# What is Your Favorite Thing About Living in America (USA)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 17, 2026, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764 "2026-01-17T02:40:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/21 "2026-01-18T19:43:31Z")
The mix of cultures. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/22 "2026-01-18T20:15:33Z")
The freedom to hop in the car, hit the road and and explore, whether to see beautiful scenery, cultural/historic locations or tourist traps. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/23 "2026-01-18T20:24:03Z")
I like the cheapness and ubiquity of spices. I have a friend from South Africa who can’t find something as mundane as chili powder in any of her grocery stores. I like the fact that if I run out of paprika, I can pick up a bottle of it for a buck-fifty at Walmart. I like the mix of foods. In Hampton Roads, you can go to just about any kind of restaurant. I especially enjoy Thai, Chinese, Mexican, and pho. I like the fact that my ability to worship God is never in question. I like the fact that there aren’t missiles raining down on me. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/24 "2026-01-19T13:57:13Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > I have a friend from South Africa who can’t find something as mundane as chili powder in any of her grocery stores. Your friend is weird and must live in some remote rural enclave for that to be the case. South Africa is lousy with spices. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/25 "2026-01-19T14:01:27Z")
In addition to that, @MrDibble – isn’t it relatively common for open-air markets in SA to be a focal point for (among myriad other things) offering a wide(r) variety _of_ spices? That’s been my experience in many parts of the world. [Not to imply that the SA groceries _do not_ offer a wide variety of spices…] ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/26 "2026-01-19T14:05:20Z")
Yeah, there’s several different cultures here that go all-in on spices. And with the growth of immigration from the rest of Africa, that includes a whole array of particularly exotic ones. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/27 "2026-01-19T14:15:40Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > The freedom to hop in the car, hit the road and and explore, That is probably a good nomination. You can drive - literally for days, and still know (mostly) the language, culture, basic rights… ---
**Author:** ![LouMa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/louma/32/19472_2.png) [@LouMa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouMa)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/28 "2026-01-19T14:27:18Z")
> [@Ynnad](#): > > is that it is acceptable to start up a conversation with a random stranger about any mundane topic Same thing in Europe. Have you ever been there? ---
**Author:** ![Ynnad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4491bb/32.png) [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/29 "2026-01-19T14:50:51Z")
> [@LouMa](#): > > Same thing in Europe. Have you ever been there? I went to Mississippi once. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/30 "2026-01-19T14:51:49Z")
The broad stereotype – like pretty much all broad stereotypes – wouldn’t hold up to scrutiny, _but …_ > **[Why Swedes don’t speak to strangers](https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20201203-why-swedes-dont-speak-to-strangers)** > > In Sweden, casual chattiness is seen as needless, since conversation is used for exchanging real, meaningful information. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/31 "2026-01-19T14:52:56Z")
It wasn’t an unreasonable question, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/32 "2026-01-19T15:03:23Z")
Baseball ---
**Author:** ![LouMa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/louma/32/19472_2.png) [@LouMa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouMa)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/33 "2026-01-19T15:58:38Z")
Yes, as far as I know Sweden (though it is not my nationality) what the article says is correct. Nordic countries are not inclined to superficial loud chattiness. It is considered useless and a lack of education. In urban contexts this is less so however, younger people are more open to informal contact. ---
**Author:** ![LouMa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/louma/32/19472_2.png) [@LouMa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouMa)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/34 "2026-01-19T16:01:22Z")
> [@Ynnad](#): > > went to Mississippi once. Ah, I see. Nice place? Haven’t been there yet. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/35 "2026-01-22T01:44:45Z")
Like Panama But different ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/36 "2026-01-22T02:19:46Z")
Interesting that this thread has been around for about five days and… it’s not exactly catching fire. I’m having trouble coming up with something that doesn’t sound trivial, like my local burger joint. ---
**Author:** ![oligArchie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oligarchie/32/21546_2.png) [@oligArchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oligArchie)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/37 "2026-01-22T02:33:15Z")
The music. But I could search that out remotely, I suppose. Building Codes. Upon return from most of my international travels, I’ve come to appreciate this component of Americana. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/38 "2026-01-22T02:47:53Z")
Well, I can post on this MB and say bad things about the Leader, and nothing happens. And if i have been out in the sun _at all_ (even 15 minutes in the winter) , my natural olive/brown skin will fail the “paper bag test” and yet I am not concerned. I get a decent pension and Social Security and decent healthcare- and fast. (that last can be a big issue in places like the UK) I speak the language, I like the food variety available- I can get sushi & tempura, Chinese, Indian, Italian (okay a pizza place that serves some pasta) and of course Mexican (three restaurants not counting the food trucks and taco stands) just in our little burg- not to mention burgers, etc. California is great. Beaches, mountains, deserts, etc - all within a decent drive. And here race isnt a big deal. > [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > That it contains California. As long as the current shitshow continues, I’m a Californian first. Yep. Talking to strangers? Well it depends- standing in lines both being bored? Of course, but start with something relevant, like the line or the service or the weather. On a plane? It depends- I mean, obviously stuff like the tasteless food. But once you break the ice with a relevant topic and the other is okay with chatting, then you can both chatter away. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/39 "2026-01-23T15:59:35Z")
Best food in the world. In a major American city you can find restaurants representing every cuisine on earth. Lots of great live music available. Tremendous natural beauty, across a wide variety of climates. We have the best league in three of the four best sports in the world. We embrace diversity and welcome immigrants. At least in the good parts of the country we do. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/40 "2026-01-23T16:44:59Z")
All my family and most of my friends live here. I have a legal right to live here. > [@LouMa](#): > > > [@Ynnad](#): > > > > is that it is acceptable to start up a conversation with a random stranger about any mundane topic > > Same thing in Europe. Have you ever been there? Last summer, in Germany, i was sitting alone at a restaurant and struggling to talk to the waiter (i don’t speak German). A lone guy at a nearby table helped, and he ended up moving to my table, and after dinner, he gave me a tour of the local botanical gardens. I’ve also had lots of interesting conversations with random strangers at airports. They usually begin, “wow, this flight is delayed a long time…” But i don’t generally talk to random strangers about random subjects in the US nor abroad. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764.md?page=3)