I've Lived 6 Months In The US, Let Me Tell You What's Different Here

[@AngelicaNyqvist]

Thank you for letting me know about pre-cut and pre-peeled things helping those with inabilities. I did end up googling this and the reason why American stores have more pre-cut things were indeed because Americans eat less greens and it was made in an effort to hopefully get more to buy them (like I thought) but a positive side effect has been that people that have had problems with peeling or cutting now can enjoy more things. I did not know that. So even if the reason why it exist was to hopefully get more Americans to buy greens a positive side effect has been that now people that could not eat or cook with certain things now can. In the store I shop the pre-cut/pre-peeled section is BIG though, so I don't think it's only with being helpful in mind. But as always thank you for your smart and thoughtful comments, you are always great in helping me see an even bigger picture 😀❤

[@shendisackett]

It can be frustrating in the UK as you can buy a lot of soft things ready chopped but the hardest vegetable we eat is called swede (because we got it from Sweden originally, it's called a rutabaga in other places) and it is so difficult to cut but they don't sell that ready chopped, only occasionally with carrot mixed in. In my family we love it as a vegetable on it's own and we always rely on my Dad to cut it but he's 70 and getting arthritis in his hands. It doesn't make sense to us that you can get soft things pre-cut but not something that hard! I have no hope of cutting it. Everything is home delivered here as well unless there are customs to pay and so you do get wet parcels! Here if you are out they sometimes knock on your neighbours door and ask them to take the parcel. Since the pandemic we don't sign for parcels they just take a photo of where they left it or of it in your open doorway instead.

[@jenniferlubigan934]

I wonder if you can do a video of full face of samples of things you are planning to buy :D

[@donnaroberts281]

@@shendisackett I was a prep cook in a restaurant where one of the seasonal vegetable offerings was rutabaga roast roasted with some other root vegetables. They were so hard to cut! I ended up having to get a wrist brace because I developed a repetitive stress injury. Maybe the grocery stores have decided to save the wrists of their employees and not offer the hard veggies. But probably they just don’t sell well enough to make it worthwhile.

[@melinabbbbb]

I thought that as a reason but I think it also shows how poor healthcare is in the US that people dont have accessibility to supports that can prepare food in their kitchens with them and pre cut veggies/fruits are more likely to get bacterias i think its a bandaid to a bigger problem

[@MintyFrills]

love you sweetie, as a disabled person myself I just wanted to mention that it's fine to say disabled. Most of the people that use other words tend to not be disabled themselves and to me it feels kinda patronizing and it seems like they are uncomfortable with disability. I'm assuming you have the intention to show consideration so just trying to help! I totally see what you mean with how wasteful all the extra packaging is, I would suggest avoiding calling it lazy specifically since disabled ppl get called lazy all the time. Btw actually 15% of the population is disabled so way more than you would think. (though yes it still doesn't account for all of it). Oh and on the bad drivers, the reason for it is that because of how american cities are built and the bad public transit everyone needs to drive basically, so a lot of people that might not even want to drive don't have other options. I'm also from Sweden btw!

[@michellemakeuptutorials]

an 18yo girl slammed into me at full speed bc she was NOT LOOKING and I was stopped at the red light- that day ruined my life (not to be dramatic_ but I was paralyzed for almost a year) and suffered for years for it- she didn't even take responsibility - slammed into me bc she was texting - dumbfknkids everywhere - terrifying really

[@LMuse9]

That's terrible! I'm so sorry, and that's of course not dramatic at all. I'm glad you were not killed.

[@rosemarykinder72]

Omg, that is horrible😔 So sad hearing what you had to go through, could have been avoided if she had any sense, and her not taking responsibility is truly adding insult to injury, literally. Hope you are recovering well.💛

[@Cast_Iron_Kitty]

Hope you are feeling way better!

[@kaitlynstewart7672]

I think a lot of your experiences are more extreme because you’re in the South. Southerners are veeeery chatty and we’re never in a hurry. The difference would probably be less dramatic up north.

[@AngelicaNyqvist]

actually people in NYC are way more chatty than in Sweden too :P

[@ktscreativeescape]

I live in California and I would say we are pretty talkative here too lol. But we are also always rushing and a lot of times we talk to strangers it is because we are sharing mutual frustration of someone holding us up 😂😂😂

[@samanthamartin8795]

Seattle tends to be less chatty, new people are warned to expect the “Seattle freeze.”

[@janelb7707]

I’ve been raised here in the US, in a family that thinks it’s rude to NOT say hi to every single person you come in contact with. And I agree with you, I hate when I walk the dog and a neighbor stops me and wants to chat 😂

[@nicolemanuel2082]

As a high school teacher here in the States I am always shocked these kids pass their drivers test so easily when I know how irresponsible they are in the classroom.

[@tWz4462]

You and me too.. it has to do with .. Wants... Most young adults want to drive. Education is not at the he top of their wants.. unfortunately for some 😢

[@emilymajeski]

Me too. I teach high school art and yet I’m always saying to them, “ok it’s icy or it’s raining today….how should you approach the stop sign today?” 😆

[@nicolemanuel2082]

@@emilymajeski Yes! I will be like it’s snowing today, make sure you go slow!

[@abhimac27]

It's because they really want it.

[@aimeeb260]

I bet! My son just graduated, and sometimes he’d tell me things the kids do and say, and it shocked me that these near-adults act the way they do. I teach seventh grade, so I expect it of them!

[@crystallineautumn]

I agree that we have terrible drivers here in the US. I’d like to see a video from you where you talk more about how you eat as someone from Sweden living in the US. I enjoy these types of videos where you talk about what it is like as someone from another country coming to live here and the differences from what you are used to.

[@unicornL]

I would love that

[@kristinaturner7318]

I would love that too, my body can’t do big heavy breakfasts I have some health issues so I am very curious about their breakfasts and all the meals!

[@anaasecas2515]

Great video idea! Hope Angelica get to see this.

[@NaNaTT549]

And the worst part is the US is not the "worst" country of drivers in the world.

