Happier Abroad Forum Community

Hi everyone,

I just arrived back in the states yesterday. It's nice to be back in comfortable homes and large portioned meals again, but I can feel the highly dysfunctional vibe of the culture in the air again and the distorted faces around me.

Anyhow, get this. On the flight from Japan to America, my seat was double booked, so they bumped me up to business class. Wow. I had never flown business class before and I found out that there were a lot more benefits than I thought. I was amazed at how tables and portable movie screens folded out so easily, and the quality of food and wines constantly served to us, as well as the slippers, toiletry bags, blankets, and leg room there was. Wow. That was probably the first and last time I'll ever fly business class, since that's usually something reserved for people with a lot of extra bucks.

Also, back in Japan in Tokyo's Narita airport, where I transferred flights from Manila, I liked how the snacks and souvenirs were packaged in such an elaborate fancy manner that seemed way overdone or overkill. The Japanese girls were very cute too. But like my advisor Ladislav said, they are probably the least open and approachable or chatuppable in all the world. I noticed this too. They were very polite, solemn, reserved, and business like, but that was it. They were not open at all. In fact, when I told a few clerks at the airpot that they were pretty, they just pretended not to hear anything. It's like if you are trying to chat with them, they act like you're not even there. Very cold. Sheesh. Maybe Ladislav was right in that compared to Taiwanese, Japanese are far more closed and reserved even. I can't imagine how foreign guys even meet girls in Japan when they completely ignore you if they don't know you, not even making eye contact with you, as if you were a ghost.

I remember when I was 17, I went to Okinawa and it was like that too. Lots of Japanese people around but they ignored you as if you didn't even exist and didn't even have physical form to them. Only little children looked at me and smiled, in Okinawa, everyone else acted as though I wasn't there and never made any eye contact. It made you feel like a ghost that nobody could see or hear.

Therefore, I don't think I'd recommend Japan as a place to meet girls, since like in the US and Taiwan, girls don't generally talk to you unless it's business related, and any attempt to break that rule feels inappropriate and creepish.

Anyhow, tomorrow we begin our road trip to Yellowstone, then Colorado, Utah and Arizona.

Thanks,
Winston

Hi everyone,
Well we are in Wyoming now, just toured Yellowstone National Park today. The colors were pretty and the spring geysers were neat. But I don't get why it's the most popular national park in the US. That makes no sense. I can think of many national parks that are much nicer and prettier than Yellowstone (especially in Utah and Arizona, where we are headed). So I don't get why it's so popular, crowded, touristy and expensive. There's no logical reason for it, other than mindless commercial hype perhaps. I mean, it's very nice, but not the best and doesn't deserve to be the most popular national park. No way.

Anyhow, before Wyoming we crossed through Montana from the Eastern border of Washington and tip of Idaho. Here are some impressions so far:

I know it's been nearly 3 years since I've been in America, but come on now. Over 90 percent of the people I see everywhere, both men and women, are very overweight with big butts. The only skinny people seem to be teenagers. There is also a distortion on faces here that makes some people seem a bit ogre-like. And everyone carries around a very private and independent vibe. This is not the country to be in if you are weak, needy or want sympathy/compassion from others.

People also seem very transparent and ghost like, like they are very distant, even though they are polite and courteous. It's like if you are upfront and straightforward here, you stick out like a sore thumb. I am surprised cause on TV and in movies, Americans seem very communicative and articulate. But here in person, people seem very quiet and reserved and speak very little, on an as needed basis.

I thought Montana might be different, but it turned out to be just like the Pacific Northwest, very reserved, quiet and cliquish. And people seem distant and transparent. Yet that's normal here, so to complain about it would be "out of place".

Weird. It's like the Twilight Zone.

Also, this route we took is more tedious and inconvenient than I thought it would be. I thought going through Eastern WA and Montana and down through Wyoming would be a nice scenic route with cheaper motels, but it turned out to be the opposite. I don't know why. Wyoming is kind of a ripoff in that they charge a lot for motels, even in small towns in the middle of nowhere, far more than hotels did in the Southwest (three years ago that is). What you get just isn't worth it. I thought Wyoming would be a natural and sincere state, instead it's very commercial, touristy and filled with hyped prices just cause Yellowstone is the most popular national park in America, a reputation I feel is undeserved.

