HOW MY VIEWS ON THE AMERICAN DREAM HAVE CHANGED SINCE LIVING IN GERMANY

[@HayleyAlexis]

Tried my best not to rant in this video and get straight to the point (I think I did an ok job). The American dream is something everyone that knows about the USA has heard about. Like I stated in the video- the energy that American people have regarding the American dream is so contagious and makes you feel like you are invicible but unfortunately that is only a feeling and not the reality.

[@FulloutPostal]

christoper l russel did a similar video a while back... if you want, I can look it up and link here, so you can compare your attitude with his :)

[@ketamu5946]

You made the video in boiling hot temperature so you get a thumbs up times two. I think the "dream" is getting rich and there are so many super rich to "prove" it works... and soooo many poor and real third world corners in the US that prove how getting to the top works. Others have to pay for it.

[@HayleyAlexis]

@FulloutPostal I will have to look it up... I have not seen his video yet :)

[@FulloutPostal]

@@ketamu5946 I don't remember the exact circumstances, but iirc the un sent an investigative team to the apalachian region and they came to the conclussion that it was a third world country...

[@peregreena9046]

In the comments to a similar video, someone quoted: "It's called the American Dream, because your mind has to be asleep to believe in it." I kinda like the phrase.

[@thorstenkoethe]

I heard about a story where two very rich people, one from Germany and one from the US, met at this well known economy meeting in Switzerland. The guy from the US told the German guy all the time that he could be richer than he is right know by paying less money to the employees, let them work longer, etc. (all this bad stuff you might imagine). The German said: "there´s no need to get more money. I want my employees to be happy and I don´t want to be a rich man in a poor country!" - Nothing to add.

[@neilryan8401]

It's sad that everything in the US revolves around money.

[@37Raffaella]

Good story ❤️

[@grandmak.]

@@37Raffaella and it is true !

[@raziel8321]

Sorry, this story is a tale. Even in Germany, most people don't look after their employees. we have a big problem here for years with low and stagnating wages. in the last 20 years, the middle class has been collapsing more and more and poverty in old age is a big problem. the top 15-20 percent of the population shape the public image, but most of the population is fighting against relegation. Only those who earn really well can benefit. the younger generation runs the company using the excel spreadsheet. pushes numbers without understanding the real implications, just to achieve goals and benefit herself. no matter what it means for lower-level employees, or what impact it will have in 5 years. because then they have already been promoted and work in the next company for twice the salary.

[@maraboo72]

@@raziel8321 Absolutely correct. I don't know why people try to make Germany so much better than it really is. Not only poverty in old age is a problem. 20 % of the children are in danger of poverty from more than 40 % in Bremen down to 12 % in Bavaria.

[@elgatoloco727]

"We buy things that we don´t need, with money that we don´t have to impress people that we don´t like" What a crazy world!

[@phileas007]

As a European I never used credit cards for their conceptual intent, but only to pay in places where my regular bank debit card wasn't accepted. Never would I feel comfortable taking on pointless debt in order to show off to my neighbours.

[@timson5472]

Same here

[@RustyDust101]

@@timson5472 Totally the same. I've rarely used my credit card, and I've setup my debit card to be unable to go into the negative at all.

[@jessicaely2521]

You can shop with credit cards and never be in total debt. I only use credit cards because I get cash back. My debit card doesn't do this. When I needed to count my penny's I only put stuff on thr credit card that I could afford. I went onto my online credit card account when I got home and immediately pay it off. Interest on credit cards is to damn expensive. This is what is being taught in college nowadays. Do youngsters listen to it? Some yes and some no.

[@Nordlicht05]

IAM not a credit card virgin anymore. This year I got my first after 20! Years. But I did not used it because I have my normal bank card. I really don't know for what besides: The only reason was that some hotel do not allow booking without a credit card. Until now I always got around it. Simply took a different hotel. Problem solved.

[@jessicaely2521]

@@Nordlicht05 people like the rewards you get with credit cards. Credit cards aren't bad as long as you stay within your means. I've had a credit card on my own since I was 21. I never paid any interest on the credit card. I started to use a credit card when I was 15, but it was on my parents account.

[@Immudzen]

I moved to Germany about 7 years ago for a master's and phd and I am just about finished with the phd. I was looking at going back to the USA and I realized that I would need to make a LOT more in the USA to have remotely the same quality of life as I do in Germany and that moving back was just not worth it. In Germany I can rent a nice place to live very affordably while if I go back my rental costs will be much higher than here. I would also have a longer commute to work and I would have to use a car instead of a train. I would also love the ability to just walk to almost any store and easily ride my bike around. I also get about triple the vacation time of what most USA workers get.

[@RustyDust101]

Haha (evil mastermind laugh), we gotcha with our evil scheming minds. You fell for our plans of very affordable healthcare, almost free education, welfare benefits, public transport... hahaha, you will now stay here FOREEEEVER and pay German taxes! Haha! 😂😁 /sarcasm off.

[@Immudzen]

@@RustyDust101 The strange thing is even with German taxes the cost of living is so much higher (especially to get the same quality of apartment and food) in the USA compared to Germany that I still come out ahead. The places where I could live in the USA for what I do cost about 3x what Munich does.

[@dan_kay]

@@Immudzen Not "even with German taxes" - because of German taxes, the cost of living is cheaper, because in Germany certain services are made public (paid with tax money), while in the US you have to pay for them privately.

[@wolfgangloll2747]

@@RustyDust101 That was exactly my thought, the smart people come to Germany for education, the dumber and the more extreme go back and make good contacts for us abroad, the smarter and the more moderate stay here and pay taxes.

[@TabithaElkins]

I left the US in 2003. I am happy to be getting my finances in order, learning to enjoy a better lifestyle, traveling, making music, studying, etc. I can afford these things without a huge income here in Germany.

[@HayleyAlexis]

And that is wonderful to hear! I never thought I could be so content with so "little" money as I have in Germany but here I am.... and I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders

[@jijimu6746]

@@HayleyAlexis i hear you Sis! Sooooo true.... when I come back we all should meet & celebrate!

[@marcelmartin7424]

Viele Deiner Beiträge erinnern mich immer wieder daran, wie gut es mir doch hier in Deutschland geht. Insbesondere wenn ich mich (in deutscher Manier) mal wieder über alles und jeden beschwere. Danke!

[@oldb-1kenobi]

I can relate to so many points you make, I know what it's like to buy groceries with food stamps and I chipped off chunks from a block of free government cheese as a child. The military was my ticket out of a predestined life of working in the coal mines and living paycheck to paycheck in eastern KY and I will always be grateful for every opportunity it gave me that I wouldn't have had otherwise. The best decision we ever made was staying in Germany after I retired from the military. I have the privilege of living in a beautifuly wonderful country where castles and lands from actual fairy tales are real and all around me. We're able to live comfortably and give our child the education that will provide him the opportunity to pick his future before it picks him. The benefit of getting older is that you tend to replace what you "want" for what you "need" and redefine what the dream is to you. I'm living the American Dream everyday, just in another country where I can live comfortably and securely. Thank you so much for this video.

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

I wouldn't want to work in a coal mine either but it made for a good song: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXXcY6ere55ka6c

[@HayleyAlexis]

Thank you so much for such a nice comment! Your story is so sweet and I hope that many more Americans can find the same peace you have found!

[@dan_kay]

So, it's or being killed on the battlefield or die in the coal mine? Damn, gimme some more of that American dream...

