This was interesting and your writing, as always, is clear and expressive. The content raised a question in my mind though, about all the good things extended to strangers but withheld from such a significant portion of the residents.
You asked why. I answered. I live in a place where good things are offered to those without money like affordable health care, subsidized energy and cheap efficient public transportation
George Carlin talked about loving to meet individuals but hating groups of people. I think you’re sorta saying the same thing Michael. Most individuals are at minimum benign, but often friendly & generous. That’s what our visitors are discovering when they meet Americans. But when you put people in a group the evolutionary instinct towards tribalism and hierarchy kicks in. And tribalism is t a but, it’s a feature, a deep feature of human cognitive architecture, as fundamental as language and as ingrained as the sex drive. People just can’t help themselves in groups.
Agreed, wholeheartedly. That's why I avoid social media, which makes it easy for Bobby Smith to become BobsYourUncle2295 and say things he might not ever say to you in person.
So America is Ranch Dressing, Burgers fries, manicured lawns.Soccer fans didn't see the racism, the homeless living under over passes, the immigrants being hauled off, the citizens being beaten,, the concentration camps being built, the police surveillance state being constructed as I speak, the theocracy being slowly built.
America is materialism, Got it. In that regards, I am guilty as charged.
Some of what you describe is a curse to many low income Americans.
Those endless roads, many without sidewalks can be a curse for those who can not afford to drive. Especially in locals without decent public transportation and unlike Europe and Asia we have no hi-speed railways
Yes, large supermarkets and the abundance of food are nice but how about the food quality.
Large Suburban houses with large lawns. Of course the visitor does not understand the cost and time required to keep that lawn looking nice or the escalating property taxes that force senior homeowners out of their home
Attentive waiters are nice, but when they expect a 20-25% tip on your $200 meal for 90 minutes of work you might expect a post-meal massage
And who really needs a 1 AM meal at waffle house
As someone who has visited many countries and resided in a few of them I can tell you the country you visit as a tourist can seem so much more hospitable than as a resident, and drawbacks (or benefits) like health care and housing costs might not be readily apparent.
There are a few things to point out about these visitors. First of all the US has millions of visitors each year so all this social media happy talk on tech billionaires social media platforms make me wonder if this is a media psyop to make Americans feel better about the hellhole Trump has created
Second, these are folks who can spend money on visas, international flights, a month of vacation, hotel bills , eating out and $1,600 World Cup tickets per person. Not exactly the average joe.
Third, with ICE prowling the grounds ready to pounce do you really want to say anything negative and wake up in a detention center queued for deportation or put on a future visa denial list?
Fourth, most people when asked by hosts about how you like their country will almost always point out the positives, and every country has positives
That said, I miss America, due to health/financial reasons I can not return, and its been 7 years now. I would die for a roast beef/pastrami sandwich
Here's the local Houston TX joke about Buc-ees. The first Buc-ees was built east of town in Baytown, and five years later the second Buc-ees was built west of town in Katy. But they saved money because they both share the same bathroom.
My favorite Interstate gas station is Sheetz because, swear to God, they'll sell you two hot dogs for a dollar. Sheetz started in Allentown PA but it's spreading very fast.
I just had a thought that Trump shares the bigger than life American ethos-- He kind of reminds me of Lex Luthor or Dr Evil in the Superman movies.
If you ever find yourself in Iowa or Nebraska, check out Casey’s General Store. They do not only sell gasoline, they sell pizza that is actually very good!
This post absolutely perked me up! I wish I could take that Dutch fan and put him in my car and drive him out to the middle of the Sand Hills so he could see what a truly dark sky looks like (as there are none left in Western Europe as dark as the sky over the Sand Hills of Nebraska).
I hope you and your family have a wonderful independence Day!
I think people in general are great in person, one on one. They'll always meet the moment and give you their best -- especially if you're a stranger. On social media, where they can take potshots with total anonymity, it's a different story.
Ha! Interesting article--thanks for posting! I'm an American who has lived in a small European country for the past three years, and it's interesting to see and hear the perspectives of people from elsewhere. Having spent over six decades in the States, I took all that hugeness for granted and yes, the video made me think about things and re-appreciate a lot of America's uniqueness. But you know what? I still wouldn't go back. Not now. I'm perfectly happy where I am. And there's a whole other world out here that a vast majority of Americans never get to see.
It is refreshing to see these videos of foreign visitors' reactions to the many things in our everyday lives that we've come to take for granted. Unfortunately, I think the fact that these everyday things are in our lives that makes it difficult for the "middle" economic group in our country to really grasp the real-life impact of the Trump regime's devastation of the "everyday economy" and the social safety net.
When I look at the beautiful Colorado scenery around me and watch my friends, neighbors, and strangers as they go about their lives as they do every day, it all feels “normal.” I find myself wondering how or what would noticeably change for me personally if the Republicans retained control of Congress in the mid-terms.
