Poll of the Day > Questions for Americans

(+) Yeah! (+)

These are essentially questions that have arisen after consuming a boatload of American media over the years, and drunken hearsay from friends and acquaintances, that I haven’t really thought to ask about (or did and forgot).So I figured this would be as good a place as any to get some answers.
Onto the questions!

-Do you wear shoes indoors? As in just walk right into the house from outside?

-Does the milk you buy at the grocery store really have added sugar in it? Regular cow’s milk I mean, not the flavored stuff.

-In baseball, does it mean anything in particular if someone catches the ball without it touching the ground? I ask because I’ve all I know about baseball is what I’ve seen in clips online and they usually seem to be in a big hurry to throw the ball back, except when they catch it.

-Are portion sizes really that big? The normal ones I mean (If you order the “supersize” that’s to be expected).

-Do students really have to pledge a loyalty oath to the country every morning when school starts?

-What exactly is “bail”? If you get arrested can you just pay some money and then wander of as best you please until you have to go to court?

-Do people really drive to bars? Can you drink so much and then legally drive to make it worth doing?

-Is “detention” in school actually a thing? Can the school actually prevent student from leaving is they so choose? What if they had something planned afterwards like if they got movie tickets or a doctor’s appointment?

-Do you really have to tip 25% at restaurants? Even if the service/food is bad?

-Is “Yank” an offensive term? Like if someone from another country said something like “I don’t know, ask the yank.”.
---

-no
-probably
-it's an out
-no
-yes
-you pay to get out of jail till your trial and sentencing but there are restrictions. if you skip those the Dog comes and gets you
-yes
-yes
-no
-no

Vmode posted...

These are essentially questions that have arisen after consuming a boatload of American media over the years, and drunken hearsay from friends and acquaintances, that I haven’t really thought to ask about (or did and forgot).So I figured this would be as good a place as any to get some answers.
Onto the questions!

-Do you wear shoes indoors? As in just walk right into the house from outside?

-Does the milk you buy at the grocery store really have added sugar in it? Regular cow’s milk I mean, not the flavored stuff.

-In baseball, does it mean anything in particular if someone catches the ball without it touching the ground? I ask because I’ve all I know about baseball is what I’ve seen in clips online and they usually seem to be in a big hurry to throw the ball back, except when they catch it.

-Are portion sizes really that big? The normal ones I mean (If you order the “supersize” that’s to be expected).

-Do students really have to pledge a loyalty oath to the country every morning when school starts?

-What exactly is “bail”? If you get arrested can you just pay some money and then wander of as best you please until you have to go to court?

-Do people really drive to bars? Can you drink so much and then legally drive to make it worth doing?

-Is “detention” in school actually a thing? Can the school actually prevent student from leaving is they so choose? What if they had something planned afterwards like if they got movie tickets or a doctor’s appointment?

-Do you really have to tip 25% at restaurants? Even if the service/food is bad?

-Is “Yank” an offensive term? Like if someone from another country said something like “I don’t know, ask the yank.”.

Sometimes

Sometimes

The batter is out but runners may still advance under certain circumstances

Yes. There a reason for the obesity epidemic

Yes. But only in public grade School

Usually only non violent offenders get bail

Yes, no. Drunk driving is a real problem

Yes. Too bad

No but servers can be paid less than minimum wage. Tips are their primary income

No
---

Vmode posted...

-Do you really have to tip 25% at restaurants? Even if the service/food is bad?

Of course, 25%is normally the minimum, i mean we are paying their wages as the company doesn't, if you dont tip well then you are heartless.

Vmode posted...

Do you wear shoes indoors? As in just walk right into the house from outside?

We have a little entryway where we remove our shoes.

Vmode posted...

-Does the milk you buy at the grocery store really have added sugar in it? Regular cow’s milk I mean, not the flavored stuff.

No. The only ingredients are Milk and Vitamin D.

Vmode posted...

In baseball, does it mean anything in particular if someone catches the ball without it touching the ground? I ask because I’ve all I know about baseball is what I’ve seen in clips online and they usually seem to be in a big hurry to throw the ball back, except when they catch it.