[@alexandergraf9725]

Everybody from Europe who wants to make it in the US should watch your videos first Hailey. You help people from your experience by telling the truth. I myself wanted to applied for a green card years ago and since then my whole perspective of the American dream has changed and I appreciate living in Germany even more.

[@charisma-hornum-fries]

Dane here. I've already lived in America and came back home. I never got the desire to go back again. I'll take any western, northern European country any day.

[@Alex-df4lt]

@@charisma-hornum-fries It really depends on your mindset. Western and Northern EU countries tend to be quite socialist and living in the US must be a huge culture shock. In America you're on your own.

[@acd1202]

The British comedian Al Murray does a piece about this roasting an American in his audience. He says and I may paraphrase slightly, " you've got the American dream, in Great Britain we don't have a dream. Now this isn't because we lack a sense of destiny or a wish for a better tomorrow, no, it's because we're awake!"

[@waynebernitt2806]

Health care and good education should be a right not a privilege. Have these two things and being successful becomes inevitable. Keep living the good life.

[@simonhagedorn7354]

Most Americans (my own stats - people i met in the US) think that good health care and good education means socialism or communism... but in Germany we have capitalism, not the americans predatory capitalism

[@simonhagedorn7354]

Oh, wrong button.. - i meant we have not the predatory capitalism - we have a social market economy. And i'm (like the most people here) very happy about that. Especially when i look at the US.

[@SlavicDubs]

I'm Swiss and I really enjoy watching your videos. It's very interesting to see how some of the things that are completely normal in Europe are not a thing in the States

[@Pomoscorzo]

As someone who grew up in Italy in a middle-class family, I have often wondered about some people's obsession with "being rich". Is a comfortable life not enough? "Being rich" presupposes that you can buy anything and that you don't have to work anymore. Apart from the fact that you can't buy contentment, not having to work sounds like a dead bore. I would trade a job I identify with and enough money to live comfortably to a job I hate and a huge bank account any day. What I learned as a child in Italy was, as the saying is, how to make a bouquet of the flowers within your reach. A rich inner life is worth much more than any luxury you could buy.

[@mariusa.5863]

I'd love to be rich (from a lower middle-class family) because money can make you independent - at least, that's what I hope to gain from it: independence and time. I know a lot of people say they would be bored without their job. But let's be honest: To have a job you absolutely love means you're really lucky. I work a well paid job that doesn't bother me and that has its plus sides and interesting/rewarding aspects to it. But would I quit if I had enough money? Of course! There is so, so much I love to do but hardly have time for cause I work 9 hours a day (6 on fridays). Grocery shopping, cooking, eating, other household chores, sleeping, body care take up a lot of the rest of my time during weekdays and I don't even have kids. And the weekends are short. How many books are there to read? How many movies to watch? How many languages to learn? How many skills to learn? Chess, painting, drawing, writing ... I'm sure I'd never get bored if I didn't have to work. And even if: with enough money, I'd maybe work three hours a week, probably even in an honorary capacity. So it's not at all about conventional luxury to me. I don't want a car, I don't want a house, I don't want expensive clothes, watches, electronic devices and so on. What I want is time, as much time as possible to spend like I see fit. But will I ever be rich? Probably not. Can I live a happy, fulfilled life without being rich? Of course. That doesn't change the fact that I'd prefer to be rich, though.

[@jurgenwilhelm5412]

The issue with the wish of being rich is, that there is no definition of "being rich". If you have that goal - without any other meaning of life - you are most likely a person, who compares themself with others. And of course: There will be always a person who has more money, a bigger boat etc. So you will never step out of that rat race of trying to be rich. Therefore this is really hollow goal. (But for the goal of not working anymore, this is great and definitely not boring. Because then you can do whatever you want at any time you want. And of course you will do a lot. But only the funny stuff, because for the rest you can hire somebody :))

[@mac769]

Being rich buys you time. It also buys you health to spend said time as fulfilling as possible. It doesn't mean you have to stop working. It means that you can choose to work 1) when you want, 2) with whom you want, 3) on what you want. It also means that you get to spend time with your loved ones, when you want and as long as you want. Having the power over your own time is true wealth.

[@elalang3490]

I really love that bit about the flowers. What is the saying in Italian?

[@Pomoscorzo]

@@elalang3490 Actually, I first heard about it in English. I don't know if there's an equivalent in Italian.

[@climbinguptheeverest880]

Im not from Germany, but from other European country, and its generally european thing. There was a moment in my life whe i decided that i want to change something in my life so i took a gap year before my colleage and spent this time in the US. I always wanted to visit US, so i decided it was a proper time to do that. I had no expectations whatsoever. I was even considering maybe moving there, because why not? And dont get me wrong - US is nice country. It has a lot of advantages, there is a lot of beautifull places etc. But once i was back home i thought to myself: "Gosh, im so thankfull that i don't have to live there, and that i could grow up in Europe. I just couldn't live like that - working my life away in order to be "succesfull". There was more other cultural differences that i didnt like, but this was the main one.

[@katherinesmith1849]

I'm only half way through your video and you are so on point. My partner and I have realized that this "American Dream" is just a trap to continue ensuring the rich stay rich. Because of this, and MANY other factors, we've pretty much decided we would like to move, preferably to Germany. Your videos have really helped inform us. Thanks for making them!

[@HayleyAlexis]

There are other great countries out there as well :) so don't be afraid to research a few other places (especially in Europe).

[@hape3862]

You‘ll be very welcome!

[@mogon721]

@@HayleyAlexis But Hayley, you know the old saying. If you can make it here (through our bureaucracy), you can make it anywhere! 😉

[@wolfgangpreier9160]

Keep your mind and hearts open. There are many nice and liveable places all over the world. Germany is one of them. But by far not the only one.

[@wolfgangpreier9160]

@@jijimu6746 Oh yes, i do not think any one single place or country is the perfect place for everyone. I tried a few and came back here and know i would not find a better one. But thats me. Everyone else must find his/her/its best place. On the other hand i will never say any one single place is "the worst". Besides Pripjat/Tchernobly perhaps.

[@londonjones7040]

Hi Hayley, What you said really resonated with me. Sometimes I think I’m the odd one out around my area to not want all the trappings of the “ American dream”. Some people have even judged me because, I don’t want what they think I should have. In six months I will be moving abroad and, leaving those mindsets behind.

[@HayleyAlexis]

A lot of my friends are always shocked when I come to the USA and drive a crappy car and don't care about what people think of me. I have gotten to a place in my life where I do, buy, and like the things I like and don't need "extras" that society says I need to make me feel validated

[@K11M0RE1NN]

