Misconceptions Americans Have About The Rest Of The World

Today we share some misconceptions Americans have about the rest of the world. It is easy to get the wrong idea about certain places in the world from watching TV, News or even from social media. We are here to dispel some of these and to share our experiences.
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[@silhouettefashion2025]

Yesterday, in Bangkok, I had that 'look' on my face for a moment, and a lovely Thai lady asked me where I was going. Then, she said, "follow me." And just like that, all was right in the world. 😊 The world is full of kind and helpful people.

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

That's awesome!

[@nncadi1]

So true about the safety aspect; I get so tired of my friends and some family asking “aren’t you scared” whenever I travel.

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

Yes, very true

[@autobotdiva9268]

america will crush your travel and ideas of another country until you get there and relax

[@nncadi1]

@@autobotdiva9268 totally; I've travelled my entire adult life and soon will be doing full time travel; I don't know why Americans are raised to be so afraid outside of their border. Most Americans don't have a passport?! Crazy.

[@maximac222]

@@nncadi1 Exactly! I've had folks tell me recently, "Oh, I wouldn't be going out of the country right now." And I look at them like they have a horn growing straight out of their head. Like, why, specifically?

[@claireruf7556]

I have learned so much from you guys! I made the decision late last year (2023), that I was going to leave the US and travel beginning sometime in 2024. So many things have happened and so many things I’ve learned have confirmed that decision. I’m still in the planning stages, but it will happen sometime this year! So excited to begin a new journey in my life !

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

All the best in your journey!

[@CarlosMozo-so5bv]

Excellent video folks. I have been to 50 countries across multiple continents . You are right about most of your assertions. The Malls in Thailand can't be compared to the ones in US. Food and dining out significantly cheaper. Thanks for educating fellow Americans. Good job!!!

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

Thanks for sharing!

[@manhattanrats]

Thanks for sharing! I'm just a few years behind you! I thank you for shining a guiding light. Robert in NYC.

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

You are so welcome

[@paulybarr]

The fact that many Americans ( bless their innocent hearts) seem to feel the rest of the world must be 'unsafe' is so ironic.

[@ln3291]

Thanks for sharing! I’m a solo traveler and agree with everything you said.

[@evelyngrammar]

All over the world I find nothing but kindness.

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

Awesome!

[@Phil-kb8ql]

You could have mentioned airports in the infrastructure section. I’m always amazed flying into US with how outdated, dirty and disorganised airports are. Compare Singapore to JFK. Doha to LA. Istanbul to SF. Basically everywhere has much better airports. Airports outside the US are an experience and make flying easier, not just a place to get on and off a plane.

[@antronettewilliams1502]

Totally on the sticker shock. Stationed in Asia pacific 4 years and come home was a serious readjustment.

[@MitzyGoose]

You may not be aware that the cost of quick serve/fast food in the US seems to have skyrocketed since 2020 (sometimes with higher prices, smaller portions). A fast food meal is now nearly the cost of a sit down, inexpensive restaurant (my favorite meal went from $9 in 2019 to $18 today and it's fast food!). I'm not convinced that the food is "less" expensive in other countries. I think the prices in other countries have not become inflated over the years (comparing prices before in local currency vs prices today in local currency) and the prices in the US went up dramatically. The exchange rates against the US dollar seems to have been favorable also, reducing the perceived cost of food in other countries (even "high cost" countries).

[@nomadjim]

Great video! I like to eat a variety of foods wherever i go. But, for example, if i tell someone i had some Thai food while i was in Greece, so many people will look surprised and say, "They have Thai food in Greece?!" And I'll reply, "Yes, they do, as well as other cuisines." To which they will say, "Well it just seems weird that when you're in Greece they have food from another country." And I say, "You have Thai restaurants in the US and youre not in Thailand." 😂 I guess they think Americans are the only ones who like to eat other people's foods. Enjoy Vietnam!

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

Yes, we like to get Mexican food in most places!

[@nancyr5320]

Appreciate this so much!! I have always been curious about your personal safety and general safety. Would love more videos on these topics!! Thank you for spreading facts and educating us!!

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

Thank you!

