Wait, They Actually Asked Non-Americans These Weird American Questions?

Some folks in the U.S. are scared to call an ambulance because the bill might wreck their bank account! One brave Redditor says a lot of people just don’t get how health insurance even works here. The system’s messy, tied to jobs, and kinda cruel. Basically, you aren’t supposed to expect free or easy healthcare, which sounds like a bad plot twist in a drama series.

Is it true you gotta do math in your head to figure out the final price? Yup! Sales tax differs by state, county, and even city, so the price left on the tag is just a starting number. Most people just shrug and expect the total to be higher when they check out - mental math isn't optional.

Ever notice house addresses in movies with 5-digit numbers like 51234 Maple St? Not just Hollywood fluff! In the U.S., house numbers often relate to the closest cross street. So if your house is between 42nd and 43rd Street, your number starts with 42 something. It’s a system, not just random giant numbers.

Movies got that right! Many teens recall running and hiding from cops at parties. So if you’re underage and popping a bottle, keep an eye out - party poopers really do show up.

Well, some folks do drive giant pickups and the politics of trucks, bikes, and being vegan can get pretty heated. It’s tied up in identity and politics these days. So yes, the stereotype has a kernel of truth - but life’s more complicated than just that.

Yep, scary but true! One Reddit user shared they called an ambulance once during college and ended up with a bill equal to months of rent. Ever since, it’s been Uber or friends to the rescue instead.

Turns out, no! Hanging up without saying goodbye is weird here too. Your favorite TV shows made that up for some reason. Honestly, we’re usually polite enough to say bye.

Yes! They’re a legit party thing here. Many liquor stores sell them (you just gotta return the empty keg and taps later). Perfect for big get-togethers.

If you mean food scraps, sometimes! Some sinks have garbage disposals - basically a blender shredding food tiny enough to wash away. But definitely not for all trash. Just your leftover apple cores, not your coffee cups.

Not really! The U.S. is a patchwork of local powers. Each state and county often runs its own show and doesn’t easily share police data. So yeah, criminals can sometimes slip through the cracks by crossing borders.

Hard to do these days. The old-school 'just work hard and succeed' idea kind of fizzled out in the 90s. Now, luck, connections, and money all play huge parts. Sorry, bootstraps aren’t magical.

Yep, some bigger schools have their own officers driving police cars with the school's name on them. Most of their day? Managing traffic chaos during drop-off and pick-up. Cops or parking lot heroes, take your pick.

Totally real! Exchange students get floored seeing these iconic yellow beasts rolling around every morning. They’re a major part of American school life.

It depends! Some places do have the door open directly to the living room, while others have little entries. It varies by house age, design, and region. So yeah, sometimes you and your friends walk straight into the chill zone when you come home.

Depends where you live! In the Midwest, basements are common and handy for tornado shelters. Attics come from needing sloped roofs for tons of snow, making a cozy storage or even extra room. But in hotter or wetter places? Less so.

Absolutely! For days and nights, that channel floods the screen with shark stuff. It's like a shark party, and everyone’s invited.

You bet! Though it’s less common than before, driving after a drink still happens. Back in the day, it was legal to sip beer while driving in some places. Yikes!

Yep! One user says Americans have this nonstop 'gotta be happy' vibe, which can lead to all kinds of wild stuff like materialism and competition. The twist? People often expect someone else to make them happy. Talk about high expectations!

In everyday life, not so much. But among people who get paid for looking good? It’s pretty common. Thanks, reality TV!

Not exactly earn - more like 'accrue' over time. If you’re hourly, you get a bit of paid sick time each week. Salary folks usually get all their sick days upfront each year. Some workplaces will let you use days you haven’t accrued yet, just don’t abuse it!

Yep! It’s a daily ritual in many public (and some private) schools. But kids can’t be forced to say it, thanks to the Supreme Court. So if they want to mumble or skip, it’s OK.