[@anh7807]

It depends where you live. In the smaller towns it's not so bad. In big cities like where she is, I am sure they're not great.

[@mariemcgregor1884]

The pre-cut fruit and peeled orange makes fresh food accessible to people with disabilities. I agree it’s lazy for most people but I used to teach adults with disabilities and they struggled to be both independent and healthy because peeling an orange is easy for the able bodied but actually takes a lot of fine motor skill that not everyone has

[@mariemcgregor1884]

Also, I admit it, I’m a terrible driver…I’m always practicing and trying to improve but I refuse to back up…I’ll park several blocks away if it means I don’t have to back up the car 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@laramauss1968]

thats interesting, i never thought about that (disabled people eating fruits 🍉 ).

[@peto1986]

I found in Europe in general it's normal when store assistants are very straightforward, blunt and don't even have problem to tell you off or just simply say no, whereas in countries like US, Canada or Australia is something unheard of and they have to help you and be nice to you no matter what, even if you ask them most ridiculous thing or are verbally unpleasant.

[@AngelicaNyqvist]

thats an interesting point!

[@peto1986]

@@AngelicaNyqvist thanks Angie! Sending love from New Zealand ❤️

[@manifestationsofasort]

Regarding the peeled oranges thing, it's for accessibility. I have a tissue disorder that makes my hands at best very weak and at worst virtually unusable, and I've never been able to peel oranges. Pre peeled oranges may seem stupid, but they're really useful for me and my other disabled friends. I do agree though, drivers here SUCK. My city has made the baffling decision to put roundabouts in a bunch of major intersections, despite the fact that dozens of accidents happen at other roundabouts they've put in every week. It's to the point where my wife will go out of her way to go avoid them because people don't know how to use them.

[@bethannybiscuits]

Thank you for sharing that! I was so unaware

[@AnetteL.Nielsen]

I'm also on the "can't peel my own oranges" team 🙋‍♀️ Have arthritis in my fingers (don't know the right term as I'm not American) and I would LOVE if I could buy peeled fruit in stores 🙂 I'm sad so many people think of these solutions as lazy, but at least I've seen a lot of comments today from people realising that it's a help for us 😏

[@triceeboo3833]

I'm trying to understand why she thinks having already peeled oranges is "lazy" but she's fine with having already diced herbs? What the difference?

[@SilkyCayla]

@@triceeboo3833 theoretically diced frozen herbs last longer than pre-peeled refrigerated fruit that with the peel on can last for months.

[@autumnautopsy]

It's awesome that it helps people with disabilities, but that is not the intention behind selling pre-peeled/pre-cut things. It's more of a positive side effect.

[@AnetteL.Nielsen]

Just an input on the "lazy" talk about buying a peeled orange... I have arthritis in my fingers so I would love that I could buy peeled fruit here in Denmark 😏

[@alyssareese2885]

I must be part Swedish because I absolutely do not want strangers talking to me when I'm out in public 😂

[@AngelicaNyqvist]

hahaha

[@Luv4all9008]

Haha, I also thought this.

[@NaharaVensar]

Haha. My family is from Turkey, a very chatty country and I grew up in the US. Yet, I too absolutely do not want to talk to strangers.

[@PastelBrushes-n-Donuts]

Me, too!

[@SS_S.]

In Australia it takes about four years to obtain a full driving license. First step is to pass a knowledge test at age 16 and get a learner's license for fully supervised driving - with a log book. After 120 hours of logged driving and minimum age 17 you pass a driving test to get a provisional license P1 for minimum 1 year, then onto P2 for minimum 2 years. You have to display special "P" plates on the car to let others know you're inexperienced, have a lower speed limit and there are restrictions on the type of car you can drive and how many passengers you can carry. It's about 4 years and three tests before you get a full license. As a kid I HATED it, but as a driver I really appreciate how effective it is in reducing fatalities among young drivers.

[@kathleenmartin5264]

Wow and here in US most have done away with drivers education. So now its a very basic written law test and 6 months oermit before getting a license. So if your parent is a bad driver darn good chance you are too becasue thats the only person who showed or taught you

[@darkydoom]

@@kathleenmartin5264 oh my goodness that is scary. I'm also in Australia, even though when I got my licence 15yrs ago it was like 24hrs log book and 2 year permit. And it was HARD to pass the final driving test. Normal to fail it a couple of times before passing

[@zaria5785]

That’s very impressive and it shows that Australians value life. Life matters. I think here in the states everyone is seen as a commodity- everything is marketed to younger audiences to entice them to be risk takers (and not in the business/goal setting way) because if they’re reckless then someone is going to get sued, new merchandise will need to be re-purchased and material things will be seen as more valuable .

[@BlahBlah-sz4ne]

Also in NZ learners then restricted license then full license with various tests and qualifying periods along the way. Texting while driving also illegal here.

[@GMW.artist]

I'm in the UK and I've always admired how it's done in Australia...

[@kareym.3115]

Angie you are absolutely correct. Drivers here in the Us are AWFUL. the problem is selfishness and complete disregard for other human lives. They are in a hurry and what they are doing is all that matters. It's very disheartening. So many lives lost needlessly.

[@jennteal5265]

I love hearing thoughts from someone who isn't native to the US! Grocery stores tend to be very regional. I suspect you've made your way to HEB. When I was in San Antonio for work, I also noticed many of the same things you did. HEB is lovely, but I prefer our regional Hy-Vee. From your description, Hy-Vee sounds more similar to what you'd see. We have an enormous fresh produce section and Hy-Vee really focuses on keeping the produce as local as possible when it is in season. I typically "shop the perimeter" of the store. I cook most things from scratch so I prefer a grocery with a good produce, meat, dairy and bread selections. My choice for snacks is typically fruits - especially berries! Edit: I completely get your fears regarding driving. The culture IS quite a bit different because, if you can't drive, your ability to work, eat, etc, is severely reduced. I HATE texting/driving. Some states make it equal with drunk driving and I APPROVE. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I have really enjoyed hearing you talk about differences.

