12 Things You’ll Only Understand if You’re American

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If you’ve ever traveled abroad and tried to talk about one of the things on this list, you probably just got a lot of strange looks. There are many things Americans think are universally understood but don’t realize are very American until they visit another country.

The Kool-Aid Man

Winneconne, WI - 23 September 2018: A package of Kool-Aid Jammers in tropical punch flavor on an isolated background
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As one commenter said, “‘Oh yeah!’ <giant smiling man/pitcher hybrid creature breaks through a brick wall>.” We don’t really think about how strange this ad campaign was until we try to explain it to someone who’s never seen it.

It’s 10 pm. Do you know where your children are?

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This one might only be familiar to people older than 30 years old. Between the 1960’s through the 1990s a commonly aired public service announcement would echo the phrase “It’s 10pm. Do you know where your children are?” as a way of keeping kids safe in various cities throughout the U.S.

Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?

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The catchy songs from a series of educational musical cartoons named Schoolhouse Rock influenced many generations who still remember the lyrics decades later. One user said, “My teacher in elementary school had us watch all the schoolhouse rock songs instead of teach us about things like conjunctions in a formal lesson, and I still have a distinct memory of failing the test on it because I really did not learn well in the form of song.”

Tailgating

Green Bay, Wisconsin. August 9th, 2018. Packer fans during at tailgate party at Lambeau Field. The man wears a cheesehead that says NFL Owner. The Packers are the only publicly owned NFL team.
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We might think that tailgating happens all over the world, but it’s an especially American tradition. One commenter said, “Been to soccer games in Europe, which don’t get me wrong, are a total blast in their own way, but man for all the talk of the atmosphere in the games… I feel like they’re missing out huge by not tailgating (yeah, yeah, a lot of them aren’t taking cars to the game etc but plenty are). That’s a vital part of the gameday experience for me.”

SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!

Sao Paulo, Brazil Dec 21, 2019 Big foot truck in action during a round of racing. Monster Jam 2019 was held at Allianz Park Stadium.
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If you grew up with these advertisements, you can probably hear the announcer’s deep booming voice in your head when you read the words “SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!”. Monster truck rallies are not something you see very much in other countries besides the U.S., but for Americans, the constant repetition of these ads will remain in our memories forever.

This is your brain on drugs

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In the 80s and 90s, the war on drugs inspired this public service announcement that aired on TV to warn youth about the dangers of drugs. A woman started the ad holding a whole egg and said, “This is your brain.” She would then crack the egg into a frying pan, and as it sizzled, she said, “This is your brain on drugs.”

Biscuits and Gravy

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Although this may be a regional American food, it’s very popular in the South. Traveling or living in other countries you might be sad that you won’t find real biscuits and gravy in any restaurant.

Homecoming

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Homecoming is a very American tradition that you won’t find in any other country. One user describes it as a “school dance in the fall, usually around the same night as a high school football game alumni are invited to (ie are ‘coming home’).” Usually, a homecoming king and queen are voted on and crowned at the dance.

Freshman, Sophomore, Etc.

Little Rock, Arkansas: 01-10-2020: Little Rock Central High School, which is a National Historic Site.
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In the United States, we commonly refer to high school grade levels as freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior. Other countries have various naming conventions, but many just use numbers like grade 9, 10, and so on.

Superbowl Sunday

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Considering that American-style football isn’t very popular anywhere else in the world besides America, it’s not surprising that other countries don’t celebrate Superbowl Sunday like the national holiday it is here. Even people who don’t like football might still have a party or attend one because it’s such a big deal.

Bless Your Heart

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This saying is mainly heard in the Southern part of America. If you’re not from the U.S., you might think this sounds like the sweetest thing someone could say to you, but it’s really more of a back-handed comment. One user said, “‘Bless your heart’ is one of the most blistering insults a Southern church lady can give you.” It’s almost like a pitying way of calling someone stupid.

FREEBIRD!

MONTREAL, CANADA, JUNE 6, 2013, Boyz II Men in concert at Bell Center for the Package Tour
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If you’ve ever been to a live concert in the U.S. you’ve likely heard someone from the audience yell out “FREEBIRD!”. It seems like a way to request that the musicians on stage play the famous nine-minute-long Lynyrd Skynyrd song, but it has become more of a heckle from drunk audience members.

Source: Reddit

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Regardless of political affiliation, age, ethnicity, or background, there are certain values and beliefs that resonate with people across the country. In this article, we will explore 14 things that all Americans can agree on!

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WILKES-BARRE, PA - AUGUST 2, 2018: President Donald Trump gestures "can you believe this" with wide open hands at a campaign rally for Congressman Lou Barletta.
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On an online platform, Americans share the most annoying misconceptions foreigners have about the U.S.  These were the top answers.

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14 of the Most “American” Cooking Ingredients and Foods

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When it comes to American culture, food is undoubtedly a major player. With a melting pot of different cultures, it’s no surprise that American cuisine boasts an impressive array of ingredients and flavors. But have you ever wondered what the quintessential American cooking ingredient or food is? Well, wonder no more! I scoured the depths of an online platform to gather insights from different people and compiled a list of the top contenders. Let’s explore the most American cooking ingredient and foods!

Read more: 14 of the Most “American” Cooking Ingredients and Foods

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Galena Illinois
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Are you exhausted from the fast-paced lifestyle of a big city? Well, it’s time to ditch the traffic jams and skyscrapers and head to the land of small-town charm! Recently, some internet dwellers have shared their picks for the prettiest small towns in America.

Read more: 14 of the Prettiest Small Towns in the United States According to Americans

Washington State Road Trip Itinerary for 1st-Time Visitors/Beginner Hikers

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There are SO many cool things to see and do in Washington – it’s amazing! You can hike a mountain with snow, walk through a rainforest, and lounge on an oceanside beach all on the same day.

Read more: Washington State Road Trip Itinerary for 1st-Time Visitors/Beginner Hikers