Misconceptions and Truths about Americans

[Anonymous]

This is an informal myTake. Please don't get mad if there are mistakes throughout this myTake. I wrote this myTake to be informative about Americans and to be taken with amusement. (Everything you read is the truth of where I LIVE in the USA. Nothing is stretched or false)

I've been asked so many times about America. Friends outside of the USA wanted to know from an American what it was like, so I decided to make this since I am from America! I asked them first what they thought was true. Many people tend to think very strange things about America from what they generalized about.

Prom

Prom is anxiously awaited by every teen. Every teenager looks forward to prom and the eventful evening. My prom dress surpassed a couple hundred $. Limo/party bus is a big perk.

Driving

When driving where I'm from in the U.S., drive fast or deal with the wrath of native drivers. (I'm not from the north) drive fast or don't drive at all. Teenagers tend to be more emotional about it especially the newly liscenced 16 year old.

American Flag

Everyone does wear the American flag design on everything. The flag design is worn at school especially. We have days that we dress in red white and blue or the flag. There's competitions to see who has the most spirit. Most outfits were white shoes, American flag socks, blue shorts or flag shorts, red button up or flag shirt, flag tie, and red or blue bandana(some people have paint on themselves to go all out or a flag baseball hat) One of my tank tops is an American flag. That's about it for me. I might have an American flag bandana for the Fourth of July.

Walmart

Never go there. But I have to admit it's fun playing pranks there.

Taxes on Store Items

No one really cares about the withheld tax until you get to the register. Just pay the small extra bit at the front. Never bring the smallest amount of money you need. Always bring just a little extra money when you shop. Prices change all the time- just roll with it.

Free Refills

Refills are one of the simple joys of life.

American Football

Football players are very highly praised athletes. Every Friday night, high schoolers and community football lovers pack the stands to watch their high school before the intense Saturday college games and Sunday professional games.(In case you wanted to know...GO DAWGS!) Football is a way of life here especially in the SEC. If you come to America and bring up football... Prepare to fight with supporters of other teams and intense smack talking about upcoming games. If you bring up football and mean soccer, you'll just confuse us and we'll talk about American football to you anyways.

Cheerleaders

Usually, cheerleaders wear skimpy outfits with a slutty attitude. I don't like cheerleaders. I've had to deal with lots of drama from them. Of course not all of them are bad, I have some friends, but the ones where I'm from are not great

Basic White Girl and Starbucks

Yes. Leggings, Nutella, UGGs, starbucks, large sweaters, and pumpkin everything in fall. white girl here, I don't prefer those fancy Starbucks drinks. Leggings are just too comfortable to not wear but I always wear a long enough shirt to cover myself. UGGs remind me of astronaut boots (UGGly). Nutella- delicious but only on special occasions. Large sweaters, feels like a warm hug that never ends. Pumpkin is freaking amazing- especially pumpkin seeds in a salad! Just don't put pumpkin in coffee.

Peanut Butter

Most everyone loves peanut butter. It is best eaten off of a spoon or with jelly on bread. When I get home from a workout (tennis, kickboxing, yoga... Whatever physical activity I have that day) I either drink a protein shake or eat an apple with peanut or almond butter. Peanut butter is addictive. There's a game where you have a peanut butter fight. You run around with the players and throw, smear, or slap peanut butter on each other- messiest looses. Usually the game is with shaving cream or colored powder, but peanut butter makes everyone laugh most.

Fat People

Everyone is not fat. Of course, there are many overweight people, but it depends on where you go. Where I live, everyone is really active in physical activities and being healthy is strived for.

Spirit Week

Spirit week is the most exciting week of any high school. Every school day the students dress up with a specific theme of the day to show their school pride. Usually, spirit week is leading up to the first American football game of the school year, drug prevention week, last week of school, or the week leading up to a large pep rally for all the school sports. Spirit week day themes could be USA day, pj day, sports day, tacky day, camo day, (american) football jersey day, super hero day, tourist day, and frat boy day.

Red Solo Cup

I think it's more the idea of the cup to be a scandelous thing than anything. And you don't have to wash the cup, just throw it out! especially with large barbecues or parties. The clean up is easier with the solo cup.

