Weird American Things We Don't Know Are Weird

[@neuroticmoose]

The credit card thing is changing post-covid. The last several restaurants I’ve eaten in were now set up the European way and brought a device to the table. I certainly hope that will finally become the norm.

[@BasileJoubin]

US & Canada (any other country?) have the weird habit of hiding the after-tax amount for products and services... until you are about to pay the final, total sum at the cashier! Very disturbing for a European. Why don't they display before & after tax per item on the label, if they insist so much on displaying the pretax amount? I guess the labels are going to be a bit busy...

[@freduah4253]

I can't tell why but if you live in the same province for a little while you get use to it and can know approximately how much it will be... but I do agree for tourism it can be annoying...

[@cwalenta656]

Because sales tax varies by jurisdiction. Not only does it vary by jurisdiction, it can also vary within those jurisdictions. For instance, sales tax in NY state is a flat tax, the county can add its own amount, and even municipalities can vary it further, so that White Plains, NY is different from Westchester County, the county it is located in which is itself different from Nassau County. Now let's say Walmart wants to advertise a TV for sale for $199 and it runs that ad nationwide. In some states it will be $214, some states it will be $220, others it will be $210, so you can't advertise a nationwide or regional price and even within a state that could be problem. Then there is also discounting where sellers would rather discount off the sales tax and add sales tax AFTER. And then there are states which just straight up flat out prohibit showing a price in that way. "When a vendor gives the customer a sales slip, receipt, or other memorandum of the price, the sales tax must be separately shown. The words “tax included,” or a similar phrase, do not constitute a separate statement of the tax. If the tax is not separately stated, the entire amount charged is considered the sales price of the property sold or service rendered, and is subject to tax." www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/publications/sales/pub34.pdf

[@BasileJoubin]

@@cwalenta656 Thanks for the detailed response! Apart from the national advertising campaign scenario, though, it still seems doable *in theory, with a busy label* to force all merchants to display BOTH the before tax and the after tax amounts, no? A bit like France forced all merchants to display the amount both in francs AND in euros.

[@BasileJoubin]

@@freduah4253 Let's consider a cheeky analogy: if you live in my street for a little while, you get used to avoiding the pot hole in the road when driving. That doesn't mean that only tourists would enjoy fixing that hole in the road...

[@ringwe]

The problem isn't that the Americans have different habits, the problem is that (too many) Americans assume that their habits are de facto the norm in all countries.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

I think because a lot of Americans only travel within the US, they make a lot of international assumptions that aren't true!

[@Viennafly1]

I am an American, and I agree with this statement. :-P

[@ringwe]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified I wish this mentality would change because in my opinion this is a good reason why you guys get a bad reputation; it makes you look a bit arrogant, even though your heart is in a good place.

[@knucklehoagies]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified I second this. When I went to France for the first time, we arrived in Paris and we saw two signs, one that said Foreign Passports and the other saying “EU Passports.” The person I was traveling with seriously got confused and said “Where do American passports go? I don’t see a sign for it.” It took him a few seconds for it to process before he realized how ridiculous he sounded. This is the American mindset. We’re trained to think we’re the center of the world without even realizing it.

[@live.travel.]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified it's sadly true. I'm from Canada and met many Americans who have no idea where Canada is... and yet I've met some who could pick up my accent. Many American's don't even get passports until they're adults and once it became legal to get one to cross the border we had them- maybe a year or two before that when I was about 10-12. We also don't obsessively fly flags here. We've had chip debit/credit cards forever it seems now, and they've brought the machine to the table for quite some time. America is still very new to the chip cards- I was following an Iceland travel group it's shocking how many would ask "how do I use my card in Iceland with this chip in it?" *I do have lots of family in the US and have been down many, many times*

[@Pensées_depuis_mon_balcon]

It was not until 1997 that the drug ads were allowed on TV in the US, it is very weird to those of us older than you that never had these ads until we were adults.

[@perthfanny3017]

Interesting fact!

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Good to know!!

[@vdayucla]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified | Technically it became legal in 1985, but not popular till 1997 when the FDA relaxed an old rule requiring ads to mention side effects. 😐

[@William_Fields]

The Defense of Flags: In the United States, there are over 360 languages spoken where the only official language was Dutch up until the 1930’s. English is the dominant language but it has no official standing. And English is a relatively recent language compared to some instances of indigenous ones spoken for 3,000 years. The laws require that all official communication about voting and taxes be published in each language. Many countries express their nationalist tendencies through language. As much as US Americans would like to do that- all we have are symbols like flags that can be read by everyone no matter what language you speak. And this principle is evident in the history of the early subways of New York where location designations were represented by icons in addition to English words. We are a vast reflection of the world that is not known for our bilingualism. We are not a nation united by an official language, but we do have an official flag. Many American people cling to the flag because it helps reinforce the sense of community when culture does not.

[@SamitchB]

That's a very interesting take!

[@nicholasrhodes8705]

The World Series is named for a newspaper, the New York World. Paper no longer exists but that’s how it got its name. Although confusing, it’s not a world championship.

[@ThePerksdeLeSarcasmeSiorai]

I agree with most of what you say but I’d like to provide the following rebuttals (or additional explanations): 1) There are more places with portable credit card machines now (or at least credit card terminals that are within customers’ reach) because back in 2015, the media massively alerted people with news about dishonest store owners or con artists using electronic pagers to essentially steal customers’ card info. 2) Aside issues such as universal healthcare and paid time off, I don’t think we are that much behind the rest of the world (or should I just say “only Europe” because the United States is ahead of many countries in South America, Asia, and Africa in many aspects). For example, we’ve had same-sex marriage nationwide since 2015 but it was legal as early as 2004 in Massachusetts. Marijuana / cannabis are legalized in 14 US states now (while France still doesn’t). Both the United States and France have similar laws regarding euthanasia (how ever controversial this topic might be). And you either forget or aren’t aware that K-12 schools in the US are, for the most part, free. It is the quality of education that we should address more about because schools in richer areas have more resources to support students whereas schools in poorer areas are seriously underserved. And you want European style leftist parties in America? We already have one that is always in the voting ballot: The Green Party of America whose policies regarding the environment is sound but their other political aspects are just as controversial as European leftists. However, they are minority and not very visible in the media outlet. And P/S: We don’t need another far-leftist party enforcing more radical leftist ideologies against people’s will when the rising Tea Party (its polar opposite) is just as disastrous. We need more centrism which can keep both sides in check. 3) What’s wrong with waving national flags? Have you ever watched the British royal parades with tons of UK flags flying around? Have you ever seen people waving their flags at sport rallies, the Olympics ceremonies, or even international beauty pageants? We may just be displaying our patriotism more outwardly but you also neglect to mention that Americans are so fly other flags that represent their local cities (Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, etc.), their local US states (California, Texas, etc.), their affiliated organizations (Sons of Norway), their cultural heritage (Irish tricolour flag, Italian flag, Mexican flag, etc.), and even their communities (LGBT), etc. Maybe Europeans are the ones being weird here.

