American reacts to What Europeans Think of America

[@YourBeingParanoid]

Back in the 80s people here in the UK use to think of America as this highly advanced and 'space age' society. Then we found out the truth, we saw all the wars, all the inequalities and the ultra violence and prejudice. But most of all, we saw how horribly you treat each other and how it continues to get worse with each passing year. Profit over everything mixed with a deep religious ignorance has turned you in to a third world country, obsessed with theft, greed and consumption - its gross.

[@Noviomagus024]

Harsh but true words.

[@RSProduxx]

pretty much sums it up, yes.

[@kebrus]

nicely put, I've been in the US once, it was a nice trip, but even if I was doing fun things for a tourist I would occasionally glimpse the poverty and the misery, it's heartbreaking

[@UlliStein]

A famous German singer/songwriter sung the line "America is just an India with money". Hard and sad, but maybe true 😞

[@isabelleweiler5603]

​​​@@UlliSteinWow! I always thought that Germany was pretty pro-American. Maybe I was wrong? Anyway things must have changed with Trump. I admired the way Angela Merkel handled that bully.

[@ooorkanooo]

As a kid i used to think the States is that awesome country where everyone has money and can do fin things. Today, more than 30 years after I think of it a little like a 3rd world country on steroids

[@RickTheClipper]

When I was young the US were a shining heaven, democracy, options, chances, I wanted to go there. Now I am glad, I didn't. Nobody told us about HOAs, health care, 60 hour labor weeks, no rights for the average Joe. Meanwhile I feel sorry for the people of the US, their self chosen ignorance

[@MrKomnu]

same here you are absolutely right

[@vrenak]

Not self chosen personally, but by ancestors, because there's an inherent isolationism in the US culture, now the question we need answered with later years efforts to keep americans disinterested in the world beyond their borders, what prompted people like Ryan, who doesn't that much have the option to travel routinely, to still seek out knowledge of the world outside, despite being propagandised to not have any interest.

[@arnodobler1096]

For me too, since Reagan, when I was just 13, things have only gone downhill I think. He turned the country into a company. Obama briefly gave us hope, but that was also just an illusion. When I get upset about our politics and the country, I look to the USA and I feel better.

[@anouk6644]

When my ex-husband and I were dating in the early 2000s, he really wanted to emigrate to the US. I told him, only if you are sent there by a Dutch or European company and only for about three years, because I didn’t like the work-life balance and healthcare system. I’m so glad it didn’t get to that and nowadays he is glad I set that boundary.

[@arnodobler1096]

@@anouk6644 Men should listen to their wives more!

[@martinbynion1589]

Why would Europeans think that the US is dangerous? You'll never know, Ryan, until you see the real world and see what the US looks like from the outside. I know people who travel from the Pacific to Europe by routes that avoid the US at all costs! Even a short stopover while travelling is considered dangerous and the US customs staff are hostile and aggressive.

[@Stewart682]

In 2003 I was serving as a Canadian soldier in Bosnia. I used to hang around with a couple of other officers from SFOR HQ, one Danish and one American. One day we were just chatting and it came up that the Danish fellow had had an American girlfriend and that it hadn't worked out. The American then said that that was too bad because marrying an American would have been his ticket to come to America. The Danish fellow and I then looked at each other because it obviously never occurred to the American that Denmark has a much higher standard of living than America and that it would been insane for a Dane to move to the US!! The US exceptionalism was just astounding!

[@OneofInfinity.]

I was there in 2001 (SFOR 9), part of the Dutch contingent, knew some of the Canadians, during Christmas they offered me eggnog and a burger, as a joke they told me it was moose milk and a moose burger😄 Edit: Canadians liberated my father's city during WW2 and always wanted to meet fellow soldiers from Canada.

[@mirrrie]

Dear Ryan this time you are not fair. Women dying in the US cause they get refused healthcare

[@MrLunarlander]

He's also not that well informed about the availability of abortion across the US - it's currently about 50:50 between being a right protected or being banned/severely limited by state law. And while I accept what he says about the majority of the public being pro-choice, that didn't stop them recently electing legislators keen to introduce even tighter restrictions in many states.

[@eucitizen78]

Unfortunately you are right 😑

[@davidmalarkey1302]

Women have lost the freedom of choice to have an abortion under any circumstances and doctors can go to prison for doing their job. So much for the land of the free.

[@fftunes]

There are currently 13 states with total abortion ban, 10 of them with NO EXCEPTION FOR GRAPE AND/OR INCEST VICTIMS! Imagine that.

[@sergarlantyrell7847]

If you are referring to abortion, killing people isn't "healthcare".

[@TerenceDixon-l6b]

"Everybody speaks English", it's because English is from England, not America, It spread due to our Empire and exploration. Your implication was that the language is American, and the world adopts it because of that.

[@John-jw8rx]

Exactly, the world speaks English because of England. The fact Americans speak American English and not English, makes it even funnier.

[@carladoriamedina]

I've been to the US and to Europe more than a dozen times, and I still think the US is not safe and it is too conservative. Also I think this KZbinr needs to go out and experience more as he is too lost about everything, based on his comments.

[@JP-ec9rl]

Or perhaps you are just too liberal? Safe?

[@BrianMac2601]

​@@JP-ec9rlno, she's just correct.

[@JP-ec9rl]

@BrianMac2601 no she's not, you're just a simp.

[@JP-ec9rl]

@BrianMac2601 if she truly believes that America is too conservative, then she's left of Fidel Castro. Ask anyone in Miami if they believe that Americans are so conservative. If Americans were so conservative, Miami wouldn't be what Miami is. All I hear is butt hurt globalists crying because Americans won't conform to their subjective world views. Who is the authoritarian in that equation? Is America too conservative to become Venezuela? If so, I thank God that it is the case. Has she ever been to Cancun and seen the state police rolling down the streets in gun trucks with mounted machine guns on the back? I've never witnessed this phenomenon anywhere in the United States of America. I suppose we are too conservative to have police militarized to that level? It was a daily sight in Cancun when I was there. Just normal daily police patrols. Americans are only unsafe in the most liberal cities. Everywhere else, if Americans aren't legally armed, they have no one to blame besides themselves. It's called taking personal responsibility for one's safety. I know, I know it's a very conservative perspective, correct? No, it is a libertarian notion!

