We often hear stories of cultural shocks non-Americans experience when coming to live the American dream. From the little vacation time Americans have to the vast distances between places, extreme portion sizes, bulk shopping, healthcare system… and the list goes on and on, and on.
So in order to even out the karma and give a tribute to the wholesome side of our beloved country that sometimes gets an undeserved amount of criticism from outsiders, we're gonna look at the positive things non-Americans found about the US.
Think of our incredible communication skills, the amount of nature, the scale and the grandeur, drinking fountains everywhere... Get ready for a wholesome dose and be sure to leave a comment on what you find fascinating and admirable about America below this article!
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If you guys want you can go to pretty much any climate without a passport. You have tropical, desert, ocean side, lake side, mountains etc etc.
The actual people.
Government is f**ked. media is d**ked all to hell. inequality is staggering, but most American people I've met have been helpful, compassionate, fun, and kind individuals.
Yeah, that’s always wonders me too; looking from outside one could believe they have to all be idiots. Then I know many American people pretty well and they are all decent humans
The Smithsonian Museums. Very cool and very fun to walk around and see. And they're free.
Americans always know how to get a conversation going! "Hey, where are you from?" And then they are genuinely interested in hearing the answer even if perhaps they've never heard of that place. They are great at small talk, and friendly (doesn't matter if it is "fake" sometimes, e.g. the waitress, it is still a skill to be that friendly and welcoming, in my opinion). They make people feel like a million bucks.
The scale and grandeur. I'm used to nature being small, but everything in America is bigger - bigger storms, bigger mountains, bigger horizons. Even the sky seems more. People in America are casually dealing with everything from alligators to bears, pitching tents on the sides of cliffs and walking their dogs through literal wilderness, I genuinely feel like a hobbit watching Aragorn saunter through Middle Earth like it's nothing while I've never been beyond the end of farmer Maggot's farm before. I love it.
New Zealander here, I visited America at the begin of 2020, and the sheer size and scale of your country was truly overwhelming. Like, travelling across the country side, and visiting national parts was just, wow (also love the LOtR's reference!!!)
I always hear complaints about the portion sizes, which is fair, they're big. But we gotta give America credit how socially acceptable it is to take the leftover food home. As a frugal Dutch person, this mesmerises me and I'm very sad this is not as acceptable here.
The amount of nature. Mountains, forests, valleys, deserts, water falls etc
Where i live we got a few hills and theres no place anywhere in the country that is completely untouched or so far from a civilization that you cant hear traffic etc
Something Americans are definitely not known for, the food. Yeah yeah the US eats a TON of garbage, but there are also certain regional foods that are just amazing. Tex-Mex in the south, Southern soul food. Maine lobster, shrimp rolls, fried clams and clam strips. Grouper sandwiches. Hell I would drive to Virginia beach just for the softshell crab
A lot of Non-Americans think all you eat are hotdogs and twinkies, but some of the best food I've had has been in the US and most of it was regional dishes you can't get anywhere else
Right??? finally an article that isnt full of America-bashing.
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Nawlins, man. New Orleans. Creole and Cajun and very distinctive. God how I miss it!
Oh I miss New Orleans! That place is my Heaven on Earth
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Also don't forget that there are dozens of intricate regional barbecue styles. It's not all just grocery store "barbecue flavor."
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The beauty of America's diversity is truly seen in the range of high quality, ethnic food it produces. America is so diverse, you have Mexicans making the Mexican / Tex Mex, Italians making the Italian food, Chinese making the Chinese food, etc.. I've had the best croissant outside of France at a cafe owned by a local French Vietnamese family, which is hub for Europeans because they make a true cappuccino and we are frequently the only ones speaking English. My kids favorite restaurant is the Vietnamese cuisine owned by a local family. I feel so fortunate that my kids have been able to experience a wide variety of cultures on a daily basis and their friends are all of different ethnicities. We've traveled a lot overseas too, but don't have to go very far to eat well.
Honestly I have lived in the U.S. my whole life and I have never had a Twinkie. I don't even really like hotdogs, bratwurst are the way to go.