[@LarinaValarin]

I just commented about Hy-vee too. I'm from Germany and it reminds me a lot of what I'm used to. I really like the selection there, including the deli and bakery. Still not as good as a German bakery but it's good :)

[@jennteal5265]

@@LarinaValarin Yes! I usually hit up a tiny Bosnian bakery when I'm after something special.

[@kaylynnhuddleston5533]

I live in Texas and never heard of this HEB stores! lol

[@Jennifer-uc2oh]

May I ask what region or area you live. I don’t typically hear of Hy-Vee often on KZbin. I have probably 12 Hy-Vee stores within a 30 min radius from where I live.

[@OlgaSPN]

As for the cut and peeled veggies/fruit in the supermarket - they are very helpful for people with reduced mobility who literally can't handle a knife or peel the skin themselves. I used to never think about that, but when someone pointed it out to me I got really embarrassed that it never occurred to me - my mind skipped right to "lazy American". It just goes to show that sometimes we're so blind to other perspectives in very simple things.

[@jodij6280]

On a different topic, I'm in a wheelchair and when people complain to me about handicap parking being the closest to the store, I explain that drivers can't see people in wheelchairs when they're pulling out of their parking spaces.

[@kimberlyoldschool]

I ♥️♥️♥️ hearing these kinds of stories and perspectives. This is also the reason I go into grocery stores every time I travel internationally, even if I don’t need to buy anything (I usually do since I’m a snacker). You learn so much!

[@lilmamiswatchme9568]

Having grown up shopping in Mexico now living in Colorado, I also find the amount of packaged food odd, and the lack of fruits and vegetables upsetting! I also had a car totaled from someone backing into me without looking while I was stuck in a line! It made me so angry and they didn’t want me to tell insurance because the woman in the car with him wasn’t his wife. Next time friggin look, omg!

[@claudiag.serrano7195]

I'm a teacher and some kids shouldn't even graduate, let alone drive. Really like hearing your experiences. When you mentioned pre-peeled food I agreed that it was dumb and lazy. But after reading some of the comments on how it helps people who have arthritis or other kinesthetic issues, I can see how it benefits elderly or people with disabilities. I had never thought of that before, so glad I am conscious of that now. I don't think I have even spent hours getting a phone or a bank. It is usually pretty quick. Even when I opened a new account or got a new phone #. So I wonder what's happening there. 🤔

[@themango9644]

i dont know how it possibly helps people w those issues becaause i swear sometimes its hard for me to open up those packages and im a teenager

[@that_girl555]

I work with geriatric patients and I see an uncomfortable amount of them using canned meals and frozen meals as a way of life. Very high in sodium and other things. For them it’s a trade off of staying independent.

[@ktscreativeescape]

I have lived in California my whole life and doing anything at the bank or phone store takes foreverrrrrr. Maybe it has to do with region and population density? I live in a very highly populated area.

[@christinagooden3694]

Girl the bad drivers has led to what we like to call here, “road rage”, because we get so overly exhausted with dealing with it day in and day out, and I absolutely dread going to the cell phone store because it always takes hours, I don’t understand it either, it shouldn’t be that difficult, it’s absolutely ridiculous

[@christinagooden3694]

Just remember in the US, you have to always be aware and cautious of the other drivers because they will hit you

[@melsmirrorspace]

Good ol’ road rage… passed down from generation to generation 😂😑🙄😬

[@aravista222]

It is very hard to peel an orange if you have certain disability issues. Same with cutting up veggies. This isn't something that just impacts the elderly.

[@LucisZ39]

The chatting thing is regional. I live in the northeast. Knowing your neighbors and talking to them is fine. Talking to a stranger at the bus stop or in line at a grocery store is INCREDIBLY rude unless you have a specific question to ask. Driving tests are easy because you need to have a car in the majority of the country. Public transportation just isn’t a thing. I live pretty close to my work place but if I didn’t have a car I couldn’t hold down my job. I couldn’t walk it and there is no public transportation that would allow me to get there. It’s said that the country was built around cars which isn’t true but the auto industry has massively reshaped how transportation works. There have been attempts to make drivers requirements more strict but they rarely pass. Distracted driving is really common and also there is no set age where you have to give up your license which is scary. I’ve had more accidents or scares from older adults being crap drivers than kids.

[@katiehenry7]

Chatting with people is incredibly rude? Wow! I guess that's why y'all hate us southerners. We will invite you to dinner down here and you would have the best time you've ever had. Never in my life would I have ever thought my fellow humans would ever find chit chat as being rude.. not just rude though...INCREDIBLY RUDE. I can't imagine what you'd think if I opened the door for you at the store or gave up my seat on the train for an elder!? Or if I sat down with the homeless to chat with them... The audacity of me!! OMG... what if I smiled at you when I walked by you!?!? The horror! So ridiculous. Get over yourself.

[@LucisZ39]

@@katiehenry7 I'm going to be dumb and respond here. Ma'am you're reading a lot into this and no one said anyone hated you or people from the southern part of the US. I didn't say that no one would say please or thank-you for someone doing something nice like holding a door or smiling at someone. Basic manners exist here just as much as anywhere else. We are happy to help anyone who asks for it. But striking up a full conversation with a stranger, who's gives no indication that they want to talk, for no reason instead of minding your business is against the cultural norm and not really a common or appreciated practice. It's not mortally offensive or anything more serious than a minor annoyance but it is seen as presumptuous and more rude than just leaving a person alone.

[@joyousenoful]

For what it’s worth, I think I would enjoy the chattiness/friendliness of the south. I live in Northern California where most people keep to themselves. It didn’t used to be that way but tech changed things. For people who are lonely or isolated, the southern warmth would be welcome.

[@yensid4294]

I always find it interesting & often amusing to get a foreigners pov on American culture. One of my favorite channels is by a British guy living here in the states who married an American girl. His channel is all about Us compared to UK & just his adjustment to living in America. He's so funny & witty & sardonic. I don't see how anyone could be offended :D I also enjoy content by American content creators who now live abroad & are adjusting to the cultural norms of another country. Human beings are so endlessly fascinating....

