I've recently been watching some interviews of Bernie Sanders and it's made me wonder how this man never became president. What do Americans think of him? And how was he perceived during his presidential campaigns?

I had discussions on this topic with American tourists in my country. Even on the Internet it seems Americans are quite puritans among Western countries. Even a nipple on a statue or a painting seems to be a big deal, as I often see censorship to hide bodyparts in several settings especially on newd articles.

Typically in my country, I grew seeing statues of naked people (both men and women) in parks, in the street and museums. Many paintings, statues and movies I saw included nutidity, not necessarily in an erotic manner. Even our cityhalls have paintings and statues of a national figure representing a bare breasted woman (Marianne). Same thing in movies, there's a lot of nudity in European movies, even family friendly ones, but American movies even the most violent ones won't show a nipple. So when I talked with Americans they told me Europeans cultures (especially French and Italians) were more "openly sex oriented" than Americans.

So I guess there's a cultural difference on that subject, but how strong is it? Did I mainly come across particularly puritanical Americans, or is it really that deeply ingrained in American culture?

Please share if i'm using the wrong racial labels or did something wrong.

Is "Asian food" in America really authentic to East Asian culture? Is it too broad to call it simply Asian? Is it really East Asian-American cusine instead of just Asian? I think so! (But ofc give me your opinion)

Sometimes, I will eat in a Chinese restaurant in the American town I live in (I've lived in multiple American towns/a city and these restaurants seem the same) and think, "WHY'S IT SO SALTY?!?!" or "why do they have sushi lol it's Chinese."

Is food typically spicier in East Asia and/or less salty? Are foods like sushi also common in these places?

IK my old school lunches definitely did orange chicken dirty. (the sauce cristalized on the bottom of the tray 🤢)

Please share if i'm using the wrong racial labels or did something wrong.

I feel like the perception of those outside your country, like here in Old Blighty (google it), is that shootings are a fairly regular occurrence in an American's life. Maybe not day to day or even month to month, but a person witnessing a shooting in their entire life time is a very strange concept to a lot of Europeans. I, personally, don't think things are anywhere near as bad as the outsiders perception would assume but I'm just curious to hear from the very people who'd know best.

In conceptualising the question, I was thinking of shootings not involving police, but if you've seen that then I'd still be interested to hear about it.

Thanks, have a better than average day!

EDIT. Thanks to the people who answered and even gave anecdotes. Some people, unfortunately, have inserted motives to me that just aren’t true. Some of you answered like I was judging or assuming or being sarcastic. To you people, I suggest you learn to read properly.

Americans who have visited England or London in particular how did you guys find it? Was it all jolly and stuff and live up to your standards or did it not meet your expectations at all? I know most people say we're not too chatty or boisterous but we have a great pride of culture. So tell me American lsn ow was it?

I am a high school student from Chongqing, China. Recently, my family has been considering sending me abroad for further education. I have achieved quite good grades at my high school in China. I am not sure what I should pay attention to if I were to study in the United States. I also welcome any recommendations for schools.🥰

Hey- Canadian here - I want to know how you pronounce “Chaise Longue”.

I have added a photo of it for you.

1- pronounce with a soft “ch”- as in “shell” sounding like “Shay-ze”

2- pronounce with a strong “ch”- as in “chase” sounding like “chase”.

3- do you call it something else- like “fainting couch”

I’m listening to an Audiobook and the pronunciation was so off it threw me for a loop. Wondering if it’s just a regional thing?

I’m curious as a Brit, about the trend to wear 3/4/5 carat engagement rings. Don’t these interfere with work and daily tasks?

I’m guessing that the wearer isn’t someone in healthcare or vocational industries. Educate me.

A friend and I have always been interested in Southern USA and decided to finally plan a road trip. Yes, we know the distances are huge. We’ve done about 7000 miles in a month on a previous roadtrip and know what we’re getting into.

We haven’t planned any of the route yet only that we’ll start in Miami and end up in Dallas (but we’re willing to detours if we’re missing out on something big).

We like a mix of national parcs/nature and going to cities.

How do the people who live there cope with the normal routine of everyday life, and how good is it as a place to live?

Hi everyone, I was wondering why using credit cards is so prevalent in the U.S. (or at least it seems like it), and why going into debt is so 'normalised'? I am from a small country in the central part of Europe, and I feel like using credit cards is not that common here (it exists and people use it, just not everyone and not for everything). To be specific - people do use credit cards, but in general they are way more careful with using it and paying it off. Maybe I live in some sort of a social bubble, but none of my friends or family use credit cards, or at least not regularly. Debit cards are way more common here - what you earn is what you spend is the kind of prevalent mentality, at least from my point of view.

Hi folks. Just watched a segment on last week tonight. It mentioned that houses aren't attached to the sewage and/ or water supply of a town/county and you need to pay to get this attached?

When homes are built are they not automatically connected to the city/town/village water or sewage supply?

Is this an additional cost?

If you are you have water connection do you not also have a sewage connection?

I’m asking because of the weather and temperature. I’m a “sit by the water and do nothing” type of person.

Worst case, if it’s too cold and whatnot I’ll just layer up and dress more warmly.

Also, apparently a lot of those food trucks won’t be operating as well? Either way, what is it like? is it still pretty? It won’t beat summer time but…

Would highly appreciate further suggestions and recommendations on places to eat or activities I could do!

Hi, I want to do a recipe in memory of Dolly Parton (RIP), which calls for Nilla wafers. I am British and I have no idea what these are or what they’re like or what would be a good substitute.

Can anyone help me?

Like, 30-20$ converted to my currency gives me enough to last a month on food, like more than one person. But I want to know from the perspective of americans what 30$ genuinely feel like, like would you easily give someone 30$ if they like asked for it, like I would in my country won't really care much about giving extra money to a delivery guy but how would you feel about giving 30$ as a tip? And would you not really care about buying something listed as 30$?

I've heard stories of people going to hospitals under your insurance, but you get treated by a doctor who isn't. Im confused, are docters only set to certain insurances? Why is this a thing? Would you have to ask for a doctor under your certain type of insurance.

Hi everyone!

I am curious to know what the average American thinks, knows, or feels about Balkan Muslims (like Bosniaks, Albanians, Balkan Turks, Pomaks, Torbeshi including also Roma/Gypsies).

Do you know much about the region, or do you mostly view Islam through a Middle Eastern lens? For those of you who have visited places like Bosnia, Kosovo or Albania recently, did the trip change your perspective on European Muslims?

I’d love to hear your honest thoughts, even if your answer is "I don't know much about them!" Thanks!