Aaaah memories! I grew up in Virginia and crab boils were one of my favorite things. She-crab soup. Oyster roasts in the fall. Old-Bay on everything. The Chesapeake region definitely has a unique flavor. And then there is BBQ. I don't mean a cook-out or grilling in the back yard, but hog on the smoker genuine barbecue. With eastern Carolina sauce. None of that bbq chicken BS (that's just grilled chicken drowned in spicy catsup). My husband is from ME and in addition to the lobster rolls (and there is nothing like lobster fresh off the boat), he makes a great yankee pot roast as well as lamb. I could go on and on about the regional foods in all the states I've lived in ... it's definitely not all Appleby's and Starbucks and Happy Meals.
Also, because we've always been a melting pot of cultures, our fusion cuisine is ridiculously delicious. Korean barbecue tacos, for example, or Mexican pizza.
You can thank our multicultural population. Every kind of cuisine is available here, and all the unique variations on them.
Our food is awesome because we literally can eat food from around the world without leaving the country. It’s cool to be so diverse and it’s awesome people bring their culture here to share. I love food and I’m happy to try food from around the world and the fusions locals come up with. Food is an awesome way to enjoy culture period.
It helps that our environment supports growing diverse food.
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Tex-Mex is the best! I lived in Houston for about 25 years and never got tired of it.
Dude, food is the best part of America. We got everything you can think of and then some. I love the fusion places where it is a mix of one classic cuisine mixed with another. In Florida we have key lime pie, cuban sandwiches, fried alligator, and before the BP oil spill, the best oysters on earth. The oysters never recovered though. Best oysters in the world were in the Gulf and now they are completely ruined. I am still upset about it.
Maybe they think we eat hotdogs and twinkies because that's what's on the "American shelf". To be fair though, a lot of Americans think the French live off snails and baguettes, and Germans eat nothing but boiled cabbage and sausage.
Also NC is one of the best places for BBQ, especially in the Smoky Mountains. They are a saying that goes, "The bbq may be bigger in Texas, but it tastes better in NC". Whether it be restaurants that serve bbq or regular people having cookouts themselves, nothing beats real Smoky Mountain bbq.
As a Texan, I challenge your belief. If you have to put sauce on it, it isn't good barbecue.
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But the cheese and beer are terrible (awaiting replies about craft, artisans, you should try IPA)
LA tacos and street corn, San Francisco burritos, pizza hut stuffed crust...
Come to New Mexico. Try anything with chili in it. Our official state question is Red or Green? Hatch chili is the best!
Please don't forget we have a plethora of international food here also. I'm a Floridian and was brought up on Cuban sandwiches as made in Tampa and Key West, FL. Now at the age of 60 I have my choice of excellent Cuban cuisine, Greek, Asian, Korean, etc. I'm forever thankful for America being the land of opportunity for so many ethnicities because I love food. I love "American" food also, but always looking to expand my culinary experience!
American here, my largest complaint with our food is that all of these wonderful foods from all over the world get Americanized when brought here. I spent quite a few years in the UAE and I had better ethnic foods in the mall food court than I can get at many decent restaurants here in the States. Oriental food is one of the worst offenses. Sometime in the last 50 or so years hot pink, stick sweet, sweet & sour sauce was determined to be the pinnacle of oriental food here. Color me amazed when I had good oriental food elsewhere and not only did each dish taste different, I could actually taste the components of the dish.
i grew up in Virginia and now live in Oklahoma. i miss East Coast food so much!!
You're welcome about the Tex-Mex in the South. Deep South Texas, RGV represent. My most favorite food, never get tired of it even though it's all around me. I didn't grow up with it in my home like many many others around me but our restaurants are still so authentic. Think ppl would be shocked at the environment down here. Mild Mexico with a ton of us growing up without the Mexican culture in our homes, except our last names and skin color.
Even non-regional, non-specialized food. There are great burger and fries (and many other foods) to be found all across the U.S. Some in franchises, many more in small mom-n-pop restaurants.
is this like Scottish people eat haggis, English eat boiled dinner and French people eat snails and frogs legs? BTW, love hot dogs, but they are organic, ethically sources turkey dogs on gluten free bungs with organic ketchup and mustard.