It probably would have been cheaper to just drive through Oregon, California and Nevada like I had originally planned. At least you get more choices along that route, than Montana and Wyoming.

It seems that the US is not geared for perpetual travelers, but for business travelers and the 1-2 week vacationers that people take off from work each year, since only those types can afford 80 dollar hotels and 7-8 dollar meals everyday. The system assumes that everyone is a workaholic and can gladly afford expensive hotels at around 100 dollars a night.

The other night, we were watching some episodes of the stupid sitcom RoseAnn, with RoseAnn Arnold and Tom Arnold. It was very loud. The characters kept talking about their sex lives very openly as though that were a normal thing to do, as though they were trying to shock everyone with cheap laughs. But the thing is, in real life here in America, such talk is inappropriate and in fact you are not allowed to express your desires or attraction for the opposite sex here. To do so would be considered creepish, inappropriate and out of bounds. Instead, you are supposed to be quiet, reserved, independent, and not need others. Everyone is supposed to be happy as long as they have a job and privacy. That's the real world of America. So I don't get why they portray America so differently in sitcoms, as though everyone were so open and sociable and able to talk about sex openly. It's really stupid and a humungus discrepancy.

Another thing that turned me off was when RoseAnne's husband, Tom Arnold, was having a man to man talk with another guy about women, and he basically told him that he should listen to his wife if he knows what's best for him. I've never had a man tell me that I should "listen to my woman". Men always tell me the opposite during man to man talks. Only in sitcoms do men tell other men to listen to their woman. I wonder if Tom Arnold puked after saying that in real life. Why do they always show such strange things in sitcoms that don't jive with real life?

Plus Tom Arnold said in one episode that guys like to be in a rut, while women need variety and excitement, so if they don't give women some excitement, then men will lose the rut they have with women. I don't know of any guy who likes being in a rut, but I've known guys who complain that their wives like being in a rut though. Again, total contrast with reality.

Anyhow, since Americans tend to be so private and distant and reserved, and it is inappropriate and creepish to pursue a woman you're attracted to here, I don't get how people make friends or get dates. It seems very unnatural. But if you complain about this, then you're a freak.

I get the sense from the faces of most men here, that as long as they have their job and privacy, they are content, unless they are suffering in quiet desperation. They do not seem to "need" women. Maybe jerking off to porn once in a while is enough for them.

BTW, I forgot to mention in the last update that on the flight to America, when I rode in first class, the attendants told me that they are called "pursers". They acted as though this were common knowledge, however I have never heard of flight attendants being called "pursers" before. Have you? Are they only called that in business class? When I mentioned the word stewardess, a "purser" told me that that term hasn't been used to describe flight attendants in 30 years.

Also, when I see young people here, esp young girls, they seem so airheadish, like they are a different density and wavelength. The way they talk on the phone gives me the creeps. It brings back nightmares of when I was thrown into high school with such types all around me, and supposed to try to fit in with them and become popular with them and be liked by them. It felt 100 percent UNNATURAL, yet I was forced to endure it and suffer. It made no sense and was frightening in a sense because I felt like I was put on pressure to do the impossible, connect with people on a totally different wavelength with me that I didn't even feel natural around! There was just no frickin way to do it!

Anyhow, we are south of Yellowstone in Wyoming now. Tomorrow we enter into Colorado and will do some sort of loop around the Rockies. But there are so many forks and choices of routes to take, that I feel a bit confused as to which one to take. But I'm sure the right path will come when the time comes.

Thanks for listening to my thoughts,
Winston

Vinstonas wrote:Hi everyone,
The other night, we were watching some episodes of the stupid sitcom RoseAnn, with RoseAnn Arnold and Tom Arnold. It was very loud. The characters kept talking about their sex lives very openly as though that were a normal thing to do, as though they were trying to shock everyone with cheap laughs. But the thing is, in real life here in America, such talk is inappropriate and in fact you are not allowed to express your desires or attraction for the opposite sex here. To do so would be considered creepish, inappropriate and out of bounds. Instead, you are supposed to be quiet, reserved, independent, and not need others. Everyone is supposed to be happy as long as they have a job and privacy. That's the real world of America. So I don't get why they portray America so differently in sitcoms, as though everyone were so open and sociable and able to talk about sex openly. It's really stupid and a humungus discrepancy.