Thanks for your refreshing and insightful comments, Hayley. I live in Ireland and we enjoy many of the benefits you mention regarding Germany - but on a smaller scale. Thanks to our EU membership, Ireland is a more open and accommodating nation now than at any point during the 20th centaury. As an EU citizen: I received 4 years third level education - paid for by an EU grant - I left college with a good qualification and no debt. Some years ago, I spent 7 nights in a hospital ICU under quarantine due to a life threatening infection; I received round-the-clock supervision, with a lot of drugs and doctor time - the total cost to me was EUR 0.00. I pay approx. 35% income tax on my earnings, plus VAT @ 23% on every purchase other than "essential foods", plus various duties on my vehicles, annual "road tax", duty on gas and diesel and several other Govt. levies and charges. So, we are highly taxed. I believe I pay too much tax and my government wastes far too much of it. But a little of it makes its way to help those who are starting from a similar or poorer place than I did. Despite the above and maybe because of it, l enjoy a good standard of living, I own my home plus smaller investment properties. My wife and I can afford 2-3 weeks foreign holiday every year. When I was an employee, I had 30 days annual leave. I am now successfully self-employed - so I never get a break 🙂. I grew up in poverty in Ireland in the late 1970's and early 80's, back then, the USA seemed like a first-world nation and we in Ireland were second world (those phrases were appropriate in the '80s). TV shows like Dallas, Falcon Crest, Magnum PI and Columbo told me everyone in the USA was healthy, rich and >95% white. Shows like the A-Team told me guns were cool and never killed anyone. The Dukes of Hazzard told me being a poor country boy was pretty awesome; provided you had a hot cousin and an indestructible car. There might have been other strong messages in that show, but I never got them. We were poor and I grew up on welfare, hand-me-down clothes (from other families) and the occasional hand-out. Now, as smug, middle-aged, middle class tourist, I have visited cities in California, Arizona and Utah, among others; where I have seen frightening levels of poverty, homelessness and desperation. In the words of George Carlin, "The American Dream is just a dream, because you'd have to be asleep to believe it". Every government lies to its people, but it appears Americans have been programmed to lie to themselves. I recognise my privilege and am extremely grateful for it. As Bono once sang, " well tonight thank god it's them instead of you". . Keep up the great content and continued success with your channel.

[@daylightdaylight6612]

@ Gerry Reynolds you are right, we Europeans are blessed with heald care that everybody can afford and it is good living in the EU.

[@PalmyraSchwarz]

Hi Hayley, I personally have the impression, but I could of course be wrong, that the changes in the law regarding abortion caused by the United States Supreme Court have not only led to a higher output of your videos, but also that the range of topics is more concerned with social issues and deals with questions of life. I like it.

[@HayleyAlexis]

I am a little upset with the USA right now unfortunately :( I go through my phases.... I would say the past 8 months I have been generally "chill"/"relaxed" regarding the USA but right now it is getting overwhelming with all the crap that is happening... At some point you just get tired and have to say something. These videos are ways for me to blow off steam and release all my thoughts

[@erwinmeisel2545]

I observed that too and it is important that she opens a lot of eyes.

[@chubbymoth5810]

Yeah girl,.. speak your mind! It is important to tell others about your experiences.

[@charisma-hornum-fries]

@@HayleyAlexis you do get a lot of reaction videos on your thoughts and rants. I haven't seen one American disagreeing with you.

[@moodmaker2796]

@@HayleyAlexis I just listened to a podcast by Kyle Kulinski in which he infromed the audiance that in Texas, since Roe was overturned, they got so emboldened they actually want to ban same sex pictures of partners on desks in school settings and enforce the anti sodomy laws from a million years ago (oral and anal sex). When I hear things like that my mind gets so twisted that I want to scream. As a poor German I still feel so priviledged to being born here, in this time period, that I want to cry.

[@reginas.3491]

Kurz gesagt: Man kauft mit Geld, das man nicht hat, Dinge, die man nicht braucht, um damit Leute zu beeindrucken, die man nicht mag. ;-))

[@papillon232]

na da wird sich der Volker aber freuen, noch einer der zugehört hat...es ist ein Zi...😛

[@reginas.3491]

@@papillon232 Ja, angeblich Alexander von Humboldts Definition von Wohlstand.

[@PDVism]

Both George Carlin and Volker Pispers said similiar things. Buying stuff with money one doesn't have so to get things one doesn't need to impress people one doesn't even like.

[@weirdcultist5025]

Nowadys it's ironic that one quote from an american movie taught me my standard of life. It was Hal Ashby's 'Harold and Maude' from 1971. I watched it the first time in a german school in the 80's. And the quote from this movie was: 'The best things in life aren't things!' This stuck on me until today and it's absolutely true! So thank you USA for teaching me this lesson ❤️

[@dianacasey6002]

I can believe some else who saw Harold and Maude

[@wora1111]

@@dianacasey6002 Of course we did see the American blockbusters in our youth (feeling like Maude currently ...)

[@dianacasey6002]

@@wora1111 we are rare on the ground.

[@Kutchulu]

"The reason they call it the American Dream is because you have to be asleep to believe it." ---- "The upper class: keeps all of the money, pays none of the taxes. The middle class: pays all of the taxes, does all of the work. The poor are there...just to scare the shit out of the middle class." - George Carlin It is interesting when someone sees his culture from "outside". You named every single issue I have with the "American Way" and also brought up all the good things it encompasses. It is always refreshing to learn a new culture and compare it with your own. In this way you can learn a lot to make your life happier. 😁

[@inasl4551]

The American Dream is what it is, just a dream. Even when you wake up and it has become true it is still just a dream. Life is not just about wealth.

[@wwbuirkle]

More foreigners have made their fortune in the US by far more than any other country.Einstein,Srgy Brinn,Musk,and many more.The US has lifted more people out of poverty than anyone else and don't compare us to some country with 10 million white people.The telephone,automobile,electric lighting,airplane, the computer,facebook.you Tube all made in America. HELL YEA

[@jessicaely2521]

Wealth can make life less stressful which in return makes you happier. You can fix a car without thinking about do I have the money? You can buy something that you need now instead of waiting until you have the money. Wealth can make you feel good because you can help those who are less fortunate. Wealth can make it so you don't have to worry about how much gas is. Wealth makes it so you can save money for retirement and you don't have to worry about working until you die. I was poor and I'm better off now. I prefer being better off. I can buy clothes when I need them, I don't have to count the mileage I'm traveling to make sure I have enough gas until the next paycheak, I can buy steakes whenever I want, I can fix my car when it needs to be fixed, I can do the suggested repairs to a car when it's supposed to be done (you are supposed to do whatever at 50,000 miles, you are supposed to whatever at 75,000 miles, etc). I'm able to buy my kid clothing or shoes when she needs it. Not when I have the money. My daughter can be exposed to playing musical instruments because I have the money to pay for lessons. Yeah the federal government gives me money for having a kid, but it's not enough to cover food, clothing, shoes, music lessons, etc. *Edit I should say wealth can make you happier. If you don't work to death and enjoy life.

[@jessicaely2521]

It also isn't just a dream. A person I know moved from Colombia as a teen. He and his family lived in an area that was full of drug lords. He would have ended up running with the drug lords (because this is what happens to boys in the area), or dead if he didn't move to the US. He started at Publix (a grocery store in Southeast US) when he was 15. He did this just for a little extra cash. He worked his way up to district manager of Publix. He retired at 45 and is a multi-millionare. He says he is living the American dream. If you have the drive to be wealthy in the US you can be wealthy. Warren Buffet wasn't wealthy as a kid. Now Warren is one of the richest men in the world and is extremely happy (I've met him). Steve Jobs wasn't poor, but he wasn't rich. The millions Steve Jobs had was due to his work. Oprah Winfrey was born into extreme poverty. Now shes either the richest woman or one of the richest women in the world. A person I know was born in extreme poverty (he didn't have running water or electricity) and he made millions by painting homes.

[@vullings1968]

@@jessicaely2521 I think you are right, to a point. Having money is a means to live comfortably. But when is it enough? When money becomes a goal, instead of a means, things are starting to get wrong, imho.