[@femalism1715]

As a person who lives in Canada, your list was very interesting. Canada (UK-lite but a USA wannabe) is closer to the French system. Credit card machines come to the table, healthcare is universal, medical/pharmaceutical TV marketing is illegal etc..., but flags and sports are rapidly becoming a thing. Great content, thank you/Merci!

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Yes! I would love to move to Canada, it feels like the best of both worlds between europe and the US!!

[@daisytwotoes]

Fema Lism, I have to disagree with you about Canada being a USA wannabe. I think most Canadians are grateful that Canada is NOT America.

[@sams3015]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified I’m moving to Canada soon, ironically have to do my visa interview in Paris due to Dublin office being closed (I’m Irish)

[@rebeccawayman2204]

Also, I realize having universal everything is great - but I think the world doesn’t realize that it is much harder to take care of 332 million people than France’s 67 million, or Canada’s population of only just under 38 million people. Also, France is about 80% of the size of Texas. As you’ve mentioned often, America is HUGE. And the regions are all so different with different needs and priorities. I don’t think the rest of the world has any idea how diverse and huge the US is. Until I went to Thailand I didn’t realize just how isolated the Americas are from the rest of the world. The looks I got from Europeans when I said it took us 21 hours to get from the US Midwest to Thailand. And an Austrian girl told me it took her only 8 hours to fly there! My mind was blown as well! 😂

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

I definitely think that the size of the US makes it harder to manage universal care and the size, diversity etc.. makes changing the way America functions pretty complicated. However, i'm hardcore rotting for a move in that direction. It's rough to see how the pandemic is affecting americans who can't afford health care, not to mention seeing it on just a normal basis. and Yes! It's crazy to think how big the US. We used to drive from Illinois to Cape Cod, 23 hours every summer.... LOL.

[@85Onne]

I also live in Europe and in my country there are specific days you can have your flag out. It is literally illeagal to have flags out on random days because national flag is considered sacred. The little flag on the car is ok, lots of people have them.

[@perthfanny3017]

Hi! Which country is it? If you don't mind sharing!

[@85Onne]

@@perthfanny3017 Estonia :)

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

How interesting! Had no idea it could be illegal if it isn't a specific day!

[@perthfanny3017]

@@85Onne thank you ☺

[@midas1929]

I did not now that. Around my house in Switzerland I can count about 6 private flags. I also know no laws for Germany, France, Italy or Austria.

[@innaf5836]

Spot on about medical TV commercials.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Glad to hear it seems kinda weird for you too!

[@EliasBac]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified I'm French and the first time I saw these commercials in the US, the first question that came to my mind was : Why ? Haha I just couldn't picture myself telling my doctor : "Hey, I saw that TV commercial about that pill that bla bla bla" 🤣

[@vdayucla]

@@EliasBac | Yep, drug commercials are banned in every country except America and (weirdly) New Zealand. Heck, America didn't even legalise drug commercials till 1985, when President Reagan began deregulating everything. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@EliasBac]

@@vdayucla when the US finally gets universal Healthcare, they will ban these commercials too. The goal will no longer be to sell as much as possible, but as needed. ;)

[@verveblack]

BAHAHA your medical side effects bit was hilarious

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

I did my best imitation possible!

[@shatterquartz]

OK, so knowing in advance that you'll do a video about weird French things next and that we'll get our comeuppance, I still have to say I totally agree with all of your points. I first went to the US as a high school exchange student, and the ubiquitous flags absolutely weirded me out. It felt like people were at risk of forgetting one second to the next which country they were in and needed constant reminders. And at the start of the school day I would lip-synch the Pledge of Allegiance in order to blend in, but inwardly I wondered what business the school had to demand a statement of political loyalty from its students.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

The pledge of allegiance is pretty weird. By the time i was in high school it was becoming less of a "thing" that you had to do, but when i was younger it wasn't a choice. Everyone stood up, everyone put their hand on their heart and everyone said the pledge. I'm not surprised you lip synched it to fit in!!

[@lauraramsey9000]

While I was in high school in Virginia the public schools added the mandatory moment of silence 'for prayer or other silent activity'. That would never fly in France where there is a strong tradition of the 'école laïque'. Also coaches having their teams pray before football games, etc wouldn't go over well. Then again in Belgium public schools make you take religion classes starting in 1st grade through high school. The school has to provide a teacher for whatever religion your family practices or there's a secular morals/ethics/citizenship class if you aren't religious. I was shocked by that when I moved here and I'm sure most Americans and French would be too.

[@BasileJoubin]

@@pansybucket3909 I get the reasoning behind it. The disturbing thing for a French mind is the concept of "pledge of allegiance" 1) ...to a flag!? Why not to a country/nation? 2) forced onto young kids who don't really have a formed opinion (sounds like early brainwashing, lol) Why not wait for high school age, at least? 3) the gesture of the hand over the heart looks so old-school :-)

[@cathywojcik2420]

@@pansybucket3909 I always liked saying the Pledge of Allegiance. I liked the message--I am proud of my country.

[@Jeanaye]

@@cathywojcik2420 Thank you.

[@rebeccawayman2204]

Midwestern American here. Recently had surgery in December and during my recovery got to watch daytime tv - which is not my norm. Daytime TV in America is nothing but commercial after commercial of medication ads like you mentioned and OMFG the ATTORNEY ADS ARE INSANE. Especially the workman’s comp attorneys. Do attorneys chase business in France the way they do in America?

[@noefillon1749]

Attorney ads ? You mean lawyers !? I am 19, and have lived all my life in France I haven't seen an ad for a lawyer even once.

[@rebeccawayman2204]

@@noefillon1749 yes, certain kinds of lawyers gather business by suing large corporations (like in cases where an individual is injured at work) and then when the person who was hurt wins a lot of money from that company, the attorneys take almost 50% of it as their fee. But they often advertise that they only charge a fee if they win “We don’t get paid unless you get paid!” Is often their slogan. Same for suing doctors. This is why we can’t ever have universal healthcare in the US. Because huge attorney firms would go bankrupt if they couldn’t sue doctors and hospitals for as much money. It’s kind of disgusting. We call those attorneys “ambulance chasers”

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Omg such a good point! The attorney ads are relentless and I have NEVER seen them in France. The US has a huge culture of suing people....

[@adunaphel666]

It's illegal for lawyers to make ads in France. As it is for a lot of others : doctors, nurses, accountants. In fact all "professions libérales".

