LOL. I hope mainstream Americans and people are able to understand and relate to me on this below, without getting offended or riled up. LOL
http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php?p ... 0#p1358550
chunkyfrog wrote: ↑May 25th, 2020, 8:49 am
Actually, the notion of "martial law" is a bit refreshing.
Enough already of foreigners believing our streets are paved with gold,
---and dying to come over here for "their share" of the wealth.
I would still prefer living here, under quarantine, than there
under what they have been conditioned to believe is "normal".
Well I'm sure by now, most foreigners know that America is not "paved with gold". Word has gotten around long ago that America is not the paradise that people imagine. The problems are too great, the cost of living too high, the economy isn't doing well, and there's too much strife and crazy problems that don't make sense.
I'm glad you're comfortable in America. I imagine you have a nice cozy house or mansion. That's great. But comfort isn't all there is to life. Humans need social connection and social interaction too. At least I do, but not everyone cares about this kind of thing like I do. America is too isolating for me. Since 1985 people have become too closed off and mean spirited. I don't know how old you are, but those of us who remember the 1970's and early 1980's remember that America was not like that back then. It was much more sociable and open, without this "ice wall" between strangers that you see today, where people don't talk to each other unless its business related. In the 70's and before, one could simpy go out and meet people, like you see in the movies, it wasn't fiction like now, it was reality back then. If you aren't old enough to know, ask someone who is older who was around in the 1970's and prior, they will tell you what I mean if they are honest and aware and observant.
Today Americans have fewer friends than ever. Even government sites say that most Americans today have zero or one friend only. It used to be 4 or 5 in the 1980's. That's a big difference. This is something almost no one likes to talk about, because admitting that one is lonely has a loser stigma attached to it. So almost no one dares bring this topic up, instead everyone tries to deny or suppress it. It's simply taboo.
The thing is, in most foreign countries, people are more open to talking to strangers and meeting people and making new friends. Not all foreign countries of course, but in most of them this is true. So I never feel lonely or isolated or experience social anxiety when I'm abroad. With higher self esteeem and much less social anxiety, this means my mental health is a lot better overseas too. That's why I gotta live overseas. In the US I'm comfortable but I go insane from the isolation and loneliness there. I know this is a taboo topic, but I am very honest so I'm sorry if this offends anyone.
The thing is, anyone who travels a lot internationally, or has lived in multiple countries, knows what I mean, if they are honest and aware and observant and not afraid to be blunt that is. Even the travelers here on this forum know what I mean and will nod their head when reading this. But the thing is, it's kind of taboo to bring this up on internet forums. I don't know why, it shouldn't be of course, but it is for some reason. People tend to get upset and riled up if you talk about how people are friendlier and more social and open abroad outside of America. It touches a nerve with a lot of people, as if you've violated some unspoken rule if you talk about this. I have no idea why. But I've noticed this pattern. You get accused of generalizing and stereotyping, etc. But I'm merely being 100 percent honest about my experiences. I hope no one here is offended by this topic. If so, I don't mean to offend anyone, just sharing my honest experiences and feelings and observations.
Like I said, I'm sure those of you who have lived abroad in multiple countries, or traveled extensively, know what I mean. There is also a laid back down to earth feeling you get abroad that you don't get in America. For example, in Europe, Asia, Russia, etc I can go to a restaurant alone or see a movie alone and not feel like people are looking at me like a loser. The people abroad are too down to earth to judge you like that. But in America, I am afraid to go anywhere alone. If I do, I feel anxiety, because I know people are looking at me wondering why I'm alone, especially if I'm in a restaurant where I'm the only one alone, or movie theater, or nightclub, or carnival, or tourist area, etc. That's why no one does things alone unless its shopping or walking in the park. Because Americans, not just me, feel like losers if they go to a restaurant or movie alone. It feels awkward. So no one does it. But in other countries, you can do that and not feel weird or awkward, because foreigners don't judge you like that. You can also stay home on a Friday night and not feel like a loser too, in other countries, because people don't judge you in shallow ways like that. It's hard to explain. You gotta live abroad or grow up abroad to know what I mean.
Anyway, so that's why I live abroad - because my social life and mental health are much better overseas, which is very important to me. That's it in a nutshell. Hope you understand. Sorry for the lengthy explanation. I am a writer and tend to be long winded sometimes. Anyway, I hope you understand where I'm coming from. If not, I'm sure someone else here does at least. Either way, I just wanted to explain myself better to you all so you understand my situation better, even though this is non-CPAP related. lol