What are some strange American customs?

[Yumyumsuppertime]

Don't listen to the extreme left wingers around here...the pledge is awesome.

It's not just extreme left-wingers.

I consider myself right-wing, and I have a big problem with the idea of schools pushing students to have any opinion, positive or negative, of the US government. It's my business what and who I'm loyal to, nobody else's. I can't stand flagwaving pseudo-patriotism. Real patriots know that being willing to question your government is a critical part of being an American...

Leftist AND patriot here, and I absolutely agree with you on that point.

[Robert Magoo]

It's not just extreme left-wingers.

I consider myself right-wing, and I have a big problem with the idea of schools pushing students to have any opinion, positive or negative, of the US government. It's my business what and who I'm loyal to, nobody else's. I can't stand flagwaving pseudo-patriotism. Real patriots know that being willing to question your government is a critical part of being an American...

Leftist AND patriot here, and I absolutely agree with you on that point.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

I never had it until I moved to the US for the first time. I don't recall ever seeing it at grocery stores in Spain either.

What did you think of it? I have to be honest, it was such a staple of my childhood that I never thought of anyone actively disliking it, or having to get used to the stuff. It's just there.

I like nuts, peanuts especially. So I didn't have much of a problem, other than texture at first, with peanut butter. But for many Europeans it's an acquired taste and the PB and J combo isn't everyone's cup of tea. It's considered to be too sweet.

[Italios]

Since you were posting about it...?

No, I meant I cared about the explanation of peanut butter

You seemed confused about it though, it seemed as if you though is was like food of Lucifer just tying ta clarify.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

What did you think of it? I have to be honest, it was such a staple of my childhood that I never thought of anyone actively disliking it, or having to get used to the stuff. It's just there.

I like nuts, peanuts especially. So I didn't have much of a problem, other than texture at first, with peanut butter. But for many Europeans it's an acquired taste and the PB and J combo isn't everyone's cup of tea. It's considered to be too sweet.

I can see how that would be the case for people who hadn't grown up with it.

Speaking of sweetness, I remember reading that Europeans who got to America were put off by how sweet our bread is. I didn't think about it much, but six months ago, I switched to a different whole grain type of bread that doesn't have as much added sugar. Recently the supermarket ran out, I bought my previous brand, and I found it to be atrociously sweet. It's amazing how many different things we put sugar into without thinking about it.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

I like nuts, peanuts especially. So I didn't have much of a problem, other than texture at first, with peanut butter. But for many Europeans it's an acquired taste and the PB and J combo isn't everyone's cup of tea. It's considered to be too sweet.

I can see how that would be the case for people who hadn't grown up with it.

Speaking of sweetness, I remember reading that Europeans who got to America were put off by how sweet our bread is. I didn't think about it much, but six months ago, I switched to a different whole grain type of bread that doesn't have as much added sugar. Recently the supermarket ran out, I bought my previous brand, and I found it to be atrociously sweet. It's amazing how many different things we put sugar into without thinking about it.

Yes, some breads are indeed sweeter than back home. Ditto with chocolate. You guys have quite the sweet tooth.

[The Princes of the Universe]

There are several I've seen, some of which, for the record, are not unique to the United States.

• The obnoxious jingoistic nationalism. Not that most of us seem to call it what it is.
• Bitching and bitching and bitching about how much Congress sucks... and continuously sending almost all of the same people back to it every time!
• In the same vein, bitching about how much the two main parties suck, yet the vast majority never vote for anyone outside those parties.
• Hacking off parts of newborns' penises because (insert provably untrue bullshit du jour here) in spite of the blatantly unethical nature of the practice (among other things). Given that it's been 18 years since so much as a pinprick to a newborn's vulva was outlawed and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment is a thing, I hope at least a few angry 18-year-old men start lawyering the hell up and pursuing justice against the freaks who sexually assaulted them. No religious exemptions either.
• Also in the same vein, screwing around with intersex children's genitals not because there's anything life-threateningly wrong with them but just because they just can't leave anything alone until a more appropriate time. I'd like to see some of them take legal action too.
• The preponderance of people who call themselves pro-life yet more or less stop giving a damn after Mother goes into labour. Helpful hint, America: If your "pro-life" doesn't extend to ALL human life regardless of circumstances, it's not really pro-life.

