5 Ways Living in the US Has Altered My Perception Of It

[@Big_Tex]

Hey enough with the Texas stereotypes. We’re not all oil tycoons. Some of us are propane tycoons.

[@maryvalentine9090]

😍😂

[@mandystory4275]

And propane accessory tycoons.

[@timmmahhhh]

Yeah, frack them!

[@captainnegativity9269]

I tell ya hwhat.

[@ChrisBl33p]

@@captainnegativity9269 dang ol stereotypes man

[@cyriewilson3170]

I had a British teacher, who would have a fit, because we labeled homes as Historic, if they were over 100 years old. She would brag about how the buildings in Britain were older. What she didn’t care to understand was, the ‘Historic’ homes were all made of wood, and around here (pacific northwest) wood doesn’t survive that long; so anything over 100 years old deserves some credit.

[@alicemilne1444]

There are wooden stave churches that are centuries old in Norway. The oldest one is Urnes in Luster by the Sognefjord. It's 800 years old and built entirely of wood. There's another stave church in Sweden that is 500 years old. Southern Norway has a climate that is similar to that of the Pacific Northwest in the USA. I think it's more the species of wood used than the fact that the material is wood in itself. Also, European style houses have only been built in the Pacific Northwest fairly recently. IIRC, the first settlement in Washington was not much before 1800, and in Oregon abut 1810, and even in the year 1900 the population of each of those states was at around or less than 500K. There just weren't sufficient numbers of buildings to allow more than a few to survive.

[@explorinjenkins349]

My Minnesota house just turned 101 years old. Probably would be older but, my town was razed in a fire in 1918. There's still some red cross relief shacks around town that people have updated to workshops or garages. I gotta respect human ingenuity for building things that last centuries or even thousands of years. Wicked crazy, bud.

[@HolyKhaaaaan]

You are both right. 100 years isn't very long in terms of human history but it is pretty long for the perennially rainy Pacific Northwest, especially given American Building quality ,which is quite low.

[@johnpjones1775]

And let’s face it a Queen Anne Victorian home looks way cooler than any of their 400 year old rock pile shanties they’ve been huddling in

[@jamieott7080]

Don’t forget about the adobe homes, which I think the oldest one is in Texas? There are a few in California at the missions. They can easily last a few hundred years, But still not as lasting as brick and rock.

[@The_Blyatman]

Fun fact about the “Florida Man” stereotype: the reason you see so many Florida man stories isn’t because Floridians are crazier than anybody else, it’s because Florida’s police records are public, so any time the news outlets need extra stories they just go digging until they find something interesting.

[@KM91]

There's still plenty of crazies down here, tho.

[@irok1]

That's a great perspective

[@northwest1760]

I’m a Floridian. Florida man is real. Also, I don’t know about other states but I live in California now and police reports are also considered public records here. Given that California has close to double the population of Florida but there is no “California Man,” I’d wager your theory is deeply flawed.

[@justanothergmailaccount1353]

@North West New stories with the tagline of “homeless meth addict does meth addict shit (ie: attacks, robs, or screams incoherently at someone) while California government does nothing to stop it or protected citizens“ doesn’t have the same appeal as wacky and zany Florida resident does something weird.

[@northwest1760]

@@justanothergmailaccount1353 what are you talking about? That story is replayed and blown up time and time again, particularly in right leaning media. Which is why you’re bringing it up to begin with. Meanwhile, California is the 14th safest state in the country. Florida is right in the middle. Not particularly dangerous just whacky. The most “tough on crime” state is Virginia. Do you know how they rank? 4th most dangerous. People need to get their heads out of their ass and realize that poverty is the culprit. If you look at the rankings of states by violent crime it follows the same pattern of rankings of most impoverished states.

[@phineas117]

Once worked with a doctor from new zealand.....he had been "over here in America" for years. and several relations were coming for a two week vacation. he was laughing when he told us what they requested to see. the White House, Disney world, the Statue of Liberty, and the Grand Canyon. in TWO WEEKS. they had no concept of the distances between these sites.

[@NicoleM_radiantbaby]

Yeah, back in the 80s, my wife's family was having some friends in from the UK and they were visiting New York and wanted to go to the Grand Canyon the next day. The family said: 'Well, you'll have to take a flight for that!" LOL

[@miriamcohen7657]

Very cute.

[@Hal_Evergreen]

I had an Australian friend to came to stay in New York for a month, and she mentioned hoping to take a short train trip to visit some friends... In Washington state. I was a bit nonplussed, since it's not like Australia is a small country by any means.

[@jacquelyns9709]

Well if the family flew into NYC, just saw the Statue of Liberty and nothing else and then hightailed it down to DC to look at the outside of the White House. Then traveled to Walt Disney World to tour Fantasy Land and maybe one other part. That would eat up a week. Then fly out to Grand Canyon area for the 2nd week. That's doable. But no family visiting. And no in-depth sightseeing.. I wouldn't be satisfied doing it. I don't know enough about New Zealand to tell if 2 weeks is long enough for a satisfactory sightseeing experience to both islands.

[@Hal_Evergreen]

@@jacquelyns9709 I mean, if money was no object, sure, you could cram all that into 2 weeks. But that's a lot of extra money spent on plane tickets.

[@shojodraws3399]

I take offense to the "America has no history" perception. As someone currently despising my online American history class, I can assure you that there's more history stuffed in two centuries than I ever cared to know.

[@Smok3yR1der]

Tobacco is a cash crop

[@DSiren]

And that's 2.5 centuries as an independent nation, not to mention the 2 centuries before that as colonies of other bigger powers.

[@saggguy7]

@@DSiren not to mention the literal thousands of years of history of the people we stole the land from

[@adolfilyichmarx9589]

@@saggguy7 which was stolen from other indigenous peoples

[@tcpnetworks]

He literally agreed with your position - and you are offended by it? You really must be American ...

[@jonwallace6204]

I like how you described us has having a lot of history packed together. Never thought about that before, we did our history in speedrun mode.

[@simhedgesrex7097]

Yeah, but just like many other countries. Look at France since 1776 with 3 different monarchies, 5 different republics, an (almost successful) attempt to conquer Europe, a bloody revolution, the Franco Prussian War, WW1, WW2, and the post war settlement with Germany, along with the rise and fall of its empire. Or the UK: it came to run a quarter of the world, and then lost it, the industrial revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, WW1, WW2, the Crimean War, joining the EU, leaving the EU...

[@wgreiter]

@@simhedgesrex7097 Look at China, from the richest country on earth, down to the 5th poorest and then back on top. Not to mention, everything in between. That last one, in a mindboggling 30 - 40 years. Makes America's growth spurt look comparable to a teenage midget. That'll get the banshees to howl.

[@Jarandjar]

@@simhedgesrex7097 America was deisgned to last thousands of years, all hardship we endure makes the country stronger.

[@simhedgesrex7097]

​@@Jarandjar​Maybe that's the plan: making America suffer more will make America greater...

[@Jarandjar]

@@simhedgesrex7097 It's the design

[@russellrofe4849]

My perceptions of much of the world changed a lot after serving in the US Navy. I visited England, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel, and the UAE. It gave me a better appreciation for the rest of the world as well as the US.

[@March5546]

Thank you for your service.

[@larrywilliams8010]

I was a Pacific Sailor. I saw and lived in Japan, I visited The Philippines, The Maldives, Hong Kong and many other Pacific and Indian Ocean locations. I try to celebrate the diverse cultures I experienced, and continue to experience Stateside. And thank you for your service, Brother.

[@shyryTsr2k]

Amazing, thanks for your service! My cousin graduates Navy boot camp in June bur nobody is allowed to attend because damn covid. It really sucks tbh

[@Stevo71]

Ditto! 24 year Air Force vet here that spent 2 years living in the UK and literally flew (I was aircrew on the C-5 Galaxy for 20 of those years) around the world several times.

[@lairdcummings9092]

Yep. I can claim 210° of the globe (and back again), and I completely agree that the experience was level-setting. You learn that no matter where you go, people are people, and want basically the same things: food, shelter, love, a better life for their children. *HOW* they go about achieving those things may differ radically, but the *why* never changes; not one whit.

[@lairdcummings9092]

"Dust Bowl." An area almost twice the size of the size of the UK dried up and blew away. Imagine if the entire land area of the UK dried up and blew away to a depth of one meter. That's roughly what happened to the mid-west (400k km^2, an average of 20 inches deep). Imagine how that would have impacted the psyche of the UK - but in America, it's no longer even taught in many schools, because that momentous event is insignificant amongst the rest of our history.