[@idasfofmae8544]

Glad to see you happy & healthy in Vietnam. Looking forward to videos from the new location. Consider a flip-side video for first time international travelers "how be a 'good' visitor" in other countries. Keep up the great content.

[@geraldwilkins3149]

Hello and really enjoy your VLOGS. I lived outside of the United States for about 8.5 years in Germany, England and Saudi Arabia; also traveled substantially to France, Spain and Holland. I've always comported myself as a guest in someone's native country. Just an observation, you both used the "general" term "American" in your title and said it continually throughout your video. As you are also international traveler's, you are aware of the two separate continents "North" and "South" America. I was aware you were pointing out the continent of North America, as you quoted living in the Atlanta, GA area. Some watchers might not have gotten it, if they were of "South American," (i.e. the peoples that make up the 12 countries and 3 distinct territories,) or other international countries. I've also traveled broadly and lived in several "states" in the United States, as my dad as well as myself were career, honorably retired veterans. Again, thanks for your videos and keep on traveling.

[@pamelazahn4816]

Everything you said in this video is so true! We even found when we were visiting Russia a few years ago, and we were trying to use their subway system and not knowing any Cyrillic at all, the Russian people were very friendly and very ready to help! Thank you for your videos and your informationby I find them very informative and helpful. Thank you again.

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@bridgetjanosek1061]

Love your content and advice thank you so much!!

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

You are so welcome!

[@JakeRichardsong]

You guys are good at staying calm and explaining.

[@culinarycaravan]

Such a wonderful and informative presentation. Loads of great travel tips that seasoned and novice travelers alike will keep in kind as they navigate this incredible world. Thank you!

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

Thanks so much!

[@DaveM-FFB]

This was enlightening. Thank you!

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

So glad, thanks!

[@elizaC3024]

We always felt welcome in each country that we visited. We were in China, and we had a great visit, we had a guide that was English speaking and everything was so easy.

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

Thanks for sharing!

[@tywork]

As a huge Marshall fan here in Huntington, WV, I'm glad to see you reppin The Herd. I love your videos.

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@manhattanrats]

Safety situation descriptions are apprecited. Thaks.

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

You're welcome!

[@mayyang8350]

Thank you for sharing. This was very helpful.

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kene8895]

Wonderful video! Rob.... I couldn't believe you have a Orioles hat! I was born and raised in Maryland and the Orioles are my team. I'm no longer in Maryland but catch every O's game on tv.

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

I picked it up in Bangkok last year!

[@osons3698]

I somewhat agree, but there is danger & crime everywhere. I've been in Thailand for 4 years. Being run over while walking on the sidewalk or a vehicle coming the wrong way is a very real danger. People I know that left their phone for literally 30 seconds, had them stolen. They tracked it through the where's my phone app. One had the thief wanting to sell their phone back. Another got banned from a bar when he made the staff give his phone back by involving the police. I have a thief that steals gas & damages my Tuk tuk in my girlfriend's village. I ended up moving to a nearby city to stop the theft.

[@kristiG5259]

Language - It's amazing how much people from the U.S. are worried about language barriers yet, they don't bother learning a 2nd language. So much of the rest of the world is bilingual (at the least!)

[@philwebster3914]

Hi I really enjoy your videos, thank you so much. What part of North Vietnam are you in for it to be so cool weather-wise ?

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

We are northwest of Hanoi

[@somethingstodo]

Great video! Do you mind addressing water quality issues, or concerns with fresh fruits and veg? When I've traveled to Tokyo and Singapore, didn't cross my mind. But a friend going to Bali said they've been advised not to drink the water or eat fresh fruit (or have ice, I assume, similar to Mexico), and I think in one of your videos (maybe KL??) you mentioned that your rental came with bottled water. Curious how you know when it's okay to eat from a street vendor or not. Those types of things. Thanks!

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

We used to buy bottled water, but recently we've realized every hotel or Airbnb comes with a kettle. We use them to basically boil our own water and fill our bottles.

[@simoncotterill7274]

Have you guys been to Australia? I think Australia is a high cost country also, but all the other points you have made in the video are true. I’m an Aussie who has travelled in the US, some parts of Latin America, and a few destinations in Asia, and agree with your assessment. If you haven’t been to Oz, you should come. You’ll love it.

