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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.

Last Updated: 17.06.2025 14:42

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 display of bellybuttons

Remember the Hays Code?

lustful kissing is to be shown with care

Is Florida now unsurvivable because it's an oven due to climate change? It's 11:48 am on May 30th and the heat index in SoFla is 100. I can see it going up to over 130 by July.

toilets being shown

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

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

What does it mean when someone leaves something in your house, your room to be exact, and when you tell them, they say they left it there on purpose?

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

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

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

Is it legal to record a conversation with a therapist without their consent or the consent of the other person involved?

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

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

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

Should any books be banned from school libraries? Why is it important for students to read certain books in school?

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