[@sherrij888]

I'm a WV native but watched Ken Burns " The West" and was shocked. What the midwest went through at that time was tragic.

[@R.M.MacFru]

Which is why as much as I hated it, all high school students in the US should have to read the Grapes of Wrath.

[@AlexKS1992]

My Grandma survived that ordeal living in North Dakota. It’s part of my families history.

[@arlenewitt248]

What you are referring to is the “dust bowl” in the 1930s. The dust was so bad and all airborne. People, especially children, inhaled it and it clogged the air sacs in their lungs and killed them. Whole families died gasping for air. Many to avoid this fate, fled to California. When I was a young women in the early 1970s I moved from Oklahoma to Sacramento, California. A nearby town is Roseville, California. I remember being amazed that everyone in Roseville spoke with an Okie (Oklahoma) accept, because their families had all fled Oklahoma in the 30s to escape the dust bowl.

[@gardeniac.3782]

I'm American and we were taught about it in 5th grade

[@nickthompson2023]

I love Native American history. Back in grade school we went to Natchez Mississippi to see the burial mounds and I learned about the legend of how Natchez, Natchitoches, and Nacogdoches all got their names. It’s based off a folk tale of a great chief who had 2 sons who quarreled constantly. The chief loved his sons equally and, not wanting to choose one over the other for succession of his title, came up with a solution. He told both his sons to walk in opposite directions, one east and the other west, for exactly a day. At nightfall, they were to settle the area they came to and create villages of their own. That’s why to this day each of the 3 cities are more or less a day’s walk from each other.

[@smileyface81mc77]

Woah, that’s actually a really cool (hi)story!

[@francesmeyer8478]

Native American place names are pretty thick on the ground here.🇺🇸

[@davidcookmfs6950]

The reason for the Florida Man phenomenon is that the bizarre behaviour is just as common everywhere else, but public records access laws are exceedingly lenient in Florida, and news outlets can get much more information about things like the backstories behind arrests and such, at a lower cost, with less reporting effort, much more quickly than they can in other states.

[@azuroslazuli6948]

As an American who’s become disillusioned with the state of my country, this was a wonderful reminder of why I loved it so much in the first place. It really hits different when you hear it from someone who wasn’t born here. Thanks a bunch, mate. 👌🏼

[@vanhattfield8292]

It is easy to fall prey to the overwhelming negativity that is found online sometimes and it is good to see reminders like this sometimes to bring back perspective.

[@alexanderackerman3807]

Thanks for bringing up the population density thing. I've noticed a lot of Europeans are very confused why we rely on cars so much but when it's twelve miles to the nearest supermarket you start to realize why they're so important.

[@troodon1096]

There's certainly places where cars are less necessary, if you live in a dense city with more public transportation options (or have the luxury of being able to walk to work, or work from home), but in many parts of the country not having a car severely limits your lifestyle. In most places it's simply not viable to live close enough to where you work to be able to do without a car.

[@craz5634]

Urban design doesn’t have to be spread out just because the nation itself has a large land area

[@hdudidi]

@@craz5634we are bad at building cities

[@jackpot848]

Dude, I really enjoy these. It is easy to find "What I think of America" videos but lots of them just don't like us. Yours are not very biased and present us as "people", you know, like all the other creatures slithering across our planet..lol

[@gracehinkle3623]

Exactly. I remember when I did a foreign exchange year for school in France with a few other kids from other parts of the world and they second I told told them I was American they just fricking shunned me.

[@KEVMAN7987]

@@gracehinkle3623 You should have bombed them to "protect them from communism" and occupied their territories for an indefinite period of time.

[@libertylovingbeckles6797]

@@gracehinkle3623 It would be at that point, I'd be every American stereotype imaginable especially the loud and barbaric

[@JenIsHungry]

@@KEVMAN7987 ah yes because every American has done that, obviously.

[@jjohn4874]

He's pretty nice about America.... but maybe it's because he married an American!

[@panagea2007]

Texan: "I can get in my car and drive all day and still not reach the edge of my land!" Bostonian: "I had a car like that once."

[@BadWebDiver]

Classic!!!

[@samanthab1923]

Remember watching Giant & they had their own train station on the ranch.

[@rp338]

As a Bostonian living in Texas this is relatable

[@glasshalffull8625]

When I used to live in Boston, I met a friend for a little road trip to western Massachusetts. Met him in his town outside Boston and he drove. We were having a good time talking and weren’t paying attention. We “accidentally” drove into Rhode Island, then New York State and then New Hampshire. I had to laugh, especially since he was my hunting guide for the trip!

[@badpop987]

@@glasshalffull8625 now that’s funny! 😂😂

[@uberness93]

I recently moved from the northeast to the west. One thing that I find interesting is the influence of Europe on eastern US vs the influence of Mexico in the southwest and western US as well as the Asian influence in west coast cities.

[@TrueLimeyhoney]

If you think US doesn’t have history, remember that the US constitution is the second oldest constitution still in use.

[@grahamparks1645]

Yeah that’s a mistake it was intended to be updated and rewritten not to become a holy scripture

[@robertspears7439]

@@grahamparks1645 Well it has been amended 27 times since it's adoption, averaging about once every 10 years or so. Sounds like updated and rewritten a bit to me.

[@dr.zoidberg8666]

@@grahamparks1645 What are you talking about? It _has_ been updated time & time again. It's because we can amend it that we've kept the one constitution for so long. If we couldn't amend it, we'd have to throw it out & write up a whole new one every half century.

[@stellasdoesstuff]

@@robertspears7439 Well the Bill of Rights, which was basically just an extension to the rest of the constitution, doesn't really count, so it's only been updated 17 times. Also, the most recent amendment was enacted in 1992, so despite the average, there has not been an update to the constitution in almost 30 years.

[@robertspears7439]

@@stellasdoesstuff First, since the bill of rights are literally amendments, they definitely count, though perhaps I should have said 'inception' instead of adoption. Second, 30 years without a change is hardly 'holy scripture'. The point stands that the constitution can be 'updated and rewritten' at the will of the people and the states. Article V is in the Constitution specifically to amend it.

[@daricetaylor737]

I have watched so many videos of British or Irish people bagging on everything USA. How totally refreshing to have a person like you give an honest opinion that holds merit finally! Thank you for doing this.....you have restored my pride and faith in a country that is truly great! I have subscribed and I will totally follow you! TY! TY! TY! PS....I think that Britain is pretty awesome too!

[@moriarty8668]

Thank you for this. My 4th grade teacher was an indigenous woman who defied the school board (a big deal) to teach us Native American history instead of Spanish missionary history. It was brave of her and left a lifelong impact on me, and it means the world to see people from other places appreciating the boundlessly rich, thousands-year-old history of this place.

[@roguesmile1491]

That is super cool and I'm kind of jealous. In school I always wished we'd covered more indigenous history. I ended up reading a lot of historical fiction as a kind which probably was very accurate but...

[@billallen3696]

You mean Indian teacher?

[@kdandsheela]

That's awesome! Good on her!

[@songmakerdragon2393]

@@billallen3696 I'm not sure if that's a joke or not, but just in case it's a real question: I think it's safe to say he meant exactly what he said.

[@francisdhomer5910]

Every time I read these statements I can't believe what I'm hearing. When I lived in New Mexico I was shocked to learn they didn't teach about the various tribes that moved through the area in the 15,000+ year history of the area. Here in my small corner of New York in 7th grade we spent half the school year learning about the native tribes and the Iroquois Confederacy. I'm lucky to live close to Salamanca NY where there is a museum. Oh and unless things have changed Salamanca is the only city completely on a reservation. And I hope I spelled its name right.

[@amykathleen2005]

Let me just say as an American I think one of our greatest gifts to the world is the free refill...

[@darcyjorgensen5808]

And ice in your drinks.

[@jillhobson6128]

@@darcyjorgensen5808 I don't like ice in my drinks.

[@blackbartlaborro7882]

And the right turn on red light.

[@UmbraeNacht]

Too bad free refills don’t apply to wallets.

[@JM-hn6vg]

@@jillhobson6128 You'll learn the true way to enjoy a beverage one day.

[@nemo227]

Lawrence, sir, you have been performing a valuable service. Some people may not have paid attention in history class but they are learning some history from YOU. That IS an important service.

[@arthurpendragon8192]

indeed.

[@TheShauNanigans]

He made me want to do more research on the early tribes that lived here. Our nation's history so long before the 1400s.

