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How to tell someone's American: They lean on things?

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(AP Illustration/Jenni Sohn)
(AP Illustration/Jenni Sohn)

It's an idea that pops up on Reddit from time to time: that Americans have a unique propensity lean on things. Walls. Chairs. Anything to keep from supporting the entirety of our body weight with our own two legs. In fact, some posit that leaning is so uniquely American, the CIA has to train spies not to do it.

Is this baloney? Where did the idea that only Americans lean come from?

Show notes:

  • Someone Asks “What’s An Obvious Sign That Someone Is American?” And 30 People Don’t Hold Back (Bored Panda)
  • 15 Ways to Spot an American Abroad: From Leaning Habits to Love of Small Talk (Medium)
  • Jonna Mendez: A day in the life of a master of disguise (Ted Radio Hour)
  • How the CIA Trains Spies to Hide in Plain Sight (Wired)

"This content was originally created for audio. An auto-generated transcript is available on Apple Podcasts. Heads up that some elements (i.e. music, sound effects, tone) are harder to translate to text.

Headshot of Ben Brock Johnson

Ben Brock Johnson Executive Producer, Podcasts
Ben Brock Johnson is the executive producer of podcasts at WBUR and co-host of the podcast Endless Thread.

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Headshot of Amory Sivertson

Amory Sivertson Host and Senior Producer, Podcasts
Amory Sivertson is a senior producer for podcasts and the co-host of Endless Thread.

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