[@gillespozzo]

Le hasard m'a conduit sur votre chaîne ce soir et j'ai regardé au moins dix de vos vidéos. Bravo pour votre sens de l'analyse, votre objectivité et votre ouverture d'esprit, tout est dans le partage, merci pour ces petits moments ! Un abonné de plus !

[@alfinou_13targaryen]

Hey Kate!! Excellent video!! I had the same conversation about Democrats and Republicans with my colleagues (I'm an English teacher in a French High School) and I said exactly the same things about the Democrats not being really on the left but more in the center (like Macron actually). I think you could have added the concept of "credit score" in this video (I would love to see a video from you mentioning your point of view on the concept of credit score by the way) because I know that credit score is a thing in many Anglo-Saxon countries now (Canada, the UK etc), this is something that comes from the US and that doesn't exist in most European countries and looking for an exterior perspective, it is a very weird concept!!

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Ahhh credit card scores are the worst! You're completely right. I think i touched on it in one of my videos about the US. I'm going to stick the link here if i can find it!

[@olivierluminais]

Il me semble que Patti Lynn Q en à fait une sur les scores de crédits, ou en gros pour avoir beaucoup de score de crédit dont des crédit plus importants en valeurs, il faut faire pleins de crédits et les rembourser en temps et en heure, et en gros plus tu fais de crédit plus tu a le droit de faire de crédit, c'est absolument délirant. Patti Lynn Q : LES CARTES DE CREDIT: Ne soyez pas aussi bêtes que certains américains! | #16 kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5uTaKSPlrh2fNk

[@alfinou_13targaryen]

@@olivierluminais merci. En fait, je connais très bien le concept et je sais comment ça fonctionne. J'aimerais seulement avoir l'avis d'une américaine qui a connu le principe et qui maintenant vit sans. Je me demande si une fois hors des USA, ça leur manque ou si au contraire ils trouvent que c'est mieux de ne pas en avoir.

[@mchess6141]

Rien dans la politique de Macron, ne le situé au centre. Au contraire c,est la politique de droite la plus dure! L'habillage centriste n,est qu,un écran de fumée 😡

[@alfinou_13targaryen]

@@mchess6141 c'est la droite la plus dure en termes d'économie effectivement, neoliberalisme pur et dur mais pas forcément en termes de principes moraux/sociaux : je rejette la macronie comme bcp de gens mais si on compare aux republicains aux USA, ils sont encore plus à droite en termes de traditionalisme: contre l'avortement, le mariage pour tous, la sécurité sociale, etc, ce qui n'est pas forcément le cas des LREM. Ils sont neoliberaux économiquement à la thatcher et Reagan mais pas forcément en termes de traditionalisme. Difference avec les usa

[@donrobertson4611]

Let's hear it for the American Imperial system of measurement!

[@ggjr61]

The Us didn’t used to allow drug ads. I believe they started in 1983. The argument is that people should be able have control over their health care which includes knowing about drugs on the market. A doctor still has to write a prescription for it and the pharmacy has to be willing to fill it. On the credit card usage even before Covid some restaurants were switching over to pay at table. Applebees has had a device for several years pre Covid that sits on the table and you pay using that no server involved.

[@RGSuperfan]

In some towns we have little French flags on buses for November 11 for example or July 14 of course. Also during the soccer world cup many people hang flags on their balcony or garden (not necessarily a French flag btw, because France is very diversified). But yes, we only show off flags on special occasions.

[@leokaizzer4744]

Some prediction for the one about French strange things : -The administration and the difficulties when you have to do certain administrative things (even if some are realy easy, and getting easier) -Food (maybe not because it's the coolest obsession possible) -Les grèves (I don't even remember the english word, so I'll just say when people stop working to protest)

[@pierren___]

Strikes

[@leokaizzer4744]

@@pierren___ thanks

[@MrStan0630]

What worries me when I give the server my card is that I will forget to take it back.

[@MusicJunky3]

Come to the Netherlands where ,as of now, we have 37 political parties ! (Not sure whether that's a good thing but there you go !)

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

hahahahah, i'm always saying to my husband during election times in France that I can't keep up with all the different parties. BUT 37!!!

[@MusicJunky3]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified Let me give you small insight into the Dutch political scene.... 🤣😜🤔 Some only have one member or if they have two members, they usually end up fighting which in turn leads to them forming two new parties.. It also happened that those members turn out to have 'dark' histories 😎 etc, etc. Merde! 😱😇.

[@midas1929]

@@MusicJunky3 Switzerland has 12 represented in parliament and a total of about 50

[@robwilliams2410]

This must be credit card day on KZbin. Just got done watching a video on the Passport Two channel where they animated the American restaurant practice of walking off with your credit card. Their main point was more about the awkwardness of German tipping culture compared to the USA, but they definitely picked up on your point about the strangeness of letting your credit card out of sight.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

I honestly never ever thought this was strange until i was like 25. It just seemed so normal to let your credit card out of your sight! Nowadays, when i'm in the US, i'm like ummmm, i'll pay in cash thanks ahahha

[@simonaca468]

we were so laughing in America seeing all the signs like "The wolds greatest National park, the world biggest...smth" Literally everywhere, so funny :)

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

hahah i didn't even think about the "worlds greatest" signs for things like parks!

[@stofisme2430]

I can't find the link of the tiktok video you talk about at the end. By the way, very interesting subject :)

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Thank you! Sorry i forgot to put it in the description but i added it! vm.tiktok.com/ZMeSSBWp9/

[@Insaneronald]

Regarding elections, as most people say the US election would be disputed if it was Biden v Sanders. That's where the fault line is lol not between Biden and Trump

[@BoredOfBills]

Really enjoying your videos, I lived in Paris for a year as a teenager. Re flags - come to the UK during the Euros or the World Cup and you'll see A LOT of flags bearing the cost of St George but the moment the tournaments are over - they vanish.

[@vessyioannou259]

I forgot your name but I love your content. Hello from Sydney!!!

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

It's Kate and thanks!!! :) Hey there from across the world!

[@chaoticgood-ish1605]

I worked with a guy who did exactly what you feared with someone's credit card at a restaurant in the early 2000's. Haven't seen him since he went to prison for fraud.

[@georgiancrossroads]

I agree with you on several points here. But I do think the America-is-so-right-wing notion is a Euro-centric notion, not Asian, not African at all. And who has taken gender and racial politics as far left as we have? Maybe the British, imitating us. But not the French. And the flag thing. Yeah.. we like us some flags. And even the rainbow flag is quite the same. But you know I live in Georgia (not the US state) and guess what? They like their flags more than Americans, because they remember Communism. Likewise Poland, flags. Lots of them. And both of these countries are European. I don't mind flags. I don't worship them either. And that is how many folks and countries demonstrate their patriotism. Unsophisticated? Maybe. But certainly not a sign of latent fascism. I never thought about the credit card thing before. It's an excellent point. But you know I never heard of credit card hanky-panky in restaurants until I got to Europe. So now we await your weird French things video. Bon chance! Thanks Kate. Always interesting observations even when I might think differently.