[@spacemanduke3404]

I would also say the US has a lot of history that is inherited when people immigrate here. Europeans, Chinese, and Mexicans are just a few generalized groups that have brought their history with them to help make USA the way it is today

[@MW-zz3mv]

Well said.

[@capadociaash8003]

That’s fair, they’re Americans too

[@cupcake8867]

America as a country is based on European cultures and ideas. Other groups haven’t contributed a tenth of what European immigrants have. Mass immigration is changing America beyond recognition and making in noticeably less stable. You can have diversity or meritocracy the two cannot co-exist.

[@hdudidi]

Mexicans didn’t immigrate here, we stole their land and made it part of their country

[@wagniak]

When I was a kid my dad told us we were moving to Tucson Arizona. I cried and cried. When my mom asked why I was crying I told her I didn’t want to live in a town with dirt streets and saloons where you have to tie your horse to a hitching post when you go to a store lol 😂 So I was doing the same thing everyone does when they picture a place they’ve only seen on TV! It was the early 70’s and my dad was a fan of westerns

[@LindaC616]

😆 seriously though, did you enjoy your first dust storm? My nephew sent me video, it looked insane

[@daviddawson1718]

When I was a kid, I rode a horse to the store, baseball games, even piano practice.

[@LindaC616]

@@daviddawson1718 Whether or not that seemed cool to you it was my dream when I was a kid!

[@daviddawson1718]

@@LindaC616 I have very fond memories of it.

[@JEdwardBanasikJr]

I had a reverse idea when moving to Texas in '74 from the East. Ooohh. Cowboys, Indians, cactus, horses, wagons, etc. We settled in central Austin and all I saw was the college hippie crowd. Hippies?! This is not Texas! My 6 year old self was so let down.

[@chrisb9740]

As a Brit who has been living in the USA for the last 5 years, this is spot on. Very entertaining, thank you.

[@matthewweng8483]

Cahokia is so impressive. My father is an anthropologist, and we went together as adults. I grew up with his knowledge of global and American-specific knowledge, but had no real idea how complex Mississippian culture was, or that there was a trade route running from South America right through there and into the Southwest Indian territory. Best historical trip I ever took, I highly recommend it as well.

[@cbaxel5784]

I live in Iowa. Our state motto is "Iowa. Gateway to the Rectangular States."

[@wagniak]

Ha! Good one

[@CMTHFAF]

Hilarious!

[@billolsen4360]

Iowa tried hard to be rectangular and you got to 50%, not bad!

[@mactheknife7049]

I used to live in Pennsylvania. It's motto was "Hey. It could be worse. We could be West Virginia."

[@billolsen4360]

@@mactheknife7049 I think Family Guy once had a highway sign "Welcome to New Jersey. Yeah, like YOU'RE so great."

[@osmadchlo]

I appreciate you referencing the native history of the US. It's true that the US of A has a short history as a country on a map, but the history of this land and it's first people is very long.

[@kjjosker]

They may have literally been in the stone age, but it was history, lol.

[@matthewbanta3240]

When Stonehenge was built, people had already been living in the Americas for 5,000-6,000 years or so. So yeah, people have lived on the land that would be called America for quite a while.

[@automnejoy5308]

​@@kjjosker That's not exactly true. There was widespread use of metal weapons, tools and jewelry particularly in the Great Lakes Region. There was a lot of naturally occurring copper that the Natives cold hammered. They even mined it, going back thousands of years.

[@kjjosker]

@@automnejoy5308 I would still consider that stone age. No Bronze, no iron, they didn't even have the wheel.

[@automnejoy5308]

​@@kjjosker They did have some iron in the Pacific Northwest. It came from Japanese shipwrecks and meteorites. The natives in that area made chisels and other tools out of it. But yes, it's true there isn't any real evidence for pre-colombian smelting in North America. It was a different story in Central/South America. They had advanced smelting techniques combining various metals -- even platinum. There was undoubtedly some trading of alloyed metals northward. Scarlet macaw skeletons and cacao residue have been found in Chaco Canyon. That means a vast trade network that stretches to southern Mexico or Guatemala. So I think it's possible that the Puebloans in the Southwest could have had some alloyed metal objects imported from the south.

[@brandyseymour2985]

In 2007 I went to Poland on a 3 week trip for some research. At the time I expected that all of them would speak Polish and that I would need to know at least a little bit of basic Polish to navigate the country while traveling. I was completely wrong. As soon as the natives found out I was an American they all wanted to practice their English. There was only one place that didn't and that was Auschwitz. They also had over 30 different recipes for preparing potatoes which surprised me. The best part was one of my tour guides took me and my partner to lunch and she chose an American themed restaurant. Apparently she assumed Americans would not want to try native things. I saw a picture of Sitting Bull a very famous Native American leader on the wall and they served burgers and french fries there. LOL! I also thought people would be what Americans migh consider "backward" because they were a former eastern communist block country. I was completely wrong. They were extremely eager, friendly, and hospitable people.

[@vanhattfield8292]

I have worked in Europe, Africa and Asia, and that has been my experience in most of the 60+ countries that I have visited or lived in. I speak or understand a few different different languages and what I learned was that it is in my best interest to not make it known that I understand their language because they speak to each other about me, thinking I do not understand. On the business side of things, it has helped me understand true intentions of those I was dealing with, which was extremely beneficial, and on the personnel side of things it has provided some very comical results. 😂

[@josielouwho2607]

We were in France, and while sightseeing, we spotted another couple with a Canadian flag on their backpacks and went over to say hi to some fellow Canadians! When we started talking, they asked if we were Americans, even though my partner had a maple leaf on his ballcap. We must have looked a little confused. They carried on to explain that they were Americans, but put a Canadian flag on their gear because Americans have such a bad reputation in Europe, they would have been prejudged, and not treated as well as they would have if people thought they were “those nice Canadians”.

[@crosscastle100]

Yes this placing a Canadian patch on your backpack has been the “standard “ since 1972

[@signalfire15]

Wow, that's really sad. I want to travel the world but I'm reluctant to go any place where Americans won't be welcome, which seems like that will be most of the rest of the world. It's a shame, Americans are so nice and friendly, I think we just get a bad rep because of all the bad news and press.

[@signalfire15]

@Henryk Czemierzewski What??

[@giannafrancis5176]

Kat A. Native Americans?

[@GeoffRiley]

@@signalfire15 - if you heard anything of the results of the Eurovision Song Contest I'm sure you'll be well aware how unwelcome Brits are these days… eventually everything will settle down again.

[@keviny1936]

On a vacation to the UK I remember taking a train from London to Dover and being amazed at how quickly the accents changed. It is 78 miles from London to Dover, but by Ashford the accent was noticeably different. Not a bad thing, just different to see the change over a distance some people in the US commute everyday.

[@SAD-ij8in]

I'm in Missouri and visited New Mexico this summer for the first time. We fell in love with the state. They had cliff dwellings with pathways which were used for over 4000 years. It was incredible

[@randomlyentertaining8287]

"The US doesn't have history!" The US went from colonies of the British Empire to being the world's only superpower in less than 200 years. I'd say that's some interesting history.

[@minutemansam1214]

More than. We became the world's sole superpower in the 1990s. We were founded in the 1770s, or the 1780s depending on if you view the true founding with the declaration of independence or the conclusion of the revolution.

[@slazeblaze319]

@@minutemansam1214 Agreed At Bare Minimum (1783-1991) it took 208 Years

[@krismine99]

I wouldn't say sole superpower, but certainly the most powerful one. China is actually very powerful given a population 4x greater than the US and the second largest economy with never ending espionage and ip theft that has jumped them up to just a step below the US. Also, their financials are more in line than ours

[@krismine99]

@Tony Montana it's "developing country" status is more in place due to lobbying so that they can receive special treatment from the IMF, World Bank, and the international community.

[@MJKeenan30]

@@krismine99 A superpower can project power on the other side of the globe. China can't even control their own waters. They aren't a superpower. They are a paper tiger.

[@thefrub]

5:10 As a west-coaster, the tree thing is something I never realized until I started traveling around the US more. The east side of the continent is just so covered in trees. It actually made me feel claustrophobic, after spending my life in wide open spaces. Out west you can crest the hill on the freeway and see 10 miles down the road.

[@Matthew_Loutner]

50 miles.

[@PandatheDragon]

That's funny, as an east-coaster going to the west coast always makes me miss the trees. It's too big and empty and it makes me sad 😂

[@thefrub]

@@PandatheDragon Imagine gravity stops working and you just fall up into the endless blue sky

[@alohadave]

I had the exact same feeling when I moved east. It took years to get used to all the trees.