[@DavidWren-u3k]

Europeans voice concerns about safety in the USA. Ryan: why is that? The answer, every time, every scenario, every conversation: GUNS

[@Nobodyfromnowhere42]

Its not only guns ,its free healthcare , its that their 2 political parties are right and far-right ,its their live to work not work to live

[@ChristiaanHW]

If only it was just guns. But you are more likely to get hurt i so many ways. For example: - way to under regulated gun ownership - way more dangerous roads. Just compare road injuries/fatalities with any other developed nation - less worker protection, you're more a slave than a worker in the US - way worse food standards, just look at how many people get (a severe) food poisoning eaxh year in the US. And the list goes on and on. And if you do get sick/hurt you are in even more trouble, thanks to their (lack of) healthcare system. It's no surprise the US has a declining life expectancy. Or that they US is known as a third world country in disguise.

[@kamilrichert8446]

Guns were there all the time. "Why is that?" was directed at the *change* in the questions asked

[@StormCrusher94]

Again with the guns. Guns are just a tool, mentally unstable people would find other ways, like knifes, bats, scissors and what not. Though maybe not advertising them in shopping centers advertisements be a good step. ​@@Nobodyfromnowhere42

[@howardhales6325]

ANOTHER school shooting last week. Don't you watch the news?

[@marcuswardle3180]

Ryan, you need to do some research concerning abortion. Look into Texas laws where women have literally died because of the strict anti-abortion laws. Most are set at 6 weeks at which point a women may not know she is pregnant. Many Southern States are trying to bring in laws prohibiting travelling from a State, which has anti-abortion laws, to a State which does. The Texas AG is trying a case at present against an NY doctor for providing a Texas woman abortion medicine.

[@annafrolova7891]

Did you heard that in Europe also exist abortion laws? Abortion is banned in Ireland, Monaco, Malta, Poland and Switzerland, as I remember.

[@isabelleweiler5603]

​​@@annafrolova7891Actually, you should have checked your facts. Abortion is now legal in Ireland until 12 weeks after conception. It is illegal in Monaco because it's a deeply catholic country but it's allowed in several cases(including rape). Doctors in Monaco aren't allowed to perform an abortion but women can go over the border to have one. In Malta where abortion was prohibited under all circumstances, an exception was introduced (if the life of the pregnant woman is at risk)

[@melanieweeda4238]

​@@annafrolova7891It's definitely not banned in Switzerland and Ireland. Both have the possibility for an abortion up until 12 weeks from conception

[@Troels_T_Kjoeller]

@@annafrolova7891It’s true there are restrictive abortion laws in Europe, but they’re not very usual. According to Wikipedia abortion is banned in Andorra, and very restricted in Malta, Monaco, San Marino, Faroe Islands, Liechtenstein and Poland. Apart from Poland the combined population of these places is about 722.000 people. Poland with 36,7 mio. people is the one major country with restrictive laws. But combined it’s still only about 5% of the population of Europe that live under these laws.

[@AnnetteLawrence-mv2tz]

@@annafrolova7891abortion has been legal in Ireland since 2018.

[@StevenQ74]

You have to remember New York used to be New Amsterdam, and a lot of buroughs in New York are named after Dutch towns and cities: Harlem(Haarlem), Flushing(Vlissingen) Brooklyn(Breukelen) and Coney Island(Konijnen eiland or Rabbit Island), Wall Street used to be Waalstraat after the river Waal in the Netherlands

[@RobertsAdra]

This!! I was just coming to post something similar. Totally agree with this.

[@eurorpeen]

Most of the "Dutch people" in that time in that town were not Dutch at all but Walloons from Belgium hence Wallstreet. By the way, Pierre Minuit, the guy who bought Manhattan was born not far from my birthplace

[@eurorpeen]

And by the way the whole area was New Belgium

[@davidmalarkey1302]

The average willfully ignorant American is not aware of the connection with the Netherlands. I suggest they was should watch the film The Gangs of New York and they may learn something.

[@TheChiefEng]

Ryan, I think you will find that most Europeans, who have visited USA have mainly positive things to say about USA. However, if Europeans are being asked if they wanted to live in USA, the answers will most likely include some negativities. 488 mass shootings so far in 2024 as of December 20th is not exactly something that will make most Europeans look positively at USA as a place to live and bring up children. About Trump being a thing in Europe, there are a few reasons. Trump has been very verbal about his mafia view of international trade with Europe which mainly consists of the message "buy more American products or face tariffs". That kind of behavior is in Europe viewed as authoritarian, childish and stupid and that is only one example of why Europeans harbor an increased distrust and even hatred toward America and Americans today. At the end of the day, America is doing itself no favors by electing a mad dog like Trump. It kind of paints a really negative picture of the general education and IQ level of Americans.

[@WioWio-sf5pc]

over 300 school shotings in 2024 murica...

[@davidmalarkey1302]

Completely agree with everything you have said. The sad thing is Americans can't handle the truth they won't admit they were wrong. They are generally wilfully ignorant and have a lack of social awareness of their surroundings. At school each day they pledge allegiance to the flag and are indoctrinated into cult America. Hitler did that in the 1930s and we all know how that turned out. From January the inmates are running the asylum and it's going to take decades for America to recover.

[@threestepssideways1202]

I love visiting - I also, generally speaking, like Americans. They can be incredibly charming, interesting and interested. I love one who happens to be my wife. She doesn't want to live there any more, that's why we now live in the UK. There are many things to like about the country, but quality of work/life balance is much worse, cost of living is worse (yeah I know fellow British folks, mind boggling right), potential bankruptcy from terrible injury or illness is a thing unlike here, and the entire place seems to have become politically sectarian in a way that people from this side of the pond simply can't imagine unless you experience it. You can't escape it, it's like being in a continent spanning reality TV show, nearly all of the time. Trying very hard not to sound like a snob, but the mind boggling ignorance of anywhere outside of the USA, with Americans you speak to, is wearing also. I think that is because there is a fine line between genuine interest that comes from a place of ignorance, and deeply pervasive ignorance based off of a few learnt stereotypes which then become narrative in most discussions. The latter, sad to say, a great many Americans seem to be world leaders in.

[@annafrolova7891]

So Trump is a bad choice... But Ursula, Kalas, Borell, Macrone, Meloni, Scholtz, Berbock etc. are amazing politicians! 😂😂😂

[@Thurgosh_OG]

So you are in favour of a Trade organisation (the EU in it's older forms) with political ambitions of total control of its members instead of an open a free trading market? Also Trump was actually elected, those in control of the EU were not elected by the people of the member nations, so he's got one over them there. You might think he's mad but the only other choice was going to break the US, into a communist style nation or cause a civil war trying to.

[@fftunes]

Dude there are currently 13 states with total abortion ban, 10 of them with NO EXCEPTION FOR GRAPE AND/OR INCEST VICTIMS!

