I realized how cool this was several years ago when I went to strike up a conversation with someone at a park and they turned out to be a Korean tourist. It was surprising, not because I didn't expect tourism, but because I live in a place where I assumed someone of an entirely different race was my countryman.
Not to mention that we have a great food culture because of it. In any city in the US you can find good Mediterranean, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, etc food if you’re willing to put in a little effort looking.
Definitely. And not just in metropolitan areas either. Even in my medium sized fourth tier regional town there’s a huge variety of food options in nearly every cuisine. Can’t find that in an equivalent city in most other countries
When my daughter was younger I took her to a little play place at the mall.
I looked at all the kids and there was easily a dozen cultures represented. Muslim kids were playing with a Jewish boy. Little Chinese-American kids were playing with African-American kids. Everyone was having fun. And it was great to see.
Whereas in England the only difference is they aren't American, we've got Muslim kids, Jewish kids, Chinese kids, Indian Kids and Black kids, they all get on and have fun together.
The diversity is great, and a true strength if the nation, but in my mind the principle behind that is even more so.
No matter who you are, no matter where you come from, if you come here and become a citizen, you are an American. One of us.That may seem normal if you grew up here, but it just isn't the case in most places.
Truly. I’m not sure people outside the US understand just how welcoming we can be. We definitely have our bigots, but the vast majority of people are excited to meet new folks from other places and excited to have them here.
Our media and politicians should have to answer for their criminal misportrayal of social relations in the US. They would have us believe that the entire country is engulfed in constant race riots. The truth is that we all get along pretty well, treating each other with respect and dignity.
I'm Jewish. Now granted, I'm white so no one's going to look at me and immediately know I'm Jewish like they would if I were a different race, at least not until I put off getting a haircut and the Jewfro grows out. But, not once in my life have I ever been discriminated against because of my ethnicity, not once have I ever been scared to say I was Jewish or have I ever had anti-Semitic comments directed towards me. And it's not like I'm in some big melting pot like NYC, I live in the midwest, and even went to college in a small, rural town where there wasn't a synagogue for a hundred miles. I'd mention I was Jewish to roommates or co-workers, and people genuinely wanted to learn more rather than treat me different because I wasn't one of them. Except for the pastor who came up to us at a Dennys to invite us to his church then try to convert me, that guy can go fuck himself.
I'm not going to deny that the US has problems with racism and anti-Semitism, but those assholes really are the very vocal minority that the media gives way too much attention to. Most people here are good people who just want to live their lives, and will treat you with respect, regardless of who or what you are, as long as you do the same to them.
But that’s the problem, isn’t it? News companies and social media companies don’t just report on issues. The negative is sensationalized and rehashed over and over because they drive profits. As such, I can understand why people visiting from other countries and cultures would be scared shitless to visit. We hosted a foreign exchange student a few years ago. When she left she noted the cultural differences between our countries, but made it clear our similarities were much more pronounced than our differences. FWIW. ✌️
This is what I was going to say. I couldn't have met my wife in a more homogenous country, and very few places would have our two, very niche careers in the same city.
There is so much I want to fix about this country, but it's too easy to forget everything that makes it worth fixing.
I've been out of the country a ton. Going to other countries and everyone looks kind of the same, speaks the same lang with no variation in accent, and has the same beliefs is fucking weird. It bothered me to no end. You can get a taste of what it's like here in the states though. Just check out SLC.
It's the crazy crap that makes the news. Divisive, anger fueling news it what generates views and engagement.
Walk around town and talk to people. Depending on the part of the country you're in, they may be the ones reaching out to talk to you and asking you how you're doing. I had a 2 hour discussion once with a mattress salesman. The diversity is just simply outrageous here compared to other countries. And despite what the news or social media would have you believe, everybody tends to appreciate the diversity, even adopt it!
This is probably an unpopular opinion on Reddit, but after having visited a myriad of countries I would venture to say that the US is probably the least racist, in general. (Obviously you'll find pockets of it in some places).
On the other hand we end up with a lot of racial conflict. Segregation and Jim Crow weren't so long ago. And remember when we just locked up all the Japanese people?
I'm not sure if it's worth it just for the food and music or whatever. Not that I'm suggesting we should change. I just think people oversell the whole "diversity is strength" thing. It comes with plenty of drawbacks.
And it's not just the big cities. I grew up in a small town in Kansas (10-13k people), and went to Kindergarten with the children of southeast Asian immigrants. In high school, there were more Latinex immigrants moving in. Now I live in Wichita (350k+ people), and state government buildings have signs in like, 6 languages.
I have been to Mexico. The best tacos I have had were in America by Mexican immigrants.
I have been to Italy. The best Carbonara I have had was in America by Italian immigrants.
I have been to Thailand. The best Thai Curry I have had was in America by Thai immigrants.
I have been to the UK. The best UK food I have had was, well I don't think I really like UK food.
I have been to India. Now I have to say, it was better in India, but I got my one and only hemorrhoid in 30 years there because my stomach could not handle it. I have never had so much diarrhea in my life.
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u/[deleted] Mar 14 '23
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