I get it: there are a lot of people around the world who don’t like America for one reason or another. Our military interventions, our political system, our leaders, etc.
It makes perfect sense.
But I believe there are still A LOT of great things about the United States and, even though we have A TON of work to do to right some wrongs, this is a great country and a great place to live.
And it’s going to get better sooner than later. I truly believe that.
People were asked to talk about what is GOOD about America.
Let’s see what they had to say on AskReddit.
1. We can do it!
“As a Brit who lived there for a while, I found the famous “Can Do” attitude real and refreshing.
Brits can be pessimistic, in comparison.”
2. Do what you want.
“What I’m about to say is very unappreciated in America, but it’s the freedom to say whatever you want (under most circumstances).
It’s nice knowing that the government cannot make or prevent us from saying something.”
3. A very diverse place.
“Im British, but i am in total admiration of your nature and your diverse food culture.
Your history and cultural diversity between states is fascinating too.”
4. From across the pond.
“As an Englishman it is difficult to say because the USA is like 10 different countries in one that all feel different. But the things that are common across America that always make we want to go back are:
Football. It’s just an amazing sport.
BBQ food. We’re starting to get it a bit over here now, but you can just get awesome BBQ anywhere in America (better in the south obviously).
Beer. This sounds a crazy thing to say given that American beer was so godd**n awful as recently as 10 years ago, but now it seems every bar has a good range of beer (UK is pretty good too, but a lot of other countries are less so).
Prices. Even with the strength of the dollar, nearly everything is cheaper in the US than in Europe. And the malls are big enough that you can usually find what you want.
Sports channels. Ours kind of suck compared to the ones in America.
The first amendment. It’s so important for a free country and it is a right that is slowly being destroyed in the UK.”
5. Amen to this!
“The people.
The majority of us are kind, loving, and caring people.
It is just the loud mouth nut jobs that end up on TV.”
6. Coffee is LIFE.
“As one Aussie put it:
“Your bottomless cup of coffee. Mate, that’s bloody civilized…””
7. Here are a few good things.
“Major League Baseball
Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza
Southern Biscuits & Gravy
Texas BBQ
Broadway
Metropolitan Museum of Art.”
8. It all started here.
“Blues. Jazz. Rock and roll. Hip hop.
Our black culture invented the best music in history.”
9. A lot to see.
“The people are diverse, passionate, and strive for freedom and our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Our country is vast, diverse with biomes climate, and absolutely beautiful.
You should go see the Grand Canyon and redwood national forest, they’re awe inspiring.”
10. Everyone should realize this.
“9/10 Americans I’ve met have been incredibly kind, generous and funny. We just usually see the extremes in media.”
11. Law and order.
“The rule of law.
I’ve lived several places where the law is negotiable. For all that people talk about the USA being corrupt, you can live your life expecting the rule of law to apply to you and those around you.”
12. A lot of freedom.
“Although we aren’t totally free, Americans have a lot of freedoms that other countries don’t have that we take for granted.
For instance, the freedom to travel. I’ve heard in North Korea, you can’t even move from city to city without a permit to travel. We also take the freedom of speech for granted.
We can say freely say f**k the government in America if we want to.”
13. Glorious!
“Beaches with boardwalks and amusement piers with surf-style fries and saltwater taffy and pizza and deep-fried funnel cakes, tattoo parlors and trashy t-shirt shops and exactly the kind of people-watching you’d expect in such a glorious environment.”
14. A bunch of reasons.
“You can be gay without being thrown off the roof publicly. You can, in fact, get married, adopt, etc. and have equal rights.
You can own guns and in a large number of states, you have the right to defend your home and family.
You can criticize the government, openly and loudly and in most circumstances, they aren’t going to come into your home, torture and murder your family for it.
You can get a job with a federally mandated minimum wage, which is higher in many places, whether it be state or local.
You can get welfare and food stamps to assist you.
You can pick up your cell phone (90% of US adults own one) and call an ambulance if a loved one or yourself is injured, be taken to a hospital, and are guaranteed treatment, regardless of your ability to pay or whether you have insurance coverage or not.
You may get large bills, but they can’t legally deny you treatment. Ever. For any reason. (It still happens. Just like cops murdering, raping, etc. not most places though.) When I was in Canada, and moved away from Toronto, I had to give up my primary in order to get on the 2 year long waiting list to get on with a local doctor.
I also had to wait 36 hours in the ER to be seen, after at least a dozen people who were deemed in greater need than I were seen first.”
15. In it together.
“In my opinion, this is the place where all cultures can peacefully gather and it’s somewhat normal.
YES, people hate on that and it sucks, but the people that do care about all colors and cultures have made this place a mixture of different people, there’s no one race that truly owns or belongs to America, no matter what anyone says.”
16. Friendly people.
“I spent a summer in the US and met some of the most friendly, helpful people.
America: F**K YEAH!”
Now let’s hear from you!
In the comments, tell us some things that you think are GOOD about the U.S.
Please and thank you!