[@OneofInfinity.]

That last part is cruel.

[@JP-ec9rl]

Killing the unborn is always a virtue signal for a leftist. Ask yourself with all the genetic evidence available for grape and incest, why is it always swept under the rug and never prosecuted and why is the answer to the problem always to terminate the child's existence? You punish the child for someone else's crime? You advocate a sentence of death to an unborn innocent? Yes very liberal and caring and virtuous!

[@steveroberts728]

Safety is the most significant factor. For example, in 2023, 1,164 Americans were shot and killed by their own police. In the UK, in the same period, 1 British citizen was killed by British police. I realize there are significant differences in population, however, the facts speak for themselves.

[@alhira5098]

Not only that. The chances of being robbed are the same in Berlin and New York, the chance of losing your life during the robbery is 50 times higher.

[@davidmalarkey1302]

We are nearly at the end of 2024 and there have been 488 mass shootings in America according to the Gun Violence Archive. According to the latest data that's an average of 2 per day.

[@pritonce6562]

Even adjusting for population size this is quite high tbh. The US has about 5x the population of the UK. A bit less. It still does not scale well, when you divide by the US number by 5. I wonder what difference a bigger focus on deescalation training would do. I mean as a person that is not in a police force or lives in the US to me it looks like a lot of the uncertainty in police encounters is if the other person has a gun or not. In the US it looks like officers, who also look to be frequently on patrol alone, need to be way more vary of that. Get rid of guns /s (Could never work sadly. Too deeply integrated into the culture.)

[@anormalpotato2887]

@@davidmalarkey1302 I am not American but considering what counts as mass shootings in their law I think the numbers of ones with our mass shooting style are much lower but still very high.

[@alphanet72]

@@pritonce6562 in Switzerland, we have a similar issue: some parents want to bring their children to school by car, although usually it's in a walking distance. This creates a lot of traffic around schools, and so more and parents feel unsafe and bring their children to school by car ... Fortunately, local initiatives have banned cars, or organized children walks, to fight this very bad trend. Firearms? it's the same: everything spirals down as soon as people feel safer with weapons :(

[@peteblazar5515]

You should educate yourself on topic of abortion in states Texas, Florida, ...

[@KarenSelsing]

You really should come and see for yourself, Ryan, you deserve it. When young I spent 2-3 months in East Africa and almost a year in Israel - wonderful experiences that I still bear with me. About twenty years ago my husband and I stayed in Ohio to live and work for some years - a time both warm and frigtening. You're welcome here in Denmark, we love friendly foreiners. There is work to find in almost every sector. You may have to learn Danish, but not nescessarily. But we love you more, if you do! Call Novo Nordic (for instance) to find jobs for both you and your wife, pack your children while they are still small. Come to our small, but great, country to have an experience for life - all of you. Stay for a couple of years or more - and look forward to spend at least 5 weeks of yearly vacation to explore the rest of Europe. Good luck and welcome!

[@cheryl1182]

Abortions are not legal in most states. It’s a way more significant issue than you are portraying. And conservative media is constantly talking about trans people which is what these people have clearly seen and heard.

[@rachelrobinson5804]

I have noticed in the media more than one woman dying because she didn't receive a medically necessary intervention abortion because of the Dr's concern that they would be prosecuted even in a state where abortion is 'LEGAL'

[@mfcq4987]

@@rachelrobinson5804 There is surely a distorting mirror effect from Europe on the situation in the USA reduced to the most reactionary states (Texas, Florida, Alabama, etc.), but for a large part of Americans who live in normally progressive states (West Coast, East Coast, North of the country, etc.), their situation and perception is different. Kansas, a state in the heart of the Midwest, still maintained legal abortion by referendum, even though the authorities of this state are very conservative. And the situation of the right to abortion in Europe is not as solid as we think. It is still difficult today for a woman to abort in Italy or Hungary, and almost impossible in Malta or Poland. So we can reassure ourselves cheaply by criticizing the setbacks in rights in certain states of the USA, but we would do better to be vigilant about these rights in Europe.

[@rachelrobinson5804]

@@mfcq4987 I am aware of that, but the US news is so polarised and weird it's difficult to know what an individual has been exposed to. I thought that the RC church would save the life of the mother?

[@mfcq4987]

@@rachelrobinson5804 I think the creator of this channel has found a good vein; he addresses an almost exclusively European audience to tell them how much better Europe is than the USA. It flatters our European ego and it makes his KZbin channel profitable. It's clever and not mean, but it's not a place where you can really discuss with Americans...

[@sergarlantyrell7847]

@@mfcq4987 I think within the progressive echo chamber (and yes, it's an echo chamber, just like the right has an echo chamber), it is taken for granted that it's a human right and that's the end of it... Outside that echo chamber, it is not taken as a given that one human can choose to end the life of another and that it's something that needs open and honest discussion. I find it interesting and disturbing that there is so little debate on it. I know people both on the right and the left who've reported having their comments deleted if they voice the anti-abortion case.

[@brianmeek8501]

Regarding knowing about the weather in other countries , it’s called education, the rest of the world learns about other countries etc rather than just their own and knows that there are differences and not to expect everything should be as it is in your own home .

[@keyboardoracle1044]

Two things that make American so bad is patriotism (nationalism) and religion, these 2 things result in the people voting against their best interests in every election. The bad government then result in people looking for someone to blame for their bad circumstances, then you get your tribalism and racism which is also fuelled by the patriotism and religion. Patriotism and religion trains people to think in a certain way, to judge, fear and hate.

[@arnodobler1096]

Aly, a US KZbinr living in Germany, took a pregnancy test before visiting her family in Texas. Why? In the event of a health problem or an accident, the doctor might refuse to treat her if she is pregnant. Think about it. Happened often enough, unfortunately, and some died. In Texas I think it's 6 weeks, so you have 2 weeks to realize it and make an appointment etc. Ask your wife what she thinks of the 6 weeks. Women aren't Swiss watches, are they? These initiatives and laws are all made by mostly old men.

[@colinbirks5403]

Europeans are quite happy to use a staircase. We don't complain about the lack of escalators, and somebody to carry our bags.

[@judith153]

Literally and figuratively. 😉

[@JP-ec9rl]

But then you're going to contradict yourself and assert a higher standard of living in Europe right?

[@colinbirks5403]

@@JP-ec9rl Nope. I'm going to assert, Americans are bone idle. They'll even use a car to go 100 yards down the road.

[@MayYourGodGoWithYou]

@@JP-ec9rl No contradiction, much higher standard of living according to my US friends living over here.

