Things I Love and Miss About America

The last week has been very stressful for many Americans, as we watched a drawn out election process unfold over what felt like 2 eternities. I hope I don’t speak for just myself when I say, we need a slight mental break from politics. A lot of negativity has been circulating within and around the US, about the US. So today, I took a moment to reflect on the positives. Because the truth is, I love my country, and there are many things to miss when one strays too far from the homeland. So here is a list of exclusively non-political things I love (and miss) about America.

We Go all Out for Holidays

One of the things I appreciate most about American culture is how we go nuts for holidays. Doing holiday season in America could be a sport given how much effort and dedication we put into it. Except instead of making us fit, it makes us all fat.

Fourth of July? We blow up the sky and wear our flag on our chest, hats and buttcracks. On Halloween? We wear costumes, sometimes more than one, and party like crazy. Thanksgiving? We eat enough to get 10 steps closer to obesity.

Sure, Europe has Christmas markets, that’s a huge bonus. But the crazy home decorating, numerous Christmas events like White Elephant leading up to Christmas, and the BEST Christmas movies, are an American thing.

The Sports Culture

I took for granted how great it was to finish work and head straight to a sports bar for happy hour with friends to watch the NBA. Or on Sundays, spending the afternoon at home watching football with my family. I really regret that I was always overseas when my friends would go tailgating, an experience I feel almost un-American for never having.

Sports in America is a huge bonding experience, as in any country really. But the sports I grew up watching aren’t the same overseas. And for the life of me, I just don’t want to watch soccer.

The National Parks

From sea, to mountain, to desert, to glacier, and even volcanoes – America, you’ve got it all. We have such diverse landscapes, and so many national parks to discover. My dream is to one day live in a van and visit every state and all the national parks.

The Diversity

When abroad, sometimes foreigners will tell me that America is a racist country. I won’t disagree that some people in America are, however, it is still the most diverse nation in the world.

Especially, growing up in California, we meet people of all backgrounds and ethnicities. After living in places like Japan, a 99% homogenous society, I learned that not everyone is exposed to this level of diversity. It’s one of the best things our nation offers, and one of the things I love and miss most about America.

Costco

I won’t lie. I miss Costco. To be specific, I miss Costco food. I love that you can get a hotdog of an ungodly size for $1.50. Also, a huge fan of the pizza, chicken bake and mocha shake.

Long Road Trips

Road trips are a thing in all countries, but what is considered a long distance to most, is a day or weekend trip for us. Americans love to drive!

My friends and I would frequently do 12 hour road trips to Vegas. In Europe, that would equal driving across 2 or 3 countries, and too far for most to consider driving distance.

I have some of the best memories driving for long hours, in wide open spaces of the Southwest, or down the Pacific Coast Highway with my friends, music full blast.

24 Hour Gyms

I was a fool for once assuming that all gyms everywhere were open 24 hours. Sometimes, I do want to sneak in a workout in the early hours before people get there, but you can’t. In other countries, you’re lucky if it’s open Sundays. Heck, you’re really lucky if it’s open past 10 PM on regular days.

Also, having a huge gym with a pool, sauna and free classes was something I took highly for granted. In many countries, you’d pay a lot for all these things.

Actually, 24 Hour Everything

If you have a sudden urge to redecorate your entire home at 3 am on a Saturday evening, or a dying wish for midnight snacks, America’s got you covered. We have plenty of supermarkets and superstores that are open 24 hours a day.

Every new country I’ve relocated to, required getting used to new opening hours, none that ever matched the convenience at home.

The Snacks

I know our snacks are super sugary and full of sneaky trans fats but let me tell you, what a shock it will be when you find out other countries live without Hot Cheetos and Reeses peanut butter cups. You’ll be begging for care packages from your friend and family in no time.

Every time an American buddy visits me, I ask them to bring me a box of Cheez Its, or I will not gift them with my presence. It’s the law.

In n Out

This is mainly exclusive to California, but I don’t care. It makes the list because it is just so damn good. I can only go a few months being overseas until the craving for a double double sets in.

The Aggressive Air Conditioning

I know this isn’t good for the environment, and we are better off without it. But when you are on a train in Italy, in the middle of summer at midday, packed in at full capacity, and there is no A/C, you’ll understand. In this moment, you too will long for the full blast, arctic breeze-like, industrial strength A/C that we have become accustomed to in The States.

Water Fountains

I had no idea that water fountains weren’t a thing in a lot of countries until I traveled. It’s a luxury I got too used to that I seriously wish existed everywhere. The free table water you get at restaurants aren’t universal either. They’ll charge you for that in countries like Belgium or Italy.

Coffee Sizes

This is incredibly American of me, but I miss the American drink sizes. I know that our food portions and huge sodas are a contributing factor to domestic obesity, but once they have become your norm, the size standards elsewhere will not satisfy. I am now (unfortunately) accustomed to large coffees, and most countries coffee sizes are much too small.

Free Refills

I am not even into soda, but I did find it funny when I was in Subway in Paris and we weren’t allowed to have refills. They even had the soda fountain in the dining area, which makes it seem like you can refill it. But, don’t be fooled. Free refills are a super American thing, don’t fall for it!

Customer Service

I used to not care, about this one as much. I actually don’t mind when waitresses don’t disturb you when eating out. However, when you actually really need help with something, I do miss the service you get back home. The friendliness and true effort to help, always made the customer experience so much easier and enjoyable.

And that wraps up my list of things I love and miss about America. Sometimes, I spend years away before coming home. I’m always surprised, and reverse culture shocked to rediscover my own country. Regardless of the good or bad, that’s home, and I love that place.

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