[@renshiwu305]

Euros seem to take pickpocketing and Gypsy con artists for granted. Even in the Vatican Museum, there were signs telling us to mind our personal belongings. Really?! Your entire country is a fortified complex. You have your own dedicated security force. You can't reasonably do something about thievery in one of your own buildings? Perhaps that's why there's a difference between the way Americans and Frenchmen think about their credit cards. I think there's an Old World cynicism and fatalism that is particularly acute in France. By contrast, America has always been about improvement. Within twenty years of the start of the American federal government, the United States put paid to the Mediterranean corsairs who had been raiding and slaving the coasts of Europe for centuries. America doesn't particularly care about soccer, but we took on the corrupt apparatus at the heart of FIFA - particularly the European apparatus, in the form of Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini, the Russians, etc. Because of America there is now in-game goal line technology. No more relying on capricious and highly fallible line judges. That's an improvement.

[@marie-joserenaud7916]

That Americans have to FIGHT for the right to vote or for healthcare boggles my mind.

[@j-loosenfout67]

Bonjour Kathy, Certaines incongruités propres aux USA que vous soulevez me font un peu penser aux idées défendues par Bill Maher. J'aime beaucoup ce chroniqueur américain et partage pas mal de ces points de vue. J'ai été assez souvent surpris de découvrir qu'il parlait de sujets spécifiques et pouvait employer les mêmes arguments que moi dans mes discussions avec des amis. Je pense que c'est de ce genre de personne dont l'Amérique a besoin, sensée, pragmatique, humaniste et avec une bonne dose d'humour par dessus. En tous cas bonne journée à toutes et tous en attendant qu'on puisse enfin reprendre une vie un peu plus normale. Cdt,

[@ericwierzbinski4993]

Bonjour Vos vidéos sont un vrai régal. Vous avez la finesse de rentrer dans le raisonnement d'autrui, de le comprendre et la grande qualité de l'expliquer de façon limpide. Votre personnalité est extrêmement attachante.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Hello Eric ! Merci beaucoup pour votre message :)

[@norwegianblue2017]

The portable credit card machines are very common now in California. That said, I dined out countless times with credit cards over the past 30 years and never once got a fraudulent item on my credit card statement. From what I understand, most cc numbers are snatched over the internet anyway. Not to mention that you are never liable for fraudulent charges on your credit card anyway. We simply have a lot less property theft in the US than in Europe. I never worry about pick pockets and money belts while traveling in the US. Now, WHAT IS weird, is that people hand over their car keys with their house keys on them to valets and car wash employees.

[@marianneldn6155]

When I lived in Texas, the flag thing is one of the first thing I noticed 😅 I don't know how it is in the rest of the US, but flags in Texas are so huge, like 10mx15m, maybe even bigger. In my high school, I had to pledge allegence to the flag every morning. What an experience for a frenchie in exchange.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

I've never lived in Texas but i've heard the Flags are CRAZY HUGE there!!!

[@jrgilmore935]

Where's that link to that German girl comparing politics?

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Here it is! Sorry added it to the description too! vm.tiktok.com/ZMeSSBWp9/

[@Leopold_van_Aubel]

That thing about the flags everywhere is something I like about the US. I wish we saw more French flags in France.

[@sandihunter1260]

That's why they have the World Baseball Series now that includes all countries around the world.

[@tv0562]

I am a KZbinr who runs a traditional Korean health food farm. Always be healthy and happy. I hope to see you often on KZbin. I'm rooting for my friend. 감사드립니다. 늘 행복하시고 즐거운 일들만 가득하십시요.

[@birdwatcher287]

Thoughts on the credit card machine after living in Canada where they bring the machine and US where they don't. Both of the places have a tipping culture. It is awkward to have the server standing there while you are putting in tip amounts. Much prefer the system of writing in the tip and leaving table without having to see the server again. In a place where tipping is not the norm I can totally see where bringing the machine is more sensible.

[@birdwatcher287]

In the US we often discuss the tip after we get the bill, in Canada that wasn't possible with the server hovering.

[@phillipsindel2291]

From Australia - Medical advertising & politics story here is pretty much like Europe.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

I'm not really sure what other countries have medical advertising like the US....

[@thelittlemoonpie8934]

Super vidéo, j'ai beaucoup ri avec la pub sur la santé haha !

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

hahahahah :)

[@cindysmith5832]

Hope you love your country of origin! The midwest is awesome - never feel ashamed.

[@elizabethh4855]

I'm American and even I thought all this was weird and I've never been outside the US except to go on a caravan tour of Mexico back in 2005.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Hey, I didn't manage to see how weird it was until I moved, but if you already do, bravo!

[@elizabethh4855]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified For the sports thing, I grew up in Texas and my mom was born in the Philippines and immigrated with her family here to the States. She lived predominantly in Texas for most of her life so she's fully embraced the whole Texas pride thing. I however did not and she would mercilessly make these off handed comments like "oh you're not a TRUE Texan or American because you're not patriotic" or "you're a traitor" for even thinking that Europe was batter in some aspects or when I rooted for a foreign team for the FIFA World Cup. I grew up with a very warped sense of reality and it only became apparent when I started talking to my European friends and they told me that a lot of the experiences I've had throughout my childhood were subtle forms of racism in some way. I didn't think that at the time and it's very hard to un-learn all this stuff about America while still living in America and being bombarded by this stuff constantly every single day.

[@ashleydavies1990]

So genuine question. Is it really fair to compare American and European politics? Both are so different and both have pros and cons.

[@lesliet.4672]

How not fair? These are all first world countries and we are seen as barbaric and archaic based on the capitalism applied to health care and education. Makes sense to compare to other countries. Plus, we’re told all our lives that people other countries are envious of Americans - then when you go you find nothing could be farther from the truth. Other nationalities generally see us as angry, stressed, and unhappy/unhealthy. As a whole by comparison - to the average German, French, etc. person, they’re not wrong.

[@gj8683]

American here who gave up television three years ago. Ad blocking keeps me free of most ads on the Internet. However, some Americans I know think I'm "weird" because I don't watch TV, as though subjecting myself to its crass commercialism and (mostly) trash content, and actually paying good money for the transmission, should be expected. I'm never going back.

[@sandihunter1260]

It's not that way in Canada. You pay with your credit card with the machine that the server brings out to your table. Very safe.