Yep, that’s called 'at-will employment.' Your boss can let you go for almost any reason, as long as it’s not legally illegal (which is hard to prove). Many people don’t bother fighting it - they just move on.

For sure! Schools often do fundraisers where kids sell everything from candles to cookies. The top sellers can win cool prizes like gaming consoles. So yes, it’s as competitive and adorable as it sounds.

Yep, especially if you live in the burbs or rural areas. Public transportation is often nonexistent outside big cities. Walking miles to the nearest grocery store? Not fun. So yeah, cars are like oxygen here.

Yup! Usually this applies to fountain drinks like cola or lemonade, and coffee. You pay once, and if you want more, they fill it up. It’s a legit thing and pretty awesome if you’re thirsty.

Oh yeah, it's a thing - especially casual places like gas stations or Walmart. And sometimes teenagers rock PJs to class. So if you see someone in comfy pants at the store, it’s not just a movie thing.

This kinda depends on the climate and region. In snowy places like New York, shoes come off indoors. But in warmer places like Florida, people often keep shoes on. Some cultures within the U.S. are super strict about shoe removal, so it varies!

It’s a mix! Some schools throw fancy proms with tuxedos, limos, and sparkly dresses. Others keep it low-key with pizza in the gym. So whether it's glitz or chill vibes, prom varies widely.

Sort of! Many schools and banks close that day, but it’s mostly just a day off, no big parties or celebrations. Most people treat it like a random holiday.

Yes! College dorms with bunk beds and communal bathrooms are a real thing. So all those late-night study sessions and ramen noodle nights? Totally real.

Most U.S. homes use sheetrock walls, which are easy to punch through between wooden studs spaced about 16 inches apart. So, yeah, a punch can leave a hole, which is why it’s not recommended as a stress reliever.

People tend to be in two camps: soda lovers who sip all day, and people who rarely touch the stuff. The sweet tooth is real for some, while others are totally over it. So it’s a bit of a love-it-or-leave-it thing.

Most people don’t care. But when someone blatantly stares, sneers, and mocks people speaking other languages, that’s when some folks get annoyed. Basically, don’t be a jerk.

Yep, summer camps supervised by teens and young adults are a thing. They give parents a break and kids a summer filled with fun activities. It’s less common now due to money and lawsuit worries but still happening in a lot of places.

Cliques? Sort of. High school social groups exist but they’re way more fluid than movies show. You can totally be friends outside your circle. Red Solo cups? Party must-haves! They’re just cheap, sturdy, and disposable - not some cult obsession, promise.

Totally! Counselors guide you through picking colleges, managing classes, and figuring out your path. It’s not usually forced but they’re there if you want help plotting your future.

For most places, yes. Outside major cities, buses and trains are rare or nonexistent. If you don’t have a car, getting around can be tough or impossible. So owning wheels isn’t just cool, it’s crucial.

Back in the day, yes! Cars with real wooden panels were a thing. Later, they switched to faux wood for style. Today? Cars are just boring metal boxes, no fancy wood trim.

It varies wildly! Some folks never touch fast food or soda, while others live on them daily. It’s a total mix depending on lifestyle and taste buds. So no one-size-fits-all here.

Pancakes for breakfast? Totally. Stacks of 3-4 high? Also a yes, especially when kids were little. Think of it as edible building blocks, yum!

Yes! Egging is a classic prank, especially around Halloween time. Fewer now thanks to doorbell cameras, but it still happens and nobody usually knows who did it.

Love soda fountains! You get fresh fizzy soda poured just how you like it. There’s a little lever for each flavor, and you fill your cup yourself. Way better than canned stuff!

Imagine a loaf of bread, but made out of seasoned ground beef, baked in a pan, then sliced like bread. Not everyone’s fave, but totally a classic comfort food.

Usually not! Paper plates tend to pop up during pizza night or casual hangouts. Most families use real plates for daily meals - it just makes washing up a bit more fun.