ADVERTISEMENT

It’s no secret that America stands out from the crowd. There are so many little quirky American things that the rest of the world just can’t wrap their heads around. Like the word "y'all," red solo cups, free refills, and bulk shopping, to name just a few.

So when someone asked the non-Americans of Reddit what's the craziest thing they’ve heard about the greatest country in the world that turned out to be true, the question was destined to become a hit. 56.9K upvotes later, the thought-provoking inquiry generated some very surprising answers. Let’s take a look at the best ones so far down below.

To all the non-American Pandas out there, share more of these rumors-turned-facts in the comment section below!

#1

America has libraries that are essentially free to use.

(This was not even a rumor, but more like sarcastic comment from a friend who heard I was excited to go to the US, because he knew what book nerds my entire family is)

When I first arrived here 25 years ago, the first day of work at Newark NJ, I walked out at lunch time and saw the huge Central Library. The size boggled my mind, but I bravely walked in to check it out. The guy says, yup, show me your work ID (for local address) and you get a membership card.

Me: how much does it cost? I only own $80 total till I get my first pay.

He (bemused, almost laughing): it's free. You don't pay anything.

Me (after a brief recovery time from shock): so how many books am I allowed to take home? (Expecting that to be a catch - maybe I need to put down a security deposit for each book)

He (now positively enjoying himself): how many can you carry?

That day I took home 30+ books, just being greedy.

And quickly called my dad to tell him about it.

For a guy who painstakingly would browse used books stores in small town India just to get his kids great books to read, he was suitably amazed. He was puzzled if that would kill the book-store business, because who'd buy if such free libraries existed?!?

Till date I remember the gratitude I felt that day for being able to come here. And when Dad visited some years later, I would drop him off at a library on my way to work and he'd be lost in it all day.

SFLoridan Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What libraries aren't free? Isn't that the point of libraries that they're free to use?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#2

That you can get into university just by being good at sports.... Like...wtf?

SuperFluffyness Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is really mind blowing to me, because isn't university supposed to be about academics?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

As a Brit living in America the amount of pharmaceutical commercials on TV is creepy.

TrueHybrid Report

Add photo comments
POST
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never really thought about it but I just realised that we don’t have that issue. It is actually illegal to advertise prescription medicine.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

There’re so many customs that Americans use without too much thinking. But when traveling around the world, some of the cultural differences become quite obvious. 

While tipping is not a matter of choice in the US, people in Japan and South Korea see that as an insult. That’s partly because workers are proud of their jobs, and they get decent pay for whatever it is that they do.

There’s nothing wrong about being a tiny bit late in the US. But in some countries, that would be totally inappropriate. If you’re fashionably late for a meeting in Germany or Netherlands, locals are likely to think that you don’t value their time as much as your own.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Athleisure,” while a popular choice of fashion for the day-to-day business, is viewed as distasteful in many European countries. For example, Italians never miss a chance to laugh at tourists wearing flip flops or denim shorts for restaurant dinner. The sloppy appearance can be understood as disrespectful.

#4

Injured people try to avoid getting ambulances called for them

asmeeks1 Report

#5

That the prices on their products are without tax and you get the tax when you pay

Like here the tax is already like, in the price. If it costs 1€ you pay 1€.

Rushling Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lazy Farmer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find this extremely confusing. And I really hate the staff tipping concept, too.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

In an area, you're subject to a f*ck ton of different laws. There's laws that apply to the whole country, laws that apply to individual states, laws that only apply to counties, laws that apply to individual cities, and then I think, different areas within a city. In England, no matter where you are, all the same laws apply, with very rare exceptions. Homeowners associations as well. What a load of [crap]. Land of the free, but your neighbour can tell you what colour your f***king fence can be.

Lonsdale1086 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kathy Baylis
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, it’s difficult to govern such a large country from one small district (DC), so you have to delegate from the federal government to the individual state governments to the county governments to the city governments. The more local you get, the more specialized the laws become as they’re tailored to issues and situations specific to the area. However, that does open areas up to corruption if the wrong people manage to gain some power. You know, like the whole f*****g country because of the deranged orange baboon throwing his feces around the Oval Office right now (who I did not vote for, so do not blame me).

Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"deranged orange baboon", well said. I generally refer to him as "that asshat sitting at the grown-ups table".