If they catch it without it hitting the ground then the batter who hit it is automatically out of play. If it touches the ground first the player is still considered in play and can advance to the next base or bases until the ball is thrown to the respective baseman.

Vmode posted...

Are portion sizes really that big? The normal ones I mean (If you order the “supersize” that’s to be expected).

Often times yes. Restaurant portions here are very large, but many people also take the uneaten food home and make a second meal of it later.

Vmode posted...

Do students really have to pledge a loyalty oath to the country every morning when school starts?

Yes. Looking back at it as an adult it is indeed very strange.

Bail

Yes. You agree to not flee the state and to show up for your court date that way you don't have to stay in jail until your trial. For some crimes bail is denied or set at very high prices though.

Vmode posted...

-Do people really drive to bars? Can you drink so much and then legally drive to make it worth doing?

People often drive to bars and do drive drunk, however drunk driving is very much illegal as well.

Detention

In my experience detention was always during school hours normally during a recess period where other students would go outside and play. Obviously if a parent needed to remove their child from school for any reason the school could not force them to stay.

Tipping

Tipping is nearly always optional. Some people do not tip, but it is widely regarded as rude not to do so. I think the typical range is 12-25% based on the quality of service and hospitality. The only times I know of where it is mandatory is when large parties dine(like 8 or more people), some places will charge an automatic 18% or so on the bill.

Vmode posted...

-Is “Yank” an offensive term? Like if someone from another country said something like “I don’t know, ask the yank.”.

No, we think it is kind of funny actually.
---

- Slippers are technically a shoe and I wear them to go check the mail. ...Why exactly is this an American-centric question?

- Depends on the milk.

- I find baseball ungodly boring, but I believe that's an Out, meaning the one who swung the bat is out.

- Depends on the restaurant. Fast food in general, I'd say no but how people let themselves go from that is beyond me.

- I think this is now a state issue or something. Every school definitely doesn't do this.

- Doesn't feel right answering this seeing as I don't drink.

- Detention was a thing; don't know if it still is. Yes. A doctor's appointment is a legit excuse. Movie tickets not so much.

- WTF?! This board is getting ridiculous with tipping. It's supposed to be 10% tops. And no, you don't have to tip but I heard bad things happen if you're a regular customer and you don't tip.

- Technically it's an offensive term but I don't think anyone would actually BE offended by it.

usually no as I don't like shoes, but I let other people come in wearing shows and I have walked through other peoples houses wearing shoes if I am not going to be there long.

Maybe in a flavoured milk, but I don't think in regular milk.

It means the batter is out and iirc the runners on base can't advance unless something specific happens.

They can be, I've never been to europe to compare them, but I think most people would say we do have larger portions.

yes, though I don't know if it was age or timing, but by the time you are in middle school they tend to not care if you do or not as long as you are quiet during it, but in elementary school you could get in trouble for not doing it at least where I live.

Pretty much. You are innocent until proven guilty and a speedy trial is relative so instead of expecting people's lives to be ruined for months on end while the trial is underway you can pay a fee to get out, if you show up for trial you get it back.

Yes. On a personal level I don't unless I am going there to eat, but ya some people will only have one or two bottles with some friends over the course of like an hour so they are not that bad. Or maybe have one with dinner. I don't know if it is a wisconsin thing or not, but bars have amazing food.

generally speaking a detention will usually happen the next day because you can't really keep a child without telling the parent where that child is and giving the parent a way of picking the child up. a parent can also get you out of detention or have them reschedule it if something is going on in your home life. Movie tickets are not really an excuse, but not releasing the child to their legal guardian upon request could be legally seen as kidnapping, so it really depends on how much the parent doesn't want the child to have detention.

No and if the service is actually bad you don't have to tip at all, but it is more of a statement to leave an absurdly low tip to show them that you didn't just forget to write something. Although studies have shown that most people will just tip whatever percent they want weather the service was good or bad. 25 is pretty high though, standard is 10-20

I actually think a lot of americans would enjoy being called a yank by a foreigner. especially if they have a strong accent. But in our own slang yank can mean to hypnox so depending on the area you are in and if the people around you don't know what definition of the term you mean, it could possibly be considered offensive to them.
---

Vmode posted...

