American Reacts to America Compared: Why Other Countries Treat Their People So Much Better 

To put American poverty into perspective. Some years ago, a group of US American officials were visiting my home country The Netherlands, to learn how the Dutch government copes with poverty in our cities. After an initial meeting they were shown a neighborhood that is considered poor in NL. Their - somewhat embarrassed - comment: " This is considered middle class in the US."

I find it strange that when I have spoken to Americans about these issues in the past they just say “We don’t want communism or socialism in America!” But 90% of the countries that do these things are not anything near socialist countries at all. 🤷‍♂️

I live in a Nordic country. I got disabled ~10 years ago. It took 2 years of care to recover, plus 3 years to get a new education. I got paid 80% of what I earned before for the whole time. I've been working ever since. I'll never complain about my tax rate because of the care I received. Had I not received the care and financial support.. I would've never recovered and become a productive member of the society again.. something to think about.

The biggest strange concept for me is tipping in the US, outside the US tipping is mostly a reward for staff doing a good job and going above and beyond what is expected, in the US staff need tips to actually survive.

Bro, you got it spot on when you said it's not "why can't they, it's why won't they?" Greed is the only answer.

The American mindset is that social democracy, as practiced in Europe, is akin to Communism. And that is a dirty word in the USA.

Back in the 70's & 80's when I was a teenager in the UK, I dreamt of moving to the USA to start a better life. Sadly for the boy I was, that dream never came to fruition. Now, over 30 years later, I am so glad that dream never happened. Over the last few years I've learnt a lot about the way American corporate works compared to other countries in the world - and I am sad to say it, but the USA is not the land of opportunity that it purports to be. Now that I'm more aware of corporate policy I'm glad that I live in the UK and have the opportunity to be someone who, when I did work full-time, worked to live rather than being a person who lives to work. My advice Alan, if you can ever afford it, escape the USA ASAP!

Funniest part is many American people call Bernie Sanders a “radical” for simply fighting for these same social standards for the American people 🤦‍♂️ (plus the same healthcare and education social standards that we have too)

When my goddaughter moved to the US she got a job in HR with a sizeable company. She was asked what they would need to change about working practices to open up in UK/Europe. Her answer of everything didn't go down well. Her written report cancelled their plans.

I think something i've noticed that is far more prevalent in the US than i've seen elsewhere, is the actual distain and disrespect shown to menial workers (fast food staff, delivery drivers, shop attendants), like real hostility and meanness towards them like they are just scum. I've virtually never seen this in the UK or Western Europe.

When you see all the US medical TV dramas that have been shown all round the world, including the UK, from Doctor Kildare to ER and House and everything in between, it's funny that you never seem to see the cash register or credit card machine in the corner of the doctor's office or operating theatre.

24:55 Even that is not an argument. 70% of people in the EU own their own home. In the USA, that homeowner rate is only 65%. In Belgium where i live, homeownership rates are 72-73% consistently. And we have some of the highest tax rates in the world. Even with the capped workweek, paid vacation days, and higher taxes, people "own things" in the rest of the developed world...

The reason this has been allowed to happen is because Americans are not taught the difference between socialism and communism. Americans are frightened that if they start looking after their citizens they will be on the slippery slope to communism, and that's simply not true. All countries have some degree of social welfare including the USA but the problem is for the richest country in the world its just not enough.

I was shocked when you said that working construction you were earning $9 per hour. The average construction worker in Australia earns $49 per hour, with entry-level positions start at $68,250 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $150,000 per year. So you're earning in construction about the same per hour as a worker at McDonalds. Wow.

The problem here with US capitalism is that people forget that all of those countries in Europe and even most of the world are also capitalist countries. It is just that they don't see that capitalism should be against humans.

When someone says "you're not supposed to survive on minimum wage", I've always wanted to know what the hell they though the "minimum" referred to. Their IQ maybe?

You commented that workers in countries with good maternity leave must be really loyal to their companies. Well, no, that's the point! Any other job will give you the same. It's a right not a benefit, so there's nothing special to "thank" the employer for. They're just doing their social duty, not doing you a favour.

It makes me feel so bad for Americans. How can people still say it's the greatest nation in the world? Is it merely pure ignorance of how things are in the rest of the world?