Load More Replies...
Simon Macbeth
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

England dose have laws that apply to just certain city’s and counties 😊

Lee Kerr
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This person doesn’t understand about English laws if they’d never come across bye-laws https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-government-legislation-byelaws

Bob Beltcher
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't get me started on HOAs we bought house and with in six months of living there they were sending us demand letters to fix a gutter an paint the house. I agree it needs to be fixed but I just used all my money on a down payment. Give me at least a year to recover!

Roisin Reid
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not Really true, local authorities in England are able to set Byelaws. They usually are for minor things like to curb ant-social behaviour.

CbusResident
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An American attorney here: 1. Our counties generally can't pass laws but can pass taxes, and do have law enforcement powers (I know, that is pretty confusing). 2. The fact that we can have laws passed at the federal, state and local level allows for what are called (by academics of law and govt.) 'laboratories of democracy' - in which one state or local govt. can try something, others can see how well that worked, then may choose to apply it if they believed it worked well. E.g. New York City was the first place in the US to ban smoking in public bldgs like bars and restaurants - no other US state or city would've done that first. But many states and cities saw that many citizens in NYC liked that smoking ban, and then followed suit w/ their own similar laws. I believe that's one reason why it's LESS often the case that non-smokers are exposed to second hand smoke in the US than they do places like Europe. That's our 'laboratories of democracy' in action.

Liam Walsh
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most, if not all, european countries allow absolutely no smoking in buildings. Some have the strictest legislation there is. I thought some of the US still had the odd zones where smoking can still take place.

Load More Replies...
Johnny Farnen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a result of the placidity of Americans in general and the power of the lawsuit. In the States, the law of the lands is based primarily on who can get sued for what followed by who can get paid for what.

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

True. You can find a lawyer here to take on ANY type of case, no matter how asinine.

Load More Replies...
Joe Bloe
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Land of the free.....to impose their will on you and take everything you own if you don't comply'. Having lived in America, I am SOO glad I moved back to Australia. The USA is such a colossal shithole.

Shalini Pabreja
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why couldn't the laws be federally created but enforced on a county or district level? Why does each governing body have to have their own laws as if they're independent little nations within a nation?

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

In Vermont, you can go almost anywhere naked as long as you leave your house like that.

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

I hate HOAs with a burning passion, but to be fair, nobody's forced to live with them. People who live in HOA controlled neighborhoods are there of their own free will. Ironically, the people who live in those neighborhoods tend overwhelmingly to be conservative. The same people who are always whining about too much government seem perfectly willing to voluntarily subject themselves to rules and enforcement far more arbitrary and draconian than the government ever dreamed of.

Fred Burrows
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Homeowner associations are b******t , But folks want to live there so they can deal with it .

Wendy Parker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Criminal laws are set Federally. Traffic laws, and such are usually Provincial wide, with the majority in our country either exactly the same or pretty similar. Our health care is basically federally mandated, but it is up to the provinces to look after their own healthcare (which is pretty much the same across the country). Each city may have different bylaws, etc., with the sharing of knowledge across the province and country.

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

When I lived in America we were told what color our drapes had to be.

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

For every neighborhood with a HOA, there are at least a thousand without. You should have moved into one of them. When you move into a neighborhood with a HOA, you sign an agreement that you will abide by the HOA's rules. If you're foolish enough to sign that agreement without reading it first (or sign it at all, as far as I'm concerned), you have no right to complain.

Load More Replies...
George Hudacko
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too sane not enough of the 10% loud mouth crazies to have their way dragging us all down. Generally the are the stupid A holes.

Ana Curry
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Each state has its own laws, we are the UNITED STATES - Federalism is our GOVT type.

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

The U.S is very diverse in many ways. Geography, climate, culture, and levels of stupidity. So many levels that so many damn laws need to be passed just because of said idiots.

M Adams
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do agree there are too many unnecessary laws. Some laws are passed simply so politicians can get elected or reelected, and do little or no good. Education is one area where this is rampant, and now that there is a massive teacher shortage, many laws are being waived or suspended, a good indication they were never needed in the first place. As for homeowners' associations and strict zoning, I could not agree more. If you own your property, and you are not hurting anyone else or doing anything seriously illegal, who should care what you do.

