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No two people are the same, and it seems that this can also be said about countries. All you do is cross a line that separates geographical areas, and suddenly the free toilets you were so accustomed to are paid, and the meal portions get strangely stingy. 

This time, Americans had the chance to take this burden off their shoulders and share the myriad of weird behaviors they witnessed while traveling outside the US. From living without air conditioning to putting milk in bags, below you’ll find an assortment of things the rest of the world does that somehow rub the citizens of America the wrong way.

#1

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) Honestly? I understand most of it. People are raised where they're raised. They eat food they know, watch entertainment that is local, follow the traditional sports in their neck of the world.

I totally get that. I think people are the same the world over, they just want to have a good life and a better one for their kids. They don't want to be hungry or poor or unhoused. I get ALL that.

What I don't get is Eurovision. What the actual f**k?

EDIT: Holy f**k, I may not be the brightest fork in the drawer but I'm not a f*****g idiot. I am well aware of the format of Eurovision. I do not understand the hype around Eurovision. I do not understand the politics around Eurovision. I do not understand the song selection OR performances of Eurovision. I do not understand how countries NOT IN EUROPE can be in a competition called EUROvision.

There you go, ya pedantic f***s. Happy now?

NotHisRealName , Wendy Wei Report

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arthbach
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All you need to know about Eurovision is it's a chance for a party, A time to let rip, and have fun. I don't 'get' American 'home coming', or 'pep rallies', or to be honest the idea that sport is important. (I like museums, architecture, crafts, etc.) However, like Eurovision, they are things other people like, and I just let them enjoy what they are enjoying.

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#2

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) The vacation and time off in other countries. Its crazy to me. But holy cow am jealous.

Apprehensive-Crow-96 , Paolo Sbalzer Report

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TheAmericanAmerican
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an American living and working in Europe, I can confirm this! I went from having 2 weeks of vacation to now 6 and it's absolutely amazing! I ain't never going back! 🤣

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#3

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) When you rent an apartment in Germany, in most cases it doesn't come with light fixtures, kitchen cabinets and counters, appliances, etc. You either have to purchase and install these yourself, or hope that the previous tenant is willing to sell theirs to you. In my last apartment search, there were even a few apartments where I would have had to supply and install my own flooring. It's insane.

Specific-Squash , Vecislavas Popa Report

An American thinking that paying for water in a restaurant is weird or putting potatoes on pizza is gross is a perfect example of ethnocentrism. This means they’re evaluating other countries from their culture’s point of view. They’re judging or making assumptions about the food of other countries based on their own norms, values, or beliefs. 

However, this can lead to negative judgments and discrimination against different cultures and people. To avoid this, cultural relativism suggests approaching unfamiliar ways of life without imposing their own bias on what is wrong, right, or normal. Instead, we should try to understand cultural practices in their own cultural context. 

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#4

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) I don't know if it's everywhere , but I noticed a conspicuous lack of screens in windows while I was in Europe.

It's so simple, and it prevents bugs. I was woken up by bugs in 4 separate European countries. Why?! You don't need to live like that.

here-for-information , GenderIsConfusingAf Report

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Rizzo
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If no bugs are getting into your house - what do you eat during sleep? ;)

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#5

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) The assumption that all Americans are similar instead of a diverse group with a vast variety of backgrounds and beliefs.

GrimeyScorpioDuffman , Airam Dato-on Report

#6

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) Not "the rest," but some countries throw toilet paper in the trash can, and that is f*****g horrifying.

Kaizo107 , Max Vakhtbovycn Report

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StPaul9
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The sewer system is too shallow to allow clogging the pipes with toilet paper. It would cause a lot of smelly brown stuff to flow upwards. You just put an extra thick bag in the bin and put it out.

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As an alternative, one should ask, “Why do some cultures eat fried insects?” They might learn that they are full of protein in Mexico, are a famous part of the cuisine, and have been eaten for thousands of years as a healthy food source.