[@jennigthatonecrazydoglady8100]

I love that guy! I think it’s called Lost In The Pond?

[@pamiudoff7883]

About pre-cut/peeled items in grocery stores: I find them to be really useful for someone like me that gets arthritis flares in my hands. When my hands are really painful, there is no way I’m going to peel an orange or cut anything.

[@AngelicaNyqvist]

we have a tool in Sweden to easily peel things, and you can find some pre-cut things in the freezers, they last a really long time there :)

[@evispalmer]

Not everyone would be able to use that tool and those frozen products aren’t widely available across the country. Until they are (as they’d most likely be more cost effective to buy) a lot of differently abled people still need those products.

[@NaomiDollxoxo]

@@AngelicaNyqvist well that is still something you need to have easy dexterity to use. We have them too

[@NaomiDollxoxo]

I’m glad to see someone else commenting o this. I did the same. I know my grandparents HAD to buy pre cut and pre peeled fruits and veggies towards the end of their lives. We would help out when possible but we couldn’t be there at all times

[@rantygobshyte8219]

Wonder how Europeans with arthritis cope then, because I've never seen peeled fresh whole oranges in plastic in the UK, France or Germany. I have seen segments, as part of a fruit salad

[@SymphonicPoem]

I love hearing your experience as a Swede moving to the US, while I'm an American in Sweden 😆 I will say the "International" section in the grocery store, along with the taco/nacho section, was a surprise lol I do miss American snack cakes though! Like swiss rolls, Twinkies, etc. P.S. I volunteer to send you a Swedish care package with all the candy 😉

[@Teeeyt]

As a german I once tried twinkies and I hated them 😀 but swiss roll sounds delicious

[@beasttitanofficial3768]

I was so excited for twinkies when I went to the US and it was so disappointing 🤣

[@shendisackett]

In the UK we have mini Swiss rolls as well as the bigger ones.

[@elizabethmuir3392]

Australian in Copenhagen. When I travelled to Sweden I LOVED the ballerina biscuits. Yum yum. Australian grocery stores are closer to US but not as big. In Aus we could go to one store for everything. Here we have four grocery stores to get the options I want. 😅

[@tossefin]

@@beasttitanofficial3768 Lmao me too. They tasted like absolutely nothing. My whole family was like mkaay... so what's the fuss about this? 😂

[@deettekearns9092]

The thought process behind grocery stores here in the U.S. is the perimeter has all the fresh foods: produce, dairy, meat and fish counters and then the bakery (the stores I shop in have the packaged bread with the fresh bakery items). In the aisles are all the other items and the freezers. That's what I was taught, anyway.

[@joannej_Youtube]

Same in Canada!

[@erab6539]

As someone familiar with both Europe and the US, I think some of the chatting is regional. I personally prefer northern cities because no one is over friendly 😂 southern cities and southern people in general are more chatty and I don’t mean this in a mean way but they move slower and aren’t in a hurry lol this is my experience at least. Boston was my favorite city, you have seasons, people leave you alone if you want them to, and everyone is quick to do things

[@kokoro9301]

Totally agree as someone who has lived in the northern and southern states

[@erab6539]

@@kokoro9301 good I’m not alone lol

[@LMuse9]

I'm a New Englander and it was weird moving to the Midwest where everyone took so long to do things, but also asked lots of (sometimes very personal) questions. mini culture shock.

[@mariahtownsend8636]

I'm a Southerner and I totally agree with your assessment of the chatting and the overall pace of life. Kinda drives me crazy!

[@FulcrEm]

I'm Southern, and I have no patience for slowness or chatter. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@AppalachianAllegory]

I have manual dexterity issues. I assure you, for me, it is exceptionally hard to peel an orange.

[@Rain_Reign]

Honestly Angi, some of us born in the USA folks are much like you in terms of interest in chatting with random people all the time 😅 I have found that the Covid face mask and a big pair of sunglasses really helps me get through my most introverted days lol

[@rahcat7980]

For the pre-peeled oranges thing, that's not something that was demanded by consumers outside of people with disabilities. I'd reckon it was moreso a way for companies to make more money on a single orange.. And for the drivers, yes they are bad everywhere. But we also do not have reliable public transit really anywhere in the United States, and it forces nearly everyone to have to drive. We have so many more drivers than other places where public transportation is widely available and easily accessible. I don't think our drivers are necessarily worse on average, there's just a lot more drivers on the road. Many of us should choose, and would probably prefer the option of not having to drive ourselves everywhere. But we don't have another option

[@JayceeElle]

Someone drove into my car from behind when I was stopped at a stop light in front of an elementary school. What if I wasn't stopped there to prevent them from hitting crossing children on the cross walk? Way too many people have a driver's license that totally shouldn't.

[@pennPi]

I recommend getting a doorbell camera. There is motion detection that will alert you on your phone if someone is at your door. Also, knowing how bad drivers are please ask Ricardo to reconsider the motorcycle. Everyone I know who has driven a motorcycle has gotten into an accident. If you can’t persuade him, then he needs to practice cautious and defensive driving.

[@sallyfields2385]

Also, wear a helmet! I know it's not as fun but believe me heaven forbid he is in an accident. I worked with people that survived head injuries. Doesn't matter who's at fault but it's life changing.

[@whitevine9544]

Motorcycles do scare me. I think growing up (and even more so as an adult) with knowing that I lost an uncle and never knew him because he was killed on a motorcycle at 17 because it was late at night and someone fell asleep at the wheel and ended up hitting him has really got me scared. If no one was around and I was on the back of one and the driver was safe that'd be one thing, but if not it's a personal sin for me. I couldn't. I wouldn't especially now. I could have once with a manager years ago, but I was working (so were other coworkers who took a ride) and business minded. I wonder if also my uncle was the other reason I didn't get on. That manager did crash on his motorcycle not far from work because of some driver cutting him off or something like that. Yeah, very scary.