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

yeah for example: chickens (came to mind) I can't own a single one in my backyard but my friend who lives 10 minutes away has a hug flock of them

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

Not entirely true. In Britain different areas have "By Laws" (May be Bye Laws), which can be quite common. The problem is here again, USA thinks England is London

G Grommesh
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read that in my state, there is a certain road where, if I remember correctly, you cannot drive a certain color car.

Steph Bentz
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's called the United *States*. We weren't originally supposed to be a single state (country), and the individual states can only agree on X number of overarching laws. Sort of like the EU. (People buy into homeowners associations, so they should f*****g know what they're getting into.)

backatya
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only law I don't agree with is if someone gets offended if someone flies the U.S. flag in America and then they have to take it down, stupid. If you don't like the U.S. flag and all the liberties it stands for go back to your country.

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

And where might there be a law like that? There certainly isn't one where I live.

Load More Replies...
Richard Brown
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your President should set the rules and laws for everywhere and local government should enforce them. There, that wasn't so hard was it.

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

That isn't how we do things here. Theoretically at least, our president serves the people, he doesn't rule them. Of course, our current Idiot in Chief can't seem to get a handle on that...

Load More Replies...
Aragorn II Elessar
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

This comment has been deleted.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#7

That women only get about 6 weeks off work after having a baby and it's most likely to be unpaid.

Aucuparia Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This sounds insane? In my country it's 4 months and it's paid and the father can get work off for 9 weeks, which is paid as well. The women can also start their leave a few weeks before giving birth.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

That people will just suffer through an injury or illness because they can’t afford health insurance.

Jacilund Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Americans are nice and will stop to talk to Strangers. Canadian here living in Alberta. To any one who has never been, you will be blown away by the general Americans' generosity of their time, knowledge and helpfulness. I have done a few summers of Road trips from Calgary. one time i went to as far east as Ohio-Tennessee, as far south as New Orleans and Dallas, went through the flat lands and rode up the Rockies the rest of the way home... I have visited almost all the landlocked states (5 more to go) and 4 along the Gulf states, all by Car. I have been through a lot of big American cities and a lot of tiny towns. ALL OF YOU, North to South - make Canadians look like Bloody Savages. I expected something worse, probably because of Television and the Internet. i ended up leaving your country after the first time i visited, blown away and with a new found VERY REAL love for my southern neighbors. Been 5 times on multi-week trips. will spend time and money there again. 10/10.

animal1988 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Chiara Lucchetti
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are a lot of crazy things in US from an european point of view, but I totally agree with this post. I found Americans very nice, gentle and caring people. Before going there, I immagined to find rude and aggressive people :)) Too many bad movies! The first time I arrived in Philadelphia my english was not very good, and sometimes I wandered looking for some shop, or the subway or whatever... and I remember men or women that tried to help and listen me patiently. I still feel gratitude for those who made me feel welcomed and safe. Philadelphia is still in my heart! I left the USA in 2011 and I don't know if that's still the case.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#10

Drink sizes. When my family visited in 2017 we landed in Texas for a stopover. First thing I saw in the shops part of the terminal was a dude who was drinking from what looked like an actual f***ing bucket - here in NZ our “large” drinks would be considered an American “small” or maybe “medium”

The_Sly_Sloth Report

#11

Employees can get fired ‘at will’. No warning, no performance review plans, nothing, just straight up fired.

viralplant Report

#12

The extent of the tipping culture is frankly shocking to me.

tinnic Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't believe Americans have created a system where the customers can be blamed for unfair wages instead of the employer

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#13

Not really a rumour but your houses are made of mostly air and drywalls. I think that's pretty crazy

2ndSkyy Report

Add photo comments
POST
Rabbit Carrot
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The way houses are build in the USA is crazy. It’s no wonder they’re all flattened in a tornado / hurricane. And yet they cost so damn much to buy!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#14

That public transport is almost nonexistent in many smaller towns, which makes it a necessity for teens to have their own cars.

boob_girl Report

Add photo comments
POST
Jo Choto
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, it's not just not having no public transport. There are a lot of places (I lived in one) where there are no sidewalks, so you can't even walk from one place to another. And if you live in a small place, you can't get a taxi or anything else to come out and pick you up. If you don't have a car, it's almost impossible to get around in the USA. And it's not just small towns. Even big towns have no transportation infrastructure.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

American State and National parks are some of the most beautiful places on earth. All parks could use more funding, but American parks are well staffed and maintained. There’s real pride.

everydayboots Report

#16

Not exactly crazy, but I wanted to test out the stereotype that Americans will talk to anyone so I sought out a sports bar on my first visit. Ended up having a ton of really fun conversations with total strangers who I’ll never talk to ever again. It was great!

