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When we talk about the US, we usually mention its healthcare issues, gun violence, or racism, but the country is not all bad. So, to balance things out, we thought it would be a good idea to look at one Reddit post that went viral just a couple of days ago.
Created by user u/jenzredz, it asked people the question: "What does America get right?" And judging by the upvotes and comments, quite a lot, apparently. So continue scrolling and take a look at all the nice things both locals and tourists had to say about this unique patch of land!
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#1
Canadian here.
My near universal experience with Americans is that they are generous and helpful. Many would give someone the shirt off their backs if asked.
Collectively, y'all are crazy, but individually, the best people I've ever met.
You could say the idea for the post came to u/jenzredz quite gradually. "I was perusing Reddit and had come across a r/AskReddit about things Americans do that is weird," they told Bored Panda. "I like to read those because it's interesting to get an outsider's perspective on America and Americans. However, lately, I had come across quite a few 'weird things Americans do' or 'dumb things America does' and the like. I had also been reading several articles lately about American politics, which can be a depressing pastime. I decided to see what does America actually do right."
"I posed the question ... thinking I'd get a few answers, some uplifting but mostly snarky or 'nothing.' I was astounded at the response I got! Both in number and positivity. I even got a few messages telling me thank you. That they had been thinking and feeling the same way I had and was getting pretty down about being from America. That was a great feeling! Knowing others were feeling the same way I was and that I was able to brighten their day!"
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#2
If we're talking the U.S, their National Park system is good. They were the first to sorta do it and got the rest of the world into it too.
#3
NASA. Even with all the government and political bullsh*t, it's still taking great strides in taking humanity forward, but more importantly they focus a LOT on educating the common folks during missions.
I love that all the information and pictures and everything NASA produces are publicly accessible for free, and not even under copyright. I'm not even American but NASA had a great role in creating interest in me about Space and Astronomy when I was growing up.
Listing 101 great things about the United States, Fortune's editors mentioned many of the things that we see in this Reddit thread. From athletes, musicians, social activists to domestic beer, Fender, and NASA, they touched upon many subjects too.
After going through all of the comments under their post, u/jenzredz learned they "take for granted several things so many people around the world don't have access to or aren't allowed to experience, or at least not to the level we in America do."
"For instance, I didn't realize National and State Parks aren't really a thing in other countries. I thought everyone had those! Also our libraries and interstate systems. Again, I thought that was pretty universal. The most interesting thing is our First Amendment right to speak against our government. I was unaware how much of a privilege and to what degree of freedom we have to speak against our government and politicians. However, the thing I noticed the absolute most was the comments about our food! Our food diversity, availability, cost, etc. I had no idea we were pretty much the only country in the world to do bbq!," the Redditor explained.
All of this made u/jenzredz realize that Americans are doing much better than they give themselves credit for.
#4
Wandering hype people.
You never know when it will happen, but at some unexpected moment in America, someone is hyping someone up. Usually, this is performed by complete and total strangers.
Some dude pulls off wrapping a particularly full burrito? Person ordering it will point it out to the (completely unrelated) customer behind them and say something like “This guy’s got this burrito on lockdown!”
You order three extra shots of espresso at the coffee shop? “Oh, you’ve got this now, the day is YOURS”
Rest stop at 2AM playing some light gun game while your friend takes a dump? “Oh, there they go! F*ck those robbers up! Do it! Yeaaaaah!”
Wandering hype people exist everywhere in America. They celebrate small and large things. Americans genuinely love watching someone win, even if there’s no competition. From a half court buzzer beaters to having exact change, we feel this weird camaraderie when we share a moment of victory. Makes me think we’ve got a shot.
#5
Barbecue. I’m Canadian and we’ll barbecue year round but they call that grilling, I’m talking American barbecue. F*ck me up with that brisket you’ve been smoking all week Uncle Sam. Hell yes.
However, there is data that suggests life in America might be getting worse. The General Social Survey, one of the longest-running and most highly regarded public opinion research projects in the nation, reports that on a scale of 1 to 3, where 1 represents "not too happy" and 3 means "very happy," Americans on average give themselves a 2.18 — a hair above "pretty happy."
That might sound good but it's actually a significant decline from the nation's peak happiness, as measured by the survey, of the early 1990s. The change is driven by the number of people who say they’re not too happy — 13 percent in 2018 vs. 8 percent in 1990. That's a more than a 50 percent increase.
#6
This country has remarkable natural beauty. The national park system was a good idea even if it's underfunded and overcrowded now. In Colorado search and rescue is free and that is a very good thing. We also do craft beer well.