I'll probably be able to think of more after a good night's rest.

[Benuty]

There are several I've seen, some of which, for the record, are not unique to the United States.

• The obnoxious jingoistic nationalism. Not that most of us seem to call it what it is.
• Bitching and bitching and bitching about how much Congress sucks... and continuously sending almost all of the same people back to it every time!
• In the same vein, bitching about how much the two main parties suck, yet the vast majority never vote for anyone outside those parties.
• Hacking off parts of newborns' penises because (insert provably untrue bullshit du jour here) in spite of the blatantly unethical nature of the practice (among other things). Given that it's been 18 years since so much as a pinprick to a newborn's vulva was outlawed and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment is a thing, I hope at least a few angry 18-year-old men start lawyering the hell up and pursuing justice against the freaks who sexually assaulted them. No religious exemptions either.
• Also in the same vein, screwing around with intersex children's genitals not because there's anything life-threateningly wrong with them but just because they just can't leave anything alone until a more appropriate time. I'd like to see some of them take legal action too.
• The preponderance of people who call themselves pro-life yet more or less stop giving a damn after Mother goes into labour. Helpful hint, America: If your "pro-life" doesn't extend to ALL human life regardless of circumstances, it's not really pro-life.

I'll probably be able to think of more after a good night's rest.

Given sizable chunks of the US populace don't even vote do not be surprised that the same people keep winning. On the issue of circumcision you can thank a Cereal Magnate for that I mean every times someone buys Kellogg brand cereals someone loses their foreskins. Be glad the US does not subincise peoples penises.

[The Princes of the Universe]

On the issue of circumcision you can thank a Cereal Magnate for that I mean every times someone buys Kellogg brand cereals someone loses their foreskins. Be glad the US does subincise peoples penises.

Ah, the quack John Harvey Kellogg (his brother was actually the cereal magnate, although he was actually the one to invent what we now call Corn Flakes). [Anything I say beyond that probably goes well past the PG13 threshold, so I'll refrain.]
I try to forget that other practice you mentioned is a thing...

[Yumyumsuppertime]

I can see how that would be the case for people who hadn't grown up with it.

Speaking of sweetness, I remember reading that Europeans who got to America were put off by how sweet our bread is. I didn't think about it much, but six months ago, I switched to a different whole grain type of bread that doesn't have as much added sugar. Recently the supermarket ran out, I bought my previous brand, and I found it to be atrociously sweet. It's amazing how many different things we put sugar into without thinking about it.

Yes, some breads are indeed sweeter than back home. Ditto with chocolate. You guys have quite the sweet tooth.

I love my country, but what we call chocolate doesn't have any right to the name. Hershey's tastes like bile.

[Benuty]

On the issue of circumcision you can thank a Cereal Magnate for that I mean every times someone buys Kellogg brand cereals someone loses their foreskins. Be glad the US does subincise peoples penises.

Ah, the quack John Harvey Kellogg (his brother was actually the cereal magnate, although he was actually the one to invent what we now call Corn Flakes). [Anything I say beyond that probably goes well past the PG13 threshold, so I'll refrain.]
I try to forget that other practice you mentioned is a thing...

The last part was a typo.

[The Princes of the Universe]

Ah, the quack John Harvey Kellogg (his brother was actually the cereal magnate, although he was actually the one to invent what we now call Corn Flakes). [Anything I say beyond that probably goes well past the PG13 threshold, so I'll refrain.]
I try to forget that other practice you mentioned is a thing...

The last part was a typo.

I know. Doesn't mean I don't try to forget it exists.

[Katganistan]

The public restroom stalls have these massive spaces that separate the "wall" and the ground that anyone can peek under. Let me take my private shit.

Gun culture.