[@desperadox7565]

The abortion issue is a much bigger problem than Ryan seems to think. Women are dying because of it. And it will get worse, not better.

[@sergarlantyrell7847]

As are unborn children.

[@dabdoubeh]

I am french and I know that ! I am shocked at Ryan's ignorance on this topic.

[@JP-ec9rl]

Bullshite!

[@armelior4610]

In mafia movies, if you don't repay your debt in time, they will mess up your kneecaps. In the USA, if you mess up your kneecaps, you will be indebted for life (to a legal mafia)

[@black4pienus]

Ha!

[@theheinzification]

rofl!!!

[@chrissymoss514]

Preach 👏👏👏

[@Jeni10]

Not all of Africa is black. North Africa is largely white - tanned like the middle east but not the same as Nigeria, Tanzania etc.

[@Thurgosh_OG]

Plenty of white people in South Africa too.

[@Mike-zx1kx]

Deport Elon Musk back to South Afica!

[@Ikkeligeglad]

Even people in Sicily are considered black by many in northern Europe as some of their genes come from Africa, so don't say that the Arabs who live in North Africa don't have genes from blacks in them, it's the same with part of Spaniards living in the south of Spain, just ask people from Barcelona or north of Rome

[@fra604]

​@@IkkeligegladI don't think anyone doubts some Northern Europeans are mentally insane, but usually the sane majority believes that people whose skin is white are considered white

[@MayYourGodGoWithYou]

Nigerians range in skin colour from dark charcoal - my godchildren [as close to black as you can be given NOBODY is actually black] - through to café latte in colour, my neighbour Tony and his wife/children. I have quite a few Nigerian friends and their colours range from heavily tanned to nearly black, ALL are native to Nigeria but skin tones vary enormously depending on the person.

[@jm-holm]

You shouldn't be surprised by somebody knowing what the climate is like in Miami, that's simple geography. Don't need to know much about the place if you know approximately where it is. What should have surprised you is that she knew when thanksgiving is considering it's neither relevant or mentioned anywhere else. I have no idea when thanksgiving is but I know the flag of Zimbabwe, the shape of Ohio and the location of Nepal.

[@peterpetra1541]

I second this! It is a general knowledge though in elementary school to kids in Europe in third and fourth grade when they learn the geography and about all countries in the world and their capital cities, flags, climate ect.

[@anta3612]

It's not surprising that she knew when Thanksgiving is given that she lived in the US.

[@Me-uq2ir]

Londoner here. New York is very easy access for ppl in Europe, particularly from UK. Our air fares are so much lower than if you are coming from US to here aswell. New York is an easy city to be in. Liberal enough to not have to worry. We can access Florida very easily aswell...but whole other experience where nowadays got to be on your guard more

[@brittabrauer-pi8dq]

But a lot of women died because they didn't get the needed medical treatment after miscarriages in Texas, Georgia etc. And now the doctor from NY who get sued from the texan AG. The dicussion about tracking under aged pregnant girls in Idaho (?) The realy awful posts with "your body my choice" and, and, and

[@DanDownunda8888]

The lady from der Nederlands said New York was wonderful and she gave a little laugh. That is a very polite way for her to not say what she really thought, but was just trying to please the interviewer.

[@anouk6644]

I think she genuinely liked New York. Remember, the Dutch are direct and will tell you when they don’t like something. In my opinion she gave the little laugh in a way to say ‘I liked visiting New York, but… not the (current) American society or not a place I would like to live’.

[@Badgersj]

I think the European response of "why?" an American is here is that we hear so much from Americans about how wonderful their country is, how free, how this, how that, that we wonder why on earth they should bother to grace our benighted lands with their august presence.

[@paklondo]

It's not only in America that people travel to places that they saw in movies... For example Game of Thrones made may places in Europe famous - Dubrovink in Croatia, some places in Malta and Spain, Iceland... I think a lot of Americans show London, Paris or Rome in movies and wanted to vist them because of that... Emily in Paris, Bond and other shows...

[@rachelrobinson5804]

Can't forget how much tourism was brought to New Zealand from the 'Lord of the Rings' films.

[@HeatherMyfanwyTylerGreey]

Bond is not American

[@GypsyKseven]

The right title of that video should have been: what do the Dutch think of America since he only interviewed Dutch people... and the Dutch are certainly Europeans but they are not "All Europeans"!

[@Xiroi87]

The girl was rather clueless, instead of asking follow up questions, she asked the lady what she recommended visiting in Amsterdam, totally random and silly.

[@bardioc]

@@Xiroi87 Then now it's your chance to show everyone how it's done right. Go.

[@bardioc]

That's a bit of "mimimimi".

[@SatieSatie]

It's just a KZbin title. Jeez.

[@Ikkeligeglad]

@@SatieSatie Just? words matter, they are not just random

[@sunseeker9581]

FYI there's a lot of conservative state that have restricted abortion rights & it aint gonna get better anytime soon.

[@warrenturner397]

13 outright banned and another 15 basically illegal and that's just a start.

[@JP-ec9rl]

Why do you need the right to murder your offspring as a virtue signal?

[@laurentpaumier3103]

I could have made the same answer as the first lady. Of course we are happy to visit the country and meet US Citizens. They are often very nice people. Of course i visited WTC, ONU, Statue of Liberty, etc...But i would never go back there. I feel US Cities are not for humans. It's true i had great times in New England, especially when i went rafting in the Maine. But globally, i don't feel well in this country. Too much inequality. It has a big GDP but looks like third world countries.

[@Nick_Jarrett]

What a lot of us think of America at the moment.. that can of worms of the last year. The video is a year old so doesn't include the mess of the last year

[@kerouac2]

The Dutch are probably even more interested in New York than other Europeans because they learn all about New Amsterdam in school.

[@booboss]

New York simply because it's called as a gate to USA because it's the closest city by flight from Europe. Basically even if you want to go somewhere else you start at NY.

[@captainct5ben504]

Also this is the Netherlands which founded New York so people might want to visit because of that.

[@marionhansen3627]

Here’s a thing! Why is The Bronx called The Bronx? The borough is named after Jonas Bronk (d. 1643), who may have been Danish, who purchased parts of the area from the Indians on behalf of the Dutch in 1641. The Bronx is the only borough of New York City located on the American mainland. It is connected to the neighboring boroughs of Manhattan and Queens by tunnels and bridges. Harlem is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, United States, named after the Dutch city of Haarlem. Harlem is adjacent to the Bronx and is crossed by the Harlem River. Harlem and the Bronx are known as poor areas with slums, gangs, and crime. So Ryan, there’s a connection between New York and the Netherlands, much like there’s a connection with Denmark and Wisconsin and Iowa. Also Solvang in California 😊

[@YouBazinga]

Dear Ryan, New York was called New Amsterdam and was a Dutch settlement before the British took it over. I'm not Dutch, but I assume that's one obvious reason to visit New York.