#7
The Blues. The Blues influenced everyone from Elvis, to The Beatles, to the Stones. It's a music of hardship and pain. And while it's rooted in the darkest time of our country, it's one of the most unifying forms of music ever created.
#8
The public library system - in my county alone we have over 10 different libraries with transfers between them so there’s a vast selection of movies, books, magazines etc
Caro Caro 3 years ago (edited)
I don't think this is only a usa thing. Most western countries have good public libraries. EDIT this thread is about USA getting things right. So YES, they get this right too! I have to watch myself posting and sounding like a cow so to all you Americans here: I really like you and the USA is full of good stuff and nice people. So there !!!
#9
I love the American experience. I live in DFW and I don’t take it for granted. There’s Japanese revolving sushi bars; Russian bath houses; Korean super markets; Mexican foods; Italian markets. Globalization is alive and well. It’s my favorite thing about America.
#10
The ADA, the Americans with Disabilities Act*. America is really accessible compared to many of if not most other places. I consider myself able bodied and I travel a lot. When I do, I’m reminded how special the ADA is. And as an able bodied person I’m also aware that designing things for everyone makes them better for everyone.
#11
The United States adopts more children than the rest of the world combined.
#12
Freedom of speech and press. Many people don't appreciate that the reason America seems to have so many problems is largely that the problems get exposed and discussed whether the government likes it or not. Many countries that seem more orderly seem that way because the government controls information flow.
#13
Turning Halloween into an all ages celebration. The kids get to Trick or Treat. The adults throw their own parties. Everyone gets to dress up and have fun. I love driving and walking through neighborhoods and seeing people who have gone crazy decorating their lawns and houses with horror decorations. Some even turn their places in "haunted houses" that people could go through while they Trick or Treat. It's even fun when you go into regular stores like Target and they get into the spirit by playing scary theme music on the PA. "Thriller" always seems to be playing somewhere
#15
Your entertainment industry is second to none and absolutely light years ahead of all other nations.
In terms of ‘content’ the states is in a class of their own
#16
Burgers. Like, each one is better than the next. I'm not talking McDonalds or Burger King, I'm talking burgers in bars. No other country I've been to comes close.
#17
Public lands and access to them. Everyone is mentioning the National Park system, which is the crown jewel, but our wilderness areas, national forests, BLM lands, state and local parks, protected coastal areas and the roads that connect them all are truly amazing. We may not all be able to afford a cabin in the mountains or a house on the beach, but with a car and a tent we can all enjoy those places no matter what your income.
Sky Render 3 years ago
Oregon takes it a step further than most states: all beaches have been declared public property. So nobody can privatize any stretch of the coastline or any lake!
#18
School buses, i've always thought it was odd that in the US, a nation who prides itself on not having things like a national health service, that there is a bus service which picks up kids for free to to ensure they get to school.
In the UK kids use regular buses to get to school, and it makes them very overcrowded and messy and annoying for other people trying to use the bus at the same time
That is unless somebody is going to tell me school buses only exist in the Simpsons or got phased out in the 90's or something depressing.
Pilot Chick 3 years ago (edited)
Where I live in the US there is zero public transportation so school bus is the only option to get to school. I also live in a rural area so the closest school I ever went to was still over 5 miles away.
#19
Giving in times of need, I think. The government always cocks things up, but when awful stuff happens somewhere, average Americans want to help. Horrific volcanic disaster in the Caribbean? Just hours later, people are texting in donations to rescue and recovery efforts. Hurricane Katrina? Cajun Navy shows up to help. Earthquake and famine in Haiti? You have musicians Pomplamoose figuring out how to get goats to people in need. While there are always exceptions, I think average Americans - paycheck to paycheck, truck driving, weekend football, everyday Americans - want to help when and where they can.
Dina Simoné 3 years ago
Thats my Impression too. The average people in the US are kind and compassionate. Politics and Jeff Bezos do not represent Americans.
#22
Convenience. I love going to Europe. But every time I go I miss the convenience of America. Grocery stores have everything you could want. 80 different cereals or potato chips? We got it. It's 2 am and I want pancakes? How about a burger? Well the diner down the road from me has it. Within a few miles of my house I can get chinese, jamaican, pizza, korean, sushi, bbq, mexican, indian, thai, etc. Maybe I want to go shopping at 10 pm and buy a toaster. Well wal-mart and target are open.