Highly Offended

I hate this one. Everyone gets offended. My thoughts are "get over it and mind your own business." Honestly people get offended if you tie your shoes wrong. It's very annoying.

So Loud

Simply put that yes we are loud. We like to show our excitement. I'm not as loud as a good bit of people, but I'm definitely energetic. We like to have a good time and express it.

Work

Americans over work. Many Americans only get limited time off days. At most for where I live is 2 - 2 1/2 weeks break a year. Not many breaks depending on what your job is.

Food Food Food

I have to admit, food is good. My favorites are cornbread, any vegetable, strawberries, grits, and MEAT. Eating is big here. McDonalds is BAD. Don't trust any food there. Cheeseburgers are life's love only if homemade or at cookouts. (Best served with baked beans, corn on the cob, and crispy french fries) Food isn't everything though. It's just a thing to keep you alive. Not all Americans crave food all day long.

Any questions? Opinions?

[BelleGirl21]

Sort of generalisationss still and basically a copy of another take...

Never went to prom
I drive super fast all the time
Never ever ever wear American flag clothing
Everyone on here claims not to shop at walmart... I'm calling bs
Football and cheerleaders are basically irrelevant after high school
Uggs are hideous
Peanut butter is yummm
Fat people? Meh those are everywhere
Highly offended? I'd say there are many more pc cultures than ours
Loud? I hear that a lot... but then I met people from other countries and guess what? They're fairly obnoxious too.
Food... yeah it's awesome.

[myTake Owner]

Very true point! 😊 I think everything everyone says is pretty much generalizing.

[WhatTheHellAmy]

It is! XD

[AleDeEurope]

Been living in America for 2 years and f*cking love it. Love the country, the culture, and the people.
The world tends to have a very wrong view of what America and Americans are, every time I go back to my home country I have to deal with lots of ignorance about the US, and I'm tired of correcting everyone.

[Mustachekitteh]

Love the take. It was pretty funny.

I hated prom. I did it the cheapest way possible. :D

Driving is more like it's fucken easy as hell to get your license. That and you don't even need to have a driving ed class. Just wait till your 17 and you can go for your license without it. Which it's only $10 for the ID. Also there isn't any toll's on any road majority of the time. It's rare to see them at all.

Only time I've ever seen Americans go flag crazy. Is on the 4th of July.

Walmart is very useful plus there is a website dedicated to weird things you will find there. :D

Little tax my ass. Only if your buying small things. If you buy anything like a computer, furniture, blenders, etc. They will add like between $10-20 extra tax to it. It's so fucken stupid. Ugh the usa is seriously stupid for it!

*falls asleep at the American football*I actually did fall dead asleep during a game I went with the high school band. It was so boring.

screw starbucks and buy a keurig. Saves you more money since starbucks is stupidly expensive.

In my home town all you see is overweight people. Skinny people is a rare sight.

[myTake Owner]

Haha. Your lucky! I had to do 30 hours of online drivers class. I don't understand the weight difference sometimes tbh. its Hobestly exactly where you live that influences you.

[Mustachekitteh]

Oh no it's the same all over the USA. I still took the drivers ed classes. Which I did pass.

[Cookies_AndMilk]

This is only specific to you and others that may have a similar background. I understand you have limitations as you can only write from your perspective but passing it off as fact is very misleading to foreigners. Like with prom or "basic white girl + Starbucks." This isn't an informal Take on America, this is an informal take on your life. America consists of so much more than white girl teenagers, cookouts, and high school. American culture is a melting pot of thousands of cultures in addition to the things exclusive to being "American." You've only written about misconceptions and embraced them with your narrow view point. This is certainly not "America." Not even close to it.

[myTake Owner]

That's why I put at the top that it was specific to my area and the people around me. That's my culture and what I grew up with and what I see. If I wanted to put that it was ALL of America I would not have included personal stories.

