Germans Don't Like America Anymore
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 22 авг 2022
- Watch UNICORN TOWN Here:
AppleTV: itunes.apple.com/us/movie/uni...
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Unicorn-Town-S...
RUclips: • Unicorn Town
Google Play: play.google.com/store/movies/...
Vudu: www.vudu.com/content/movies/d...
Vimeo: vimeo.com/ondemand/unicorntown
My Patreon:
/ nalf
Newsroom Clip: • Video
My Instagram:
nalfamale?...
I can imagine how that would be discouraging as an American. When I was living in Germany I would always get a very positive response being from Canada however if I was with my American friends they would often get a negative response. And to be honest I think sometimes the American mentality of being "the best country in the world" frustrates people. Every country has their issues but a lot of Americans, maybe through how they were taught to think about their country, have a little bit of entitlement and arrogance about how they present their pride about being from the US. This combined with recent events in the US makes people from other countries confused about why so many American's don't see some of the big problems going on in their own country. Thanks for sharing your views and insights on the topic as a well traveled, culturally aware American!
you are 100% correct
I think that’s fair. I think most Americans realize we have significant issues but feel like those don’t prevent us from being the “best” country. Even I believed that for a long time. It wasn’t until I started learning more about the rest of the world that I realized that we’re actually pretty awful at many things that other countries have figured out.
I saw a map not too long ago showing IHDI (inequality-adjusted human development index) and my ignorant American brain was so surprised to see a country like Czechia ranked higher than the US. I know the Czech Republic is a beautiful country but the idea of such a smaller country having any indications of better development than the US was hard for me to grasp, and I imagine it would be that way for a lot of Americans.
The US is stuck thinking the country is the way it was in the 50s to 70s, that mentality never really went away to was just buried.
And the biggest point is that such a fundamental broken country even tries to be the "worldpolice". What the actual ****? I am not against ameerican citizens, but the government which is just awful.
We are hardly the best country in the world. Especially with our corrupt government. I just fucking lie when I go to Europe and say I’m from Moosejaw, Saskatchewan.
“You’ve got the smartest, you’ve got the dumbest” the brotherly digs keep me watching your videos 🤣
Funny he changed the order... 🤣
Agree, awesome joke!
Or maybe Europeans have a very distorted view of the US. That possibility is incomprehensible to them.
As a U.S. Citizen age 55 I never thought that there would be other places in the world that I might want to live. In the last 5 years I have had the opportunity to travel to many European countries and have learned that there are many other countries which offer a less stressful, less political, less expensive and happier quality of life. I hope that many Americans get to visit Europe and can see for themselves that some of the problems in the US do not exist everywhere. Of course, there are good things about the U.S. which make it a great place to live. But my eyes were opened to some other countries that might be just as good or better.
That's the way it is! Travel educates immensely. As a German with a wife and now with a child, I have been traveling the world for 30 years. Greetings from Mexico.
Brilliant!-Kudos!👏👏👏
To be honest, DONT COME! Stay in your bubble and rot, this is nobody that brings value to the rest of the world.
Like mentioned here earlier, I die live in the US , so I think I am qualified to "judge".
You are just partially right - the US used to be a great place to live - not anymore.
In the entire US , school children fear for their lifes, walking onto school grounds .
A 10 year old RAPE victim was denied an abortion in her state just a month ago, because 20 brain incapacitated radical dangerous religious dimwitted states ( so far 20 , more to come most likely) have put laws up that prohibit abortion despite RAPE or inzest.
You have hundreds and hundreds armed dangerous IQ challenged MAGA's storm the countries capitol and scream kill the vice president.
You have sick politicians on the news daily calling for an overthrowing of the government.
You have Senators being investigated for child trafficing and sex with minors, voting against a bill that toughened sex trafficing laws.
You had a criminal President and his cronies poisen the country for years with lies and hate.
You have a Supreme Court throwing out sensible gun laws ( NY ) , erroding good standards on environmental protection.
Throwing out Roe v Wade.
You need more examples???
I could go on for weeks showing what is gravely ill in that country.
I do not know in what Kind of US you live, but I certainly do not consider these conditions mentioned earlier to be even close to call the US great or a great country to live in - not ANYMORE.
Uh... yeah, come over and visit Europe!
I have to agree that my personal view of the US as a German has also shifted to the negative a lot in the last 20 years. The lack of social and personal safety on many levels is really my main concern, including a lack of worker protection, affordable healthcare for most, gun violence, how easy it is to fall throw the cracks, affordable (good) education. When I visited the US last, I really loved the national parks and the open friendliness of many Americans. At the same time I felt really uncomfortable and quite unsafe in the bigger cities, especially LA, but also to my surprise San Francisco. It becomes very obvious that many American are being left behind and it creates many issues for the country.
America has really good nature and wide open spaces. However, it often feels like we hate our own cities and leave them to rot despite so much of our population living there. It feels more and more that we have over invested in privatization over public benefit in such places. I believe we have fallen into a hole of hyper individualism too where if you are poor or unsafe, then it is your own fault rather than because our system is broken.
Its funny cuz them cities LA and san fransico are some of the most liberal cities in America. I am confused as to how you were surprised san fransico was like this... its no secret.
@@draconite420 Nah man, you dont get it.
No city in germany feels like that. Even the worst "No-Go-Areas" are still nowhere close to what you built over the pond. It is baffling that you dont want to change that at all.
And your perspective suggests that you are fan of a party that worked heavily to get to this situation...
@@urlauburlaub2222 Socialist policies? Thats a joke right? :D
LA is a kind of mexico 2 but with money
The trend towards a negative image of the United States in Europe may also have to do with the overall impact and influence of the US in the world and especially in social media and technology. Since everybody nowadays speaks english and american media is being consumed all over the world through the internet, people are a lot more aware of the problems within the US and the realities of its politics. Abstract generalizations and idealized/romanticized opinions of a country (e.g. "Land of opportunity") from the days of old generally do not hold up well when there is a certain level of exposure of problems and a tendency of the media to focus on controversies that is being broadcasted all over the world.
The media and other entities are making this worse too. It was better 10-40 years ago in the USA than it is now.
Yes everyone follows the US in the news, so they are more aware of its issues
@@danielzhang1916 The media is toxic, pushes division and doesn’t tell the full story. Sadly this helps create more division IRL and it builds upon itself.
What do you mean „trend towards negative image“? The US ARE abusing entire countries and their people, they start wars and then just lie about everything. Their image is as bad as it could be. It’s just their ignorance that refuses to see what the rest of the world clearly sees!
@impress .👍👍👍
"Smartest and dumbest" i'm dying 😂😂
I loved that, too.
@@mojojim6458 Played just that part about sixteen times.
@@robletterly6679 That's hilarious.
Great joke 😝😂!
But why are the pictures mixed up?
As a German, it's sad for me to see what's happening right now. The U.S. providing Germany the opportunity to rebuilt itself from ruins & bringing wealth, democracy & freedom to us as well as writing history with the Nürnberger-Prozesse where for the first time people where held responsibe for crimes against humanity. This is the U.S. Germany will always be indebted. I also have kind memories of American soldiers stationed in Germany, being friends.
And now, since about 2000, we see the following: wars for inner political reasons, tortue prisons in clear violations of human rights, kidnapping of citizens in foreign countries (Italy afaik) to carry them off to other coutries because they allow tortue, Nazi flags being waved publicly in the US, open fascism, not accepting the legacy of the Nürnberg trials with the International Criminal Court, pulling allies into wars by blatently lying to them, ...
I want my old friend back. The defender of human rights & freedom.
Has the USA ever been like this? Today, in the digital age, it is only becoming more apparent. There has always been fascism or violence against black people, see the Ku Klux Klan or other associations.
As a dual citizen (Danish-American) I can honestly say that my Danish citizenship serves me well here in Germany, whereas nobody is impressed with my US affiliation. I don't blame the Germans at all. I lived in the US for almost 30 years, and I got so tired of the notion that the US was/is the best country on the planet, and no other country could possibly have anything to teach the US. Being proud of your own country is ok (I think it's sad if someone isn't proud of their home country), but the loud arrogance coming from a lot of Americans at home and abroad is getting old. Examples abound: noisy Americans in restaurants here in Germany - loud, obnoxious and using words like "strange," "weird," "odd" etc - so many words with negative connotations. American expats asking in various fora if they "really need to learn the language" - then complain about how hard it is to get into contact with the locals. American expats complaining about how weird/strange/quaint/different etc the local culture is from the culture they grew up in. It often seems to me that too many Americans want "the European Experience" so that they check that box and have that to refer to at some dinner/cocktail party/happy hour in the future. "Oh yeah - when I lived in Germany..." The thing is, if they don't learn the language and try really hard to assimilate into the German culture in their adopted area, they will have lived in an expat bubble and will return to the States having learned very little. Americans have been used to being automatically cool, and it just doesn't fly anymore - time to wake up and start actually learning about the rest of the world. America is bigger, best, first, fastest etc -- that mindset isn't gonna earn Americans many brownie points.
Thank you. You hit the nail.
Well! By all means, petition with your European brethren to have the U.S. military exit your so much better continent. We’ll let you defend yourselves. Tell you what, give up your citizenship. Punk.
Well said
I have never considered myself cool because I am an American. I have considered myself as someone who is hated just because I am an American without anyone knowing my views though. Why care if people in the US thinks they are the best. If people from somewhere other than the US thought they were the best and went around saying so all the time, that would be ok with me., it doesn’t mean that I have to agree.
Totally agree, the US has been to Germany like a cool, progressive uncle after WW2. A role modell, somebody to look up to. But over the years the cool uncle kind of morphed into the old annoying uncle, bragging about his success, assuming an air of supperiority by not acknowledgeing the achievements of the other family members. Whilst everybody can see how rotten at the core he has become.
I don't really care about US beer or about the fitness level of Americans, I care about the influence this huge important country has on the world. Regarding peace/ wars, environment, politics (the "leaders of the free world" restricting more and more freedoms) and so on. And in the last years I don't have the feeling anymore that there are stable, reliable politics. Also we have to look on the negatives because that's what will affect us negative, too. (Sometimes it has an opposite affect like with the whole abortion topic)
I do feel that way. the US is a friend country. but a very powerful, overarmed and unpredictable friend that can decide at any moment that its interests are more important than yours (America first ^^)
@@bifouy5372 you’re so right about the unpredictability. So many Americans have become pro-Russian due to Trump, for example. They literally will side with the country’s mortal enemy before they compromise with the opposing political party. And that stubbornness affects our allies and friends in ways we Americans are too shortsighted to even consider.
This exactly. The good Portland Beer, or the super athletes are a cool thing if you're visiting the US as a tourist and want to try out local spots or go to a NFL/NBA Game. But on the grand scale it doesn't matter. On the grand scale it matters that the country is run by a lot of...weird people, while it has the biggest army in the world. If questionable laws there work well, who says they don't also get pushed through here if our contry/countries get the "wrong" government.
Yes, America has some amazing scenery and wildlife but I will never visit USA because the politics are so alien to my own. Calling someone a socialist is considered an insult there but I am proud to call myself a socialist.
@@bifouy5372 which is a contradiction in itself. A friend you cannot trust is not a friend.
I'm originally from New Zealand but have been living in the US for 7 years and am now a dual citizen. Nobody back home has a clue why I would want to live here with all the gun violence, healthcare issues and poverty. The reality for me though is a much better quality of life, the ability to afford a house, better weather and much more career opportunity. I agree with NALF's comment that it's a country of extremes and too much focus is placed on the negatives.