[@snackdaddy5770]

Thank you for what you are doing.

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

You are welcome

[@TheTravelingHatter]

I dined at an Applebee’s in Doha, Qatar. I ordered a “Texas cowboy” steak. The steak had an odd taste and texture but was still a steak but unlike any one I had ever tasted I also went to the Rice and Noodle in Souq Waqif in Doha and the chicken in pepper sauce was delicious and was like a taste of home 😀

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

I love ordering the cowboy meals abroad, they are quite common!

[@MzBettyK]

This is very good information.

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

Thank you!

[@nandiharmon5211]

I have been trying to look through your videos to find you visiting Africa. Have you visited there yet? I hear that they treat African Americans differently. I have been enjoying you two very much. Greetings from Marietta, Ga!

[@calschroc8902]

Traveling through Malaysia currently. For clothes, if you’re 6 foot and above you might have an issue finding clothes. Speaking from experience 😂….great video btw!

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

Great point!

[@mattlawrence7130]

I've been to Thailand. I really do not like the shiny new high rise condos, but the older buildings are far more attractive. Talking about crime, even today I would be safer in the city center of Kiev than I am in Austin. It is such a difference.

[@autobotdiva9268]

i always get....bahamas....thailand...."why you going way over there?" im doing what i want to do, how is it sitting still? i usually dont get a response

[@01akqueen]

What do you do with all of the new clothing that you acquire throughout your travels?

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

It just replaces the old stuff that wears out

[@goodamericanjeansstylist]

Thanks for sharing. I enjoy your videos, I have no life.

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

Thanks for watching!

[@fs5775]

You mean Shake Shack? (not Steak-n-Shake, that's a midwest chain that hasn't left the US )

[@prpman99]

I was stationed in Germany for 12 years and travelled extensively throughout Europe. My experiences are very similar to what you shared. If you try to learn the culture and not be the "Ugly American" travel will be much more enjoyable and rewarding. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@rosalindhb]

The political climate is to instill fear to keep you in the U.S. Also some Americans don't have the respect/honor not to do crimes. Other countries is like a dishonor. Here is that me, me, me mentality. Not us..as a country. I mean most of our clothes and stuff is made in some part of Asia. I don't know why people would thing it would be hard to find.

[@comment5884]

Can you tell us about the air quality. I see in Bangkok, Vietnam it seems that when I look at the weather, it shows air quality in the high range of 150+. January 31 2024.

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

It was definitely a little more noticeable this year than last

[@elizaC3024]

Where in Vietnam are you, and how is the smoke there now? We are trying to determine when to be out of that area next year.

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

Far north, it is noticeable but not bad

[@juliebolduc802]

Good to know! We are planning on traveling to Europe in 2027.

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

Hope you have a great trip!

[@jeffhorner9755]

Go Herd!

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

This is how I end up with more teams to cheer for!

[@juliepowell3566]

Dental work ?

[@kimcanty1885]

Have you come across any racial biases?

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

Not that we've noticed

[@davidroddini1512]

Americans have misconceptions about the rest of the world? Since when do Americans *have* misconceptions? 😜

[@desmo8015]

Oh, probably as long as the slanted news media decided to control what you hear. So YOU’RE that guy that’s always right, wow, I’ve heard about you.

[@davidroddini1512]

@@desmo8015 That’s why I put the wink with the tongue sticking out… to indicate that I was being sarcastic. Americans have misconceptions about the next state over, let alone the rest of the world. 🤷‍♂️

[@karenspencer9263]

😂😂😂

[@walkerbunch06]

So funny! Who would have thought you’d find a Marshall University pullover in Thailand. My daughter runs track for Marshall & is a nursing student there. 💚🦬Go Herd! 🦬💚

[@GroundedLifeFinances]

Awesome! They've got a lot to choose from here!

[@grantgravesgmail]

I've traveled to many countries in Europe and Asia and I too have never been treated badly. Once in France a server asked our table if we voted for George W. Bush and if we did we should leave. But that was the only experience like that I have had in 23 countries. Mostly people are friendly and helpful.