Happier Abroad Forum Community

Has anyone tried to explain to locals in foreign countries what the social/dating scene in America is like? What were their responses if you had ever tried to talk to them about it?


I have never bothered to explain this to people in Mexico, because I figured that most of the time they would not be able to understand it all. There, people all think I'm a "mujeriego" (playboy), so explaining my situation in the U.S. would completely dumbfound them.
In one of his posts, Winston had said that Dianne could not believe that Winston was pretty much dateless in America. In the Philippines, he was a "babaero" (playboy).
In the "Frustrated" documentary about black American men in Brazil, a Brazilian woman being interviewed said she was shocked about what the black American men had told them about their women back home, and could not understand why American women would not come to Brazil.
Forum member lavezzi, who is from Europe, could not even quite understand what we were all talking about here, until he actually came to the U.S. on a brief visit.

Some things Mexican locals always ask about and can never quite comprehend:

- Why Americans have so few children (0-3) and siblings.
- Why Americans tend to travel solo.
- Why Americans usually travel without their families.
- Why Americans are so detached from their families.
- Why so many Americans are single and have no boy/girlfriends or spouses.
- Why Americans only ask street musicians for "La Cucaracha" and "La Bamba."
- Why Americans would not pick fruits and vegetables with the Mexicans.

And in rural areas:

- Why Americans do not raise their own animals for food.

Falcon, Mexicans have few children nowadays too.

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2 ... ?page=full

"Birth rates are falling dramatically across Latin America, especially in Mexico, suggesting a tidal shift..."

Also, travelling solo happens more in America than in Mexico, but it's by no means "common."

Yes, I am aware of this trend. It is happening more especially among the upper and middle classes.

The working classes are still having many children, but usually not around 10 children like their parents or grandparents would.

You can't communicate this stuff. I've noticed lots of people in Asia with way wrong perceptions of USA life. For fun I explain to them how the USA really is, they can't comprehend. I ask them how do you know what it's like, have you been there? No. Then how do you know? They can't answer, they just say they *know*...from all the movies drilled into their heads about how the USA is awesome.

Rather than correct their misconception you can tell they start thinking that you must be a weirdo or something haha. Better to just not discuss it!