[@apneiaproductions696]

Excellent video! Loved what you said about healthcare and education on OECD countries... Socialism!! Wasn't expecting that comment at all, and of course totally agree, as would most Europeans with common sense. The flag obsession in the US is bizarre and insane. When I was studying English in HS, one teacher said to us that every American movie shows the American flag at least once, and usually much more than that. I've noticed that this is true!! And truly bizarre. Completely unthinkable for a French movie, for sure. Unless "France" were the topic of the movie. Perhaps "America' is the topic of every American movie? That's what our teacher seemed to say.

[@Insaneronald]

There's an exception for flags though : football games ⚽ and sports in general

[@paulchapoy992]

And I find it weird too! We put flags only on our townhalls, and then, when suddenly comes a football match, we then put the flags litteraly EVERYWHERE and even paint ourselves in flags! Weird I said ! Football power !!! ⚽

[@romualdb5815]

Keeping shoes when lying on the sofa or on the bed : this is weird for me :)

[@petitespatule]

Now that you've mentioned about the credit cards being taken away... that is strange. I guess before, the machines weren't portable so it made sense. Not really applicable nowadays... you got me thinking 🤔

[@irina-ty1336]

Even when the machine weren't portable, we didn't give our credit cart to the waiter. One people, the one paying, gets up and follows the waiter to the machine, and then pay with doing his secret code.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Right? I honestly didn't think it was weird until i saw the portable machines and i was like righhhhhhhht. That makes sense!

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Good point!

[@petitespatule]

@@irina-ty1336 This sounds way more secure! I think I won't be able to give my credit card away with confidence anymore...

[@readingirl1984]

Great video, but you forgot to put the TikTok link to the description.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

It's done!! Thanks! vm.tiktok.com/ZMeSSBWp9/

[@lorettatawney6307]

As a nurse I abhor the drug ads. It’s increasing every day

[@nco1970]

For credit cards, it used to be the same in France before the usage of chip and pin cards was generalized in the 90s'. You entrusted your card to the waiter. But there were too many situations where prints of the cards were taken.

[@cf7045]

Shawadawah--cracked me up.

[@wlogan2000]

The U.S. practice with credit cards is different, but does that really matter? A U.S. cardholder won't be responsible for fraudulent purchases once they contest them--the bank will absorb the loss. In practice, there is zero liability for the cardholder. Your mother didn't have to pay for the fraudulent purchases once she disputed them, did she? Would that be the same in France or other European countries? As for waving the flag, sure it gets used a lot here (probably overused), but there are consequences to limiting display of national flags elsewhere. A relative of mine in Great Britain wishes the Union Flag was displayed more often there because otherwise it becomes the emblem of extremist groups instead of a national symbol.

[@MsRumex]

You may not need to pay if someone used your credit card, but it will cost you definitely some time resolving the issues (and it just annoying). Why go through the motions if it easily could be avoided?

[@JESUSCHRISTMYSAVIOR]

Yes Nfl(American football) is my thing! But in Europe it's about Soccer or Football as it's called everywhere else!

[@pjalexandra]

As a Canadian, I was actually shocked the last time I was in the US--wealthy Hollywood area, of all things--where yes, the credit card goes away to a back room, but also. . .I had to sign with a pen! It felt like 1990, and i was genuinely surprised, because I always imagine the West Coast of USA as really progressive in all the ways.

[@ThePerksdeLeSarcasmeSiorai]

You can always ask if stores accept Apple Pay or contactless payment. Small businesses usually don’t have this kind of technology (and some only accept cash as legitimate payment option) but I’ve been using contactless payment for pretty much 80% of my purchases so far and I only carry 2 cards and some cash with me just in case. And I live in Chicago which, to many people outside of America, is less fun and more dangerous than NYC and LA. The point here is that you have to ask directly, do some online search beforehand (which takes several seconds), or simply observe if shops display contactless payment sign on their front windows. And P/S: we’re more than just the West Coast and the East Coast. Just saying. And it may come as a surprise you but rural California is even more remote than rural Illinois.

[@pjalexandra]

@@ThePerksdeLeSarcasmeSiorai thanks for the tip, and I'd love to visit Chicago! Well, in the Alternate Universe. Right now Canadians aren't allowed to cross the border :(

[@peternakitch4167]

Interesting. I have travelled a lot outside Australia and I have American friends and was once told told that Australia was like the US was 20 or 30 years ago. Now, listening to Kate I think we're more like Europeans than our American cousins. Taking the first item, handing over your credit card. Like Europe (and the UK too) in Australia the transaction is always done in front of you and the machine is portable as well. Other than politics here becoming more conservative overall since the mid-1990's one could replace Europe or France with Australia. Don't misunderstand: we're not European, but very multicultural, and no doubt some Europeans would find our habits strange. And a PS, now I know why the World Series is called the World Series. Was always confused by that.

[@isabellem1945]

Hi, I don't let my credit card out of my sight with one exception. If I can't wait for the bill and need to use the restroom, I'll let my best friend pay in the "no contact" mode, which allows for a maximum of 50 Euros without a PIN code. Does it exist in the USA?

[@CalicoShoes]

Nope

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

At least from my experience, this doesn't exist in the US. Credit cards mainly work with signatures and debit cards work with pin codes. but your debit card needs the pin to work, there isn't a no contact mode like in Europe!

[@cwalenta656]

Its not weird to entrust your credit card to waiters/waitresses at a restaurant because at the end of the day if they use the card to make charges? You're not responsible for them. Its annoying, you have to call and cancel the card, but its not something you're going to be on the hook for.

[@Lea-rb9nc]

Although I was born in California, I spent a lot of time visiting family in Western Canada. In addition, my curiosity has always bordered on insatiable. I've been questioning the way things were in America for much of my life. As for France, it fit like a glove.

[@britt-sen]

lol! the $5 old navy t! paired with their flip flops. :p

[@christine9122]

The credit card thing is weird. In the Philippines, the little machine is brought to us and we insert the card ourselves to the machine.

[@kennethlowrie995]

I agree with much of what you said, especially the part about the medical advertisements. As regards the credit cards going into the back of a restaurant, having been a frequent business traveler to Europe, I have griped about the credit card leaving for years. I think the departing credit card is beginning to change here. Perhaps it is the result of having to have contactless payment, but I have had several occasions in the past few months in which the reader was brought to my table. As for politics, that is always weird wherever you go.

[@henningbartels6245]

in the US I find it weird to see small flags on graveyards where Germans would put flower boquets.

[@henningbartels6245]

@@brianjohnson3063 I know that the U.S. took part in many wars all over the world - but I doubt that every grave with a small flag on an American graveyard represents an army member. Nice try though.