[@GMW.artist]

It's much safer to ride a motorcycle in European countries...

[@whitevine9544]

@@GMW.artist I believe it.

[@sallyfields2385]

@@GMW.artist I wouldn't doubt it.

[@alexandreaturcot8921]

Americans and American grocery stores are all about "convenience" and grab and go foods, which I believe is the reason so many people are unhealthy and struggling with obesity, etc.. I grew up with acces to fresh vegetables ( my grandparents garden )and never appreciated it, I preferred snacks and soda. As I got older I realized how bad those "convenient" things were for me, I was overweight and out of shape. It wasn't until I moved to Fallbrook, CA that I learned eating fresh, and cooking for myself and being outside was what it is all about!! Great video!

[@mackenziepurcell]

This may be true for some people, but it’s a behavior, not the fault of the stores. As other people have noted, you just “shop the perimeter”, although I do buy some frozen and canned food. I point this out because it’s exhausting to listen to people blame health issues and weight issues on “laziness”. And obesity is an ugly, ugly word.

[@rusimp7844]

Always Love hearing thoughts of another person who wasn’t born & raised in the US. I am the same way & could definitely relate to a lot of things you mentioned. I will recommend getting a ring camera since you are getting packages on a regular basis. And although you may not be home all the time, at least you know when a package is delivered and just having the Ring cam is sometimes a deterrent for porch pirates at the very least. Been living in the US for 13 years now, but I must admit, it took about maybe 5 years to really assimilate & finally stop comparing things. I love living in the US & I can’t see myself living elsewhere. Which sometimes make me think how appreciative I am and how I have it a heck of a lot better than anybody else living in a different part of the world that when I hear people complaining about their first world problems I can’t help but shake my head sometimes 😉

[@hannahcastor9246]

OMG, yes to terrible drivers! It has gotten SO MUCH worse since Covid. I live in Indiana, and it's really bad here, too. It honestly scares me to drive anymore because people just don't pay attention and/or don't care. I recently witnessed an accident at an intersection while walking my dog with my fiancée. No one was hurt, but it scared the sh*t out of me to see it, especially since we use that intersection all the time!

[@taramisu9978]

Yes, since the pandemic in my opinion drivers have gotten a lot more aggressive for sure.

[@kaseywaters7466]

@@taramisu9978 yes! And just plain reckless too. I’m constantly getting cut off

[@carlasouza5306]

Peal fruit are mostly for people with disabilities, that can't cut themselves. They have a whole section in my country.

[@tania52644]

As a person that was born and raised in the U.S. ( in the NYC area ) I feel like when I go to any other state ( or areas not near NYC ) ... people just do everything slower than we do here ( except drive because speed limits are lower in city areas ) ... but yeah ... it's annoying to me when people take so long to do a job that could've been done faster.

[@MidnightMajesty]

you can schedule package pickup during your regular mail delivery, you never have to leave your house! Look into it on the USPS site

[@Dripping-with-Color-Nails]

Yep! I have a small online store so I schedule a pickup from my house most days. The only thing is you have to schedule the day before and not the day of.

[@emleigh1793]

I came here to say the same thing. It’s super convenient.

[@donnaroberts281]

Yeah but you have to know how much the package weighs unless you are using a flat rate box.

[@Dripping-with-Color-Nails]

@@donnaroberts281 I purchased a $5 scale from Amazon and it helps with that issue

[@MissytheHamster]

Went looking for this comment :)

[@1015SaturdayNight]

Angela -- you can ship packages from your house, too! There is information on the USPS website about it ♥️

[@michellemakeuptutorials]

just a thought, and I am not trying to be rude- please do not take offense bc I really do love you so much- but speaking from my personal health journey I have been struggling through for years now, I was not able to use my fingers to hold things very well (up until these recent months now that I am post op that saved my life and my body is regaining ability again) and certainly couldn't make a fist aka have the strength to use my fingers to hold the orange and peel it at the same time- I used to think those kinds of things were unnecessary too until I started struggling with the dexterity of my hands- and I don't like a cut an orange lol *just an example about why some of these things may have come about- but also lots of laziness probably spurred the ideas too lol seriously I could not even use my fingers to open the plastic bags to be able to bag fruit into it at the store- I just could not with my fingers - so thankful that is history now for me! :) just wanted to provide some insight from a different perspective based off having gone from "a totally abled person" to a "severally disabled person" which really opened my eyes to so much that I took for granted before, now that I am able again, I relish those abilities like I literally squeal from joy when I can reach and open the stupid plastic bag lol it's the little wins for me these days lol

[@justinebailey4855]

Driving in the US is pretty terrifying. Grocery stores are very regional and some are more prepackaged and others are more fresh foods (like whole foods, sprouts, central market...)

[@kayla4702]

I loved hearing your thoughts about how things are different in each country, thank you for sharing. Also, I'm so excited to receive my Hela palette, so pretty 😍

[@ksicheneder]

Pro-tip, you can schedule a pick up at your house with the postal service so you don't have to go to an office to ship something. You will need to be able to weigh and print your own labels at home, but might be worth it. But also, other places like Fed-ex stores and UPS stores also offer postal service as a shipping service and keep different hours.

[@baileydubs]

I grew up in the north in New England, and there, people didn’t really talk to strangers. But I’ve been in the south for about 12 years, and people are way more friendly down here. It’s really a cultural thing depending where you are

[@NaomiDollxoxo]

The pre peeled veggies and fruits are for elderly people and/or with disabilities. No, it’s not hard to peel an orange, for us. Here we don’t have much of a program to take care of the elderly and it’s expensive so people try to be able to be independent as long as possible.

[@AngelicaNyqvist]

Yeah maybe its that in Sweden we have programs where you get ppl to come home to you and help you with that, interesting!

