America is a lot to take in. It is loud, it is large, it has an inexplicable relationship with portion sizes, and it produces and consumes more corn syrup than any other nation on earth. It has also been the subject of more global eye-rolling than perhaps any other country in recorded history, which is another thing they can chant “we’re #1” at.
But here's the thing about America that tends to get lost in the discourse. Underneath the deep-fried everything and the aggressive patriotism and the healthcare system that charges $400 for an aspirin, there is a country that is often surprisingly good at a remarkable number of things.
A user on Reddit recently asked people to share what Americans deserve more credit for, and the answers came from Americans and non-Americans alike. Put down the corn syrup. This one's good.
#62
Bbq and ranch dressing.
Europeans were going mad for ranch during the world cup.
Europeans were going mad for ranch during the world cup.
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9points
#63
High school sports. Other countries have very good extracurricular activities, but it's not connected to your education.
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9points
#64
Canning. I was in the canning subreddit awhile back and saw someone using an old sealing technique that led to their food spoiling. In that discussion it was brought up that the USA has done way more research into guaranteed safe canning techniques than a lot of other countries.
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9points
#65
Pick any scientific subject matter, and the US has a world leading expert. Whether it’s in the government, our university system, or private industry, the US genuinely has experts in everything.
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8points
#66
Americans get a reputation as racists because they actually call it out and condemn it more vocally than most countries (thus bringing more attention to racism issues in America), while many other countries have worse systemic racism but forcibly keep it under the table, and some even enforce the silence through police and the military.
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8points
#67
American healthcare is unaffordable, but genuinely very high quality if you can pay for it.
Americans are honest and willing to discuss difficult issues. Some nations have worse issues with violence or racism or whatever but don't discuss it as openly.
American culture does not stigmatize failure as much as other cultures and encourages people to try new things and potentially fail.
America gets a lot of attention for our s**t quality high schools, but our elementary schools are actually high quality, and our colleges are the best in the world.
Americans are honest and willing to discuss difficult issues. Some nations have worse issues with violence or racism or whatever but don't discuss it as openly.
American culture does not stigmatize failure as much as other cultures and encourages people to try new things and potentially fail.
America gets a lot of attention for our s**t quality high schools, but our elementary schools are actually high quality, and our colleges are the best in the world.
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7points
#68
Americans are disproportionately generous with their time and money compared to other cultures. It’s not uncommon for complete strangers to come to your aid if need be.
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7points
#69
Spreading ideas.
200 years ago, we were an upstart backwater. Current day, and the entire planet has been influenced by America in some form or another.
200 years ago, we were an upstart backwater. Current day, and the entire planet has been influenced by America in some form or another.
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7points
#70
Civil rights. When I see the way Black people-especially dark-skinned Black people are treated in other countries where they're the minority, I thank the universe for my Black American ancestors' fighting spirit and our continued refusal to quietly tolerate racism and discrimination. There's a reason the Civil Rights Movement is taught in history and sociology classes all over the world.
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7points
#72
The food. Other countries dunk on the US constantly and as someone who has traveled a lot, the food in major US cities is among the best in the world.
Also, we make the best pizza in the world.
Also, we make the best pizza in the world.
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7points
#73
Proficiency with firearms. I'm not being facetious, and all politics aside, Americans that choose to exercise their right to shoot are usually pretty good at it.
Here come the downvotes.
Here come the downvotes.
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6points
#74
Tolerating culture.
Calm down CALM DOWN. But the fact we have 50 states each with its own unique culture that then have about 50-100 subcultures within it without even TOUCHING any racial and or religious side of things is massively impressive. You won’t find that level of cultural difference anywhere else in the world.
Calm down CALM DOWN. But the fact we have 50 states each with its own unique culture that then have about 50-100 subcultures within it without even TOUCHING any racial and or religious side of things is massively impressive. You won’t find that level of cultural difference anywhere else in the world.
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6points
#76
The ability to make other peoples food better, and also worse in some cases lol
We have the best comedy in the world
The ability to find and use loopholes.. this can be anything from exiting then reentering the highway to skip a portion of traffic, to legal work arounds.
We have the best comedy in the world
The ability to find and use loopholes.. this can be anything from exiting then reentering the highway to skip a portion of traffic, to legal work arounds.
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5points