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The United States—the land of the free. The home of the brave. And the nation of some very peculiar habits, according to the internet. Other countries in the world are confused by some of the things that Americans do. Like calling tuna “tuna fish” and putting too much cheese on everything. I find it endearing, others find it strange.

Bored Panda has collected some of the best tweets that show how confused foreigners are at what some Americans do. Scroll down and upvote your faves. And be sure to check out our previous post about Europeans who shared what problems are too American for them to grasp.

Culture clashes are nothing new. After all, if every country and culture were the same, there’d be no point in leaving your home, right? (Spoiler warning: due to the coronavirus pandemic, you shouldn’t be leaving your home either way.) Benny Lewis, founder of the Fluent in 3 Months blog, spent 4 years living in the US and has some gripes about the culture. Including how Americans are too politically correct while at the same time they think that everything is “awesome.”

#1

Things-Americans-Do

hesthehabit Report

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European other
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It makes sense to start with the day, but I guess it's what you get used to

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#3

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Montberte Report

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Prince Maroochy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We choose from a lot more at first, eventually narrowing it down to two and choosing from them.

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According to Benny from Ireland, Europeans traveling around the US will find a lot of things weird. Like the fact that Americans smile way too much and it’s difficult to know when they mean it and when they’re smiling out of reflex.

Another thing that Benny found very unusual is something a lot of people complain about when they arrive in the US. Yup, you guessed it—tipping! “I really think tipping as a means of waitresses and others earning the vast majority of their living is ridiculous. If I have to pay, say 15% anyway, then include it in the bill! It's not a bloody tip if it's mandatory!” Benny expressed his opinion. Some of us can agree that mandatory tipping is sneaky and that servers should earn a decent wage that isn’t based on tips.

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“Why not tip everyone who you interact with in some way—bus drivers, or leave money on your trash can for the garbage man? It's inconsistent, and waiters, hairdressers, and taxi drivers should just charge us what needs to be charged,” Benny writes in his blog.

#4

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

This also goes for strict gun laws. Why do Americans think strict gun laws won't work in their country when it works in literally all other developed countries?

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#5

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Scarlet4UrMa Report

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Thomas brennan
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an irish person I dont mind it, it is nice for people to be proud of their heritage. What I do mind is when they ask do I know paddy mcsomething from donegal. I know Ireland's small but we don't all live in one village. Oh and the accent impersonations are damn annoying...although in my experience the English are the worst for imitating accents.

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#6

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

The other day when they announced America now has the highest C19 infections of any country an american in the comments said "BS, I'm sure Europe has more". Seems some Americans think Europe is a country.

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He also has issues with how in some parts of America prices aren’t what they seem because the tax isn’t included to make the cost seem lower than it really is.

Of course, taxing is different in different states, but this doesn’t excuse corporations from printing up different product costs for each state. Or, as Benny puts it, “We have the same product sold across many European countries and somehow someone in the company found the time to punch numbers into a $1 calculator in advance to tell people how much they are actually paying.”

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#7

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

Why was fahrenheit even invented? The metric system just makes so much more sense. Freezing point is 0C and boiling point is 100C. A litre is 1000millilitres, 100 centimetres is 1 metre etc.

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#8

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ASXPJESSICA Report

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Petra Schaap
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thats not just American. I think it depends on the person. I have local friends who do and local friends who dont, and American friends who do and dont.

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#9

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Just Carmen
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know about other Americans, but at our house, we just call it TUNA.

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But before you start thinking that all Europeans have it out for the US, Benny also mentions some awesome things about Americans. For example, nobody can deny that Americans have an incredible work ethic and how open-minded and diverse most of the country is. It’s a country with plenty of positives, peppered with a whole lot of bizarreness.

#10

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Colin Bayler
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because you don't need a bloody scale to measure grams. All you need is a simple cup with lines. DUH!

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#11

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candacekendall_ Report

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Just Carmen
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well actually, most of the time we say that we don't give a s**t, so.....

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#12

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ZakAbel Report

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Stimpy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I tried changing it to "the poopery" but people won't listen to me

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#13

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Carol Lewis
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think that, nor have I ever thought that. I don't know anyone who does. Where did you even come up with that nonsense.

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#14

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Mette Olsen Douglas
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think I know anybody who lives like they have free healthcare - quite the opposite actually. "Is it truly bad enough to go see a doctor or can we survive without going"? Nobody want those bills that follows a doctors visit!!