[@piperbird7193]

I'm the opposite. I grew up in New England and I NEED the trees. I need that golden green light filtering down as I walk. I need the sound of the branches swaying, the leaves chatting to me as I go about my day. I need the dappled light and shadow as I drive through the curves of the road. When I get out into these barren places, I just feel so alone.

[@mrgallbladder]

The US is so vast and massive, it's really hard to give a single category in terms of likeness and perceptions. People often think of the US as a single coherent country. While it's true in some sense, it's also true that each state is its own sovereign territory. Hence the term: state. Each region will have its own history and culture that's different and strange to other, also American states.

[@craz5634]

I would say that while there are different cultures in the US they don’t often conform to state boundaries, as many states formed in kind of arbitrary ways. For example, as someone from New Orleans I can identify much more with other cities on the gulf coast than cities in northern Louisiana.

[@ilovejettrooper5922]

"You can't see the mountains for the trees! - that's not the saying." Your sense of humor is right up my alley. Subbed.

[@BigDogCountry]

It's better to be knocked down than knocked up. I'd rather be pissed off than pissed on.

[@kristinb5073]

I've been watching your videos for a while, but you bringing up the thousand years of Native American history made me finally hit the "subscribe" button. Thank-you.

[@zzanatos2001]

When my job required me to live in Turkey, I was dreading the move because I had previously lived in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. But when I got to Ankara, I was pleasantly surprised at the friendly people, delicious food, great shopping, fine hotels, ski resorts in the mountains, gorgeous beaches on the Mediterranean coast. They even have pubs and beer - although you can usually only get Tuborg and Efes.

[@puppylove2493]

wait till they get mad at somebody over Islam

[@kenbrown2808]

"brits think a hundred miles is a long distance. yanks think a hundred years is a long time."

[@joemama9098]

The word Yanks is outdated and is used as an insult in some places in the US.

[@kenbrown2808]

@@joemama9098 as the word brits is in the UK.

[@Seth-mu3wo]

Yank means different things to different people here. Yank or yankee is really someone from the north east coast. I'm from Washington state, and we're definitely not called yanks on the west coast. My wife's side of the family is English. They call me a yank as often as I call them a pikey, which is never.

[@Heylyynnn]

I don’t even know what a Yank . I’m Sure it’s in the comments I just can’t see them

[@Cricket-zp6wi]

This applies to those born here, too!

[@lucyk2371]

I learned the differences between British and U.S. English from Peppa Pig. I have twins and they picked up a lot of the British terms for things. We are from Tennessee and when they asked for an iced lolly you should have seen the look on the waitress's face! Lol

[@kellysong2256]

That reminds me of my little niece, also a Peppa Pig fan. She used to exclaim " Oh mummy, the post is here" or "Oh mummy, I need a plaster for my owie" 😂

[@kellysong2256]

@Marty's 4x4 It's hot stuff with the pre-school crowd 😀

[@beverlyrichards9845]

@@kellysong2256 I’m American, is a iced lolly a popsicle? A plaster? Is that referring to a bandaid? Fun to learn all the differences….thanks!

[@kellysong2256]

@@beverlyrichards9845 Hi. I'm American also, but I know a lot about British culture. An iced lolly is a popsicle, a plaster is a band-aid, and the "post" is the mail 📬

[@lexbel8394]

I’m late to the convo but yes! I’ve heard little kids talk about “going on holiday” and putting things in the “boot” of the car. The revolutionists are probably rolling in their graves😂

[@TJMartinek]

When I moved to the UK nobody told me that they sell orange juice concentrate that needs to be diluted with water when you drink it. Needless to say, my GF was mortified that I had been drinking it straight for like a month and thought it was "a bit sweet, but fine..."

[@tereseshaw7650]

This is what all Americans drank until what, 30 seconds ago? Concentrated juice, add water. Sugar to taste. The baby boomers with large families remember very bitter orange juice, Kool-Aid, and lemonade.

[@samuelbrainsample]

I remember having my mom make that stuff in the 70s and 80s. I don’t know if it still exists.

[@averagejoe845]

Twenty-six of the fifty states are named after native American tribes.

[@R.M.MacFru]

Yep, and I live in one of them. 😊

[@jwb52z9]

Most of the other 24 were named after French or English monarchs.

[@memathews]

And then there's "Oregon," no one knows where that name came from. Lots of speculation, though.

[@angelatheriault8855]

Kansas was named for the Kanza or Kaw Indians. It means people of the south wind. Not only is it a beautiful name but it’s pretty accurate. Kansas is the fourth windiest state. Winds of 40 mph are so common that no one thinks anything of it. During a thunderstorm, 60 mph winds and up are not unusual. We had a storm with 80 mph winds this spring. People barely mentioned it. I didn’t even realize it was unusual until I lived somewhere else for awhile.

[@counterfit5]

@@jwb52z9 and then there’s Rhode Island

[@stephaniewoods2374]

Your discuss of our American history, really touched me for some reason! There is a ton of really intense history packed in a "short" time period. And you are spot on about surrounding yourself with it! Nothing like it

[@naverich4603]

I am from Europe and since my childhood I have loved history. And when I finally discovered American history I just fell in love. There is so many fascinating events that occurred and changed not only the US history but the history of the whole world. Too bad people still keep telling me "Americans don' have any history". Yeah...British history lasted longer, but there's like one big thing happening in 100 years. Even Hundred years war that sounds like a cool piece of history to learn about was nothing but a couple of squirmishes spread over 100 years...The same with Rome or Egypt...but American History? You had a major event every single decade, whether it was Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, Civil War, Social movements, etc etc. It just feels like a one huuuge story that doesnt end and you can just take a ride and watch what happens next. Love America. Btw, my father is British so no :D I don't hate on Britain, it just feels like British always diminish the importance of the US.

[@vonnie0_0]

@@naverich4603 You’re very kind! I know how it feels when main stream media and news paints a different portrait, tells blatant lies, they make us think we’re nothing alike, that it’s bad that we are different. But in my opinion, I love the deference’s we have, we should definitely celebrate it and accept who each other are. Americans came from Europe, we fought and died for this blessed country and that’s gonna be our history forever, I for one love to be a part of it. :) (Sorry if my sentences are all over the place, I’m quite tired)

[@Goldenbane]

@@naverich4603 When you research some of the Native American history, it really opens up a whole new can of worms! When I was a child, I was taught that Americans and American Indians celebrated Thanksgiving together in peace and harmony out of celebration of the Americans managing to survive a very bad situation (thanks to the Natives). However, when I was older, I learned that "celebrating with the natives" might have not quite happened...it's all over the place...some versions say the early settlers were mega racist and never invited the natives, while other versions claim the natives were there but things weren't all hugs and kisses...but just cooly cordial. Meanwhile on the Native side of things, Thanksgiving almost reads like something out of Game of Thrones. The guy that first met up with the Pilgrims thought he could basically use them to dispose of his dad, the chief, and become chief himself. Meanwhile the chief thought he could use the pilgrims to wipe out this other tribe that were their enemies. That other tribe secretly knew the son was plotting against his father thanks to a "friend" of his that served them as a spy...they also knew what the chief was planning, so they had an idea to turn the pilgrims against both the chief and his son...and it goes on and on...it's crazy and fascinating!

[@IceRiver1020]

@@Goldenbane I'm glad you talked about the native side of it. Most people I've seen talk about it are just like, "Thanksgiving is a lie, pilgrims evil." They act like they care about the natives but they never actually bother to find out/teach about what they had going on at the time.

[@corinnepmorrison1854]

@@vonnie0_0 Amen...🙏🏻❤️

[@Zinervawyrm]

Speaking of ancient American history, I have an arrowhead that I found on a family friend's farm. The style of this arrowhead is called a "Harden" and was used around 10,000-8,000 years ago or so. To put it simply during the time the Last Ice Age ended. What was lucky was that I found it in one piece, which allowed me to identify it.

[@Objectified]

Thank you. It's so welcome to see someone actually speaking positively about the U.S. and countering common stereotypes of the country and its people.

[@kathyp1563]

I never heard that America didn't have culture until I started watching youtube videos where people were defending that we have culture. I had no idea I was supposed to be offended!