[@dennisbohman3848]

​@@jessicaely2521 "Wealth can make you feel good because you can help those who are less fortunate." Yes, the US has many less fortunate, here the state/municipalities take care of them, there is no need to do charity fundraisers to feel good. "Wealth makes it so you can save money for retirement" I set aside a part of my salary every month to the pension authority and the employer deposits extra into the union which is saved/invested in various funds. Should I become ill/unemployed, I will always be able to receive a minimum pension. That's the benefit of social safety nets. Tho as Harm Vullings said "I think you are right to a point. Having money is a means to live comfortably."

[@Sk8Bird]

"That's why they call it the American Dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it." George Carlin

[@Sk8Bird]

George Carlin ~ The American Dream kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5SviGSse7RgaLM

[@gloofisearch]

"A house made out of wood, scrap and crappy workers" was the best comment ever. It is so true. Why would I pay $500k for a shoe box. The house I have right now in Las Vegas is so bad, that I hear birds in the morning through the closed bathroom window that are 100 feet away in a tree. I cannot make videos in my house as the cars that drive by are so "loud", you would think they drive through the room. When I open the hot water, you can hear the water pipes moving around in the ceiling when pressure changes. In every US house I have been, I had to fix at least one toilet or faucet and on the bottom of the front door, you usually can see through. The waste of energy in these places is enormous but in the US, they have to be big as otherwise you have not achieved anything. Here, the saying "Size Matters" is definitely true as it keeps everybody running towards the light that cannot be reached;-)

[@wora1111]

I had to laugh, when I read your comment. 'shoe box' is what I called my German house, when I saw it the first time. (Flachdachbungalow in Reihenhaussiedlung). I turned back, wanted to leave without looking any closer. while leaving was caught by the agent who wanted to sell it. Entered the house and after taking the first step inside I began to change my mind. Concrete walls, concrete ceilings, Sauna in the basement, gigantic bathroom and an owner who had served in the same company that I was in. Bought it. No repairs needed in the last 30+ years, although we did some remodeling.

[@klausmogensen8691]

"If Americans want to live the American dream, they should go to Denmark." RICHARD WILKINSON

[@grandmak.]

really ?

[@nathanlonghair]

I came here to post this quote ;) Now, this was something he posited years back, and some things in Denmark have changed, so there may be better countries for it now, but it still holds true that social mobility (which is the core of the American Dream) is all but non-existent in the US today, and is much more a reality in Northern Europe.

[@Erlinator]

"Jeder kann Millionär werden aber eben nicht alle" (Volker Pispers) ein schönes Beispiel für den Unterschied zwischen beiden Worten, der meistens in Übersetzungen verloren geht.

[@tommyerickson1900]

True, in many ways. Anyone can be (fill in the blank), but not everyone.

[@Cadi.k]

You’ve probably just saved me years of my life. Thank you.

[@TreyDaze]

American living here in Germany…The craziest thing about the American Dream is that several American institutions pitch it as being an attainable opportunity “For All” while also simultaneously gatekeeping and making it extremely difficult for several demographics in the US. First example that comes to mind is “redlining” which has plagued American society for decades. Luckily those types of predatory and divisive tactics don’t exist in Germany. I can go on and on about the ways in which the American Dream is the equivalent of smoke and mirrors. Great video!

[@TreyDaze]

@khazar turk Exactly!

[@HayleyAlexis]

Thank you for pointing out something I missed in the video! I could have gone on for another 30+ minutes about this topic... We won't even get into the racist, sexist, ageist, ableist issues in the USA that keep so many people from "succeeding" but you get the point! It is so crazy what is allowed in the USA and seen as almost criminal in Germany (when it comes to- like you stated- gatekeeping).... Hopefully more Americans will understand and see our types of videos :)

[@TreyDaze]

@@HayleyAlexis We could easily go on for hours in these videos lol! That’s the beauty of this platform! I appreciate your honesty and transparency! Keep up the amazing work and hopefully we cross paths in the future!

[@dhtran681]

@@TreyDaze 👍

[@rayraygoreng6264]

George Carlin explained that it's called the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.

[@fzkwolf3086]

I REALLY love your balanced and thoughtful videos. Knowing you from earlier days of your channel's beginning, there's no other way to say : you are doing fantastic. Love it so much.

[@ruedigerrodewald6791]

One of the best recent heard comments about the 'american dream'. When i was young i travelled the States couple of month with a Greyhound bus and it was a great impressive adventure. Working in and with America in recent years, i realized (sorry to say)how sick this society is. Seeing the poor, seeing the racists and how extreme religious and extreme capitalistic views undermined morale and humanity. I sincerely hope the german society doesn't follow this path with the usual delay of ten/fifteen years. Keep on Haley and good luck Rudy

[@henning14]

I agree with you. “The American Dream” is a great marketing tool.

[@martinbruhn5274]

For me, growing up in a more well off family, whenever the fact, that my parents earned more than the parents of most other kids, it wasn't really a thing, that made me fell cool. It's more a situation, that I tried to avoid, because it opened up this gap and it made me feel unsolidarisch. It's not much fun, when you're the only one enjoying a thing and everybody is just watching you do that. It's uncomfortable for everybody involved in the experience. It's really not a great thing to not have some restraint and humility with the material wealth you have the privilege to have.

[@gorsed3060]

I try to explain myself in English... In my school time in Munich I had different school friends. With middle class family and more richer. The thing is, as we been together and did party there wasn't a gap. And we visited each other at home. My daughters friends are also different. One of here best friends lives in a big house with pool. She stays often overnight there or this friend in our for room apartment. And I know his parents verry well. Really good people. Of course in Germany too there is an upper class. But I have the feeling, this upper class here is more open to different people as the US upper class. I don't now how to explain better... I switch to German. Der Punkt ist, man sollte sich nicht schämen müssen für das was man hat oder nicht hat. Man kann schließlich was selbst daran ändern oder mit dem glücklich sein was man hat. Wichtig ist, der gegenseitige Respekt. In meinem Ort gibt's Reiche und Mittelklasse. Aber wenn mann sich sieht, kommt man gut miteinander klar ohne Neid. Nun das ist mein persönlicher Gedanke. Wir haben alles was wir brauchen und sind zufrieden.

[@jessicaely2521]

@@gorsed3060 nah. US upper class is more open. The Americans in general are more open than Germans. Germans are more closed off. I had filthy rich friends and really poor friends. Until I was 16 I was one of the poorer ones (others were poorer). People are people. Some are assholes and others are not.

[@gorsed3060]

@@jessicaely2521 dear Jessy..... Bad characters I would say are in every living situation. Like we say in Germany... You can choose your friends but not your Family 😉 I just spoke from my personal experience. And yes... In Germany exist a closed upper class for sure.

[@leonlowenstadter9223]

@@jessicaely2521 One point: In Germany a good education is almost for free (itself) and supported by government (although not enough). In the US you need to be rich or exceptionally outstanding brilliant to join an elite University. You can even have a decent income without an academic title just with an vocational training (Ausbildung).

[@jessicaely2521]

@@leonlowenstadter9223 only for college (also called University). Kindergarten through 12th grade (ages 6-18) is free. All you need to do is be in a good school district. If youre in a good school district this doesnt mean you are rich. Growing up I was in a good school district and I was far far far far far away from being rich. Depending what state you live in preschool (ages 4-5) is also free. You don't have to be poor to take part in free preschool. Florida has this. Unfortunately when Haley and I were kids this wasn't a law yet. For college you can get scholarships (free money), grant's (more free money), and a work study program. I didn't pay a dime for college and I have a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. I did take a school loan out to buy a brand new car, but that's it. It didn't have interest building up until I graduated college. Once I graduated I immediately paid off the loan. People are to damn lazy to do the work to get a free ride in education.