[@henningbartels6245]

@@brianjohnson3063 Thanks for your assumptions about my person. Would you mind guessimg next weeks lottery numbers for me as well?! That would be really of great help: for example, I could book a flight to the States and visited the places where I lived over two years... and remember the times when I took strolls over a few of NYC's gorgeous graveyards at the weekends - what, BTW, Americans found weird as well: visiting a cemetery whitout having graves of relatives there. I wonder, why should Germans not fly black-red-gold with pride? Could it be that you are implying negativity here?! ;-)

[@jakeryan4545]

I have to respectfully disagree with the notion that liberals in the US would be center or conservative in Europe as a blanket statement. I thought this too before going to Europe and talking with people. And while on most economic / tax issues the US is more conservative, I was surprised as a liberal American at how Europeans viewed identity and immigration. Even Trump wouldn't have tried to proposed bans on burkhas (numerous European countries), minarets (Switzerland), taking jewerly / money from assylum seekers to pay for their care (Denmark), designate official ghettos where kids can be forced to go to English language pre-schools (Denmark with Danish), or defend traditional black face as part of our cultural heritage (the Netherlands). He would defend any criticism he received especially from non-Americans as "I'm not racist, America's not racist, your country is racist, you don't understand our tradition" (which are similar to the what I have heard when Europeans talk about these policies.) But I haven't come across any liberal native white people from the germanic language speaking European countries plus France who talk about policies in their countries being racist or xenophobic like you hear liberal white Americans talk about American policies being racist (and especially without resorting to whataboutism (I've never heard a Swiss person say there was racism / xenophobia in their country, without comparing it to racism in the US as a way to lessen the notion of racism in their own country) which is usually used by conservatives in the US when discussing race / identity / immigration).

[@ericburton5163]

This is long but yeah Europe is northern / central Europe is defintiely more right wing when it comes to race, immigration, identity than the US.

[@hirokoai3013]

Events like in Charlottesville, and the power of Ku Klux Klan is barely imaginable right now in Europe. South frontiers are highly watched in both regions of the world. There is no as much ethnic segregation in european city districts than in american ones. Some american states already forbid teaching of specific language when they wanted to assimilate a population (often spanish, but also french for a while in Louisiana). Not to say that America is racist, but it is not less than Europe, it is simply expressed differently. I think, it comes from two distinct ways to consider immigrants in both systems. Basically, anglo-saxon countries are more communautarist, continental european countries more integrative. In France, the "black community" is not very well structured, most of the time, black people form small communities based on the country of origin in a given city, they live in the same neighbourhood than any other ones, they use the same shops, the same schools, the same parks, and european politics tends to try to encourage integration in the same population. Antiracism is as different between regions as racism. In a very simplified version, Europeans defends more the right to individuals to be included in the whole population, where Americans defends more the right for people to set the rules regarding how they should be considered (for example, cultural appropriation issues are much rarer in Europe than it is in North America, and not present in public debate, even for minorities). I am not sure if one position is better than the other, it depends on many things I guess. There is racism in Europe, for sure, but it does not distinguish Europe from America, the way it is expressed is more effective to make the distinction. Europe has many flaws I can talk about for hours. And, I am pretty sure, globally, Europe political ideologies tends more towards socialism than USA's.

[@jakeryan4545]

@@hirokoai3013 I think you are proving my point, but just so that people don't read parts of your comment and take them as facts when they are not I will put a couple of fact checkers in there: Organizations with similar views to the KKK and Charlottesville (adapted to Europe) very much have the same amount of power in Europe if not more than the US www.voanews.com/europe/anti-migrant-protesters-rally-several-major-european-cities www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/anti-migrant-protesters-clash-outside-eu-headquarters/ www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-14292198 You proved my point by having to resort to the racism in the US to define the racism in Europe. This is language that is used by conservatives in the US. People can't make a blanket statement that Democrats politicians in the US would be considered conservative because there are plenty of issues in which "liberal" politicians in the Europe would be considered conservative in the US, specifically on identity and immigration issues. You seem to come it at from the point I was saying that Europe is more racist than the US, which I wasn't. And you seemed to be biased against the US (that is the only reason why I can seem to think that you would go on a lengthy diatribe about integration vs. what you call communautarist, but in the paragraph before in trying to point out the racism of the US focus on the fact that schools apparently banned Spanish and French to encourage integration). Which by the way this just isn't true any more (I think Arizona has a hold over law that encourages English use over foreign language instruction for ESL learners). I don't know of a single government in the US that doesn't provide services to those in need in their native language. While historically cities have been more segregated in the US than Europe, this has a lot to do with both historical racism as well as the heavier segregation by income in the US vs. Europe. I don't know of any conservatives or liberals in the US who advocate segregation vs. integration, which you seem to imply. To help clarify you seem to be arguing that the nature of racism is different in the US vs. Europe but that is precisly the point of the original comment. You argue that in Europe anti-racism is more about encourging integration. But those are conservative policies in the US. I'm liberal and have plenty to criticize about the US let alone US conservatives. But most US Republicans I know would argue that they aren't racist, gladly talk about their POC friends, and generally say that they don't see race and are pro-integration. Their arguements are similar to what I hear liberals and moderate conservatives in Europe say. But the flipside isn't true. I don't hear liberals in the US say what conservatives say in Europe. The far right in both countries sounds similar. Or to use the language you used - the anti-racists policies in Europe would be conservative in the US, and the racist policies in Europe would be far right in the US. (Similar I guess to saying that the anti-poverty policies in the US (social security, Earned Income Tax Credit, Pell Grants) would be considered moderate / conservative in Europe, and the poverty inducing policies in the US (tax cuts, no vacation legislation, minimal employment protection) would be considered far right. Therefore, while you can argue that Europe is no more racist that the US (I never made that arguement, and I think resorting to that arguement again is similar to what conservatives in the US do, further proving my point), I don't think you can say that a Democrat would be considered conservative in Europe , and a Christian Democrat would be considered liberal in the US when it comes to immigration and identity, which is what a blanket statement saying that liberal US politicans would be considered conservative in Europe and a conservative European politican would be considered liberal in the US does.