Don't forget too this unrealistic portrayal is also prevelant in American movies. Such a difference. The characters in movies are human, unlike the way they act in real American society.

Great journal entry Vinstonas. Thanks for the update.

Also: So its been about three years since you were Stateside.. Is there any kind of feeling on your part that the USA is more Soviet-like and more controlling of mens personal lives (women have it easy there) since your last visit? Does your famaily feel that Femerikka is becoming more controlling of its people?

Hey Winston, I guess this means you won't be moving back to the US anytime soon right? LOL Your right, the people are still the same as they were 3 years ago when you were last in the US, unfriendly and anti-social. Don't you love how stuck up and prudish the women are still in America? Boy are they approachable and open to meeting new people! LOL Now compare these women to the women you met in the Philippines. I am sure there is a huge difference between the two!

Paranoia still resides in America, especially with young sinlge women. Just look at their facial expressions when you make eye contact with them, they are so friendly and open! LOL Welcome to the United Paranoid States of America!

SaturdayNightSpecial wrote: Don't forget too this unrealistic portrayal is also prevelant in American movies. Such a difference. The characters in movies are human, unlike the way they act in real American society.

Great journal entry Vinstonas. Thanks for the update.

Also: So its been about three years since you were Stateside.. Is there any kind of feeling on your part that the USA is more Soviet-like and more controlling of mens personal lives (women have it easy there) since your last visit? Does your famaily feel that Femerikka is becoming more controlling of its people?

Thanks.

Well since the customs officers didn't ask me any questions and just let me through, I didn't experience any control from big government. But then again, no government can control 300 million people. So they have to create a militia army, which is what the film "The Obama Deception" by Alex Jones suggests.

The only control I feel is that I'm not allowed to flirt or express desires or interests, otherwise I'm a creep. I do also see the paranoid looks on people's faces, especially if you look at them or make eye contact. It's creepy, and sad.

Speaking of movies, on the plane I saw two interesting ones - "Ghosts of Girlfriend's Past" and "Two Lovers".

The first one starred Matthew McConnahane (sp?), who is a major star in chick flicks. He played a major player who could seduce any woman. He made it look so easy with American women. I couldn't believe it. It was beyond exaggeration. It's like any woman he put his moves on automatically wanted to f**k him. It was a funny movie. And the ghosts teach him a lesson and show him why it's better to be monogamous in the end, kind of like in "A Christmas Carol". It was very entertaining. I wonder if anyone gets girls in the US that easy.

The second one was interesting too. This average looking guy in NYC who lives with his parents suddenly becomes passionately involved with two girls, one of which was Gwyneth Paltrow. Yeah right. Like if you find out that a girl who looks like Gwyneth Paltrow is your neighbor, she's going to talk to you and want to go out with you and develop a thing for you, esp if you're an average looking guy who runs a family business and lives with his parents. Gimme a break. Before that, his own parents introduce him to a hot beautiful brunette, who takes an immediate liking to him. Yeah right. Who makes up this shit?

It's too bad I didn't get to finish that film, cause our plane landed before I could finish watching it.

If you want to see reviews or info for those two films, go to http://www.imdb.com

I would've opened up a book instead, or done something like sudoku on the plane.

I know it's been nearly 3 years since I've been in America, but come on now. Over 90 percent of the people I see everywhere, both men and women, are very overweight with big butts.

Gee that's rich, coming from a chiseled guy like you.

Vinstonas wrote:

SaturdayNightSpecial wrote: Don't forget too this unrealistic portrayal is also prevelant in American movies. Such a difference. The characters in movies are human, unlike the way they act in real American society.

Great journal entry Vinstonas. Thanks for the update.

Also: So its been about three years since you were Stateside.. Is there any kind of feeling on your part that the USA is more Soviet-like and more controlling of mens personal lives (women have it easy there) since your last visit? Does your famaily feel that Femerikka is becoming more controlling of its people?

