We can’t be ALL bad, right?
It’s been a really demoralizing few years, not to mention TODAY IN VERY PARTICULAR, so u/Ulrich-Stern‘s question asking “What does the United States get right?” can be really tough to answer.
Or even read? Like, who else is just exhausted beyond belief with all the stuff we get wrong? Still, maybe it’ll perk you up and help us all remember that the United States of America may still have a thing or two going for it.
1. National Parks
Valuing actual wilderness in places like national parks.
2. Accessibility Code
Accessibility code for buildings. I come from a country where disability is looked upon like a crime or fault. USA does an amazing job making things accessible. I haven’t seen all of usa but majority of the places has amazing system.
3. Wildlife
I’ve always envied your wildlife. I’m from England and the only large wild animals (other than fish) we have are deer, boar and foxes. And they’re incredibly rare. I’ve always thought it was so cool one country could have bears, moose, cougars, alligators, panthers, bison/buffalo, ect.
4. Adoption
The United States adopts more children than the rest of the world combined.
5. NASA
NASA!
6. Smoking
The rate of smoking cigarettes. We do very little well in the US when it comes to overall health, but we are light years better than most places when it comes to the prevalence of cigarette smoking. Hardcore anti smoking adds + laws of inconvenience + social stigma really did work
7. Jazz
They do jazz very, very well.
8. Gas stations
Gas stations like QuikTrip, where they have clean bathrooms, lighted parking lots, free air for your tires, ten different coffees on tap, beer, hotdogs, any soft drink or snack you want, the list goes on. In other countries — you’re not gonna believe this — their gas stations only sell……gas.
9. Postal System
The US postal system its the most far reaching postal system in the world. We will deliver nearly anything to any mailbox.
Do you live in the bottom of the grand canyon? Say no more, postal donkies.
10. Passport
We may not have the strongest passport, but it’s still a darn good passport to have especially for traveling.
11. Air Conditioning
Air conditioning.
12. Second chances
I say this as an immigrant who came to this country, so perhaps take it with a grain of salt. But it truly gives people a second chance at life. My life would be nowhere near as good as it is right now if I were back in my home country.
13. Diversity
Cultural acceptance. I know people like to shit on the US but honestly in many other countries you can immigrate and you’ll always be the ‘foreigner’. Aside from a small minority of assholes, most Americans accept and even appreciate diversity. Everyone can come to the US and become American regardless of origin. I love that.
14. Movies
Films. Dont get me wrong, the US can put out some bad films, but the ones ive seen are usually american
15. Research
although our healthcare system sucks, our pharmaceutical R&D is amazing and has produced so many medicines that have helped people worldwide
16. You Do You
Aggressive self determinism. Oh your parents were abusive and you don’t talk to them anymore? Fuck yeah, rad, good for you. Your partner couldn’t give you the relationship you dreamed of having. Alright, rad, move on up. You hated your job and think your future is in being a movie star? Alright. You do you. Send me a premier ticket.
17. Care
I also feel like Americans aren’t as culturally required to move their parents in and fully support them when they turn 60 like in some countries
18. Small talk
I can’t believe no one is saying the obvious one……. genuine non-transactional small talk IRL (not just online). Do you how many others countries think our small talk skill is some weird oddity. I heard this alot in Nordic countries, Germany, NL, India and so on. Its not that they don’t have small talk either, because they do, but Americans generally talk ALOT about nothing and thoroughly enjoy it. Sharpies, butter, safety pins, glue, weird shape of fruits etc etc etc. We love chatting about nothing for hours.
19. Democracy
As someone who was born in a country without democracy but has been fortunate enough to have lived in the US for a few years, I can’t even begin. A lot of Americans don’t even know how lucky they are just being American. They are already better off than the majority of the world population.
20. Yeah Science!
The US is an absolute science powerhouse. The technology we come out with has touched the lives of nearly every person on the planet.