19th century: people miss human rights in europe and emigrate to the US.
21st century: US citizens miss human dignity and immigrate to europe
So true
No problem with human dignity in the US. We have far more free speech protections here.
More Europeans immigrants to the US than the other way around. Especially highly skilled
Except there is a difference between tens of millions and tens of thousands
Number of Europeans who came to america - Tens of millions
Number of Americans who go to europ - Tens of thousands
And of course there are tens of thousands of european immigrants living in ameircan right now too
So as far as 'migration is concerned' vast majority of the migration has been from europ to america not the other way around
Aren't people getting arrest in Russia and the UK over questioning Putin and then questioning if the Royals family should still exist after the queen died? Heck even Canada has some questionable laws effecting freedoms now. So much for developed nations.
I (a German) have often travelled to the US and I really love this country and its people. But not because everything is bright and shiny and excellent. I think it´s like with a person. We do not love because of the strengths but despite of the weaknesses. Affection is irrational. I think I am pretty aware of the light as well of the shadow in the US but this would never hinder me to love them.
All nations have the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
Ain’t that the truth!
@@chrissergeant7798 thats right!!
Are you implying that everything in Germany is bright and shiny and excellent? And there is only light there? I would not consider widespread hatred of Americans a particularly 'light' aspect of Germany.
We (Americans) who are patriotic often refer to "American Exceptionalism" which is a term that causes Europeans to immediately recoil and think, "stupid ignorant arrogant Americans." But first consider that America is perhaps the most anti-class system people in the world. We believe that nobody is born special and that each of us must make our way in life based on merit alone. We believe in Meritocracy and that genetically we are no better than non-Americans. Indeed, we came from elsewhere in the world. The term "American Exceptionalism" is the belief that, as President Reagan expressed it, "we have achieved so much because we unleashed individual liberty more than anywhere else around the world." Here, you get 2nd, 3rd, and 4th chances. You can express unpopular ideas. You can easily start a small business that grows into a massive business. You can start off as impoverished and become enormously wealthy and successful if you work hard and apply yourself. In short, we believe that our system maximizes the potential of every person if they choose to seize on the opportunities presented to them and that the result has been an explosion of invention, ingenuity, discovery, academic achievement, etc. Now you might disagree with that notion, but just be informed that we are NOT suggesting that we somehow emerge from the womb intrinsically superior to the rest of the world. "American Exceptionalism" is all about opportunity and life choices full stop.
Don't mix up "they don't like" and "they don't care". If someone doesn't immediately express their love and delight only because of meeting a living American - it's normal. It's how people usually behave.
And yes, values in Germany and the US are getting different now so... As a tourist I would love to go to the US, to live there - no, thank you.
100% true
He is clearly speaking when people speak under an opinion that is not positive, not when someone doesn t even bother to comment. If someone starts talking bad about your country, you won't like it. even in some countries people are so nationalistic that they will kill you if you speak ill of any aspect of their culture. For example, speaking ill of Mexico can even lead you to lose your life at the hands of Mexicans, not precisely by the authorities, but rather by the citizens themselves. because people are extremely nationalistic. even complaining that people throw garbage in the streets or on lots of land, or rivers and lakes dry up or with plastic garbage or that there are many stray dogs or a high rate of insecurity or a high level of sexism is not a good idea to criticize it or maybe not criticize it but just expose it. and if you are going to do this you must do it anonymously, not showing your face unless you want to die. it is obvious that nobody is going to like to hear negative things about their country even if it is true. Depending on their culture, they will react to these criticisms or negative aspects that you see. For example, if you are a woman, don t expect to be able to raise your voice in any Middle Eastern country and don t expect a positive response if you dont agree with their treatment of women.At least the people of the U.S.A tolerate criticism in a not so violent way compared to other cultures in the world
No, I'm also a dual German-USA citizen that has spent much time traveling around Europe. I've heard Europeans talking much trash about Americans.
@@Anna-xn8ds And I'm assuming they don't talk about they don't talk about their own problem in their on countries besides trash talking to US Americans.
I would not want to live in Germany. Especially amongst arrogant people, whose ancestors started two world wars, but now think they are a different kind of master race. And please don't travel to our country, we don't need people who despise us coming for a visit, we have enough problems already.
Don't worry, Nick. I think people like you are the best ambassadors to understanding and liking Americans! Of course, the public opinion is biased by the ludicrous things that are happening in the US these days. But it needs people like you to understand that not anybody over there is on the "wrong" side. And besides, the US is for the most part such an amazingly beautiful country, that's for sure!
Brown noser.
Amerika war schon mit der indigenen Einwohner ein wunderschönes Land.
@@papillon232 naja, wahrscheinlich sogar schöner.
@@papillon232 Lern erstmal deutsche Grammatik, bevor Du hier schwachsinnige Linke Propaganda betreibst ! Die USA heute ist auch wunderschön !
@@steffenriedel4752 🥱
I love the happiness and the pride twinkling in your eyes when you speak about your documentary. I can relate to it - it simply feels great when you share your heart project with the world. Wish you all the success you deserve ☺
Excellent comment.
I'm an American and lived and worked for 3 years in southern England. Discussing America with an English neighbor who was saying a number of negative things about America. I asked my neighbor how much time he had spent in America ?? He said he did not need to go to America to know what it was like. He had formed all of his ideas by watching "Dukes of Hazard". So of course I agreed that "Dukes of Hazard" was a very good example of American life. We got along fine.
Right on. And most Europeans think Americans don't know geography based on clips from the Jimmy Kimmel show. Where stoned morons on Hollywood Blvd can't even identify the United States on a map of the world.
3:21 nothing is more fun than completly destorying your brother on the internet xD
To destory - interesting verb!
What I think you often overlook AS a US American is that being a US citizen isn't just like being from any other country. Growing up in the US I think you don't fully grasp that your country is EVERYWHERE! Both literally in terms of military but also culturally. Hollywood movies are THE movies watched around the world, US tech companies make the most popular products, US brands have taken hold in every backwater region of the globe. Many of us know a Movie version of NY better than some of our mayor cities.
And what that does is it makes the US less 'romanticizable' than many other countries. French people don't think Paris is a dreamboat city of love. Most French people kind of dislike Paris yet around the world it's this magical place. But US culture is already everywhere so there is no faraway longing for an idea. Plus being everywhere also means your cultural impact is in a way always 'intruding' on other cultures and some people strongly dislike that. That's my quickfire take on why.
(And ofc this entire 'USA BEST IN THE WORLD' kind of mindset doesn't always help to endear yourself but that's just a side note 😄).
The “USA BEST IN THE WORLD,” mindsets is largely a post WWII attitude that drove the creation of the postwar suburbs. Americans are still sold the myth that they can afford a house with a nuclear family, and a nice car out front.
It’s getting to the point where this mentality is becoming unfeasible for many because there’s no way to break into a market where the lowest price is $1,000,000.
I think your assessment hits the nail on it’s head😅🙃
Good take!
gut gesagt
Imho the chinese are making the most popular products, but probably a lot of them are labeled as american. imho its about the advertising bs. and you know how advertising is working. the sell you sh... and show it before as the best product ever since sliced bread. and after buying these clonky bs, its your problem, i made my deal. and tbh, exceptional apple with steve jobs (after him everything is going worster), nearly every us Product i bought had amazing advertising and when i used it, i realized i am a beta tester (sometimes alpha :-D). and overpriced, for sure. imho that relates nearly to every US export product, software, hardware, the export product "freedom and democracy", you name it, you know what i mean. look what USA and europe did to africa since decades. since one decade china supports them and they have sustainable (economically) projects and infrastructure. and than comes the US advertising and says, china makes these countries so much debt. but the truth is, USA (and EU) made them much bigger debts, BUT all the western projects were not sustainable, it was only to bring these countries in debt, and china gives them functional infrastructure with which they can pay their debt. its a win win situation, meanwhile US (and EU) is, fy, the winner takes it all. ugly habbit. i know it must be hard to hear that, but lifes not about the winner takes it all. humans are not in competition, its only politicians. not to forget, that the european settlers in USA ages ago were mostly fanatic protestants. the countries were happy to get these people out. maybe thats the reason why the things are so extreme there? tbh, when you said in one of the last videos, you have to pay to study or study in military. than a lot of things are making sense, especially in kontext to the military industrial complex. you have a nation with a mindset, the only goal in life is being no1. than you get guns everywhere, to study go to the army. you have the most gunfight deaths worldwide. you keep the society in anger and fear and than they are ready and well prepared to conquer the world. exporting these american dream, which never existed, good advertising,btw.
As an international citizen ( who holds 3 nationalities, could've been 4 but doesn't matter) one of which being the US citizenship, I do remember back in 06 some of my friends warning me about moving to Germany by using my ethnicity as an argument since I'm half latina of german jewish heritage. They'd say things like: "but keep in mind you don t look German, not sure if they re gonna accept you. It ll probably be hard for you to get by like that. Thoughts that made me really apprehensive at the time. However when I think about the fact that I was unprivileged in the US and how everyone (latin community) would speak Spanish based on my physical appearance and how most public health care centers would treat me like a piece of meat disregarding my pain and feelings .I decided to follow my heart and move to the country of my ancestors of over 10 generations. It was the best decision ever!!! Yeah, I struggled with the language at first and would refuse to speak it just by communicating in english until I realized; Germans really appreciate when you try to speak the language/embrace it. I figured I might as well just really immerse myself in the culture. Despite all the hardships I've faced over the years I've never felt this safe or at home before. It didn t take much to adjust considering I was partly raised by my german grandpa who had instilled values in me which contributed to a more flexible mindset.I have a higher sense of justice since living here, never had a problem with the so called german brutal honesty because I was already used to that. Have I sorta unlearned the other languages I used to speak? yeah but I'm still able to get my point across. I have everything i need to thrive here, great friends( yeah, it takes time for them to warm up to you but once they do you have friends for life) currently in school to pursue a career as an OT, have 2 great employers, love the fact that most physicians are more humanitarian and patient, but what really made me stay all these years: Germans don't judge you based on your appearance,nationality or race but on your actions.
I was a kid in the 90s, when the US was still a land of marvel and wonder and it was a dream to go there. When everything coming from this land seemed to be great and new. It started to change slightly with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, that weren't seen as just amongst big parts of the german population. And Bush jr. didn't have an amazing reputation as well. Around 2006 I was an exchange student and lived close to Seattle, WA for a year - and not only did I experience the "melting pot" first hand, but I lived with and amongst the poor. Those who get left behind in the US. I saw what the lack of social security meant (be it homelessness for my classmates, no food, or being threatened to lose everything just because a storm threw a tree against your house). And at the same time - at the same freaking time - every US-born student would tell me how America is the greatest country on earth - and would fail to even name three other countries. I was in high school, Junior year, mind you. After active shooter drills, they'd say how the US is the safest nation on earth. Most kids failing basic maths and they'd say how america offers the best education (Harvard etc). And the list goes on - it isn't necessarily the extremes that made me rather skeptical about this country. It was its delusional conviction of how amazing it is, that makes it impossible for it to improve. Why change anything if I am the greatest nation on earth? Why change gun laws, if I am the safest? Why install social security systems if I am the richest? Why improve if I am perfect? This delusional (for lack of a better word) arrogance that the US installed into its citizens, not only keeps change and improvement from happening, but at some point the others can't hear it anymore. Nobody likes the arrogant bully on the playground. That's how it is. And I do like things about the US: the people there were incredibly friendly and hospitable and interested (some for real even). The people, individuals, are really really great. I experienced it as a mostly welcoming culture. Welcoming... and ignorant. The latter is what annoys the rest of the world. (On the up side: At least germans/europeans know about the US and have an opinion. I'm guessing more than 50% of the US-Citizens don't really have an oppinion on germany(countries in europe. Lack of interest/education/care. Not sure what's worse: Dislike or Indifference?)