You put your hot dogs on BUNGS? LOL! (I know it was a typo, but the visual is HILARIOUS!)
Load More Replies... oh and new york also has its amazing bacon sausage egg and cheese breakfast sandwhiches. i love them
As a dude from Chicagoland I feel a little attacked in that last paragraph…
the only food that i've seen in america is the crap food that Gordon eats on kitchen nightmares
It's like each state is a whole different country and I'd like to visit them all.
I've been to 47 of them. There are many wonderful places... and a few states that... quite frankly.... well.... you might as well just fly over.
The water drinks are served with ice at restaurants.
I remember my first trip to England. I had to specifically order ice with every single drink and I would get two little ice cubes. So I would routinely order two glasses full of ice with every order I had. Nothing better than an ice cold drink on a hot summer day no matter where you are
How madly diverse it is. Admittedly I’ve only seen it on tv but the fact that the Bronx and Texas are the same country is mind boggling.
The ability to drive from winter to summer in 24 hours... Or less!
Way less than 24 hours. Southern California here: skiing at Big Bear then three hours later surfing in Huntington Beach. Yeah is awesome and why I moved out here.
That a lot of Americans are pretty chill, open, and kind people. You wanna just talk about nothing? You can do that. You have mental health issues? People aren't gonna judge. There's a problem going on and you wanna talk about it? You can do that.
In my family's culture, you must always keep to yourself if something's bothering you, always tell white lies, put up this facade of your life being rainbows and unicorns, and mental illness/disabilities/neuro divergence is frowned upon and shows you're weak. It's so suffocating.
Not all of the U.S. is open and chill, but the population is huge. There's room here to find your people, find your community.
The variety of groceries!
I want sugar free? Boom...everything. Oh there's something we have at home but here's 30 varieties of it! Special dietary restrictions? Don't have to order it...here's the stuff at the local target!
I'm in Canada and although there's a decent selection of these things, it's much better in the USA, cheaper too.
The arts. Jazz, rhythm and blues, the early rock and roll that inspired the British Invasion. The authors. The films.
Drinking fountains everywhere. And nearly all public toilets are free.
NASA is America’s best PR.
Sure they could really use triple the budget to seriously get things done, but what they do is admired globally.
I freakin love the energy most Americans give off. You guys are like extraverted extraverts. If I was introduced to a handful of people from around the world, I could tell you which was the American even with a blindfold, because they'd be the only one to instantly say hello and start chatting when I walk into the room as a stranger. Your talking to strangers energy is almost more than our talking to 20-year-old friends energy.
No thanks. I'm a major introvert and this would scare me so much.
Southern cuisine, from BBQ all the way to Creole type stuff... You guys know how to eat down there.
I'm from Portugal and living in US right now. One thing that really impressed me when I got here was how green the US was, and how many trees they have.
The power and quality of their film and TV industry. They can make dreams and fantasies come to life.
Jurassic Park to me as a child was like all my dreams had come true.
New York City. Hot Dogs. Your Friendliness. Hollywood. Yellowstone. Baseball. Ford GT. Road trips. Coke. NASA. Southern BBQ. Burgers. Yosemite. Your infectious love of the outrageous. Jaws. Your love of English accents ;). Harrison Ford. Rock and freakin roll. Nike. Magic Mountain. Pamela Andersen. Red Vines. The Video games / animation industries. Dr Pepper. Maine Lobster Rolls. Skateboarding. Ralph Lauren. The Sopranos. Jack FM. Baskin Robbins. Car park cookouts. Wake boarding. Ruby’s Diner. Long Island (Iced Tea). Eddie Murphy. Technological innovation. Soul. Southern California. Star Wars. Bronco jeeps. Key Lime Pie.
As opposed as I've been to most of the American military's involvement in the conflicts of the past 20ish years, as a Canadian I have to acknowledge that being your neighbour has made Canada significantly safer.
We don't need to spend as much on defense because America, our closest ally, outspends everyone else 20 fold.
The naive optimism. Even if people are disappointed with the way America is going, they still seem to have hope in an American ideal to strive towards.
As a Brit living in America I’m gonna have to go with;
- Not even having to ask for water at restaurants it just comes out!
