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“Europeans, What Do You Imagine Life In The United States To Be Like?” (30 Answers)
Interview
When you picture the United States, where does your mind go? Gorgeous national parks featuring almost every biome, friendly people who will say hello to you as you pass them on the street, a diverse population where you can certainly find people you mesh with, and a wide variety of fascinating cities? As an American who lives in Europe, I’m always curious what people think about my home country. They say the grass is always greener on the other side, but do Europeans really think that about the United States?
Reddit user DerpDerp3001 recently started a conversation asking Europeans what they imagine living in the United States is like, and hundreds of people weighed in with their honest answers. We’ve gathered some of their replies down below, so feel free to upvote the ones you resonate with and dispel any misconceptions in the comments. Keep reading to also find interviews with travel writer Maria Haase, of Europe Up Close, and the person who sparked this conversation in the first place, DerpDerp3001 on Reddit.
If you’re an American, let us know how accurate you think these Europeans were, and if you’re from Europe or anywhere else around the globe, we would love to hear how you picture the United States as well. Then if you’re interested in checking out a Bored Panda article examining what Americans find odd about Europe, look no further than right here.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Constant worry.
Worry about if I have an accident & it costs me hundreds of thousands in medical bills.
Worry about getting a job which will allow me to have some sort of health benefits in the first place which will still cost a lot of money.
Worry about making it through the day and not being shot because I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Worry about the cost of living from any job I do get because everyone seems to have two jobs as standard.
Worry about being r*ped, becoming impregnated and then forced to raise the child because men in power have more rights over my body than I do. Also worry about being able to afford to care for said child as the same men who refuse me an abortion, will not allow me help to feed it/care for it.
So yea, I can’t imagine life in America being at all relaxing.
Coffee panda 3 years ago
The greatest country in the world. Just uses its citizen for labour and military.
Falcon on Dizzy 3 years ago
greatest country in the world for about 1% of the people that live in it
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Emily M 3 years ago
Are you telling me that if I move to europe my overall anxiety will improve? Because sign me up
Alexandra Davis 3 years ago
I don't worry about any of those things happening and I live in Europe. I holiday in the USA a lot and flights are fairly cheap, so nothing stopping you visiting back home every once in a while! Come on over!
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Vanessa Panerosa 3 years ago
These worries are my real life nightmares. OP hit the nail on the head. The last worry I will add is worrying about getting sued. People in America love to sue. I marvel at the lack of liability Europe takes and moreover their attitude of, “use common sense. What did you think would happen, idiot?” Lololol
BoredPandaSucks 3 years ago (edited)
I imagine that if it continues on its current path, the US will be the next country ruled by a tyrannical religious cult. they have already taken a pretty good choke hold on the supreme court.
Fishbear 3 years ago
It's been ruled by tyrannical Christian ideologies since its inception, this is not new
Load More Replies... Cee 3 years ago
This may be the most terrifyingly accurate perception of what’s going in the US
Pepe Silvia 3 years ago
Completely inaccurate. I have yet to meet a person who is not addicted to drugs that does not get what they need. And if you actually work and dedicate yourself you will end up with more than you can imagine.
Load More Replies... Just Jeff 3 years ago
This is going to be an entertaining thread for me (an American) to read.
that girl 3 years ago
Row vs wade is the beginning of downfall. Medical care, cost of living, jobs, listening to the news is depressing as can be. The greed is so sad, the line of wealth and below is incredibly sad. The racism is disgusting. Yet- not all of us are horrible, just trying to live and set those anxieties aside if/when possible to find some joy. Private prisons. Min wage? Joke and sad. I'm scared of the outcome from November elections. I cannot think too much about it because I'm worrying about the tree that fell on my house and paying off daughters student loans and medical bills. So yeah.
ohjojo (you/your's) 3 years ago
I'm American. I agree. Where do you recommend moving to? I'm ready to go
Stein-Inge Kummeneje 3 years ago
Western or northern Europe. All of those countries speak English and have civilized laws and social systems.
Load More Replies... MonicaChicagoGal 3 years ago
I'm still on a payment plan from a medical bill from 2017 and today just received another medical bill for $569.00 for out patient one day surgery.
Blanket statements about any place or group of people are rarely accurate, so it’s important to note that anyone who attempts to generalize the entire United States is likely to be a little off in their assumptions. After living in Sweden, England and Lithuania, as well as traveling to many other nations, I’ve heard just about every stereotype and misconception in the book. No, I’ve never seen guns in the grocery store, and I’ve never personally seen or handled one at all. (And I have no desire to.) I’m from Texas, but I don’t have a horse, live on a ranch or eat meat. And I know, I don’t “sound like” I’m from Texas, much to many people’s disappointment.
But I can’t really blame people for assuming some of these things about the US. From Europe, it seems so far away, and most of the media about the United States that we receive over here doesn’t paint it in the best light. Every country has its own issues, but I understand how some people can only hear about guns, healthcare, Donald Trump, obesity rates and the lack of public transit and assume the entire United States is a cesspool.
RELATED:
#2
I spent six months there in the nineties and loved it.
However when I read about employment rights/healthcare/abortion issues, tbh it sounds like it's going backwards fast.
I suspect the U.S is like most countries, great if you're rich, pretty s**t if you're poor.
Kayjunmoon 3 years ago
Actually that last sentence is not true. Obviously money smooths life’s edges but I live in a poor Southern European town. No one has to worry about medical bills, ever. Education is the same, high quality for all. No one in this town is ever short of food, ever. Unemployment is high but the authorities know this and turn a blind eye to the ‘grey’ economy of cash in pocket for casual labour. There are four union offices in the town and they help anyone with paperwork etc for free.
ohjojo (you/your's) 3 years ago
Yes Kay, let's remember we're talking about the US here. You may have a great or at least have things easy. The US has gone backwards and continues to do so
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Stormy Donelson 3 years ago (edited)
I am what is called the working poor, and there are resources for poor people. My insurance is paid for, the government gives food stamps, there are food banks, and government housing. I know that is not the case for all, I volunteer with an organization that beings food to the homeless and migrant communities, but the US is not a wasteland.
Henry Crank 3 years ago
Yeah if you're rich America is awesome but really no better than other wealthy nations. Except the guns. Too many guns and people that fetishize them.
Elizabeth Krigsvold 3 years ago
It's shitty all around. A government we can't believe or trust, BLM acting like it's still antebellum times, people mad about it being indigenous people month, no jobs, and here I am, a half Sioux half white broad just wanting to work and live
Nichole Harris 3 years ago
I'm poor... My life is freaking awesome!!! I've everything I need and a few things I want.
jevais 3 years ago
No way does life in Switzerland is anything like life in the usa. We have one of the best public schools, rarely people have two to three jobs at the same time, our social system guarantees proper housing, medical care and food for those who can't pay for the above. Our taxes are surely high but this permits to have a country that takes care of all the population.
Janet Graham 3 years ago
Those with wealth live better everywhere. There is still a vibrant middle class and not strictly haves and have-nots.
To hear how this conversation started in the first place, we reached out to Reddit user DerpDerp3001. “I was inspired as I am curious of how people interpret things and stereotypes,” they shared. They told us that they are American, so we were curious what their opinions are on the US and if they enjoy living there. “I would say the United States could be better but, it isn't bad by any metric. If I had the option, I would stay in the United States in my home state Tennessee, though I would move to Ecuador if I had the chance.”
We also asked if they feel the US is ever unfairly stereotyped or if it deserves some of its negative reputation. “I do think the United States is unfairly stereotyped, though many of them are heavy exaggerations of real issues,” they noted. “The best thing about the United States is the diversity as it is a melting pot. The worst part is probably the voting system they use.”
#3
It's to live surrounded by people who believe a myth of exceptionalism and have never interrogated the why of their own society.
I've been to the US (the East coast) about a dozen times and from experience people are well educated and completely lacking in critical self reflection.
The middle and upper class in the US sometimes pity the working class, but they don't understand how their society has created the inequality that is rife.
When you go out and speak to working class people the overriding sense is fear and anxiety. Will I have a medical bill I can't afford to pay today? Will I be sacked for no reason? If I am fired will I get unemployment? You see it on Reddit every day.
To me, as someone who believes in equality and egalitarianism, the US is a hellscape. It is a snapshot of a world where greed is king, where the entire society is structured around providing wealth for a tiny few, where the fascists weren't confronted and have attracted nearly half the vote, where race somehow matters to people on a fundamental level in a way that it just doesn't here.
Nonbinary Reptile 3 years ago
It's even worse for those with mental illness and/or substance abuse.
Just Jeff 3 years ago
It's like we (yes, I'm an American) don't even recognize them as complete individuals. It's so sad.
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Coolwhip 3 years ago (edited)
I did not know that US citizens walk around with a constant worry of possibly getting fired or a medical emergency happening.
Richard 3 years ago
Its more corporatism. Most of Europe is comprised of capitalist nations, they still manage to take care of their citizens.
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Misty-Dawn Amayi 3 years ago
American here. For best, worst, and irrelevant in equal measure, the majority of us are self-aware enough, if only in realizing that calling out a problem doesn't also solve it, and certainly, neither does idealism. Knowing what went wrong with an entire country takes perception of the larger picture, not introspection. This wasn't some overnight hijack. This is a decades-long battle of monopoly-by-attrition, misplaced and neglected priorities, rapid and profound leaps of technology, climate change, and changes of paradigm between generations, and we are slowed, because we clung to our antiquated traditions far past the time when those values were proven dysfunctional or made obsolete, and we need to get caught up to the present. Gee, wonder if ours is the only country or nation that's guilty of that. Your life is a very simple one. The welfare of a nation is a hell of a lot more complex.
BoredPandaSucks 3 years ago
or how am i going to recover the 5 years of savings my 401K has lost in the past 6 months?
Pepe Silvia 3 years ago
Vote Republican and wait 5 more years. Problem solved and then some. Unfortunately the wholesale mass import of the third world has entrenched democrat commies into power and they eff everything up.