No one, not even the most crazed gun nut, suggests the U.S. is anywhere near the safest country in the world. In fact, that it is a relatively dangerous one for an advanced industrial nation is pretty much the argument crazed gun nuts make for having a personal armory.
@@UtilityCurve Well my classmates certainly did and the media did too. Thinking about it, it was a weird mixture of fearmongering and stressing how the country needs police and guns to *keep* everyone safe. Maybe it changed. But while I was there, everyone was always more afraid of living in europe than in their own streets. When my friend came to visit, she was quite scared to get mugged in Switzerland. Like... in Switzerland?! And we couldn't stay in youth hostels out of her fear of abduction - and she wasn't dumb either. It's just what she had learned to fear. Also, she has diabetes and was incredibly afraid that we would just let her die if the lost her insulin, but that's a different story.
Agreed, and by the way, a lot of what you wrote could similarly apply to Germany as well - “why improve if you already think you’re amazing?” Germany equally seems to have come to the self-drunken delusion that it might be the “new” greatest country in the world around 2013-ish, excusing a decade of severe underinvestment in infrastructure and education, having only now been reality checked by Germanys poor handling of Covid and its disastrous dependency on Russian energy (US warned Germany about this for years but Germany kinda thought they were just full of it and just wanted to sell their own LNG, which I guess isn’t necessarily a contradiction)
@@mark9294 I tend to disagree, maybe simply because I'm not all that convinced germany is amazing (there was a time I actually believed all "this is such a green and clean country" propaganda until I realized much of our literal garbage is being shipped overseas and gets burned there... and other exampled like this). From my (very personal) experience/viewpoint I think the majority of germans are much more problem focused and want their government to change and improve the country. However politicians in the last few years tend to pull this "compared to this or that country we are better at this or that" crap. In the US - as far as I have experienced it - people don't talk about politics. It's "rude" to talk about it. And if nobody talks about it, you get the illusion that everyone is fine with what's happening. Then there are the extremes: "everything the blue party does is wrong, but if the red party would rule then all would be perfect" and vice versa. Which is still IMO not contradicting the "we are the best" mentality. So if you did a survey with 100 civilians from each country, asking them if their country was the best in the world, I'd say there's a significant difference between the US and GER in how many answer with "yes".
Honestly... this is probably just the way of civilizations: Stability - wealth - complacency- (megalomania) - mistakes - unrest - chaos. Many of the things we criticize the US for happen in Germany a few years later, so... maybe I'll agree in 2-5 years ;)
Of course we know about Germans
You guys followed a delusional madman and murdered six million Jews
I feel the brotherly love :D go go 100k subs!
The old joke: "Why is American Beer like sex in a canoe? Because it's f__king close to water!"
That’s a good one!!! Best I’ve heard yet!!! 🤩
Hahaha
As an American...im approve this message! Now send me some REAL beer...COLD beer!
Hi Nick,
Sorry, this is kind of unrelated to the topic of the video, but I wanted to thank you!
I had some free time the last two weeks so I decided to travel across the country with the 9€ ticket. I didn't really have a plan, my only goal was to see the south, since I'm from Schleswig Holstein and haven't really been in the south of Germany before. I just took random trains and sleept in the woods with my hammock. It was a pretty cool and adventurous trip. When I finally was in the south I came close to Schwäbisch Hall. It was because of your videos, that I decidet to visit it for a day. And it turned out to be a really good decicion. What a beautiful place! I really had a good time walking across the town and seeing everything with my own eyes. It was almost kind of a déjà vu like feeling, since I had seen many of the places in your Vlogs, but I didn't know how they actually linked up to each other. I think I even saw some of your mates in the beergarden :-D. Now seeing the town in your videos brings back memories. So thank you for advertising my own country to me, I would have never thought of going there, without your videos. :-)
Nick, don't worry about the image of America in the German population. The bad rating is predominantly political and can change again quickly. When it comes to US citizens from personal acquaintances and friends, the situation is completely different. The positive rating outweighs the negative here. I was often in the USA privately and professionally because the company I worked for is very international and I made many friends in the USA. The problem is that the great political and economic power of the US often means that it sometimes puts too much pressure on its European partners, and of course that doesn't always go over well with Europeans. Overall, I think that the relationship between Europe and the USA is still good and when it comes down to it, we stand together. As always, you, your brother and your US colleagues are very welcome in Germany and I also think that your family took away a positive image of Germany and its citizens from their visits to Germany. I see it the same way with the various visits my family members make to the USA.
Well I hope the winter that is coming will be soft otherwise you will pay a lot for believe activists over scientists about the nuclear plants and off course the love to a maniac like Putin
my problem with the USA is that so many people have too big egoes and think the USA is the greatest country in the world while it is very flawed.
Just bring up Hitler...then tell them not to judge! Gets em everytime!
Maybe the word "greatest" has a lot do with the problem.
I think the different interpretation of the word "friend" is another divider.
In the US: temporary acquaintant that shows no apparent hostilities. On a political level, Germany is America's friend as long as we do what they want and until it is favourable to throw us under the bus, as for instance right now.
Germany: someone that we always stand by loyally, because we feel a connection. On the political level: we would even sacrifice our economy, the constitution and all laws and make ourselves baffoons without blinking.
"freedom" is also very undefined in both areas. Freedom from what? How about (verifiable) truth, honesty? Snowden and Assange would be long acquitted. Capitalism doesn't want any of that and in capitalism, the US is always ahead of us.
The US wil always be admired if they stick to facts, state of law and science. Unfortunately for more and more individuals in the US but also in all other countries, this is less and less the case. And yes, most presidents have been war criminals, sadly also Obama.
@@Eddi.M. as being a German myself I feel like you are a little too positive about our political standing and how exactly we do treat friends. I am not happy about how we do handle our relations to our southern and eastern European neighbours for instance... we are definitely not as reliable as we like to think we are. And I feel ashamed of it.
WE are the greatest! NO other country on the planet offers what America does....NOBODY! Opportunity..both capitalism and freedom to the extent few the other have. Ask any legalize citizen (legal immigrants) they will TRUELY exclaim the loudest AMERICA THE IS GREATEST COUNTRY ON EARTH! Be they have experienced the vast, unlimited opportunities America has to offer. NOBODY! And the only problem is YOU.
@@aaronpatterson2369 Mental issues? Get yourself some treatment. Oh, wait, no insurance. Poor wanker.
Hi Nick, thanks a lot for your video! Really love your content. Being from Germany myself and seeing how America’s image in Germany deteriorates, I have the feeling, that this has a lot to do with former admiration. It always sadder to see that something or someone gets worse, if you admired it or him in the first place (see Axl Rose). And there are - at least from the outside - some worrying developments in the USA. There are of course countries with lot worse situations (Iran, Russia, China, to only name a few), but they were never admired for being the Home of the Free, so expectations are a lower. So there is hope!
Wish you all the best
Sebastian
As an American I understand what you are saying. I have certainly been unhappy with developments in my country at least since the unfortunate election of Donald Trump. But maybe it's a good thing that Europe sees that we are a country just like others, and we have issues that we are struggling with and need to solve. But disillusionment is one thing, outright hate is another. I guarantee you if a majority of Germans start hating Americans it wouldn't be long until we hate you back. And that does not profit either of us.
Hey Nick. As a German who was in a relationship with an american woman I think one of the major problems all around the world is the lack of respect to each other especially nowadays. Although there is internet everywhere it seems like it's only about fighting with people of different nationalities which makes me sad.
I really enjoy visiting the USA - I have been there like 5 times and I was both fascinated and shocked about the extremes as you mentioned in the video.
When it comes to the Americans' views uf us Germans I noticed some faked up stories or narratives which seem to be created a lot by the media. I already have seen some RUclipsr from the USA who live in Germany now just like you and they all said that the US media tell so many lies about the life overseas in Europe.
We are all people and we should stop narrating things without talking with the people first and just start connecting each other - start conversations again.
You are a part of this by doing these videos. Thanks and don't worry, there are a lot of people who loves to connect with people from the USA.
Very well said. Unfortunately I think in this particular case the animous is more on one side than the other. I would be really amazed if there was widespread negative views of Germans in modern America, whereas it appears it is very much the opposite vice versa in Germany. My first reaction as an American to someone hating me who I have never harmed is to hate them back. And I would rather not do that.
That Newsroom segment is one of my favorite monologues. The whole thing is amazing, as a speech, filmed, and it’s arc. I’ve rewatched many times. But also showed to my son, when he was about 15 or 16 and asked if he wanted to turn it off, but we ended up binging it over a long weekend.
During lockdown I read a book, Mapping Knowledge about the great libraries and education centers after the fall of Greece. It moves through seven civilizations where education and sciences thrive and over time the er is a rift between the educated and well off and they are pushed out. The libraries move and reassemble elsewhere but the societies and civilizations that were threatened by “elites” never recovered and their civilizations regressed to never come close to that same level.
You are wrong, Nick. I think it is rather the US American policy and its actors and less the American citizens themselves who are responsible for the result you mentioned. A country that sees itself as a world policeman, that interferes in the affairs of other states and puts them under military pressure, does not make itself popular.
Youee talking about Germany, right?
@@alpenhuhn1 I am the last person who would attest to good politicians in Germany. But on the contrary. Our current administration in particular manages to crash our economy and industry within months of taking office because our politicians are head to shoulder in the ass of the DC man. But back to the topic, if there is still a lack of information on your side, I recommend the book: Made in Washington by B. Greiner. This book explains what the American government has done to the world since 1945. Just as a small appetizer: Keyword September 11 - but in the year 1973. On that day there was a military coup in Chile that overthrew President Allende. The coup was politically and financially supported by the US, mainly through covert operations by the CIA. Pinochet was raised to the throne as the new ruler in Chile - the end is known. A bloody ethnic cleansing dictatorship ensued - virtually accepted by the US or ignored, whatever you like to hear.
@@S-V-E-N-1-9-7-8 can this book be found in English by any chance? I’m only seeing it in German
@@Alex-kd5xc all I can say is, that an english version should be available. That’s what I’ve heard
The sad part is that the civilians can’t really change anything. A two party system with a weird voting system where the people elect someone who then is going to vote for them? This ain’t right, also the Supreme Court which has a political agenda is just not how it should be. They should completely independent.
I think that the US going through a difficult time right now is very hard for the American self-image because being "the best in the world" leaves not much room. It was never true to begin with, but like every nationalism/patriotism historically was needed to achieve the standing of the US, that was very strong for a while. Paired with hypercapitalism that doesn't solve all the problems it claimed to solve, climate crisis and the rise of evangelical fundamentalism and restrictions in all aspects of policies makes for very uncertain times. It's very placative that there is a lot happening and that is historically very normal, the US was just lucky that there was relative calm for quite a long time. We Europeans and especially Germans know how that feels, so still hearing that we live in "way worse" places makes not for a charming impression in the world.