Thanks.

Well since the customs officers didn't ask me any questions and just let me through, I didn't experience any control from big government. But then again, no government can control 300 million people. So they have to create a militia army, which is what the film "The Obama Deception" by Alex Jones suggests.

Good to to hear this. I have wondered that if enough men leave the usa either to places to meet women (adult women and consentual sex) that the feminsts who have the lawmakers at their beckon call will try to pass laws putting travel restrictions on men essentially a Berlin Wall USA style. Also if enough men decide to simply leave the usa for good if theire will be measures put in place to literally forbid men from even taking vacations outside its borders.I really hope i am only being paranoid.

SaturdayNightSpecial wrote: Good to to hear this. I have wondered that if enough men leave the usa either to places to meet women (adult women and consentual sex) that the feminsts who have the lawmakers at their beckon call will try to pass laws putting travel restrictions on men essentially a Berlin Wall USA style. Also if enough men decide to simply leave the usa for good if theire will be measures put in place to literally forbid men from even taking vacations outside its borders.I really hope i am only being paranoid.

Nobody can take away your freedom to vote with your feet. See: Cubans in US, North Koreans in China, Tibetans in India, Mexicans in California, etc. Don't like where you live? Move. The biggest obstacle is not your country of origin, it's the destination country's restrictions on immigration.

The US has imposed some laws against sex with minors abroad:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PROTECT_Act_of_2003

And western women travel abroad for sex too:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_sex_tourism

Also, the largest numbers of single American men being deployed abroad is from the US military.

Hi everyone,
We are in Arizona now. A few updates and observations:

- I can't help but notice the stark contrast between how Americans are in movies/TV and how they are in real life. In movies and TV they are very talkative, outgoing, expressive, articulate, communicative, warm and open, and you can see and feel their emotions and thoughts. But in real life they are very reserved, private and distant, almost transparent-like, though very polite and courteous. They are not very expressive at all. And they only talk to you on an "as needed" basis, only if it's business-related in other words. They seem almost "inhuman". I wonder why I didn't notice this huge contrast before but I notice it now more than ever before.

In fact, I feel like I'm the only one who yells out if I stub my toe. What do all these reserved nonexpressive folks around me in America do when they stub their toe, I wonder? Most people in America do seem well meaning and good natured though. But most young girls seem to air a vibe of being in their own world and unable to connect with others in an open natural and honest sort of way, it's hard to explain, but it's a vibe they give off.

I gotta wonder though, how come Americans in real life don't emulate how they are portrayed in the movies, as expressive and talkative? Wouldn't they learn to after a while, since they are watching them? Weird.

But of course, you are supposed to think that this is all normal and act all happy about it, or else people will think there is "something wrong with you".

- The other day, when we were in Monument Valley, AZ, we met a Dutch couple who helped us set up our tent. The next morning, during breakfast, they told me that they found it odd that when they are camping, Americans would be friendly and helpful with them, but when they are LIVING next to Americans in neighborhoods, they are just ignored coldly as though they don't exist.

Indeed, that is odd.

When I told them about some of my comparisons, such as that many Americans after turning 18 or 20 just forget about their parents and rarely see them, they said that in Holland, people are always close and connected to their parents throughout their whole lives after reaching adulthood.

I will add their comments to my "what foreigners and immigrants say about America" page: http://www.happierabroad.com/ebook/Page32.htm

- The average man can't just go out and "get" a girl he likes for a romantic date, sex, or even simple companionship. (very few men in the US can get a girlfriend anytime they want) Instead, he has to wait years for a girl to "magically fall in love" with him and give him everything he wants. In other words, you can't fulfill your desires for sex or romance until "fate/destiny bring someone special (ms right) into your life". Until then, he has to work be positive, seek extracurricular activities and pretend that he's happy without sex, in order to "fit in" and not look like a "creep". And even if he finds a real partner, if it doesn't work out for some reason, he has to repeat the process and wait years again. This is the "normal" process for an average guy in America.

And if he complains about it, then he's seen as a "negative whiney loser", so he must pretend like everything is fine and that there's nothing wrong. So, what many guys do is when they finally do get a girl after years of loneliness and sexlessness, they desperately hold onto her for life, knowing that she's the only thing keeping them from returning to the dreaded singles scene for men in America. Thus they become pussywhipped, doing everything she says and making her the boss. That's the norm in America.

