Correct use of the comma.

My teachers always told me that putting the comma there was more of a European English thing, and that Americans don't do that much. It seems more natural to me to put the comma because a comma symbolizes a pause, etc..

Is that a bad thing? lol

I myself only follow the rule everyone should do: place comma where you feel it. I feel it a little unnecessary to put it in front of and and or, but I don't think it's wrong.