Yeah we are going through a difficult time right now. But a friend would be understanding of that reality. A jerk country would just stand back and feel like they are just so superior. Which are you?
Hi Nick, it is very much appreciated that you bring the positive spirit of the US to Germany. Always be aware that you are most welcome here and keep up the good work 👍. Greetings from the North Sea coast.
I've spent my fair share of time abroad, my passport has an expired Austrian visa and stamps from all over. I've always summed it up to my friends like this: Not everybody likes America (this number is definitely seems to be increasing these days), but it seems like most people like meeting an American. It's a hard feeling to describe without rambling on for ten minutes, but just about everyone you meet is genuinely curious about and friendly towards an American.
I think your comment is rather interesting and though you didn't want to detail it may I ask why? Personally I am confused why meeting an American is any different from meeting anyone else from any other culture. Europeans tend to be interested in other cultures and yes also Americans, why not? You can always learn something and why wouldn't you be friendly to someone who is clearly not from around (and that most often is very easy to tell when it comes to Americans). I can only of course speak for myself but I would be equally curious and friendly if meeting someone from Chile, Japan, New Zealand, Ghana, ... But if it helps you feel comfortable abroad, yes I have never experienced people in Europe dislike unknown individual Americans just because.
You act as if Americans are from another planet or a different species. We are just like people everywhere...there are some good ones, some bad ones and a whole lot in between.
@@caiavanamell7870 I live in Europe, they don't care about just "anyone else from any other culture."
greetings from belgium :)
It's people like you that show us what the United States has to offer, and that it's not all bad!! Keep up the good work and you can always be proud of your country, just never stop trying to make it beter
So before you started watching Adam's video you thought the United States was all bad?
Your title implies one reason. The USA are not America. People in Canada, Mexico and Brazil are also Americans. The whole "our country is the best" idea (not your's, but in general) is a potentially dangerous one imo. And regarding gun laws, little employee protection laws, the healthcare system and conservatives turning the clock backwards I wouldn't want to live there. There are many great US Americans out there, but unfortunately the not so great ones determine politics as well.
I wouldn't say so. I'm Peruvian but I'd never consider myself American, because that would imply that I was born in the US. In one comment you mentioned that you are German, aren't you guys taught the seven-continent model that divides North America and South America as two different continents? Based on that, "America" as a continent doesn't exist. Therefore, inhabitants from Latin America or Canada shouldn't be called "Americans". I don't think that Canadians would take kindly to that...
@@carloschong2795 100% agreed.
@@grandmak. Just out of curiosity, where are you from?
@@carloschong2795 North America and South America, yes. So obviously "America" refers to whole continents, and not only one country. I mean, it's like saying French people weren't European, and Chinese people not Asian.. 😅
@@MaskedBishop Im from El Salvador but I would say I'm from central america or the americas when germans ask me about me. Ich habe auch gesehen, dass bei euch Nord und Süd Amerika in der Schule beigebracht wird. Gibt es bei euch auch den Begriff "Americas" ?
Thank you! Living abroad currently and this is exactly what I needed to see. Glad someone else shares a romanticism about our country!
There is nothing wrong about loving and even being proud of your country, while also acknowledging it's problems. Many Germans take this as excessive patriotism or even a kind of jingoism. It isn't. And they can get stuffed.
Nalf, this very subject would make a great documentary
After thinking about this topic for a while... I guess to know one actual interesting point most Germans aren't even aware of. - For decades we've been taught it's bad to show you're proud of your country. I remember when I was called a Nazis, when I was a child, just because of being German. I've been so afraid of not knowing, what I did wrong, I avoided to tell anybody again. With that example and the greater history, grown in those decades... - And than you hear: "America first." Maybe it explains how that did feel and look for Germans, even if they are not aware of it.
Ken Follets books are indeed great if you wish to mentally dive into the old medival world and mindset. There was a TV show Pillars of the Earth from one of his books that prescribes the circumstances and political hardships around the construction of a cathedral in a (fictional) medival town. I can highly recommend watching the series. It will make you appreciating the overall European cultural heritage more intensely.
The Book is way better
That clip from the "News Room" is truly a masterpiece in explaining the "American Dilemma". I believe a large part of the anti Americanism lies in disappointment. After WWII the USA was a shining light of fairness and innovation. The western and allied countries looked up to this and appreciated the American dream and its values. Sadly, over the years, the USA failed in many ways and for many different reasons, not least amongst them; greed. The once shining light has dimmed and the west is disappointed and feels tricked.
Great video, by-the-way. 😃
no country can be perfect, not even the US, just like we are disappointed with the rise of the far right in Europe
I don't know about merica, but Europe was always great! Tough luck for the ones who left.
For me it's not the disappointment about the failure, it's more anger about the denial of the american society and politicians to own up to the shortcomings. The moment they would admit, that the USA are not the best, that their way is not the most successful and that other nation are equal or even better in many aspects of life we could start a new relationship as equals.
@@rakischmidt7032 Amen, Raki. Ironically, I also feel that the deep schism in America comes to a good degree from that very same sense of superiority. It's much harder to be as self-righteous if you are not blessed by the lord.
That movie is full of shit made for people who never understood American policies.
Oh and America didn’t change its character since the 50s. It is still a land of liberty. People simply went from believing making their own way to believing in a nanny state. The American “problems”, or as people perceive them, is that people are allowed to fail. That is the normal consequence of freedom-on one side you have absolute success, the other abject failures. And you can’t have one without the other. The good succeed and the incompetent fail.
Hi man! I agree with you 100% By the way, I've really enjoyed your videos and I'm looking forward to watching your movie! Even though I was born in the USA, I'm 65 years old and grew up in Argentina as a young kid. I returned to the USA in 1976 (probably long before you were born LOL!!). So, I've lived overseas and have had the privilege to see all the view points, opinions and so forth. I wish more American citizens took more interest in listening, or reading news from Deutsche Welle, the BBC or other European countries to get a better perspective about what really goes on in the world. As a result, I'm a very open-minded person. My oldest daughter lives in southwestern Germany and I have a German grandson. I also took four years of German in High School and two years in College! I wish you the best!! Tom
Thanks for giving us your really interesting background.
@@mojojim6458 Thank you!!
😁🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂 The picture of your brother.....great idea...🤣😂😁
i have friends in america who live there and they moved from germany to america i love the language and have no problem in which country people come. Take care :)
Love the content! Greetings from Morocco 🤟
'You've got the smartest!...'
😂😂😂😂
Nice one @NALF
At 2:45 you can clearly see the impact of US presidents on the image of the US in foreign countries.
- The US popularity declined under President Bush due to his wars (in particular his illegal and long war in Iraq).
- President Obama has brought hope to many countries who thought things would be different (I guess everyone was captivated by the symbol of a first black president, and his message towards the rest of the world was quite positive and inspiring), which explains the huge increase in US popularity, though people started to realise nothing changed in the attitude of the US abroad (more wars) which explains the progressive decline.
- President Trump was very agressive and arrogant in his message towards the rest of the world. He might not have started a new military war, but he started economic / trade wars, regularly threatened entire countries and/or their leaders, and was far from subtle in his discourse (speaking e.g. of the Belgian capital city as a “hellhole” has certainly not helped being popular in Belgium).
- President Biden is not inspiring enough to change the trend so I’m not expecting a real improvement in future studies.
I agree that US presidents and foreign policies as portrayed in European media are the main shaper of public opinion of the USA. Yes, Obama preached hope and it was a well-oiled PR machine that supported him. None of his dirty works (most arrests of journalists by far of any POTUS, IRS persecuting political opponents, just a few of a long list). No mention of him and Michelle being Muslim gays who wanted to turn a positive Christian country into a self-hating and divided one. Under Obama RACE became a media-driven issue again after having been laid to rest. The illusion lives on in Europe, but for how long?
Obama let Putin invade and take Crimea. He did nothing.
The current problems can be traced back to the weak and inept Obama.
All Biden got was that he was uninspiring LOL clearly people with dementia are uninspiring.
Bush - we can agree on that p.o.s.
Obama - was the 1st step leading to the utter stupidity you currently see in the US. He was NO sign of hope towards his OWN country. Selling off America piece by piece. Obama was a traitor!
Trump - PRO AMERICA FIRST...EVERYBODY ELSE LATER! He tried to makeup where Nobama failed us. Weakened borders, weakened foriegn policies, weakened economy etc. Trump fought for bringing jobs BACK to the US Nobama traded off for personal gain. Trump is a business man NOT a politician, and ran the US like a business! You cant be a weakling in business. Trump was the first president since Reagan that tried to IMPROVE America!
Biden - isnt the true President of the United States of America! He continued where Nobama left off...DESTORYING AMERICA FROM WITHIN!
I find it interestng that you, as a NON AMERICAN has the exact opposite opinions on Obama and Trump as most American do. Hindsight is 20/20 and since Trump can get elected again (GOD WILLING) he can continue Making America Great Again!
Sorry if Biden doesn't inspire you. For us he is a godsend compared to what he came after. Maybe you should just be thankful he brought America back on the right path. If Trump were still incharge Russia would own most of Ukraine by this point.
LOL, Nick, I don't think that the quality of beer influenced people's opinion of the US in any way . Let me tell you why I used to like the US very much and don't like it any longer.
About 50 years ago I lived there and graduated from High school as a foreign exchange student. My experiences were mainly positive ( except for my first host family) , I met tons of awesome people, I got along in school very easily because the standard was pretty low and I was deeply impressed by the bigness of everything in your country.
For that reason my husband and I started travelling the US by motorhome in the 90s and enjoyed beautiful landscapes and meeting friendly people.
Watching the country today ( and I'm watching very closely by consuming a variety of political opinion shows as well as news channels on a daily basis) I'm not surprised at all about the graphics you showed. A lot has changed in the US and what has changed has become extremely obvious since your 45th president came into office.
Living in Germany you must be aware that we don't know that kind of political climate as much as we watch it in the US. We are not used to politicians openly offending and insulting each other in public. We are not used to politicians inciting violence against their opponents and publicly chanting to lock them up and fortunately we aren't yet as far as the US when it comes to donors buying politicians to make decisions in their favour .
I was surprised to hear that the USA spends more on healthcare than every other country and my question is : where does that money go ? Because as far as I know a huge number of Americans go bankrupt because they can't afford to pay their medical bills.
Since you are a passionate reader I have an urgent recommendation : Tara Westover " educated" is the best book I've read for years and it shows what is wrong with a big part of rural America today and why your country is so divided at the moment : the education system and religious fundamentalism. Other problematic points are racism , anti semitism and guns which are not issues in that book though.
Of course it is not fair to only point at all those negative things, I agree, but polls always show the impression people got without digging deeper.
Of course you could find as many negative arguments against Germany and of course we have a group of evil, malevolent and politically very dangerous right wing extremists with a low education level here, too. The difference is that they are not representative of the German population and the rest of the world doesn't know much about them ( thankfully).
What about left wing extremism in the US. Antifa and BLM looting and burning cities. Since you traveled there a lot you know that Americans don’t walk around with cowboy six shooters on their hips. What about the Marxism creeping into the US.
@@michaelbrown1627 there you are mistaken . The ones who looted and burned buildings were NOT Antifa and BLM but members of the 'Proud boys' and other right wing terrorist groups. I'm afraid you get your news from Fox. Your claims have officially been debunked a long time ago.
Stop watching propaganda CNN…you have a distorted view
Unbelievable. Most Americans are not represented by the Christian fundamentalist, gun toting, racist bigots that support Donald Trump. But you are characterizing all Americans based upon them. How incredibly ignorant.