Wurdan Report

Add photo comments
POST
Joyce Melton
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sure. About 1/3 of people you meet in America will talk to anybody, about anything. We may be crazy but we're friendly. :)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

The minimal amount of paid days off you get from work. A friend of mine from Wisconsin was very proud he got 20 days off per year. If someone in Germany would offer me only 20 days, I would laugh at him and leave.

_Warsheep_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
Jo Choto
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the US, if you have a reasonably good job, you can expect to get 10 days' paid vacation a year. That's it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#18

That higher education can cost upwards of $50,000 per year

anixudh Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lazy Farmer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This, and the cost of medical care in the US, is something I will never understand. Claiming to be the greatest country but basically living off of the poorest of citizens. How come nobody's actually bothered?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

Private prisons. I thought it was some sort of "haha the US is a dystopian hell hole" exaggeration joke the first time I heard it was a thing. I had to look it up to believe it because I was 100% sure the person was just trying to [mess] with me when he said he was serious.

Kiwipai Report

#20

I never understood why people in American TV series lost their house and job just because they got really sick.



Then I found out that it can happen in America.

deleted Report

Add photo comments
POST
DKS 001
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

companies here are a b***h about taking time off. They want bodies in the work place. If you use up your sick/vacation time (less than 2 week's worth total a year) then you're f****d.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

They have those angry sinks that chop [crap]

idk-what-name Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#22

You can see into the public toilet cubicles

NamelessBeth Report

#23

How deeply religious and patriotic it is in contrast to Europe.

F*ckanator Report

Add photo comments
POST
JuJu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And how much of that religion is allowed to contaminate education

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

Literally anything about what goes on in Florida.

Jacilund Report

#25

2017 in Athens, Georgia I passed out at work and was fine but my boss had already called an ambulance and insisted I get checked out...a less than 2 mile ambulance ride cost me $950 with insurance. I was only dehydrated..

Butterfly1r Report

Add photo comments
POST
Noez 🇸🇪
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WITH insurance it cost 950 USD?? Do I dare to ask how much it would be without insurance?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

The amount of sugar y'all put on EVERYTHING. I spent only 2 weeks in the US and I couldn't take it. Even the portion sizes are colossal, I felt that in a month with this lifestyle I'd probably drop dead, my heart wouldn't be able to take it

GustavoTC Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

American candy is so sweet too, I just can't manage eating most of it

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#27

That they actually do wear shoes indoors, I thought it was just a movies thing (less hassle filming), but no.

F*ckanator Report

Add photo comments
POST
JuJu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What I tell the kids almost every day "Please take of your shoes before you run to your room! I have just vacuumed the flat."

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

That American kids eat straight sugar. Walked on to the playground and saw kids chugging these long thin sticks. I try and it was just colored sugar lol. Called them pixie sticks.

whowantsrice Report

#29

The freaking flag thing man, here we barely have one per school, or even government building.

deleted Report

#30

That you can rack up 100,000$ upward in debt easily through student loans.

cutelly Report

Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#31

Someone once told me that it's cheaper to go on vacation to Australia for one week than to treat your broken arm in the USA.

Starwberry-soul Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#32

That there are security guards(or cops) in the school's halls, and some even have metal detectors at the entrance like the TSA at airports...

Jacilund Report

Add photo comments
POST
Aragorn II Elessar
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well America unfortunately had more school shootings in 2019 than probably the entirety of Europe from 1989-2019

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#33

I’m from Quebec and when we went down to Boston for a school trip, I sneezed in public and heard two or three people say “bless you”. Quite a weird rumour I had heard not 2 months prior to that. I thought it was nice.

Inquistador43 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Rabbit Carrot
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We say that all the time in the U.K. after someone sneezes. I though it was universal (with regional and language variations obviously). I guess you really do learn something every day.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

I'm from Australia, and all my life I believed red Solo cups were like 555 area codes - a Hollywood prop. When I immigrated to the US, my MIL was making dinner and offered me iced tea in a red Solo cup.

