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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: 19.06.2025 03:12

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

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

Remember the Hays Code?

California doctor to plead guilty to supplying Matthew Perry with ketamine - BBC

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.

lustful kissing is to be shown with care

Scientists Discover Startling Trick to Defeat Insomnia - futurism.com

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

Scientists release a statement after identifying a strange object in space emitting signals to Earth every 44 minutes. - Farmingdale Observer

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

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.

What did Rama tell Sita about Kaliyug?

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