get into a state park or national park. Elections on weekdays. Throwing all types of recyclables into the same bin ("commingled recycling").
tuzdayschild 4 years ago
That was some good American bashing. We all feel superior now? Sorry, bashing back is not the answer.
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
Enough with the US flag thing! Other nations wave theirs all over the place. Hve it on clothing. Et cetera. (Canada, UK, Eastern Europe post-USSR... Denmark has national flag Christmas ornaments.) Please, enough already with this alleged American obsession with the American flag. Not just the US. Not all of the US. Speaking as someone who has been in the UK and seen the Union Jack on *speedos*. (ANd you worry about the US flying its flags on buildings?!)
Electric Ed 4 years ago
Not all of the USA. Just the part of the USA that we see on TV? Got it.
Load More Replies... oddball0626 4 years ago
Hey, another American hating post, how original. Guess it just allows us to ignore our own issues.
Cesi Baca 4 years ago
They’re obsessed with America and feel guilty about the fact that they have more interest in the US than they do their own country.
Load More Replies... John Baker 4 years ago
Some of these things don't apply only to Americans, and some of them only right-wing nutballs think are normal.
Nicky OldfieldDesciple 4 years ago
Home Owners organisation. I cannot understand this one. What right does anyone have to tell you that you can't have a certain garden ornament or even tree on your lawn I have heard that some home owners have been brought to task about the type of door knocker or door bell they have. If I have worked hard to to own my own home and am still working hard to pay a mortgage, what right does some jumped up little fascist with more time on his hands then brains in their head to tell me how to decorate my home?. Here in Ireland and again in the UK this would never happen. You can do what you like and call it freedom of expression.
GirlFriday 4 years ago (edited)
Ah! But those Home Owners Associations also guarantee you a lifestyle should you choose to live it. For instance, I bought a place in a neighborhood that is child-free. I pay the HOA fees so that I live maintenance free (they take care of the lawn, the pool, the gym, the roads, the gates, the mailboxes, etc.) and have rules in place and enforce the rules to keep children out of common areas and away from the amenities. I gladly shell out the monthly fee for the peace and quiet and maintenance free life-style that I live. Others choose to lice in neighborhoods that are geared towards children and pay extra to have security and maintenance for their amenities to keep their children safe. There are few HOAs here that tell someone how to live their lives. If you experienced that I am sorry, but that is the exception rather than the norm. The only time my HOA has gotten involved in someone's business is when they piled trash up on their front walk and left it for a week.
Load More Replies... Rick 4 years ago (edited)
Cheques. It’s such an archaic system. I haven’t paid for anything by cheque in decades but when dealing with American clients they always wanted to pay by cheque. Not a huge hassle, but I was surprised they’re still regularly used there.
GirlFriday 4 years ago
I haven't written a check in years and years. Why do you think that Americans write checks?
Load More Replies... Beatriz Branco 4 years ago
Another thing americans are totally obsessed about is competitions!
Sofia Murat 9 months ago
You do know that there are many states, fifty, and all are different. It's like saying "Things that only Asiana think are normal" What do you mean by "Asians"? Japan? India? Kazakhstan? Same here, what do you mean by "Americans"? Texas? Washington? Colorado? Sorry if I offended you, but you have to understand that some things are similar in many states, but some aren't.
MarsFKA 1 year ago
The NRA and its political power and "Arm the teachers" – the most eye-watering viciously stupid comment that anyone in a position of influence has ever made. And, while I'm here: two old men right now competing for the White House. Seriously, America? Is that the best you can do?
Lea S. 3 years ago (edited)
As for the fails of our government; healthcare, massive double mortgages, not having enough for doctors...we don't 'think' this is normal - it just is. We know it's wrong and it shouldn't be this way. Also - THE SHOES IN THE HOUSE. Get over it people. This is personal preference and demands on lots of factors. I hate shoes in my house but guess what - sometimes it happens. Get some frickin' cleaning supplies and relax. This differs at EVERY SINGLE HOME.
OCDRobot 3 years ago
I mean I know my country has it's problems and there's a lot I wish was different, but damn this website really likes to pile on the hate for the US, doesn't it? It feels like every other article is a gross exaggeration of what it's like here. I read one yesterday where they're like "Omg Americans don't use kitchen towels!" I mean seriously? Have any of these people writing these ever even been to the US?
Jody Doakes 4 years ago
With all of these "negatives" facing you, I suggest you not come here. We will both be happy.
Courtney Christelle 4 years ago
Eating contests. Gross, we have people starving in our own country but yeah, lets have a competition to see who can eat more than they need.
Peter Kelly 4 years ago
It is the decimation of the English language that bothers me! Adding 'ize' to every other noun, or employing words were many better exist, such as 'deceasant', instead of 'deceased'.
Electric Ed 4 years ago
This is the internet. Have some understanding :) Might be decimated, but perhaps it still is improving in the long run?
Load More Replies... Ronnie Beaton 4 years ago
Why are Americans so *competitive* about everything? I saw an ad for a competitive barbequing TV show, and thought "Why is this even a thing?"
GirlFriday 4 years ago
BBC has several cooking competition shows. I know that Master Chef is produced in at least 12 countries. We are not the only country with competitive cooking. BBQ is simply another type of cooking albeit probably the most delicious one. Wow, I really want some tips from Kings now. What time do they open?
Load More Replies... Kenny Kulbiski 4 years ago
The rest of the world should be glad America exists. It gives them something to feel superior about. And of course we fall all over ourselves apologizing for every little Mickey Mouse thing.
misteriosa 4 years ago
I dread carpeting in all rooms from wall to wall, especially when they use shoes inside 😱 Also having washing machine in kitchens. Student loan debts (I have a certain amount to pay, I pay for years and I still have the same amount to pay?!). Travelling to work for hours on daily basis. Electing GW Bush twice (ok the first time, you didn't know better, but again? that is why I genuinly think Trump can get 2nd term). And what's with the freakshows in ridiculous outfits in places like Wal-Mart?
Patrick Reolon 4 years ago
just as a starter, sorry to say, but being an american is not exclusive for US citizens, it also applies to mexicans, etc... yes there is also a North America, Central America and South america, and they're all americans Cleared that up, the US American concept of liberty and freedom is nowadays perverted by exactly those who want the freedom for everything: free to be pedofile, free to be racist, free to hate (that one I love), freedom to interfere in other countries politics, and last but not least: you're free to elect one of two parties, no more, no less just two, good or bad, black or white, nothing inbetween... How could you pervert the meaning and concept of freedom and liberty? (answer: filosofy and ethics could play a role in that ;-) )
Margot Alexandre 4 years ago
I don't know if it was out of politically corectedness, but the most obvious one is missing : OBESITY.
Mal 4 years ago
I lived in a rural area so I got my driver's permit at 14. Would drive myself to school and back.
Load More Replies... Martha Meyer 4 years ago
Gentrification is happening worldwide in many cities. And all thorugh history rich people and poor people occupied separate parts of cities.
Load More Replies... Aria Whitaker 4 years ago (edited)
"you can lie them as many times"...what? But yeah, we are the "dumbs", huh? lol
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