- Giant Sodas cost like $1
- Almost everywhere has a bathroom that’s open to the public (in the suburbs)
Entrepreneurial spirit
In a lot of countries, including my own, failing at a business you started is seen very negatively, to the point most people will never try, as opposed to the USA where a business failing is seen as a normal part of the process and you just keep trying, taking the lessons you learned forward
Their landscapes f**king slap. Oh, and air-condition is just a thing.
I live in the southern United States. I can't fathom a car or house being sold around here without air conditioning. It just wouldn't happen.
Note: this post originally had 81 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
thank you BP! This has maybe been one of the most requested posts out there and it delivered! Love to see more of this kind (maybe other countries, too?)
As an Iranian-American I’m USA all the way! You couldn’t drag me out of this place! Too many positives.
To me, there's too much division in our country rn. So I like to think of ALL American citizens, as just Americans. Regardless of if you're from Africa, Iran, or California, if you're an American citizen, you're an American. We should be 1 big team, all supporting each other, not several separate teams, playing against each other. ❤️🇺🇸
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Ikr??? I'm so used to being called fat, loud and obnoxious. I'm really so pleased to see a post where several people say most Americans are outgoing pleasant and helpful. !!!
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I was prepared for another “Hating on America” post, and, welp! Nice surprise. Thanks! 💕
I am floored and humbled by this post. Thank you for allowing it. I've felt for a long time that BP has singled out the US for problems that have existed within humanity for eons and I have felt before that many here seem to root for our demise. To hear voices from those who have seen the good we have here helps me. Believe it or not, we American capitalists, even dare I say conservatives - have the same hopes and problems as everyone else!
I like that smoking is frowned upon in the US (from what I heared). I wish Germany would adopt that view more.
That’s only recently, and as a former smoker, I’m glad it is!
Load More Replies... Thank you for this. I know we’re not perfect, but we still have a lot to offer. It’s nice to see America in a positive light for a change
I've never been to the us but I hear you guys have free toilets everywhere. As a chronically ill person I have to say, this has got to be one of the nicest things.
As a Mainer who hates seafood, my brain can never comprehend why everyone gets so excited about Maine Lobster. Oh well at least everyone else enjoys it.
The realisation, long ago, that you can all be in different time zones and different states, each with their own local laws, but still be part of one big country. For such a large, young country you've managed to figure that one out pretty quickly, and there's the EU doing pretty much the opposite.
It might look that way, but it’s not quite as cohesive as you might think.
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This was amazing to read! Made me feel so much better and appreciate all that we are and have. We aren't perfect but we have redeeming qualities and nice to have them noticed.
Thank you ^^ Finally a post where I don't feel shame from where I'm from.
"Grass is greener on the other side" post. As standing in the said lawn I feel like there's much more work to be done before we can actually call it green.
Ughhhh finally some good USA content!!! Fr tho everything has just been hating on us( ˘ ³˘)♥︎
Yeah, there is a fair bit of America bashing on here, so this is kinda nice for a change. Like the idea of doing the same for other countries...
That said... I've noticed even in a positive thread like this some people still can't help themselves with their relentless Piss On America comments
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Where do these answers come from? These questions? I am an indigenous from this place, America. I am wondering if this is great????? Because we have New York City. Hot Dogs. Your Friendliness. Hollywood. Yellowstone. Baseball. Ford GT. Road trips. Coke. NASA. Southern BBQ. Burgers. Yosemite. Your infectious love of the outrageous. Jaws. Your love of English accents ;). Harrison Ford. Rock and freakin roll. Nike. Magic Mountain. Pamela Andersen. Red Vines. The Video games / animation industries. Dr Pepper. Maine Lobster Rolls. Skateboarding. Ralph Lauren. The Sopranos. Jack FM. Baskin Robbins. Car park cookouts. Wake boarding. Ruby’s Diner. Long Island (Iced Tea). Eddie Murphy. Technological innovation. Soul. Southern California. Star Wars. Bronco jeeps. Key Lime Pie. Seems more embarrassing than anything.
We know, and many of us are stuck here. Could you let us have a f*****g moment in the sun, pal? I’m too old and too normal to leave. I need this article.