I lost it, made everyone sign the cup. I've still got it.

RavynLearnsBadly Report

Add photo comments
POST
JazzyRuns12
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ha! I like this one. I never really realized that at every party and holiday we have the red cups.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

Free soft-drink refills in restaurants. Like wth

JeezasKraist Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#36

Some cafeterias renamed "french fries" as "freedom fries" when we refused to help the US for the war in Iraq. A canadian friend told me that, I thought it was a joke. Turns out it wasn't. It's the most passive aggressive think I've ever seen.

Matrozi Report

#37

They have milk in gallon cartons!

When I visited America I went a supermarket for some breakfast stuff, cereal and milk. All they had was milk in gallons! Who could possibly have that much milk? I asked for a smaller carton and the lady who worked their just laughed at me and made a remark about don’t we like milk in England

memesalwaysdie Report

#38

Home owners associations. What the [hell] is up with that?

tahsii Report

#39

That Dolly Parton has her own theme park in Tennessee. I thought it was a joke.

panda_1996 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dollywood is awesome. But then Dolly is awesome. She does a lot of charity including running a literacy program for kids in which she mails them free books

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#40

They have garbage disposals in their kitchens. That's just so wild to me.

AHoneyman Report

Add photo comments
POST
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The idea of Garbage disposals actually freaks me out, maybe I have heard too many horror stories of people getting their hands/fingers mangled in them.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#42

I studied in Maryland for about half a year back in 2017. I'd always heard that Americans are like... super good at pie. I was pretty much all alone during thanksgiving since everyone else was with their families. One of the RAs I'd befriended knocked on my door and brought me all different kinds of pie. Dear lord, I've never tasted anything that delicious. From blueberry to apple to pumpkin. Every. Single. Pie. They were all amazing.

DeeKaah Report

Add photo comments
POST
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a question, do you have meat pies in the US. Like mince meat, gravy and onion or chunks of beef, gravy and onion?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#43

The amount of cola consumed. It's ridiculous how it's part of a regular meal and not unhealthy snacking

amarvk Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#44

I remember when I was younger seeing something on an American sitcom or a movie (I forget) about cheese that came in some kind of spray can? Or a squeezy tube? And I remember thinking it was a joke.

OhCleo Report

Add photo comments
POST
JuJu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have a shop in Berlin where you can buy that stuff...it's horrible and nothing like cheese.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#45

Nearly every man is circumcised regardless of religion.

tschoerk Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think circumcision of both boys and girls should be banned, unless there's some pressing medical reason. I don't approve of the mutilation of babies when the baby doesn't have a say in it. If you want a circumcision you can still get one when you're old enough to consent.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#46

Biscuits and gravy is a legit thing. Also you can ride motorcycles without helmets in some states??? And your iced tea isn't sweetened unless you ask for sweet.

bitsaboy Report

Add photo comments
POST
Bob Beltcher
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Biscuits and gravy with sausage is amazing. Texas state law mandates anyone UNDER the age of 18 must wear a helmet. If your over 18, it's your life. And some people; like me, hate sweet tea.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#47

That education costs two souls.

Goonie_Gamer Report

Add photo comments
POST
Aragorn II Elessar
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Three on the East Coast, and seventeen for law school (eighteen for medical)

View more commentsArrow down menu
#48

I’m still not 100% sure is true so hopefully can confirm - “buoy” is pronounced “boo-ee” ?

reheated_brew Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#49

I actually don’t properly know if this is true but yous have like a whole isle in your supermarkets dedicated to just the hundreds of cereals you have ?

outrojin Report

#50

Surfer-dudes actually speak like that.

Hasetate Report

Add photo comments
POST
JeffC
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Woah man that's like totally rad....hang 10 dude! LMAO, I'm from PA and never surfed yet we seem to love that surfer dialect....;)

View more commentsArrow down menu
#51

That you can be fined if you don’t mow your lawn or park your car incorrectly. I really can’t believe that’s true

Duffzilla12 Report

Add photo comments
POST
JeffC
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Non-HOA communities are not like this at all unless I let my grass grow as tall as I want to. Cities do fine for improper parking but not small towns unless someone is using a handicap spot.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#52

So apparently yellow school buses are actually a thing in America. I honestly thought it was just a cartoon thing, but nope.