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#7

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) Not the rest of the world, but I will never understand arranged marriages. I can’t imagine being forced to have children with someone you may not like.

LaximumEffort , Heiner Report

#8

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) I'm addressing Europe and I guess probably Belgium specifically, because that's where I encountered this the most.

Y'all are unnecessarily f****n' stingy with the beverages at restaurants.

Like for real, you stop somewhere for dinner, and the server comes by and asks if you want water. After the awkward exchange about whether you want "shparkling or steel," they come back roughly 30 minutes later with something the size of a toddler's sippy cup with water in it.

If, by some happenstance, you find yourself drinking all 8oz of the beverage supplied with your entire meal, and successfully perform the esoteric dark ritual of summoning the server back to your table to check on you, they will be shocked. "Hm, you are very thirsty tonight! It seems you have guzzled down your entire thimble of water in a mere 50 minutes. Would you like me to try to bring another?"

It's water, you m***********s.

I know that back in like the 1500s all your waterways were basically sewage and so you culturally got accustomed to drinking only heavily-fermented snifters of your own saliva during meals, but I KNOW YOU HAVE PLUMBING NOW.

sosomething , Pixabay Report

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Greenmantle
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well... the US is known for their massive beverage servings... pretty common to get a 200 or 250ml serving or water elsewhere in the world (7-9oz)

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#9

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) Specific to Europeans but yall have no business judging Americans for our issues with racism given how yall talk about and treat the Romani.

Lyn1987 , Caleb Oquendo Report

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JoyfulZebra
Community Member
8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know this entry got downvoted, but I agree with OP. The US has done evil s**t to people of color both at home and abroad, but Europe has done stuff as bad as America, and for some countries it has done so for longer (looking at you England, Portugal, Spain and The Netherlands). And as OP said, how a lot of European countries treat Roma people is absolutely abhorrent. So, even though the US has been rightly criticized for its racism, Europe shouldn't feel superior to us in that regard, considering how many skeletons are in their closet.

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Appreciating one’s culture can be healthy, as it can result in a shared sense of community and connect people in a society. However, all cultures are beautiful in their own ways and shouldn’t be blindly criticized because of that. 

#10

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) Milk in a bag.

smileymom19 , anon Report

#11

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) Lack of disability access.

Don't give me that c**p about how old your buildings are, you had no problem rebuilding most of the ones that were leveled after WWII, you can install a concrete ramp.

YNot1989 , Marcus Aurelius Report

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arthbach
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would definitely like more places to be made accessible, and with ramps etc that blend in with the buildings. However, I'd also like the USA to be made more accessible to those who don't have a car, or can't drive.

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#12

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) Pay toilets.

llcucf80 , Sung Jin Cho Report

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CJK
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

American here. I've been to Europe a couple times and I LOVE the toilets. Yes it was a little unusual at first but I would gladly pay for that privacy and cleanliness.

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#13

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) That you believe we are all the same.

There are over 339 million people in America. We are all different, some born here, some moved here.

When we hear "Americans are dumb" or "Americans are ruining the world" - just know none of us think you are talking about us.

There are dumbasses, who live here, just like people where you live and others all over the world. There are also amazing, intelligent, beautiful, fantastic people who live here that care about the world outside their front door. We are not all ethnocentrists or Nationalists.

Many of us want the world to be a better place. A safe place. A happy place.

But, to lump almost 339,000,000 people into one group and expect them all to have the same traits is absurd, especially in a country that has a higher incoming immigration rate than almost any other country in the world. A country that was built specifically for immigrants to come get a fresh start, build their dream, and live a peaceful life.

By contrast:

The entire UK has 67.7 million people.
Germany has 83 million.
France has 64.7 million.

Ayste , Element5 Digital Report

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TheAmericanAmerican
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one's well written and logical. The majority of Americans HATE trump and the RepubliKKKlan politicians but the political system has been so thoroughly corrupted by the billionaire class(the capitalist class) that they have massive unjustly power! If the US went full direct democracy and the president was elected by a simple 1 person = 1 Vote system, we'd never have another republican in the White House again!