Stopped video early on to get my thoughts out. McD's / KFC or where ever workers, work bloody hard. It's a job that I'd not like to do. It is a fast paced chore and dealing with the general public who can be down right rude and obnoxious. I also feel for the humble bus driver, a day of road rage, noisy children and people who are intoxicated etc. I'm gonna stop before this turns into a rant...

A few years ago I'd have never believed America was like this. But since then watching videos like this one, and having a cousin move out there, I'm shocked how badly Americans have it. From working conditions all the way up to retirement. Practically no paid holidays, no "free" healthcare, and probably the worst of the lot, pensions. My cousin works in a restaurant, and tells me they just keep on working to old age. No retirement age and no state pension. Shocking.

When a country relies on the obscenely rich to keep it's politicians of whatever colour, in power, you will never get fair treatment of the general population. When a politician accepts large donations for their campaigns from such companies, they will always be beholden to the wishes of those companies. The U.S. needs laws that limit the amount of political donation that candidates can receive.

Your last sentence was really interesting to me. In my eyes America was founded as a "Republic of the People, by the People, for the People (John L. Haney)" and developed into a "Republic of the Companys, by the Companys, for the Companys" That's one reason why the biggest and wealthiest companys of the world are all American. Sadly Americans don't profit from it, because your companys barely pay any taxes and often don't even bother to care for their own employees. Really interesting video. Greetings form Germany.

If you see no problem with working 60-70 hours a week, that shows you are American :-)

In EU we have laws against working too much. Every employee is required to rest at least 11 hours between working days (so if you worked to 8pm, you can't arrive at work before 7am). And 36h rest per week (for weekends). This came about to stop the rampant insane hours that the truck drivers were doing, but they extended this law to everyone.

I vwas born in the USA because my parents went to grad school there. They had had a great time, but as soon as i was born they decided to go back to Denmark. The us was fine as long as they were young and free, but to raise a family withall the responsibility that follows just seemed insane.

My dad said that he thought America was a begging bowl, purely because in most parts of the world people mainly pay what the asking price is, in America they don't count tax until you get to the tills, also the fact that if you don't tip in America then the employee doesn't get much to any pay, in other places the company pays their employees

I'm lucky, as I live in Jersey in the Channel Islands. sure, it is not a cheap place to live, but even the unemployed have a roof over their heads and food in their belly. which is something every human on this planet should be entitled too.

Americans live in a big bubble and believe everything they are taught from childhood onwards about how fantastic America is and how lucky they are to be Americans. Brainwashing is a very powerful tool. It is great to see some Americans having a glimpse outside America and see just how other Countries workers are treated. Keep learning Beard, there is a whole lot more to learn yet and don't even try and compare the American health system to other Countries as that will really blow your mind. Great reactions. Take Care. 👍

Isn't it strange that some people call jobs low-skilled when they would be out of their depth on the first day!

People who lay pipes, be it for water. electrics or sewage are essential to citizens' well being. Likewise for 'garbage' collectors. No-one should be disrespected for doing such work. I don't know if you've seen this YT vid 'David Cross: Why America Sucks at Everything'. I'm in the UK and I think it's just very sad

I've worked for two different companies (in England) and the best/last one was: - 37.5hrs a week, 34 days holiday + bank holidays. Anything over was time and a half, or double time for Sundays/bank holidays. It also had flexi-time, so if you wanted to arrive early you could leave early, or arrive late and leave late, or work extra/less one day and work extra/less another day. - You could also choose to work more hours and take an extra day off a month if you wanted to, or if agreed by your manager you could stack those extra days and take up to a week off a month as long as you'd worked your hours. - The pension scheme was great, the company would match up to 25% of what you added to your pension every month from your wages no matter what your salary was. You could also buy shares in the company on the cheap. - They also gave you about £2,000 ($2,617.17) a year for training/college courses of your choice, as long as they were related to your job/a different position in the company you wanted to work in eventually. You could do the training/courses one day a week instead of actually working and you still got paid as if you'd worked your hours. It could go up to £5,000 ($6,543.64) a year depending on how long you'd worked there. - The company also provided insurance if you had to take an extended period of time off due to ill health so you could still earn the same amount per month to pay your bills etc. Why am I not still working there when it was so good? An American company bought it and made sweeping changes, so it was either accept the new employment contract and reduction in various benefits, or be made redundant and they'd give you a payoff for X amount depending on your salary and how many years service you had there. I took the latter and had a fantastic year or so of not doing any work and just having a damn good time. In hindsight I should've saved some of the money, but I was in my late 20's at the time! lol (sadly the company, which was founded in the 1800's, is no more) Healthcare is not an issue in the UK due to the NHS so no-one's ever looking for that to be part of their contract, but if private healthcare is part of it then that's just a bonus. Plus medication costs are only £9.35 ($12.24) per item in England. (they're free in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)

It should be noted that despite what a lot of Americans think the Scandinavian countries are not socialist states. They're actually capitalist countries with private enterprise. It's just that they govern as social democracies where the citizens welfare and the social fabric is considered as a high priority.