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KSir 3 years ago (edited)
Greed is king in the USA and many of us are so tired and disgusted by it. I believe that is why people are so angry right now. It all boils down to the fact that we are not valued and are replaceable. There is no such thing as retirement anymore. We used to have a country where people worked their entire lives for one company and their payment for that loyalty was reassurance that you can retire and be okay. No one is safe now and it is wrecking our dignity, our society and our health. We are disposable.
#4
Uncertain..the fact that you can get fired just like that, the lack of paid sick leave or paid absence due to giving birth, the cost of health services...I don't know how you guys do it, without having a panic attack every week.
RafCo (he/him) 3 years ago
I only have panic attacks on days that end in 'y'
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Tim Granger 3 years ago
When I had a heart attack my first thought was "How am I going to pay for this?!"
Niki A 3 years ago
I am due to have a baby in April, and I know I will have a c-section and the recovery is longer than the standard six weeks they give (unpaid). In order to not starve, I have to make sure I have enough sick leave built up to cover at least 8 weeks. I am a teacher, and thank goodness it backs up to summer vacation. But this is RIDICULOUS that I can be forced to give birth, pay through the roof, but have no money to feed or care for a child once they are born.
KING ILLEGAL FOREST 3 years ago (edited)
lol do you know how much medication I'm on so that I'm not constantly panicking
Cassi Lyris 3 years ago
Oh that's easy to answer; we do! Had my first "mental breakdown" at 10. That was 30 years ago. It's only gotten worse since then.
To gain more insight on this topic, we also reached out to travel writer, photographer and Editor-in-chief of Europe Up Close, Maria Haase. As someone who has experience living in both Europe and the United States, Maria is the perfect person to speak on this subject. "I grew up in Germany, and my family would travel around the US every year in a motorhome. We'd drive from San Francisco to New York, LA to Florida, San Diego to Seattle and many places in between," she shared.
"While I saw a lot of the States, it was still through the tourist lens, and I wanted to get to experience the 'real' US," Maria told Bored Panda. "So I signed up for a High School Exchange Year. I was placed with a host family in rural Louisiana, where my host dad would shoot squirrels for dinner, and the biggest attraction was going to Walmart on Saturdays. Talk about culture shock! But I also met some of the kindest and friendliest people there that turned this year into an amazing experience for me. And I certainly got what I was looking for: To get to know the 'real America'."
#5
I’ve been to the US a few times and never had a bad encounter. A lot of really nice people, genuinely nice interactions.
As an outsider looking in, the working rights and the healthcare is absolutely insane to me and a crying shame for some of the kindest, most giving people I’ve come into contact with as a foreigner.
Rostit . 3 years ago
Funny how this one has no comments. I welcome people from other countries to visit. I love hosting people and having them enjoy their time here.
Glynn Reid 3 years ago
I concur. I've only been for a fortnight (30 years ago) but every stranger I spoke to was super nice, friendly, interested and interesting.
Load More Replies... Devon Archer 3 years ago
America is an incredibly beautiful place! Most people are very nice people who are just trying to make a life. Quality of life has dropped pretty tremendously here in the last decade or so.
RafCo (he/him) 3 years ago
As a foreigner living in the United States, I'd say Americans are generally friendly, at least friendlier than Northern Europeans. But this is very dependent on where in the US. I find people in Boston are less friendly than people in Atlanta. I would also add that most of even the most conservative people are also very sweet and kind. But beware of Trumpers. They can turn violent very quickly if they get offended or triggered. They are very delicate snowflakes, except instead of melting they throw full cans of beer at you. Actually, now that I think on it, Americans get very offended very easily in general. They also apologize in advance for saying things they know will be offensive. You will hear a lot of "No offense but..."
David Bruce 3 years ago
it is known around the united states that the southerners have a more polite society
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MagicJacket 3 years ago
We as Americans are quite nice and outgoing and helpful. It's a cultural thing. Not everyone, but probably most. Pretty amazing how we can maintain that when the country has been literally falling apart for decades while we are spoonfed absolute BS about this being the greatest nation in the world. America CLEARLY is not the greatest. We are the best at some things, but not the most important ones, those that pertain to serving the needs and interests of citizens. Education, healthcare, housing, crime, infrastructure...all terrible or becoming terrible in the USA.
Burnt Bagel 3 years ago
The American health care system is a complete joke. Capitalism at its absolute worst.
Rich Cronshey 3 years ago
I've travelled a lot and lived as an expat, but I was born in the US and still live here voluntarily., at least for the time being I think people in the US are basically guile-less and kind. The current economic system wrings the joy of living out of people and pits us against one another in a struggle for resources that are actually plentiful. It's needless, a heartbreaking de-humanizing spectacle.
RoanTheMad 3 years ago
This exactly for me, as a European, I would LOVE to visit the US (in particular, Portland and Seattle) but gawwwd, given all my health issues and such, and my not being able to keep my mouth shut in an argument.. I'd either get myself in danger, or end up with nothing because of health costs... I could never live there.
#6
First world country with third world problems
Odin Schmidt 3 years ago
Third world country pretending to be a first world country and getting closer to being a fourth world country!
Niki 3 years ago
This person clearly watches too much Fox News. The borders are not open. Their statement is demonstrably false.
Load More Replies..."After a short stint back in Germany, I moved back to the US," Maria explained. "This time, I ended up at a small international university in San Diego, where I met my now husband. Because of him, I got 'stuck' in San Diego. There are definitely worse places to get stuck in than San Diego."
We asked Maria what the main differences were that she observed between the US and Europe. "Culture shock between the US and Germany is not as obvious, but it exists and sneaks up on you," she shared. "Americans are much more focused on the individual while Germans tend to focus on the benefit of the whole community."
"One stereotype that I found to be very true were the various cliques in high school," she added. "Before I moved to the US, I always thought that was a movie cliché, but it turned out to be a reality when I did my senior year in the US."
#7
Moved to the US from Europe 5 months ago. What's most noticeable to me is that you have to drive everywhere and that everyone calls me soft-spoken... In Europe I was perceived as loud.
October 3 years ago
The only North-Americans I knew were the ones I had seen on television, so I thought all of them were really good looking. It was very dissapointing when I got to the US and saw that the average person was half as high and twice as wide as the average European.
Sally Horrocks 3 years ago
Reminds me of the first time I went to Florida with my 15 year old body-conscious daughter. I think she expected everyone to look as if the casts of Lost and Friends had mated!
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Liam LaRose 3 years ago
The only reason why people have to drive everywhere is 1) the US has territory spreading from the Pacific and Atlantic. Literally everywhere in all of north and maybe south America you have to drive everywhere because of territory size. 2) our urban planning has mainly been just single mixed planning as suburbs are disconnected from the big cities. The reason why Europe isn't as much like that is because it's also not spanning thousands of miles across two oceans, and of how a majority of cities are multi mixed and also from the medieval or Renaissance period where people just built their houses above their shops. Yes it sucks but that's how it is.
Appalachian Panda 3 years ago
That said, our government could certainly stand to invest more in public transit. It’ll likely never be like Europe or Japan but it doesn’t have to suck as much as it does.
Load More Replies... Therese Pammit 3 years ago
Maybe you moved to NYC? There, it's nearly a requirement to be rude...
Peter Krois 3 years ago
For 20 years I spend every summer two months in the USA. I love it there you don't get valued by how you are dressed, everyone at his freedom. In nyc people are short, not unnecessary Long talking but always helpful. .
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Janet Graham 3 years ago
That is why they consider Americans to be loud. It all depends on the part of the country you are in. Some of us speak slower, some faster, too.
Crow (he/they) 3 years ago
I hate how much Americans talk. I live in Seattle, the only place where people are normal, and it creeps me out so much
#8
As someone who has travelled to America lots of times and absolutely loves a lot of aspects of the country especially the landscapes, the national parks and food. I can say for me the US is a beautiful country with lots of great places and lots of great people. But everything you need from a country to make life nice when you actually live there is missing unless you are wealthy.
Mykidsartrocks 3 years ago
It is nice without wealth. But it is also very hard sometimes. If they raise the price of groceries again am I going to be able afford my next doctor visit? If my child's school fees go up again can I afford her clothes? If the cost of clothing goes up again can I afford the grocery bill that week? It is a never ending cycle of juggling.
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Old Smoke Eater 3 years ago
I live just fine on a civil service pension. Plus, I don't pay over half of it in taxes like socialist Europe does
Elizabeth Krigsvold 3 years ago
Not wealthy? It's a we don't care society filled with the wealthy being able to say "sucks to be MIDDLE CLASS" because not even the middle class, like me, on retirement benefits from 23 years in the army along with working for the USPS 60 hours a week, can afford to survive. And there's a difference between survival and living.
James Burke 3 years ago
You started off so when then went off the rails. Americans, in general, are a happy people who live great lives. We do have poor people but that makes us no different than any other country on Earth. I'm upper middle class now but lived most of my life well below the poverty line and have never found the US anything but a wonderful place to live.
Artistic Panda (he him) 3 years ago
I’m guessing this person only saw the surface. The illusion of grandeur
Janet Graham 3 years ago
Like what? Most people have 'enough' due to social programs that take care of all their essential needs like food, medical coverage, housing, and transportation. While there are always those who have so much more than they need and those who want more no matter how much they have, most are content to work for a living and enjoy life.
We were also curious if there were any misconceptions about the US that Maria wanted to dispel. "I think one of the biggest misconceptions about the US is to think of it as one culture," she said. "Yes, they are all Americans, but someone from California vs someone from Louisiana probably has about as much shared culture as someone from Sweden with someone from Italy. There are so many different cultures within the US, it is impossible to think of it as one shared culture."
#9
Expensive healthcare. Me who fought cancer for 2 years with free med care in Norway would have been destroyed in USA. I can rather say that i could not imagen a life in USA, cause i would be dead over there and lost my life.