-Do you wear shoes indoors? As in just walk right into the house from outside?

This might be a regional thing, but I have never come into a house where the normal thing to do is keep your shoes on. I usually take mine off when I get into my bedroom. The only time I'll keep them on is if I'm at someone's house for the first time and they haven't asked me to remove my shoes. They usually either ask me to remove them at the door or tell me to "make myself at home" which usually means "you can take off your shoes dude, don't be weird"

Vmode posted...

-Does the milk you buy at the grocery store really have added sugar in it? Regular cow’s milk I mean, not the flavored stuff.

I don't think so, but I also don't buy milk so idk

Vmode posted...

-In baseball, does it mean anything in particular if someone catches the ball without it touching the ground? I ask because I’ve all I know about baseball is what I’ve seen in clips online and they usually seem to be in a big hurry to throw the ball back, except when they catch it.

catching the ball while its active means the hitter is automatically out. if it touches the floor then you have to rush the ball back to the basemen so someone can tag him out.

Vmode posted...

-Are portion sizes really that big? The normal ones I mean (If you order the “supersize” that’s to be expected).

probably? I don't really have anything to compare it to, but everyone seems to say it is.

Vmode posted...

-Do students really have to pledge a loyalty oath to the country every morning when school starts?

they don't have to. The pledge is said every day but anyone can refrain at any time for any reason.

Vmode posted...

-What exactly is “bail”? If you get arrested can you just pay some money and then wander of as best you please until you have to go to court?

p much. It's important to remember bail can be set ridiculously high or not given at all, though.

Vmode posted...

-Do people really drive to bars? Can you drink so much and then legally drive to make it worth doing?

Yeah that's normal. They might have a designated driver. I personally don't drive so this isn't an issue for me.

Detention
Most detention I had in school was lunch detention. If you skip, my school would suspend you.

Tipping
Tipping is always optional, and the standard is 15%

Yank
Not at all. I've never even heard this said in real life before.
---

Vmode posted...

-Do you wear shoes indoors? As in just walk right into the house from outside.

Most people do. Some people may choose to wear slippers or something similar in their own house, while other people may walk around barefoot, but the whole "everyone takes their shoes off at the door" mentality is generally much rarer than some other places.

In fact, the only person I've known in my entire life who insisted on it was also a first generation immigrant.



Vmode posted...

-Does the milk you buy at the grocery store really have added sugar in it? Regular cow’s milk I mean, not the flavored stuff.

Maybe there are some brands that do, but for the most part, no. The only sugar present is the natural sugars naturally present in milk.



Vmode posted...

-In baseball, does it mean anything in particular if someone catches the ball without it touching the ground? I ask because I’ve all I know about baseball is what I’ve seen in clips online and they usually seem to be in a big hurry to throw the ball back, except when they catch it.

A catch in the air is an automatic "Out". An Out can also be scored if the runner is tagged with the ball, or if the base they're running to is touched by someone holding the ball. Three Outs ends an inning for a team, and there's nine innings in a game.




Vmode posted...

-Are portion sizes really that big? The normal ones I mean (If you order the “supersize” that’s to be expected).

Depends on where you're eating, what you're eating, and who you're eating with.



Vmode posted...

-Do students really have to pledge a loyalty oath to the country every morning when school starts?

Basically, yes.



Vmode posted...

-What exactly is “bail”? If you get arrested can you just pay some money and then wander of as best you please until you have to go to court?

More or less. Paying bail is essentially a promise to appear, with your money refunded back to you when you show up. Not showing up means the court keeps the money (and a warrant is issued for your arrest).

The value of bail is set based on the severity of the crime and your likelihood of running - in some cases bail is set at prohibitively high values, in other cases, it can be denied entirely (if you're considered a flight risk). The entire point is to charge a large amount, though, as the goal is to make it painful for you to even consider skipping out.

Because some people can't afford to pay bail regardless, though, an industry of bail bondsmen has arisen, where a company will essentially lend you the money to post bail, in exchange for a fee.


---

Vmode posted...

-Do people really drive to bars? Can you drink so much and then legally drive to make it worth doing?