Wearing shoes in the house - what the fuck are you doing there? You step in all sorts of shit and then you walk around the house and it gets everywhere. That's disgusting.

The obsession around college sports.

You wear shoes in the house! Why?!

LOL, first thing that comes off when I walk in the door is the shoes. I prefer being barefoot.

I don't think it's the norm, but I've only seen movies in the Pacific Northwest.

Nah, no clapping in NY either. What would be the point? The actors aren't there to hear it, nor the director, cinematographer...

Agreed. I don't want to have to worry about bringing cash every time I go to a restaurant when I plan on using a debit card to pay.

Funny enough, we've mastered putting tips on the card.

Maybe you haven't noticed the abundance of flags. I said everywhere, not just, "They have flags".

Maybe I'm just used to it, but I only ever see them on the occasional house or at the tombstones of veterans.

July 4th is the time when you really do see flags everywhere.

Memorial Day. Veteran's Day.

Most of the time it's just government offices and schools.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

Maybe I'm just used to it, but I only ever see them on the occasional house or at the tombstones of veterans.

July 4th is the time when you really do see flags everywhere.

Memorial Day. Veteran's Day.

Most of the time it's just government offices and schools.

Outside shopping malls, car dealerships, gas stations....

Weirdly enough, the one day that I don't see many is Flag Day.

[Katganistan]

Patriotism and support for the confederacy go worse together than any food with Vegemite.

The Confederacy supports all the ideas that the Founding Fathers had when they created America. Support for the Confederacy is actually very patriotic.

Let's not, please.

It's annoying as hell.

No, it's exploitative and dishonest.

From what I understand, the Waiter's don't get payed by their workplace (Or only some places do) so tips is how they earn money.

Your literally just paying the Waiter and it can be whatever you want if you liked their service.

I haven't actually offered anything that's strange. The custom of spelling paid incorrectly is strange. It's P-A-I-D. Payed has an entirely different meaning and why bother with all the extra letters.

Say to said, lay to laid, pay to paid. The -ayed ones I can think of all have two letters in front of the -ay in the base form.

tipflation

If you're justifying the existence of tips with "That's how workers get paid" then you would expect this as said workers need to experience periodic wage rises to sustain purchasing power.

Employees who receive tips are paid half the minimum wage. Leaving some change on the table doesn't help the waiter and is, in fact, insulting, especially if they've given you decent service. Excusing yourself by saying the service has to be extraordinary is just that, an excuse.

By participating in tipping you merely serve to help the system survive. It may be rough on the employees for a bit but if half of all customers stopped tipping something would have to change. Therefore, there is no ethical justification for tipping. You either hurt a lot of people for a long time or you hurt some people for a short time. Do less harm.

Yes, they'd all have to go on the dole. Great idea.

Any where in the southern U.S., you will find lifted trucks with over-sized wheels, that travel at 5 miles per gallon. I'd say the most civilized part of the South is Florida. In Florida you'll find many retired elderly people and the rest are just....................ex-criminal, hippie, springbreaking drug addicted pedophiles that are bums.

Don't forget cowboy wannabes shooting down kids.

Commonly heard American phases by Italios
1) "We're hear to f*ck sh*t up!"
2) "Ain't nobody fresher than my clique, clique, clique..."
4) "YANKESS." "RED SOX." "YANKEES." "RED SOX."
5) "Barbeque sauce with that?" (Btw that stuff is horrible.)

(Yes, these are real quotes.)

From where?

[Eastern Equestria]

His patriotism is good enough

Patriotism and support for the confederacy go worse together than any food with Vegemite.

Vegemite goes pretty well with toast.

[Katganistan]

In the south, Yankee sometimes is an insult. In the North East, it's not. In Boston, it's a declaration of war

It's not an insult in Boston. What part of this is difficult to understand? When people talk about the Cleveland Indians, do you think they mean immigrants from India?

Good ol' Yankee know-how.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

Patriotism and support for the confederacy go worse together than any food with Vegemite.

Vegemite goes pretty well with toast.