Mykidsartrocks 3 years ago
You are lucky to live in such a country. I battles cancer and lost my job because I was battling cancer and was not eligible for FMLA yet as I was two months shy of my one year mark.
LazyPanda 3 years ago (edited)
I'm so sorry...this post is probably the most potent of all. To think death and devastation was the likely path had they been in this country, which is supposed to be civilized, is truly atrocious. FMLA it is the absolute bare minimum and I hate that employeers tote it around like it's some glowing benefit. And then that they have all these ridiculous stipulations around it on top of that. Ugh.
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Odin Schmidt 3 years ago
Sad, but true. Congratulations on beating cancer and on having the available, affordable (free) healthcare to do it.
Ms. Human Being 3 years ago
Everybody please understand that the downvote button isn’t a dislike button. You can not agree with what someone says, but keep in mind that unless it’s like a MLM or something don’t downvote. After 10 downvotes, you get temporarily banned. Just wanted to put this out there.
Mike Ipsen 3 years ago
I fought cancer here in the US too. I never saw a bill for my treatments, but then I have good coverage from my employer.
Lorna Lay 3 years ago
I survived cancer in the US but even with good insurance I still had to file bankruptcy afterwards because it left me over $20,000 in debt, and there is no grace period for paying it back. It’s hard to make money while you’re healing from mastectomy, taking a year of chemo, 33 radiation treatments, four other surgeries, and a blood transfusion. The healthcare system is crazy.
Old Smoke Eater 3 years ago
That's ok. The rest of the socialists in your country paid for it with your obscene taxes
Elizabeth Krigsvold 3 years ago
My deceased husband had 2 transplants and it was 7 years after he died before I could afford to feed myself and our son. Forget seeing a doctor or having anything that I considered a luxury
James Burke 3 years ago
A country is fast more than it's healthcare system which is a good thing. Most aspects of America are great, our healthcare system which is state of the art will quickly bankrupt people with a serious problem.
#10
Big. Big country, big cars, big buildings, big voices, big personalities, big ambitions, the Big Apple, the Big Sky Country, Big Sur. Big portions.
Mare 3 years ago
Americans actually get criticized by each other for not having big ambitions; if you aren't ambitious you are either boring or admitting your incompetence. Both of which are a kiss of death for your social life. Teenagers are pushed to exhibit leadership, even though in reality 30% or fewer of people ever have a paid leadership role. A competent assistant can be extremely important but no one values them. Children who like art are pushed to not waste time on it unless they want to do it as a full time job.
Finally, we asked Maria if she prefers one country or continent over the other. "When you have experienced multiple countries for long periods of time, you will have a unique perspective on the benefits and drawbacks of both," she told Bored Panda. "As a small business owner, I'm grateful for how easy the US makes it for me to run my business. On the other hand, I wish the US had more of a social safety net and more progressive politics. Each country has things they do extremely well, and other things that they could learn from other countries. I love living in San Diego, but I also hope to spend more time in Germany in the next couple of years."
If you're interested in gaining travel insight from Maria, be sure to check out Europe Up Close right here.
#11
Impossible to generalise. To the best of my knowledge, it varies enormously place to place, between socio-political and economic backgrounds, and between various groups.
It seems to have every good and every horrible thing thinkable of.
Overall, I'd say the standard of living is comparable, and in the grand scheme of things world class, but if things go bad, life becomes hell, and when things go well, they go brilliantly .
If it helps, I really found visiting America great fun, and found out most Americans are nice people, and you have this sense of optimism and hope, which I really appreciate.
Chris 3 years ago
While this is mostly true, from living in various countries and the US, I can say that we grossly underestimate how many Americans live in the “bad” circumstances you describe. 1 in 9 or more people in the US experience going hungry on a daily basis, 10% have no access to sanitation, etc. In contrast, in Germany for example these numbers are below below 2 in 100 or 1% respectively… When visiting I never noticed the extent of this, but living in different states you start to see it.
Niki A 3 years ago
Part of the issue is this overwhelming fear that someone is "violating your rights" or "I can do what I want, it's a free country." While no one should be violating your rights and privacy, our freedoms do have limits, and we somehow fail to convey this properly in school.
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Michelle C 3 years ago
That’s also my experience as a born and bred American. I agree that there’s a lot in our country that needs fixing, but there’s far more beauty than many people see here, too!
Amy Taylor 3 years ago
Every state may as well be a different country. Big cities are vastly different than middle America.
James Burke 3 years ago
You are mostly correct. There seems to be a lot of comments about poverty in America which exists but isn't nearly as bad as what most of the European respondents seem to believe. Based on the numbers I found the poverty rate for the United States is on par with most countries in the EU and of the countries that are outside of that box America beats them. So our poverty rate is not worse than the puberty rates throughout Europe. Or median income is above most European countries so when you factor in the two extremes the average citizen in the United States is actually better off financially than the average European.
Lucas 3 years ago
Mostly? It's the social network of protection for those in poverty though. If you're going to be poor and struggling that is better in most of Europe. The minimum wages are also higher than in the US on average. Median income is skewed and not a helpful figure. Yes, the 'average' person is better off but that doesn't compare standard of living. If you look at Quality of Life indices the US doesn't make the top 10. Neither does my country so I'm not having a go - but the OP's post seems pretty spot on.
Load More Replies... #12
I better get a driver’s license if I end up living there.
indiecognition 3 years ago
The picture actually shows one of the few US cities where that doesn't apply (NYC)
Well-Dressed Wolf 3 years ago
In my area (Southern California), we know we HAVE buses/a bus mass transit system, but it has the overall stigma of “ew you take the BUS??” :(
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Leslie Cookietown 3 years ago
Large cities in America have good public transit (buses, subways, elevated tran in Chicago & biking is an option for some - depending on the weather -but otherwise, you'll need a vehicle.
Cindy M 3 years ago
It depends on the city. Most major cities have public transit, but it can be circuitous and take a long time.
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Amy Taylor 3 years ago
I live in Los Angeles (in the suburbs,, 20 miles away from Downtown LA) and I'm finding more and more young adults just using ride share and public transportation because cars and insurance are insane here.
Melissa Gallo 3 years ago
I lived in downtown Boston, possibly one of few cities where driving isn't necessary. I can't even drive - but I agree, I couldn't have gone to live in many other cities because of that
Niki A 3 years ago
I live in a rural area, and we do not have public transportation, sanitation pickup, public water, or Door Dash, Uber, Lyft or anything like that. We more or less have to tend to sanitation, yard management, food, and transportation ourselves. I live 30 mins from my job, and if my car breaks down, I can't get to work.
Pheebs 3 years ago
It really depends on where you live. Bigger cities tend to have multiple sources of public transport. Some states it’s easier to walk from your house to a store, or even bike between towns. Other states have a lot of sprawl because the land isn’t good for continuous development (looking at you Florida, with your swamp land, and c**p public transport).
One of the comments on this Reddit thread referred to the United States as “basically 50 countries under a trenchcoat”, and I could not have said it better myself. Europeans often don’t want the entire continent of Europe to be generalized, and understandably so, as there are a wide variety of countries, cultures, languages and landscapes here. But if we try to think about the United States in the same way, it starts to make a little more sense. Depending on the state and city you live in, you could have a vastly different experience than someone else living thousands of miles away. I mean, Alaska and Hawaii are both the United States, and those certainly feel like different countries.
Yes, certain issues are prevalent everywhere. I will be the first to address the issues of healthcare, inequality, lack of public transit, guns and more. But I have to agree with one of the comments on this post stating that the United States is probably “pretty ordinary”. I never spent my days fearing that I would be shot in public or that I would end up in the hospital with a $100k bill. For the most part, life was not that different there, and I have to admit that I was happy.
#13
Seems like the social ladder is just overstretched. It's better to be a cashier in Europe than in the US, better to be a software developer in the US than in Europe.
I definitely prefer Europe in that regard, even if I know for a fact that I'd be making three times as much in the US. imo It's just part of the social contract that those at the bottom of the ladder should be able to live life in dignity, even if it's at the "expense" of those at the top. It's not the only reason, among other things american work culture would overwhelm me, 8 hours of work, 8 hours of leasure, 8 hours of sleep is how it should be. And I'm not about to burn the midnight oil and burn out and not have a life outside my job just because "that's how things work around here", too depressing of a prospect for me. (at will law is insane by the way)
That said It's on my bucketlist to visit it one day. Seems like a lovely country to do tourism in, but working and living there isn't that enticing.
Mia Black 3 years ago
To be said: the 8 hours work, 8 hours leasure and 8 hours sleep mostly doesn’t work and has to be changed too. Commute and household eats up so much free time, that you sometimes have to cut on the 8 hours sleep too, to get All done. And you can rarely make it just with one income for two people if one stays at home to do the chores
Janet Graham 3 years ago
Either move closer to work or work closer to home. My best years were when I worked 20 minutes from home working 8 hours per day. And that was with kids and both of us working. The commute is always the killer of time and energy.
Load More Replies... Janet Graham 3 years ago
Most of us do have 40-hour-per-week jobs and do not 'burn the midnight oil'. There are fields that require that and they pay you to sell them your soul. If you don't want long hours, don't work in that field.
#14
I don’t understand how you are letting Roe v Wade be overturned. ‘Yeah we want to force women to get unsafe illegal abortions or carry pregnancies to term no matter what harm it will cause. Because once you’re pregnant, you don’t matter.’ Edit: I know Roe v Wade mandates access to safe medical abortion. You know that not everyone living in the states that decide to remove that right have the ability or desire to pack up and move to another place where pregnant women aren’t discriminated against.