YO I WATCHED YOUR MOVIE! GOOD JOB🤘🤘🤘
Love how you work on connecting people and our countries. I learned from you why you prefer the US position of traffic lights while I German, 67yo, was used to have them in line with my stopping position.🚦🌝
The US has a big part in my heart as I have lived there and have found a second family there. I think the biggest reason for most people having a not so great opinion of the US is because americans keep potraying themselves as the greatest and most free country as well as spreading their so called "Freedom" across the world. And the fact is they arent. I think its not always bad to be proud of your heritage and homecountry but its always important to criticise the bad and have perspective which is kind of missing in the US. And also a big thing is that the US has a really weird way of portraying its history often leaving the really bad parts out or just mentioning them in the "credits".
"but its always important to criticise the bad and have perspective which is kind of missing in the US."
True, but on the other hand the Americans you're likely to encounter who are living abroad are precisely the kind of people who will have that perspective and understand the issues of the US, which means when Germans and others start complaining to them about it, it is (to use an American phrase) "preaching to the choir."
@@ArgusStrav yeah ive made that experience. Often the people that leave their homecountry are more openminded and have seen other countries inorder to have a perspective although ive also met a lot of ignorant US tourists
Till Geske There are states where it is forbidden to teach about slavery and the genocide of the indigenous people . The governor of Florida has just signed such a law and loads of teachers have quit because of that. He is hiring military veterans now to teach which 1. saves money and 2. he can order them to teach " in a patriotic way".
@@grandmak. that isn’t true. That doesn’t prevent them from teaching about slavery.
@@robbanks1436 As long as they acknowledge creation, a flat earth, and ONE god, the American one.
Oh, and sexuality starts at twenty one.
Glad to watch you talking about things the most people try to avoid!
As a German I can just say that Americans (well British either) always inspire me by the way you are, more open-hearted/minded.
Things we don't like about Americans much mostly deal with the politics of the US.
Do you think we like our politics right now? Have a little understanding.
Thanks for having the link to that clip of "The Newsroom" in your description box! I'd seen it before, but never realized it's from 2012. So when you add to this everything that has happened since Trump took office in 2016, and even more so what has been going on in the US since the election in November 2020, it shouldn't be a surprise at all, that citizens in democratic countries worldwide are deeply concerned, if not appalled by the turn politics in the US have taken. And it's not only Trump or the GOP and their open fascism that's frightening. It's the fact that about 30% of American citizens are okay with it and seem to feel that's the direction the country should go!?!
Love the video! Subbed
To be fair, we germans, for the most part, are more the "glass half empty" type of people, which means, to look at the negatives is what we often do first and so, after seeing all the negatives, and there are some major issues from our perspective, it's pretty hard for us to even look at any positives... if that makes sense to you.
I love Germany and Germans but I agree with you.
Ja das stimmt. Sehe das unnormal oft in meiner Stadt (Gelsenkirchen) anstatt an sich zu arbeiten jammern die meisten lieber vor sich rum
I once heard an interview with a manager of a German health insurance. He said
"Germans always look for the hair in the soup. Other nations try the soup and if it's good they look if there could be a hair in it, but the Germans don't even try it but look for the hair at first"
@@simonm1447 of course, since, if the soup is untouched, you can not be accused of having put the hair in yourself to get a refund, when you have already touched the food, who is to say you haven't messed with it yourself? besides, manager of a german health insurance is someone who provides something we believe to be our right and all extras they try to sell are being looked at carefully, we wouldn't want end up paying for something that should be free now would we.
@@raistormrs It was more meant in a general way - there's a video from 2007 from the I phone introduction. You should read the comments there, Germans haven't been familiar with such phones and the overall opinion in this comment section is completely negative.
Strangely it seems they had been able to adopt these phones now, since button style phones are more or less dead today.
Imaging a future different from the past is something Germans are really bad in, no matter if this future uses different cars (without their ''beloved'' Diesels (Innovators like Rudolf Diesel would rotate in their graves if they could see what happened to this country)) or different phones. The still widely use of the Fax in Germany is another sign they aren't able to adopt modern technology at the right time, but are 15 to 20 years behind other countries thanks to the mentality
I think, America has changed a lot. And it seems, Germany has, too. But I do beleive, that there are waves of like and dislike and that in the end, we will hopefully find together again. A remark from my side: American expats generally do not paint the most rosy picture of your country. You have to pay, if you need an ambulance? OMG! You can not have your kids play outside unattended for a high risk of abduction? OMG! You are getting phone calls from your employer to make you come to work when you are actually sick? That seems counterproductive as the sick person might infect the healthy employees. A deeper discussion of this is not to be had on the comment section of this platform.
What surprises in the comments to this video is the astounding ignorance of Germans who have a completely distorted view of the United States. They watch negative news stories and think all Americans are bunch of gun-toting, Bible-thumping yahoos. Of course, the majority of us aren't that way. Oh by the way no place I have ever lived in the United States does anyone need to pay for ambulance.
Great video. Thank you for sharing. ❤️👍
I've been reading and enjoying Ken Follet's books for decades. I started out with Eye of the Needle which was riveting, followed by On Wings of Eagles, The Man from St. Petersburg, Hornet Flight, Pillars of the Earth etc. The list is endless, and each book entails a lot of details and knowledge of the time period it portrays, and a great story line spun around those places and history. I am German and have lived in the U.S. now for decades and I too feel the growing disappointment with the U.S. and have a hard time holding onto, what really made this country great. In some aspects it is really great, in others, it seems to be in serious peril and lacking in a sense of community minded thought, deed and effort and is so full of contradictions, and has become exceedingly quixotic. It's not easy right now, when you actually live through it.
As a European living in the states for 20+ years I've come to the conclusion that it should be a part of everybody's life experience to spend time living in another country. Mandatorily!
Hard to afford for so many. Myself I do not wish to travel some where I am hated because of where I was born.
its a great trilogie your getting into :)
your Video today made me think about the way we treat and judge each other in generall. I think the very basic problem of all in our days is the idea of being in a competition with each and everyone. Humans are ment to live in communities, to help and care for each other. And every single one of us is unique and with a great worth. If we could find find a way to see that there are 8 billion different ways to find happiness. -Nobody is perfect for everybody, but for yourself /herself/himself
For me (German) it's pretty much summed up by this one sentence:
"Society(s) should be judged by how it treats their poorest"
You're right, the US has a lot of the best stuff in a lot of categories. But it also has far more bad things. And I don't see a reason to judge a society, by the things I could never reach. I'm above average in some things, below in others. I'll probably have a good, relatively comparable life here in Germany.
Now, I could look at the US and see that they have the best surgeons in the world. Or I could look at it and see that I could never afford them anyway, and I'd have to wrestle with a for-profit health care system. I know what I'll take...
Or I could look at the best Universities there are. And know I can never reach them. So I'd rather take the Universities here, that are profoundly mediocre, but really good at this one nieche. And I'll tske the one that's good at my nieche of studies.
Looking at America is frustrating to me. Nit because it's generally bad. But because it's probably the one country in the world, with by far the most wasted potential. The US could. But it doesn't.
As a Finn I would agree. I also think it is the "collective vs individual" mentality difference. We judge societies exactly as that: SOCIETIES as whole. Which then leads to the "you judge the society by how it treats the worst off". Since frankly, society to society, the elite is usually doing just fine in any of them. So it isn't much of a differentiator. "our societies elite is doing fine, your societies elite is doing fine". That is not looking at the whole society.
Society is: How is the collective doing as whole instead of how is a single person or small subsection of the population doing. One can get nice statistics out of nearly any country, if one gets to choose which parts are and are not included. That is dishonest... (dishonesty being a thing we Finns often dislike).
One similar thing is for example "US you did a bad thing" and then American answering "Yeah I agree that is kinda messed up, but that was our leaders , not me". No, you are a society. The collective carries responsibility for the actions done with the collective resources. Like the national armed forces, the national diplomats, national economic power and so on.
If it was individual private mercenary army without permission of US governemnt going around doing things, then I wouldn't blame the USA for said criminal mercenary bands actions. But it isn't, it is pooled national societal resources being used. So whole society is in their own part responsible. Not as responsible as the direct decision makers, but still responsible. They could try to influence the decision maker, vote them out or deny to the decision maker the pooled resources via for example strikes and sit ins. I would at minimum expect "Yeah, that is messed up. I tried to influence so we wouldn't do that, but I FAILED and our society FAILED."
Unless americans want to deem themselves an autocratic dictatorship. Then one afford the population the benefit of lesser responsibility, since you know expressing opposing positions gets one jailed or earns one a bullet to the back of the head. Such consequences afford one status of "lessened responsibility" for said brutal leaders decisions.
The two examples you chose have a lot of texture and complexity to them. For starters, much of the US healthcare system operates in the third sector, which is to say, neither government nor for profit. There are also programs in place to help the least fortunate afford them; this is why Medicaid, a government welfare provider, is one of if not the single largest provider of health insurance in the US. The tuition among universities essentially functions as a rich people tax and most people get some kind of substantial financial aid, so it is far cheaper in practice than in principle. This also extends to the US tax system, which essentially does not tax the poorest members of society. There is no value added tax, and any sales taxes (essentially the same thing in the US, with its generally really low trade tariffs) that exist are often carefully constructed to avoid taxing essential items like food and clothing, and are set at rates well below ten percent. Furthermore, no income tax is require to be paid if you earn $40,000 a year or less, unless self employed (assuming you want government pension fund checks; your employer pays 12% of your wages into that system, but you never see that money anyway). But if you are wealthy, you could very easily see more than half your income taxed away just with income tax. That sensationalist report about US billionaire failed to mention that it is mainly because they earn their money primarily through Capital Gains, which are taxed much lower in every country, not just the US, and thus, every country likely has billionaires that are only paying an effective ~4-5% tax rates in practice, owing to loopholes and this different method of earning money.
@@unconventionalideas5683 So? What's your point?
All of the top universities will take you for free if you are smart enough
We have a small army of social workers standing by to help the poor. The issue is that there are rules and conditions attached to getting help. Many of the poor and homeless refuse the help because of those rules... You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink it.
When things feel bad, just point at the UK.
😂
That’s got to be a Brit.
Could we call it "The Fall Of A Giant"? Over decades Europeans admired the spirit and the positivity of the US but only from a distance and under the influence of Hollywood and TV series. So they got an idealized vision that had to crack once the glitter curtain was removed. And many of them were so disappointed that they now only saw the negative things. The US politics, without mentioning details but everybody knows what I am talking about contributed to this attitude. All the flaws became obvious. At the same time Europeans begin to grow as such, and are proud of their own achievements. The solution has to be to better know each other and to acknowledge that there is no such thing as "the greatest nation on earth". Germans especially remember where a sense of superiority can lead. We have a common identity: humans who want to live in peace and enjoy life, be it in America, in Europe or anywhere else on this globe.
Well said!
Could also be a bit of jealousy.
@@robertmonroe3678 Jealousy of what?
The wealthiest and most powerful country in human history?
@@robertmonroe3678 jealous of war crimes, mass shootings, fucked politics, obesed people and racists?
Lived there for three years. Loved it. Going back for the first time in 30 years. I also can tell you all of Ken Follett's boks are great and read my first one while living in Germany>
Hey Nalf… here is an art related approach: check out the two Rammstein songs Amerika and Deutschland. They provide somewhat of an outward and an inward perspective (pay attention to lyrics and videos). In addition you as a cinematographer will L.O.V.E. the video (or may I call it film) of Deutschland.