[@birgitadler7882]

Hi!! Es tut doch mal gut zu hören das hier nicht alles schlecht ist !! 😁 Schön das du da bist!! 🫶🏻🫶🏻

[@mercyunselt2035]

You are a very brilliant speaker. You are just sitting there in your vlog (not like others tumbling on their way to catch viewers) but then you gather many people to listen on you. This means, your topics are so fat, interesting, educating and informative. Thank you for sharing your views and experiences. Please keep on going.

[@Yuyayayu872]

You have made the best point at 8:40. That is what people do not understand in the USA. I live close to a house that proudly has a sign that says: 100% American 0% Socialist. When you have your basic needs met, home, food, shelter and healthcare you can be safe and secure.

[@cocos9064]

To be honest I have no idea why I subscribed to your channel as I have never been interested in these topics but you are just so likeable and I hope you stay with us in Germany for a long time.

[@thomasblinne332]

hi Haley, the best thing of that "germany changed my mind" is that you do not even have to hang the flag in your window and not to sing the National Anthem for it. It is fscinitating to see how things can be so much easier by the simple observations that you do all day seeing that happiness is at sale for nothing. As I am saying - Germany is also not perfect at all but perfection is an illusion defined by the viewer :)

[@RickDistance]

Ob sie schon über die Machtkämpfe in Germany bescheid weiß?

[@grandmak.]

@@RickDistance die aus der Bildzeitung ? Oder in der AfD ?

[@RickDistance]

@@grandmak. Na das hier zum Beispiel. Diese Frage ist doch total normal aus Hirnschlag-Warrior Deutschland.

[@grandmak.]

@@RickDistance weirdo.

[@RickDistance]

@@grandmak. Und schon wierda.

[@MrTorbz]

"From the inside, the hamster wheel looks like a career ladder.."

[@VeriZami]

when you look back at your life, thats one of the most important realizations you can have - to appreciate, to be contend, to be satisfied and ultimately: be happy.

[@andreassumerauer5028]

As a German I have to say: Also in my country many people want to live the American dream. They do not call it that way but they aspire to having a big car, a big house and all of the status symbols they can dream of. Luckily most of them are young school boys and my twelve year old son is proudly among them. Every so often he tells me enthusiastically about the newest expensive stuff he has seen on the internet and how happy his life will be when he owns all of it as a grown up man. And that is basically it: To me the American dream is what you might envisage for yourself while you're still a child.Sticking to it as an adult as a plan for life is IMO nothing more than a sign of immaturity. When people base their life decisions on it then what we call the American dream quickly becomes a destructive cult of greed and it will make them run the rat race as long as they believe in it and even longer. And of course it is the perfect ideology for narcissists and antisocial characters. For those who have no reservations about exploiting others it serves as the perfect justification for their own despicable behavior and at the same time it is the carrot and stick they wave over the heads of their prey to fleece them even more effectively. Of course I am speaking from my own culture here. I do understand that in the USA people often do not have much choice between joining that cult or otherwise being thrown under the bus and living a live at the fringe of society without rights, without health care and without a retirement plan. After all the relevance and validity of the American dream more than everything else is a question of social justice and inclusiveness of the society. In our current age people have more than ever before the means to look beyond their own space. It has become so easy to see how our fellow humans are living their lives in other places on the planet and we can even get in contact across continents and discuss these important matters without any delay. We did not have that when I was young. Of course I am aware that many of your viewers are Germans like me and for that audience you are preaching to the choir. Still I hope that there are some in your homecountry who want to get a different perspective on life and who even try to make a change within their own communities to make a new American dream a reality. All you expats on youtube are doing such an important work in bringing people together and also in bringing new ideas into our heads. And of course I am not only talking about US citizens in Europe. I mean all of you! Thanks so much!

[@teotik8071]

If the US wouldn't be some kind of far off and neighbouring lots of other countries and being of a smaller size, probably it would have developed much different. The problem I see is that many act like the first pilgrims and if there is no end to it all and if they are alone (they almost were when the first settlers arrived). They take, use and throw away. And then the cycle starts again.

[@Cheeseatingjunglista]

It was surrounded by small nations, nations they had treaties with. It broke them and took the people captive. They are now forced to live in reservations. They were bully liars from the start

[@berese5826]

the "American Dream" works in such a way that the settlers who first arrived in (the later) USA divided the space among themselves and took advantage of the cheap labor of the next wave of migrants to develop their wealth (English landowners profited by renting their land to Irish shopkeepers, who in turn hired Italian craftsmen and Polish dishwashers, etc...). It gave the impression of a "social elevator" (American dream) which - on closer inspection - is actually an "ethnic stratification of wealth" based on origin and the timing of migration. (with the exception of the segregated slave descendants). i.e. the richest on average are the "English", then the "Irish", then the "Italians", then the "Mexicans"...etc.... For the American society, the exploitation of the land, its natural resources, as well as a steady growth is fundamental to credibly sell the "American dream" to the newcomers in order to stimulate their self-exploitation. . In Germany there are no waves of migration and the ownership has been divided for a long time. Major "reset moments" (where tenure can change greatly) such as epidemics or wars are absent. Therefore, the social elevator does not make big leaps upward... Germans see the middle class as a goal worth striving for and do not see why they should bend their backs to make others rich.

[@humtidumty1]

I think that outside the US the social security can give you some base income and a secure healthcare when you need it and being sick does not mean you almost sure are losing your job with benefits like health care when you need it the most.

[@wora1111]

I am an old German and - looking at the standard attributes - I lived the American dream, although I did so in Germany. If I look back at the things I did and the decisions I made I honestly have to admit that most of my 'smart' decisions were made knowing little of the subject (you may want to call it 'lucky'). And most of my business advances were heavily supported by my colleagues (or should I say 'friends'?), sometimes they even forced our bosses to give some position to me (odd things happen in Germany, sometimes bosses even listen to their employees ...). In my case luck was very much responsible for my success, as was the way my colleagues were treated by me. Talking with others I noticed that most will agree, that success depends a lot on being lucky to be at the right spot at the right time.

[@teotik8071]

I see quite some success on your side. More than 100k subs and growing. 👍👏👸

[@HayleyAlexis]

Thank you so much 😀 I am so excited to finally have hit 100k!!! AHHHH *screams*

[@rookmaster7502]

Many people in the U.S. see the accumulation of material things (expensive cars, big house, etc.) as an expression of self-value and feel that they deserve it... even if they don't actually need it.

[@wwbuirkle]

Yes people tend to be materialistic and live beyond their means

[@charlie5204]

I couldn't agree more with you and your view on what is success. Thanks for that 🙂 100% signed.

[@Saylor28]

For some of us, the new American dream is to leave. They don't make it easy, but one day I hope to move my family out of the US. The dream is Germany, but at this point I'd settle for nearby Germany 😅

[@HayleyAlexis]

John... I was not expecting the end of your sentence to be that... but thank you for the laugh... I mean Canada is a hop skip and jump away...I always tell people to try out different options- also trying out different states in the USA is important as well... because there are a few states (cities as well) that have very similar systems as Germany... they are just very hard to find lol

[@Mayagick]

It would be interesting to compare it with the Chinese Dream. Success there comes with a Cost.

[@Meine.Postma]

I don't live in the USA and not in Germany. Following you is just very nice because you're down to earth and smart. And also a very expressive face either with long hair or short hair :)

[@dhtran681]

And even if you are successful for many many years, but if you catch a serious illness just for one time, you are ruined. The American dream is gone.