Im a boiler maker i make 35 aussie dollars an hour , ive had Americans rage at me call me 'unskilled' and say im 'overpaid' . I chuckle at them , it takes skill to read a plan , cut the metal , roll it into shape and then weld a pressure vessel so that it doesn't explode the first time someone pressurise it . I also get 16 public holidays a year plus 4 weeks leave with a 17% leave loading .

I once saw an englishman explain the time after the 2. ww. "If we can afford war, we sure as hell can afford healthcare". England didn't have national health care prior to ww2 apparently. Good on them.

The US tipping culture is buisness using customers to subsidize paying their staff properly themselves. People do tip in the UK and Europe for a job well done, but not for just doing your job like the US. Also the disdain shown to fast food and serving staff by my US colleagues was a shock to me when I worked there.

Great video. I am British but have visited America many times. I have met some great people there. Love visiting but would hate to live there. Having a social conscience is not the same as being a communist. Modern slavery is alive and well, living in the home of the free and the land of the brave. Do hope that your channel gains traction with actual Americans rather than preaching to us converted. Good luck with your mission.

Things have changed a fair bit now. But Bob Menzies, Australian Prime Minister from 1949 to 1966, was a conservative who had a national referendum to try and have the communist party banned, allowed the British to test nuclear weapons in Australia, and sent troops to Vietnam to support America. He said "I don't worry about the rich.The rich can look after themselves, I will focus on the centre". So he kept the wealth tax high. He also said " If every working man has a chance to own their own home they won't become a communist". And by the time he had retired home ownership had risen from 1/4 to 3/4 of the population

The biggest lie ever told to the American people is that they are free and treated equally.... Look how well that's going but I can't say too much as UK is in a pretty dire situation

I am a dane, and I do believe that one the main reasons for the difference is how strong worker unions are in the different Countries. One of the things I hear from companies in Denmark is that, they prefer you to be less at work (compared to other countries), but when you are at work you are there 100%. So in Denmark the philosophy of most companies is if your base (home) is working you are more focused while you at work, and it reduces blunders, and blunders can be quite expensive no matter if you are a blue collar worker or a office guy. And if you are happy at your work you will not start looking for another job. No matter what the Company tells you, it is expensive to replace an employee and even worse do you leave for a competitor and bringing your knowledge with you. 1. You loose experience, both work experience (how many years you have done the job), and how long time you have been at the Company, each Company does things differently. You might have some courses the new guy doesn't. 2. You need someone new, the new guy, does he have your work ethics (be on time, etc.), does he "click" with his co-workers, or does the chemistry not work. etc. And it takes time to get people interviewed for the job (read the applications, 2-3 people at the interview, etc.). 3. And if you get a new guy that is what you hoped for (and not just a guy faking it at the interview), it still takes time for that person to get up to speed and "how its done around here". I don't understand why we don't talk about our wages more with our co-workers, the only ones that benefits from us being quiet is the Company, don't get me wrong, I wouldn't talk to strangers on the internet about my salary either, but your co-workers I would, you would be surprised how many people who are doing the same job, gets paid differently. Often when a company don't have so much to do, like seasonal work, we start sending some of our employees on courses, to gain new skills or improve those skills we already have so we are ready when there are plenty to do. In Denmark we can never compete with places like China when it comes to Salaries so we have to compete on knowledge, stability and quality. Oh yeah I hate when the rich say we are in this boat together, no we are not, I'm in my little row-boat, and you are on a cruise ship, we might be in the same Ocean but the experience of this storm will be different. Greetings from Denmark

I'm from South Africa. I'm with my current employer for 23,5 years, working 8 hrs a week. We get 24 working days paid leave (almost 5 weeks), 80 sick days every 3 years, 5 days compassionate/family responsibility leave, and mothers get 3 months maternity leave and daddies get 5 days paternity leave. We have medical aid where the employer pays 60% of the premium, and have a good pension benefit, where employer contribute an equivalent of 22% of gross salary and employees 7,5% of gross pay towards pension fund per month. Thus, a total equivalent of 29,5% of gross pay is contributed towards pension fund.

