APassenger

Sounds like we're both wrong, then.

If I drive 45 minutes east, I'm in something akin to the US south. Extremely conservative in specific ways. North a few hours and everyone distrusts anyone who didn't grow up there.

45 minutes west and I'm in everyone's favorite (not) failed city, San Francisco.

And those very conservative places I mentioned.. are quite different from south conservative. They drive the same vehicles, wear the same hats, but don't hold the same values.

California, for all its notoriety as being overly accepting has known pla es POC are advised against visiting. Some areas are very non-church and others are profoundly Christian or other religions.

We have enclaves of near-pure ethnic/cultural people tracing back to wherever. I'm not simply talking about Chinatown or Japan town.

We're not a monolith even within a small area. I didn't assert that the EU was. Only that we are more diverse than credited.

Particularly when the topic arises by people comfortable talking others how to be when they know nothing of the person or people.

I am learning those things... hell, I'm studying a completely different language and learning the history.

I think I'm not who you think I am.

Completely agree.

I have so much less control and navigating is not easier. I exclusively use it for work and as infrequently as possible.

I'm consistently impressed with Samsung flagship and plan to remain there for the years to come.

Different strokes for different folks, but this is where I land.

Which Americans are you talking to? We know there are other countries and cultures. We just aren't responsible for learning deeply about all of them. No one is.

You're using some strong, broad strokes that aren't reflective of my experience at all.

America is far from a monolith. Our states roughly equate to different European countries with vastly different cultures, foods, rights and laws.

We just speak dialects that are almost all the same and roll up under one political entity. It is not so dissimilar than the EU, otherwise.

We are, in many practical terms a forced confederation with a shared Constitution. There are those, like in the EU, who want out.

Edit: the shared single language is one of our under-recognized super-powers. I can travel this huge land mass and communicate viably everywhere. It is key to our cultural impact. It is accidental, but helpful to us. Except when we have people who dislike our impact and become hostile.

Are there no German language instances?

I'm not wishing you gone, I'm wishing you could find what you want.

I'm curious, which part is a myth? I only see facts and not all of them paint America as great.

These things exist elsewhere, besides. Just not always in "the West."

Safeway, a part of Albertsons, takes its market position for granted near its own HQ. I hate to see what will happen with the merger.

I'm hoping a lot of stores are spun off and thrive. Albertsons is good at shenanigans with that and the government needs to pay attention.

Ditto. Never regretted lifetime sync for reddit.

Very interested to see what he does with this.

My wife and I binge zombie movies on Easter and wish each other happy zombie day.

We don't usually tell others this is what we do.