Crazy Dog Lady 3 years ago
It's all a way to control people. Rich people will always have access to abortion when they need one. They want poor people to stay in poverty, you can't rise up if you're poor and are more concerned about where your next meal is coming from.
alias D. 3 years ago
They don’t care what happens to the baby after it’s born social welfare in the fostering system sucks healthcare sucks it’s. They only give a s**t about is making damn sure the woman stay pregnant. Because the word of God has given them divine intervention to prevent abortion or it would interfere with his plan. Dumbassas
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Salvador Ciappara 3 years ago (edited)
Roe v Wade was overturned because there is absolutely nothing in the U.S. Constitution that guarantees the right to obtain a abortion. No matter how you choose to interpret the written word. Period. What the Constitution guarantees and protects are the individual States their right in determining whether or not to allow abortion to take place within their state boundaries. It is now on the States to either strengthen existing laws, pass legislation supporting the right to obtain a abortion, or deny the right to obtain a abortion.
YinzerGhost 3 years ago
Because the Republican Party spent the last few decades packing the courts with religious zealots and now the Supreme Court is full of them too. The minority of whackos are legislating with their fairytale books.
James Burke 3 years ago
You completely misunderstand how our government is supposed to work. Roe v Wade was not a valid decision under our constitution which is another way of saying it isn't legal. To legalize abortion all the abortion activists need to do is write bills, submit them to legislatures, debate the issue, and coincidence petite to vote for it. In other words they simply need to follow the legal Democratic process instead of relying on unelected, largely unaccountable political appointees.
David Moore 3 years ago
Maybe we just think you're killing an innocent life because of a choice YOU and your PARTNER made. That's not right.
Charlotte Richards 3 years ago
You know what, I could just point out that you're wrong, but instead I'm going to be nice and teach you something instead. Two things, to be specific. One. Your username suggests that you are a man or boy. Statistically, most men and boys do not have the capacity to become pregnant. Therefore this entire topic probably won't impact your life at all, in fact you're more likely to be negatively impacted than positively impacted. Such as having a sibling, cousin, or other female family member who dies because she couldn't get an abortion. Two. I found an article which nicely highlights in much greater detail than you should need why abortion should be legal. Nice to know the other side's points before you argue, yeah? Isn't that what they taught you in school? Here it is: https://www.listland.com/top-10-arguments-in-support-of-abortion/.
Load More Replies... UtanaYona 3 years ago (edited)
Part 1 (This is my opinion. If you don’t like it...fine, but I have the right to my belief just like you have a right to yours) Maybe I’m missing something here. With the understanding that I am not talking about rape. Rather than focusing on abortion rights, wouldn’t it be better to focus on personal responsibility? Women, like men, should have the right to have as much sex as they want and with who they want. That is their CHOICE. But there should be education so that they know what their (I’m talking about men and women both) choices lead to. For example: it’s would appear that abortion is needed for the unwanted pregnancies, which are magic and randomly happen to women at no fault to them. (That is sarcasm) Basic biology teaches that without a contraceptive, sex can result in a pregnancy.
Lisa Misiak 3 years ago
Learn the facts. The Supreme Court returned the power to the states to decide for themselves. The voters in each now decide if it should be legal or not, instead of the federal government. Sounds like the EXACT OPPOSITE of what people are screaming about. Abortion is is still available. Most of this hysteria is over a false narrative.
Penny Kemper 3 years ago
Wasn't really overturned the US government just decide each state should make their own rules/laws and the US government should not be making these decisions.
Stosh S 3 years ago
It was literally overturned, what you're trying to say is "wasn't really made illegal..." Because they literally overturned roe v Wade and I don't understand how you can, in good conscience, misrepresent what happened. It also raises questions for me about how you really feel about this because you felt compelled to reframe the reality of the situation in a way that you were comfortable with in order to accept it. That tells me you're not and needed the workaround the justify what you're saying because you don't actually believe it was the right decision.
Load More Replies... UtanaYona 3 years ago
Part 2. I believe that it is the man’s responsibility to wear protection in order to prevent a pregnancy. Men don’t want to be financially responsible, then they should wear protection or don’t have sex. If a woman conceives then the man should be responsible for the upkeep of that child. Women...don’t want a child...make the man wear protection or don’t have sex. Either way both men and women need to take responsibility for their actions before the need of an abortion.
On the other hand, I will admit that my quality of life has certainly improved since moving to Europe. I enjoyed my life in the United States very much, and certain things were easier of course, like making friends and just feeling more comfortable everywhere I went, knowing that I “fit in”. But living in cities where I can walk, bike or take buses everywhere I need to go has changed my life. Not to mention it has made me much healthier, and I spend so much more time outside enjoying a beautiful day during my commute to and from work.
Many things are also just simpler. After spending a week in the hospital incredibly ill with sepsis, I did not have to pay a dime. My insurance covered it without any issues. When I got Covid, my employer gave me a paid week off without asking any questions or pressuring me to start working before I was healthy. I was definitely used to toxic work culture, hustle culture and the idea that everyone having a car is just a necessary evil when I lived in the US, but my perspective has definitely shifted since moving.
#15
Honestly, I've always been so grateful that I don't live in the US, that is because of the things I see on the media. (Healthcare costs, politics) I know there are also so many reasons why people love it, but for me it would be the way you can go from a beach to mountains to big cities and even tropical, desert and winter climates without leaving the country. That's pretty cool.
Well-Dressed Wolf 3 years ago
Heck, in Southern California, you can go from big cities, to mountains, to the desert, to snow, and to beaches, all within a two-hour drive of each other XD
James Burke 3 years ago
Do not rely on 'the media' to inform you in American life because they care only about ratings and their political agendas. The average American is a happy, friendly person just living our life. I live in Virginia and we have beaches, mountains, plains, lakes, forests, and swamps all in the same state. You can spend a lifetime in this country traveling and seeing all of our wildly varying natural spaces and still not see everything.
Burnt Bagel 3 years ago (edited)
For traveling the USA is absolutely amazing. I’ve been to every state and there is so much out there. And yes, overall the people are friendly. It’s our government and social systems that have their heads so far up their partisan asses that we deserve to be the laughing stock of so called first world countries right now. It’s literally a bunch of spoiled little kids fighting in the sandbox!.
Walter Brameld 3 years ago
Well, the "without leaving the country" part isn't really saying all that much. The country is BIG, and the culture can vary enough from place to place that you might as well be in another country. If I want to visit the west coast, I'm either going to the airport or driving for 40 hours not including stops. I mean, it's nice that you don't need a passport or to learn a new language, but still.
Janet Graham 3 years ago
{Please don't believe the mainstream media. I think that they have a distinct agenda to make the US look bad.
#16
An exhausting and unfair journey into debt and/or the grave.
Or if you're born rich : a nice stroll where the whole system is built just for you.
Burnt Bagel 3 years ago
Not when it comes to healthcare. I get your point, but the healthcare system in America is completely out of control.
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Jeseppi Wildfeather 3 years ago
There is some truth to this in all countries. The thing, I think, that makes America different is our multi-cultural cities. What homogenizes us is not our ethnicity, gender, race, or creed, but rather, our capacity to change and improve our lives. Many valuable resources for self improvement are available to all who seek them out. Many opportunities exist for those who are willing to work hard, get wisdom, learn fairness and respect for others, and remain honest and accountable. This is vital for a capitalistic economy where excellence and invention are key to how our system operates. No doubt it is aggressive and there are risks involved. ... One does not need to bribe government workers to get processed as in many nations. Integrity in this country pays off in time. Folly, as in all places, results in eventual failure.
Rosie Hamilton 3 years ago
None of that is particularly unique to the US, though possibly the belief that it is by some! As for multi-cultural cities the US just makes it into the top 5. You have: 1. Toronto, 2. Sydney, 3. Singapore, 4. São Paulo, 5. San Francisco. Then you have 6. New York City, 7. Paris, 8. Los Angeles, 9. London and 10. Amsterdam.
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There are pros and cons to living anywhere, and I certainly miss aspects of the United States at times. For example, in the cities I have lived in, people are just so friendly and kind. I sometimes miss chatting with a cashier at Trader Joe’s about all of the new products I have to try and my excitement for the seasonal items. (Okay, on the list of things I miss, Trader Joe’s has to be at the top. Coffee creamer is in the second slot.) But Europeans have it pretty good too. So no matter where you’re from, I ask that you approach this list with an open mind. No nation or continent is a monolith, and we have no way of knowing what everyone around us is experiencing. Keep upvoting the replies you agree with, and we look forward to reading your own thoughts in the comments. Is the grass greener on the other side?
#17
Pretty ordinary TBH. Media highlights most of the shi**y bits.
Brian bell 3 years ago
But the great bits are pretty great! Not sure I would call America "ordinary" in either case!
Load More Replies... Melissa Gallo 3 years ago
I agree with this - maybe I lived in Boston which is said to be the most European of US cities, but I didn't find the life that different, to be honest
Janet Graham 3 years ago
In the US, you can always move to somewhere that fits your needs better. Here in Colorado, there are many cities where you need not own a car and can bicycle everywhere. The great outdoors is less than an hour away from anywhere. If the work culture is toxic, change jobs.
#18
Dangerous. Dangerous to send a kid to school, dangerous to have said child walk to school alone or use public transport. Dangerous to walk or bike anywhere you want - a car no sidewalks, a car will hit you crossing the street or biking on the side, random attacks, tresspassing by mistake and getting attacked, whatever. Dangerous to leave the front door unlocked. Dangerous to speak openly; someone will get offended at the pronouns you use, ideas you express, how you look at them, that you look at them, that you don’t look at them… something; you will get harrased, sued, attacked, cancelled, something. Dangerous to be black. Dangerous to go to college if your parents can’t afford to pay for it; you might be enslaving yourself for life. Dangerous to get hurt or ill, or even pregnant. You might lose your job, get into debt, be unable to afford adequate care and die of entirely preventable things that kill nobody in the developed world. Dangerous to drink tap water. Just… dangerous.
30_Helens_Agree 3 years ago
It sounds like this person does not understand how large and diverse the US is.
Frando Bone 3 years ago
Their only view is what they see on the news, unfortunately.