[@NaomiDollxoxo]

@@AngelicaNyqvist I certainly hope and pray that our programs for the elderly do improve. It’s quite sad. I don’t think the elderly should have to worry about not being taken care of. You’ll even see commercials talking about “maintaining independence” for products and services as an elderly person and the costs otherwise. Some people even use it as selling point and sadly they’re right

[@mariahtownsend8636]

I love this video! I'm American but lived in Australia and comparing the cultures was my favorite pastime! It's so fascinating to me. I can't wait to read the comments, and I'm hoping you'll do a Part 2, 3, etc

[@AngelicaNyqvist]

So cool!

[@rachelapalmieri]

Definitely the whole “things taking forever” is a TOTAL southern thing. I’m from the Northern states and live in Florida now, and everything just moves a LOT slower down here. Lol

[@sharonshade4437]

I think part of the issue is overall size of America and Texas. Our technology at stores suck. Stores connection to the internet is usually the cheapest, which makes processing anything take forever and yes, everything is very spread out. You make me want to visit Sweden to see how it is. I just need to make sure I don’t talk to anyone too much. 😜😅.

[@nicolekryzhan3442]

Completely agree with you about the phone and bank. I never go into the phone store to get a phone. It always takes hours to get a new phone. It’s worse if you have to wait for another customer to finish. I grew up with my Swedish/Finnish grandmother and my English grandfather and my grandmother just kept to herself while my grandfather liked to talk to everyone. Maybe it was a cultural thing? ☺️

[@triceeboo3833]

I just got a new phone about 3 weeks or so ago, and it only took like 30 mins.

[@elysesmith8460]

I believe the chatty people phenomenon it's a very locality-dependant thing! It's definitely not a national trait!

[@daqueenbobo]

As someone whos knows people from all over the US and have been to many diffrent regions in America, you guys talk significantly more than scandinavian people. North, south, east or west. So of course there might be regionall differences within the US but even people from the northeast talk more than any regular Scandinavian.

[@laramauss1968]

In Germany packages can’t be put outside infront of a door, but you can sign a paper and they lay it behind the garage or elsewhere when you are not home. That is sooo convenient.

[@mariasolis4698]

My husband is a truck driver in the Dallas area; he sees a lot of umsafe driving all the time. People texting, navigation searches and playing games on their cellphones while driving.

[@sallyfields2385]

Driving in Dallas is awful. People are extremely aggressive on the roads.

[@mariasolis4698]

@@sallyfields2385 Yes, people drive very aggressive. My husband witnessed a motorcyclists hitting a car while both vehicles were in traffic and moving. My husband used his horn to get a police officer attention and the motorcyclists was hitting his passenger door. The cop did intervene and contacted my husband's job for the police report. The traffic was busy and he could not pull over to talk to to the officer.

[@margaretjeannemoore]

Americans suck at driving. A lot of fruits and vegetables that are cut up are for people making recipes. It saves you time. I never bought it but had an eye problem and started buying cut up onions. It’s been a year and I still buy them which it bad lol. Everything we have is candy! Cereal, yogurt, smoothies, breakfast foods, the amount of sugar is incredible.

[@moriganna67ify]

Why not open a PO Box for your packages. It will be secured until you go pick it up. No one can steal it this way. You were talking on how you miss certain things in Sweden but not in the U.S. Can you ask Family or Friend in Sweden to ship you a Care package full of your fav snacks from Sweden? Also love your look. You are the Queen of Colourful looks Angel. LOL ❤

[@stephaniethat40somethinggi45]

In retail here, we are supposed to try to make the checkout experience timely, but we also have to show hospitality. Like you should be asked if you found everything okay, do you have any coupons, and create a bit of conversation. In our culture, if people in a store are friendly, we go back to that store more often.

[@meganschmittou1191]

I know others have mentioned the packaged fruits as accessible for disabled people, but it also makes them accessible to school kids- many young kids wouldn't be able to peel an orange put in a school lunch. Older kids, yes, but not little ones. Same thing with pre-cut apples, etc.

[@salamaat]

Getting things done in Texas IS slower as someone who's lived in more than one state. That really hit me when I first moved to Texas.

[@lonejensen2413]

Funny, I am driving through Sweden while watching this and while you were talking about the Americans being bad drivers, we were driving in Göteborg and three times we were cut off so abruptly my husband had to slam the brakes. 😳 Had to pause the video and be vigilant, cause I was fearing for my life. I know big city people are more ruthless when driving (it's like that in Copenhagen too) but it was a little ironic, when you were talking about swedes being better drivers. 😏

[@thebetterthird6402]

Please, please, tell Riccardo to be super careful with his bike! I have been living in the US for more than 20 years and there are way more highways than in Europe ( clearly*-*) Many do not respect bikers! Most drive these huge SUV and go about their business without looking. And of course, almost nobody uses their blinkers! It still astonishing to this day! As for Supermarkets, I am indeed missing some things from Europe: the cheese selection, the fresh breads selection…. When I left Belgium, I was about 138-142 pounds. It slowly crept up. I only realized when I went back: I wanted to wear a size 8 top….just to realize sizes are way bigger here. I couldn’t fit in my 38-40 European anymore. All these pre-prepared meals got the better of me 🤣🤣 Having said that, I would never go back to Belgium, too narrow-minded and snooty for me! And I just love the fact that I can get out of the house, dress in my pj, go to Walmart late at night for some shopping and nobody cares! I might end in one of these viral videos, “trash people caught in Walmart”, but I don’t care. 😁

[@dogbraincatscan]