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Non Americans call it America too, stop panicking.
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Hold on now. daneiletc isn't wrong. This article stands out precisely because there is a long history of America bashing on BP. If you can't objectively admit that I don't know why.
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thank you BP! This has maybe been one of the most requested posts out there and it delivered! Love to see more of this kind (maybe other countries, too?)
As an Iranian-American I’m USA all the way! You couldn’t drag me out of this place! Too many positives.
To me, there's too much division in our country rn. So I like to think of ALL American citizens, as just Americans. Regardless of if you're from Africa, Iran, or California, if you're an American citizen, you're an American. We should be 1 big team, all supporting each other, not several separate teams, playing against each other. ❤️🇺🇸
Load More Replies... Ikr??? I'm so used to being called fat, loud and obnoxious. I'm really so pleased to see a post where several people say most Americans are outgoing pleasant and helpful. !!!
Load More Replies... I was prepared for another “Hating on America” post, and, welp! Nice surprise. Thanks! 💕
I am floored and humbled by this post. Thank you for allowing it. I've felt for a long time that BP has singled out the US for problems that have existed within humanity for eons and I have felt before that many here seem to root for our demise. To hear voices from those who have seen the good we have here helps me. Believe it or not, we American capitalists, even dare I say conservatives - have the same hopes and problems as everyone else!
I like that smoking is frowned upon in the US (from what I heared). I wish Germany would adopt that view more.
That’s only recently, and as a former smoker, I’m glad it is!
Load More Replies... Thank you for this. I know we’re not perfect, but we still have a lot to offer. It’s nice to see America in a positive light for a change
I've never been to the us but I hear you guys have free toilets everywhere. As a chronically ill person I have to say, this has got to be one of the nicest things.
As a Mainer who hates seafood, my brain can never comprehend why everyone gets so excited about Maine Lobster. Oh well at least everyone else enjoys it.
The realisation, long ago, that you can all be in different time zones and different states, each with their own local laws, but still be part of one big country. For such a large, young country you've managed to figure that one out pretty quickly, and there's the EU doing pretty much the opposite.
It might look that way, but it’s not quite as cohesive as you might think.
Load More Replies... This was amazing to read! Made me feel so much better and appreciate all that we are and have. We aren't perfect but we have redeeming qualities and nice to have them noticed.
Thank you ^^ Finally a post where I don't feel shame from where I'm from.
"Grass is greener on the other side" post. As standing in the said lawn I feel like there's much more work to be done before we can actually call it green.
Ughhhh finally some good USA content!!! Fr tho everything has just been hating on us( ˘ ³˘)♥︎
Yeah, there is a fair bit of America bashing on here, so this is kinda nice for a change. Like the idea of doing the same for other countries...
That said... I've noticed even in a positive thread like this some people still can't help themselves with their relentless Piss On America comments
Load More Replies... Where do these answers come from? These questions? I am an indigenous from this place, America. I am wondering if this is great????? Because we have New York City. Hot Dogs. Your Friendliness. Hollywood. Yellowstone. Baseball. Ford GT. Road trips. Coke. NASA. Southern BBQ. Burgers. Yosemite. Your infectious love of the outrageous. Jaws. Your love of English accents ;). Harrison Ford. Rock and freakin roll. Nike. Magic Mountain. Pamela Andersen. Red Vines. The Video games / animation industries. Dr Pepper. Maine Lobster Rolls. Skateboarding. Ralph Lauren. The Sopranos. Jack FM. Baskin Robbins. Car park cookouts. Wake boarding. Ruby’s Diner. Long Island (Iced Tea). Eddie Murphy. Technological innovation. Soul. Southern California. Star Wars. Bronco jeeps. Key Lime Pie. Seems more embarrassing than anything.
We know, and many of us are stuck here. Could you let us have a f*****g moment in the sun, pal? I’m too old and too normal to leave. I need this article.
Load More Replies... Non Americans call it America too, stop panicking.
Load More Replies... Hold on now. daneiletc isn't wrong. This article stands out precisely because there is a long history of America bashing on BP. If you can't objectively admit that I don't know why.
Load More Replies...