German here.
Every country hast there positive and negative aspects. In the US its healthcare. In Germany its a unready military. And of course you can't generalize a whole country, especially the size of the US.
And thats why i would say im pretty neutral towards the US.
I think a major reason, why the US isn't seen as positively anymore is probably the American patriotism. Calling themselves the greatest country in the world, pledging allegiance to their Flag just feels arrogant and spoiled, like they cant look at the facts and just crown themselves. As a European, patriotism for their country is pretty minimal. Germans and Italians, .... see themselves as a citizen, that happen to live or grew up in their country, but don't really have any special sympathy towards it.
And i think the truth lies in between. While the view on the US from other countries is more negative than it actually is, it is true that Americans are more proud of the US than it objectively deserves.
ne die Sache sind die Kriege und die Imperialismus Politik und warum laufen Kriegsverbrecher wie Kissinger oder George Bush noch frei rum
From a very young age, 5 in public school Americans learn some skewed ideas about how we are super strong/strongest, smartest, and pledge allegiance to the flag everyday. You’re not forced, it’s just routine and encouraged. From 5-18 years old everyone in public school is encouraged to do this every school day. And many many other ways encouraged to believe our country is “the best”. I begrudgingly just went through my day as a student. I didn’t even realize how bizarre/brainwash-y it all was until out of high school. A lot of people never realize it. they just get a job and/or go to university and continue to just not really question any of it. IF you do question it, you’re told you’re ungrateful and don’t respect the military etc. It’s crazy.
But a lot of these Americans you’re referencing haven’t ever challenged these ideas or left the country to see any different. NOT an excuse, but a reason.
Who are you exactly to tell inhabits of any other country how patriotic they should feel? You strike me as having a peculiar type of European arrogance, i.e. 'our country/system is perfect, so I can look down on other countries/systems, and godlike pass judgement on them.' I think the Germans are no longer our friends and we should treat them accordingly.
I think patriotism can sometimes be a burden and nowhere instills patriotism like USA. I'm British and in many ways I'm ashamed of being British, especially since the Brexit vote. There are lots of good Brits just like there are lots of good Americans but I see both countries as being seriously flawed.
'patriotism' and 'nationalism' unfortunately get very often confused in the US.
I think everyone should be proud of their nation, their heritage and their culture. Britain is an awesome place with an awesome history. Never be ashamed of your Britishness. Own it! We love it. If you don't like what is going on in your country, change it. We gonna fly our Stars and Stripes - fly your Union Jack!
@@chrissergeant7798 well…. Q.e.d … appalling argle-bargle like this straight leads to disliking „the American“ in general from afar and to fear the outcomes of the like in the deed… (e.g. On some 6th of January…)
@@chrissergeant7798 As a German I am very careful about using the term 'proud' but I certainly am very happy to have been born and raised and to live in Germany. I absolutely agree with you : either try and change things you don't like or put up wit it. That's what democracy is. Fun fact : I just had my DNA test from 'my heritage' back : I'm 60% British😀and about 30% Scandinavian 😀 - love it !
Y'all created America. This is your fault.
I was gaming online with on a French server and i asked them who they liked better the USA or the British, the Frenchman all said "neither one, Britain and the USA are both enemies. " I asked who did they like and they said Italy. And i said what about Spain and they said Spain is okay.
I thought of that Jeff Daniels clip in the beginning of your video 🤓
So many great, well worded responses to this video. I found it interesting the segment of the Jeff Daniels speech you chose. I always think of the first part of the clip where he goes off on the college girl on why America IS NOT the greatest and begins to list all the reasons. Our leaders over the years have extolled "American Exceptionalism". The years since 2016 have undeniably proven that complete fallacy of this belief. We have a very large portion of our population that are so whole heartedly willing to embrace fascism, as reflected in the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, etc. After the last several years, I can no longer think of positive things about my country. I know they exist, just can't think of them. And, as a 70 year old American of German Heritage, who has spent a large portion of my life in Europe, that makes me terribly sad.
Don’t forget Antifa. They’re as fascist as they come
Despite the many problems we have currently, if you can't think of some good things about America, do the rest of us a favor and stay in Germany.
From 2015 onwards, the US "demystified" itself. We in Germany took a closer look at the politics over there, learned about the gun violence and the extreme bad policing and of course the school shotings. We learned about how divided the country is, about the roe v wade decision of the supreme court, the banning of books from school librarys and how some states are going to fight LGBTQ+ rights. I guess that overshadowed the greatfulness we once had, after WWII and later on.
Yes, Germany the land of thinkers. Maybe we look into more details than the Belgians. But on the other side, we are smart enough to not generalize, and see US as a splitted polarized society. This is just hard to reflect in the survey "Do you like the USA: yes or no". The survey is strongly biased.
Maybe the result is "Germany has the highest percentage of critical thinkers". or "the smallest percentage of blind believers or followers".
LGBTQ+ rights - Do we really need people with special rights? Aren't we all equal under the umbrella of human rights? If flying a rainbow flag from building for a month makes you proud, OK, but I bet you find a lot of things not in your spectrum perverse. The Nazis also thought they needed special rights and their own flag.
@@KJ-md2wj You see this the wrong direction. You are right, we need absolutly no special rights, it's the same for all.
But in reverse we can analyze who hasn't got it yet. This was, for a long time, LGBTQ.
In matter of laws it's already equalized, depending on nation.
What still has to change regionally is the moral, thinking , prejustice , clichees ...this takes a long time.
Nick, I can very well distinguish between people and politicians. I very much like your people and your culture, I just see your politicians the same way as I see our politicians.
Excellent points, one can find proof for any stereotype about the US in the states - positive and negative. What I really liked being there was how friendly and helpful complete strangers were virtually all the time and everywhere - even in a huge city like New York.
To many of your fellow Germans seem to be stereotyping all Americans based on the MAGA nitwits. Tell them to stop it.
I believe it is more of a disappointment than dislike. The ones that are closest to your heart can disappoint you the most. Maybe that is an explanation for the low popularity index among Germans. Any nation should accept and honor another nations election results, but electing a nitwit such as DJT as the leader of the free world was simply too much for many over here. But it goes deeper than that - the hate among so many in US society that surfaced with the MAGA movement and still ongoing changed many perceptions of the land of the free. I have a love for the US that goes back many decades and is based on personal friendships as well as on a feeling of gratitude for putting our country back on its feet after a terrible war. That will not change, but what I am most disappointed about is that for many in the US the truth and decency are no longer relevant. Thankfully for many they still are, but the course the country is taking is worrisome at times and even some of my US friends say the country is not what it was even 5 years ago. If there is one good thing about Putin's war is that our countries stand together and that is my hope. This is only one German's view...I enjoy watching your videos and keep up your positive spirit! (One of the many great things you rather find among US citizens than Germans.)
👍👍👍👍 👍
Thank you for writing that. That's exactly what I wanted to say. And I would like to add: all the Americans I have met were wonderful people, but the America of the past somehow no longer exists. It is no longer a goal, a dream or a role model for me - is that because of my age or because Europe has developed so positively in my eyes? I don't know.
I think you‘ve got a point here, but the reason for this disappointment is not Donald Trump but the negative propaganda from German media about him. They loved Obama and bashed Trump whenever they could. Fact is, Barack Obama is officially the US president with the most days at war in different countries (2663 days of military intervention).
Trump (like him or not) on the other hand didn’t start a new international military conflict and quite succeeded in ending most of them. But if you would go to ask German folks about this, they would tell you otherwise. So please don’t blame Trump, but the German media.
@@karlknapp2798 Europe developed positively? I feel like we are going from one catastrophe to the other... financial crisis, annexation of Crimea , Syrian war, wave of refugees, Brexit, Russian influence on our far right and left parties all over Europe, letting China buy many of our important points of infrastructure, the terror in Belarus against free journalism and free elections, finally the war on Ukrainian ground started by Putin and supported by too many Russian people. Another wave of refugees from Ukraine. For me, we are constantly balancing at the edge of a cliff.
That kind of hate is also present in Germany (AFD), but the semi-democratic two party system magnified the power of this group.
I think on the one hand its because the US (and its people) come across as braggy because of lines like "we are the greatest nation; the best economy blabla" and on the other hand even though great inventions come from the US - it also exports so many problems with its inventions to the rest of the world...
Yes, a few loud mouths or braggers will create more of an impression than 10x as many quiet or humble people.
Many also think they (US Americans) invented the car and everything else. Had there already many discussions. They are also not No.1 in terms of inventions. But this "WE HAVE GIVEN YOU EVERYTHING, YOU HAVE TO BE THANKFUL".
@@arnodobler1096 true, Europeans in the diaspora or Europe have invented most things. Henry Ford did good work but didn’t invent the automobile.
@@robbanks1436 Yes, but not only in the diaspora! Life didn't stand still when America was discovered and the USA was founded, but some people think it did. The first programmable computer by Konrad Zuse. Nicolaus Otto, Rudolf Diesel, Felix Wankel... 🙋♂
@@arnodobler1096 I said diaspora or in Europe. Germany has always had some of the most innovations. People always talk about Germany engineering and the high quality.
I always loved the US and tried to get my green card for several times between the end of the 90s to about 2006. The sports events, especially football, hockey and baseball, the vastness of the nature and much more. I tried to play football myself around Y2K, mostly as backup but it was fun.
Driving for several hours in Germany can be such a pain, in the US I just started from Dallas and took a 7 hours trip to Kansas with no problem (beside that Kansas had probably the worst Interstates at that time 🙂)
I am with a German-US sister city club. The stories and letters of the different people moving to Texas with a boat, like you mentioned are simply amazing and some are probably having the stuff for a big Hollywood picture.
I think the numbers you put up here show clearly why that is, or because of whom that is so. I got totally alienated by Jan. 6th. I followed it through the whole year when the congressional hearings started. I was flabbergasted to what extend they found out about wrongdoings and treason and my first thought was, gosh, think about you got that green card and maybe live in the neighborhood of such people who stormed the capital.
I think another problem is their "You're either Rep or Dem attitude" and I have to vote my party disregarding what obvious d*ck is running for my party as president.
I am working for an US company, far away from Germany, and it is kind of nice how safe you feel there, and they seem to look after you, even if I think they are overdoing it a bit too much.
I still hope that the US is going back into much better grounds and also globally stop to put people who should be already retired in the place of one of the most powerful people.
If you ACTUALLY believe the BS you hear as a foreinger, then DONT come here! The media is more corrupt than the politicians. Sounds like you dont have the toughness required to live here.
You should read "Die Säulen der Erde" by Ken Follett. It's one of his masterpieces. Don't know the original title, sorry :)
I got triggered by the headline and am only 1 second into the video.
Just wanted to say that it is absolutely not true that Germans don't like America anymore. I love the country so much that I'm almost feeling homesick every day after I had to leave Texas after four years living there.
I didn't have to go because of America, I had to go because of a minority of loudmouth Americans and their cult leader. Christian Nationalists (each term already disgusting af, but in combination? hell no!) wanting to tell people how to live their lives, doesn't really sit with me.
I would give everything I have to be able to hike through the Texas Hill Country with my dogs again, but I would only feel welcome because I am white, and I speak fluently English. Personally, I don't want to go to a place anymore, where not everyone is welcome. I don't want to go to a place, where the government tells people what to do or not to do with their bodies. I don't want to go to a country, where tens of thousands of radicals are getting ready for the next civil war they're hoping so desperately for.
