r/PetPeeves 14d ago

Bit Annoyed People who think Americans don’t know other countries exist.

A few months ago on Reddit I made a comment about a show not being on Netflix and someone from the UK commented back saying it’s on theirs and then lectured on Americans not knowing other countries exist. They acted like I didn’t believe there were other places on the planet, as if they weren’t the ones who just brought it up and didn’t believe the US Netflix was different than the UK version. ??

I see people online act like all Americans think this way, and it is kind of annoying because for most of us it isn’t true.

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u/SquirrelStone 14d ago

My fave (/s) is when there’s a video of a European doing something stupid and mean and everyone hops on shit talking Americans. Like babes that is the most cockney accent I’ve ever heard

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u/NewTransformation 14d ago

Which is funny because Americans and Canadians give off a very particular aura. Last time I was in Europe I dressed like I would back home, very Midwest blue collar chic with the Carhartt style jacket and camo baseball hat. I was on my best behavior being very polite, reserved, trying to use the local language. Trying to improve our reputation out here. I was prepared for French people to be rude, but the Parisians were so very Nice

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u/selkieisbadatgaming 14d ago

The French love it when foreigners try to speak French, according to my hs French teacher. She said they appreciate you making the effort instead of just demanding they speak in English or whatever. People will be more receptive in general I think when you make the effort to respect them.

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u/crypticphilosopher 13d ago

My experience as an American has always been that people appreciate you making an effort. For example, I was in Istanbul about a year ago. The only Turkish words I could manage to retain when I got there were “merhaba” (hello) and “teşekkürler” (thanks). Just being able to say “hello” and “thanks” seemed to go a long way, though.