[@colibri1]

It is so encouraging to hear of the changes in thinking you've undergone since leaving the US. You might have fit in better in the US before the 1980s. Before the 1980s, that emphasis on the "American dream" of achieving status and possessions was not as strong as it has been since. There was more emphasis on a well-rounded education rather than one just concentrating on knowing about business and how to make money and have the flashiest and show-offiest possessions. In fact, that sort of thinking was considered crass and narrow before the 1980s, even during the 1950s and 1890s, decades now remembered as "conservative" and materialistic, respectively. Even during those decades, blatantly showing off wealth and scorning the poor was frowned upon, particularly scorning the poor, something common at all levels of US society today and taken to such an extreme that the poor are actively persecuted today throughout US society, with people without homes routinely physically attacked by both the police and the public. And that credit-based, debt-based society you talk about also wasn't the norm before the 1980s, with heavy student loan debt not becoming normal until the 1990s. There really was a time when higher education was very affordable, virtually free for many decades, and a societal appreciation for a well-rounded education meant that it wasn't until the early eighties that the most popular college major became business. Before that, liberal arts like English or literature were often the most popular majors, as students not only could enrich their minds with such studies but US society was still structured in such a way that it was possible to support yourself with an English degree via teaching or via having a tolerable, often unionized office job that enabled you enough time off to read and think and enjoy life, meaning not pursue flash possessions but read and learn and appreciate art and beauty, etc. It was very different than it is now.

[@askingwhy123]

You're doing great work, Hayley! As they say in The Usual Suspects, "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." That's what the upper class has somehow managed to do. The American Dream is much more like a poker tournament than an equation of hard work leads to success. Just like in poker, most people leave empty-handed. Some make a certain level of payout, but only the top slots are what people consider "winning." The great lie of American capitalism is that everybody can be a winner. The great tragedy of America is that so many people believe it.

[@jeanpaulmichell7243]

Anyone has the possibility to become wealthy in America. NOT EVERYONE can possibly become wealthy in America. Even if half of the country worked as hard as possible, as smart as possible, making every right decision.... Nope, couldn't happen. Not enough positions that facilitate that kind of success. Not a quarter, not an eighth of the public could do it. Simply isn't feasible. But ask any American, you will hear some fantastic dreams alright.

[@wwbuirkle]

Typical leftist talking points but very little in facts

[@annel.1155]

Thank you for these insights! We can learn a lot from each other by knowing each other's point of view. As I understand you, for the Americans success means above all -> money. In Europe (according to my subjective feeling), success means freedom. And freedom doesn't mean that you can do what you want, but that you don't have to do what you don't want to do. I think with this attitude you can become rich without having much money :-)

[@wora1111]

I like your definition of freedom: "you don't have to do what you don't want to do"

[@maraboo72]

As far as I know the dream says - short version - that everybody has the chance to become rich. In theory, this is true. But everybody does not mean all of them. Capitalistic economy does not work like that. You only become rich if other people do the work for you. So it is clear from the start that there are much much more people who continue dreaming than people whose dreams become reality.

[@c.norbertneumann4986]

I thought the American Dream includes the pursuit of happiness and the possibility to be what you want to be. It's not only about getting rich.

[@chiaraimpeduglia1308]

@@c.norbertneumann4986 The SCOTUS Seems to have a very particular idea about those two things you mentioned.

[@jessicaely2521]

What do you consider rich? Its different for everyone. My husband became what people would say rich in his own. He started his business on his own. He couldn't afford to hire workers. Once he made his first 500,000 he hired workers. I am better of than most and I only worked for other people. There are businesses out there that take care of their employees.

[@jessicaely2521]

The American Dream isn't just about getting rich. It about achieving your only your highest goal. Everyone has different goals in life. My goal in life was to be more successful than my parents at a younger age (and I did it). My parents didn't get to stop counting their penny's until they were in their 50's. I did it in my 30's.

[@lllutubelll]

That is in many ways just not true. First of all, Germany also practices capitalism. And you don't only get rich if people work FOR you, you mainly get rich if people buy from you, including follow you, support your idea etc. Only capitalism allows everyone to decide freely to follow and how much to pay as contribution.

[@ingaurban404]

You should write a book!! You seem to have so much insight and so many interesting views and ideas!!

[@Slazlo-Brovnik]

your videos are on a next level.

[@DavidCavedo]

Preach! I'm currently in Franconia and will be moving in with my partner in the next few months. He left the decision up to me as to whether or not we would live together in the US or in Germany. I have to say I have seen so many of the things you talk about in the video in the US and the difference between the culture in the US and here. I feel like here there's just a better treatment of workers and your life + your family is a higher priority than your job and your income. Thank you for your channel and I really appreciate your videos as it has certainly helped me to be a soon-to-be immigrant!

[@markuskeller9734]

I don't live to work, I work to live! Having enough money to enable a comfortable live is fine, but there is so much more in live than money that counts indeed. The right balance between all factors matter and depend on what each and everyone of us keeps us happy and cheerful.

[@michellemaine2719]

I tried to live the American dream, and came very close to buying and running a business. Then I had a midlife crisis and realised I did not want to be a slave to money and tied to the business for the next 25 years . I sold everything I could, became debt free and moved to the UK 4 years ago. I have never been less stressed and more content. I was happy to keep renting because, like you, I didn't want to be tied down to one location. This year my landlord decided to sell the house. I realised I absolutely love where I am and did not want to move, so took the plunge into home ownership again. It was a tough decision, but when I retire, I can sell the house and rent a little flat (hopefully). It is a much better built house than the US (the three little pigs story always comes to mind here), and has a small but lovely garden. I absolutely LOVE the cottage style gardens you see in Europe and Britain. I see the UK falling into some of the same traps as the US with borrowing and consumerism. They should take some notes from the mainland ; )

[@brigittepaul6042]

Liebe Hayley. I followed your Channel for a while and thank you for sharing your thoughts on the cultural differences. I agree, most people in Germany values a healthy work-life-balance (Danes even more ;)) and we shape a life-style that meets our needs than rather showing off what you could buy etc. Most people here have learned that with each thing you own it gets along with more responsibility for this thing. A big house means more fix cost, more maintanance a.s.o I saw the movie “keeping up with the Joneses” I know it might be exaggerated but I can only shake my head, if half of the behaviour is true. In Germany there is a saying “mehr Schein als Sein” and it popped up in my mind when I saw the movie. Viele Liebe Grüße aus 🇩🇰

[@TheCherieExperience]

very important message, thank you for talking about it :)

[@HayleyAlexis]

You're so welcome!

[@Laurin1179]

Hey! I think i saw you on Tuesday in the S-Bahn :-) Like your vids!

[@HayleyAlexis]

Probably :) I was in a rush into the city!!

[@franz1102]

I´m gonna like how you start thinking, I do follow you since a while

[@havenbastion]

In America working harder guarantees nothing and working smarter is usually disallowed. You really have two options; be lucky, or work hard and be lucky.

[@michaelfetzer8536]

Great Hayley!!