[@moalboris239]

It is very very annoying propaganda to listen to as an example that happened to me. Imagine being stuck in a room For twelve hours with someone going "America has no culture while we have tens of millions of years of culture because we are the true racial superiors that have free will instead of automations driven by the scrolls in heaven. Americans can be proven to be a slave race because of the shape of their skulls and the natives stole our land nine thousand years ago because in one mythological story it says we owned all under heaven. Which would be impossible unless they stole our land." The entire time. With no way to break off the conversation. And you'd probably start to realize why people get so annoyed by that. If you go into the right places and know what culture filter people are acting under you can find places with very extreme rhetoric that most Americans don't really know about because they never go to those places. While if you've been around it your entire life you actually know the context behind what these types are implying when they say stuff like that.

[@cinnimonpannos4405]

I grew up in "the four corners" region in NM. We had five different native American groups and languages within 50 miles. We also had many Spanish-speaking people in our town. Almost forgot about the large Menomonie community.

[@orangie8426]

I have far to much current technical advancement to have to struggle and juggle without having to discuss history with anyone who thinks the US does not have history... its not my fault that someone doesn't have the proper knowledge about our American history and as a result these people think America does not have history.. I don't have the time to prove go over and educate them right now about that... especially when the are saying these things just to be mean.. Nor am I going to let it bother me.... I'm above their classification of thinking.

[@R.M.MacFru]

@@moalboris239 ...yeah, I've found that mentality on Reddit, but I suspect they mostly get that idea from the loud Americans who talk a lot but not of anything of value. I just ignore it and move on. I do wish Native American history was taught in schools. Our history classes should just be more than talking about European immigrant wars. (And yes, I am a European immigrant descendant, but I'd like to hear more than just our self-centered slice of history.)

[@thomashiggins9320]

@pisswobble Right. All you have to do is look them dead in the eye and say, "Jazz. Blues. Rock. Have a nice day."

[@sc100ott]

It often takes someone from the “outside” to give an honest report of what’s “inside” a country (or a business, or a forest, or cookie jar, or another person). Thankyou for your videos. They are much appreciated.

[@jimbolt5170]

In fairness to the UK, there are a lot of dialects there, as well. They’re just all squished together so you don’t have to go far at all to hear a change.

[@ladyveracity]

I know it feels that way, but it's not a contest, Jim.

[@jamesslick4790]

@@ladyveracity mmm okay, He was just pointing it out.

[@TwistedSisler]

@@ladyveracity I feel like you took his meaning very poorly. He was just adding to the conversation. There was nothing in his statement indicating any sort of competition.

[@georgemaster689]

I wonder which British accent and/or dialect is the hardest to speak, pronounce and understand.

[@melaniejf4191]

@@georgemaster689 My guess would be between Cockney and Scottish. On second thought, definitely Cockney!

[@Token_Civilian]

Speaking of language: I find it amazing how the UK and the entire continent for that matter, can have dialects or accents (or whole different languages) on such small distance scales (e.g. the UK having significant regional accents on sub 200 mile distance scales) where in the US (at least out west, say just about the entire area west of and including the Montana to NM line) one must go multi-hundreds of miles before any hint of difference comes into play - there isn't much difference between Sacramento to Seattle to Phoenix to Denver to Billings to Boise to San Diego. IMO it goes to show the relative mobility of the (western) US homogenizing the language, at least on the multi-hundreds of miles distance scale, where the relatively static nature of the UK and Europe as a whole results in substantial linguistic differences on the tens to sub 200 miles scale (center to Wales to London ~160 miles, about the same as Sacramento to Fresno). Of course, those regional differences in the US play out on much shorter distance scales in the east, especially north to south and in particular cities (looking at you NY and Boston).

[@sirmoonslosthismind]

you've correctly identified mobility as the key determinant. variations arise naturally in relatively isolated populations, but the more people get around, the more they influence one another and their speech becomes more homogenous.

[@brianmiller1077]

It might have just been their temperament, but we had 2 techs come out from Georgia (One form Atlanta and one from Savannah) on a regular basis and they sounded nothing alike

[@alvon911]

@@brianmiller1077 Atlanta is a more cosmopolitan city?

[@brianmiller1077]

@@alvon911 Actually the guy from Savannah had a "Refined southern Gentleman" accent and the Atlanta guy sounded like a pro wrestling manager.

[@alonespirit9923]

@@brianmiller1077 Even when we lived in Bibb County in the 1970s Atlanta was often viewed as a Yankee incursion.

[@annslow41]

Also, I really appreciate hearing your perspective on the US as someone who's not grown up here. It helps me notice and appreciate things that I often overlook

[@doomsdayaddams2894]

It even happens among US natives. My mother was a Midwesterner, my father a Southerner. Until she moved to his home territory, she thought all of the South was Spanish moss and bayous. The mountains down here were quite a surprise.

[@TheQuantumWave]

My perception of other states has changed after visiting them. It's odd how much Americans tend to stereotype people based on what state they live in

[@thunderbird1921]

It's really sad how some of the coastal areas stereotype the heartland as a bunch of ragged farmers or hillbillies. My parents grew up there (in Iowa), and my mom said some of those communities actually had some of the highest educational standards in the country.

[@Tempusverum]

“Ugh, those flyover states with their guns and religion” *sips latte ☕️🧐

[@Queer_Nerd_For_Human_Justice]

@@Tempusverum It also sucks that the heartlands keep ruthlessly stereotyping us as a bunch of selfish shallow snobs who are all fake-woke and rich. We're poverty-sticken, overworked, crammed into unhealthy dense living spaces with little to no vegetation and wildlife, constantly trying to save eachother from exploitation and bigotry, and getting run out by gerrymandering. I would kill for a half-acre of arid wasteland. You can't even sit down in the city without getting arrested, much less piss behind a bush. And don't like strangers walking two feet from your window all night? Too bad, there's nowhere else for them to walk. I live in an apartment and I don't have a yard, a front porch, back porch, I don't even have a fucking balcony. There is literally nowhere outside that I'm legally allowed to be. And If I want to move? Too expensive. And rent cost more than two jobs can provide, and those jobs are now operating on random hours, random days of the week, below part time hours, and you can get fired on a whim. "Having a job" is now "constantly applying for jobs no matter how many you already have because they'll be gone shortly and without notice, and absolutely none of them allow overtime or doctor's visits". The only thing most of us have (less so if homeless or disabled) is food. At least we'll die with full bellies right? To me, living in nature with no money but no capitalists breathing down your taint 24/7 is the ideal life. When farmers and country people think they're better than me, I feel like I'm trying to climb a rope and someone at the top is sawing it off. Like "hey, fuck you buddy, we have the land and we're culturally gatekeeping it. If you like art, tech, or science, go fuck yourself. You don't know how to shoe a horse, so you're dead to me, lazy crybaby city bitch." You're the people who would kill me or run me out without hesitation if I escaped poverty and persecution by camping on the edge your vast forest property, while calling me a faggot tweaker or something. "Oh but we're educated and we like lattes!" Yeah and we have guns and religion, it's all the same goddamn shit. My dad was a hillbilly, my mom was from texas, we lived in cities my whole life and we're poor as shit. I visit the places they grew up, everything sucks, there's just more room to suck in. Nothing ever gets better anywhere, but at least you have places to hide.

[@Tempusverum]

@@Queer_Nerd_For_Human_Justice My parody was more or less directed at the academic and journalistic class. Ana Kasparian in particular.

[@ZackHamlin1]

@@Queer_Nerd_For_Human_Justice there’s so many assumptions in this I feel like it should be a shitpost. If you haven’t been to these states, how the hell do you know what they say about you? I think you missed the point of the post you commented on.

[@ozziepupreid]

7:25 I'm from Wisconsin and recognize that cheese store! Been there a few times! They have so many great cheeses, which you can actually get at most grocery stores around Wisconsin too but this store lets you try a lot of samples before you buy them. :)

[@donaldwert7137]

It's entirely possible you know more about pre-Columbian North American history than a lot of Americans do. Thanks for including that bit!

[@mr.stuffdoer8483]

It’s almost like history tends to be forgettable, and useless to know!

[@donaldwert7137]

@@mr.stuffdoer8483 It''s almost like we Americans have selective memory - we only want to remember the parts of history we find interesting or palatable. We treat other subjects the same way.

[@mr.stuffdoer8483]

@@donaldwert7137 no, we’re just taught so much that none of it sticks, and we’re taught it in such an uninteresting way that we don’t care.

[@donaldwert7137]

@@mr.stuffdoer8483 You do have a point. I think it's a bit of both and it's not just where history is concerned. I recall several of my high school math teachers made math so boring that I didn't do well in those classes. A few of us went to the counselors office to talk to them about one teacher, in particular, and for a while he actually taught. For a brief, glorious period, I loved math and found myself doing better than ever in it, but it was not to last, but it left me feeling cheated rather than feeling that math sucks.