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#15

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Kaisu
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some Americans also love making fun of people who speak English with a foreign accent, when they themselves can only speak one language

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#16

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Brick
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anything to not use the metric system whats next: glazed donuts per bald eagle who knows

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#17

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imwafflingg Report

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Winston Smith
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hear it said at least 3 different ways depending on what news channel you watch

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#20

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Bill
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because educators didn't want parents to think E meant "Excellent"

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#21

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JennaGuillaume Report

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Chewie Baron
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't get me started on how Americans pronounce 'mirror'. They miss out the 'o' and say "mirrrrr". Madness!

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#22

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

High school was pretty much the worst time in my life. My daughter is going through it now and I wish I could just fast forward her outta there.

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#23

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C Black
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Americans get MAD? Rather they probably just don't know which sport you're speaking of. In America, football and soccer are two different sports. That's probably why they don't know what you're talking about. As for being "mad..." I doubt they are mad about it, LOL.

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#24

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Marcellus the Third
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah but then you also have 'drinks halls' in germany with liquor, beer, water, soda... Why? Also you're ignoring the "dry county" thing where within one state many counties may sell absolutely zero alcohol and the next does.

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#26

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#28

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Anne
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are handy when you bring cooked food to a meeting/people etc.

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

Yes. I agree. It has helped my family with unexpected but wonderful visits from friends/family

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

Aluminum is infinitely recyclable and we actually have lots of it available to mine.

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

Most recycling centers won't accept dirty recyclables. But yeah, 75% of aluminum used goes back into circulation.

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

Easier to transport, you can cook in them, and you don't have to bug someone for your dishes back. They have lids too.

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

they can have a top, its a pretty big decent container, not too heavy, reusable

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

Easy to use, transport, and very cheap. You don't need to take them home after bringing them to someone's house. They are ugly, but they're handy.

Junebug04
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bc if you bring food to a get-together, cook out, etc. in a reusable container, you'll likely never see it again

Daniel (ShadowDrakken)
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is a picture of a catered event. Those are for transportation and serving. They're not plates... good grief. How do other countries do catering?

sh
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are also a way to keep from taking your good dishes out into the world and having to worry about bringing them back. Simpler cleanup.

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

Its so you can insist on your guests keeping the leftover food without having to worry about never seeing your favorite tupperware again.

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

Cookouts?? COME ON, have you ever been to one?! I feel sorry for you. 😔

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

Is that like a giant cockroach or beetle on the bottom left hand side?

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

they are called trays, and are indeed handy for transportation of foodstuffs to family events.

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

We don’t. It’s usually to cook for events so you don’t lose your good cookware.

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

We don't eat from them. We cook stuff in them whenever it would be inconvenient to do dishes later.

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

i dont my fam is strictly glasswear no plastic or foil unless hard recycleable plastic otherwise you are destroying the planet

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

They keep the food warmer than if they were just sitting on the counter... I'm pretty sure no one likes cold mashed potatos!!

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

It's easy to use, easily disposable, and some things that cook in the oven need to be cooked in them, or something similar like tinfoil, or it won't cook properly, or, rather, the way most Americans like it..

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

Because it keeps the food insulated, and warm. In European countries, if you buy a wrap, or a kebab, they wrap it in tinfoil to keep it warm. I mean, tinfoil is more expensive than polythene, but those boxes don't keep your food warm for longer than 5 minutes.

Jaybird3939
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You don't have to bring the good Pyrex to a potluck and take a chance on never getting it back.

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

and why do they eat all those pre-cooked meals in those containers, heating them with the oven?

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

Just looks so tacky when you lay it on the table without a dish and it slides around.

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

Because it can keep food warm longer and are cheap and easy to make

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

Because they can actually be used to cook in and when taking food to someone or to a potluck, they are disposable, so you don't have to try to get your dish back. It can simply be thrown in the trash.

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

Because they are wasteful and don't care about their health.

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

When the food comes in metallic foil thingees, we eat off of paper! With plastic utensils! Like God ordained it!

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

Spaniard here, to all americans commenting: Did you heard about TUPPERWARE? You cant reheat the food on the microwave with that

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

Hey Ana, Yes, most of us have heard of it....since IT IS AN AMERICAN INVENTION. I own several sets. Do you frequently think that over 310 million people are the same? These are usually used for a different purpose than tupperware and are frequently heated via a heat source from the bottom.

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