[Cookies_AndMilk]

You also titled your Take "Misconceptions and Truths about Americans." Which would cover the general America not just you. Even in your area there would be plenty of people this does not apply to, which still isn't an accurate representation. You called this an informal myTake and it's nothing of the sort. It's opinionated. Yes you had your disclaimer, which still didn't work when you factor in people as individuals, and the content of your Take was spoken as fact which it isn't. If you titled it as America from my perspective. Or my life as an American, then sure it would work. But your "informal" myTake isn't informative at all and still remains as misleading to foreigners.

[myTake Owner]

I've also moved a couple places so I'm aware that these are mostly common where I have moved. (Mostly in the south) Informal means not specific to every person but to the people I know and witness. There will always be limitations and I understand that. Trust me, I know melting pot cultures. I have five different countries and cultures in my blood that I acknowledge every day. I truly am sorry if I offended you...

[Cookies_AndMilk]

No offense taken, and no need to apologize. I understand and if I came off as rude or upset I am sorry.

[Scrambledagain]

as a South African, I would love to live in America, but we think American football is lame (we play a mans sport called rugby where we always obliterate USA) and I'm truly scared of two things: 1) your eating!!! Everything is super sized! Where does a brother eat healthy. 2) I believe there are intelligent Americans but there are some ignorant ones too. The problem with American ignorance is that you think you know everything but dont, but have the old American "can do" attitude so you fully drive crap with such confidence that you throw your name away! But it's not all Americans and I'm sure the clever ones also look at those people and are like wtf!

[WhatTheHellAmy]

and I'm just here.. Wondering what the hell XD

Don't wanna offend you dude, but damn, you definitely got offended by my mytake XD

It's okay, peace lol

And please read my next mytake, stereotypes about Latin Americans Lolololololo
I'll attack all nations, just wait XD

[myTake Owner]

I'm not sure who you are... were you the one that made the other my take? No I didn't get offended😂. i would've said I got offended if I did. I don't remember what all was in your my take so I don't know what I can be offended about. I'll have to read it. everyone has their opinions and no one can get mad at what they can't change. I'll read your next my take. i don't mind😊

[WhatTheHellAmy]

Oh okay, I'm happy to hear that XD
and yeah, it's me who did that mytake haha
And I thought you got offended because I used lot of generalizations

[myTake Owner]

No I didn't get offended😊. Generalizations can't be avoided in anything like that. Everyone is different so nothing is set in stone. people generalize to explain a group of people even though no one is really the same. So don't worry :)

[WhatTheHellAmy]

Glad to know haha thanks 😊

[ThisDudeHere]

The thing about no taxes on prices has got to be the single most stupid thing I have ever heard. I mean... why the bloody hell don't they show the amount of money I would have to pay when at the cashier? The retardnes is just cringeworthy.

[myTake Owner]

You just kinda get used to it I guess. It doesn't look like it's going to be fixed so we just ignore it. I agree it is stupid but we just bring extra and move on.

[elew4too]

The thing I hate about driving in the U. S. is that it's not a choice. You have to buy a car, insurance and gas just to be able to live in some cities. There's no transit or anything like that. Things are so spread out, and people don't walk (probably why we're so fat). That being said. . . I love 'Murrica.

[lePoivre]

I guess it's a cultural difference between where you live and where I live in Colorado, but I rarely see anyone dressed in American flag attire. I see plenty of Colorado flags though! Accompanied by a marijuana leaf half the time =P

[myTake Owner]

I live in the southern Bible Belt so its pretty much jesus, guns, and america. I have seen the marijuana leaf a lot also😂😂

[lePoivre]

Haha yeah, that would explain some of the differences. There are some souvenir shops here that almost exclusively have marijuana paraphernalia -_- I mean pot is great and all, but you don't look any better wearing it than someone who wears a crap-ton of liquor apparel.

[Anonymous]

Not even all McDonald's in the US offer free refills. For example, in south side Chicago, you get your cup already filled, want more? pay for another one.
And also other places in California, the soda machine was on the worker's side of the counter, refills were $.25

You're not that loud, my family has Italians. I did notice in black neighborhoods that people yell when chatting and... scream their lungs off when yelling.

[myTake Owner]

Interesting! In georgia and Florida refills are 100% free. (except in nice restaurants) everyone is loud with laughing here. Always something to talk about

[Opinion Owner]

By the way, I was visiting and by Italians I meant real Italians from Italy.