Depends on where you live, how much you drink, and what your intentions are.

There are times when you're only going out to socialize, and won't have more than a couple drinks in a longer span, and are fine to drive home. There are also times when you're planning to go out and get hammered, which is usually where designated drivers, cabs, Uber, mass transit, or walking home come into play.

Drunk driving is still illegal, and depending on where you are can carry extremely stiff penalties if you get caught (where I live it's an automatic loss of license for six months or more, fines, and possible jail time).



Vmode posted...

-Is “detention” in school actually a thing?

Yes.

Depending on the school, not only get you get time directly after school as punishment, but you can also be required to come in on weekends (ie, the plot of The Breakfast Club).

My school system used to have daily detention for an hour after school as well as Saturday detention that lasted 3-4 hours.



Vmode posted...

-Can the school actually prevent student from leaving is they so choose?

Prevent? No. But they can essentially refuse to allow you to graduate, pretty much fucking over the entire rest of your life in the process - meaning unless you're planning to drop out of high school entirely, you won't be casually blowing off detention just because they can't physically restrain you there.

Similar constraints apply when "unexcused absences" or "summer school" come into play. A school system can essentially say "If you miss more than X number of days without a valid doctor's note or other approved excuse, you no longer qualify for advancement", meaning if you miss too much time they'll make you repeat the same grade over again. Similarly, if they say you need to take summer school classes in order to graduate, and you don't go to summer school, you won't graduate.

Incidentally, my school used to limit unexcused absences to 16 days, so if you missed 17 in a year you were staying back.



Vmode posted...

-What if they had something planned afterwards like if they got movie tickets or a doctor’s appointment?

The facile answer is, "If they didn't want to be inconvenienced, they shouldn't have broken the rules in the first place."

Realistically, a parent could probably arrange a delay of detention to a different day for something serious and "official" like a doctor's appointment or funeral or something similar, though for anything less the prevailing attitude is probably going to be "Screw you, detention is SUPPOSED to be inconvenient. Don't break the rules next time."

But it's far more likely that no one will be able to arrange a delay in advance (because most detentions are given on short notice, ie, the same day as the offense in question), which means the student will essentially "skip" detention... which usually results in getting extra detention.

So, for example, if a teacher gives you detention on Tuesday, but you skip it to go to the dentist, once you come in on Wednesday they'd probably give you detention on both Wednesday and Thursday instead (or just tell you to come on the weekend).

And again, you're free to keep blowing them off as often as you like, but they'll still be keeping track of all the detentions you "owe", and you won't be graduating until you pay them off.


---

Vmode posted...

-Do you really have to tip 25% at restaurants? Even if the service/food is bad?

No, the usual standard is 15%, with 20% being a more common "high end" tip for people who find it easier to calculate 20% in their head instead of 15%, or who just want to tip slightly more for good service (though the customer can tip as much as they like, depending on how good the service was). If you're at a buffet where the server doesn't do anything other than bring you drinks, the standard tip goes down to 10% (unless you're ordering a lot of drinks, then you should tip higher).

If the service is bad, you can tip as little as you like, all the way down to nothing - tipping isn't legally required. If the service was especially bad, you can even leave some minor change as tip as a deliberate and obvious "fuck you" to the server (ie, you're basically demonstrating that you didn't FORGET to tip, and that you're not simply a cheap tipper, but are indicating that they did such a poor job they don't deserve more than a few coins).

But if you're tipping low, you should probably avoid eating in that restaurant again, to avoid the risk of having someone remember you and spit in your food next time. Or, if you're paying by credit card, you may have to worry about some disgruntled asshole posting a picture of your receipt online and badmouthing you for it.

(Yes, tipping has effectively evolved into terrorism in the US.)



demonfang178 posted...

- WTF?! This board is getting ridiculous with tipping. It's supposed to be 10% tops.

I've been alive for 40 years and tipping for almost 25 of those, and there has never been a single point in my entire life when 10% was considered acceptable, let alone standard, or "tops".

You've probably eaten a lot of spit over the course of your life.



Vmode posted...

