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Cars and guns. Flags and freedom. Fast-food and air-conditioning. That’s what the United States is all about—or at least the stereotypical version of America, according to the internet. No matter how hard people try, it looks like there are some stereotypes that Americans just can’t shake.

Whether because of pop culture or anecdotal experiences with tourists, some foreigners have a very clear-cut picture in their minds of what American everyday life is like. Even though it actually varies so much. And redditor Pfl2020 wanted to find out what exactly non-Americans think that Americans can’t live without.

Check out some of the most interesting responses to their thread and remember to give the ones that you relate to a big ol’ upvote as you scroll down. We’d also love to hear your opinions on what you associate Americans with, dear Pandas. And if you’re from the US, share your thoughts and feelings about these stereotypes in the comments.

For instance, I personally associate Americans with extremely warm and friendly people, delicious homecooked meals, great education, excellent four square skills on the playground, flags, and… powdered donuts (yum!). I’m pretty sure there are unfriendly Americans out there, but I’ve yet to meet one in person. (They could be a myth conjured up by jealous Canadians.)

#1

The belief that they’re more free than the rest of the world.

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

Definitely NOT. Every country has there issues but for a western country the US has some serious big issues that aren't as prevalent in other western countries.

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#2

The believe that America is the greatest of all democracies while it is just another empire on its way down...

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#3

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Medical debt

victorianfolly , Tyler Report

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

Not just medical debt, but serious debt of many kinds. Everything paid on credit or loan, and people working just to pay interest while being "1 paycheck from the street" while the government will not help you if you get in financial or medical trouble, are hungry or face eviction.

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It’s best to think of cultural stereotypes as incredibly rough guidelines that sometimes help us navigate life, but you should never think that they’re completely accurate representations of reality. Life’s too complex and deep to be summed up in a couple of throwaway phrases.

Not all Americans are overweight, own a gun, only speak English, and tip their waiters all the time. But does the country have a problem with obesity? Yes, it does. According to the CIA, 36.2 percent of all Americans were considered to be obese in 2016. And the US ranked twelfth in the world by obesity. But it would be unfair to ignore that in such a vast country there are plenty of fitness enthusiasts and healthy eaters out there, too.

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#4

A sense of superiority and a denial of the truth of their own history.

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

I am English and I am ashamed of MY country's sense of superiority and a denial of the truth of their own history. Especially concerning the slave trade and the way they treated the Irish during the Irish famine.

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#5

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Fast food. I remember watching a piece about how fast food is sometimes the cheapest option for poor families. They literally can't afford to eat healthily.

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

The fact that even their fast food is worse... there is this show on youtube where they compare Uk and US fast foods from the same brand. example: chips in the UK have potatoes, vegetable oil, salt... in the US, it has 11 other ingredients.

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#6

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Flags. You really care about showing off flags. Pro tip: Any place with lots of flags has a national identity crisis.

gullman , Best Picko Report

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

I mean, this flag site is probably a memorial/grave to veterans so yeah, this specific picture might be a tad offensive. However, as an American, I really don't understand why everyone is so obsessed with American flags. Although uh I'll take that flag over,,, certain,,, other flags that show up in the south :(

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Some stereotypes are nearly perfectly true, however. Like how much Americans love cars. They're not the only ones, though. The US really does have a car obsession and ranks fourth on Planet Earth by the number of motor vehicles per capita, but it falls right behind—you’ll never believe it—New Zealand. That’s right, our loveable Kiwis own more cars, on average, than Americans do. Who needs eagles when our hobbit protagonists could have headed to Mordor in a Volvo?

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Plenty of Americans really can’t live without cars because they rely on them for their day-to-day lives. Those who argue against this would point to the fact that, in 2019, Americans also took a whopping 9.9 billion trips on public transportation. Which sounds very impressive...

...Until you realize that there were 328.2 million people living in the US that year and that they'd each end up using public transportation just over 30 times each, on average. All year. So there's some truth to the stereotype about loving cars after all. But it's not the entire story. Nor the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Not by far.

#7

The goddamn Imperial System of Units.
I don't even live in the US but a lot of content on the internet is American and it annoys me when I need to multiply miles by 1.6 to get kilometers.

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

omg yes, this is terrible. I've been here over five years and I still can't get used to it. :"My god, the temperature is over 100? are we FRYING TO DEATH??"

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#8

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans A car. In European countries, it’s pretty common that you can get anywhere by public transport, but I haven’t heard about any properly functioning public transportation besides New York’s subway.

avadakabitch , llee_wu Report

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

My friends are always confused when I tell them how there isn't any public transport in most of the US. They didn't understand why Uber was doing so well in the US, well thats why. You need a car to get anywhere and most people can't afford one

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#9

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Bumper stickers informing others of their opinions.