I grew up in a NYC and my family didn't even own a car. Schools didn't offer driver's ed, and the driving age is higher. I just keep getting my permit renewed. I'm your age and you listed all the reasons why learning to drive for me has been so start and stop. I want to be a safe driver but I have little confidence in myself not to have meltdowns on the road in reaction to other people not following good practices. It's related to my autism/ADHD I now realize, but also of growing up in a culture without teen driving, when the brain is more plastic and reckless. My husband is the best driver I've ever ridden with and I feel completely safe with him. But I have family members that I hate riding with because of their shadows of road rage :( I like precut fruits for certain things like melons and pineapple. I am one person; I can't eat a whole cantaloupe, watermelon or pineapple before it goes bad. It also is good for my low executive function habits around eating where if I don't have easily accessible healthy foods I will end up eating snacks or the same thing over and over again (ask me how many times I've had a PBJ this week). I DO wish we had better bulk buying solutions in the US where we can bring our own reusable containers. As far as I know only a small number of grocery stores do this(none around me) and I've never seen it done for precut produce or berries. Whenever possible we never put things like tomatoes, apples, onions, avocados, basically anything that has its own nature-made container in plastic bags. We either bring lightweight washable produce bags or just keep them loose. I really hope one day that compostable, vegetable oil based plastics become the norm but the plastic/oil industry is too big and influential in our politics for any green solutions to gain traction. In that way people with mobility issues and other disabilities might not get the stigma of being wasteful and lazy hoisted on us if plastic pollution was no longer an issue. :/

[@zjenci]

I really appreciate that you mentioned the "invisible disability" of being a ND in a NT world- some days the only fruit I eat in weeks are berries 'cause I can just rinse them and they are ready for consumption. Interestingly, I will peel an apple or orange for my kid no problem, but peeling it for myself seems akin to climbing Mt. Everest. 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️ Edited for spelling

[@whoami.24601]

I also liked how much easier it was to talk to people in the US. And people would stop me in the bathroom and compliment my hair or on the bus would ask me about my dress. In Norway, that shit does not happen lol

[@elizabethr4107]

💯💯💯

[@eredd4237]

I’m only 10 mins in and must say - i agree wholeheartedly about the grocery stores - ‘where’s the food’ and drivers are terrible. I feel like they’ve lowered the standards for driving in the last 20 years. 😳

[@donnaroberts281]

The last twenty years - so about the same length of time that cell phones have been readily available?

[@kf10126]

I would like to thank you, for acknowledging Us customer service representatives, here in the United States of america. I don't work in a store, but I do take a lot of phone calls and emails and I never tell people it's their fault.

[@evabellconklin2989]

I totally agree with you about the driving. I had a similar experience. It’s definitely a good thing for people to be more aware of their surroundings when driving.

[@sheilahardin6868]

I used to live in Germany and I completely agree about our drivers

[@anjad.3656]

I'm from Germany and getting the license is so hard I think. You have to do a lot of compulsory hours with a teacher, both theoretical and driving. I didn't think the exams (again theory and driving separately) were particularly difficult but it sure took some effort. Not having automatic cars surely makes it more difficult as well. The worst drivers I've seen here are usually elderly people who go too slow or tend to leave their lane in curves. And people who go too fast or pass in a risky way. (But I am sure those exist anywhere) Thankfully people with phones in their hand or not looking at all seem to be very very rare.

[@vikkki]

This is very interesting! And the thing about random strangers talking to you...I think that depends on where you are in the States. I visited the South before and I remember that people were super friendly and start talking to you when you're both waiting for something. However, I'm from the West and it's like half and half here. But if you're in NYC, you're definitely not getting those small talks lol

[@dianebraden629]

I had to laugh at your video. I agree with you regarding how things are in the US, especially at the grocery store, drivers and going to get a phone and going to the bank. I can’t tell you why it takes so long and we also find it frustrating and I lose my patience when everything takes so long.

[@Gaietta18763]

I'm loving the level of excitement you experience every time you come up with some great color combination! It's so inspiring!

[@theafterhoursshowwithmax]

Talking about driving, there is a highway here in Kentucky that we call Dixie Die-way because there are so many accidents on it. They finally put up a median to separate the lanes to try and decrease the accidents only just a couple years ago.

[@dubsbeautydiary]

Thank you for your perspective. I love hearing about other countries and/or cultures.

[@leahmiranda8359]

My father always called inattentive drivers 'Sunday Drivers' or 'Sightseers', neither of which was a compliment! 😂 When I started driving, I wasn't allowed to have friends in the car for the first year. That was my father's way of ensuring that I WAS paying attention... Working at Walmart, I was taught to greet anyone within 10 feet of me. Sometimes I forget I'm NOT at Walmart and greet fellow shoppers in other stores in the same way. I have had some people look at me like I'm a lunatic!😂😂😂 Stunning look! One of my favorite color combinations 💛💛

[@strawberrybonbonxo]

That chattiness is really a regional thing. I live in Connecticut, and I notice a huge difference when I drive west. In CT, NY, NJ, and eastern PA people keep mostly to themselves, but once I go past eastern PA, people are much chattier. But when walking dogs, all bets are off. Most people want to stop and socialize if you have a dog with you. We like seeing the dogs. (I'm an introvert too. I don't generally talk to strangers. Unless they have a dog).

[@sibylleweichselsdorfer4476]

It's SOOOO interesting to hear these comparison videos!

[@ninajankowska8280]

Talking to strangers everywhere sounds sooo weird to me, in Poland everyone just minds one's own business in public, but I love hearing your thoughts about living in US ❤

[@watermelonlemonadenails]

I love seeing you get excited over makeup! It makes me excited too! Hope you're doing great Angie! ❤️

[@baileydubs]

As an American, I’ve never heard of frozen herbs! That sounds wonderful!! Also, yes, there are terrible drivers here….it’s scary 😧

[@triceeboo3833]

What's the difference between having already peeled fruit & already diced herbs? Is it not "lazy" to buy your herbs already diced for you too? There are people who are unable to peel fruit due mobility problems.

[@Lennroe]

Well diced frozen herbs just last longer, while peeled fruits actually lasts even shorter so there's certainly bug difference in the foid waste. I absolutely get, that it's helpful for people disabilities.

[@Grace_ingrid]

I think it’s easy because of our system, the US is so dependent on automobiles to get around and we don’t have great public transportation at all. Wish it were different!

[@DanielleSouthcott]

I'm originally from North Carolina (lived in the UK since 2016), and I swear the "friendliness" you experience in certain parts of the USA are just people getting up in your business so they can talk sh*t about you later.