-Is “Yank” an offensive term? Like if someone from another country said something like “I don’t know, ask the yank.”.

Very few Americans would find it offensive, but most would probably feel like you're a bit stupid for using it, and look down on you as a bit of a foreign weirdo (in other words, using it is more like insulting yourself). It's just not something we really mentally equate to ourselves in the way we might think of someone from the UK as a "Brit" or someone from Australia as an "Aussie" (assuming we use nicknames at all). "Yank" just feels really anachronistic or a bit dumb (like calling someone a Scalawag or a Knickerbocker).

About the only exception is really dyed-in-the-wool Southerners, who'd probably view it as a filthy insult fit for Northeasterners - particularly New Yorkers and Bostonians, who are clearly the root of all evil in the world (though they'd probably be more likely to use the phrase "Damned Yankee" or even "damnyankee"). Calling one of them a Yank might be horrifying to the point of getting your teeth knocked out.


---

One thing ive never understood about tipping, why is the customer who is already paying for the food or service expected to pay the workers wages and then if they dont tip they're considered the bad guys rather than the company who has hired the worker.

Though im not american so i dont understand your customs and such.

313800 posted...

One thing ive never understood about tipping, why is the customer who is already paying for the food or service expected to pay the workers wages and then if they dont tip they're considered the bad guys rather than the company who has hired the worker.

Though im not american so i dont understand your customs and such.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_vivC7c_1k
---

-Do you wear shoes indoors? As in just walk right into the house from outside?

Some people do, most don't. I tend to because I am flat footed and it hurts to walk around barefoot unless I am on really soft carpet.

-Does the milk you buy at the grocery store really have added sugar in it? Regular cow’s milk I mean, not the flavored stuff.

Don't know, I am lactose intolerant.

-In baseball, does it mean anything in particular if someone catches the ball without it touching the ground? I ask because I’ve all I know about baseball is what I’ve seen in clips online and they usually seem to be in a big hurry to throw the ball back, except when they catch it.

It means an instant out and that the opposing team can't score. What you are seeing usually means someone on the opposing team thought they weren't going to catch it, advanced, and they have an opportunity to get 2 players out instead of one.

-Are portion sizes really that big? The normal ones I mean (If you order the “supersize” that’s to be expected).

Depends where you eat, lower end restaurants yes. High end restaurants usually have smaller portions.

-Do students really have to pledge a loyalty oath to the country every morning when school starts?

When I was in school you had to, I know some schools you don't.

-What exactly is “bail”? If you get arrested can you just pay some money and then wander of as best you please until you have to go to court?

Bail is basically a "lease" so that you spend the time waiting for your court date outside of jail as opposed to in. For some people (usually the very poor who are first time offenders), this could be nothing or very low, while for rich people and/or repeat offenders it is really high or "no bail" which means you can't pay it no matter what. You get the money back if the court rules you are innocent. Otherwise, you still go to prison.

-Do people really drive to bars? Can you drink so much and then legally drive to make it worth doing?

Yes, in a lot of areas people don't have bars within walking distance and there is little or no public transportation so the only way to the bar is to drive. It depends on state, but here you are allowed up to 4 beers before driving, otherwise you can get charged with DWI.

-Is “detention” in school actually a thing? Can the school actually prevent student from leaving is they so choose? What if they had something planned afterwards like if they got movie tickets or a doctor’s appointment?

Yes, it is a thing. If you have something after school you need to have a parent or guardian explain it, then the school will reschedule your detention to a time that works.

-Do you really have to tip 25% at restaurants? Even if the service/food is bad?

You don't HAVE to tip, but it recommended. The percentage is actually closer to 20%. If you have large parties though (5 or more people), they will charge a mandatory gratuity of 25% due to the extra work.

-Is “Yank” an offensive term? Like if someone from another country said something like “I don’t know, ask the yank.”.

No, in fact we have a sports team called the Yankees so it is not offensive at all.

However, we do find it kind of funny what other countries call all Americans "Yanks" when that term typically means someone from New York City here.
---

ParanoidObsessive posted...

I've been alive for 40 years

I feel like I can officially call you Grandpa PO now.
---

Dynalo posted...

ParanoidObsessive posted...