AmJusAskin , Michael Pereckas Report

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

And on t-shirts. If I wear a t-shirt with a graphic on it, it’s a band name or beer merch (because I get those free from work lol)

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#10

High Self confidence. Good thing in most people. Bad thing in flat earthers and antivaxxers

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

That is not all of us, just the loud ones. You really only see the loud ones.

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#11

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Material consumption. This is true in most places but from my observation it seems to go to another level in America. Everyone spends so much time discussing the latest thing they bought and how great it is.

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#12

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Insurance. If they get sick without it, they're [screwed]. Meanwhile, if I have an health issue in Europe, I'll get free assistance in case of emergency and pay a small fee (usually between 30€ and 70€) for a routine visit.

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#13

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans A house. Even if you can't afford it. No flat — a house. Big house with two living rooms: one for family, one for ????

Iseult-benoit , daryl_mitchell Report

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

Maybe I am just privileged coz I could never live in a unit or apartment. I don't need 2 living rooms though. Just an extra room to clean lol.

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#14

Mentioning someones race/culture/sex etc. constantly

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

The history of the US is steeped in race/culture/sex atrocities. I think it is an attempt at over correction.

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#15

Overly-fat-saturated and sugary foods.

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#16

War? Jk but I read somewhere in all layout history you’ve only had 17 years when you weren’t at war with someone or the other

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

Some say that the USA is a culture of war rooted within a widespread ethos that uses military force in pursuit of self-interests. The truth is however that the USA has been continuously at war since the earliest days of its existence as a nation and the political, economic, cultural, and moral costs and consequences of war have reduced the USA's moral authority, political stability, and economic viability. Way out? I don´t know the right answer. Perhaps the USA must establish itself as a “culture of peace” by pursuing a new set of cultural ethoses.

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#17

News telling them who to be angry and outraged with this week.

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#18

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Air-conditioning. That's usually the first complaint that American migrants have in Germany.

HabseligkeitDerLiebe , Sagar Verma Report

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

(Not) a fun fact: The USA consumes more energy each year for air conditioning than the rest of the world combined, and in fact more electricity for cooling than the entire continent of Africa uses for ALL purposes.

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#19

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Guns, walmart, and deep friers

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#20

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Soda pop. Spent some time in the southwest. Everyone had these enormous refillable beverage containers they would refill with soft drinks multiple times a day. While I agree it is important to stay hydrated, the jugs i saw held 1.75 quarts, and that much fountain drink could contain more than 200 grams of sugar.


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

Caffeine. It is the only reason any of us are awake. We don't take vacations, and our sleep patterns suck. Ergo, caffeine obsession.

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#21

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Garburators, garbage disposal. Every time an American was house hunting on House Hunters International, the Americans always wanted a garburator and would be disappointed if the kitchens didn't have one.

Queef_Quaff , Chris Winters Report

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

I have never heard the word Garburator before and uh wow I like it much better than garbage disposal.

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#22

Fahrenheit... it’s such nonsense. Celsius is where it’s at!

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

I think both of these systems are equally arbitrary. That's why scientists use Kelvin.

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#23

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans A credit card. Not sure why people use it over there, possibly because of their weird credit system that seems to be so essential to their lives, or because of their even weirder mindset of liking to spend money they don't have. Probably both.

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

The system is an issue, first car I bought was told no credit score, aka living within your means was a red flag and I'd need a cosigner.

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#24

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Ice. What's the deal with ice machines and them being such a big deal in any TV show or movie set in a hotel or motel?

halfshoe , Mike Mozart Report

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

These people must live somewhere with a cool climate coz we have ice machines all over the place from petrol stations, supermarkets and bottle-o's etc

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#25

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Paper plates. Used in your own home? That’s quite bizarre to me.

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#26

Military.

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#27

Loans or debts of some sort, especially in their younger years. And i think Americans literally can't live without insurance.

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

We'd love to live without loans and debt, but for the majority, if you want a job you need a car which needs a loan. You want a job that pays an almost living wage? You need an education, for an education, you need a loan.

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#28

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Red solo cups, they are such an American thing

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#29

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Cheddar cheese, and jumbo everything

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

Cheddar cheese is a big deal in the UK too. After all it comes from the town of Cheddar in Somerset, England.

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#30

Automatic transmissions.

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

I drive a car with manual transmission (I'm in Europe), but I have no problem with automatic transmissions. They just make driving easier and more inclusive. Similarly, IMO there are no brownie points for being able to drive a manual. It's just a car. Drive what works best for you.

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#31

Buying expensive [crap]. Everytime I see someone talk about their bad living situation, I check out their profiles. Most of the time it´s people with Iphones, Macs, expensive 4K TVs, going out drinking every Friday (before the rona), high end fashion, etc. And they complain about how they can´t afford food, how they can´t afford assurance, to pay their medical bills, etc. Why the [hell] do y´all have to have all the expensive [crap], when there are cheaper options?