[@mariahtownsend8636]

YES

[@shendisackett]

🤣🤣

[@leftymind2977]

Same thing in Canada, people aren’t very chatty. We will hold doors for each other and such, but we will not chat with one another in lines or waiting for the bus, lol.

[@NoisePhantasy]

In Spain we have door delivery but they must give the package to you in person (or to anyone in the address but the curier will take the name and the id number of the one receiving it). If there’s no one, they take the package to the near post office for 15 days so you can get it there and they leave a paper saying that they tried to deliver it but couldn’t and put the info of the post office where they take the package (that usually opens from 8am to 8.30pm). So it’s nice :) we have the best of both post systems I guess.

[@louisebystrup1635]

Love your videos. Love the once where you talk about things - love that you are intelligent and have such good perspectives on different topics

[@chantalkoeleman4839]

Fun video!! I recognize some of the things you say! In the Netherlands your package are delivered home and when you not at home it goes to a pick up point.

[@alishalafell1696]

Your look is stunning! I’m going to try and recreate it!!❤

[@teacheschem]

I started buying chopped onions and garlic and feel guilty!!!! 😩 But I cook more when I buy the chopped stuff. Otherwise I end up ordering food every day! I live in NYC so lots of restaurants around and it’s too easy to order.

[@jennteal5265]

I used to as well and then I got an onion cutter and garlic cutter (the kind where you place it on a grate and pull down the lid on top). GAME CHANGER!

[@NaomiDollxoxo]

There’s really nothing wrong with buying them. They are made for the elderly and people with loss of dexterity/disabilities. Yeah the packaging could definitely be better but it’s important

[@jennteal5265]

@@NaomiDollxoxo psoriatic arthritis in my hands made cutting them BY hand really hard but I can handle the dicing tools. I really like them! You save money that way too :)

[@NaomiDollxoxo]

@@jennteal5265 oh I agree! But I know my grandparents couldn’t handle even that in the last 10 years or so of their lives and people that are mentally and physically challenged do need them.

[@NaomiDollxoxo]

@@jennteal5265 the packaging should be changed though. That would be great to have biodegradable packaging or something

[@Magicmascara]

The queen of the makeup combos! 😍😍

[@karolynanderson2033]

Oh, I am SOOO intrigued to hear what your thoughts are! 🤔 I know about the obvious ones like eating habits and work-life differences, but I can't wait to watch and find out what surprised you!

[@jacquelinealbin7712]

I'd love to see you reviewing the ridiculous American sugary cereals! Our breakfasts, both hot and cold, are 100% ridiculous and seem to be very different from most other countries. Also, one day you need to go to IHOP and try the various cake-flavored pancakes 😂 🥞

[@pamrutledge9477]

Loved hearing about the differences between countries. So interesting!

[@moniquegonzales9321]

I didn’t understand precut fruits and veggies but it can be very convenient for people with disabilities.

[@felicial7628]

If you ship and receive packages often and need extended hours, you might like a box at a UPS store. That is what I did when I lived in an apartment or townhouse.

[@simoneclarke5104]

Being a Canadian that lives in the US 6 months a year I can say we share a border but we are such different people. One thing I love about Americans (especially Texans) is the friendliness, very chatty like Canadians (of course this is generalizing). One thing I cannot get used to is the imperial system, I cannot switch, drives me crazy. Not much difference with grocery stores, I do find shopping options better in the US. One thing I love about Canada that i do not find the same in the US is our multi -culture society and our beautiful social conscience. Looking forward to a winter in Texas this year💕!

[@amourcasse]

I think the chattiness might just be a southern thing. I've never been outside of the south, but my friends from the north all tell me how weird it is that people are so friendly down here.

[@ballet07]

Could not agree more with you as a US citizen. When I was student driving my dad warned me that the most dangerous place driving is a parking lot! And people on cell phones while driving! Jeez! Our grocery stores suck generally which is why we have so many cases of heart disease and diabetes. 🤦‍♀️

[@shalinitahiliani5325]

For a small package that can fit inside your mailbox, you can print a label online and put in your mailbox and put the flag up. They'll pick it up from your door!

[@k.r.thunder6401]

Angie, here in the US the infrastructure was based off of the best of times (1950's) when the middle class was stronger, everyone had a house, everyone had a car, everyone had kids, the wife was the housemaker, jobs like being a mail person provided a healthy living, there wasn't a threat of theft, neighbors were truly a community, etc. While time has changed our infrastructure hasn't and I'm pretty sure the world can see that as a country the US really struggles (probably more than some) with traditions and change. I think you have a unique perspective having been a citizen of another country about how unpolished things can seem because we're all trying to get things done, but it's for the sake of getting it done and not necessarily the best way.

[@teresachick6015]

My parents shared a single car for a while - my mom would drive my dad to work and pick him up on the days she wanted to have the car. It was a bit annoying, but they made it work!

[@jasminemarckwordtevans2188]

Precut/pre peeled fruit is not lazy. Many disabled people benefit from prepared foods like that.

[@melindaspencer9279]

I'm 58, was born in Austin, and never lived anywhere else. I enjoyed and agree with your observations, especially about the horrible drivers. Love your videos! Stay safe and cool!

[@mlanden111]

Everything is so "fast"and easy that pre-prepared items, which also cost more, help us get healthier items when we feel to busy or tired. Also, as someone who is single, i hate cooking for 1 so pre-prepped anything is often my go- to or I'll eat nothing but crap!

[@Laura.Luminary]

It was so fascinating to hear your thoughts about living in America! I'm Canadian but lived in the US for 3 years and travelled to several states. I definitely noticed quite a difference between states (and also rural/suburban vs cities) as far as what you were saying about drivers and grocery stores! In Canada (or at least in my province), they introduced a law a few years ago banning all texting and driving (with a huge fine if caught) because we had a lot of issues with that as well. You can even be fined for having a drink of water while driving, because they're really cracking down on distracted driving!