Australia. Im currently on 10 weeks paid leave (accrued recreation leave - we get 4 weeks per year). Here we get Leave Loading, which is an extra 17.5% pay when you take recreation leave. While superannuation is compulsory, employers are required to match contributions - tou can elect to put more towards it above the standard amount and employes match that.

Living in NZ my wife and I own a home reno / restoration business. Prior to our first 10-week lockdown we were a company of ten. As work started becoming more than a trickle (then a damned flood), we had to employ more. Another five. One of them was one of those so-called 'unskilled' workers. He's been with us for 18, almost 19 months now. He's already one of our better people due to the fact of the mindset / skillset he developed from a 'mere' three years at MacD's. At current rate, he'll be a team lead before long.

It always feels to me, viewing from the UK, that American optimism causes the reluctance Alan mentions to finding out that the US isn't the best in each category.

I’m a Brit who lived in the USA for 5 years. I take home the same money working 40-45 hours a week in the UK that I did in the USA working 60hrs+ after taxes, SS and pension contributions (UK only, no pension in USA) working the same kind of job (construction and property maintenance). Throw into that 32 days paid vacation in the UK, sick pay provisions, healthcare fully covered, 30hrs free childcare every week at any childminder/daycare I choose, compared with none of the above in the USA. Rent and food in the UK was cheaper (utilities a little higher in the UK, but not significantly so), no health insurance premiums or deductibles to pay, plus a far more generous social security net should something happen that reduces or removes my ability to work that would mean I could still maintain my family at least to a basic standard (as in house, food, utilities and healthcare covered). In the USA my family could barely sustain a household - we lived in an apartment that was too small for us and scraped by paycheck to paycheck. In the UK we have a more suitable sized apartment, my daughter attends a great daycare and preschool, and I can spend far more time with her going places etc, and still not only have the ability to start building up some savings, but am able to start working on a pension pot so I can realistically look to retire in the future. I loved my time in the USA, make no mistake - I had some great times, met some great people and enjoyed my work, but without a doubt I have a better standard of living back here in the UK

When someone has to constantly assert something like: It's a free market, we are a free people, I respect women, you can trust me, etc. that usually points towards it being the opposite.

Thank you for recognising that "low skill" isn't. Serving customers requires social skills. Using a checkout is a skill. Using a tool, or machinery is a skill. Even cleaning is a skill. I've had to teach people how to wash dishes, how to use a washing machine, how to mop a floor, even how to properly answer a phone. Everything we are capable of doing is a skill, and no matter how simple a skill may seem to be, there's a good chance that someone out there is better at it.

Wise comments, and I just need to ad, as to the fear of socialism: my country, Sweden, is capitalistic. With a free market, some many think too much so, for instance we have lots of private schools owned by venture capitalists, but still all education is free payed by taxes. With free choice of school. We have the second highest number of billionaires in the world per capita. Low corporate taxes. One of the highest rates of enterprises per capita, since the Wellfare system allow you to take a chance on your dream. With affordable healthcare, free education all the way and support if you loose your job. Something’s working when you add up, right?

Hi from UK….your reaction to this excellent video was sadly no surprise….. I’ve just been watching a documentary on the homeless in L.A, all I could see was a refugee camp full of decent people whose dream had become a nightmare…you and your family, keep safe and well, love from little old Blighty ❤

Not an American but an Indian here. Moving to France changed me. I always knew things were difficult in India, ofcourse..and somewhat understandably so and I couldn't possibly compare India to any place in Europe. However, it was still shocking to me to find out that a "low wage worker" in France gets paid at MINIMUM what a college graduate who's graduated from a prestigious university could only hope get freshly recruited to an MNC. Mind-blowing! With my 3 degrees there's no way I'm ever going back to India! So to think that another "well off" country like America is closer to India than it is to European countries is shocking to me.