Kwickly1 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm curious about why people think these are just cartoon things if they appear in so many cartoons? Did all the cartoon creators just decide to make up this yellow bus they all use in their cartoons?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#53

That people actually get attacked by Alligators which got in their pools (specifically referring to Florida here).

TheHunterBB Report

Add photo comments
POST
CrunChewy McSandybutt
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Florida, Louisiana, Southern Mississippi, some parts of Texas. Alligators are everywhere down south.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#54

Not me but my dad


My dad heard this crazy rumor about everyone getting drunk and wearing green for one day a year. He obviously didn't know this was a holiday, and was like WTF. When he came to the US and discovered St. Patrick's Day, he was amazed.

alan13510 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't believe this is just a US thing and that it actually originated from UK/Ireland

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#55

That your country is huge!


I got off the plane and asked the cap guy how far the hotel was and he said about 30 miles. I almost had a heart attack... turns out cabs are cheaper than the Uk


I can't remember the price I paid but I was presently surprised.

The UK cabs are like £4 per mile

also you would get laughed of the taxi for asking to go 30 miles and not taking the train

nibs123 Report

Add photo comments
POST
EA
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Taxi fares. I was stuck late one night in London after a train was delayed and missed my connecting one to the next station. My phone died out of the blue so couldn’t get a map up or call anyone, and the streets were deserted which made me even more freaked out. Managed to find a black cab in the next street and I think the fare was something like £26 for a 10 minute drive.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#56

I always thought that the Olive Garden in The Simpsons was just code for ‘generic restaurant’

Hamptaro Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#57

Two-dollar bills.

SonaMain420 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Bashicka
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

keeping in mind imperial unit system I wonder they dont have like 3,485 $ bills

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#58

I've had several German friends who were amazed that at house parties everyone actually does drink out of red Solo cups. They thought that was just a weird thing people did in movies and now they think it is a huge conspiracy or something

flyingmouse Report

#59

That an ambulance costs $2,000 F***ING DOLLARS!

theDee621 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Rick
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And that women have to pay the hospital after giving birth just for a nurse or doctor to give the baby to the mother to hold.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#60

That they're not allowed to just cross the road wherever it's safe, "jaywalking" is the term I think.

zoidao Report

#61

the SATs exam being multiple choice

Alyssa_H_04 Report

Add photo comments
POST
CbusResident
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A stupid critique; the SATs being mulitple choice DOESN'T mean that you don't have to know the material involved to score well on them, you can't successfully guess your way to a high score just b/c they're multiple choice. I passed the Bar Exam in America, and the national portion of that (which you have to pass in every American State's Bar Exam) is multiple choice. Believe me, it's still really f***ing hard and you have to know your s**t up and down to have a chance to pass.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#62

Switching hands for you knife and fork. Its bizzare to me

TheLastEmoKid Report

#63

That they clap at random times. I was watching a movie in the USA and people liked what happened so they started clapping on the middle of the [frikinn] movie.

monkeyboi08 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Random Panda
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That would annoy the s**t out of me. Here you're supposed to be silent in the cinema; laughing is ok of course, but clapping would just be distracting.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#64

Majority of cars have automatic gearboxes. We don't get that here in Greece.

ntelas46 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Rabbit Carrot
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I drive an auto (in the U.K.). I love it. Manual driving is awful, especially in big towns and cities where you do a lot of stop start driving. I actually think America has the right idea here.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#65

The honking... I thought it was a movie stereotype, and then I went to New York

violetzinc Report

Add photo comments
POST
Dianna Siever
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We also honk out of friendliness. Whenever I'm on my porch, just outside of a very small little town, strangers and neighbors honk to say "hello". Before you think, no it's absolution not flirting.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#66

All the food is bigger.