[@donaldwert7137]

@@mr.stuffdoer8483 You do have a point. It's probably a mix of both and not just where it comes to history. I recall an episode with math when I was in high school that showed me the difference between throwing information at students and actually teaching them. I learned I could love math, given the chance, but it wasn't to be.

[@realityquotient7699]

After serving a stint in the US Navy and traveling halfway around the world, taking in much of the Mediterranean I learned that regular folks are pretty much the same everywhere. The same goes for people in the US, we're basically a cross-section of global society.

[@KRYMauL]

Normal folk are normal folk there's no difference between you and someone else except language.

[@matthewhall1062]

I"ve learned that there are no "regular folks" in my travels.

[@joshratelle5941]

This is the truest comment here

[@matthewhall1062]

@@joshratelle5941 That's why every town, city, and country is exactly like every other town, city and country!

[@joshratelle5941]

@@matthewhall1062 yep. People working hard to help their families and community. Pretty universal bud

[@SR-rx4pk]

As an Alaskan, I would recommend adding non contiguous states to your map and also visiting them in your travels. ❤ enjoyed the video.

[@anaxios]

58,000,000 sauces? What a coincidence. That's exactly how many we have in our refrigerator right now! 😂

[@LoyaFrostwind]

🤣 laughing in Asian. Many Asian families need a second refrigerator. It's often for condiments.

[@kimhollister5370]

I burst out laughing at that. He's not wrong.

[@chisapinion6192]

So true. Our entire fridge door is filled and part of the middle main shelf!

[@JEdwardBanasikJr]

And the sad part is when you are trying to figure out in your head what you could make with condiments because you haven't gone to the store for more food.

[@CoasterMan13Official]

And here I am, making my own!

[@ljwilson55]

Radio station call signs - east of the Mississippi "W" and west of the Mississippi "K".

[@erinhowett3630]

wait, WHAT? Cool!

[@Raveler1]

Yup! And if you hear a station call with just three letters - WGN in Chicago, for instance, or WJR in Detroit - you know it was one of the original radio stations, before the four-letter system was implemented. Also, you happen to be listening to AM radio, since FM didn't exist until much later!

[@penguinsfan251]

With a few exceptions...WFAA in Dallas, KYW in Philadelphia and, finally, KDKA in Pittsburgh.

[@IctWilsons]

@@penguinsfan251 and WIBW in Topeka, Kansas

[@pigs18]

And reserved for radio/TV frequencies which is why Kansas City International Airport uses MCI as it's tower frequency with Missouri taking the place of Kansas in its call signal.

[@michelewestover9330]

I could listen to your voice for hours on end. It’s so soothing. Not just the accent, but the tone and timbre of it as well. You really should look into doing voice overs for commercials or audio books or narration of documentaries.

[@xXxjayceexXx]

As a Florida man I am happy to hear our exploits make international news!

[@toportime]

I think you are confused, they were not laughing with you, they were laughing at Florida Man must like you would watch a train wreck.

[@xXxjayceexXx]

@@toportimethere's no such thing as bad press

[@AlleluiaElizabeth]

​@@toportime I think *you're* confused. He clearly thinks its funny.

[@Shagua76]

I'm from Indiana myself and lived in Chicago for a while so I love your channel. I also lived in the UK for 6 months, although mostly in Scotland. I can't remember how many times when I was in the UK that I heard 'well, you're not like MOST Americans' from people who had only heard things from popular media.

[@Matthew_Loutner]

If you are from Indiana . . . You are not like most Americans.

[@Callmenobody174]

You know, I really liked you when you used to sing-talk for the Pet Shop Boys back in the 80s, but I think that time you hosted the Golden Globes and trashed the hell out of all those actors, you really came into your own. And for all that I salute you, Sir! Welcome to the USA! We're very glad to have you here 👍

[@michaelevans1193]

In regards to language, I don’t think that even most Americans realize that, in addition to the variety of accents, we also have a variety of dialects. Also, in certain places (like where I live in Washington DC) instructions include not in English and Spanish, but also Korean, Japanese and Arabic. My home county has over 100 languages spoken in the schools.

[@xjdfghashzkj]

Isn't it cool how that things like that can give you a sense of what language communities are prevalent in a given area? I lived in Seattle for many years and the typical multilingual bulletins there would usually include (obviously in addition to English and Spanish) some combination of Amharic, Oromo, Somali, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Tagalog. When I was a kid I used to visit family in Jackson Heights Queens where you could see or hear 20 different languages just by taking a stroll around the block.

[@NicoleM_radiantbaby]

I live in Clarkston, GA, which houses a large refugee community. We're famous for "60 Languages spoken in a 1.1 square mile" because of all the language diversity in our small town (which is admittedly part of metro-Atlanta, but still!). I even saw a bit about it on the BBC News talking about it being 'the most diverse square mile in the US' or something and I was astounded that Brits were talking about us! Still, I love the diversity here -- I mean, not only the languages, but the food culture -- between the restaurants and the food markets -- is also so awesome (Eritrean, Ethiopian, Jamaican, Russian, Nepalese, Burmese, and on and on). I grew up in a different part of Atlanta (Decatur) and moved here as an adult. I'm white, but grew up in a pretty black, (East) Asian, and Hispanic area, but I love having EVEN MORE diversity around me now. :)

[@cocoapeach]

@@NicoleM_radiantbaby I love that Dekalb Farmer's Market!

[@isaiahbangura4421]

DC just has a lil of everything.

[@danielm5535]

@@cocoapeach Fresh rice noodles, Ethiopian injira bread (sp?)... I miss that place- in Boston now.

[@drb166]

When I was in the Navy we visited Spain several times. But the most astounding moment of my life was when I had a 4 day pass and flew to Barcelona. Sagrada Familia, a basilica whose construction began in 1882, and I think is still unfinished, was an incredible sight. Straight out of Lord of The Rings, it is considered waterform. The most beautiful building I have ever seen. Curved, gothic, and simply beautiful. I want to return to Barcelona again so my wife and daughter can see an example of generations of patience and work.

[@taterskins1033]

I’m thrilled that you mentioned trees because, as a Georgia native I grew up surrounded by pines. Pine pollen, pine cones, pine straw to burn in the spring. Just north across the Appalachians there are no pines, only hardwoods

[@igrojikku2212]

I actually wheezed a bit at the “Land of the free, refills..” 🤣🤣

[@lairdcummings9092]

Well, he's not wrong, is he? 😁

[@marinazagrai1623]

IGR...Inam European and Socialism over there means their prices are higher, hence less customers; for the sake of profits (without which a business ceases to exist) prices have to be raised! Businesses can't afford to give out free drinks.

[@ChileandRamen]

@@marinazagrai1623 A large portion of the reason that sodas are cheaper and thus enable free refills here in the U.S. are our corn subsidies. This reduces the price of corn syrup the primary sugar used in most soda pop, thus keeping prices down as well as keeping profits up for those who produce things relying on corn syrup. It's part of a group of subsidies intended to help agricultural businesses (both large and smaller family ones) stay stable and profitable.

[@Sunset553]

bottomless fries

[@igrojikku2212]

@@Sunset553 Yup, thanks to every state between Idaho an Arkansas that makes Corn n potato’s, an their byproducts drive this country

[@badguy1481]

Living over seas I noted the word "Controversy" was pronounced "Con-TRA-va-sy" in British English and "CON-tra-ver-sy" in American English. As always...another GREAT job! How you do it without a bedroom filled with comedy writers...is beyond me.

[@kandigloss6438]

Something that people that have never lived in the area might not know, but in the North East region of the US manuals and the like are often also in French in addition to Spanish, due to the close proximity to French speaking regions of Canada

[@miriamcohen7657]

There have been sandles found in Oregon that are more than 10,000 years old.

[@samanthab1923]

I love watching vids about Crater Lake. The old man of the lake is so cool.

[@dale3404]

What are sandles.

[@TheGreatAtario]

I think those are my roommate's

[@gemoftheocean]

@@dale3404 probably sandals. With luck the person gets a dictionary next birthday.

[@billolsen4360]

Those might have belonged to my dad

[@willyhyena]

you are hitting youre stride! this is what you do best! Onward my man until you hit 330 million in subscribers! love ya!

