[magv]

Is this a US thing?

In Ukraine, no-one is weird. No-one is a geek, or a nerd -- there aren't even equivalent words in our language. Nobody thinks less of you if you're smart, shy, or talk about transistors on occasion. There are no "popular kids", and even the scariest kid in school is not a bully.

So, again, what is wrong with US schools?

[ajuc]

I'm from Poland, I think we have similiar culture, at least we had when I was in primary school (in early 90').

You're right that there was nothing uncool with being good at math, or at computers - in fact people were jealeus about that(especially when you showed off that you "don't need to study"). But I experienced bullying nonethless, because I was shy kid with asthma, that couldn't play football or basketball. And other kids also experienced bullying, because of different reasons.

But it stopped when I got to secondary school in bigger city. Just because all the bullies went to worse schools, because they couldn't pass the exam.

Also - maybe it's rationalizing, but I think my primary school experience was good for me. At least I hope I won't forget what it feels like to be ostracized.

EDIT: I think it's very easy for kids that pass their particular school test for coolness (and for their parents), to overlook that some other kids are bullied in their school.

It just doesn't seem like a big deal that some people are "unpopular". When somebody is comfortable in a class, most bullying techniques won't work on him, and in effect seems harmless to him. Bullying isn't just beating up. Kids are very cruel sometimes, and they use psychical tricks for bullying, too. In my primary school one girl was always laughed off for stinking (I think she did not, really, but it's not the point). Kids made it into a play - they escaped from her, to not be "infected" with stinking. To parents - it's just some kids playing. But for that girl it wasn't easy probably. I'm ashamed to this day that I've participated in this, because I've tried to make them stop bullying me. Well, it was a good lesson at least.

[Tooluka]

I'm from Ukraine and I can say that at least in case of one school you are wrong. There was complete pack of school BS - nerds, geeks, alpha's, omega's, dominance games, bullying, etc. etc. And it was a little better than average school in the capital. I wondered at times what it is like in the regional schools... PS: you don't need to call geek "a geek" to bully him ;)

[xixi77]

Those (regional or generally crappy) places can actually be better for some people -- true, bullying for the select unlucky few can be far worse, but on the other hand in my experience the rest of the students tend to be less cliquish compared to the "a little better than average" places.

[crazygringo]

I think one important cultural thing is that, in the US, schools really are the center of your social life, including after-school sports, clubs, etc.

There are other countries where school is just school (more like a job), where there are no sports/clubs/etc., and your social life revolves more around your family and long-term friends. Sports might come from totally separate organizations. In this case, school is much less of a social thing. So maybe that has something to do with it.

[d0mine]

There is "ботан" in Russian (pejorative version of "nerd") http://ru.wiktionary.org/wiki/ботаник

[bearmf]

You must be joking. Bullying in Russian and Ukrainian schools is probably much more severe than in US. It is common for people to get beaten.

[xixi77]

there may be no similar words, and indeed the social structure is different, so transistors would not get you into immediate trouble; but, my guess is that you have been rather lucky -- either due going to somewhat unusual schools, or due to not noticing what was happening around you.