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
Um, it’s called salad and I’m pretty sure we eat it with dinner because we thought it was really classy and European.
Fresh coffee
No, this is definitely not true. We’re just so addicted to coffee that we’ll drink the old, nasty stuff languishing for hours in the coffee maker when we’re desperate.
Halloween
Yes, we really care about Halloween! Who doesn’t?! It’s an excuse to watch scary movies and eat candy.
What more could you want out of a holiday?!
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
Well, it used to be “paper or plastic,” but now it’s neither if you remember your reusable bags from home.
But yeah, paper bags are a thing. Are they not in other countries?
TVs on
Usually, we don’t do this unless we’re leaving the TV on for our dog who has separation anxiety – which is something I know a lot about.
Frozen peas
I don’t know why we use frozen peas to reduce swelling for injuries, but we definitely do. I used to eat them frozen as snacks too when I was a kid. But I haven’t had a bag of frozen peas in the house since I was probably five years old.
Microwaved hot water
Me personally? I do not do this. But I know people who do. It is a travesty.
One bite for breakfast
OK, this is a pet peeve of mine from movies. No way someone is ignoring that beautiful spread for one bite of toast, Lindsay Lohan in The Parent Trap!
Meatloaf
I don’t think we eat that much meatloaf, and I also don’t recall any movie or TV show in which people eat meatloaf.
Is this a thing on American TV?
Accents
The transatlantic is a mystery even to us, but I will say it gives Mr. Feeny quite an air of authority in Boy Meets World.
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
Because they’re so much better than carpet! I didn’t realize people around the world weren’t enamored with hardwood floors.
Chips on sandwiches
Does this person mean potato chips or French fries?
Because either way, the answer is yes. It’s delicious.
Haunted houses
Can’t help it. Love a good haunted house.
If people didn’t enter haunted houses, there would be no scary movies!
Baguettes
Pretty sure we only do this in movies because we think it looks very chic and French.
But also, baguettes are delicious.
Full breakfast
The real infuriating part about the trope of someone taking one bite of breakfast and running out the door is that no one ever really has full breakfasts laid out like that in the morning.
It’s like, a frozen waffle or peanut butter on toast and out the door.
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
I think this is also a time-saving device. Movies and TV don’t actually happen in real time.
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
That is an expression that we use in real life! It doesn’t mean we are forcefully snatching cups of coffee.
Outside shoes
Yes, we do this. I mean, we don’t usually wear shoes in bed. That’s too much. But we wear shoes everywhere.
It’s a lot more convenient than constantly taking them off and putting them on.
Chinese food
Personally, I get a bowl so I can mix everything together, and most Chinese places these days use plastic over those paper containers, but eating out of them is not unheard of.
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
They’re called Solo cups, and yes. Sometimes they’re blue. But they are those same cups.
What do other people drink out of at parties?
Football field
A football field is 100 yards, but that doesn’t mean a whole lot for someone who uses a different (and better) measurement system.
Natural disaster
What are you going to do, just accept death?! That’s a whole genre of movies we wouldn’t have if we did that.
Share this with someone who might be confused about the things Americans do in movies and TV!