[@hirokoai3013]

@@jakeryan4545 Well, not real fact checkers, we will always find an example of events telling "this group is causing harm", but it also applies to my examples, my assertion is quite difficult to do without being an expert on the subject, and finding the right documentation, so good point. I can tell you, I am not really antiamericanist at all. And on that topic, I often prefer american policies. Actually, France for example imposed french language by overriding aggressively regional languages, I remember the time french government wanted to expulse romanis, they try with time to homogenise the population, where culturally distinct populations living in the same place would be preferable for me. So, we could really take a bit of inspiration of the anglo-saxon world for me. But, what I mean is, even for Europe, it is right wing policies. What lead to all these laws is, as you say, higly conservative, it implies that western listyle has to be protected from the outside world. Leftists are much more liberal, and socialists are often opposing these laws, simply because, clearly, it infriges human rights. Same for minarets for example. Actually, socialists are more like "do as you want, you will be part of our society no matter how you live", and are often considered as (falsly) linked to islam (what is called "islamo-leftism"). An example of left wing opinion : socialistresistance.org/defend-the-right-to-wear-the-niqab-and-burqa/897. On the other hand, many republicans are arguing about "should we make a religious testing for entering american soil" (fivethirtyeight.com/features/donald-trump-muslim-religion/). So, yes, current right wingt european policies about immigration and identity is more on the right than left wing current american policies, you are right on that assumption, but it's quite different from what you said first. In Europe and in America, everyone accept there is one society for everyone. In both regions of the worlds, the scission amond left and right is whether minorities have to adapt to the majority to be part of the society. Where America and Europe differs, as I understand as a French living in Canada, is minorities are considered culturally consistent populations in America, and as family and individual backgrounds in Europe. Here, it's simply my experience, I am much more often reminded as being a "non straight person" in Canada than in Europe, even if it is to say "you have the same right as everyone", that's what I call "communautarism". You are right about the question of racism, it's not the same thing to say european left has more right wing policies than american right, and europe is more racist than america. I tend to find these european policies quite racist (not exactly the term but you get it), so, I can amalgamate the ideas, sorry !

[@jakeryan4545]

@@hirokoai3013 I will just say this to hopefully clear things up. Through my own personal experience - I have found the average white, native, European (even ones who I would consider to have "liberal" ideas on most things) to have what I consider to be conservative views on identity and immigration (at least if they were in the US). The only people who I know that had the view points that were on the one socialist website you shared were either ethnic minorities or were extremely left wing, young activists. When talking to the average person in Europe, they didn't have those viewpoints (again just my experience) even people who vote for Social Democrats (the average Social Democrat I talked to had views similar to moderate Republicans I know in the US on that subject). But those same viewpoints in Europe that only ethnic minorities and extreme left people had, are common among white moderate Democrats in the US (again based on my experience). This is just based on experience, so it could be sample selection bias. I think we actually agree, it's just how its phrased. Based on my experience, in both Europe and the US the "spectrum / continuum" if you will from left to right is "Everyone celebrate diversity, no one culture should have to adapt to another" - "Integration / Assimilation but equality" - "Segregation / inequality". It is just that the average American / Candian is further left on the spectrum than the average European (which may explain why it seems like Americans view identity differently, but if you were to watch Fox News (major US conservative cable news network) in the US you would see plenty of people complaining about what you call communautarism and promoting assimilation but equality and viewing identity similar to how you described European viewing of identity in your first comment.) Obviously everything is a generalization but again, it just surprised me as a liberal American when I visited Europe and talked to Europeans because you always hear about how liberal Europe is. That was my only point in the original comment (to not make blanket statements that Europeans are more liberal, because on certain issues they are not). Hopefully that makes sense - it was more just a clarification for liberal Americans who visit Europe and talk to Europeans (I don't want them to get their hopes up becuase Europe is made out to be some perfect utopia among liberal Americans like myself, and while I loved my time in Europe and think there are many things the US can learn from Europe, it was a rude shock based on my previous misconceptions I had, to talk to people about politics especially concerning identity). (And with that I am promising myself I won't comment further :) but just wanted to make sure I was clear with my original comment because it sounds like it was confusing).

[@olivierluminais]

1:38 ils faisaient ça dans certaines stations services en Italie en 1993, mon père à été facturé deux fois pour la même somme ils ont lue deux fois la piste magnétique et lui on demander de signer, pire il me semble qu'à un moment ils ont carrément copié la piste magnétique pour créer des copie de carte de paiement pour les péages et les distributeurs automatiques. bilan ne jamais laisser votre carte de paiement en dehors de votre vu quelqu'un de mal intentionné peut copié la piste magnétique de la carte ou vous facturé deux fois la même somme!!!!

[@pierreperrin7069]

nobody is perfect; next video will be about weird french things

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

True true true!

[@aimemaggie]

i thought the credit card thing was strange when i stared eating out

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Right.... so strange how comfortable we are with our money out of our sight!

[@nocturnelleserene9890]

In Australia the bill thing used to happen but now mobile eftpos machines mean you pay at the table. I wonder whether it’s more indicative of the year and tech advances you had in the US vs in France?

[@latebloomerabroad]

I'm in total agreement about all your points! I've thought for a long time they're all weird, but then again, I do travel abroad often. The flags in particular are weird, because I've had people question my love for my country because I wouldn't fly one on the 4th of July. WHAT? Ditto about the left-vs-right debate. I had a man call me a "radical lefty" because I was going to be claiming my Social Security benefits, which by the way I have paid into since I was 16 years old! He told me I was a parasite and a drain on society. And there are millions of people here now who think like that. It's scary, and has made me consider relocating abroad.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

"Radical lefty". Go collect that social security!!

[@grace-mz9fp]

The number one American weirdness that was not mentioned are GUNS. They love their Guns.

[@rafarequeni822]

I remember doing that thing with the credit/debit card some years ago here in Spain, until PIN codes kicked in. You can call it nanny state if you want to, but even a broken clock signals the right time twice a day; sometimes, regulations come to help you before you notice a problem: safe e-commerce protections, or drug ads on tv are regulated. And about the flag thing, that's because american flag is a symbol of unity among americans. You'll see a lot of flags in Sweden or other scandinavian countries, also in eastern Europe. You rarely will see one in Spain, but that's because after 40 years of fascist dictatorship the spanish flag has become something like a right wing symbol, and as such left wing people seldom feels like carrying or showing one - except maybe at some sports celebration.

[@minnowx7099]

Flags - i have some American friends who have recently become citizens of my country - they proudly went out and bought a flagpole to fly our flag on. It is very sweet but it is just not done here... so it does seem a bit weird... And yes it is linked to nationalism rather than patriotism here too so it could even be seen as offensive by some people....

[@carrieharkner2967]

Correction: Most conservatives are against ILLEGAL immigration... not immigration full-stop. And also... you can't just call something a human right because you think everyone should have it. The word "right" in a legal sense carries a much stricter meaning than that.

[@reyhugo4879]

It’s a human right in the French constitution, it doesn’t have to be in the US constitution

[@TheChinmama]

As for travel most Americans only have 2 weeks vacation. That and the cost affect travel.

[@kiwitahiti4673]

What happens if you refuse to pledge allegiance at school?

[@wlogan2000]

Nothing. The Supreme Court ruled in 1943 that students can't be forced to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. If they're not reciting the Pledge, they'd be expected to just sit quietly in their seats, doing nothing, for the 15 seconds it takes to recite the Pledge. When a student does get disciplined by a (very ignorant) teacher for not reciting the Pledge, the story can make national news because it's such a rare event because the law is so well-settled.