America is not the problem. The problem is people who call a legal search by the FBI a raid, who believe that the election in 2020 was stolen, and who consider Ron de Santis a valid alternative to Mango Mussolini.
Lmao bye. Imagine being “triggered” by a absolute tap water plain of a video. Don’t come back.
@@artruisjoew5473
Sit down, son. Your're not ready yet.
Who is doing all the activism and rioting in America?
"I would only feel welcome because I am white, and I speak fluently English." You probably call anybody a white supremacist and fascist if he wants to defend the border-- though the very large Mexican community wants the same, now even in the NYC when they a tiny dose of illegals.
"I don't want to go to a place, where the government tells people what to do or not to do with their bodies." But you probably were all for mandatory vaxing and firing and canceling anyone who wasn't as is still pushed in Democrat-run places. Typical leftist selective view of real facts.
"...wanting to tell people how to live their lives, doesn't really sit with me." It sits with no one, but be glad you're not one of those deplorables you hate as taught by the Clintons and Obamas, who you expect to live their lives like you do.
Have you ever walked your talk, ever? Have you ever acknowledged actual facts or are you just a progressive Democrat living in the illusion of your own superiority -- that which you seem to accuse the deplorables of?
Do you really think you are describing all or even most Americans? YOU ARE NOT. We here are in conflict with the people you are describing. Please get a clue.
@@charlesmartin1121
The "clue" I get is that Orange Mussolini is going to make it back on the throne in 2024. If that is not enough of a clue, I don't know what is...
Certainly, there are many great and admirable things that can be said about the people and the country.
The current problem is that the many hardly comprehensible developments in the country in recent years have a great impact on the reputation of the USA:
That, for example, about 50% of the population supports someone like the last president (despite his lies, his obvious cognitive weaknesses, his self-centered and arrogant and ignorant attitude towards other nations, even friendly ones), that they believe in electoral fraud although there is no evidence of it, the backward-looking decisions of the supreme court, the police violence, the school massacres, the incredible waste of energy combined with a very improvable environmental and climate policy and all the other drastic and problematic negative developments, the inequality that is obviously not being worked on at all to be eliminated ...
The headlines from the U.S. have simply been overwhelmingly negative in recent years. Of course, that's extremely unfortunate. One just gets the impression that the country is not addressing the problems and nothing is changing for the better. How then is one supposed to look positively at the USA?
All this is very sad because of course we know that there are so many great people like you who do not deserve this general rejection at all!
you nailed it, thank you .
"There are so many great people like you who don't deserve this general rejection." That is not a great reflection on Germans. They must be too stupid to understand that the majority of people in America don't support Trumpism.
Hi my neighbour from the lowlands! i am the Laird of Glencairn and live up in the Highlands!
Amerika has alot of positivities but sadly the negative things are getting more and more. I agree with you about the beer. I drank some microbrewing beer in Boston and Atlanta and there were amazing.. There are defently in the same Ball Park and Play against and it could be very close i think.
As a german I think we (not all of us, like right wing schmocks) see what we have - social insurance, the health care system and so on - and we are just glad about it. You said, the US is a country of extremes. And this could be a big reason for us not to like the idea of living there. It's not safe. Even with big effort you might not make it. And then we hear from americans in germany things like they don't have to fear being on the streets at night. While in the US you always should be aware of everyone because they could have really bad intentions.
I think I don't have to say anything about politics. It's a sad story considering that the US is the first modern democracy.
And then I have the idea that this total freedom back fired. I mean, so many people settled in america for a new beginning. Everyone with his own idea of living. To gather everyone under one flag everyone's life style was accepted. And while other democratic countries evolved more and more socialy an liberaly - especially europe - the US evolved from "everyone may do what he wants" to "f*ck you, I do what I want".
And there are also many of these aspects that take over european countries. Like the preelections. The last elections in germany were like american ones. Just fighting, no real arguments. Way to much bashing. And that's not good. It conceals the important topics and distract the people from what really matters. For years this kind of takeovers where mostly a culture thing. Media, products or helloween. Yes, we celebrate helloween in germany just because we see it in american movies. >.< But now it hit politics. And so a nerve.
And that's why I personally think that the US is the richest 3rd world country in the world. Yes, america achieved much. But many other really important things were left behind.
So I'm just happy to live in germany. My life is easy even with problems that would break me if I'd live in the US.
Good luck in Europe once Europeans are less part of Europe and more closely to be a Islamic state
@@estebancarreraa.1460 That's beginner-level-propaganda. ;P
Yeah, good thing you had such good reliable politicians like Angela Merkel to guide you. What a great leader she turned out to be. Totally solved the Russia problem.
@@DeltaAssaultGaming Now you open another topic that has nothing to do with the video. But okay. At least we are not at war since hundreds of years.
"And while other democratic countries evolved more and more socialy an liberaly - especially europe - the US evolved from "everyone may do what he wants" to "f*ck you, I do what I want"."
Great to know you guys don't know anything about US. The 'F you, i do what i want' mindset is a liberal (democrat) thing. Conservatives are the ones who respect others liberties the most. You should pay more attention where these mass shootings, murders, robberies take place and generally is in democrat states.
Safety is a diabolical illusion leftists in the new Soviet Union version, also known as European Union, led you to believe. And you are falling for it like your ancestors did back in the time when the little Austrian man ruled your country. They made you turn against your own people based on a virus in 2020, not so different when little Austrian man turned your ancestors against other ethnic groups.
If the US is a rich third world country, have fun being a real poor third world nation having to rely on Russia and China energetically and economically because you let globalist agendas like the green agenda rule your country.
Not only Germans, we Austrians as a whole also have a rather negative opinion of the US.
But you are just mountain germans. ;)
That's nice...we American people probably feel the same way about them
At the very least, a negative opinion of many of the systems which have made the US what it is today.
Of course there are many great, fantastic things, and people, in the US, but we get those shoved in our faces anyway by your media empires, so it makes sense to focus on the negatives in the time in between. :P
Big props to Newsroom shoutout, which I think paints a very critical picture of both the good and bad sides of the country, while trying to do something about the latter.
@@Quotenwagnerianer hilarious. Went to Saalbach before the cerveza flu and loved it.
@@Quotenwagnerianer REEEEE :-P
I'm almost speechless to hear you talk like this. Bitte mach weiter so.
As a American I've seen people say America is the best country in the world. But I honestly see more people being more realistic saying no and even more people saying we suck.
I never understood the term "America is a third world country with a Gucci belt" that is a huge insult to the thousands of people who immigrate here from actually "third world" countries. And just speaks volumes about the privileges of folks who say it.
Honestly, Nick, I think that the fact that you're from Oregon is a big difference to how you feel about the uSA, and how you perceive it... we have spent time in Beaverton, Portland, and Eugene, and found Oregon to be one of the more 'sane' parts of the USA... funnily, Seattle feels more 'midwest USA' to me, than Oregon... as we've travelled South, one can see and hear and feel the differences, and Oregon and parts of California feel much more.... I don't know, somehow 'OK'?? Strange to put it that way, but many parts of the USA leaving one feeling "What the hell am I doing here?"
Nick, sadly, today, the extremes in the USA make it difficult to 'get along', since there is this 'hair trigger' aspect to US Americans when it comes to so many issues and subjects that, in other countries, are subjects for debate/discussion, but, in the USA, might lead to spoken, or physical, violence!
Talk to a random American about guns, or abortion, or the Muslim religion, or israel's actions against Palestinians, and just wait... I'm almost willing to bet that I'll get 'feedback' about my comment about israel ;-)
I remember, even years ago, before 45 polarized the country even more, hearing a guy saying "someone ought to take a baseball bat to that b..ch Hillary", in the midst of an otherwise 'normal' conversation.
When I travelled to LA, I always left space between my car and the one ahead, at a stop light, because of the news about carjackers at stop lights, or people ramming you from behind to rob you... Or, driving through a part of Houston, just off any old freeway exit, but noting hostile stares from almost everyone, at every street corner, because of my brightly-coloured skin (white-ish, that is, since white is the result of all colours of light reflected ;-) )
And, today, all of the noise about not teaching school classes about the dark sides of US history, like the massacre of the native population, which was "The way the West was Won...", and so on, and so on....
...SEATTLE IS NOTHING LIKE THE MIDWEST! Dont ever insult us like that again!
For you to say Portland and Eugene are two of the more sane parts of the country says it all. Many Americans point to Portland in particular as a cautionary example of how extreme left-wing political control can destroy a city.
America is so vast and diverse you could easily find a place that is just to your liking.
Not really true… i am worried about politics and social trouble in the states - but I - as a german- very much know, we are on the same train.
I still like America and look very much forward to visiting the States in October again. You can find idiots on both sides of the pond but in the end, the great people are way easier to find and I appreciate every person I met here and there and all the interesting talks about the cultural differences we had. I am a proud German European but prouder to travel the world and make new friends everywhere.
I listened to the book called Rocket men which tells the story of Apollo 8. Amazing book and story where one of the things that stuck to me how their incredible feat had saved the 1968, which is one of the worst years in US history. The author closed by saying sadly it feels similar again, just the people binding event like the Apollo is missing now and the country is more polarised than ever.
I personally feel like my respect for the country has also dropped dramatically since I lived there for a year a decade ago. Where are the sensible middleground people and policies? Only the extremes are seemingly taking actions and usually not for the better.
On a personal note what I always find most obnoxious is the blind touting of you're own horn saying how you're the best without actually having any clue of the outside world (applies to other countries as well, just less common).
Oooookay....
What I love about the US of A:
- the immense diversity - in people, landscapes, food, ideas, oppinions,....
- the spaciousness
- ...gives minds enough room to "think big!" And they really do.
- the (slightly fading) general optimism in people
- even if I do not like it, I respect it a lot: the hustle culture. As a German I can't even imagine the strength in women who give birth and are back at their workspace one or two days later. Or men who haven't had a day off in three years. I adore this strength in people and the "typical American" attitude of "never quit!"
- which reminds me of an anecdote: when I grew up I had a lot of (German) WWII veterans around me and many of them were referring to Americans as "cowards, always the 1st to flee the battle" - until my grandpa spoke up and said: "eh - shut up, with your torn away bodyparts and your scattered egos. Those Americans had somthing, which you had given to the Führer: the will to survive at any cost and the strong, sane spirit which kept telling them: the last man standing will be the one who did something right!" (and the tell tale of "cowardly running Americans" was never to be told in my surroundings again ;-) ).
- I love the culture. Everyone kept telling me "there is no culture - aka "history" - in America" - yet since I was born (almost 50 years ago) almost all the movies, music, food-trends and clothes around me were inspired or directly imported from America. And because most Americans were inspired by their "ancestors" who were European, African, Asian (aso), I see a lot of "cultural circles being closed" (on a more metaphorical and/or metaphysical level ;-) - America is some sort of catalyst for the whole world.
- and it is (still) just inspiring!
There is a lot more, mainly on a personal level - but those were the "headlines" ;-)
@@urlauburlaub2222 well - I guess, you didn't get the topic and tone of my comment ;-)
Jede Medaille hat immer zwei Seiten.