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Janet Graham 3 years ago
Oh, you have been brainwashed! Even my town of 150 people has sidewalks! As for offending someone, that can happen anywhere and it becomes their issue and not mine. You are also confusing 'dangerous' with perhaps making a bad decision - it is not dangerous to do something you can't afford, but it is stupid.
Niki A 3 years ago
Um....no. My front door, both cars, and my shed are unlocked. Most people understand pronouns are hard, and most people know that being offended passes. I'm not scared to hang out with diverse people, Lots of places have sidewalks and bike lanes. It's mostly pretty relaxed in reality. The healthcare does suck tho.
Crow (he/they) 3 years ago
Dangerous to be queer, afab, leftist, etc. The only safe thing to be is a conservative, rich, cishet white man who owns more guns than you've seen in your life
Mike Ipsen 3 years ago
Sounds pretty accurate for some areas of the US. Others areas are not dangerous at all.
ThatSunniChick 3 years ago
While some of this is true in some places, it's highly unfair to paint the entirety of a very large country this way. People everywhere have been easier to offend; its the climate of the times unfortunately. A few loud people on the internet does not an overly sensitive population make. I've lived in many places where no one locks their doors, where children grow up racially colorblind (at least I did) and play outside until the streetlights come on. We aren't maniacs driving all over the sidewalks everywhere you look. Lastly I am trying to understand where the last two points come from or are based on. This is not a third world country; we have modern medicine (even though we have people who have been misled and don't believe in it, most still do) and safe drinking water almost everywhere. I hope that one day you do a little more research into this country. Even if you never visit it. These assumptions of the country as a whole just don't fit, and educating yourself never hurts
#19
I'm Norwegian. I have many American friends. Most are musicians. They generally don't have heathcare, and work pretty much hand to mouth. No savings. Conversely, most of these people have toured and seen things, so they are progressive and rad. They are not the norm, though. I imagine life in the US being harder, unsafe and a little more chaotic than in Euro. But there's also an entrepeneur spirit there that I admire. Y'all are very positive.
alias D. 3 years ago
A lot of our these problems can be traced back to America’s expansion and what fueled it and who was feeding it adgendas
Janet Graham 3 years ago
Ha! What fueled the expansion of America was the hundreds of thousands of people who wanted to escape the poverty and lack of a future that was their home country. Many came for religious freedom. Some came to get away from a society where you could go no farther than your ancestors. Some came because they wanted to create. Some just wanted to own something - a house, land, or business.
Load More Replies... James Burke 3 years ago
The average musician will match your description but those of us who have regular jobs do not. I suspect that life in America is no harder than in Europe, I know for a fact that for the overwhelming majority of Americans it's safe, fun and happy.
Janet Graham 3 years ago
We are positive people. Traveling artists of any sort always live hand-to-mouth until they make the big time.
#20
Unsafe, weird beliefs and laws (lgbtq, guns, abortion), f*cked up politicians, a country where Trump was able to become president and -this worries me the most - might become president again. A place where I would never feel comfortable living ever (have been there several times and even have friends there).
Christos Arvanitis 3 years ago
I wonder if many people don't understand how a US president gets elected. Short version- it is NOT by majority vote. It is through the antiquated Electoral College which essentially has resulted in "gerrymandered" districts (look it up), states that give all or nothing of their Electoral College delegates to a single candidate, etc. A vast majority of people absolutely despise Trump in this country. Our political system has essentially been hacked and we live in minority rule in local, state and federal elected offices.
madbakes 3 years ago
Additionally, for presidential elections, rural votes end up counting more. Every state is guaranteed 2 electoral votes, no matter the population. States like Wyoming don't have the population for 2 votes, resulting in each individual's vote in those rural states being worth more than that of a Californian.
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Joey Marlin 3 years ago
Haha, nope. Some countries it's easier to get rid of them though, and of course in some it's harder - with a few impossible. Yet what you replace them with... are they any better? Seems to be the problem stems from a poor quality of choice!
Load More Replies... Liam LaRose 3 years ago
Where do you think we got our s**t political system and raging nationalism that we have taken to extremes? Spoiler it's Europe 🙃
Niki A 3 years ago
Ok, so to break it down, politics has become a straight shitshow. Trying to get people to vote and speak up is like pulling teeth because they think their vote doesn't matter because we aren't all wealthy. I don't know many people who care about anyone being lgbtq+. The rest...yeah we need help.
Just a ray of f'ing sunshine 3 years ago
I swear, Trump gets elected again and one of your countries over in Europe is going to have another resident because I'm out of here. I didn't want him to be elected the first time. I didn't like him before he was president and I like him less now. Now that he proved to the world what a jackass he is.
Janessa Hart 3 years ago
LGBTQ isn’t a belief, we know and validate that these people are real and deserve good lives, which is just common decency
Brian Helt 3 years ago
I don't think that it has anything to do with Trump and the republicans, after all our country is going down the tubes right now. Which party has the majority control on the government at this time?
Joey Marlin 3 years ago
Don't forget that the policies of previous governments can have a lasting impact. I know from the 80s how lasting an impact the economic policies of the time were. Harm can last even decades. It also ignores the fact that no country exists in a vacuum. If the world is having a difficult time economically (for whatever reasons) then that impact has far reaching consequences for most countries.
Load More Replies... #21
Pretty much any episode from South Park.
Well-Dressed Wolf 3 years ago
South Park is sensationalized and made overly-dramatic as it’s humor/parody, but at its core… yeah :/
Michelle C 3 years ago
South Park is basically parodying and satirizing the worst aspects of America constantly as comedic social commentary. It’s nowhere near accurate and it’s not meant to be!
#22
An accurate description of all the flaws of the capitalistic system.
#23
Wack. 99% like anywhere else but extremes are more extreme. Extreme violence in nature and people. Extreme wealth and poverty. Extreme differences. Its not really a country but a conglomerate of very different countries.
Devin Singh 3 years ago
This is the most annoying thing to explain. People living outside the US don't seem to get it. The regional differences in culture, food, even the laws vary so highly. When someone says "Americans do this" or "Americans think that" I always have to explain that's as dumb as generalizing and saying "Europeans all eat baguettes and drink wine." like wtf?
Jeanene Gorske 3 years ago
I somewhat agree, why are we the United States but so divided? Certain things should be universal and equal. The justice system. Why don't all states have a 12 person jury? Or reqire a unanimous vote? Education. Why can't all schools be funded equally? If we really want to see a change in the divide between rich and poor it starts with education.
James Burke 3 years ago
That's what the Untied States means. Each state is a driven entity hehe together by a federal constitution. The majority of political decisions are supposed to be made at the state level and not the federal. Our poverty rate is on par with European nations with a median income better than most European nations. The extent violence claim simply isn't true and what most people don't understand is that the majority of violence is related to drug gangs in cities. The rest of the nation is not plagued with the violence you see sensationalized by the media.
Lucinda Daniel 3 years ago
Really, drug gangs in cities? I live in the country in the United States and we have lots of violence around! Do you live in a gated community? Do you not watch your local news? Everyday I hear about someone killing their own child or someone else's. Maybe I need to move to your part of the U.S.
Load More Replies... Janet Graham 3 years ago
One of the beauties of the US is that we have not tamed our untouched lands. We have preserved them for everyone. I'd say that Australia has more severe weather, as do other parts of the world. And yes, our 50 States and 6 Territories are their own unique places that chose to join as a nation.
#24
British person here, I would think that the houses would be really nice and spacious for the same price as a tiny uk house. However, I also feel artificial foods would be everywhere and unnecessary amounts of fat would be in most foods. I feel people would either obsess over my accent or make fun of it by saying “bo ole of wo a” and their classic tea and crumpet joke. FYI: I don’t like crumpets, and i don’t drink unruly amounts of tea
Tara Moov 3 years ago (edited)
I genuinely don't understand the "bo ole of wo a" comment. What is being referenced? I'm trying to think of any British phrase I've heard used mockingly by Americans taking on fake British accents and can only come up with "Gov'nah" and "Cheerio" and "Bob's your uncle" (not one of which I've ever heard an Englishperson say while I was in the UK). For the record, I'd rather listen to a British accent than a Texan accent any day of the year.
Rosie Hamilton 3 years ago
It's the assumption by some (hopefully not too many) that Brits drop their Ts and Hs. Some people do (those with a particular accent), but most do not.
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RoanTheMad 3 years ago (edited)
This is true, but our food does actually contain less sugars and such, kids are now fed much healthier school meals, etc, and I remember during the covid lockdown, the NHS sent out pamphlets with instructions on simple exercises you can do in the home. We're trying to do something about it. America just seems like it isn't? (correct me if I'm wrong, but I see a LOT of complaints about US school dinners being garbage for example xP)
Load More Replies... Well-Dressed Wolf 3 years ago (edited)
Funny how someone mentions getting mocked with “the old tea and crumpets” generalization when their post is literally a mocking generalization about the behavior of people in another country :(
Joey Marlin 3 years ago
Quite. I've been to the US many times. My British accent wasn't mocked. It was either unnoticed (in the cities) or commented on in an interested and positive way (smaller towns). I also avoided fast food and went to many of the good quality restaurants in the US. Yes, the portions sizes do tend to be bigger (though the higher the quality of restaurant the more normal the portion size) but what you select restaurant-wise and menu-wise is a choice. You don't have to pick fast food, or restaurant chains and you don't have to pick the fatty options.
Load More Replies... A Jones 3 years ago
I fought off my depression from the last two years (depended on fast food and 7-11 as my breakfast go-to) I lost much weight with home cooked meals. Plus a reduction of sugary drinks. Healthy meals are possible in the US, research helps a bunch. It be great if the US promotes more on dietary education in schools for the full k-12 spectrum.
James Burke 3 years ago
You aren't won't except for the accent thing. From my experience the average woman in America finds foreign accents attractive. The average man doesn't give a damn so long as we can figure out what you're saying.