[@kiwitahiti4673]

@@wlogan2000 thank you

[@acivilright]

You get ostracized by the teacher and the students. People say nothing happens, but oh, something happens. The same happens with holiday parties if you don't celebrate. The Supreme Court rules x, y, and z every session but that doesn't stop people in local areas from acting out, I assure you.

[@boglarkamore4808]

I didnt' t know about this credit card thing,I can't wait for your weird French things video, even as a European there are so many strange things here for example the chequier!!!Oh but maybe you have that in the US too.

[@gaellehubert6060]

For the credit card they used to do that in France a long time ago

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Really! Around what year? No one has ever told me that!

[@nitwit999]

The same in the Netherlands, in the days when all credit card payments where done via a paper slip with 3 carbon copies. Those machines were heavy and behind the counter. But even in those days people would often walk with the waiter to the counter, to check that not more than 1 transcription of the card was made. That ended about 30 years ago.

[@gaellehubert6060]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified Can not remenber exactly but then we had frauds and they started to warn people not to let credit cards out of sights, and when I was working in 1997 in a travel agency we used to take crédit cards détails by phone , write them down for payments, even worse at that time when you went to an atcm to'take cash every card detail was written on the ticket deliverd by the atcm, no number vat the back in those days so anybody having your ticket could shop on the net.

[@AlainNaigeon]

On some kittens channel, I've seen a flag on a cat house :-)

[@isabellem1945]

Hi, I can totally imagine la SPA with the French flag..;-) Re kitten channels, if you enjoy kitty content you might like "kitten academy" and "walter santi" among others.

[@anne12876]

I’m from Canada and I’m old enough to remember a time where the waiter would take my parents credit card to whatever place to pay and bring it back to the table. These days, waiters bring the machine to the table or you go with them to the counter to pay. On your point about politics, on many points, Biden would be considered a bit more conservative than politicians like Trudeau. And Sanders or AOC could run as party leader of the NPD, a left wing party but far from being considered extremist (they won about 30% of the votes in 2019).

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

See Canada managed to change, maybe the US will too! :)

[@anthonyd9844]

You forgot to mention a really weird thing Americans also do when greeting someone, they say "Hi, how are you?" instead of " nice to see you" or something to that effect. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked "hi how are you" and started sharing how I'm doing only to find out just want me to say "great".

[@zefareu]

Not seeing the TikTok link you mentioned including....

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Sorry i forget to stick it in the description. It's added now and here is the link! vm.tiktok.com/ZMeSSBWp9/

[@eshachauhan4076]

Flag one is so true 🤣yesterday I saw a couple carrying a French flag on the train station and becoming the centre of attention for everyone

[@lttnono2379]

110V/60Hz...making you microwaving your water instead of using an electric kettle for your tea

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

hahah so true! Never used a kettle until moving to europe!

[@angelaa6498]

Nailed it!

[@ruthlloyd1163]

The little credit card machines are around more in the US post Covid.

[@janetmackinnon3411]

LA semaine prochaine...juist saying. You seem a very nice and interesting person, and I'll be back! Thank you.

[@donrobertson4611]

You forgot the 'usual suspects': tipping, sales tax, portion sizes...etc

[@acivilright]

Size isn't everything. This is a cop out that is continually trotted out whenever we Americans don't won't to admit we have trash policies and traditions. Canada is a huge country. What does that have to do with universal healthcare, doesn't appear to affect that with the exception of accèss in remote or rural areas. The access in the US in same or similar areas is comparable. And yes the US has way more people than Canada. We also have way more money. California and Texas on their own have économies that could compete with other countries in the world. The entire population of New York City is the economic engine of New York State for better or worse. And lower population states in the US typically receive more money federally than they give. The US can indeed afford universal Healthcare, but we choose not to do so.

[@martinasandoval5326]

Huge country in mass not in population. California has more people than Canada. Apples to oranges my friend.

[@acivilright]

@@martinasandoval5326 do you mean area (square meters or miles) ? I don't understand mass for a country. If so, that was my first point: Canada is physically huge. So to say "the US is huge and therefore cannot have universal healthcare," doesn't make sense when Canada is larger and has managed to do it for many decades now. Now if the argument is "federalism makes it difficult for the US to have universal Healthcare," we agree. If every state is allowed to do its own thing, yes, it makes any kind of federal program (or attempt at anything) a hot mess. See: covid pandemic response. The number of people isn't difficult either. Just look at how many folks participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs and receive subsidies from the Healthcare exchanges. The resources are indeed there. We just choose not to have universal Healthcare.

[@pierren___]

10:40 it is a sign of government support, so people will not fly it just because they dont like the current gov

[@alexandriacollymore2577]

That's how we do it in Canada! The servers bring the machines to the table... I can't imagine giving my credit/debit card to a stranger and them going off with it lol

[@rosannericciardella2206]

I’m Canadian and we always say that are Conservative party is more aligned with your Democrats! As you said, no party would dare challenge our universal health care! And the flag thing is super weird! 😊

[@anne-liepettersson1155]

I think that in many countries we would feel like seing a group of people waving flags around (outside of sports) feels like, I would imagine, many from the U.S. would feel to see a group of people waving the confederate flag around. But, ofc it would be a context thing too like.. Is there a football championship going on, is it the national day or other celebatory day and so on. But still. I know it would stress me out. Come to think of it, any sorts of uniform flag (like football fans/borderline hooligans would wave) or uniform clothing (like bikers) is creepy. I used to work in a bar in scandinavia where we did not allow any uniforms, be it students, footballsfans or bikers and we did not allow any uniform chanting. Due to not wanting a certain mentality (where excitement can turn violent or simply a feeling of "too much" for comfort) to appear in this bar.

[@perdidoatlantic]

I’ve only had cc problems in Mexican restaurants. I only pay cash in Mexican restaurants now.

[@desireathames2625]

Restaurantes also cook your food in a part of the restaurant where you can't see either. Are you going to next say that folks that eat out are wierd to trust that the staff aren't spitting in your food? Will you demand that everyone start eating at hibachi grills and those that don't are wierd?!

[@Phiyedough]

I didn't think USA had a left wing, just right wing and far right.

[@bunnybgood411]

The credit card thing is kinda weird. And I'm in the USA. I guess we're luckier than we should be. I hate TV ads. I refuse to own a TV. I'm an American anomaly.

[@olivierluminais]

en France et très certainement en Europe, hors distributeurs automatiques et hors péages, c'est la puce qui est lu rarement la piste magnétique, en France payer par la puce c'est le plus courant et dans la norme, hors la puce exige le code pour validé le paiement de plus sauf en mode Forçage le lecteur de carte va communiquer en temps réel avec le serveurs informatique de la banque pour savoir si y a le bon montant sur le compte bancaire et quel est la limite de paiement en intra journalier c'est souvent maximum 1000 à 2000€. en France car c'est la France qui à inventé la carte à puce !!!!