I realise, as a Brit, the UK is a sort of sweet-spot nation when it looking at balance of wealth/population/health and care systems. We can be envious of some smaller, wealthier (per head of population) European countries who seem to have it good in that regard...but I think, if the U.S. people ever wanted an all-in 'caring' system, then it would need to be a state-by-state system as the population is too large. It would be a great experiment to see one state adopt a public health/welfare system...and fuck it...zero guns policy :-))

I'm French, and we tip quite a bit, just because a service was good, the person had a smile, so on and so forth. Little things really. When we went the the Czech Republic, we went to a good restaurant of National and local specialities and wanted to tip at the end. I got a look like "are you looking down on me ?!" I explained my nationality and why I did this : It was late, the food was extremely tasty and the service absolutely fabulous, so that deserved a fat tip. He categorically refused saying something like "the tip is already included in the bill" (I don't know if it's the same for everywhere in CZ, or just this restaurant) It was the last night and went home the nex day, so I gave him the rest of the pocket money I had (~1000 CZ couronnes, I don't know the average pay there, so I don't know if it's a lot or not lmao) and told him to share among them We were happily surprised when they gave us a TON of beer from a small local brewery as thanks ! In the end, might have costed as much as if we did by it ourselves, but the gesture really touched us !

People are born with a built in skill. I'm a musician who learned to play guitar at the age of 4. I never had lessons but can play 7 different instruments. This is my natural talent and should therefore be my occupation. Don't ask me to do maths or even be able to organize my life. People should be given the opportunity to make their living at what they're naturally good at instead of struggling to do a job that would better suit someone else.

Just a parentesis, that probably have been mentioned earlier: 52 weeks paid maternity-leave are counted in days. So at least in Sweden, you are in charge of how you dispose those days. You can spread it out for 12 years. (At least when I had my kids 20 years ago.) Cheers from Italy!

I'm an Englishman that's lived and worked in the US for 40 years. I have never allowed the American system/culture/rules to dictate my life. I don't ask to take vacation. I tell them I'm taking it and my laptop does NOT go with me - my vacation time is mine.

I don't usually enjoy react channels but you're so well informed about the topics you watch, it's really interesting to listen to. Definitely a cut above the rest!

as a french we work usually 35/39hours a week (max) or you have to be compensated with money and you can say no if you don't want to, you can't be fired for that (some exceptions can be made but you are aware of it and sign for that possibility), you have full coverage for healthcare (even for worker with part-time job), and lots of paid vacations. For me the condition of the US workers are so backward it's saddens me.

In Australia, I had a 10 hour operation and 7 weeks in hospital, Chemo for 5 months and it cost me nothing.... My meds got put on the PBS system which cost me $40per month. Apparently these (my dosage) tablets from Astra Zeneca cost $7,000 per month in the USA.....

This biggest issue is as you said a different mindset. In the USthings like paid holiday, sick pay, maternal/parental leave are seen as benefits. In all other countries n Europe and most of the world there are minimum 'rights' and backed by law. They will differ from company to company but are in all aspects way above what is offered in the US.

Very informative. Thank you for reacting. Just because you work in retail etc does not mean you are stupid.

One of the reason why the minimum pay is 22$ in Denmark is because the unions have negoatiated the minimum wage with the employers. We also have free healthcare, but the tax is 39%, which also covers health care, so we don't need private Healthinsurrence. you can choose to have it, but it's a free choice.

I'd rather do without accountants, lawyers and hedge fund managers than have to try to survive without the so-called "low-skill workers"

Don’t mind the pausing if you have stuff to add or comment on, which you do, so all the better, that’s why we watch commentary channels. Keep it up man 👍🏼

Not willful ignorance. It's willful mindset that everything has to lead to utter profit before all else and all else is that terrifying and always misunderstood word "socialism". Most Americans don't understand that word, they all think it means "communism". That's the bogey man that lives behind every Americans settee. Sigh! Slava Ukraine.

There it is again. "I love my country." I'm really starting to get fascinated by this statement, because it seems to me people from USA can't say anything critical about their country without amending with those four words.

Great work EB, I love your extended reactions. I love hearing your views. Cheers and thanks!

In The Netherlands we also like to say: "We work to live, not live to work!". The exploitation only works as long as you can keep people ignorant and contained. The combination of poverty, poor education and America #1 (North Korean style) indoctrination keep most people from even be able to look outside the US. So they don't know any better. The Internet has changes a lot in regards to learning about the rest of the world but it is still hard to actually traveling and experience it with the US wages and lack of free time. Food stamps... always mentioned so casually but it's another one of those US staples that are actually non-existent in the rest of the developed world. It's usually handled by some social safety-net income...