I've been alive for 40 years

I feel like I can officially call you Grandpa PO now.

You mean you weren't before?


---

- Do you wear shoes indoors? As in just walk right into the house from outside?
Yes, though I usually switch to sandals once it's late enough that I'm staying in.

- Does the milk you buy at the grocery store really have added sugar in it? Regular cow’s milk I mean, not the flavored stuff.
No idea. I've never finished a carton before it goes bad so I stopped buying it.

- In baseball, does it mean anything in particular if someone catches the ball without it touching the ground?
No idea. I have no interest in sports.

- Are portion sizes really that big? The normal ones I mean (If you order the “supersize” that’s to be expected).
I don't understand the question.

- Do students really have to pledge a loyalty oath to the country every morning when school starts?
I actually refused to do this for a year to see what happens, claiming that it was idol worship and against my religion. The principal told me to arrive at class late from then on.

- What exactly is “bail”? If you get arrested can you just pay some money and then wander of as best you please until you have to go to court?
Instead of sitting in jail waiting to be found innocent or guilty, paying a bail means you get to leave jail. You still need to stand trial and the money is paid back so long as you didn't flee. If you did try to flee the bail pays for your bounty.

- Do people really drive to bars? Can you drink so much and then legally drive to make it worth doing?
Yes, there's some calculation about how much alcohol is metabolized in an hour such that your Blood Alcohol Content will return to the legal limit to drive.

- Is “detention” in school actually a thing? Can the school actually prevent student from leaving is they so choose?
After school detention, no. In my experience detention usually meant that for a set number of days I went to a different room instead of a study hall.

- Do you really have to tip 25% at restaurants? Even if the service/food is bad?
For the restaurants I've been to, tipping is always optional. I have no idea what the recommended percentage is or how it's determined. Some say 10%, some say 15%. There might be some where tipping is figured into the bill but I've never eaten at one.

-Is “Yank” an offensive term? Like if someone from another country said something like “I don’t know, ask the yank.”
I wouldn't find it offensive. I usually think yank means to pull on something so it would just be an odd thing to call someone.
---

No, I'm not a savage

Just milk

Thats an out, duh

Yeah

We did in school like 20 years ago. No clue now

Paying money to sit out of jail awaiting your trial. You get 10% of it back, or is it 90% back?

You can drive anywhere you want. People do whatever and deal with the consequences.

Of course detention is real

15% standard. More or less depending on service. Servers here need it because it's not an awesome well paying career like it is in europe

As a yank, no
---

So im going on a cruise at the end of the year in america, there are already Gratuities added in to the cost, so should i still be tipping the servers and bar people or not ?

jkdarlow posted...

So im going on a cruise at the end of the year in america, there are already Gratuities added in to the cost, so should i still be tipping the servers and bar people or not ?

If gratuities are already added then no, that is basically the tip just taken out of your bill beforehand rather then you deciding what is appropriate.
---

313800 posted...

One thing ive never understood about tipping, why is the customer who is already paying for the food or service expected to pay the workers wages and then if they dont tip they're considered the bad guys rather than the company who has hired the worker.

Though im not american so i dont understand your customs and such.

Because the laws let employers get away with it, so they do.
---

Dikitain posted...

jkdarlow posted...

So im going on a cruise at the end of the year in america, there are already Gratuities added in to the cost, so should i still be tipping the servers and bar people or not ?

If gratuities are already added then no, that is basically the tip just taken out of your bill beforehand rather then you deciding what is appropriate.

I hope so, its 18% which seems high to me, but im of course from a non tipping country and this thread along with previous on the subject make out 18% isnt alot, though as its included im sure all will be fine.

I take my shoes off. I'm also Asian but I've heard white people keep their shoes on

Nope

I think it means the hitter is out. I'm not a baseball fan

I heard our portion sizes are much larger than everybody else

Yes. But it isn't strictly enforced.

I'm not a law expert. But bail isn't always an option.

You can drive to bars. You can't drive intoxicated

Detention is real but my schools always chose a different disciplinary action

Tip is basically the entire wage of waiters. The employers get away with paying less than min wage because of this since they are technically getting payed over minimum wage. You can tip less if you want.