[@bannhim6697]

Not only that, but New York has a mentality closest to the Dutch, open, direct and no BS🐂💩.....Liberal, open minded, up front and personal.

[@frankmitchell3594]

Yes, Europeans know about the weather in Florida. It is a regular holiday destination and easily accessible for many people.

[@johnveerkamp1501]

WHEN HAVE 3 JOBS ,THAT'S NOW POSITIVE ,THAT'S SHIT !!!

[@gabrielesantucci6189]

It's slavery!!!

[@Mus.Anonymouse]

I think Europeans travel a lot, because if you drive a few hours, the culture can be very different. As a Dutch person, I lived in southern France, right near Spain. The culture(s) are so different already from Dutch culture, but even between France and Spain. Germany and the Netherlands are also quite different (yet also a lot the same). Experiencing those differences, makes one “thirsty” for other experiences. So far I’ve been to Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Denmark, France, Spain, Azerbeidzjan, Turkey, Switzerland, Italy, then East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary (in the 70’s way before the wall fell). On my “bucket list” are still Japan, New Zealand, USA, Australia, Indonesia, India, and Peru (in that order).

[@MamaJewels99]

I’m so sad to see that Canada is not on your list. We are one of the most beautiful and welcoming countries in the world. Canadians unlike Americans are also well travelled for the most part. 😊

[@brianmeek8501]

Retired people from slot of places in the world are able to travel because they are valued while working and paid a good living wage and are able to save and have good pensions

[@sobanya_228]

Seems like Europeans don't need to work every waking hour and can travel in their spare time.

[@Suyoen]

As a little kid I wanted to live in Los Angeles and become a Disney Star. I regarded the States highly. However, today I am grateful it didn‘t happen considering all the news regarding Hollywood prdat0r§ coming out.

[@ChrisShelley-v2g]

How many US Americans visit London and nowhere else when they travel to the UK? (from the ones that actually travel abroad, not including Mexico or Canada).

[@anta3612]

19:25 no it's because we study geography in school which is more than just being able to locate countries on a map. The study of geography also includes features such as terrain, vegetation, fauna and climate

[@eva2110]

I was in New York in 1991, quite a while ago. It was interesting, of course, but I didn’t like it a lot. My first and lasting impression was from entering our (relatively cheap) hotel room: the door was made of steel, had two locks and a big iron bar. If you need this amount of protection, obviously the place is (very) unsafe. As we did in every town we visited, we explored the town in our own way, just taking buses and subways to random places. The impression of the lack of safety was only increased by this. We noticed the attitude of residents not to care about each other: we witnessed an aggression and nobody intervened. When we came back to Paris later we felt safe in places deemed unsafe there. - While my live experience isn't great, I'm 65 and have seen a lot of movies (mostly not Hollywood or blockbuster movies) from and about America, documentaries and news in all these years (I love to learn about other cultures, be is India, Australia or countries like Iran, any country really). In the 70s, music and literature, movies (again, not Hollywood) attracted me/us a lot. But since the 80s already our admiration has gone down. I've also met a lot of very nice and cultured, educated Americans in all these years. I don't have money to travel anymore, but if i had, there would be dozens of countries I would visit, but not the US.

[@alphanet72]

There are many ways to limit the right to abortion: in the US, you now no longer have any protection at the federal level. Some states allow it, some disallow it already. I even read that some states want to ban travel for abortion. Also, there is the money issue: abortion costs money, and that is another way to limit the right. It's not unique to the US: in Switzerland, christian right-wing parties (UDF) tried to limit the health insurance payment for abortion, because they know that legally banning won't ever be accepted by the people.

[@meganhayes1308]

What a fascinating gentleman

[@johnderrick2501]

As an English European (yes, we exist) I think the big difference between the US and the EU is the amount of religious people between the US and the EU (EU much much less) - it's a huge difference and ultimately that effects culture.

[@masterofnone4283]

This video should be titled "What Europeans from the Netherlands think of America". I believe Europe is far more diverse when it comes to worldviews than the US. If you ask the same questions to people from Central Europe you will get much different answers. Of course same goes for people from Scandinavia or the Baltics or the Balkans, etc.

[@iampotsataja]

It's facinating you say that movies are a reason for people visiting the US. I personally wouldn't visit the US partially because of the movies. The glorification of gun violence, theft, etc in movies. Art imitates life and most movies stem from the US

[@Maedhros0Bajar]

6:00 Having rules on the number of weeks into a pregnancy for abortion is not a real issue IMO. In Belgium, the limit is placed due to that until that time, it can be done without an operation. Afterwards the foetus is too evolved already, to do so without an operation Obviously later is possible in situation specific medical situations

[@gailstevens6831]

It's not just Europeans who travel around the world. It is traditional for Australians to travel, especially when we are young, it is part of growing up. Often young adults will take a "gap year" between finishing school and starting university to travel around the world. Australians are known for being world travellers. I have lived in India, USA and Canada.

[@patriplaymobil]

I really encourage you to watch some videos about "reasons to live in usa" or things like that, from a perspective of someone from somewhere else. I do it from time to time, with my own country, and kinda makes me fall in love with Spain again... sometimes I feel I forget the beauties of my own home

[@klarasee806]

1:40 Most Europeans that watch content like yours are not most Europeans 👆

[@Nick_Jarrett]

Coming onto your point about lgb and abortion and such ryan, we in Europe get information from mass media for the most part unless we tune in specifically on KZbin channels that cover that sort of thing. Zero tolerance and abortion rights are just what's covered, or not, by the media. For example the BBC aren't going to report on abortion rights and then say "yeah but it should be overturned in a few weeks as the people aren't happy about it"

[@pee_0656]

As an eastern-european I have never seen anything on the topic of LGBT. Except for our homiphobic media just calling US or Europe "WOKE" and "gay". There even is such a word as Gayrope. Oh, and yeah, despite being europeans we don't really think of us as part of "europe". (Such is true for most people in Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, could be true-ish for Balkans too, but idk, I'm ukrainian)

[@mirrrie]

No it you dig further than the right wing youtube sites you would know that women die cause they misscarry and won't get an abortus. 10 year olds who have to carry pregnancies to term. 22k rape victims who had to carry a pregnacy of their rapist to term in the last 2 year in Texas alone.

