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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.

08.06.2025 11:59

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.

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

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

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

Should India conduct another air strike to attack Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack?

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

the display of bellybuttons

Remember the Hays Code?

How would you define love?

lustful kissing is to be shown with care

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

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

Iron is naturally present in these 10 foods - Times of India

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

toilets being shown

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

If James Bond is meant to be the best secret agent in the world, how come all the bad guys in the World seem to know who he is?

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