[myTake Owner]

That's really cool. I've always wanted to go there! I met an Italian woman on a plane flight out of Europe once and she told me all about her life and how she lived and the differences from Italy and the US. It was so interesting.

[QuestionMan]

Here's something I never understood, I love peanuts, I love butter but why do I hate peanut butter?

[myTake Owner]

Weird texture? Sticks to the top of your mouth? Different flavor? A couple of people I know have that same opninion :)

[QuestionMan]

Probably the flavor

[QuestionMan]

@WhatTheHellAmy For a second I thought I was reading your take again.

[WhatTheHellAmy]

It is the same shit XD

[TadCurious]

After the other myTake, thanks for sticking up for the USA. And yes the SEC is the BEST football conference in America. Go Razorbacks!

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

FUCK THE DAWGS!!! it's about tennessee!!! but pretty decent take. i feel like you left out a few things, though.

[myTake Owner]

UGA honestly doesn't care as much about Tennessee as GT or Alabama. I have a football split family haha. My moms side loves Tennessee and dads side loves UGA. what did I leave out? I'm sure your probably right that I did

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

eh... it's still a pretty big rivalry. we always play close to y'all and for some reason, we keep hurting y'all and socar's runningbacks. lattimore, chubb, gurley... also, I don't know. if i think of something, i'll put it down. i have a lot of friends from other countries too and they ask me trivial questions as well. like, they don't get the concept of living at college. i told my 1 friend i went to college (university) in nc (i'm from nj) and they wondered if i actually traveled 9 hours back and forth every day to go to school.

[Anonymous]

I use to be a cheerleader and I was never slutty. These are all still misconceptions. It depends on which part of America you live. Where I'm from in America football is not that big of a deal

[vekin]

Intrestign take indeed but I have a lot of questions after reading this because many points are too summarily

[myTake Owner]

Ask away : )

[vekin]

what makes prom that special?
Driving? what did you ment?
Wallmart?
Taxes?
and what about the red cups?

[myTake Owner]

Prom is kind of like a right of passage. It's a huge dance that only upper classman get to attend. Most girls love the idea of dressing up in hundreds of dollars dresses and getting a date. It's also got a bad name because there's a saying that everyone has sex after they go to the dance. And most girls lose their virginity. (People actually get excited for that) It's just a saying- not really true.
Kids at the age of fifteen can get a driving permit and then at sixteen they can drive by themselves wherever they want. Where I'm from people tend to drive really fast and get angry when there's a slow driver. It's reckless especially with kids who want to be in the norm of older drivers. We even have the counties memorized that are the worst drivers. "Who is this idiot in front of me! They're going five under!! Oh! Look! They're from!!!"

[myTake Owner]

Walmart is a store. It is also where you lose all hope in humanity. Search the people of Walmart and you'll understand. Kids are known to go there and pull pranks. its usually pretty tame, but on occasion you just sit there shaking your head thinking "where do these people come from?"

The US is also known for not including taxes in their prices. It usually bothers us when people complain because they feel deceived. It's common knowledge here so we just roll our eyes.
The red solo cup is the party cup. It's known for us putting beer in it and getting completely drunk at parties.

Do I need to clarify anything further? m happy to answer anything.

[vekin]

Hope you didn't mind to explain this to me!

Intresting people in the USA!

[timbergag]

And I thought the flag code said to not wear the flag as clothing...

[Anonymous]

Bravo! I love this after the other recent take, which was kind of ironic, really. That's all I'll say about that. :)

Nice take.

[Zorax]

Interesting Take, very intriguing :P

[pavlove]

Lol this is a lot even for me

[myTake Owner]

How so?

[pavlove]

If you live in a major American city besides maybe Nashville none of this true. i mean you did say it's just true for you but i'm just shocked by how little i have in common with any of this besides living in the us my whole life more or less

[myTake Owner]

I live in the outskirts of a city in the south so depending on where you live it's very different. There's certian parts in the state I live in where the people are FILTHY rich, terrifyingly redneck, or completely average and mixed together etc. so I totally understand what your saying.