[@DenUitvreter]

I think it's fair to say that Dutch media are extremely negative towards Trump, but also associate him with the 1980s American conservatives, the bible belt, the moral majority, gun shooting, rabidly racist, homophobic flag waving war mongers like progress entirely past them by. I don't think that is correct. It's also just a country of extremes. I've never opposed the right to abortion in any way, but abortion in the last months like American progressives advocate for? Come on, you don't need that long to decide, don't get carried away with the subject.

[@anarkitty0]

19:15 Or that it's thanksgiving, maybe that's why americans don't realise they are the only ones celebrating that.😅

[@martinbynion1589]

Or that Thanksgiving was promulgated in 1863 by Abe Lincoln to celebrate the Union victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg. Dumb southerners are celebrating their own defeat 🙂

[@JenniferRussell-qw2co]

I've been to Indianapolis ... airport! That was back in the day when you had to touch down somewhere else en route to LAX from London Heathrow. I don't know why. It was winter, we had a longish wait there, we were allowed outside so we played snowballs, it was wonderful, (we rarely get snow in the south of England, maybe half a day's flurry, every couple or so years, that's all). So I can happily say that I have been to Indiana, Ryan 🤪 🙋‍♀️🇬🇧

[@isuckatguitar6252]

I visited Asia 20+ years ago & never left, still here. Love it & it's hard to imagine living anywhere else.

[@Woltror]

the sad reality is, that a nation wide right to abortion, like under roe, won't come back until at least 2050, because of the supreme court composition

[@myshepspud1]

It gets to me. I was a victim of abortion and my baby was at 13 weeks. The parents unilaterally said she can't have a baby because she had coke in her system when checked into the hospital. We had just broken up it wasn't me. I had no choice in the story. Still haunts me.

[@PureSpirit347]

@@myshepspud1 💔

[@hanes2]

According to Forbes, only 4% of europeans when asked this summer was positive towards trump.

[@frenzalrhomb6919]

See how very few idiots live outside the US? Remarkable, isn't it?

[@gabrielrojas2781]

Are way more than that, but yeah, mayority of people from european countries doesn't like Trump

[@oleg_eng1]

he said he wants to start a trade war with eu. Who will love him after this?

[@brigidsingleton1596]

4% ...that's too much!! 😮

[@ChrisShelley-v2g]

Only an idiot would be positive about the orange one.

[@terra7283]

50 to 60 years ago America would still be a place you wanted to go. Now, hell no. Many Americans want to be great again from those days as well, it shows I think it changed for both Europeans and Americans. The costs, the work hours, the health care, the violence, negativity against other nations past 25 years, Trump just is the icing on the cake for that. Things changed to in Netherlands. Overpopulation made us lock up doors cause more crime. In 80's no locked doors and gates. Things are not perfect here but way better that makes me think for US only as a tourist option.

[@melanieweeda4238]

Perceived safety is going down, causing people to lock their doors, but if you look up actual numbers, all types of crime have been going down. So it's mainly the fact that nowadays more news reaches you, while 20 years ago you might only learn about what is going on in your own town and perhaps a neighboring town and just a few things from further away, causing people to think there were less crimes and murders in 'the good old days'.

[@Thurgosh_OG]

@@melanieweeda4238 Are you referring to actual numbers from the US or Europe? I ask because the US numbers are officially missing the 2 of the largest States from their official data; making the numbers very questionable.

[@terra7283]

@melanieweeda4238 stil with more people these days. A percentage of 1 million or a perecentage of ten million makes a huge difference in these numbers from past up to now. Percentage going down but in amount it is going up. If they count the percentage of both times over a population of 1 million then you can compare. But that is not what they do is it. So it is not all perception of it unfortunately. In some regions yes, others not.

[@captainct5ben504]

@@terra7283I would disagree as like you said the amount of crime might be going up but the population is also going up so just looking at numbers is unfair as let’s say 10,000 people might be a lot if the population is 100,000 but very little if it’s 100mil. You want it to be proportional as otherwise just look at population charts and you can predict which place has the most crime.

[@terra7283]

@captainct5ben504 they never really disclose how they calculate the numbres, been looking on region here, very annoying. They can twist it any way they want politically😅

[@phildoyle4098]

Ryan, it's not just Europeans that travel extensively and live in other countries. New Zealanders and Australians are keen travellers and live in other countries quite frequently. Because we're so far away from everywhere we tend to want to explore and you need a year or two.

[@philjones45]

But the abortion thing DID happen didn't it. let a woman decide what she does with her body, it's nothing to do with men.

[@ChristiaanHW]

For the most part. But i would like to add that if a couple decide to become pregnant, it isn't the sole choice of the one that becomes pregnant anymore. In those cases both parents (to be) should have a say. Otherwise the mother could just terminate the pregnancy without the fathers consent. And in my opinion that is very wrong too.

[@Thurgosh_OG]

By the Abortion thing, do you mean overturning Roe v. Wade? All that did was move the choice to individual States, rather than a forced federal control. It's not like women can no longer use abortion clinics as birth control substitutes, it just puts more responsibility on those women and gives the States back the power they had before.

[@desiree2086]

@@ChristiaanHWwhy? It’s growing in her body, so it should be 100% her choice. She is the one carrying ALL the responsibilities and consequences that come with pregnancy, birth and (early) motherhood, which can even kill her in worst case scenario. Sorry but no the father has nothing to say about it. A pregnant person is not an incubator. He can choose to opt in or opt out, that’s it.

[@ChristiaanHW]

@@desiree2086 if two people decided to make and get a child, then the other party definitely has a voice about what will happen to that child. After all half of the baby is from that person. so if you say the father has nothing to say about what will happen to his child, you're basically saying that taking away children from fathers is ok. And abortion means the child doesn't get to live. How can you be in favour for a women having the power to k1ll a child without the fathers consent/input. That's as evil as having no abortion available for women. So if teo people decide to make/get a child, it should also be up to those two people to decide to get an abortion. Unless one of them is unreasonable and the health/safety of mother and/or child is at stake. Then a doctor or judge should be able to overrule the unreasonable parent.

[@Ikkeligeglad]

​@@desiree2086 IIt is also his genes, remember that, so therefore he also has something to say about having a child

[@gamingtonight1526]

Lots of European that go to New York go for work. I live in London, UK, and I have been to New York three times for work.

[@phoenix-xu9xj]

We want to travel because we’re not inward looking, Australia/NZ are also outward looking, but sadly the US is still very much looking inwards. That’s why many Americans also seem to think British bands and singers are American too😮.