Work to Live, Don't Live to Work... .

I'm from Lithuania, and its not companies pays for maternity leave its payed from social insurance, its a 12.5% tax from your salary in Lithuania, everybody pays it, and it covers maternity leave ( men also get 1 month payed leave then his child is born) and that 2 years of maternity leave also can be split by partners 1 year women and next year man if you decide this way. Also this tax covers medical leave (if more then 3 days), unemployment payments (cover of health insurance included), pension, disablement payments... With health insurance and income tax, our taxes total about 30% of income, for Americans its probably looks really high, but I don't need to worry about anything... For example I am currently unemployed for 3 months and I will get payed for some time if I am actively looking for other job (if you want, they can send you to some trade school to learn some craft for free), also a month ago I had to go to emergency room, for stomach ache, they did MRI, Blood test, Urine test, CT scan, kept me for half a day, and 0$ bill, next week going to get operation of kidney stone removal, will be for free too.

You have a very interesting take on it all, and not wrong at all. Having friends all around the world I can safely say that almost all think that their country is the best. It seems though that in America people are more ready to be told, and believe, everyone thinks America is the greatest. Every country has its pluses and negatives. Some are worse than others, for sure. I agree, I don't just think it's because capitalism rules the US. But I do think in the US people are told they can have it all, the dream, so are reluctant to see the reality of what is going on. The majority of people, a very high majority, in all countries are only a few paychecks away from being homeless! But people still want that dream of having it all! Believe me, though the UK and I'm sure other countries are being fed the same illusions of dreams that they can have it all. Big business only makes money, big money, by exploitation of its workforce and avoiding taxes. Keeping everyone on that bottom run of the ladder. Take Amazon for instance. After making his first Five Billion ( enough to last plenty of lifetimes) They could have afforded to increased wages by at least 50% minimum, and still made huge profits. Instead, he was more interested in going into space! Should tell you all you need to know about the big business M.O. But while people all over the world are made to think that if they work hard enough then that could be them, the wheel will keep turning.

This is the second in a row, of your Reaction's that has really impressed me. Well done fella. Good to hear American voices like yours.

WOW, just wow, I just looked up tax rates in the USA vs Australia, where I live, expecting a major difference in how much tax we pay (that's the excuse I always hear about why we have Medicare and the USA does not) and the tax rate is similar, at least in Florida (i figured that would probably be a good middle ground) for $75k a year you pay about 20% on income tax, for $100k here ($75K USD) we pay about 23% income tax. that includes our health care, so we don't have to pay for health insurance. that also includes our welfare system where if you cannot find a job or are unable to work at all, you can get government payments.

Paid parental leave in Sweden: 480 days. 240 days for each parent. 90 of those days are earmarked for the mother and 90 days for the father; those days they can´t give away to the other. The rest is free to split how they like. The parental days can be used until the child turns 8. There´s also something called "VAB" (Vård Av Barn = "Care for child"), which is Temporary parental leave (not included in the 480 days). This is also paid leave so one of the parents can stay home with the child when he/she is sick. Parents can use this until the child is 12 years old. 25 paid vacationdays/year (5 weeks). When you turn 40 it´s 30 days/year (6 weeks). It´s mandatory to take four consecutive weeks every year. The rest of the days are free to save, if you want. And "unlimited" sickdays = just call in sick when you´re sick. The first 7 days you don´t need any doctor´s note; just call your boss to tell him/her you´re not coming. From day 8 you need a doctor´s note. The sick pay (ca 80% of your salary) is paid by the employer the first 14 days. If you need to be on sick leave longer, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) takes over.

The role of government should be to take care of the citizens it represents, not to exploit them and be the "neglectful parent". As much as I could fault the UD on that, it is also slowly creeping into other countries, like here in Australia. Governments want to attract business, give them incentives and tax breaks, slacken regulations, etc. In the end they reduce unemployment which looks good on their books, and companies generally walk away paying no taxes, and over working staff.

"Pull yourself up by the bootstraps" was originally intended to mean "do something actually impossible".

This treatment is why Walmart failed miserably in Germany.