- I don't know if this is my imagination or not, but I sense this depressed vibe in the atmosphere here in America, as if people are deflated and just "going through the motions". Whatever the case, it's like a strong downward deflated energy field here. So in addition to almost everyone being overweight here, there is this grumpy miserable look on everyone as well, as though they were suffering in silence. It's as if all the good things in America have jetted our vanished, including the morale of the people. I don't know if that's true or if I'm just seeing a "reflection of myself" in others.

Whatever the case, it seems that all anyone does here is 1) work, 2) consumes, and 3) minds their own business. It's as if romantic, social, sexual and psychological needs don't matter and aren't even acknowledged. I get it now. America only offers you work and consumption (and assumes that's all you want and need and dream of) but it doesn't offer you fulfillment of romantic, social, psychological and sexual needs, at least not easily. Yet all of this is ignored in the media, which assumes that a job is all you need to be happy. Yuck.

- A lot of things have gotten more expensive than before, including hotel rates. Motel 6 and Econolodge are no longer really budget hotels. They have priced themselves into the upscale range. It's hard to find cheap motels anymore. Even in small towns in the middle of nowhere, they like to charge 90 dollars for standard motels, as if they try to take advantage of motorists who have no choice but to crash in that town for the night. It's funny that bigger towns with more traffic actually have lower rates than small towns in the middle of nowhere. I always thought it was the other way around, that small towns in the middle of nowhere would be the cheapest. But I've always felt that motels/hotels were a ripoff anyway, as in my view, no room with a bed is worth 100 dollars, no matter how nice it is.

Almost everything is expensive in the US now, except for food in the supermarket. They still have great deals on that, but most of it is unhealthy food.

What's funny is that even though many things in the US are far more expensive by multiple times than in the PI, a digital camera here costs a third of what it does in the PI. I saw a great one in Walmart for 99 dollars for example. In the PI it would cost around 300 dollars!

- The news media and culture in the US seems to assume and believe that the only problems we have are economic, otherwise everything else is hunky dory fine. They seem to assume that the only thing a person needs to be happy is to have a JOB, and that once a person has that, everything else falls into place and all needs are taken care of. It's as if one's sexual, romantic, social and psychological needs don't matter and aren't relevant, as if they don't exist. Or it's assumed that people have no problem in those areas. However, those things are very important, so why the f**k is my site the ONLY one that addresses them, while the US media and even all the other expat sites ignores them as if there are no problems in thoses areas and that the only thing everyone wants and needs are jobs and a good economy?! WTF?!

See this MSN article about being "happier abroad" for example. All it talks about are economic issues.
http://money.uk.msn.com/consumer/articl ... =149599101

It's as if psychological, social, and romance issues are of no concern to anyone. I hate how they are programming us to be solely materialistic and ignore everything else. It's sickening! (Being able to make love to a hot woman is a huge concern to me too, cause if I don't get it, I get deflated and depressed!)

I guess one obvious reason is that when you work and consume, you contribute to the economy, but your romantic, social, psychological and sexual needs don't, so they are considered useless and irrelevant to the economy.

It's like the Twilight Zone here. I feel like I'm the only one left that's sane, intelligent, normal and sees things clearly.

- I also hate it when I see a hot girl here and I can't do anything about it but watch in torture as she vanishes from sight, never to be seen again. It's excruciating. And it deflates me and makes me depressed the rest of the day or night. Why is that? Does that ever happen to others too? It reminds me of my years back in college in California where I'd get excited seeing hot girls here and there, but get no results when I try to meet them, and end up deflated and depressed the rest of the day, as though the wind were knocked out of me. It was a miserable and futile existence, yet I couldn't complain or else the robot population around me would all tell me that the problem was me and that I needed help.

momopi wrote:

SaturdayNightSpecial wrote: Good to to hear this. I have wondered that if enough men leave the usa either to places to meet women (adult women and consentual sex) that the feminsts who have the lawmakers at their beckon call will try to pass laws putting travel restrictions on men essentially a Berlin Wall USA style. Also if enough men decide to simply leave the usa for good if theire will be measures put in place to literally forbid men from even taking vacations outside its borders.I really hope i am only being paranoid.

