The Nicest Things About - The USA
- Best attitude to work and learning, great study culture at universities
As they say, when an average American sees someone more successful than themselves, they do not try to pull them down, but learn how they themselves could become better and succeed. The students do their work and study more honestly and compete fairly and accept the judgement of the teacher more respectfully in universities than I have experienced anywhere else. They defer to the best teacher or student easily. Americans can learn with humility from anyone, even from who they consider their enemy.
- Excellent customer service at stores, supermarkets
This is the best I have experienced anywhere. They really know how to sell something and make buying a good experience. Store clerks and assistants are usually well informed, trained and helpful. They will not be rude. Those caught being rude will usually be fired. Being a boss really means something in the US.
- No job security for almost anyone
This contributes to a better attitude in everyone, one of being of service and productive
- Very competitive prices for goods
Most items are cheapest in the US. Some luxury or high quality items cost less in the US than even in the countries they are produced
- Given correct change
When you buy something, you will get back correct change down to the last cent, with a smile
- Highly evolved courteous language for professions and tricky situations
It might have originally evolved from the Wild-West days of the USA when everyone carried a gun (the great leveller) and it was prudent to talk softly and politely so as not to provoke someone or until you were forced to defend yourself.
- Very good roads, signage, signals and layout of roads
The best engineered roads and clear consistent sign boards that I have driven on, among the countries that I have lived in. I hear there are other European countries or places that are as good or better. But, I realised how goodthe US was after I left it and had to drive in other places. One can tell that a lot of the country developed around the automobile. They use the best technology to put signs and signals visible in the lane you are on and not distract you with un-necessary signals from all lanes. They use lenses to focus the signal you need to see from your lane. The placement of signs and signals too, is engineered really beautifully.
- Very skilled drivers on the average
With probably the first country to have cars for the masses and a century or more of driving experience this is not surprising. This is a Car-nation!
- Generally people organise themselves very well
Socially or in any endeavour, Americans tend to organise themselves very well, productively and give people the right authority to do the job. The most qualified in any area gets the preference. Less ego and pride of position or authority displayed. Their preparedness for disasters and emergency help is amazing. They work and address so many regulations, concerns in doing just about any activity.
- Receptionist phone attendance
This is something that is crucial and a pleasure to conduct business or inquiries over the phone in the US, even if you are overseas. The person attending the phone will listen well, ask the right questions, answer your questions, take your concerns down and follow up and get back to you most efficiently and professionally. They will make effort to spell my awfully long and strange last name correctly. This contrasts with nightmarish experiences in trying to conduct such businesses in India. Many office administrators in the US are given as much stock options as the engineers and worth every penny!
- Great civic orderliness - forming lines and queues
People automatically form lines, will ask and give courteous preference to the very old, very young, or ill. No one tries to push in ahead. In any situation, if someone misses out after standing in line and the goods run out, there is a graceful acceptance of fate. Cutting in ahead of the line is not tolerated.
- Great due given to merit at jobs, selection and promotions in most private companies at a lot of levels
More people understand that those that if skilled immigrants do well personally, the whole country benefits, so less jealousy displayed socially
- Encourage people to push the limits of their achievements
Here is a country where being good one day is not enough, everyone seems to push themselves and others to get 'better' all the time. This is good on one level, and not so good on another!
- Great acceptance of new ideas and to give them a chance to become reality
This is a country where new ideas are valued the most. Sometimes it seems even foolish, but they accept and drive change almost as a religion.
- Generous and kind people who will usually help a stranger
Some of the most generous people I have seen when it comes to helping someone or giving gifts. They don’t do things by half-measures
- Take great pride in their community and country
Most people, when they commit to living in a place, want to make it better and the best possible in the world. They take quiet pride in the effort they put in, but do not show off. They have one of the best attitudes I have seen in the world - not to ditch and run away to a 'better, cleaner city' but to fix the place around them and make it as good as anywhere. This builds a culture of pride in the place they live and in their country.
- Take good care of pets
People go to extraordinary lengths to take care of pets or save their lives. They value many pets more than other humans who may be strangers!
- Believe they can be (or are) the best in world in any area of endeavour if they put their mind to it
Americans believe they are or can be the best in any field or knowledge or skills. They will accept the best in the world in large numbers and welcome them to become Americans! They know how to nurture and retain the best minds and skills from most parts of the world, compared to any other country I have lived in or visited. The obsessive desire to be the best makes them too competitive. They hate being second best (which is not practical or may not be good for their psyche in the long run).
- Do not tolerate overt personal injustice quietly
People might be quiet in manner, but will always respond, push back or raise a racket if you mistreat them.
- Great followers of the laws within the country
People make a lot of effort to follow the numerous laws and see the benefit for the whole society in the long term.
Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2013
All rights reserved
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