Think America Isn't Great? From Fast Food to Friendly Faces: Discover Why We Should Appreciate America More!
As our country's 250th birthday approaches, I thought that it would be interesting to put a few things into perspective. First, being old enough to have experienced our great nation's 200th birthday celebration back in 1976, I am somewhat surprised at small number of celebrations across the country. Back in 76, there was a certain sense of excitement about our nations bicentenial. Patriotic themed events and imagery were everywhere. There was a train containing our national treasures, like the Declaration of Independence and the Liberty Bell, touring the country so that every American would have a chance to see them. There was a fleet of tall (sailed) ships touring port cities. Overall, there was a sense of national pride that permeated everything. It was a truly magical time for our country.
When you look around today, that sense of patriotism seems to be lacking somewhat. Sure, there are some great events scheduled for the 4th of July. But it's just not the same. I have spent some time recently thinking about the subject. I have thought a lot about how we, as Americans, view our country. Not just our history, but the state of things presently. Some of this was inspired by a recent conversation that some of our family members had with a family friend. Somehow, the subject of President Donald Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again" came up in the conversation. I recall our friend stating something like, "America isn't all that great; it hasn't been in some time." This, unfortunately, isn't a sentiment that is unique among a lot of Americans. A perusal of social media will expose one to many such ideas being expressed by numerous people from different classes and age groups. It has been expressed by both the populace and politicians alike that we, as a country, need to be more like other countries around the globe. There is a general consensus out there that America isn't all that hot and that we should start doing things differently. That somehow life is better outside the borders of America.
So what about this idea that America isn't all it's cracked up to be? Is life in other countries better? How do they stack up against each other?
As most of you know, the World Cup soccer tournament is taking place here in the United States for the first time in 32 years. This prestigious event has given people from all over the world an opportunity to visit the United States to support their country's teams. Most of these visitors have never been to America before, so the experience is something completely foreign to them. Like anyone visiting a strange new location, they had preconceived ideas about what life here in America is like, based on what they had read and seen on social media, television, and in movies. Surprisingly, they have all been amazed at just how wrong all of those preconceived ideas have actually been. They came to America believing the bad press that they had been fed overseas, and what they discovered caught them completely by surprise.
Europeans who have traveled to our country for the first time have been blown away by what they have seen and by their interactions with people. Many have taken the time to explore the cities where the games are taking place.
One visitor decided to simply take a walk through a local neighborhood. He was surprised to find that the people he passed on his journey actually greeted him. He was stunned that people said "hello" and "good morning" to him. Another visitor from the UK visited a local High School football stadium and was shocked at how large it was. He exclaimed, "Look at the amount of seats in this place. Do they actually fill these stadiums? Do people actually come to the games and actually fill these out? If this were England, it would literally be like a little park filled with dog (expletive) everywhere."
These visitors are also raving about the quality of food here in America, even fast food. Two Australian women decided to try Chipotle for the first time and couldn't stop raving about it.
Another Australian visitor took a walk out in a desert canyon and stated, "It's just incredible, absolutely incredible. There really is like no other. I honestly think that unless you live in America or unless you visit here. You can't really comprehend how nice these areas are."
Another Brit tried Olive Garden, and she exclaimed, "WTF! This is the best pasta I have ever had in my life! I love it here. That was the best day of my life. I wish I could go back there every day of my life. "
A couple from Britain took a stroll along the water of the Gulf of America and were surprised at just how beautiful the homes and the scenery were. And again, they were taken aback by how friendly the people were. The man stated, "(looking at the homes) They are so beautiful, everyone's so friendly, Southern hospitality, (He then sniffs the air) the air smells nice." His wife then adds, "If you're in the UK and next to the water, it smells; the beach here doesn't smell."
A young Italian man was perplexed by the fact that he could get a free refill of soda. "I can refill this a thousand times. (his friend states that he won't drink a thousand sodas) It's FREE! (you paid for it) Once!"
A young British woman tried In-N-Out for the first time and had the kind of experience everyone has when they try In-N-Out for the first time: "This is the best burger, honestly. It's so good. And then I also got the Animal Style Fries (good choice - Ken) and a diet lemonade for balance. I just love it here. They have Bile verses on the bottom of their cups. Look at that burger, it's so good, and then we have the sunset. I love America. I can never leave. I cannot live without this food."
Another British man had this to say upon returning to his home in the UK, "I've been back home in the UK, I haven't felt awake myself, which sounds so crazy. I now live for that adventure, that crazy lifestyle. That meeting new people, seeing new people every day. And I just long for it. In America, it is so amazing, oh America, what have you done to me? I need to come back."
Some of the best quotes on just how blown away people are by their experiences here in America come from a South African gentleman named James Bartlett, from a video he shared on X of a nature walk that he took recently, "You have to check this out, it's freakin awesome! I've just come for a run, and no one's chasing me. No one's trying to rape or murder me like in South Africa when you go on the road. But check it out. I'm at this wildlife refuge right near where we live, but look at this. How amazing is this? How civilised is this? It looks great! This would be completely vandalised and destroyed (in South Africa). And look, I'm alone. Completely alone. Safe as can be. There are squirrels, rabbits, and I saw a deer earlier. I want to see a beaver or something. Look at this, look at this (looking down at the wooden bridge he's walking on). That would be vandalized, then burnt and broken in South Africa. Man, America is freaking awesome! God is so good. America is gorgeous. You could probably come here at night and be safe. I know you could come here at night and be safe. America is freakin awesome. It's safe. Everybody is kind, they wave and say hello. Let's keep America awesome. I love it too much to let it go down the drain like my country, South Africa. Let's not take this for granted. Let's appreciate and celebrate America."
I know that some of those were long quotes, but I thought that it was important to include all the details, as it illustrates the true experiences people from other countries have had here in America.
So, what does all of this show us? It would appear that we Americans take way too much of our everyday lives for granted. From the joy of a fast-food hamburger to the fact that we can take a walk in an area that is beautiful and free from vandalism and people trying to harm us, America is full of blessings that we as Americans have chosen to be ungrateful for. The fact that many of us take to social media daily to complain about our way of life here speaks volumes about how entitled we have become as a society. Is America great? Visitors from around the globe sure think so. Is America perfect? No. Is every part of America beautiful and safe? Certainly not. There is no Xanadu or Shangri-La anywhere in reality. No place is perfect, no perfect place has ever existed. So why do we as Americans get caught up in a "Grass is Greener" mentality? Despite what you may have been led to believe, the grass is pretty darn green right here in the good old USA. Indeed, we need to change our perspective. We need to start looking at our way of life the way others now do. The food is better, the scenery is amazing, and most importantly, the people are friendly. Let's take some time to take a good look, a good long look at just what we have here. I think that if you do, you might just start seeing things more clearly, like someone who has just discovered what America has to offer.
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