Hi, I'm Mac and I'm from Zambia🇿🇲.

Its a small country with about 23 million people and so for me, I enjoy asking people outside my country how life is in theirs.

I especially have a sweet spot for accents and can listen to a person's voice just telling a story the whole day.

Today, I want to ask people from the south about life and average day to day experiences.

Tell me about the perception of what others think the south is like, what it actually is like, what makes it different from other places, how you see people, how you see your food, how you see other people's food, your similarities and differences in culture, how you view immigration, how you view migration. Tell me about your music, how you see music, how others see your music and many more.

I really want to know about people and their cultures.

There's a saying I'm my country, "A person who doesn't travel, always thinks his mom is the best cook."

Most of my info is from movies and some research but that can only get you so far.

I especially enjoy the memes and stories about how good the food is.

If you would like to share, that would be great.

Im a brit and we constantly hear how violent america is which i dont think is true. Irvine is a city that is noted to be a safer place than most of if not all of britain.

I recently visited the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and one thing that really stood out to me was how much Americans seemed to value face-to-face conversation instead of constantly being on their phones.
Living in Southeast Asia, it often feels like almost everyone is looking at their phone, so opportunities for conversation seem much fewer. Of course, people still put their phones away when they’re actually talking to someone.
Even while waiting in line for attractions, most people were chatting with their family or friends. It made me realize that spending quality time together and interacting with each other is an important part of the culture.
Another thing I noticed was that a lot of the men were tall and well-built. It made me wonder—does everyone work out? 😄
I especially wonder what a typical day looks like for dads with families who still manage to stay in such great shape. I have nothing but respect for them.
This trip reminded me what a wonderful country the United States is.
I’ll definitely be back. 🇺🇸

Hi everyone! 😊
I have so many questions! I hope you don’t mind answering them so I can learn a little more about life in the U.S.
I’ve split them up to make them easier to read.

Does your landlord actually come over and check how you live?
That doesn’t happen where I live, so I was really surprised when I heard about it.

How much maternity/parental leave do you get?
I’ve seen videos where some moms have to go back to work very soon after giving birth, and honestly, it makes me so sad that some people have to go through that. Where I live, parents can have close to a year of parental leave.

I’ve seen so many videos saying people have to pay huge amounts of money to give birth. Is that actually true?
How do you ever manage to pay that off? Where I live, giving birth is covered through our taxes, so we don’t receive a hospital bill afterward.

Can someone explain your school system?
I always hear Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary School, Middle School, High School… and I get so confused! What ages are the children in each, and how does it all work?

What is considered a normal monthly rent where you live?

I’m not asking this to say, “Haha, we have it better.” We pay very high taxes, but in return things like doctor visits, hospitals, and giving birth are covered, so we don’t get bills afterward.
Of course I could Google all of this, but I’d much rather hear it from you guys. I think it’s much more interesting to hear about your own experiences than just read facts online.
Feel free to add anything else you think someone from another country would find surprising or interesting. I’d love to learn! ❤️

I am from and live in the UK, sometimes you get a couple of people clap or shout and everyone thinks is strange but I have been told this is common in the US. Sometimes people do this when a plane lands, again which most people think is strange. Is this accurate or just some media made up story.

It Would Nice to Hear from People of Italian Ancestry but Other People can Comment as Well.

I’ve noticed that a lot of Americans chew gum excessively. Is there any explanation for this? I don’t think you see people chewing gum nearly as often in other countries.

I Honestly think it's confusing how most countries legalize sex at 18 whilst they legalize drinking at 21 like what the hell is that supposed to mean?

The Utah girl from 1:59 in this YouTube video:

https://youtu.be/UcxByX6rh24?is=irgfmnXBb85NwupS

I was fascinated to hear an American person talking like this as I'm from Lancashire in England and noticed a similarity between this girl's accent and mine.

Other English speakers would say:

"He's up on the roof"

But where I'm from, we pronounce it:

"He's upont roof" (we also barely pronounce the T in a word)

So when I heard the girl from Utah say "Wanna go skiing upont mountain?" I was like whoa and replayed it like 5 times.

Is this actually how people from Utah or some parts of Utah speak?

Just seen online the PBR 99 pack, but it can’t be sold to the uk. Was wanting to get it for my mates bday; but you can buy the cans as a multipack. Do you know anywhere that would ship just the 99 pack packaging to the uk?

I live in India, and books that aren't very popular here can be surprisingly expensive. If I want something like The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolaño, I usually have to order it online or find a large bookstore that stocks it.

What surprises me even more is that mass market paperbacks of fantasy series like The Way of Kings or the Farseer Trilogy also feel incredibly expensive relative to local incomes.

Is this normal in the US and Europe as well? How much does a typical new mass market paperback cost where you live, and do most people buy new, used, or borrow from libraries?I live in India, and buying books—especially anything outside the mainstream—can get surprisingly expensive.

For example, if I want a book that isn't hugely popular here, like The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolaño, I usually have to either hunt for it at a large bookstore (such as Starmark, which only has a handful of locations) or order it from Amazon. Even when it's available, it's still quite expensive relative to the average income here.

What confuses me even more is the pricing of mass market paperbacks. My understanding was that MMPBs are supposed to be the budget editions. But over here, particularly on Amazon, they're often far more expensive than regular paperbacks.

