10 Reasons Why Foreigners Love America

My dearest friends,

“Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists.” ― Franklin D. Roosevelt

Today we commemorate the people that died 14 years ago, during the September 11 attacks in the United States of America. It is said that the 4 coordinated attacks were done by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda - I rather preffer not to comment on other theories, but rather focus on the huge loss that the USA had suffered that day. The attacks consisted of suicide attacks used to target symbolic U.S. landmarks - the World Trade Center twin towers, the Pentagon & the potential Washington DC (where brave people inside the plane tried to take it away from the hijackers - it crashed in a field). It is amazing for me to see the rapidity with which this country regenerates from its loss. Immediately the contest of a new design of the Ground Zero took place, and by the time I visited NYC in the summer of 2007 the ground was already worked upon to build what stands tall this day: the One World Trade Center Spire (the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. In order to celebrate America and its courage and power to stand up and fight on, I wish to share with you 10 Reasons Why Foreigners Love America (foreigners just like myself :) ).

1. America = The Land of Dreams. Everything can happen if you truly believe in your dream and yourself. They have signed off the first Constitution in the world, they brought to us Windows / Mac, filled all our heads with the Motion Pictures, took the first man on the Moon... they even got the first colored President in the White House! :) It is indeed a relief that even though failure exists, also big things can come into motion - unlike Germany who kinda promotes an Yoda vision  over the world: "Do or do not. There is no try!"

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2. America = The Greatest Engine of Innovation. I will just leave you with this quote by Thomas L. Friedman (American journalist, New York Times): “America is the greatest engine of innovation that has ever existed, and it can't be duplicated anytime soon, because it is the product of a multitude of factors: extreme freedom of thought, an emphasis on independent thinking, a steady immigration of new minds, a risk-taking culture with no stigma attached to trying and failing, a noncorrupt bureaucracy, and financial markets and a venture capital system that are unrivaled at taking new ideas and turning them into global products.”

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3. American People Are Friendly. If you ever met someone from America (and you most probably have, as they surely love to travel the world!) you will immediatly be their best friend. You will be able to sit down and pick up a conversation with them, basically on any topic. They love to share their experiences and expertise and they are enthusiastic about everything you will tell them. They will always ask you how you are feeling if they see you are unwell and they will most probably go after police/ambulance if you are in trouble/in need. They just love to jump in and help!

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4. Connected to the point 3 I need to point out that I have never seen anywhere else Customer Care/Service as I have seen in the USA! There, indeed the Customer is the King! People look enthusiastic about helping you (even if they do not feel well they will still give their 100% during their working hours!). You never get pushed / bullied / given the angry look... they always smile and talk nicely, they give their best to make you feel comfortable and they always smile. They really work their arse off and they do not complain at work - sure they do it at home, but hey! I ain't listening then ;) am I?! Home is ones kingdom!

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5.  America = Big Houses. I have to admit it, when I say big houses I do not talk of the big cities like NYC where people live in really tiny apartments (usually)... I am talking about those huge mansions everyone sees when strolling down, let us say the Atlantic Ocean shore... The houses are always so big and you start thinking how much does one pay for cleaning, does everyone own a housemaid and a pool-boy to cleanup from leaves and god knows what?! The basement has to have at least a washing machine, dryer, a place to workout / relax / keep the Harley... then you get the ground floor with the living room and guests quarters and bathroom + the 1-2 other floors with rooms for family / friends / gym / baths... ghosts, gouls, you name it! :)

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6. America = The Liberty. Should it come as a hint that The Big Apple (NYC) has a Statue with that very same name? I mean, you know I love the Big Brother theory but still... I have to say it that at least on the surface everyone admits that America is the country with the greatest liberties. Let's take for example the Internet, the tech that has been produced and it is available now for the wide audience (you can even buy a drone in the mall!)... People in USA talk about the freedom of speech and take Martin Luther King's example - would you see that happening anywhere else? He had a DREAM! and he could say it out loud!

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7. America = Patriotism. Should I point out that one of the MARVEL heroes is Captain America?! Nope... that goes without saying... America, even though has not much history to brag about - like other countries in the good old Europe, knows how to show it's true red-white-blue blood :) Every visitor remarked how the level of patriotism is high and how flags can be found everywhere! Not to mention all the clothing with the specific colors & other merchandise. 

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8. America = Coffee Culture. Have you ever been to a Dunkin Donuts or a Starbucks in the USA? There is ALWAYS a queue! People in the USA really do love their coffee. It is their fuel and the morning cannot start without it! Let's face it, people even work from Starbucks - it's comfortable, it's peaceful (nice background music) and one can enjoy it's coffee in peace. You may not understand why the locals are willing to pay daily at least around 4 dollars for a cup of coffee, instead of doing it home and lowering the expense, but hey! that's life in the USA :) and in case you did not know: "everything runs on Dunkin Donuts" ;)

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9. America = Good Music (I mean... at least some of the times :) Now don't jump at me!). If Americans gave Blues and Jazz to the world, you must forgive any trespasses... In turn, from Blues and Jazz came Rock & Roll + Pop Music, so we need to admit to the fact that good music came from USA. You may remember James Armstrong for blues, Frank Sinatra for his kick arse swing music, the King of Rock & Roll - Elvis Presley and for sure you know Madonna (Louise Ciccone) The Queen of Pop.

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10. America = Huge Sizes. As I was also saying in point 5, American people think big! Be it towering buildings - cities filled with skyscrapers, huge cars to transport the huge loads of groceries / electronics (their several inches long TV, computer monitor...), giant portions when it come to food... Should I mention here all the places everywhere, where you can have all you can eat food? Should I mention the free refills in KFC / Mc Donalds / Burger King when it comes to juices?! Or should I just stop at the home-made theaters where you can make your own popcorn at your very own vintage popcorn machine?! You name it - America has it ;)

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Why do you, as a foreigner, love America? And if you are an American, do you agree with all the above? Why do YOU love your homeland? Why do YOU think Foreigners should love it? Or is it wrong to say Foreigners? After all, America came to its glory and form in which it is now due to the immigrants as well... and how much native blood of the people that actually were in America, before it was colonized, still exists? Do you wonder, as I do?

Yours truly,
The Twisted Red LadyBug