Nobody can take away your freedom to vote with your feet. See: Cubans in US, North Koreans in China, Tibetans in India, Mexicans in California, etc. Don't like where you live? Move. The biggest obstacle is not your country of origin, it's the destination country's restrictions on immigration.

The US has imposed some laws against sex with minors abroad:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PROTECT_Act_of_2003

And western women travel abroad for sex too:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_sex_tourism

Also, the largest numbers of single American men being deployed abroad is from the US military.

But thats just it -- okay it is a noble thing to protect kids from creeps no doubt. But the system could label every man as a "potential" creep -- of course without reason, only because they do not want to see their tax revenue generating "cogs" leave their matrix.

If you are talking about fleeing to another country and never returning that is however something different. Essentially you are correct about immigration laws and I would like to add needing a means of making $$$ in your country of choice.

Here is what an expat I'm corresponding with had to say about my observations today:

> - I can't help but notice the stark contrast between how
> Americans are in movies/TV and how they are in real life.

I don't watch TV or movies, but I get the idea,
and it's been nearly three years since I left the US,
so I have forgotten much of that reality.

Americans fear the "stranger". That's why there is the
"neighborhood watch" and citizens are encouraged to
dial 911 for "suspicious activity". Just being a
stranger is suspicious activity, so expect an
encounter with the police if you're new in an area.

Police and emergency services are big business in America.
Large sums of money and many jobs revolve around these
activities. That is why in most American cities, you
will continually hear emergency sirens in the background.

Most people never hear them, because they're immune to
these distress sounds, but for once, just listen, and
you will hear them.

Single men are either perverts, child molesters, women
abusers, swingers, or have some other problem. If not,
then why aren't they married or have a partner already?

One thing I really enjoy about Asia is that as a single man,
women, young and old, as well as children, male and female,
will initiate a "hello". Of course if I initiate a hello,
nine times out of ten I will receive a return greeting.

Such social receptivity between strangers
just does not happen in America.

In America, as a single man, if you speak with a child,
you are a suspected kidnapper or child molester, and
if you speak with a woman or young lady, chances are
you're suspected of trying to pickup on them.

> I gotta wonder though, how come Americans in real life
> don't emulate how they are portrayed in the movies, as
> expressive and talkative?

Movies reflect the fantasy of which they
want to be, while not necessarily the reality
of what they are.

> But of course, you are supposed to think that this is all
> normal and act all happy about it, or else people will
> think there is "something wrong with you".

You need to be happy and smiling about all
the sickness that surrounds you everywhere,
if not, then "What's the matter?"
is the response I would typically receive.

If you attempt to explain the stark reality of the
situation, you are told that you think too deeply,
or you are too serious, or that you should lighten up.

Whenever I meet a "What's the matter?" person,
I begin to quickly make space between us.

Can you hear it? "What's the matter?"

More observations:

- I don't know if this is my imagination or not, but I sense this depressed vibe in the atmosphere here in America, as if people are deflated and just "going through the motions". Whatever the case, it's like a strong downward deflated energy field here. So in addition to almost everyone being overweight here, there is this grumpy miserable look on everyone as well, as though they were suffering in silence. It's as if all the good things in America have jetted our vanished, including the morale of the people. I don't know if that's true or if I'm just seeing a "reflection of myself" in others.

Whatever the case, it seems that all anyone does here is 1) work, 2) consumes, and 3) minds their own business. It's as if romantic, social, sexual and psychological needs don't matter and aren't even acknowledged. I get it now. America only offers you work and consumption (and assumes that's all you want and need and dream of) but it doesn't offer you fulfillment of romantic, social, psychological and sexual needs, at least not easily. Yet all of this is ignored in the media, which assumes that a job is all you need to be happy. Yuck.