BucketsofKFC Report

Add photo comments
POST
Rabbit Carrot
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, I once ordered a steak in a restaurant in New York and practically the whole cow was served up. I’d never seen so much meat in one sitting. It’s the same in other places too. The average meat portion is supposed to be a playing card size not a whole dinner plate.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#67

That a lot of American houses are actually built with a lot of wood and a lot less concrete than here in Germany. You would never get the idea to built a house out of wood here. But when I went to Minnesota lo and behold my host family had one of those wooden houses I've seen in movies and such. To me it was mind-boggling at the time :D

ResiCullen Report

#68

Super Sized meals, seriously, americans can f***ing eat!

in denmark we dont even have extra large!

Voodevil Report

Add photo comments
POST
pusheen buttercup
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some people do eat it all but my understanding is that the excess is for left overs- you take the rest home and eat it later :)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#69

hat lesser-known musicians aren't paid for their show by the owners of the club/bar/what ever. I still remember how a Los Angeles musician told me completely surprised that he and the band had received free food and drinks before his show here in Germany. This is just normal for us! That artists - no matter if wellknown or unknown - are paid for their music by the booker and get catering. (even if the celebrities, of course, get more and better stuff)

Nemyra Report

Add photo comments
POST
DKS 001
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

America is greedy. All about getting and keeping money as much as possible. I really wish I was born somewhere else like Canada or something. America does not fit my belief of how things should be. But here I am. Broke all the time and unable to save in order to move to a more desirable country.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#70

That there are video games in their libraries.

goodnight891 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Mii
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have those in Germany too. Also with movies on DVD, audiobooks and music CDs.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#71

Masked people come to your house, knock on your door asking for candy. Mostly it's just packs of kids but sometimes whole families. This was my friends Halloween culture shock.

PlaidSkirtBroccoli Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We don't do this around halloween in Finland but we do it around Easter. This is a tradition all over the world and not tied to just Halloween. So definitely not just an American thing.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#72

That people are still paying off student loans in their 40’s

deleted Report

#73

Free refills!

el_dude_brother2 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Sheila DeVille
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Free refilk have been around for years. Pizza Hut 25 yrs, McD's 15+ years...

View more commentsArrow down menu
#74

Sports Bars are actually exactly how they're portrayed on TV

BeYourOwnDog Report

#75

The "Take me out to the ballgame song" thats apparently sung at baseball games. still not entirely sure that guy wasnt taking the piss out of me

deleted Report

Add photo comments
POST
Rabbit Carrot
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love that song and I’m from the U.K. where baseball isn’t even played much (at least on a big scale).

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#76

That you can identify Texans with the simple phrase "The stars at night are big and bright"

Ricket_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
DE Ray
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Texans live under the misapprehension that their being Texan makes them interesting to non-Texans.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#77

Your love for cheese. It rubbed off on me and now I love cheese too

parkavenueWHORE Report

#78

That they are able to drink from the sink i tried that and spit the water it taste like [crap] (in my country) but when i went to america it taste great

omikrok Report

#79

Crazy hospitable...turned out to be true. Talkative...turned out to be true as well.

NulloK Report

Add photo comments
POST
#80

People in their 20s can earn six figure salaries.

DirtySockBasket Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#81

Apparently, rolling coal is actually a thing.

raised-by-humans Report

Add photo comments
POST
Andres Tejeda
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, its like a smoke signal that says "I am an a*****e, with a big truck and tiny penis."

View more commentsArrow down menu
#82

One positive thing Iv'e noticed, foreigners love how big Halloween is here.

pgold05 Report

#83

I’m an American, but one that I’ve heard a lot is that we have a bunch of trees. I’ve never really thought about, but when I was told this I did some research. Turns out about 70 percent of the US is forested. Guess we have an abnormal amount of trees.

morganharris37 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Noez 🇸🇪
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Naah sounds normal. I think the same applies to Sweden too, something like 65-70% is forests.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#84

That Hawaiians really like spam.

FinalGirl1990 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Joyce Melton
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For the same reason it's in the Monty Python song: during WWII, Americans shipped Spam and other canned meats to feed the people who lived on islands.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#85

Not really crazy, but I just learned you guys have like outdoor sirens that get tested somewhat frequently. I’ve only heard those noises in video games and movies until my friend sent me a clip, because I had no idea it actually happened.

sammi2016 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lazy Farmer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep, in my country they're tested every first Wednesday of the month, at noon

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#86

That there are many libraries of all kinds in the United States.

obie17 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pretty much every city has one. I'm about within 30 minutes of at least 3. Plus if course every school has one.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu