As Americans, we are unfortunately prone to thinking that the way we do things is correct and makes the most sense. But that is honestly hardly ever true. I mean, we haven't even adopted the metric system for Pete's sake. It is clearly the superior system of measurement. But we are so stuck in our ways, that we cannot recognize how many other countries do things (ahem, healthcare) better. And while movies are not exactly a realistic portrayal of daily life, it is how many people in other countries learn about what life is like in America.
This thread is full of things that characters do in American movies that we have come to accept, either because it really is the way we do it or because we are so familiar with the trope that we don't second-guess it anymore. But people in other countries have taken notice, and honestly, I don't blame them for it. Some of the stuff we do is super weird.
The thing about the "American way" is...
Sometimes it just doesn't make any sense. Take a look at these tweets from confused people from around the world to see what I'm talking about.Bowl of lettuce
Americans in movies always have a big bowl of mixed lettuce in the middle of the table with their dinner— 𝔏𝔞𝔲𝔯𝔢𝔫 ℭ𝔬𝔪𝔯𝔞𝔡𝔢 but actually Aoife (@𝔏𝔞𝔲𝔯𝔢𝔫 ℭ𝔬𝔪𝔯𝔞𝔡𝔢 but actually Aoife)1538585653.0
Fresh coffee
do all americans really have fresh coffee ready 24/7 like on tv— ✨ (@✨)1478515230.0
Halloween
Do Americans really care about Halloween or is that a tv show/twitter thing— rían - BLACKLIVESMTTER (@rían - BLACKLIVESMTTER)1535970374.0
Unlocked
Sometimes growing up we would leave the door unlocked if we were like, playing outside and our parents were inside. Other than that, doors were locked.Funyons
I don't think Funyons are as popular as American pop culture makes them seem anymore but they are still pretty darn delicious.Paper bags
Do Americans really carry groceries in paper bags or is that just in movies only?— Thandeka Msane (@Thandeka Msane)1395835742.0
TVs on
Americans in movies just walk out of their homes and go to work while their TVs/radios are on. Their electricity must be really cheap.— Sofa King Cool ✇ (@Sofa King Cool ✇)1477683945.0
Frozen peas
According to movies, all Americans have a bag of frozen peas in their fridge, but they never use it while cooking.— Celine Chami (@Celine Chami)1456657501.0
Microwaved hot water
when americans on tv shows make tea by putting the cups in a microwave. i am..... disgusted.......— lou (@lou)1523149638.0
One bite for breakfast
Americans in movies will take one bite of this and say “I’m late for work” https://t.co/lzghNKio2w— reiss (@reiss)1535640861.0
Meatloaf
Do Americans really eat as much meatloaf as TV makes it seem? They must be like, 60% loaf by now.— Rawkymunky 🏴 🇪🇺 (@Rawkymunky 🏴 🇪🇺)1507390444.0
Accents
I like how rich Americans in movies from the 30's always seem to have pseudo-British accents. I wonder if that was really a thing.— Herk Harvey’s CarnivALEX of Souls (@Herk Harvey’s CarnivALEX of Souls)1313679035.0
Swallowing pills without water
No, people don't do this in real life and I'm always disturbed when people do it in movies! Why! Do people in movies from other countries not do this?Hardwood floors
Why are Americans in movies/tv shows obsessed with hardwood floors?— Ashlee Banshee 🎃 (@Ashlee Banshee 🎃)1546726354.0
Chips on sandwiches
Does this person mean potato chips or French fries? Because either way, the answer is yes. It's delicious.Haunted houses
*Americans in movies.... *see a haunted house... Brain: Don’t do it Don’t do it Don’t do… https://t.co/OtndYx9INO— Etin🦅🌊 (@Etin🦅🌊)1543020671.0
Baguettes
@rachel_mcfarlin They forgot to mention the baguettes. Americans in movies, when they're coming home with groceries… https://t.co/BsEkjQw7UA— Josh McDonald (@Josh McDonald)1546731276.0
Full breakfast
How do Americans in movies have time to make a full cooked breakfast in the morning and sit around the table with t… https://t.co/ymQAepCbor— Maria's Not My Name (@Maria's Not My Name)1546591350.0
Vodka in whiskey glasses
Hm. This I didn't know was a thing. We don't drink vodka out of shot glasses unless we're doing a shot of vodka. No one sips out of shot glasses in the good ol' U.S. of A.Goodbye
This is just a thing that happens in movies and TV to save time. Does this not happen in movies and TV from other countries? Everyone is like, "Goodbye!" "And goodbye too you!"Answering the door
Why do Americans in movies expect people to answer the door instantly sometimes it takes me like 4 minutes to get out of bed to answer it— ciaran (@ciaran)1446117919.0
Baseball bat
I mean, we had baseball bats in our house, but that's because we played baseball. I didn't know that people actually buy them for protection purposes."Grab" a cup of coffee
Why do Americans on TV shows have to go "grab" a cup of coffee? Can't see how that could ever end well. Especially if the cup is styrofoam.— Jeff Pagano #StaySafe (@Jeff Pagano #StaySafe)1307135543.0
Outside shoes
Do Americans really wear their outside shoes around the whole house? On their beds????? Is tv lying? I hope so— Jessica Marie (@Jessica Marie)1509093329.0
Chinese food
do americans really eat chinese food out of those cardboard boxes like in tv shows???— laur (@laur)1523312784.0
Ice cream
Um, because ice cream is a delicious and fun treat? How is this even a question?! Sometimes you're in the mood for a cone and not a beer.Red cups
do americans really have red cups all the time at parties or is that just in movies? someone let me know thanks— jas ✨ (@jas ✨)1516347005.0
Football field
I wish Americans in movies would just top comparing the length of things to that of a football field. I have no idea how long that is.— ᴮᴱeurica⁷ (@ᴮᴱeurica⁷)1371467113.0
Natural disaster
It amuses me when Americans in movies try to stop a natural disaster ending the world because they're Americans and they just have to try— LaniOyawoyeSalami (@LaniOyawoyeSalami)1317927493.0