[@BeinIan]

Ah, I needed a new source of sarcastic, deadpan British humor in my life! You're exactly the man I was looking for, thanks for existing! Also, I think we should merge the American and British words for things. Like "aluminuminium" and "cololour." Just cuz it's more fun to say.

[@elisam.r.9960]

"...older than Keith Richards" Is that even possible? I think he looked as he does when he witnessed the Big Bang.

[@Timinator2K10]

KEITH CAUSED THE BIG BANG BY OVER CRANKING HIS AMPS!

[@KEVMAN7987]

Before God said "Let there be light" he looked at Keith Richards and said "Check this out".

[@heywoodjablome5630]

I believe he was being metaphorical, but just as easily could have been literal.

[@elisam.r.9960]

@@heywoodjablome5630 Either way, he left the door wide open for Keith Richards jokes.

[@patriciayohn6136]

The Keith Richards comment was a real belly laugh.

[@mikeg.4211]

This was a great one, Laurence! Glad you enjoyed your trip to Cahokia and to Springfield; and also a shoutout to you for mentioning that Native people are humans who had history!

[@debraduquette4540]

Rhode Island has a lot of unique things packed in, too. For food alone, we have quahogs, del's frozen lemonade, and coffee milk

[@Mikedeela]

I did a lot of traveling in my early 20s, and I greatly enjoyed it. The biggest perceptual change was that I assumed everyone would be pretty much the same, sans the language. For the big things, I still believe that, but in looking at things like food, living style, personal interactions, etc., I there is so much variation.

[@jovanweismiller7114]

I grew up in Kansas. I lived in one of the five oldest towns in the State, all founded in 1854. The first time I visited the East Coast I was amazed to find things that were 200 years old when my hometown was founded, but that still pales next to the Church in Hampshire in which my parents were married. The foundation is over 1,500 years old and the existing building dates back almost a thousand years.

[@elkins4406]

I've had the opposite experience: grew up in New York, now live in Oregon. The clothing store where my mom used to take me to buy new socks and trousers at the beginning of each school year was older than this entire state! It's really the little things that always drive it home. Like the way that when I need to hire people to do work on my house, the first thing they always do is to comment on how hard working on "these old houses" is. My house would not have been considered an 'old house' where I grew up.

[@justathought88]

Yep. Perspective. I grew up in a little town in California. The Catholic Mission there has "1772" on it's front wall. Always thought it was old until I took an art history class. Considering the Parthenon was completed in 438 BC and Michael Angelo finished the Sistine Chapel ceiling in 1512, so, not really old at all.

[@Dave-ty2qp]

You are right in your closing remarks to mention livivg abroad does change your perception of others. I was a baby boomer born in Gadsden Alabama in 1946. At 19 years of age my world travels began. I will be eternally grateful for the opportunities travel gave me, and to the person it turned me into.

[@svenska81]

I lived in England for 3 years, went to Ascot the last year Princess Diana and Fergie were there, saw the Queen twice, found out grocery stores don’t bag your groceries, or provide bags, the people were unfailing polite, helpful, friendly and humorous. There were quite a few times when chatting things suddenly went off the rails, and I found out there were different meanings to seemingly common words. The historic places were fascinating and the countryside was beautiful. I’d go back to live in a heartbeat. ❤️🤍💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@FireCracker3240]

Laurence: _Let's go back in time. Not literally. I don't have a flying saucer._ Me: Stares at the Tardis on his t-shirt.

[@kritikitti3868]

I have one; looks small till u get in.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I was thinking most people use time machines, not flying saucers. Lol

[@barvdw]

@@kritikitti3868 don't brag, it's just a T-shirt.

[@JPINFV]

@@kritikitti3868 I've heard it's bigger on the inside than the outside.

[@chip9177]

What he needs is a Delorean...just saying

[@ericmatteson8888]

Lawrence, visit some of the museums in Chicago. The Science and Industrry Museum has some amazing displays. The natural history museum, the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium are all within a few block of one another, and the art museum has more Monets than the Louvre (or did at one point).

[@tracyz9155]

I think you have to stay in a foreign country for more than a week to stop seeing only what’s different from your own country and start seeing what you like about the foreign country. I have traveled to Mexico, Canada, France, Denmark and Sweden. Mostly I was a tourist,but in Sweden I stayed with a host family for 45 days. I still miss things I could only experience regularly in Sweden.

[@elisam.r.9960]

I think it also depends on how you stay in a foreign country. I essentially lived in the Netherlands for two weeks because I stayed at my great grandmother's apartment. I went to local church services; shopped at the grocery store; and spent half the trip going to the houses of my grandparents' friends. I figured out right away that I liked Dutch raisin bread (to the point where I hardly touch the US stuff). I can't wait to go back.

[@Lyrabela]

Oh man this is so true to an extent. I stayed in Gozo for a month and there is so much I miss (and don't miss) but ultimately I wasn't working there and didn't have to pay bills so I feel like it's different since I didn't have worries. But I miss the food and the alcohol! Never experienced lemon beer before then and it was the best.

[@amandas.6500]

Before going to Canada, I thought the people would be friendly, say "eh" and the weather would be cold. After going there, my perception stayed the same, & I loved every minute of it!

[@kerriwilson7732]

You had me on the edge of my seat. (Please let her feel welcome. Please find people friendly & personable. Please don't let her meet my brother-in-law! ) haha, 💕🇨🇦.

[@michaelgriffin7822]

@@kerriwilson7732 My wife and I were in the back of a Paris taxi, quietly conversing as we went from the train station to the hotel. After regarding us for some time, the driver looked at me in his mirror and spoke: "Say, are you two Canadians?" I knew what he was really asking, and replied in a way that would give him the answer. "No," I explained, "just well-behaved."

[@gardentuber]

I lived in Japan for a couple of months in 1981. I don't think I ever really thought about what Japan was like at all as a country with people living in it. When I got there, it was amazing! Total culture shock for sure, but amazing! It was loads of fun and fascinating!

[@joermnyc]

Also divided by the Mississippi, radio and TV call letters, east of the Mississippi the first letter has to be a W, west, it’s a K. So you can have WNBC and WABC in New York City, and KNBC and KABC in Los Angeles.

[@namelessone3339]

Except for WACO 99.9 FM

[@meabob]

@@namelessone3339 - WACO must be an old station. Early on the W/K was about location to the nearest body of water since most stations were on ships or ports. When land stations started expanding, they added in the 4th letter and changed the W/K boundary in the 1920s to east or west of the Mississippi River. Any existing license could keep their assigned letters even though the station was on the opposite side of the new boundary. That's why there's a few W's on the west side and even fewer K's on the east side. It's kind of interesting to read about just to realize how closed minded the government was even back then.

[@namelessone3339]

@@meabob - They were allowed to keep the letters from long ago--I was aware of it about 50 years ago.

[@BigDogCountry]

@@namelessone3339 KDKA, KYW, KQV, KTGG just about it east of the Miss.

[@shyryTsr2k]

People that say America has no culture greatly offends me as a Native American. It's like my family died for nothing. Such an insult

[@RoseNZieg]

i am sad to hear people say that too. despite the issues of who's who in north america, to not mention native american cultures is ignorance.

[@shyryTsr2k]

@@RoseNZieg thanks a lot for understanding, people say we either have no culture or is a melting pot of different culture which is true of course, but the US not having its own culture is probably one of the most ignorant things someone can say. Thousands of years worth of culture tossed aside

[@catgirl6803]

True, but mainstream America doesn’t practice the culture or learn much about it. We can learn and respect it, but your people are horribly offended if we use it in any way, even if we do it out of love. Like someone in my stitching group said she was yelled at for cultural appropriation for taking up beading as a hobby.

[@catgirl6803]

And also, why does culture have to be 100s of years old? There are amazing writers, painters, and musicians in America. Colonial folk art is amazing, African American art, this is all culture.

[@shyryTsr2k]

@@catgirl6803 oh yes yes of course! There are definitely some salty natives and I will admit I sometimes get salty but different tribes have different values. The most aggressive is the Blackfoot tribe, and my tribe is Lenape, we are peaceful and the negotiators. I'm not too knowledgeable about the other tribes because I grew up outside the rez but I do know some information if you have any questions 🙌

[@Captain_Bad_Bill]

I love you deadpan delivery, the eye shifts to the right and left like you're expecting the word police to close you down! All I can say is, ayup, youse all is funny, ah?

[@may.d.a.y]

thank you for the Native recognition, it's so appreciated

[@johnsloan4987]

My first trip to England and London. I searched and searched for a real English pub. I was berated as an American even though all the locals were dressed in American brands so I gave S*#t back and we had great time. It was my introduction to British sarcasm.