I retired 8 years ago. Worked on the railway. I got $40/hour. Average 35 hour/4 day week. The average was over the timetable period. Anything over was paid. Which was a nice occasional bonus for summer leave and Christmas. Anything under, written off. Oh, and Sundays were extra. I was also in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (Reserves). I worked at the Royal International Air Tournament at RAF Fairford a few times. One time we were in the back of a Hercules from the Air National Guard Nashville drinking their beer. One of them actually used the phrase 'Our great nation'. We managed to avoid an embarrassing moment, but only just. How we kept straight faces I'll never know.

the uk is heading closer and closer to america and i HATE it!!

I am Australian. I have 10-12 weeks paid vacation per year. I have also been at the organisation for 10 years so I also get another 12 weeks of LONG SERVICE LEAVE vacation to take. I can take this at any point over the next 5 years. This extra leave will be given (topped up) to me every 7 years (That I am at the organisation) on top of my annual vacation leave. I am also well paid… What a life in this lucky country ❤️❤️🇦🇺🇦🇺

I had a baby a few years ago I had a lot of complications so I had to stop working when I was 4mth pregnant, I got paid my full wage for the 5mths I was off sick, then once I had the baby my maternity pay kicked in so I had 1 year off paid, when I returned I had accrued my PTO while I was off which is 28 day a year so I had 60 days to use and I was able to work part time for the rest of that year and be paid my full time wage, I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to not have all of that support there for us. 🇬🇧

Instead of referring to them as "low-skill", I prefer to use "fundamental skills" or "foundation skilled" jobs. That reflects their importance as the base of the workforce and society.

I spent 11 years as a night manager for an American Company, Del Monte. So, what was the pay structure like between 1997 and 2008. Anyone who had served 5 years got 28 weeks paid sick leave. Anyone from day 1 to however long you stay got 25 days paid holiday, overtime after 40 hours at 1.5 or double time if you worked a 7th day. Bank Holidays for all is either double time plus a day in lieu or triple time pay, each individual chooses which they want so you could end up with around 33 days paid holiday. On top of that holiday pay was paid at average holiday pay rate. Which means if you regularly work over time you get holiday pay at your average pay rate based over the previous 3 months and not flat basic. Also, morning shift 6am to 2pm, flat rate, 2pm to 10pm got a 15% bonus for clocking out post 8.15pm, night shift (my team) got 25% on top for working 10pm to 6am. Plus other things on offer was 1 years maternity pay. This is an American company, by watching this I doubt Americans working for the same company in the States would be entitled to a fraction of this

In Finland it's not just that you get parental leave but new mother gets baby box which has clothes, nappies and other newborn necessities and box itself can be used as bed for baby early on before you get proper one.

I had relatives in America and considered moving there from the UK . I am sure I was right to stay over here .Apart from all the other factors eg gun violence , aggressive work environment etc , the American healthcare business would be enough to stop me .

Working in London. On £26 an hour but living in Yorkshire ....thank fook I'm a Brit ........I'm on disability now. So grateful for being a Brit. 🍻🍻🍻👏👏👏

We started in the right direction during the New Deal. Labor unions (before corruption took hold) and social safety nets did wonders for not only the middle class but the whole economy. But over the last few decades, the working class has been persuaded that in unfettered capitalism employers could, I don’t know, be trusted to act in the best interests of their employees. News flash: they don’t. They act in the best interest of their owners, executives, shareholders and their bottom line. They will squeeze employees for every penny. Defined benefit pension plans used to be common-now you only see them with government entities-and there are a lot of well-funded lobbyists doing everything they can to get rid of those. They also try to arouse jealousy in the private sector so workers don’t want government employees to have it either, instead of having those private sector workers fight to regain what’s been taken from them. GOD forbid that huge corporations like McDonalds and Walmart, which turn in massive profits every year, have to share any of that with the people who actually help them make those profits. And if we INSIST that they raise wages, instead of cutting into million dollar bonuses, who are they going to hit up? Customers. Capitalism is wonderful, but history has shown time and again that without any kind of regulation, businesses will rob customers and employees blind and compromise safety in the name of profit. And yet somehow they’ve managed to brainwash workers to think regulation, unions, etc., don’t help them.

thank you for producing this video

You guys need to call a day for a general strike where every worker not happy with conditions takes the day off so the bosses find out how much they lose with no workers

1:05 thank you for your honesty

While the US is probably a good place to live I dont think it stacks up to a lot of places across europe and east asia in terms of public services and how workers are treated. People from the US like to believe that the US is the best at literally everything, even speaking english, but thats because they are either not educated on other countries or dont want to face reality and admit the truth that the US is not the best at everything, while it may do certain things very well, they are only best at throwing money at a problem and hoping it will fix it. Glad there are people like you that can educate themselves and see why the US could be better if certain systems were changed to be aimed at benefitting the public rather than private corporations.

