Reading this post made me exhale a huge 10 second sigh over what's become of the United States (which don't seem very united...just sayin...these days). I returned to the US a few years ago after living in SE Asia and now I fancy myself leaving again for so many of the above reasons. I wanted to add to your essay to say that Americans are terrible conversationalists, in general, because they're deeply self-absorbed. They simply cannot listen or ask a question or take interest in others because they're so lost in social media and they can longer relate to a real, live person face-to-face. And social media is one of the US's brainchildren and it's turned cancerous to this country's social fabric.
Sadly, I think you're right about the conversation thing (and also social media, which will probably be the death of us all). I used to like so much about America, but it's becoming so hard. 😑😕😒
Brent of course well said. Interesting you thought it was you guys when it came to extending invitations that were not returned. We when through the same thought process.
This article says to me, I am not alone. We have extended invitations and nothing in return. We have tried to make friends to no avail. When I was in the Women's Army Corps, I was stationed in Germany for almost 4 years. Upon my return to the States, I got a culture shock. That was 40 years ago and my experiences since have been nothing like what I experienced living in Germany.
Reading this post made me exhale a huge 10 second sigh over what's become of the United States (which don't seem very united...just sayin...these days). I returned to the US a few years ago after living in SE Asia and now I fancy myself leaving again for so many of the above reasons. I wanted to add to your essay to say that Americans are terrible conversationalists, in general, because they're deeply self-absorbed. They simply cannot listen or ask a question or take interest in others because they're so lost in social media and they can longer relate to a real, live person face-to-face. And social media is one of the US's brainchildren and it's turned cancerous to this country's social fabric.
Sadly, I think you're right about the conversation thing (and also social media, which will probably be the death of us all). I used to like so much about America, but it's becoming so hard. 😑😕😒
We hereby invite you to dinner in Sintra, Portugal (where we just moved after big nomads for five years). We still are nomads at heart, though.
Hehe, we may take you up on that! We were almost living in Portugal, twice recently. It has to happen at some point! Thanks for the kind words.
Brent of course well said. Interesting you thought it was you guys when it came to extending invitations that were not returned. We when through the same thought process.
It's bizarre, isn't it? Americans simply value different things. Status, for one thing.
Another insightful entry
Thank you! Really appreciate that!
This article says to me, I am not alone. We have extended invitations and nothing in return. We have tried to make friends to no avail. When I was in the Women's Army Corps, I was stationed in Germany for almost 4 years. Upon my return to the States, I got a culture shock. That was 40 years ago and my experiences since have been nothing like what I experienced living in Germany.
Interesting! That is great to hear, because sometimes we felt like we were crazy.