[@jasminema]

for my husband and I owning our own home was important for us having that security......we will be mortgage free in about 4 years..we bought this house in 2006..our children have had the security of knowing they wont have to move after 2-3 years because the landlord has decided to sell.....as much as I want a bigger/nicer house I do not want to take no another 15-20 year mortgage and it will be nice to have that extra money to do things we want to do

[@HayleyAlexis]

I think that is an amazing thing to have a home as an investment and to have it for family purposes... For me it is just not something "necessary" for my life... Plus I don't know where I want to "stay" so purchasing a home and going through the long strenuous process of purchasing a home with the likely chance that I am not going to stay in the same place for the next 5-10 years doesn't sound appealing to me.

[@jasminema]

@@HayleyAlexis that is so true I know I always hated packing up and moving....and the advantage of renting is you can just give your landlord notice...bit more difficult to do that when selling

[@wora1111]

@@HayleyAlexis We started thinking about buying a house, when my then girlfriend and me were both starting to work and looking ahead to marrying, children and all that good stuff (our thinking at that time). Our integration in the community we moved to started only when my wife began meeting other women with children of the same age and started working there part time (Elternzeit) in a local bookstore. If you are certain to hang around one spot for some time (=tens of years) it certainly helps your integration to own a house there. But without kids planned I would rather consider a house an investment, rather than a place to live

[@HayleyAlexis]

@@wora1111 and that is exactly where I am in my life. I don't plan on having kids in the foreseeable future so a house just seems unnecessary for Mike and I.... If you ever see us purchasing a home... it's because we are planning on having children

[@wora1111]

@@HayleyAlexis Well, I never really 'thought' about children either. It just seemed to be the standard approach to living at that time so I planned accordingly. Thirty years later I am glad, I did.

[@erwinmeisel2545]

People always confuse beeing financially successful with beeing successful (and happy).

[@HayleyAlexis]

Yes which is a problem everywhere in the world unfortunately. Money can do great things but it can be the root of all evil... and the funny thing is.. that money is "fake"...

[@folkehoffmann1198]

That's interesting. When I was an exchange student in the U.S. I became friends with an exchange student from Moldova. Later on she told me that they didnt have all that peer pressure at her school back in Moldova. I told her that it was even worse at my school in Germany. Cause if you werent like everyone else in my class in Germany you would be excluded. I guess there are different kinds of peer pressure. And you should always be yourself and make sure you're happy. You want to work right out of high school instead of going to college cause you're sick of only learning theoretical stuff? Then go for it! You want to wear comfortable clothes instead of good looking ones? Do it! People who judge you for it are superficial and they are not true friends anyways!

[@grandmak.]

But that's what many German students do : go to work after their graduation instead of going to university, and especially in a Gymnasium there are many individualists who don't care what clothes you wear. I'm sorry to hear that you were in an environment of prejudice. Maybe there were other issues ?

[@folkehoffmann1198]

@@grandmak. I dont know. I feel like nowadays kids get pushed by their parents to go to the Gymnasium. Which is understandable given that the Abitur provides them with all possible chances when it comes to choosing a profession. Out of those who passed their Abitur with me I feel like most went on to university.

[@grandmak.]

@@folkehoffmann1198 it might depend on the socio economic background and the area the school is in. I have experienced different numbers during my active teaching years.

[@viomouse]

My school wasn't like that in germany...

[@folkehoffmann1198]

@@viomouse Well, not all of my classmates were like that but many were.

[@TJ-hs1qm]

I stumbled across this thread on reddit just today Hired at $21 an hour, first paycheck is $17 rate, i quit on the spot today. so the vast majority of workers in the US don't get proper written contracts. Of course you won't be able to defend yourself in court without one. And say you do get a contract they still can and will mess you up. Workers rights are so weak that companies find it easy to loop hole around them at their convenience.

[@hanserikkratholmrasmussen6623]

The American dream is exactly what the name says: a dream. But most Americans live in a reality that such. And it all boils down to the fact that every American is a billionaire, most of them contemporarily out of billions though. But they all vote like billionaires. "Yes my life is hard, but I believe that if I work hard enough I will finally make it!" Oh yes, you will make it to your grave without getting rich. Hard work simply doesn't pay much.

[@jeanpaulmichell7243]

The unsavory truth. I'm an American and at a point in life where the decades of lies and layers upon layers of manipulation have finally been laid bare for what they are. I've always known it in the back of my mind, things just didn't add up, but when all around you drink the proverbial Cool aid..... And the news media here in US is a veritable Pandora's box of deceit, double standards and cover-ups to all serve the ruling class, who's privileged members must be laughing themselves senseless over the public's gullibility. I myself don't know wether to laugh or cry. Maybe both then.

[@f1explained542]

I feel all of this with my soul.

[@Syne7h]

Looking forward to reading Hayley's manifesto😉🌹

[@HayleyAlexis]

Oh lordy....it will be banned from American libraries

[@chavbristol2793]

The problem is that those who believe in the American Dream are captivated by American reality. Those who can live the American Dream are far from the American Reality because they can live a good, almost exclusive life unattainable for the masses. The average American certainly doesn't live badly. It may not correspond to what the average German, Dutch, Dane, French, etc. has as a living environment. But at the end of the day, life is good in the USA too. The main difference between Europe and the USA is the larger social differences. The European societies are very strongly harmonized, the "middle class belly" is very pronounced and probably also symbolizes the average European. There are a few who are doing much better, but relatively very few who are doing much worse. To me, US society seems more exposed to a permanent drive for performance (from a European perspective). Society appears more selfish as a result. European societies are more team-oriented and strive to let everyone participate in the good life. Mentally, the USA does not seem to have survived the 1860s. This is the lone fighter mentality, the illusion of personal success that is achievable for everyone, the insane idea of ​​having to take care of one's own protection and defense (gun laws!) and the rejection of personal responsibility for one's neighbors as well. The latter is remarkable because large parts of the USA see themselves as being very religious. Nevertheless, the idea of ​​charity is considered a socialist work of the devil. The Supreme Court's recent decisions speak for themselves and, as you may have noticed, nobody outside of the USA can understand such decisions. The USA is different from other countries in many areas. That makes it interesting for me, but I don't want to spend more than a business trip or holiday there. I'm living my European dream and I think it's really good!

[@Alias_Anybody]

Everyone with me: "Wealth is not a positive character trait" "Do not slave away your life for someone else's Porsche" "Huge concentrations of money are to democracy what those of matter are to space time, they bend and distort it"

[@jeanpaulmichell7243]

Come to America, preferably one of the southern states, and declare this publicly. You will be labeled a 'socialist', communist, and possibly get shot (really). That is the extent of the mental, emotional and spiritual toxicity here where I live. I am exploring ways to exit.

[@wwbuirkle]

Every lazy bum I've ever known says the same thing

[@Alias_Anybody]

@@wwbuirkle Stupid troll.

[@jeanpaulmichell7243]

@@wwbuirkle There are some whom you might describe as lazy, except they happen to own a company where millions are made from workers sweat. Being born into a wealthy family does not require work. Making other people create a product for you, sitting back and earning millions from said product, is not work. So the term 'lazy bum' is relative, I'd say.

[@selkiemorien9006]

The one thing I would argue for actually owning as fast as possible is some kind of living place - for living security later on. Even if it's just a tiny flat/apartment. If you don't need it right now, rent it out. Or maybe not as fast as possible, since the housing market is pretty bad at the moment, but you know... as soon as you can afford one for less insane prices. Anything else you just really have to think about if you even need it, before buying preferably :) People need a lot less stuff than they realize...