Janet Graham 3 years ago
Yes, that is pretty stereotypical. I do think our average house is bigger and the lots certainly are. But, you choose what to eat and where. You can grow your own food, buy organic or natural food, and buy fatty or lean meat. Plus, there is so much variety in ethnic foods everywhere. You may be mimicked or stereotyped or not. That depends on both your attitude and the folks around you. Chances are that more people would find it fascinating just as you might enjoy our regional dialects.
Michelle C 3 years ago
Many Americans try to be as healthy as possible and I am one of them. I always have and I can’t understand how people who have access to healthy food and drink options in the everyday willingly ignore their access to resources to maintain their health. I can understand why those who may not have that access rely on less healthy food and drink options to sustain them. I’ve come to believe the problem is not capitalism itself, but the cronies who operate many of these companies and restrict our access to free choice and best practices.
#25
My worse nightmare, no health care, no gun control, zero job security, no labour laws at least no labour laws functioning properly, Karens, irresponsibility everywhere but being irrationally about their kids almost as if their made of porcelain, all in all just horrible
Frando Bone 3 years ago
That's a very generalized statement that doesn't fit a country the size of the US with a population of over 300million.
MetaMaxNL 3 years ago
again...it's about how they IMAGINE living there...not how it is...
Load More Replies... Wintermute 3 years ago
From the US, our over parenting can be odd, but not irrational. If my kid gets hurt and goes to the hospital, we don't eat, we lose the house, she gets minimal health care, we get sued for some reason, and any lingering affect of risky behavior will impede her through life in all the same ways. Plus, you don't get to live through a school shooting a week and not come out worried about your kids.
Catherine Walsh 3 years ago
I believe that your information is skewed just a wee bit. Perhaps you might like getting information by other sources or even visiting the US. By US, I mean the entire country that you just lumped into one gigantic exaggeration.
Michelle C 3 years ago
The media sensationalizes everything. America is not what many people see on TV, contrary to what the news media and sitcoms portray.
Carrie Laughs 3 years ago
How can you tell they're from the UK and not another part of Europe? Genuine question as I can't tell. As to your question, no to the first four. Karens... I don't know but I think it is less of an issue as the UK never had the same 'customer is king' approach. More a 'we reserve the right not to serve you' in fact (a common sign growing up!). The last point, I suspect it's no different. Having said all that I'm not here to bash the US. I've been many times, liked it and like the Americans I've met. All countries have problems, some the same and some a wee bit different.
Load More Replies... Michael Sanders 3 years ago
And as soon as you get off the plane an American greets you with “Welcome to Thunderdome biitch!”
Janet Graham 3 years ago
You have believed everything you have ever seen on the internet about us. Wow!
#26
its such a f*****g mixed bag of everything. The united states values libertarian thought to such a degree that youll find literally every cultural subset, political idea, food, and religion. Even the legal codes vary INSANELY across state lines. I could theoretically buy semi auto rifles and huge amounts of marijuana legally in one state then travel across an arbitrary open border and the people will treat you like a terrorist there if caught. This is totally what the founding fathers wanted mind you, just a perfect amount of nuts i guess.
Honestly this country is really f*****g stressful as f**k and you have to have a lot of context and reasoning and awareness to not p**s people off and see the good parts in america. Living in a blue state is totally different than living in a red one. Definitely a lot to s**t on for sure.
Wintermute 3 years ago
From my understanding, the founding fathers wanted the US to operate more like the EU does now than the way we actually do. That's what the libertarians are mostly on about. State over Federal governance. They're a bunch of nut jobs, but I don't totally disagree with them on this one.
Katiekat 3 years ago
America is FAR more libertarian than most people even realize. We need more democratic socialism!
YinzerGhost 3 years ago
Amen to more democratic socialism. It sucks that people knee-jerk to anger at the word "socialism" when they're all such incredibly well-received policies when presented. It all goes back to education and conditioning by the wealthy. Ugh.
Load More Replies... K80.127 3 years ago
The purpose of changing laws per state is so that people can live in an area where the laws are aligned with their views. This is why so many states are upset about Californians moving in - they are fleeing their state in such large numbers because they are frustrated with the politics they voted for- and then tryin to change the state they move into by pushing the same ludicrous laws they fled.
Janet Graham 3 years ago
We are set up to be individual states under one umbrella country. There are some Federal laws that apply to all. There are mostly local laws that apply only to that particular state.
#27
All my American friends are highly educated and middle to upper middle class, they have it ever so good. I know they are far from the norm, but if you have skills in high demand, the opportunities are almost endless it seems.
Becky Samuel 3 years ago
Even then, a cancer diagnosis or a child with a serious condition like ms can bring it all crashing down surprisingly quickly.
Coolwhip 3 years ago
Well, I hope this never happens to them, I hope they never have to hear such horrible news, and I hope they continue to thrive and prosper and not stress too much about the what ifs in life.
Load More Replies... Leslie Cookietown 3 years ago
Because of kind folks who start GoFundMe accounts and places like St. Jude's hospital for children with cancer, America is an amazing place where even strangers uplift those financially strapped and will hug your neck when your heart is hurtin'!!! For that, I'm SO PROUD TO BE AMERICAN!!
Janet Graham 3 years ago
And that is very true. That is why so many well-educated foreigners want to immigrate here.
Ivona 2 years ago
Only in the IT fields - programmers, system engineers, developers, code writers.
Load More Replies... #28
I imagine the distances to be huge, the life in the unpopulated areas to be extremely calm but not like what we call rural in Europe and everything else, as well as life in the cities, to be a touch artificial, like lacking tradition. It's also very clear that your streets don't have 400 years and the suburbs have been built very fast to accommodate a lot of people. I have 2 very very close, almost relatives, living in Seattle and everything I see from them is not like social media, they just work to have a quiet comfortable life but the social media side of the Us is always excess, consumerism and interaction-farming. Also, I try to not rely on these prejudices because the country has 330 million people, 1% is already 3,3 million people which means that everything is massively amplified even if it's only 0,5% of the population doing it. I also think your country has the biggest potential to reward your work but the safety net is weak and I feel not many people have responsible financial education, which neither does my people, but our safety net seems a big stronger
Leslie Cookietown 3 years ago
Except for the extremely stupid people at Yellowstone who think they can "pet" a wild buffalo!! Jeeezzz! 🙄
Load More Replies... Janet Graham 3 years ago
Our safety net works very well. Few people slip through the cracks, but it does happen. If you have lost your home and job and have kids or not, everything will be taken care of for you. You will have food, medical, and shelter, and they will help you find a job and maybe get you retrained to work in a new field.
#29
Not very different for the most part tbh, just some small differences with supermarkets and restaurants obviously, more car dependency which kinda sucks, no 'free' university or healthcare. Day to day life wouldn't change.
Heather Menard 3 years ago
This. We just live our lives good or bad. We can't change our politics or health care. We live here by birth not choice. If you live here you don't worry about safety you just know where to go and not go. I would love to have free health care and free education but it doesn't consume my thoughts. I just worry about going to work and paying my bills and just living one day to the next. I feel everyone does this around the world.
Andrea Steht 2 years ago
Education is outrageously expensive!! I’m in grad school and will owe close to 200k by the time I graduate.
Julie Smoak 3 years ago
For all the ways we're different, there's more where we are just the same.
#30
SOCIAL! In my head everyone has big close knit families, loads of friends and has yard parties , ho-downs and BBQs all day long. (when they aren’t working at least. )
Beck 3 years ago
I live in alabama. I have never even heard of a ho down happening somewhere much less been to one.
Rostit . 3 years ago
This is BP's weekly USA xenophobe thread. I'll be getting an account ban today. Only 50+ more emails to use.
Load More Replies... Michelle C 3 years ago
This is accurate for me because I grew up with a large extended family!
Wintermute 3 years ago
Nah. Europe is social. They all live practically on top of each other and have gathering places on every block. Our social scene is usually concentrated in the center of each big city and all the vast urban sprawl surrounding it is very isolated. It's easy to see where this idea comes from, and maybe that's how it is on the east coast, but not so much here (PNW).
Tamra 3 years ago
This is such a bizarre comment..."most Americans don't have true friends"..?? I don't even know how to begin to address this. Everyone I know has "true" friends. Because you spoke to one American, you now feel confident (arrogant) enough to say *most* of us don't have real friends? Ridiculous.
Load More Replies... #31
You wake up with mac and cheese for breakfast. You dress up in polo shirts and cargo pants, sneakers and white long socks. When you go outside you first honk the bears away from your trashcan. Then you drive your big a*s car to work. When driving the streets you can enjoy life size posters of Donald Trump and Kardashians butt. You need some gas for your car. You get some, almost the cheapest in the world, and say “ew so expensive” to the man across the street. Oh, it’s 8 a.m. Time for the national salute. Across the whole country the pledge blasts through the speakers. Everyone stands straight with a hand on the heart. What a feeling of community. After the pledge (that ended with blasting your gun simultaneously with the rest of the country in the air) you proceed your car ride to work. At work, you walk in and screech “HeeeYyyyyyy HOw ARE yOuuuu!!?!!!!!!!” in a very high pitch. Your fellow co workers do the same, while hugging you intensely. You never get an answer how they are. At work your colleague is having a seizure. Everyone ignores it because who the hell is gonna pay for the ambulance? Colleague dies in her own vomit. Work day is over. Time to go home. Small stop at Walmart where you bought a snake, you named him Kanye. At home you noticed someone stole the package you ordered from your porch. Must have been a Mexican. You open the door. A golden retriever with a bandana walks out happily. It’s max, your dog. A happy family awaits. Your kids Beverley, Taylor and Brandon are home. They carry cornflakes and have big bright white smiles. We love you daddy. Now get me the new Iphone. It was a good day.