I feel the weight of the threat to our country’s future. I know that Trump has not willingly done anything that helps everyday Americans. I know that we’re all in for increasingly volatile and dangerous times. But how about the people I see every day around me? Do they feel the weight? How can I know if they do? Does it matter?
Heartwarming to see the Scots in Boston. They totally enjoyed their time here and Bostonians welcomed them with open arms. It was a delight to see children and adults alike walking arou in kilts! They thanked our city upon leaving, and, they drank our city dry - we had to order more beer while they were in town!
One of our challenges is that when folks from other countries view US news, what they see are a bunch of “suits (men and women)” in DC all yelling at each other. This behavior is compounded by the newsies in “suits” all giving us their opinion which from my foxhole, most folks don’t want. I want a newscaster to give me the details about a bank robbery and then shut up. I don’t need them to give me a philosophical discussion on why the robber picked this bank and where the robber went to school. Between the suits on Capitol Hill and the suits in the media, no wonder many foreign folks are reluctant to come here.
That said, when you look at all of the “soft power” the average American is putting out there just by being polite and taking care of our visitors, that’s the real America! I know I don’t agree with my neighbors on every topic (especially regarding the NY Yankees!), but I know if I need anything, a ride to the store, a quart of oil, or help with the lawn, they are there like a tick on a dog.
What makes my neighbors awesome is we are a mixed bag of Naturalized American Citizens and Native Born American Citizens. We are from a variety of backgrounds and I trust every one of them without hesitation.
That’s the America many of our World Cup visitors are seeing and the care and kindness we have for visitors is what we want them to take home with them.
As a Naturalized American Citizen, I cannot fully describe the emotions I feel every 4th of July. I know I would not have accomplished what I have in life if not for the opportunities America 🇺🇸 provided to me.
Thanks - a nice write up and nice videos to share. I hope some of these folks come back for the national parks. One of very best things about US to me has been the absolute incredible vastness and diversity of it all . I really hope visitors felt the distances between cities… to counteract the “why aren’t they doing more ?” Vibe
This was interesting and your writing, as always, is clear and expressive. The content raised a question in my mind though, about all the good things extended to strangers but withheld from such a significant portion of the residents.
The strangers have money
So everything in America is for sale? If that is the case, I think you are truly lost.
You asked why. I answered. I live in a place where good things are offered to those without money like affordable health care, subsidized energy and cheap efficient public transportation
So do I! I missed the irony - my apologies.
George Carlin talked about loving to meet individuals but hating groups of people. I think you’re sorta saying the same thing Michael. Most individuals are at minimum benign, but often friendly & generous. That’s what our visitors are discovering when they meet Americans. But when you put people in a group the evolutionary instinct towards tribalism and hierarchy kicks in. And tribalism is t a but, it’s a feature, a deep feature of human cognitive architecture, as fundamental as language and as ingrained as the sex drive. People just can’t help themselves in groups.
Agreed, wholeheartedly. That's why I avoid social media, which makes it easy for Bobby Smith to become BobsYourUncle2295 and say things he might not ever say to you in person.
Thanks Michael. I (like you) needed this. Happy 4th to you and your family. Cape Verdi almost pulling off the impossible helped too!
Wasn’t that amazing! I’m glad to have more Messi though. CV have plenty to be excited about.
So America is Ranch Dressing, Burgers fries, manicured lawns.Soccer fans didn't see the racism, the homeless living under over passes, the immigrants being hauled off, the citizens being beaten,, the concentration camps being built, the police surveillance state being constructed as I speak, the theocracy being slowly built.
America is materialism, Got it. In that regards, I am guilty as charged.
Excellent, thanks Michael. Happy 4th.
Some of what you describe is a curse to many low income Americans.
Those endless roads, many without sidewalks can be a curse for those who can not afford to drive. Especially in locals without decent public transportation and unlike Europe and Asia we have no hi-speed railways
Yes, large supermarkets and the abundance of food are nice but how about the food quality.
Large Suburban houses with large lawns. Of course the visitor does not understand the cost and time required to keep that lawn looking nice or the escalating property taxes that force senior homeowners out of their home
Attentive waiters are nice, but when they expect a 20-25% tip on your $200 meal for 90 minutes of work you might expect a post-meal massage
And who really needs a 1 AM meal at waffle house
As someone who has visited many countries and resided in a few of them I can tell you the country you visit as a tourist can seem so much more hospitable than as a resident, and drawbacks (or benefits) like health care and housing costs might not be readily apparent.
There are a few things to point out about these visitors. First of all the US has millions of visitors each year so all this social media happy talk on tech billionaires social media platforms make me wonder if this is a media psyop to make Americans feel better about the hellhole Trump has created
Second, these are folks who can spend money on visas, international flights, a month of vacation, hotel bills , eating out and $1,600 World Cup tickets per person. Not exactly the average joe.
