The World Cup soccer matches, held in various American cities, are providing not only economic opportunities but, for at least some Europeans, cultural revelations. There’s substantial truth to the old saw that Europeans will never forgive us for saving them in WWII. We’re the unsophisticated, arrogant, ugly Americans they love to disparage and hate. Americans, and particularly the southern variety, are nearly beneath contempt, though our dollars aren’t.
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But for at least one German soccer fan traveling across the South, America and Americans have been a pleasant surprise. He has been tweeting his surprise and delight, and it’s a useful reminder just how good, unique, and amazing we really are and how very much we take for granted.
This German landed in the United States for some World Cup soccer and has been live-tweeting his experience.
This is the kinda stuff that’ll make you once again proud to be an American.
I’ve never stopped, but let’s see America through the eyes of a young German:
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That’s true of much of America.
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I doubt most Americans think Taco Bell is the holy land, but it’s good, inexpensive food.
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Ah, a cultural icon.
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The beauty of America easily rivals that of Europe.
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It’s easy to take for granted what a marvel WalMart is.
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Unsurprising—to us.
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We do like our secular sports temples.
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This probably felt a little like home.
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What classic Americana.
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Exactly.
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Could it be more perfect, more American?
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These are a little surreal to us too. This sums it up nicely:
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Will this change European’s beliefs about us? Perhaps a little, but the real lesson here is for Americans. We have no reason to apologize for who and what we are. There’s always room for improvement, and it’s always a good idea to avoid hubris, but without us, this small, blue planet in the vast sea of the universe would be a far colder, crueler, and uglier place.
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Freddy and his pals know that now. Perhaps America-hating Americans might listen to them?
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Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, lifelong athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer, and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
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