Lauren S 3 years ago
This is hilarious! How is this not higher? A few critiques: 1) it’s not a Mexican who stole my package, plenty of different races do that but racist people will assume it’s an immigrant 2) you forgot stuffing our face with a McDonalds burger, insanely large fries, but a Diet Coke for lunch while driving around in my car 3) when we first go outside in the morning an American eagle soars overhead, that’s an American right you know 4) your wife returns home from work an hour later despite your youngest Beverley being only 4 weeks old 5) your oldest Brandon shares about the active shooter drill they had at his elementary school that day 6) when you go to bed with your wife you talk about a vacation but quickly dissolve into laughter knowing neither of you can take time off of work
Dirk Daring 3 years ago
This sounds like someone coming out of anesthesia describing a dream they had.
Michelle C 3 years ago
This sounds almost like a parody! I’m guessing this person watches a lot of sitcoms and animated shows like Bob’s Burgers, Bojack Horseman, and South Park.
Spittnimage 3 years ago
You forgot to say all work colleagues video the woman having the seizure instead of helping her.
#32
I would imagine having a nice big front yard and nice big back yard and maybe a nice porch. I do love the style of American houses.
#34
Good until to the point you get some illness or have an accident so you get bills which you can't afford to pay. Or someone sues you for something completely ridiculous and you lose your whole life earnings and have to start from the beginning the difference being that your age is much higher. People using cheques and receiving salary by cheque and not doing bank transactions from their phones or computers. Also people generally living on credit instead of using their own money.
madbakes 3 years ago
We do use online and mobile banking andnhave direct deposit. Some are paid by check, but direct deposit is very, very common. What a weird thing to list.
Lauren S 3 years ago
I do agree and worry about the credit card use. My husband and I have no credit card debt and never have. We are definitely not the norm among people I know. But I was raised that you only buy something if you have the money for it (exceptions being a house and maybe a car). We do not make a ton of money but we do make enough thankfully and we work very hard to live within our means. PS I do USE credit cards, we just pay them off in full every month, they give you % back and other rewards.
crazydogmama 3 years ago
We pay and deposit everything online now. And those that are broke use credit because they don't have that money at the moment. Only rich people can live on credit, ie, other peoples' money.
#35
I’m Australian but America seems cool. They have high-school experiences like the movies- with homecoming, lockers, prom, school football games, cheerleaders, cliques, school clubs, school cafeteria & dining hall, 3+ month summer vacation etc. We have none of that here. + they have colleges with dorms, fraternities, frat parties etc it just sounds so fun. The only negatives are the politics/government, and it’s really expensive.
#36
Shi**y tbh. Unhealthy and enormous portions of takeaway are cheaper than fresh vegetables, all international food is “Americanized”. No general health insurance and even if you have insurance you’ll have a lot of bills. Crappy houses with drywall instead of bricks that are blown away in one big gush of wind that you pay as much for as a brick house in Europe. Politics suck. Guns. Do I have to go on?
Honestly, nothing in the world could make me move to the US.
Edit: I am not trying to say that everything in Europe is great (it is definitely not!) and everything in the US is s**t but there’s a lot of things that I see as very simple solutions to huge problems that the US just turns a blind eye too.
Nathan Pogorzala 3 years ago
I don't think the 25 nationalities of food i can get within a 5 minute walk from my house have been "Americanized".
Well-Dressed Wolf 3 years ago
Agreed. As an example, there are plenty of “Chinese food” places near me that are like Panda Express: an American’s opinion of what Chinese food is. But, having dated the son of immigrant parents for 20 years, I know there are also MANY restaurants that serve authentic Chinese dishes. A lot of the time, they are run by people who are immigrants or the descendants of immigrants. OP saying “all international food is Americanized” is an unfair generalization, and shows ignorance.
Load More Replies... RoanTheMad 3 years ago
I think, in regards to the food, that happens in every country. People alter dishes to fit to the tastes of who they're trying to sell to. But if you want authentic you can find it, mostly in the cities. (example though, Chicken Tikka Masala is practically unknown in India, but it's insanely popular as an "Indian" Dish in the UK, but in reality, it was created by the Brits in India, iirc, likely because the local food didn't fit to their tastes, possibly being un-used to spices etc)
Rostit . 3 years ago
people who use tbh, generally are liars and I dont listen to anything they type.
Coolwhip 3 years ago
Yes he led with it's shitty tbh, and then ended with it's not all shitty.
Load More Replies...
#37
Constant advertisement and sales tactics. Passive aggression from strangers
#38
Generally good, the roads are wide, It’s very spacious and it’s a land that stands for freedom, Quality of life seems good, the only downsides that I probably would not like is a lack of a NHS, and the fact that you have less annual leave, you should get way more then you all currently do that’s for sure.
Leo Miklausic 3 years ago
The roads are wide because they're built to allow trucks to travel to everywhere. There's no road that's inappropriate for an 18 wheeler in North America.
Just Jeff 3 years ago
Becky, stop being a wet blanket. It's not nice. There can be good and there can be bad. Not everything has to be about why America is the worst to YOU.
Load More Replies... #40
Never been, but from what I've heard, y'all are extroverts. You talk to strangers, say Hi at the bus stop, etc.
Well-Dressed Wolf 3 years ago (edited)
It’s true! It’s nice - you can nod and smile and say “hi!” to someone in the park and no one gives you the stinkeye. No one expects hours of conversation - but yes, we do “hi” each other a lot XD
#41
It's all peachy as long as you have money. The pressure to keep up with your neighbors and the credit card payments must be immense. And damn you must be scared the S**T out of cops. And other people in general, but especially cops. And Jesus not having 28 paid days of vacation, as well as paid sick days, that's just uncomfortable. Also do you deal with the homeless situation, the fact that basically all mentally ill live in the street and that half of the population seems to be fascist religious nutcases? Also do you have any hope for your children given the state of your educational system?
Disclaimer: lived in CA and VA for a few months. Good times.
Eli A 3 years ago
Do you live in the US? If so, surely you know you're very fortunate. The majority of us have 14 or fewer paid vacation days and even fewer paid sick days.
Load More Replies...
Terry Tobias 3 years ago
I'm mentally ill and I don't live on the street. Granted, many homeless people and people in jail have a mental illness, but there are also many groups and non-profit agencies that try to help. I've been involved as an advocate and we work on changing these things.
#42
Relatively similar, but more emotionally draining and less environmentally conscious. Also very patriotic.
Well-Dressed Wolf 3 years ago (edited)
A lot of us really aren’t that patriotic :( I’ve been an American my entire life (4 decades) and I’ve never once dressed up in anything that has the American flag on it.
#43
If you live in NYC very high living cost if you live in the country side very calm and peaceful
#44
Expensive.
lara 3 years ago
How far does "fresh" food have to travel in Europe to the markets? 10 miles? Howabout a thousand miles? Average Distances from Farm to Market Terminal Market vs. Ferry Plaza Farmers Market Apples: 1,555 miles vs. 77 miles Tomatoes: 1,369 miles vs. 117 miles Grapes: 2,143 miles vs. 134 miles Beans: 766 miles vs. 101 miles Peaches: 1,674 miles vs. 173 miles Winter Squash: 781 miles vs. 98 miles Greens: 889 miles vs. 99 miles Lettuce: 2,055 miles vs. 102 miles
Becky Samuel 3 years ago
Dunno why this was downvoted when y'all complain constantly about the prices of food and housing. The price of fresh food in the US is criminal.
Rostit . 3 years ago
the price of fresh food is criminal? how do you figure? I pay very little for fresh food. Usually picked/butchered within a day or so of purchasing.
Load More Replies... #45
Good people, nice sights, terrible institutions, terrible politics, and an overwhelming fear of the world socialism.
David Phillips 3 years ago
It was convenient for Cold War US leaders to ignore the existence of democratic socialism, as practiced in most of Europe. It was much easier to manipulate the population if they believed there was some monolithic evil force threatening the USA. It has been in the interests of Republicans and capitalists to maintain this ignorance. To think that there's only a 20-minute political history lesson separating the USA from solving most of its problems and being welcomed back by the rest of the world as a sensible country.
#46
Enormous roads, non-existant/small public transportation, stroads, abandoned or struggling suburban malls, extremely harsh work, being laughed at for not having car and being arrested because of some 19th century law.
#47
1 bad day away from destitution and a 1 in 10 chance of being shot by someone who's already had that bad day
#48
It's probably pretty easy to make friends... and enemies, apart from that lots of great food I'd imagine
#49
Shopping malls and big cars and sports games and lots of national pride.
#50
When you go to school, you get shot. When you get an encounter with the police, they kill you. When you get health issues, insurance doesn't cover it, so you die. I always thought America was sorta like Disneyland where everything is possible and you can become whatever you want to be in life. Live 'The American Dream'. But the more i see and hear about America the more i think its a really weird a*s country. Beautiful diverse nature though. Would love to visit sometime.
#52
Every city is on a grid with little character, concrete jungle, or miles and miles of nothing. You need to drive everywhere which will likely be a over commercialised chain.
Devon Archer 3 years ago
We use McDonalds and Subway as our map markers, take a right by the McDonalds and you will see six subways, take a left at the next McDonalds and then you will arrive at your destination... "Pizza Hut."
#53
European living in Canada. I imagine life in the US for too many is what Hobbes described life as: nasty, brutish, and short.
#54
Everything is for sale & all of it is seemingly worth nothing.
#55
Polarisition all over the place. Big wealth gap. Free refills. Really fat people. A lack of historical acknowledgement. Nice people. And stupid people. No alcohol in the supermarket. Bad cars.
Frando Bone 3 years ago
Have you traveled internationally much? Or just watched TV/read online?
Karen Lyon 3 years ago
No alcohol in the supermarkets? Well, not in Utah! Lord, that may give my laugh for the week.
#57
like its own little planet.. its so huge, you’d never be able to see beyond your own borders. everything you know about the rest of the world is from the internet or tv
Stacey Rae 3 years ago
Just out of curiosity, how many Americans do travel outside of the country?
#58
Nobody knows anyone, you can walk down the street in whatever you want, everyone doesn't care about you.
#59
I once heard somebody living there for a while saying that she found a lot of the niceness of americans to feel fake. So that's what I think about when I think about America. Fakeness.
