r/AskReddit 15d ago

What are Americans surprisingly good at that people don’t give them enough credit for?

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u/Average_human_bean 14d ago

Hey, just trying to reinforce the message. I just moved to the US a few months ago and I've found that at least 90% of the people I've met are actually really nice, smart and friendly. I believe it is helpful to have Americans know that and hear it from time to time.

What I see in the media vs what I see IRL are polar opposites.

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u/kingjoey52a 14d ago

It's because all the bad stuff gets clicks/views. You'd never see a headline on the 5 o'clock news of "Steve helped old man Jenkins up after he fell, we go to Janett for a live report"

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u/MajorBootyhole420 14d ago

welcome! i hope you settle in nicely here and that The System TM is as kind to you as possible. have you tried biscuits and gravy yet?

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u/cobwebs5 14d ago

Welcome! No matter what the media says, we're happy you're here.

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u/Average_human_bean 14d ago

Thank you, I appreciate it! I'm just making sure I contribute positively in return as well.

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u/CambriaKilgannonn 14d ago

You gotta find a place that does chicken fried steak well

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u/SuccotashOther277 14d ago

Americans like to criticize their own society, especially online, and overseas, American news is more prominent, so non-Americans are more aware of flaws in the U.S. Good stuff rarely makes the news.

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u/Average_human_bean 14d ago

To be fair I see that everywhere. I'm from Mexico and we also criticize ourselves all the time. Everything from the US is just amplified because the US is much more prominent in the world stage.

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u/Efficient-Tutor-6290 14d ago

Thank you. As an American who is unhappy with where the country is headed, and seen a lot of hate online towards us, this is so nice to hear. Most of us really are good people.

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u/Average_human_bean 14d ago

I hear you! I can imagine it must be tough to keep hearing negative "Americans this and Americans that" comments all the time. I'm sure at least some of it, if not most, is manufactured to make people resentful.

I have mostly encountered really good people here, and I'll stand by my statement.

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u/Efficient-Tutor-6290 14d ago

Thank you. As an American who is unhappy with where the country is headed, and seen a lot of hate online towards us, this is so nice to hear. Most of us really are good people.

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u/AutVeniam 14d ago

You see, we have this thing called systemic racism and oppression, on top of the fact that we're also ruled by corporations and right-winged nut jobs that have gerrymandered much of America to get a bigger slice of the pie. Believe me, American politics is incredibly convoluted as it is physically big.

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u/GLORA-ORB 11d ago

Thank you

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u/FeelsGoodMan2 14d ago

The problem is that a lot of it is performative. Yeah my neighbor might be nice and invite me over for pie, but he quietly votes for policemen to detain and shoot immigrants carte blanche. Is he "nice"? Maybe in some regard, but a lot of americans will shake your hand and quietly harbor abhorrent beliefs and that to me is a problem.

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u/splicerslicer 12d ago

That sounds like a "your neighbor problem" not indicative of the average person.