[@Z.A.M.1359]

I got to go up in a hot air balloon with a German exchange student who was so amazed by all the trees in our town. I was amazed that he was amazed, since most stories I read from Germany are fairytales that feature people living in the woods, and one thing Germany is known for is the Black Forest. He had to explain to me that Germany is not so wooded anymore.

[@markvoelker6620]

I visited England and Scotland back in July of ‘88. I was impressed in many ways, two of which were the friendliness of the people, especially on trains, and the age of pretty much everything. (I grew up in LA, where a house built 20 years ago was considered old.)

[@LindaC616]

Same in Ireland, as to the friendliness

[@GeekGinger]

Congratulations on the sponsorship! Nice to see good channels recognized.

[@michelleneal6860]

Cahokia is SO fascinating! I was shocked when I first learned about it and was even more amazed when I visited the mounds.

[@kensmith8152]

I was born and raised here and am 60 years old and you have taught me quite a few things. Thanks for your observations.

[@amytempleton6650]

Love this one, Lawrence! I truly appreciate how you have embraced this country and take the time to learn about our history and experience our culture. I’m from Texas and have traveled to different parts of the world, but one of my favorite trips was to Ireland. It exceeded every expectation and we had a wonderful time. Other than the accents throwing both us and our guides off, no communication issues!

[@alec9360]

Interesting thing about the Mississippi River and radio stations. Any radio station channel west of the Mississippi begins with a K (think, KEXP) and any radio station channel east of the river begins with a W (think, WDET).

[@DonP_is_lostagain]

I was stationed in Germany in the mid 70's. Definitely changed my perception of the country and the people there. Of course, while I was there, I was sent to England for two months and that changed my perception of the English. For that matter, while I was there I either was temporarily assigned to Italy and Spain. I visited the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, Austria, Scotland and Switzerland as well. But the thing that impacted me the most was seeing the Berlin Wall and how they lived on the other side. During my career, I also got to visit Iceland, Turkey, Canada, (and a rather warm visit to) Grenada, Saudi Arabia during Gulf I, Kuwait, and most of the countries on the planet at that time. I found most people are pretty much all the same.

[@TwistedSisler]

There's a saying for America and probably fitting for the rest of the world too, but people of different culture but in the same tax bracket have a lot more in common than they think.

[@teresatruman2976]

I was also in Germany during the mid-70's. Lol After traveling to visit many countries in Europe, and living in Germany, I became very conscious of American arrogance, especially when not in their own country. My travels today to other counties shows the arrogance hasn't changed.

[@KRYMauL]

Someone once said in college that, "People are the same as you, but with different experience," it's the best statement I have ever heard.

[@DonP_is_lostagain]

@T Markart having fun troll? Sorry your life is so devoid of meaning.

[@gwillis01]

Great Courses Plus is a wonderful sponsor to have. I am so totally ancient I can remember when they were releasing VHS tapes of the lessons. Glad they decided to modernize and make the lessons in a digital format. I really like the intelligent and pleasant tone of the lessons.

[@cindyvincent6356]

Greetings from Oklahoma! Thank you for loving our country, warts and all. You give me such a fresh perspective. So glad you are here! Stay safe. ❤️🇺🇸❤️

[@Otokichi786]

American History has been lived, developed, and enriched by Native Americans for centuries. Geography of the United States is as varied as in all of Europe. Food is as varied as the immigrants who brought their edible culture with them. Language in the United States isn't just American English. Each ethnic group maintains their culture via language. People come in all shapes and sizes. From tall Nordics to small(er) Asians, to Afro-Americans and folks from the rest of the World.

[@zombie5505]

Bingo bingo bro. One of the best parts and damned be those who try to destroy us

[@KairuHakubi]

@@zombie5505 we were happy to tolerate you until it got like _this_ how insecure does someone have to be to post something like that

[@zombie5505]

@@KairuHakubi what? All I'm saying is this great experiment must continue, equality to the stars

[@meabob]

@@KairuHakubi - less insecure than someone who would take offense to the post.

[@danielm5535]

Re: Spanish language- many of our states were Spanish territories long before English was the primary language. The city of St. Augustine, Florida was founded by the Spanish in 1565 (the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement), and most of the Spanish Missions popped up in the 1700’s in California. Like with part of my Dad’s side of the family- when the borders moved, lots of people were acquired, too (as recent as 1854 with the Gadsden Purchase). There’s hundreds of years of Spanish being spoken in these areas of the country.

[@JJoy-bk8yr]

Yes. The cathedral here in San Antonio, Texas was built in 1731. The Alamo was a Spanish mission, and there are four more Spanish missions in town that are a national historic site and a UNESCO world heritage site.

[@ronaldcammarata3422]

I would also argue that the common use of Spanish in signs and directions in the US is not because of the large number of Latino-Americans, but because of the large number of native Spanish speakers, which are not the same. The latter does not equal the former.

[@kathrynsamuelson1983]

There are occupied pueblos that are older than St. Augustine.

[@daybeau7819]

In my 20's, I once spent a couple of days in Eagle Pass, TX. I wrote home (to Wilmington, DE) expressing my surprise to find all the signs were in English while the people were in Spanish.

[@happygilmore5948]

Not to mention Puerto Rico being a territory with many of its residents living on the mainland. There's also plenty of people from Central America, South America, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic who immigrate here as well.

[@illinoisan]

You mentioned my hometown, Springfield, Illinois! I hope you enjoyed your visit.

[@ronaldcammarata3422]

Someone (but damned if I can find out who) once said something to the effect that you can say anything about Americans and the exact opposite and both still be true.

[@catgirl6803]

I believe that. There are so many of us and we’re all so different. But isn’t that what’s great about the USA? We’re all free to live life how we want.

[@serdy9594]

I believe Americans are just extreme. Americans are well known for being obese but what i have come to realize as I have traveled is that Americans can be some of the most health centric people. We have bigger health food aisles and more health food stores than any place I have been. When i have traveled to other countries I never remember seeing an obese person but lots of adults seem soft and about 20 pounds over weight (in my opinion). When I lived in the UK 20 years ago people didn’t go outside for a jog and I never knew anyone who went to a gym. Here in America I would say a large portion belong to a gym. In America it isn’t unusual to see a very muscular man and in other countries it has seemed very rare. Name any extreme sport or athletic challenge and an American will be in the top three finishers. How many Americans do Iron Men and Marathons vs other countries? I think we would win. People joke about Americans being naive but over looking how Americans are extreme and just thinking that we are all obese is equally naive to me. I guess my comment needed up being a bit of a rant. sorry.

[@catgirl6803]

@@serdy9594 I agree with this assessment but add that it’s not our choice to be this extreme. This is the way our society has forced us to be. The overweight people aren’t overweight because they’re food addicted and lazy. That accounts only for the extreme 1%. But the average American is overweight because that’s what you end up with living on the standard American diet with the standard American job. Our food is awful- highly processed and loaded with chemically engineered sugars then labeled as healthy. And I don’t mean the obvious junk food. I mean things like yogurt, granola bars, canned fruits, orange juice, etc. Then we have jobs where we sit all day not even allowed to get up with only 45 min for lunch leaving your only choices to be fast food or fast casual if you didn’t have time to pack that day. So just the standard American lifestyle leaves us overweight. So we have to do the extreme exercise to work it off. I’m in this group myself. I sit at a desk for work. I’m about 60 lbs overweight but still under 200, and yesterday I ran/walked a 10 mile race. I have a whole wall full of medals from races. Mainly 10ks and half marathons. I run 20 miles a week plus use a rowing machine, plus lift weights when I can. And I try really hard staying away from the standard American diet but I have my slip ups. It really takes a lot of effort to stay away from regular food to do your own fresh food. The good thing is that industries are noticing and doing better. Like now I can get farmers produce delivered to me. And with covid companies have seen that hybrid offices and working your own hours does work rather than being chained to a desk 9 hours straight.

[@serdy9594]

@@catgirl6803 You are exactly right. My German boyfriend will always bring me Haribo gummy bears for my kids even though we have them here. the difference is that we allow high fructose corn syrup and imitation flavors. It is proven that they put more sugar in our food here then other countries that sell the exact same item and brand. If you don’t mind me offering some advice but if you are struggling with weight and you are doing all of that then look into gut health. I have done a lot research and self healing over the last few years and I believe that most Americans have gut issues that prevent us from being and feeling more healthy.