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#14

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) How are yall living without AC.

tornteddie , Airam Dato-on Report

#15

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) Soccer. Not the game, but how insane the fans are.

Iwouldntifiwereme , Mitch Rosen Report

#16

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) Turd shelves. I’m looking at you, Netherlands.

uvaspina1 , Skylar Kang Report

#17

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) Pay money for water in restaurants.

PacoTaco19 , 21 swan Report

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Anna Ekberg
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes we pay for water but also our waiters don't depend on tipping from customers to survive.

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#18

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) That smoking is still so common. This goes for Europe, Asia, South America. Probably other places too. I know we in the US have since started embracing vaping which is its own problem but at least we made cigarettes uncool. The rest of the world is dealing with both in huge numbers. There were a few glorious years in the US before vaping but after cigarettes were uncool where almost no one smoked. That was amazing.

viktor72 , Qihao Wang Report

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BoredPossum
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sweden is well on its way to become the first non smoking country. (Less than 5% smokes.)

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#19

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) Monarchies.

Afalstein , William Warby Report

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Lucifer
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nobody is more obsessed with the Royals than Americans. Rest of the world isn't even interested in them, we have entire news segments(hours) & numerous TV shows dedicated to just one royal family.

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#20

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) I don't know if it's everywhere or just certain countries, but having to pay to use a public restroom. Even if you're filling your tank and buying snacks in the store you still have to pay extra to take a leak at a gas station. I could maybe understand charging non-customers, but if I'm a paying customer of your establishment I think it's a little weird to charge me extra.

HoopOnPoop , Vadim Artyukhin Report

#21

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) Apartment rentals not coming with kitchens… how does anyone afford to install new kitchens every time you move?? And you can’t even take it with you as every apartment had a different arrangement.

curryp4n , Jean van der Meulen Report

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Flopsy
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s just in Germany, all the other countries give you kitchens and lightbulbs by default.

Mark Bayliss
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cookers, fridges and washing machines are a standard size. Of course you can take it with you - unless you are moving from Country to Country to Country.

jmdirks
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This post makes zero sense. What happened to the kitchen from the previous renter if they were not allowed to take it with them??

Sven Horlemann
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never had a problem renting new homes, most of the time taking my kitchen with me. Because I chose my kitchen, as I liked a certain look. Sure, some adjustment need to be done, but it was never something problematic.

pelemele
Community Member
8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When moving, people leave with their dishwasher, fridge and small appliances then leave the rest: oven, microwave, and so on (appliances which are generally built-in).

Sedona
Community Member
8 months ago

This comment has been deleted.

Chrissie Anit
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even in your scenario, you would only have to buy a kitchen once - you either take it with you since it fits into your new house/flat, or yoiu sell it to the "Nachmieter" - the one who rents the flat after you (you often look for a Nachmieter yourself, or the landlord arranges for the kitchen sale). Yo you either have a kitchen or money to buy a new one or to buy it off the person that lived there before you.

René Sauer
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How often do you plan to move around, OP? Every year or what?

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#22

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) Believing media-stereotypes about the USA without ever having been here.

jmnugent , Paul Weaver Report

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#23

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) Absurd...

I find it absurd that many Asian cultures have a deep seated aversion to having fans on in the bedroom when sleeping.

I find it absurd that in many European countries ice in a drink, like water, is viewed with disdain.

I find it absurd that in Italy it may be 21C outside but if a newborn baby is in the room the windows are closed up, the baby is wrapped up in a blanket, and people think the red skin color of an overheated infant is a sign of good health!

I also find the driving habits of Italians to be absurd.

Filthy_rags_am_I , Karolina Grabowska Report

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Nevid
Community Member
8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ice in a drink means diluting the drink with water and it also means less of the drink per volume. If you need a cold drink, order a cold drink instead of a room temperature one with ice in it.

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#24

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) Complain about us so much.

refereeVoodoo , Sawyer Sutton Report

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BoredPossum
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not you and not all of you, just the ones pushing that "America is the greatest country in the world "-c**p.