Hard to find Vegemite around here, but if I mix soy sauce with crude oil and petroleum jelly, I can get a basic approximation of the consistency and taste.

[Katganistan]

It's not an insult in Boston. What part of this is difficult to understand? When people talk about the Cleveland Indians, do you think they mean immigrants from India?

*Cough* Red Sox territory.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/yankee

a native or inhabitant of the United States.
2.
a native or inhabitant of New England.
3.
a native or inhabitant of a northern U.S. state, especially of one of the northeastern states that sided with the Union in the American Civil War.
4.
a federal or northern soldier in the American Civil War.
5.
a word used in communications to represent the letter Y.
6.
Military. the NATO name for a class of Soviet ballistic missile submarine, nuclear powered, with up to 16 missile launchers.
adjective
7.
of, relating to, or characteristic of a Yankee or Yankees:
Yankee ingenuity.

So, no, you don't know what you're talking about there.

[The Princes of the Universe]

Vegemite goes pretty well with toast.

Hard to find Vegemite around here, but if I mix soy sauce with crude oil and petroleum jelly, I can get a basic approximation of the consistency and taste.

Yikes.

[Katganistan]

Saying that if someone wins the next election, you're moving to Canada.

We wish they WOULD.

Italians aren't White all of a sudden?

all of a sudden? that's been common sense since they satrated moving to the us.

Check your ignorance.

[Eastern Equestria]

Vegemite goes pretty well with toast.

Hard to find Vegemite around here, but if I mix soy sauce with crude oil and petroleum jelly, I can get a basic approximation of the consistency and taste.

You kind of have to look around to find Vegemite here in the United States, which is a tad ironic considering that the brand is owned by an American company. I tried to get some at a Winn Dixie the last time I was in Florida, and when I asked the staff if they had any in stock, I was told by the manager that he'd never even heard of the stuff. I eventually found some in the international section of one of those mega-Wal Marts.

I'll readily admit that it's an acquired taste, and that I probably wouldn't give it the time of day if I weren't somewhat of an Australophile.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

*Cough* Red Sox territory.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/yankee

a native or inhabitant of the United States.
2.
a native or inhabitant of New England.
3.
a native or inhabitant of a northern U.S. state, especially of one of the northeastern states that sided with the Union in the American Civil War.
4.
a federal or northern soldier in the American Civil War.
5.
a word used in communications to represent the letter Y.
6.
Military. the NATO name for a class of Soviet ballistic missile submarine, nuclear powered, with up to 16 missile launchers.
adjective
7.
of, relating to, or characteristic of a Yankee or Yankees:
Yankee ingenuity.

So, no, you don't know what you're talking about there.

I heard the following from a New Englander, and it works for me:

To a European, a Yankee is anyone from America.

To a Southern American, a Yankee is from the North.

To Westerners, a Yankee is from the Northeast.

To Northeasterners, a Yankee is from New England.

To those from New England, a Yankee is from Vermont.

To Vermonters, a Yankee is someone who eats pie for breakfast.

[ImperialistSalvia]

Italians aren't White all of a sudden?

all of a sudden? that's been common sense since they satrated moving to the us.

If we really wanted to get into the nitty-gritty, then no one aside from the Anglo-Saxons (and begrudgingly the British Celts) are white.

[Forsher]

Hard to find Vegemite around here, but if I mix soy sauce with crude oil and petroleum jelly, I can get a basic approximation of the consistency and taste.

You kind of have to look around to find Vegemite here in the United States, which is a tad ironic considering that the brand is owned by an American company. I tried to get some at a Winn Dixie the last time I was in Florida, and when I asked the staff if they had any in stock, I was told by the manager that he'd never even heard of the stuff. I eventually found some in the international section of one of those mega-Wal Marts.

I'll readily admit that it's an acquired taste, and that I probably wouldn't give it the time of day if I weren't somewhat of an Australophile.

Vegemite is okay until you stop eating it. Then you realise what you've consumed. The after taste is not worth it, especially when you have superior alternatives.