I don't find yank to be offensive
---

Vmode posted...

-Is “Yank” an offensive term? Like if someone from another country said something like “I don’t know, ask the yank.”.

The only people I've known to find "yank" offensive are Texans who conflate it with Northeasterner.

Vmode posted...

-Do you wear shoes indoors? As in just walk right into the house from outside?

Usually no. I tend to leave my shoes around the front entranceway, but I've noticed some people wear them throughout the home or switch to slippers.

Vmode posted...

-Does the milk you buy at the grocery store really have added sugar in it? Regular cow’s milk I mean, not the flavored stuff.

I've never heard that. I don't drink milk so no idea, but I doubt it.

Vmode posted...

-In baseball, does it mean anything in particular if someone catches the ball without it touching the ground? I ask because I’ve all I know about baseball is what I’ve seen in clips online and they usually seem to be in a big hurry to throw the ball back, except when they catch it.

If you've watched baseball, you should know the rules already.

Vmode posted...

-Are portion sizes really that big? The normal ones I mean (If you order the “supersize” that’s to be expected).

No. And the supersize doesn't even exist any more, thanks to that shitty propaganda video by that ass clown.

Vmode posted...

-Do students really have to pledge a loyalty oath to the country every morning when school starts?

A pledge is said, but students aren't forced to repeat it.

-What exactly is “bail”? If you get arrested can you just pay some money and then wander of as best you please until you have to go to court?

Pretty sure most developed countries have some version of bail? The tradition was long held in the UK which generally passed it along to its various colonies.

At any rate, it's a security deposit. If you can't afford it, you can talk to a bail bondsman to whom you generally pay something like 10% of your bail fee which they either keep part of all of it in exchange for putting up the rest. If you default, they hire bounty hunters to bring you in so they can recoup their money.

-Do people really drive to bars? Can you drink so much and then legally drive to make it worth doing?

Most countries have areas where bars aren't in walking distance so you'd need to do something and, in most cases, people drive illegally afterward. It's not just a US thing although it's more common here than in countries with good transit systems.

-Is “detention” in school actually a thing? Can the school actually prevent student from leaving is they so choose? What if they had something planned afterwards like if they got movie tickets or a doctor’s appointment?

Detention usually occurs *during* school hours so that's not an issue. There is after-school detention as well, but a note from a parent, etc, would get you out of it for an appointment. Having movie tickets wouldn't matter especially because people don't buy tickets in advance like that anywhere in the world.

And yes, they can physically detain you depending on your age. Obviously a 10 or 12 y/o would never be allowed to just walk out.

-Do you really have to tip 25% at restaurants? Even if the service/food is bad?

You never have to tip 25%. There are some mandatory gratuity fees for large groups, but that caps at 18-20%. Tipping is traditionally whatever you feel between 15-20%, but you can leave nothing. Granted, tipping is generally expected and, if somebody is really bad at their job, they're usually not self-aware enough to realize why they didn't get a tip.

-Is “Yank” an offensive term? Like if someone from another country said something like “I don’t know, ask the yank.”.

Most Americans wouldn't get the reference.
---

Vmode posted...

These are essentially questions that have arisen after consuming a boatload of American media over the years, and drunken hearsay from friends and acquaintances, that I haven’t really thought to ask about (or did and forgot).So I figured this would be as good a place as any to get some answers.
Onto the questions!

-Do you wear shoes indoors? As in just walk right into the house from outside?

No. I take them off at the door as does everybody else.

-Does the milk you buy at the grocery store really have added sugar in it? Regular cow’s milk I mean, not the flavored stuff.

No. I've never heard of regular milk with sugar added to it.

-In baseball, does it mean anything in particular if someone catches the ball without it touching the ground? I ask because I’ve all I know about baseball is what I’ve seen in clips online and they usually seem to be in a big hurry to throw the ball back, except when they catch it.

I have no idea. I don't watch sports.

-Are portion sizes really that big? The normal ones I mean (If you order the “supersize” that’s to be expected).