Third, with ICE prowling the grounds ready to pounce do you really want to say anything negative and wake up in a detention center queued for deportation or put on a future visa denial list?
Fourth, most people when asked by hosts about how you like their country will almost always point out the positives, and every country has positives
That said, I miss America, due to health/financial reasons I can not return, and its been 7 years now. I would die for a roast beef/pastrami sandwich
Here's the local Houston TX joke about Buc-ees. The first Buc-ees was built east of town in Baytown, and five years later the second Buc-ees was built west of town in Katy. But they saved money because they both share the same bathroom.
My favorite Interstate gas station is Sheetz because, swear to God, they'll sell you two hot dogs for a dollar. Sheetz started in Allentown PA but it's spreading very fast.
I just had a thought that Trump shares the bigger than life American ethos-- He kind of reminds me of Lex Luthor or Dr Evil in the Superman movies.
If you ever find yourself in Iowa or Nebraska, check out Casey’s General Store. They do not only sell gasoline, they sell pizza that is actually very good!
This post absolutely perked me up! I wish I could take that Dutch fan and put him in my car and drive him out to the middle of the Sand Hills so he could see what a truly dark sky looks like (as there are none left in Western Europe as dark as the sky over the Sand Hills of Nebraska).
I hope you and your family have a wonderful independence Day!
I think people in general are great in person, one on one. They'll always meet the moment and give you their best -- especially if you're a stranger. On social media, where they can take potshots with total anonymity, it's a different story.
Both sides are us.
Ha! Interesting article--thanks for posting! I'm an American who has lived in a small European country for the past three years, and it's interesting to see and hear the perspectives of people from elsewhere. Having spent over six decades in the States, I took all that hugeness for granted and yes, the video made me think about things and re-appreciate a lot of America's uniqueness. But you know what? I still wouldn't go back. Not now. I'm perfectly happy where I am. And there's a whole other world out here that a vast majority of Americans never get to see.
Thank you!!! I needed that. I think now I can enjoy the 4th of July and the 250th after all.
It is refreshing to see these videos of foreign visitors' reactions to the many things in our everyday lives that we've come to take for granted. Unfortunately, I think the fact that these everyday things are in our lives that makes it difficult for the "middle" economic group in our country to really grasp the real-life impact of the Trump regime's devastation of the "everyday economy" and the social safety net.
When I look at the beautiful Colorado scenery around me and watch my friends, neighbors, and strangers as they go about their lives as they do every day, it all feels “normal.” I find myself wondering how or what would noticeably change for me personally if the Republicans retained control of Congress in the mid-terms.
I feel the weight of the threat to our country’s future. I know that Trump has not willingly done anything that helps everyday Americans. I know that we’re all in for increasingly volatile and dangerous times. But how about the people I see every day around me? Do they feel the weight? How can I know if they do? Does it matter?
Heartwarming to see the Scots in Boston. They totally enjoyed their time here and Bostonians welcomed them with open arms. It was a delight to see children and adults alike walking arou in kilts! They thanked our city upon leaving, and, they drank our city dry - we had to order more beer while they were in town!
One of our challenges is that when folks from other countries view US news, what they see are a bunch of “suits (men and women)” in DC all yelling at each other. This behavior is compounded by the newsies in “suits” all giving us their opinion which from my foxhole, most folks don’t want. I want a newscaster to give me the details about a bank robbery and then shut up. I don’t need them to give me a philosophical discussion on why the robber picked this bank and where the robber went to school. Between the suits on Capitol Hill and the suits in the media, no wonder many foreign folks are reluctant to come here.
That said, when you look at all of the “soft power” the average American is putting out there just by being polite and taking care of our visitors, that’s the real America! I know I don’t agree with my neighbors on every topic (especially regarding the NY Yankees!), but I know if I need anything, a ride to the store, a quart of oil, or help with the lawn, they are there like a tick on a dog.
What makes my neighbors awesome is we are a mixed bag of Naturalized American Citizens and Native Born American Citizens. We are from a variety of backgrounds and I trust every one of them without hesitation.
That’s the America many of our World Cup visitors are seeing and the care and kindness we have for visitors is what we want them to take home with them.
As a Naturalized American Citizen, I cannot fully describe the emotions I feel every 4th of July. I know I would not have accomplished what I have in life if not for the opportunities America 🇺🇸 provided to me.
Happy 250th!
Thanks - a nice write up and nice videos to share. I hope some of these folks come back for the national parks. One of very best things about US to me has been the absolute incredible vastness and diversity of it all . I really hope visitors felt the distances between cities… to counteract the “why aren’t they doing more ?” Vibe
Thank you for this uplifting post!