People Are Sharing What They Realized About The US Only After Moving To Live Elsewhere (30 Pics)

I grew up in California but I’ve lived in a couple of different countries. I would say the first thing I noticed within the first week of living outside the US is that most foreigners were incredibly hospitable and even excited to share their culture with me. Americans could care less about the rest of the world. Another thing I quickly noticed was that Americans are loud people.

Spent some time in Italy, I went from Florence to Rome and stopped in tons of tiny villages on the way, life outside the United States is a lot slower paced. People aren’t running from one place to another to get things done. This might be for Italy only but everyone was just slowed down compared to the states.

I did a masters degree in the UK and man, my view of America really changed.

We’re loud. Like really damn loud and way too excited all the time over the littlest things. We like to over exaggerate and profess things out in the open. If countries had a personality, America would be the no-boundaries, over sharing extrovert and England is the tight lipped, unfeeling introvert.

But damn when I was over there, I miss my country - how positive and cheerful and friendly we all are. I didn’t quite catch on to British “humour” (lol) and they found me too loud and obnoxious. I felt like I had to tone down my personality there.

Also I felt judged lol. I went to a writing tutorial session and the tutor immediately asked me “English is not your first language, no?” And I’m like “wtf I’m speaking perfect English now”. And she’s like “Oh American English is not the same as English English. DAMNN WTF

Anyways as much as I loved the culture and rich history and Jaffa cakes and cucumber sandwiches during tea time across the pond, America will always be my home.

I was fortunate enough to live in Japan for almost 5 years. If living there and traveling the region showed me anything it's that we as Americans are not only extremely fortunate but quite ignorant and abrasive as well when It comes to most topics.

Now I love America and what she stands for but the people in it are as rotten as they come. Respect for people and their things is just flat out not a forethought anymore here. Other countries to include Japan obviously have faults, major ones as well but the societal norms in America are f**ked beyond belief.

Also, we do education very wrong compared to some places I've been.

here comes the, " then you should just leave then" clowns

Moved to a major EU country.

US is the land of Loud people, parking lots, commercials and advertisements, expensive healthcare, Backwards thinking on education and work culture, fake personality and politeness, severe lack of mental health care and creation of a sudo happy life presentation to the world, lack of community, lack of world view, lack of empathy, lack of cultural understanding, self centered global view politically, people are generally more manipulative and see to exploit others for their own gain, absolute disregard for protection of natural resources (epa what a joke), fake belief that there isn’t a cast system and can easily move between economic classes, uneducated police and far too much religious zealotry. Terrible public transport even in major cities with public transport like NY or San Fran.

But on the good side, there is lots of outdoor space away for people, good bbq and other restaurant foods, entrepreneurial culture, bourbon and whisky, availability of goods and resources, inexpensive land if you choose to fine it, relaxed bureaucracy.

Similarities are many. Both have hillbillies and rednecks, rich people who are above the law as long as they have the right skin color or religion in their community, too much plastic use, a strong car culture, diverse interest in extra activities (sure there isn’t a huge gun culture here but other activities replaces that).

Went to Nicaragua and life was much more relaxed, no rush in things, focus on family and enjoying life.

Before, I used to dream about living in a Downtown Miami skyscraper and drive a Tesla. Walking from my safe residencial through the slums everyday and seeing how hard people work in Nicaragua to make pennies made me realize just how important each and every dollar we make is, we as Americans waste money on so many things that aren’t important in the grand scheme of things.

Also it was crazy seeing how going to a private doctor/hospital without insurance was cheaper than going to an American hospital with insurance

I lived and worked for two years in Germany in the 90s, and I presently live in Japan, where I’ve been for a dozen years and will probably remain. I have a house, and a bilingual child who goes to public school.

Both countries are different from the US, and different from each other. But OP asked how my view has changed about the US. I’ve been away from the US for a quarter of my life. It’s been a couple of years since I was last there. Unlike many of the respondents in this thread, I feel like my view of America is frozen in the past. Obama had just been elected, 9-11 was still fresh in everyone’s memory. That America has changed dramatically. My only view of America since that time is filtered through the internet or indirectly through the few people I remain in contact with. I kind of feel like I don’t recognize America anymore.

I have been living outside of USA for more than a decade now. I would say that my world view hasn't changed that much, but my view on the US has. I know there are so many wonderful people and places there, but I can't overlook all of the bad.

Traveled pretty well. Studied veterinary medicine in Germany. Been to Paris - boring, awful, dirty, got pickpockets & police didn't help had to catch the girl myself, absolutely fantastic bakery though. Been to England, lovely but the drinking culture is something else. America is loud & angry & just FULL of awful, processed foods. Going to a butcher or a bakery is lovely in many parts of the world but America? Fresh from frozen may as well be the motto. Vegetables are awful. Eat an Italian tomato & you'll never touch a beefsteak tomato again. Having an American accent is a severe disadvantage so far. Seems to automatically put people on guard in case I'll be rude.

I’ve been in Mexico, Germany, Kuwait and Afghanistan. Everyone I met are wonderful people, minding their own business and trying to live their lives. They were all friendly, willing and eager to show me their culture and share food. We’d all share similarities between our countries and differences and no one ever took offense. Politics were the last things we talked about and if it was brought up, they told me things in their countries they didn’t like