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#25

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) I wouldnt call this ‘absurd’, but when i lived in Norway finding out nearly every store closed all day on Sundays was crazy. Additionally- they put CORN on pizza, ew.

Tr4ceur , John O'Nolan Report

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devotedtodreams
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bro, corn is my favorite ingredient on pizza! And where did I first have it? During vacation on Sardinia many years ago.

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#26

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) This may be because of my proximity to New York City, but:
Tourists from around the world come to our big cities, and spend a huge chunk of their time and money shopping at Macy's and Target and Sephora.
Not all, obviously, but a lot...

EDIT: I understand the idea of shopping for the novelty of it. I do that too. That's not my point. The key words above are "huge chunk". Like, people fly several hours across an ocean to come here, and some spend the vast bulk of their time buying stuff that's mass produced in factories and available in 3,000 locations nationwide.

EDIT 2: Ok, maybe it's me, because I grew up in the middle of New Jersey, with access to at least five shopping malls within an hour drive, and all of them had Macy's, JC Penney, etc.

EDIT 3: Although I was aware of the gap between the US and other countries in terms of price, selection, and availability... holy moly I didn't realize it was such a major driver of tourist commerce. Forgive me, please, for my ignorance.

wildbillnj1975 , Mike Mozart Report

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Jrog
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Buying Ralph Laurent or Levi's at Macy's used to be sensibly cheaper than buying at home. Like, less than half the price. I never went on purpose, but every time I happened to be in NYC some cheap shopping was on the cards. Not anymore, though.

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#27

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) Not putting ice in drinks by default and relatedly, no free refills at restaurants.

loki8481 , Masud Allahverdizade Report

#28

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) The toppings they put on pizza in Korea.

Pinkmongoose , mikeycknowsrnb Report

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Greenmantle
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ohhh... newsflash: pizza is not an American invention. At all. Nope, nope nope.

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#29

People that don’t wear deodorant. Obviously not the whole world, but a lot of people don’t. How can you be in a relationship with someone who smells from 30 feet away?

InGreedWeTrust3 Report

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eric p
Community Member
8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And deodorant is sometimes more expensive than perfume/cologne in Europe, so they just drench their BO with God awful aromas. The smell on Italian railcars was enough to make me vomit

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#30

"Americans, What’s Something The Rest Of The World Does That You Find Absurd?" (28 Answers) Criticizing Americans lack of "culture", all the while wearing American style clothes, listening to American music, watching American movies/tv shows, following American politics and basically copying American popular culture at every turn.

Orobor0 , Deepal Tamang Report

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Lucifer
Community Member
8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Majority of the world doesn't wear American style clothing, listen to American Music, watch American Movies, follow American politics or copy American pop culture. The ones where you find it (in 3rd world countries) was forced on them by American corporations. Or it is a profitable market for corporations.

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#31

I’ve always thought it was odd that some Europeans could have such strong opinions on America and Americans without ever stepping foot in the States.

Ok_Ad_5015 Report

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Greenmantle
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Probably because the USA projects their culture and views onto the rest of the world rather lavishly... of course people are not going to be interested in your culture when you try to drown them in it.

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#32

Washers and dryers (and washer-dryers) that take 3 to 5 hours to complete a single small load of laundry. Seriously, how are you even able to get a reasonable amount done? If you ask me, any set that consistently takes longer than 2 hours to complete what it considers a full load isn't worth the parts it was built with.

Escapist-Loner-9791 Report

#33

Throw fits over how we measure things and how we write the date.

54_savoy Report

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Lucifer
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All scientific measurements use the Metric system. It's just simpler.

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#34

Not being able to buy a party bag 5lbs or 10lbs of ice for a get together in a grocery store….

schpanckie Report

#35

The cheek kiss thing.

goldbricker83 Report

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Anna Ekberg
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is worldwide, alot of hispanics IN the USA do the cheek kiss too.

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