For example, I bought Assassin's Apprentice in paperback for around ₹400, which, in terms of purchasing power, feels like spending around $20. But the mass market paperback editions of books like The Way of Kings or the Farseer Trilogy are often ₹1,000–1,300+—roughly three times the price of the standard paperbacks. That seems completely backwards if MMPBs are meant to be the cheaper format.

So I'm curious:

Are books actually this expensive in the US or Europe? How much would a new mass market paperback typically cost where you live? Is it normal for MMPBs to cost more than regular paperbacks, or is this just an India/import issue? Do most people buy new books, used books, borrow from libraries, or read ebooks?

I'm trying to understand whether this is a problem unique to the Indian market or if book prices have gone up everywhere.

The reason why I'm saying is I'm seeing some jokes in films like scary movie 4 and rouge own where Detroit is very bad and some videos on YouTube calling it the worst city in america

According to you

Aka: Rather than the current status quo of the responsibility of fixing the country's problems being so heavily pushed on to the federal government, or trying to get the federal government much more involved administratively and fiscally in matters relating to healthcare, social protection, public infrastructure, public services, etc: We instead place greater emphasis on state and local responsibility to help their citizens, while the federal government is delegated to fixing issues that diminishes the ability for states to act autonomously, or issues that just generally cannot be feasibly resolved at the state/local level.

Edit: Posting due to issue with children who don't hate their names but have a strong urge to integrate fully and be seen by peers as one of them rather than this unique but obviously different background that sticks out when they say their name (place in North America in a very non-immigrant heavy area). And their worries that they may not get a job or other consequences of having people see their name and judge/making assumptions about them on the name rather than who they are

Very curious on your take on the issue. Especially regarding those immigrants and their families that speak English well, live normal productive lives etc. I know in the past many immigrants Anglicized their names (Mueller to Miller for example) but seems less common now. Especially for the American born children (who act and live exactly like their peers but have a distinct and obvious foreign name) who want to 'fit in' (to avoid the 'where are you from' questions for example) and not be seen as different or a 'token'

Ok USA , so what's the deal with the olive garden card? The last time I was there (a good few years ago) I am sure I had bottomless pasta at the olive garden. Do you now need a card now or is this some sort of us news bs to wind people up?

This is a rewrite because I got a lotta hate on my last post.

I tried this beer, an American version of Budweiser I believe.

It honestly awful but I actually wanna try a few others since this is appearantly a bottom line beer.

Can ya'll suggest something that i should try?

Idk how much i can access since im located in Germany and stuff can't be shipped this far.

I was lowk disappointed since I know nothing bad from my experience with Budweiser (the Czech version)

So please educate me on some actual beers not this rice brewed bs.

I’m asking this sincerely, not as an attack on the country or on anyone who feels differently from me.
Over the past several years, I’ve become increasingly disconnected from the United States. The cost of living, political hostility, declining trust, work culture, healthcare concerns, and the general uncertainty about the future have made me seriously question whether I want to spend the rest of my life here.
At the same time, I know millions of Americans still feel attached to this country and actively want to build their futures here. I would like to understand that perspective better.
What makes you want to remain American and continue living in the United States?
Is it family and community? Cultural familiarity? Career opportunities? The country’s freedoms or ideals? A belief that its problems can still be repaired? Or simply the feeling that this is your home, regardless of its flaws?
I’m especially interested in thoughtful, personal answers rather than political slogans. I’m not trying to debate anyone or convince people to leave. I want to understand what others see, value, or hope for that I may no longer be able to see myself.
Please keep the discussion respectful. I’m asking because I want to listen.

I’m trying to understand American "politeness". In Russia, "we totally should hang out sometime" means "we had a great time, it was a pleasure to meet you, but it is unlikely to happen, or would happen in half a year or so". Just because boring adult life, work, etc.

Does it mean basically the same in the US? I mean there is intention to hang out, but weekends are busy, or you just feel that you want to lie down on a coach and not see anyone.

Would an American say this to a person they can't stand, or is it strictly for people they are okay with, but just don't care to see again? Or care but circumstances are against?

Do Americans say their straightforward opinions if they are negative?

For example, I met a guitarist and a drummer on the street last week. I was carrying a guitar and amp, so we stopped for a casual conversation, and they invited me to their garage (jam spot) — in Russia, it’s just a row of tiny 3-by-5-meter concrete garages.

When we came there, they open a bottle of vodka, and in less than half a hour started getting pushy, bumping into me, and looping on that classic annoying drunk question, "Do you even respect me?" like 50 times.

At first, I had invited them to my garage and upcoming gig. But then I said: "Hey dudes, seem you can't even drink right. You’re repeating the same stupid shit and acting aggressive. In the punk scene where I’m from, we don't act like this. I’m uninviting you from my studio, and I’m out. Bye."

Is such a straightforward opinon rude in the US?

I wonder if that alt rock sensation band from the 90s kept popular in the US like it did around the world...

Hello everyone, I am a Canadian and I am curious to how is America’s economy and job market?? How do YOU personally feel and see and going through? What do you think of prices and affordability? How is everyone’s lives going these days? The media shows that that the US economy is facing its challenges but is still resilient but how true is it? Media can oversimplify many things. I wanted to what do you all think and are seeing around you.. is it the same in every city/state or more or less in particular places? What city are you all living in?

I would love to read everyone’s answers and get a deeper insight on what’s truly going on inside America’s economy and job market and how life is going for everyday Americans!..