I have no idea what "That big" means since there is no real context. I do usually have food left over when I go out to eat but I and most people I know take leftovers home for later. If there are courses or appetizers many people expect a take out container. You don't have to clean your plate in one sitting.

-Do students really have to pledge a loyalty oath to the country every morning when school starts?

No. It is optional.

-What exactly is “bail”? If you get arrested can you just pay some money and then wander of as best you please until you have to go to court?

No.

-Do people really drive to bars? Can you drink so much and then legally drive to make it worth doing?

Well, yeah if it isn't within walking distance. Lol no.

-Is “detention” in school actually a thing? Can the school actually prevent student from leaving is they so choose? What if they had something planned afterwards like if they got movie tickets or a doctor’s appointment?

Yes. No.

-Do you really have to tip 25% at restaurants? Even if the service/food is bad?

No.

-Is “Yank” an offensive term? Like if someone from another country said something like “I don’t know, ask the yank.”.

Dunno. I think it might have been years ago? I'm from the south, old timers call people from up north Yankees.

Vmode posted...

-Do you wear shoes indoors? As in just walk right into the house from outside?

-Does the milk you buy at the grocery store really have added sugar in it? Regular cow’s milk I mean, not the flavored stuff.

-In baseball, does it mean anything in particular if someone catches the ball without it touching the ground? I ask because I’ve all I know about baseball is what I’ve seen in clips online and they usually seem to be in a big hurry to throw the ball back, except when they catch it.

-Are portion sizes really that big? The normal ones I mean (If you order the “supersize” that’s to be expected).

-Do students really have to pledge a loyalty oath to the country every morning when school starts?

-What exactly is “bail”? If you get arrested can you just pay some money and then wander of as best you please until you have to go to court?

-Do people really drive to bars? Can you drink so much and then legally drive to make it worth doing?

-Is “detention” in school actually a thing? Can the school actually prevent student from leaving is they so choose? What if they had something planned afterwards like if they got movie tickets or a doctor’s appointment?

-Do you really have to tip 25% at restaurants? Even if the service/food is bad?

-Is “Yank” an offensive term? Like if someone from another country said something like “I don’t know, ask the yank.”.

-I do, but I have hardwood floors and I usually take them off when I get home to be more comfortable. I don't have a problem wearing shoes in the house. However, it's not strictly American. Many people require shoes off in the house.

-I'm pretty sure this is a myth. Milk in general has its own sugar from the lactose but that's natural, not added.


-Yes. It means the batter is automatically 'out' and stops the play. It's called a fly ball.

-I don't know what you're referencing. I guess they're as big as google tells you they are.

-Yeah, I guess they have to recite the pledge of allegiance. But it's not like...a law or anything. It's just a common practice. No one has to do it.

-Bail means you can basically pay a deposit to the court to let you go free before your court date, yes. If you return for your court date, you get the money back. If you don't return, you don't get the money and a warrant is placed for your arrest as well as further charges levied against you. This is however only allowed for specific crimes and can be rescinded for numerous reasons such as high flight risk, etc.

-People do drive to bars but they generally either get a designated driver or take a cab back. You can usually have one or two drinks depending on the person before you would be legally over the limit.

-http://law.freeadvice.com/government_law/education_law/student_detention.htm

-HAVE TO? No. The general rule is 15% but you can tip whatever you want or nothing at all. If the service is bad, then don't tip. That's the reason a tip exists.

-I don't think I've ever met a person who was offended by the word. Our most famous baseball team is the "Yankees" for fuck sake.
---

Vmode posted...

-Do students really have to pledge a loyalty oath to the country every morning when school starts?

No. If your school has a problem with you abstaining from the Pledge of Allegiance, you can take things up with the ACLU and you'll win.
---

jkdarlow posted...

So im going on a cruise at the end of the year in america, there are already Gratuities added in to the cost, so should i still be tipping the servers and bar people or not ?

Entirely up to you. Some people do and some do not.

The two people I always tip on a cruise are the server at the dining room and the cabin steward. It will be the same people for the duration of the cruise, they generally come from developing nations and support their families back home, and they work very hard.

If they do their jobs well I typically give them a tip of $50-$100 each at the end of the cruise depending on how many days the ship was out
---