[@lampjerulez]

how can you afford it dude XD well sir, in the netherlands we actually have a system that when u reitre u get money. (u did work for that ourself though its not a gift its more like an insurance) we dont need to work our whole life like in the US

[@GazilionPT]

Regarding the comment about the US having "zero tolerance" for LGBTQ people, I think that generalisation stems from the fact that those people fail to realise or remember how autonomous each US state is. Correct me if I'm wrong, but in Europe, even in nominally federal countries like Germany and Austria, the laws (namely the Penal Code and de Civil Code) are basically the same across each country. Each state/region/province may have some or even a lot of autonomy in defining their economic policies, their educational strategy, the social programmes, but "basic" stuff like who you can marry are (as far as I know) decided and uniform at the national level. So, when some Europeans hear news coming from the US about some state banning same-sex marriage or on-demand abortion, they don't think, "The state of X is very intolerant", rather they think, "The United States are becoming very intolerant".

[@Thurgosh_OG]

When we (in Europe) read that a NY Doctor is being sued by Texas for giving abortion medicine to a Texas women (while she was in NY), then yes our view is of the country, not just the State, because that State is exercising power across the nation.

[@captainct5ben504]

It all depends on the person and the subject. Some people might generalise more than others and of course if you hear about (at least for me) a new law I would think about the entire US more than a specific event in California. Also a country in Europe is considerably smaller than the US (states in many cases are larger than entire countries) so you don’t have that type or really need that much autonomy.

[@AndreaHausberg-yt5qx]

I travelled a lot worldwide, EU anyway but, also China or third world countries. Other countries, in cities even in the third world are in terms of modernity and niceness so much further developed, that is always a bit shocking travelling through the US. I can understand why people fall prey to Trumpets in in the US when they feel/see their poor infrastructure and poverty everywhere.

[@alphanet72]

You should not be surprised about the fact that the lady knows the type of climate in Miami: you should be surprised she knows about Thanksgiving. This is something completely unique to the US. The first time I learned about it (in a TV show), I had to check on wikipedia because it looked so bizarre. I felt a bit like when I discovered there is a town where a Groundhog decides on the length of the winter (Groundhog day, excellent movie!). Obviously in Europe the movie was renamed to something like "The endless day".

[@Xiroi87]

Where do you live that needed to check on Wikipedia what Thanksgiving was? I had seen it in films and shows before I could look up things. And there wasn't one single title for Groundhog Day for all of Europe, that title was maybe used in your country.

[@aleksa-77-7]

Actually Canada started Thanksgiving WAY before US. It's a celebrations of end of Harvest. Many European countries celebrate end of harvest. In Germany it it Oktoberfest, in Poland it's called Dozynki. Of course US thinks they are the ones that came up with it.

[@TheGwydion777]

Funny coincidence that what Amsterdam is for most Americans, the place to be, is NY for most Dutch. The actual funny thing is NY used to be NA, New Amsterdam. 🙃

[@lisaschwarz-funke5176]

Unfortunately I have never been to the U.S. It is my goal to visit your country once (or twice 😅). I am interested in your culture and the nature of your country. Safety and the big differences between poor and rich people, less social protection and the law on arms are disadvantages of the U.S. in my opinion. The American voting system seems not very democratic to me and there are many extreme opinions and lifestyles among the American citizens. I hope that people will stay united nevertheless.

[@timglennon6814]

Coffee shops are great in Amsterdam. 😂

[@Ratzie01]

New York as a tourist destination is heavily promoted if you want to go to the USA. Main products on offer will be road trips (route 69, renting a camper, etc) or NY. Even as a short hop/ city trip for shopping. We have a lot of direct flights from western European airports into NY. Other destinations you will probably need to transfer in the EU or states side. The "things are going bad in Europe" is very present in every day life. I feel a lot of this sentiment stems from the COVID period. In some ways it fundamentally changed how we do things. A lot of companies went bankrupt during or in the years after the pandemic. It gives the general feeling that things are going downhill. The mental aspect of isolation often severed friendships etc. It has led to an increase in populist parties gaining traction. I don't agree with the spiral of negativity, but you can't dismiss there are genuine issues in our societies. Ignoring these is one of the reasons for populism growing.

[@thedryparn1279]

Maybe she thinks that because we think Americans are too patriotic and oblivious to leave the US. If you need three jobs to support yourself you live in a third world county.

[@frenzalrhomb6919]

Believe me, that's not just a European point of view, either.

[@captainct5ben504]

Well it’s also that the US is massive so (I’m not American but I would assume) that people would just travel in their country as flying from one side to the other would be a big change anyways.

[@frenzalrhomb6919]

@captainct5ben504 "The US is massive" bullshit! Is only slightly bigger than Australia, and we're actually longer, North to South, than the continental United States, but every bit as wide. So it not THAT big.

[@captainct5ben504]

@@frenzalrhomb6919 Comparing to Australia which is very big….

[@captainct5ben504]

@@frenzalrhomb6919 also the us is around 9.4mil Km^2 There are only 30 countries even above 1mil Km^2 so yes it is THAT big (4th biggest country). And no I’m not saying it’s the largest country or that they can’t travel anywhere else because of it but the fact it’s a big country is just a fact.

[@junglebill9823]

I lived in the USA as a young boy in the late sixties early seventies. Loved it. Still do to an extent. When I go back it still gives a feeling of home. But, as every society it changed. What I learned is that you should never judge a country if you’ve never experienced it. Media always paint a distorted picture of a country. The USA is so vast it isn’t a mono culture. There are places I love and places I do not. The biggest difference between the US and Europe is in the former you live to work and in the latter you work to live.

[@Tar_kat]

I'm glad I found this channel recently - this guy is smart and funny and provides interesting content.

[@ArneWall-p3l]

No wonder youre confused when you dont care to listen Some people just like the sound of their own voice a little too much.

[@SwallowPonyJuice]

The past of New Amsterdam is maybe the reason why most Netherlanders has such high connectivity to New York ?!? Right ?!?

[@framegote5152]

I don't think so. New Amsterdam isn't really an issue for us.

[@DenUitvreter]

When you travel West that's basically the first part of the USA you'll see. We go by plane now instead of by ship but that hasn't changed the perception fully. It's also the biggest city and the most spectacularly American city.

[@ChrisShelley-v2g]

I live near York, I have absolutely no desire to go to New York, why would I?

[@Xiroi87]

New York is a fascinating city, you don't have to be Dutch to love it.

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

In addition, many of those who visit the US do so for business reasons most of the time, so it's NY NY, not small town West Virginia or Yosemite for them.