- A lot of things have gotten more expensive than before, including hotel rates. Motel 6 and Econolodge are no longer really budget hotels. They have priced themselves into the upscale range. It's hard to find cheap motels anymore. Even in small towns in the middle of nowhere, they like to charge 90 dollars for standard motels, as if they try to take advantage of motorists who have no choice but to crash in that town for the night. It's funny that bigger towns with more traffic actually have lower rates than small towns in the middle of nowhere. I always thought it was the other way around, that small towns in the middle of nowhere would be the cheapest. But I've always felt that motels/hotels were a ripoff anyway, as in my view, no room with a bed is worth 100 dollars, no matter how nice it is.

Almost everything is expensive in the US now, except for food in the supermarket. They still have great deals on that, but most of it is unhealthy food.

What's funny is that even though many things in the US are far more expensive by multiple times than in the PI, a digital camera here costs a third of what it does in the PI. I saw a great one in Walmart for 99 dollars for example. In the PI it would cost around 300 dollars!

- The news media and culture in the US seems to assume and believe that the only problems we have are economic, otherwise everything else is hunky dory fine. They seem to assume that the only thing a person needs to be happy is to have a JOB, and that once a person has that, everything else falls into place and all needs are taken care of. It's as if one's sexual, romantic, social and psychological needs don't matter and aren't relevant, as if they don't exist. Or it's assumed that people have no problem in those areas. However, those things are very important, so why the f**k is my site the ONLY one that addresses them, while the US media and even all the other expat sites ignores them as if there are no problems in thoses areas and that the only thing everyone wants and needs are jobs and a good economy?! WTF?!

See this MSN article about being "happier abroad" for example. All it talks about are economic issues.
http://money.uk.msn.com/consumer/articl ... =149599101

It's as if psychological, social, and romance issues are of no concern to anyone. I hate how they are programming us to be solely materialistic and ignore everything else. It's sickening! (Being able to make love to a hot woman is a huge concern to me too, cause if I don't get it, I get deflated and depressed!)

I guess one obvious reason is that when you work and consume, you contribute to the economy, but your romantic, social, psychological and sexual needs don't, so they are considered useless and irrelevant to the economy.

It's like the Twilight Zone here. I feel like I'm the only one left that's sane, intelligent, normal and sees things clearly.

- I also hate it when I see a hot girl with hot legs here and I can't do anything about it but watch in torture as she vanishes from sight, never to be seen again. It's excruciating. And it deflates me and makes me depressed the rest of the day or night. Why is that? Does that ever happen to others too? It reminds me of my years back in college in California where I'd get excited seeing hot girls here and there, but get no results when I try to meet them, and end up deflated and depressed the rest of the day, as though the wind were knocked out of me. It was a miserable and futile existence, yet I couldn't complain or else the robot population around me would all tell me that the problem was me and that I needed help.

Very good observations about America, Winston. I can see that you're in reverse culture shock! In a year or two when I come back to visit the U.S., I'll have to brace myself for being ignored by everyone, too.

I disagree that America is a good place for finding a decent job and earning a living; it's absolutely sucked in that regard since at least 2001 or so. For the most part, the only jobs in America that enable a person to live independently (including people with Bachelor's degrees) will simply pay him/her enough to afford America's huge living expenses (which includes owning a personal automobile out of necessity), and live paycheck to paycheck. Tough shit if you actually want to save money! And you also must choose between two options: work 40 hours per week with an excruciating stress level, or work 60 hours per week instead. Also if you want to buy natural, unprocessed food, then you must shop at a specialty grocery store (i.e., a health food store) and pay hefty prices.

When people ask me why I left America, I usually tell them it's because I wanted a decent career, a financial future, and FRIENDS.

I have one major criticism about your latest post, though. You said you dislike America because you can't have sex with women anytime you want. Excuse me...but how is this any different from masturbating? If the sex isn't part of a strong relationship and/or deep friendship, then why can't you simply jerk off in front of your computer or lie on your bed and fantasize? Wouldn't that be a heck of a lot easier, with far fewer problems and complications?

Anyway, enjoy your visit.

Nice to see you back again Joe. How are things in China? Mind giving us an update? How has it changed you psychologically?

As to masturbation, come on now, why ask such a question? Sure masturbation relieves the tension but it's better when you have sex in real life with someone you desire. I shouldn't have to explain that. Come on now. Would you rather smell strawberries or eat them? lol