[@HayleyAlexis]

I agree that when you are older (65+) it is probably a huge relief to own your own home and not have to worry about your residence later on... I personally think that you don't have to purchase a home until you are older though (35+)...I know people in the USA purchasinga home at 18... and it makes no sense. A house can be a great investment but it can be a huge liability as well :)

[@selkiemorien9006]

​@@HayleyAlexis I've basically owned my flat since around I was 28, I think. But I had the money at that point, found a great deal and I basically pay off my loan on it through the "Genossenschaft" at a very low price (way less than any of my friends pay for rent). Purchasing at 18, never ever - I agree with you, that's way too early and it can be a liability for sure. If I had to take out a huge loan for it, I wouldn't have done it. Thinking about the housing market (at least in Austria, Germany might be similar) now just makes me really anxious for a lot of my friends (who are like me nearing that 35+ age right now and just looking for houses, or are in the middle of building them). My brother splitting up with his girlfriend and looking at a lot of flats in a very short amount of time probably contributed to my thinking about this so much...

[@florian3482]

101k Abos 😵 gratz!

[@HayleyAlexis]

🎉 Thank you Florian!!!

[@florian3482]

@@HayleyAlexis 🍾🎁🎉

[@justme9801]

You look at the world with my eyes....great video!!!@

[@CO84trucker]

Amen. You tell them girl!

[@soulkisschaoscrypt]

"It's called the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it|" - George Carlin Looking at it from the UK its more of a Nightmare.

[@knudvoecking]

Dear Hayley, I like your videos a lot. You tackle a lot of issues. And you do it very thoughtful and intelligent. I have been traveling to the USA twice a year. So I started to read a lot about US history to try to understand the mentality and where it originated. Still I was always happy not to have to live in the US, but in Germany. All things you criticize I also see in a similar way. Please continue with your videos and don't let yourself be hampered by some trolls.

[@ursulabrandt3678]

I am a german woman and your video made me so thankful of what I have got. You are totally right. ❤❤❤

[@havenbastion]

Success is having a bespoke life. That requires the freedom and resources to be able to explore the world and your personality and to effectively develop your character.

[@TomRuthemann]

My message to our US sisters and brothers: If you are dreaming you must be asleep. WAKE up!

[@wwbuirkle]

Well we are doing quite fine even with Biden killing the economy

[@MsXlr8urself]

I’ll be honest, the past 2 years I’ve been setup in a comfortable position to get a mortgage and “settle” somewhere but I’ve decided that I wanted to travel instead. I own my car, but I might sell it. I need a physical address for my job, (I’m completely remote), but I don’t need to reside there. When I started working full time it’s like I got a chance to catch my breath and see what a rat race this place is. I hate it, so I’m leaving soon. 😌 I’m enjoying how open you’re being in your last group of videos!

[@matt47110815]

It has been like that for decades now, getting worse. "The reason they call it the American Dream is because you have to be asleep to believe it." - George Carlin

[@haroldzentner2663]

Well said..👍

[@miem9775]

2:32 Nice of you to include a "Florida man" story :)

[@maryandmeee]

How come you are saying every word I feel and think ! I can't wait till I get out of here !

[@pascaldyck1739]

I worked my Ass of For years to become the Boss. After i was there i didnt Liked it at all. All the presure. I worked 50, 60 hours per week. My life was just about work. 5 years ago i quit and started over again as a normal employer in a new Company. Now i work 32 Hours, 4 days a week. I have less Money but More time For family and friends. I don’t regrat that.

[@martypoll]

I am an American who moved to Thailand 5 years ago bringing only 2 suitcases of possessions. The first thing is that getting rid of all your stuff is quite a liberating release from US consumerist culture. The second thing is that when you move to a low cost of living country the internal pressure to own a home makes a lot less sense when rents for beautiful condos and houses are so inexpensive. You also get to personally experience accessible inexpensive quality health care. In the end, living overseas because much more relaxing.

[@bookishdea9325]

you're right. it's depressing but dang you're right. I grew up both poor (literally lived in a trailer park in like East LA) and upper middle class (mansion? big house? in Santa Monica) in the US, and what I assumed was still upper middle class in Germany but no, my step-dad was drowning in debt and we were poor. But it didn't *seem* that way to me because of how little my life changed. I do want a house/condo but that's just because I want to like... paint walls, have whatever pets I want, etc. It's a lot easier (and less nerve-wracking) to do those things when you own the place. But I think of friends in the US and family and man... I think most have given up on trying to buy a place, know that they're just going to have to either live with a roommate (or several), etc. And while having roommates is not a bad thing, I think it should be a *choice*, not a necessity. You want roommates to hang out with and stuff? Awesome. You don't want roommates but you have to have them because you can't afford an apartment otherwise? Not cool. Anyways... thanks for the insightful video! I don't think you ranted, I think you were telling the truth and did so in a measured manner.

[@yessenia4253]

What trailer park in East la ? I didn't know there was trailer park in east la?maybe back then I guess

[@gedeuchnixan3830]

I know of a house I would love to buy if I had the money, but not because it would be "an sucess to own that", but that property would allow me to grow my own food which is a dream of mine. I might come from a carpenter familiy, but both my grandmas were great gardeners and one grew food for the entire family side and I would just love to continue that tradition of growing your own food.

[@gedeuchnixan3830]

@@ThomasVWorm But you aren´t mentioning the 5 figure amount to even get into one of those Nazi gardens, they tell you what and where on that tiny piece of leftover Nazi Germany you can grow what. Or to explain it in an american style: I would never freaking ever join a f*g HOA! Because that´s what Schrebergarten really is, a bunch of tight up dictators and nazis, so no thatnks to that.

[@GlenHunt]

Good video. I'd modify the American Dream for the upper class a bit. I'd add that many wealthy whom I've known do run their own businesses and employ others to make it happen. One of the things they have to consider is how many people do they employ? More jobs is great, but it also means the company's finite profits and resources are spread a little thinner and work becomes more mundane, which creates a stressful environment that can be geared simply toward a survival mentality. Fewer employees means the opposite, providing better pay, benefits and fulfillment for everyone, and they don't have to live one paycheck away from eviction. For those with very large companies, they have much more regulation and have to walk an even narrower tightrope that forces them to create crappy conditions for their lower tiered employees. Small to medium sized companies rock!

[@2005shinedown]

You are sooo right!

[@helmutzollner5496]

Well, the banks would very quickly cancel cards that are maxed out. Banks are liable here for debt they allow their customers frivolously to get into.

[@wacholder5690]

Hi ! You can break it down on two differences between US and Germany: houses and furnitures. When Germans build a house it is intended to last 50+ years. Furniture is calculated to last 10 - 15 years at least. Both items are *very* expensive - if you look for quality. Similar case with cars. They are kept 5 - 7 years in average if privately owned. Even company cars are leased for 3 years in most cases. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 🙂

[@wora1111]

German here. Just checked my inventory: my house is made from concrete, 50 years old (and needs new paint). My kitchen is 30 years old (will be replaced in the next months), furniture in the livingroom was replaced after 28 years (our kids finally moved out). Our car is about ten years in our possession but the salesman, where we bought our cars the last 30 years, is going to retire. How will we survive?

[@chubbymoth5810]

Success is spending most of your time on things you find interesting.

[@BrianWader]

Glad you are happy in Germany!

[@HayleyAlexis]

Thanks! 😃

[@richardbrinkerhoff]

I was educated in the US and at the school cafeteria the price and food were the same for everyone.

[@klauskruger6187]

1:44 Yes Hayley, when you start making mistakes like this you become really germanized.

[@HayleyAlexis]

It just slipped out like nothing LOL