I'm not American. The country has a mostly negative image. Through AFS (American Field Service) my family hosted many kids from all over the world. A Tai girl, two Germans, a Norwegian, and then: Two Americans. Those girls could not be more different. Those two girls could not be more different. It always the Americans that came in extrems. Jennifer, their parents sent her a huge box of vitamins, they assumed we lived in a mud hut I guess. She was a problem girl, she left after a year without speaking a single word in Spanish. Then there was Rebecca, cute, freckles in her face a red hair. We have a saloon piano in the living room. She was a virtuoso. Kind feels short. She was an angel, after 3 months she could trick people in the city into believing she was local. There are a lot of Rebecas so it's and white as snow, so that, plus her spanish, I don't know, she was the kindest angel, the smartes person I had met in my life so far.

[@bernadettelanders7306]

My daughter has been to America quite a few times re work business trips, short stays, to different states a few years ago. She loved it. Work and a short time for a look around. She always bought me home to Australia a key ring from each state, I have them all linked together. Must look and see what states she used to travel too. I must have about 10 key rings or so.

[@mihailfelixdumitresc]

I believe that asking any 1 person about what they think of 335 million people and 3.8 million square miles is hardly relevant to anyone.......

[@japkap]

As a Dane i would say it is not so much the whole pew pew incidents for me, but rather the amount of catch and release or just not wanting to prosecute people that has me worried about going to the USA, i really do wish the best for America and i hope a good shake up can help your country get back to its roots of protecting the people of America and stop this foreign interest based focus they have, we have gotten a bit better at protecting our own border here in Denmark and now finally reducing the amount of welfare tourists by reducing the amount they get if they cant even speak or write Danish after 10+ years in Denmark, so i am all for integration and having people come legally same as it seems this next administration is going to do.

[@yaonyaon9460]

I googled it and there are about 20 states where abortion is banned. It may be a full prohibition (13 of these states) or it is forbidden after a certain gestation week, nonetheless, 20 out of 50 is a rather considerable number for something that infringes greatly on your human rights. For the 'Country of Freedom' this is simply ridiculous. PS: Idk where you are Ryan, but I think you mentioned Indiana. According to the source, it is one of the 13 states that ban abortion in nearly all circumstances.

[@DavidSmith-cx8dg]

It's worrying that the US seems to be going backwards . Less tolerance and more extreme differences and the absolute control of capitalism . The biggest worry is the size and destructive power of its military and who it's controlled by .

[@MrsStrawhatberry]

There are many Americans who love travelling and who also lived in many other countries, I have met many. It's propbably not farmers in Indiana who do that but rather people from the urban centres. We also had exchange students from the US when I was in highschool. Many people also go there for work, think meetings or congresses. I think the majority of my friends and family have been to the US at least once. Mostly California, Arizona, Utah, New York, Hawaii, Florida. I also know many people who did some research in Boston for a few years. It's very popular for that. Language exchanges are also popular, learning English in an English speaking country while also travelling around. Or doing an exchange and experiencing American Highschools.

[@stanleyyyyyyyyyyy]

Hi, European here (Slovak citizen) - I have visited the US several times, for business reasons and privately, a road trip across California was even part my honey moon travel with my wife. And I must say I like the country very much. I visited several states on both coasts and met great people there. I wouldn't have any problems to move there if I had to or something :) cheers!

[@watermelon7998]

15.45 - actually that does sound a bit arrogant. He talks about how it is easy to integrate WESTERN Europeans (as opposed to Eastern Europeans, I guess). He counts Australians and Americans as easy to integrate because they "all come from Europe", but not Eastern Europeans, who are Europeans. And completely writes off Africans and Asians. What he probably means is that it is easy to intergrate people who come from rich countries. (I think he is conscious that he is talking to a American, and wants to be polite to her and make her feel welcome.)

[@kennethAmos8929]

I think she means things have changed quickly ( technology, the increasing population etc ) The day America really changed is 9/11 and even more after Trump got elected the first time….. I don’t see America the same way today, as I did 10 years and 20 years ago…. Some Americans are more extreme, hardcore and hateful today, then before…. Back in the 90’s my favourite country was the US……

[@ayianaarthur2551]

Leftists have all but destroyed America with their hateful and deceitful rhetoric, hopefully Trump can save it.

[@JohnResalb]

They SHOULD come to Indiana - why not.? So, Ryan - that opens up a whole new subject for you - to swing around the USA!! - show us every state.! I'm still waiting for someone to "take us round".

[@JohnDoe-xz1mw]

4:22 i think what they mean is that its very weird to us that those topics are even a discussion.

[@jankock-bx7ps]

new York was Dutch you understand

[@Jake-co3wk]

Richard was not only well-travelled but thoughtful in his comments. A good interview by Kristin.

[@Alias_Anybody]

The thing that guy was talking about was probably mostly related to high birth rate and urbanisation. Of course places are more dynamic when constantly flooded with new young people.

[@pamc9226]

Hi Ryan, I’ve been to Florida on a family holiday. We found the atmosphere was tetchy between the local people and I was a little wary. I’ve been to New York a lot and I love it there. I never felt uncomfortable at all there. I was advised not to wear jewellery which concerned me somewhat but never felt unsafe. I tried to have a conversation with a police officer outside the hotel but he clearly didn’t want to talk. I told him I was grateful for him being there and looking out for everyone. It’s not like that here in England, police officers are friendly and will chat if they aren’t busy.

[@alphanet72]

I would ask back: South or North America? :) On a more serious note: I guess people from Eastern European countries still have the image of the rich & technologically advanced USA ("the american dream"). Most of central and western Europe countries may not have this point of view for the last decades or so.

[@annafrolova7891]

Do you think people in Eastern Europe don't have internet or what? Why they should see America differently then you?

[@captainct5ben504]

⁠​⁠@@annafrolova7891I mean they aren’t very wrong. The culture many times is completely different so perception could also be. Also they never said anything about them not having internet so he could be talking about any reason.

[@Fujoshi13]

Travel in Asia it will change your world. Singapour, Vietnam, Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Japan, S.Korea... OUTSTANDING

[@BicheTordue]

i'm not surprised, new york is the most known and also the closest, you probably have way more plane going there, we're also used to public transport, we have bus or train to go to other country while america seem focus on either plane or cars for traveling and from my perspective it seem tedius

[@captainct5ben504]

Also since the Netherlands founded New York many Dutch people might want to visit because of that.

[@vrenak]

I too have been to Indiana, it was in fact my first destination in the US, and the 2nd state I entered (we flew into Chicago).