As a Nursing Aid in SC I got 8/hr in 2015. The hardest work physically, mentally and emotionally that I loved. I go independent and work in my hood for my neighbors.

Also the quantative easing has basically been keeping capitalism on life support since 2008. You have socialism for the capital class and neo feudalism for everyone else.

Hi, I’m from Lithuania. The maternal leave is correct, but we also have a leave for the father, it’s 3 months (100% wage) and you have to take it, can’t really say no (it’s also required for the mother to take at least 3 months to take care of the baby).

Is it “wrong” to feel sorry for American peoples? I am sitting here, thinking of “my” work/life balance, safe in the knowledge that I can take a holiday and still be paid; that if I was be taken ill, I would have no fear of seeing a Doctor; calling an ambulance; not having to pay for any prescription medicines should I need them … that my Employer cannot “force” me to work overtime (just ask me nicely 😅) Why isn’t the American population up in arms about how and the way they are being regarded by the large Corps and those “running the country”? Now knowledge of how other countries operate and treat their populace is being gained through these”reaction” videos on YT, I am just surprised that the average American Joe & Joan Soap are just sitting back and accepting it - it’s unreal… so glad I live in good old England, for all its faults (and it has them 😉😖) I feel safe and secure… this lovely green and sceptred island - I thank you 😌

customer service workers are unbelievably skilled at conflict resolution, multi tasking, working in terrible conditions, dealing with stress, working odd hours and more.

(British here) that whole 40hr week thing is nonsense. if you aren't an office worker chances are you work 50-60 hours a week. if you are paid an hourly rate you are incentivised to work more hours. people in office jobs moaning they want a 30hr week drive me nuts.

3:40 A very accurate, fair point.

Thank you very much for this great video! And thank you for beeing so open minded! Almost every American whines about The taxes. And I understand cause you do not get anything back / Return for your taxes. But we do! A lot! Education, healt care, mandatory vacations, parental leave for the father also. And for the Mother up To 3 YEARS (government Will compensate). And it creates a Job for somebody Else To have the opportunity To start or gather work experience To move on. And the tax money keeps coming. But there is no paradise, every system can do better. It is mostly the culture and attitude, like you said. Regards from Finland! "The happiest country In the world" for 5th time on a row! Stupid name "happiest"! Maybe: More satisfied people than Others or some think like that.

The is uncountable places in my country where social care is lacking , but I just cannot understand how the most advanced industrialised nation on the planet with such immense wealth , where finding a $billion for weapons to be sent to the Ukraine wasn't a problem , can have such places as Kensington in Philadelphia where so many poor souls are living a daily nightmare and in desperate need of help. It just doesn't make sense to me.

“Not so much that we have capitalism, but we have engineered capitalism.” Truer words were never spoken. It’s also practically, unrestrained, unregulated capitalism. There should be some moderation - government should have regulations to ensure corporations maintain their workers’ dignity. Your corporations are so big and wealthy, they think they can exploit anyone. Your comedians joke about corporations running sweatshops overseas, but underneath it all, they also treat your own people the same way. They just bother to pretend to be generous when it comes to their own backyards.

I’m an employer who’s right of the political centre in my country and even I think that US employment laws suck. And that in the long term they will be a big part of the fall of America. The irony is: The USA was actually a pioneer in labour law reform and prior to the Reagan years had generally good employment laws. I think part of the problem Alan is that a lot of the American working class has been convinced to vote for people and policies that are against their own interests. And that’s because the right wing has gone and mixed religion with politics. It’s also tied in with the rise of Televangelism, megachurches, the “4th great awakening”, etc. There’s no coincidence that it’s worse in the Bible Belt states like your Alabama. Look at the BS non-issues that too many working class people vote over in America, and especially in the Bible Belt: Abortion, supporting Israel, putting up BS monuments to the Ten Commandments, or teaching evolution in schools. And there’s gun rights (I remember you support them but still). How are any of those even big issues let alone as important to people as employment laws, improving public health services, improving social services, environmental laws, etc?