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.
16.06.2025 02:28

toilets being shown
couples in the same bed, even if married. (Laurel and Hardy came before the code)
The ridiculous 2004 Superbowl ‘Nipplegate’ was a more recent reminder of how US attitudes have not really advanced much since the Hays code.
Why were the Japanese soldiers in WW II so hesitant to surrender in battle?
nudity, or even suggestions of it (e.g. a silhouette)
disrespect of authority figures. Crooked judges are OK if they are also clearly portrayed as evil people
lustful kissing is to be shown with care
What caused the stock market to crash?
sexual perversion, including homosexuality (naturally), and sexual relationships between the white and black races.
Meanwhile, the rest of the world still sniggers at American prudishness.
Some ridiculous highlights of the code in effect banned or discouraged:
Can you turn 150 pages into a 5 minute presentation before a meeting?
For 34 years, movie and TV studios censored themselves to appease the Puritanical whims of Will Hays.
Remember the Hays Code?
the display of bellybuttons
Has a cop ever said something to you which was completely unexpected?
any profanity to the Christian religion, e.g. hell, damn, God (unless used in a holy sense), or ridicule of the clergy.