This week, a viral Reddit thread asked non-American users, "What common American culture reference would you like to have explained?"
It turns out a whole lot of people have questions about the US. Here are some of the funniest, the most interesting, and the most eye-opening:
1. "Do people genuinely share a room at university? Not just a house, an actual room? If yes, why..?"
2. "Is 'making out' kissing?"
3. "What are basic bitches?"
4. "Do all American high schools really have lockers?"
5. "What in the actual fuckery is Miracle Whip?"
6. "What is the prom all about?"
7. "What's the deal with that big bowl of red fluid bursting through walls shouting, 'Oh yeah!'?"
8. "Why are there four commercial breaks in a one-hour episode of a show? You can't watch anything that way."
(Editor's note: Bless this person's heart for thinking it's only four.)
9. "Eggnog. Why only eggnog at Christmas? Why not eggnog in July?"
10. "Do your high schools actually have school newspapers?"
11. "Are no other colour party cups available?"
12. "Is the bullying really that bad in American high schools as it is on TV shows?"
13. "Are guns actually that abundant in America?"
14. "What's a nightcap? Is it just a mushroom?"
15. "Why are there flags everywhere?"
16. "In American TV shows, people are wearing their shoes in the house and even putting them up on the fucking couch! Is this for real?"
17. "How did sixteenth birthdays become so important?"
18. "Why are there ads on TV for prescription meds?"
19. "In high school, when the bell rings, is it actually the same sound as the fire alarm like in TV shows?"
20. "WTF is a corn dog? is it a hot dog with sweet corn?"
21. "Do kids really have candy/pastries in their lunchboxes, and are soda machines actually a thing in schools?"
22. "Why is it that violence on TV is just fine, but one visible nipple causes an outrage?"
23. "Half-cooked burgers. Aren't you afraid of food poisoning?"
24. "Why is the water level in your toilets so high?"
25. "Do students at American public high schools really get served up lunch everyday? Is it free or do you pay?"
26. "Will Ferrell. Is he a comedian?"
You'll be glad to know that ~most~ of these questions were answered by Americans on the thread. But feel free to add your own explanations in the comments!
Note: Some responses have been edited for clarity.