Ich würde zB auch "die andere Seite der Medaille" sehen, wenn jemand (durchaus nicht inkorrekt) sagte: "Deutsche sind generell pessimistisch!" - und darauf hinweisen, dass sie, wenn sie das generell und ausschliesslich wären, sie heute auf einem Haufen Schutt in zwischen Alliierten aufgeteilten Zonen unter Plastikplanen leben würden.
Und was die Kultur betrifft, hast Du exakt den Punkt getroffen, den eben alle meinten, die ich da in meinem Posting erwähnte: Amerika hat in den 46 Jahren meines Lebens nix als "Mainstream" hervorgebracht - ABER: "Mainstream" ist ein undeutsches Wort für "Leitkultur". Die "globale Leitkultur" kam die ganze Zeit aus den USA - inklusive Hollywood, Virgin Music, McDonalds, Silcon Valley, Netflix, Facebook, Insta, Monsanto (auch wenn es nun mit Bayer "eingedeutscht" wurde), sogar politischer Tendenzen,.... Wir schreiben hier auf youtube - das ist ein US-Konzern. Das ist nicht das, was der Deutsche/Europäer als "Kulturgut" bezeichnet - ABER es hat die gesamte Welt "kulturell geprägt" (auch was die damit einhergehenden Probleme angeht - aber die waren da grad nicht mein Thema).
Um's kurz zu fassen: Ich gebe Dir innerhalb der von Dir gewählten Themen weitgehend Recht - innerhalb des von mir gewählten Themas bist Du aber volle Kanne dran vorbei gerauscht ;-)
Aber danke, dass Du eine mögliche, einseitige Sicht der Dinge um einige Aspekte des Gesamtbildes erweitert hast! 🙂
Liebe Grüße!
eine zwergin
I was fortunate enough to grow up here in Germany with parents, who introduced us to all things foreign that you could imagine. Naturally, your view sets on the US who as a whole is a lot more diverse, international etc. than Germany for many historic reasons that are self-explanatory. As a kid I used to idolize that huge melting pot, especially when I read historic fiction set around the 1900s in the US. The problem is the huge disparity between what the US could be and what it actually is. The downtrend on how Europeans view the US can be easily explained by the colossal failures of US foreign policy over the past 100 years, ranging from Vietnam to Irak, Iran, Afghanistan as well the numerous domestic issues such as a lack or inefficient access to universal healthcare and the ever looming spectre of gun violence. The election of Trump following the first Black president in American history is exactly both ends of the extremes that you mentioned in this video and which constantly leaves us Europeans baffled, trying to understand these huge inconsistencies.
I do want to cut the US some slack though for the simple reason that as a nation it is essentially not much older than a toddler, compared to its Europeans parents. A lot of these above mentioned issues take time to resolve. However, in our current reality where Autocracies are challenging Democracies ever so openly and China is on track to dethrone the US as the worlds hegemon, time might just be running out faster than the US can solve most of these issues, both domestic and foreign, to not only keep its hegemonic status but also advance to a more modern society and nation.
Even though I do enjoy watching your vids. I don’t watch them all. But having said that with the title of this video. I must say. That even though in the early 80’s I did visit Europe for a few months. But as of now. I’m too much of an American I guess. A creature of habit. That doesn’t like much change. That what other countries think of Americans is not my concern. Because simply I’m not going to other countries and I doubt I’ll meet people from other countries. So all in all. What other countries think of America and or Americans. Is of no consequence to me. After I did my tour of Europe in the 80’s. I let my passport expire. Because I have no need of it anymore. But your videos are entertaining.
The problem I have with the argument put forth is that the good extremes picked are sometimes part of the problem. After some threshold richer or bigger just doesn't equal better. It is not just the low extreme that is often the problem but the spread and the tendency to foster an increase of this gap.
On the flip side our unease with the sittuation in the US has a lot to do with an awareness that a lot of Europe has similar tendencies.
a picture of florida instead of your brother would fit perfectly aswell :D
Then please don’t come to Florida. We are full.
My dearest NALF…. The strange fascination that I feel in regard to your home country, the positivity, beautiful landscapes and cutting edge technology, freedom and state of the art science, as well as the in my opinion stupid and unjust health care system and funding of schools, the gun violence and division of a people. The unbelievable amount of food intake and also the obsession with beauty and perfection… not at least the contrast that is within your game, American football… the mixture of raw violence and testosterone when on the other hand the rules are so meticulously strict, foul play is so rare (especially compared to European football), the unparalleled importance of the team as such, the fact that all are welcome- as you have put it: there is room for every body type - the game that needs everyone to concentrate on a common goal and to fulfil his part as piece in a puzzle…(List could go on but would start to be terribly boring eventually)
All these aspects of fascination and rejection have let me to click to your channel in the first place. So I think a little tension only created the fascination… made me want to know more, understand better, which I perhaps would not have wanted were the USA a less controversial country. Once clicked, I was NALF-erized of course and there was no way back anyway 😊
So perhaps Europeans having a critical opinion about the US isn’t so bad after all…..😉
NALF-erized, that is a state of mind of the Nalficorns.🥰
I live in Romania and have connected with people from US. I got in touch with spiritual communities and it's very supportive and helpful in many ways.
I would recommend Marianne Williamson's books (even though I haven't read any I know she is a vocal speaker and spiritual teacher and she wanted to run for president) and Valarie Kaur's book "See no stranger".
It seems to me that for some americans it is a competition to be the best country. But I think there is nothing such as the "best country". No matter in which country you're living there always will be good and bad aspects. There are so many beautiful countrys with a great culture. And I think everyone who loves the place where he or she is living can be glad for that.
Trust me most Americans don't constantly think about our country as being the best. But most Europeans seem to think we do.
Let me go out on a limb here: I sometimes think, the view on the US is swinging wildly in europe, and this is especially true for germany, because we are acutely aware that we are both dependent on the US, and at their mercy, and this is so comfortable, that we are too lazy to change it, and to afraid, lest we step on some american toes, but it also stings a bit. So the mood swings wildly from "Yeah, Team America, GO, GO, GO!" to " Ugh, America, AGAIN! typical..."
There is an element of childish irresponsibility in it, perhaps. Were we able to look after our own backyard, we wouldn´t have to watch America´s every step so closely.
Anyway, as a german, if you like german beer, try chech beer. Really. Please do. I can personally recommend the Krakonos brewery in Trutnov. You´ll love it.
I think Germany could manage its own backyard, but is reluctant to do so because the last time Germany tried that, Hitler followed, along with the Holocaust and numerous other atrocities; even if we were to ignore the atrocities for a moment, and I do not think that we ever should, Hitler still caused mass devastation for the German people. So of course, German culture became highly, highly traumatized after that.
As an American traveling in Europe, I've always been treated well -- maybe because I always pick up (and use) on at least some the language when I go. If the locals have a general dislike of the U.S., it's never affected me, so I guess I don't really care. I think that because Europeans see the U.S. in movies and shows and on the news constantly, they think they understand it far better than they actually do. (I'm seeing here, for example, that Europeans really don't get how much things vary between U.S. states in tax rates, welfare spending, speed limits, education systems, the death penalty, and now abortion laws). For example, my state of Michigan banned the death penalty in its initial 1837 constitution -- more than 100 years before Germany (actually decades before Germany was even a nation). And nearly all the news about the U.S. in Germany is negative because that's what sells, so it creates a very warped perception of daily life in the U.S. As an American, do I worry about crime and gun violence in my personal life? Not really -- like the vast majority of Americans, I live in a safe low-crime area. My mother's side of the family, btw, were 19th century German immigrants to Chicago (and given what was coming, I'm sure glad they got the hell out). By the time I was born, all German influences in the family had been erased, and I guess we all know why. As for the 'world police' thing, I'm a little surprised to see that being a big bone of contention right now, given Ukraine which has been able to resist Putin's onslaught mostly because of U.S. support. It's certainly not due to Germany's support or leadership -- Germany dragged its feet in helping Ukraine. And then there's Taiwan. Is it Germany or the EU's strength and influence providing a check on the power of an increasingly repressive, authoritarian China?
But we don't have to agree on global politics to get along -- feel free to keep coming to visit. Maybe we'll see you on a trail in a national park sometime.
"I think that because Europeans see the U.S. in movies and shows and on the news constantly, they think they understand it far better than they actually do." BINGO!
I found this to be one of the most interesting vids you made and I can relate in a negative reciprocal way; okay I just want to sound sophisticated and do not even know what that means but here is what I think and I apologize for the length it will likely turn into:
I live in the US now for almost 35 years and I too have crafted an image, if not illusion of my home country Germany as you did about your home country USA. This image is full of clichés like the cleanliness, the environmental consciousness, the better less processed foods found everywhere, an affordable Health Care System, the absence of rioters and Trumpests, the clear separation of worktime and personal time... but then I have an "honest moment" and I admit to myself that it is clean because we pay Thousands of Turkish people to clean up after us but do not regard them very highly, that we still fall short regarding promised reductions of C02 emissions, that the "good food" becomes more and more expensive and unavailable in some areas, that the Health Care System can be very bureaucratic and some doctors are still following paternal medicine (I am a Health Care Professional), that the AfD is still strong in many areas, and that increasing numbers of Germans struggle to make ends meet and can not afford to go on vacations.
But I also think that over these 35 years the US and Germany have developed in very different ways. Let me try to explain this admittedly using a very broad brush: After the 2nd world war Germany was on the bottom of international respect, we were shunned by (just about) everyone and rightfully so. By contrast the USA was the shining light (although historically not correct) seen as the savior from Fascism in Europe and Asia. And while Germany pretty much lingered as a barely tolerated unwanted guest to a party hosted by the popular hosts for another 15 or 20 years, the US was the host to the party everyone wanted to be invited to. That started to change in Switzerland 1954 with the FOOTBALL world cup, then in the 60ies and 70ies when we finally got rid of the old Nazi guard that was still in positions of authority and Willy Brandt went to Poland. We really returned as a "good nation" to the world stage with and through the World Cup in 2002, the "Sommermaerchen" which eliminated the wide held view of Germany being a rigid, humorless, goose stepping bunch of perverts. Today, we are consistently ranked very high in positive perceptions worldwide, so we came from the bottom to the top in (lets say) about 50 years, within my lifetime.
By contrast the USA took a completely different path, talking about negative reciprocity: From this (perceived) protector of freedom and democracy, the innovation hub placing people on the moon, and offering everyone a shot at the "american dream" she steadily went downhill. And as we got to know our big brother better and more intimately we also realized the race inequalities, the massacres of innocent people accompanied by the support of dictatorships around the world, the political corruption, the exploitation of workers, especially "illegals", the callus behavior towards poor Americans, I could go on.
So while we were arguably on our way up, the US was (and still is, although there may be a glimmer of hope lately) on her way down.
Hi, really like your positive videos about Germany. With social media and the Internet, people know much more about foreign countries today than before. When I was a child, the American troops were very present and people called them "die Amis"...something were not allowed to say at home, as my mother is French from Normandie...you know D-DAY and the admiration for the liberators...and that was also true for Germany, but you could not really say that then...anyway in recent years there have been many factors that have darkened the image of the US...T...p, the lack of social justice and social wefare, poverty, religious extremism, racism (that I experienced myself in SC) etc. When I was in SC, everything was so extreme and honestly I couldn't imagine myself living there. People were very friendly, I got to see many things and it was definitely worth the visit. That was SC and that is very different from Oregon. The important thing is to know some local people and things are actually different abroad. I've been living in Sweden the last 20 years and things are different...some are better, others are worse. I wish you good luck in Schwäbisch-Hall. 👍