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Why do Americans and foreigners alike describe the USA as prudish? Why do I see nothing prudish about the USA society? USA feels like one of the loosest countries although Americans claim to be very reserved.

11.06.2025 02:06

Why do Americans and foreigners alike describe the USA as prudish? Why do I see nothing prudish about the USA society? USA feels like one of the loosest countries although Americans claim to be very reserved.

The ridiculous 2004 Superbowl ‘Nipplegate’ was a more recent reminder of how US attitudes have not really advanced much since the Hays code.

the display of bellybuttons

Meanwhile, the rest of the world still sniggers at American prudishness.

Physicists Propose Cheaper Alternative to Particle Colliders: Supermassive Black Holes - Gizmodo

Some ridiculous highlights of the code in effect banned or discouraged:

toilets being shown

disrespect of authority figures. Crooked judges are OK if they are also clearly portrayed as evil people

The FCC is cracking down on EchoStar’s deployment of 5G. - The Verge

Remember the Hays Code?

sexual perversion, including homosexuality (naturally), and sexual relationships between the white and black races.

any profanity to the Christian religion, e.g. hell, damn, God (unless used in a holy sense), or ridicule of the clergy.

President Xi Jinping Speaks with U.S. President Donald J. Trump on the Phone - fmprc.gov.cn

nudity, or even suggestions of it (e.g. a silhouette)

For 34 years, movie and TV studios censored themselves to appease the Puritanical whims of Will Hays.

lustful kissing is to be shown with care

Are today’s baseball pitchers faster than a few years ago, or is it that radar guns have improved and get the pitch speed as it is released rather than as it reaches the plate?

couples in the same bed, even if married. (Laurel and Hardy came before the code)