I admire the simplicity in some countries since places tend to close earlier. Especially on sunday. But here you can get what you want, when you want. I take it for granted until I travel overseas.
#23
Scientific research especially medical research. USA arguably has the best research facilities in general which attracts the brightest people from all over the planet. So many opportunities too for scientists to advance their career not just in research institutions but also in a ton of life sciences/biotech industries. BUT it’s sad that with all these knowledge we don’t have a universal healthcare system and not everybody can access the fruit of these research.
Donkey boi 3 years ago
Arguably is the word! While true that the U.S has the highest rate of new drugs and medical devices getting approved (by their own governmental regulators), this is a distorted fact as it includes the same medication multiple times under different brand names. They also include in the list all those products you see on late night infomercials that "boost health and wellbeing" such as vibrators for your feet, facial hair trimmers and so on. The countries leading the way in terms of Innovation are (in order) Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, THEN the United States. Interesting side fact: The Dutch company Philips has invented more medical devices that any other company in history combined, however it always gives away the credit when the devices were inspired/made using other peoples research.
#24
THEME PARKS!! There are so many to choose from besides just Disney and Universal and the few I've been to have been fantastic.
Here in NZ we have one theme park with ONE rollercoaster and it's the Corkscrew (AKA baby's first rollercoaster)
Desiree McKinnon 3 years ago
You want ROLLER COASTERS? Come to Ohio. Cedar Point in Sandusky on Lake Erie is the BEST!!!
#25
Handicap Accessible Buildings
Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago (edited)
Is this not common in other countries? In Australia it is the law the have disability access to pretty much all buildings (except private residences).
#26
The Interstate. Imagine the Autobahn but scaled up to an entire continent. It is one of the safest and least congested road systems in the world and has easily been one of the single biggest contributions to America's success. The simple fact you can drive from New York to LA in relative comfort on flat, paved roads is insane outside the US. It's like driving from Moscow to Madrid, except you drive mostly in straight lines and at high speeds with almost no risk of accidents, and the few that occur are often not deadly. There is a gas station and convenience store every few miles, a restaurant every few miles, a rest place every few miles.
Carol Emory 3 years ago
It's funny too. The interstate served a double purpose at it's creation...connections between states to foster travel...emergency landing strips for planes. President Eisenhower was a visionary.
#27
LGBT protection. I don't believe it's perfect or without its flaws, but in comparison to where my extended family is from (Eastern Europe), I feel much safer recently outing myself here then I ever would where the rest of my family lives. At least here in the states I don't have to worry as much about possibly being fired, ridiculed, assaulted, 'corrected' or killed if other people know about me being a lesbian.
#28
America really fosters entrepreneurial spirit. So many new ideas and businesses and risks being taken. It's not a coincidence why so many of the new great companies come from America.
Josy Bannon 3 years ago
I think the enterpreneurial spirit is a cool thing too, I feel Americans think different about making mistakes and start over. Also seems they like to see others succeed
#29
Diversity (hard to believe if you’re American, but for real, very few countries handle it as well), the National Park Service, and attracting the world’s best and brightest.
Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago
Whilst they may have diversity, doesn't mean that the diversity is widely accepted.
#30
Public restrooms and drinking fountains. In NZ, you're lucky to have a public toilet within a block of you if you're downtown. In the US, every shop has one.
What do you think ?
Happy_Pandalover 3 years ago
To all the people commenting on how most of the benefits are easily to be found in other countries: If something is good it is still praiseworthy, no matter if it‘s unique or not. The US has beautiful landscapes, friendly people and superb customer service. I also love how different each state is from the other.
Ellis Reed 3 years ago
I love how the comments to this post are proving your point 100%.
Load More Replies...
LittleBrownWren 3 years ago
The post is called "Things America gets right" not "Things America is #1 at." Not to say I wholeheartedly agree with all of them, but it is an important distinction.
Carrie B 3 years ago
Right? The things said here aren't excluding anyone.
Load More Replies... Happy_Pandalover 3 years ago
To all the people commenting on how most of the benefits are easily to be found in other countries: If something is good it is still praiseworthy, no matter if it‘s unique or not. The US has beautiful landscapes, friendly people and superb customer service. I also love how different each state is from the other.
Ellis Reed 3 years ago
I love how the comments to this post are proving your point 100%.
Load More Replies... LittleBrownWren 3 years ago
The post is called "Things America gets right" not "Things America is #1 at." Not to say I wholeheartedly agree with all of them, but it is an important distinction.
Carrie B 3 years ago
Right? The things said here aren't excluding anyone.
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