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

If someone is actually poor, they have a cell phone (likely not an iphone unless it's a hand-me-down) because this is likely the cheapest way to contact places like work and family. It is basically essential to life at this point. Same with the other stuff (except drinking) that you listed. Chances are it is second-hand, hand-me-downs, or something someone gifted them. Our medical bills can run in the tens of thousands. Is everyone supposed to live on ramen noodles in a studio apartment with no furniture until the never ending bills run out?

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#32

Corruption. It scares the [hell] out of me how the system overlook things when it's a judge or cops.

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

Panama Papers exposed a lot of European politicians with 0 convictions

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#33

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans 7/11's barrel-sized beverage cups of soda. What the [hell] is that about?

And how is it cheaper than a small cup in europe?!

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#34

Customer service. They love complaining. Which I truly understand now. Most of the service here is subpar. Everything moves around money. People working are stressed out and people who needs service mostly feels the same way. I’m surprised whenever I encounter a happy worker around here.

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

I’ve worked in customer service myself, so understand the system. Don’t start yelling, cussing, and calling names. Stay calm but firm, and don’t cross the line into personal insults—-it gets you nowhere. If you become abusive, the CS agent is allowed to tell you the call is over and hang up on you. Also understand that the first person you talk to has the least amount of authority. If they can’t help you, then calmly tell them you understand they can only do so much, so thank them and ask if there’s someone they can transfer you to who might be authorized to do more. And be sure to write down names, especially the ones who went above and beyond to help you, then ask to be transferred to their boss to give them kudos—-and be sure you tell them that! Believe me, they will love you, because complaints are common, but kudos are rare. Everyone lives a pat on the back!

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#35

Extra-large everything.

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

I spent a summer working at a summer camp way back in the 2000s. Back home, at McDonald's, meals came as a Medium and, for a little extra, you could 'Super size' it. One day, while I was in the US, a friend and I decided to go by McDonald's, and since I was pretty hungry, I decided to go 'Super size.' Yeah........ I found out that day that the Medium I was used to was a US Small, our Super Size was a US Medium, and then came Large and Super Size. My friend and I decided to share ... Insane.

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#36

Thanksgiving ritualistic family torture

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

This one is weird. All family holidays are like this if you don't like your family. And other people who do like their family have a nice time.

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#37

Corporate products. Half the words out of your mouth are from advertising campaigns - and you don't see how f***ed that is. You glorify Oreos, when they taste like synthetic cardboard and fondant.

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#38

Pick-up trucks.

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

For some, it is just some over-compensation for some perceived masculinity. For others it is for work, for some it is because of the local weather conditions, others it is because you have something you haul on a semi-regular basis, for others it is the convenience of hauling building materials, or furniture or what-not for home maintenance.

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#39

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans Drive-thrus.

Blysse102598 , Paul Sableman Report

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

You have multiple jobs and only a little time between both. You drive through, eat in the car and change for your next job when you get there.

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#40

"Justice". Like: "You did something I consider wrong, so f**k you, you deserve everything bad that could happen to you."

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

That’s a stereotype of a tiny minority of emotionally retarded people—-who exist in every country on the planet. It just looks like there are more here in the US because our population is so large, and the media plays them up for ratings. Most of us here are emotionally mature, and prefer the punishment to fit the crime instead of overkill. Authoritative instead of authoritarian. Problem is, because we’re so unsensational, we don’t get on TV as much.

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#41

30 Things Americans Can't Seem To Live Without, As Observed By Non-Americans A microwave. It looks like 90% of Americans don’t know how to boil an egg.

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#42

Convenience. Where I am from all the shops close early, and things will take days to be delivered. From what I read on hear, it sounds like you can just get whatever you want any time of day.

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

I live in Indianapolis, IN, the 12th largest city in the US. Pre-pandemic, I could get my teeth cleaned by a licensed hygienist at 3AM if I wanted. I LOVE that I can grocery shop at 1AM or eat in a restaurant at 4 AM. I LOVE that most online retailers will have deliveries to me within 24 hours.

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#43

Starbucks and Twitter

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

I don't have twitter and have been to starbucks once in my life. It's overpriced and sugary but I do know some people who love it.

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#44

I experience Americans as very superficial (not sure if this is the right word to be honest). I think it might create turmoil if you take this away from American society and people actually would tell each other what they really think about each other. Just my experience of the "fake-smile"-syndrom.

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𝕥𝕠𝕒𝕤𝕥
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3 years ago

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#46

Ice in their water or very cold water

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cybermerlin2000
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I'm going to drink hot water then it had better have milk, coffee and sweeteners in it. I like my water VERY cold and I live in the UK

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