Outsider Observations

I have traveled widely and love to learn about other cultures. Language, food, family structure, politics, geography, economy and many other factors contribute to the experience in any given country. Worldview is by far the deepest difference. Though I love to observe and ask questions about other cultures, it is always enlightening to hear what people from other cultures observe about my own culture. In some ways, it is often a refreshing point of view that makes me understand my own culture better.

Here is a collection of some of the interesting things international people have said to me about the U.S. Some are merely amusing, others more serious. Some are positive and some negative. They don’t all reflect my personal opinion, but I wanted to share this list I started a while back. These are all things which have been said to me personally.

“Americans are naïve. They don’t put security walls around their houses and expect people not to break in.” -a Mexican businessman who had lived and traveled in the US.

(Reading a sign on a Fine Arts building) “’Serving our community through art’ I like that. In Hungary, people who make art only care about art, they don’t care about the community.” -a Hungarian college student on his first trip to the U.S

“I like your money. It has “In God We Trust” on all of it. Maybe to some people that doesn’t mean anything, but it does mean something.” -a Hungarian college student

“If we were in the U.S., would you talk to me or would you be embarrassed to be with me?” -a young Mexican man referring to the prejudice he’d heard about in the U.S

“Americans are really obsessed with their water bottle brand and athletic shoes. I think every American I know has a Nalgene and a pair of Chacos.” -Australian/South African couple

“There was a poll in Sweden about who Americans should elect in 2016. If the Swedes had voted, Bernie Sanders would become president. I think it would be good for America to be open to more socialist ideas. I went to college for free because the government offers it to everyone.” -a young Swedish woman asking about the US election primaries

“It is so strange that you have drive-through ATMs.” -a young Chinese woman

“Why is there a TV at the gas station with loud music playing while you are pumping gas?” – a young Brazilian woman

Photo by Luke Stackpoole on Unsplash