Well-Dressed Wolf 3 years ago (edited)
So this person based their opinion of America not on their own observations or independent thoughts, but instead on what a non-American who “lived here for a while” said? I’m not saying this person’s impressions are wrong, but at least make your generalizations on your own and not based on what ONE other person says they felt! XD
Spittnimage 3 years ago
So not your own opinion, you took as gospel what you heard somebody else say.
#60
A f*****g hell filled with arrogance that is born out of a system so bad people don't even know just how much is wrong
Well-Dressed Wolf 3 years ago
Oh, we know. And it makes us miserable. But not many of us can afford to escape, or even have a better life HERE.
Rostit . 3 years ago
we dont need to escape. we have the tools and smarts to do better. get out and vote if you are eligible.
Load More Replies... #61
Really depends where in the United States, for New York I’d think it’s much more of a hassle and expensive, for Louisiana I’d expect it has more french presence due to the Louisiana purchase and they all southern and eat gumbo like princess in the frog and for Alabama all I can think about is the kkk
Terry Tobias 3 years ago
New York state is far more than New York City. I live in Rochester which is a city upstate on Lake Ontario. It's a different experience than NYC and I like living here. I've lived elsewhere but was glad to come back home.
#62
Hot and quite claustrophobic with all those buildings
Well-Dressed Wolf 3 years ago
It’s getting hot everywhere in the world now, unfortunately :( Record heat waves in many countries, not just the US.
#63
Burger fire guns burger fire guns vote for someone incompetent, then ice cream?
What do you think ?
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 3 years ago (edited)
Oh boy, it’s that time everyone! Time for BoredPanda’s weekly America is the land of unwashed backwater yokels and land of cultural depravity. Hide your children and head for the hills. Repent for the end is nie my friends. Those evil Americans will suck the souls from your body with their massive doom burgers 🍔 and concrete jungles of sin and mayhem! Honestly though, as a Scottish expat woman stationed in the US for work I’m so freaking sick and tired of these “listicles.” They are lazy and reinforce stereotypes and show that BoredPanda can’t write their own content. Yes, I understand that the US has a lot of problems (I repeat A LOT) but I’ve also met some amazing people here and seen some pretty cool sites and ate a lot of tasty food from around the world. Also, I have no place to bash since the UK is going through a little thing called Brexit...yeah.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Thank you for this. (And my sympathies on Brexit. Seeing that movement hit its stride warned me, a US citizen born and bred, of what to expect here, alas.) Every nation has its issues, most people in every nation just want to be given a fair chance at a decent life, humanity is remarkably similar no matter where it lives or what language it speaks. And everyone has misconceptions about other nations. if I went off what popular images say, then I'd assume (which I don't) that every British citizen cried at the queen's death; that all Italians make great pasta (they don't); that anyone from Pakistan is a terrorist (definitely not, and also make great pasta, btw)... The list goes on and on.
Load More Replies...
Toby Flenderson 3 years ago (edited)
Now let’s do the UK: I imagine after tea brought by your manservant (who’s named Jeeves, and is smart as a whip, but has a dry, understated wit), you’re always looking for your kids, who’ve disappeared off to hogwarts, narnia, or neverland. Then the inspector comes around to inquire about the murder you didn’t know happened in your giant mansion. Everyone’s a spy, and a police call box will just show up in your front yard for no reason.
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 3 years ago (edited)
Actually my manservant is named Sir Humphrey and he’s a bloody fool—we keep him around because he’s a family relic. Can’t even boil a proper cup of tea ☕️. Unfortunately, I just got notified that my little Hamish got kicked out of Hogwarts for setting a classmate on fire and my eldest Lizibet has run off with a mysterious fellow who calls themself the Doctor. Now I’m off to meet the inspector and scrub those baffling bloodstains off the stairwell before my doting husband comes home from his job at the Jammy Dodger factory and demands his Sunday roast. -Your’s faithfully, A real living breathing expat Scottish women living and working in the US and who finds listicles like this utterly baffling, lazy, and stupid
Load More Replies...
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
We need people to realize what life is really like in other places. TV and film do not represent reality. Most of us around the world are just going to work, trying to have a good life, want a fair return on taxes spent, etc. Poland, Germany, Mexico, US, UK, it's all the same ------ most people in every nation are getting by the best they can, and most nations have circumstances that make a "slum" in the US look like heaven, so.... Don't judge till you've been there and really talked to the people there, okay?
Q B F T 3 years ago
Fully agree, and well-put. Everywhere has its pros and cons. My theory on why these USA dunking stereotype posts are so popular: 1. USA is so dominant (pop) culturally (TV/film/etc.) (and politically ,I guess) in the west that it's the only country everyone feels like they know a bit about and can comment, and 2. One of the stereotypes of the US is that the people are ignorant of other cultures and are very vocal in US being best in the world (I stress 'stereotype', as some American commenters here prove that it's not the case for all), so it feels like knocking down someone arrogant with a "well, actually...". I don't think it'd work as well with somewhere like Spain, for example - it's not dominant enough, fewer people will feel like they "know" Spain, and you don't feel like you're knocking them down a peg or two because the stereotype of believing their country is #1 is less established (tho in my experience, about as true as it is for USans). Xould be wrong but that's my theory.
Load More Replies... Anony Mouse 3 years ago
Another original cr@p-on-America post. I get that these always get you clicks, but wouldn't you rather write something positive or different?
PaddleChica 3 years ago
Pffft,that means that BoredPanda staff actually has to use their brains and write something original...
Load More Replies...
30_Helens_Agree 3 years ago
Please do! Politics and some very obvious issues aside, the US is a very beautiful and diverse nation.
Load More Replies...
sofacushionfort 3 years ago
1500-1800: Europeans exploit the Americas. 1800-present: Europeans criticize the results.
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 3 years ago (edited)
Oh boy, it’s that time everyone! Time for BoredPanda’s weekly America is the land of unwashed backwater yokels and land of cultural depravity. Hide your children and head for the hills. Repent for the end is nie my friends. Those evil Americans will suck the souls from your body with their massive doom burgers 🍔 and concrete jungles of sin and mayhem! Honestly though, as a Scottish expat woman stationed in the US for work I’m so freaking sick and tired of these “listicles.” They are lazy and reinforce stereotypes and show that BoredPanda can’t write their own content. Yes, I understand that the US has a lot of problems (I repeat A LOT) but I’ve also met some amazing people here and seen some pretty cool sites and ate a lot of tasty food from around the world. Also, I have no place to bash since the UK is going through a little thing called Brexit...yeah.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Thank you for this. (And my sympathies on Brexit. Seeing that movement hit its stride warned me, a US citizen born and bred, of what to expect here, alas.) Every nation has its issues, most people in every nation just want to be given a fair chance at a decent life, humanity is remarkably similar no matter where it lives or what language it speaks. And everyone has misconceptions about other nations. if I went off what popular images say, then I'd assume (which I don't) that every British citizen cried at the queen's death; that all Italians make great pasta (they don't); that anyone from Pakistan is a terrorist (definitely not, and also make great pasta, btw)... The list goes on and on.
Load More Replies... Toby Flenderson 3 years ago (edited)
Now let’s do the UK: I imagine after tea brought by your manservant (who’s named Jeeves, and is smart as a whip, but has a dry, understated wit), you’re always looking for your kids, who’ve disappeared off to hogwarts, narnia, or neverland. Then the inspector comes around to inquire about the murder you didn’t know happened in your giant mansion. Everyone’s a spy, and a police call box will just show up in your front yard for no reason.
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 3 years ago (edited)
Actually my manservant is named Sir Humphrey and he’s a bloody fool—we keep him around because he’s a family relic. Can’t even boil a proper cup of tea ☕️. Unfortunately, I just got notified that my little Hamish got kicked out of Hogwarts for setting a classmate on fire and my eldest Lizibet has run off with a mysterious fellow who calls themself the Doctor. Now I’m off to meet the inspector and scrub those baffling bloodstains off the stairwell before my doting husband comes home from his job at the Jammy Dodger factory and demands his Sunday roast. -Your’s faithfully, A real living breathing expat Scottish women living and working in the US and who finds listicles like this utterly baffling, lazy, and stupid
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
We need people to realize what life is really like in other places. TV and film do not represent reality. Most of us around the world are just going to work, trying to have a good life, want a fair return on taxes spent, etc. Poland, Germany, Mexico, US, UK, it's all the same ------ most people in every nation are getting by the best they can, and most nations have circumstances that make a "slum" in the US look like heaven, so.... Don't judge till you've been there and really talked to the people there, okay?
Q B F T 3 years ago
Fully agree, and well-put. Everywhere has its pros and cons. My theory on why these USA dunking stereotype posts are so popular: 1. USA is so dominant (pop) culturally (TV/film/etc.) (and politically ,I guess) in the west that it's the only country everyone feels like they know a bit about and can comment, and 2. One of the stereotypes of the US is that the people are ignorant of other cultures and are very vocal in US being best in the world (I stress 'stereotype', as some American commenters here prove that it's not the case for all), so it feels like knocking down someone arrogant with a "well, actually...". I don't think it'd work as well with somewhere like Spain, for example - it's not dominant enough, fewer people will feel like they "know" Spain, and you don't feel like you're knocking them down a peg or two because the stereotype of believing their country is #1 is less established (tho in my experience, about as true as it is for USans). Xould be wrong but that's my theory.
Load More Replies... Anony Mouse 3 years ago
Another original cr@p-on-America post. I get that these always get you clicks, but wouldn't you rather write something positive or different?
PaddleChica 3 years ago
Pffft,that means that BoredPanda staff actually has to use their brains and write something original...
Load More Replies... 30_Helens_Agree 3 years ago
Please do! Politics and some very obvious issues aside, the US is a very beautiful and diverse nation.
Load More Replies... sofacushionfort 3 years ago
1500-1800: Europeans exploit the Americas. 1800-present: Europeans criticize the results.
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