American Reacts to Americans Living Abroad: First Time You Realized America Really Messed You Up 

I have American family and when they came over to the UK to visit and we’re explaining about how good their benefits were at work they were shocked when I didn’t seem overly impressed, I had to explain that their “benefits” were the same as what ANY employee of any level of job get by law as a minimum. The American government is the best sales team in the world at convincing their citizens that they are getting a great deal when they are really not

It's quite funny that Americans who call themselves Christian will pledge allegiance to a flag at the same time as reading a bible that tells them not to worship idols!!! 😀

In Germany, it is illegal not to provide assistance to someone who needs it. It doesn't matter if you've been trained or not: you must do your best (without endangering yourself or third parties) to provide help, including CPR, if someone clearly needs it, and you can be in a LOT of trouble if you do not. Btw, how free are you if you cannot let your children play outside? How free are you when you cannot help someone in need for fear of getting sued into oblivion? How free are you if you cannot live a full and normal life with diabetes, or after having a hospital visit? (Please check the USA's position on the World Freedom Index, and then tell me why you are so free).

I'm Canadian living in Japan My cousin is African American (through my black American uncle's first marriage before he met my aunt). So Josh(African American) lived in Japan for 14 years. Went back to America because he got a great job teaching at a university. He lasted one year in America and came back to Japan. He said he felt safer in Japan. He didn't fear the Japanese police. Never felt threatened ever during 14 years in Japan. One year in America and he is back in Japan.

Here in the UK, we have the Good Samaritan Law. This basically states that, NO ONE who attempts to save another person life, can be sued for attempting to save their life, even if that attempt ends in injuries consistent with saving that person life, such as broken ribs from CPR.

Well, there was a time when a European country pledged their allegiance to a flag. It started some time in the late 1930's and lasted until 1945. They had their own salute and everything.

I went to US High School for a year. First time I saw the Pledge of Allegiance, it blew my mind. The teacher made me join in ... " ... but I'm British. Why would I swear allegiance to the US?". I always wanted to bring a British flag in & see if everyone would join me in telling the Union Jack how cool it was.

I was in the Australian military. Fundamentally I defended the right of people in my nation to burn, piss on or otherwise disrespect the flag. For me, it is a piece of fabric that represents the freedom to abuse that fabric. You want to respect the country and the veterans who gave their lives, health or well-being to defend it; don't ignore or abandon them or their families when they return from the frontline and struggle with their experiences. That is respect; the flag is coloured fabric.

I remember a friend of mine who works in construction tell me a story he experienced as one day with a new coworker who was American and has moved to Norway just a month earlier to get started at his job. He accidentally cut off him thumb, and my friend and other coworkers told him to get in the car and they would drive to hospital ASAP with the thumb in a cooler. And he refused as he said he cannot afford it as a similar incident has happened to his own friend when he was in America. He eventually caved and he got his thumb sown back on, paid sick leave for 2-3 months and painkillers for pretty much free. And he returned to his workplace and his boss welcomed him back and was glad he was ok. He apparently fell to his knees crying as it was such a shock to him how different things were. Which makes me never ever want to even vacation in America in case I get into an accident or anything. It’s sad as I do wish to see what all the hype is about the American way of living. The good parts of it at least ;)

I'm polish and growing up here we were going out (since middle school) wondering around villages, woods, meadows, fields for a whole day. Then going back home at evening when the sun started setting and then going out the next day again. Of course we knew "not to talk to strangers" or "not to take treats from strangers" but at the same time everyone knew everyone here and no one ever got hurt, kiddnaped or something like that. I'm shocked till this day when I hear stories from America, that some child got taken away from his own backyard.

We visited the US and were asked to attend a memorial service at the hotel out of respect. We attended and they asked us to put our hands on our hearts for the national anthem. My sister was 10 and did it, despite not being a US citizen. I told her that she didn’t have to do that. American citizens heard me and the looks I got were scathing. I found it so weird that they took offence when I was not an American.

My brother is a green card holder in US (my family is all born and raised in the UK) and I've visited him many times over the years so I know America is filled with wonderful kind-hearted people but they live in a system that does not reward any good values. Hard working doesn't mean you can earn enough to provide for yourself and your family. Getting sick is punished as though it is somehow your fault. Billionaires and their companies ensure no laws that help the general population can be passed by bribing politicians and that is somehow LEGAL. The vast majority of Americans are worked to death but told every day how great America is and how free they are from birth, so much so that they start to believe it.

My father is a retired UK police officer. He has always been against arming the police. He says that policing only works if the public can trust the police and they won't trust someone who may shoot them.

Pledge of allegiance: Last time we had something similar in Europe were in 1930's Germany.

Hello from Norway 😃 I feel very blessed to live where I live, with free healthcare, free education (including university), a great wellfare-system, among the least corupted countryes in the world 😇 I think that the American people deserves alot better, and I honestly don't feel that America is as free as it claims to be 😪 Thank you for your great videoes, and for sharing your honest thoughts 🥰

On the CPR thing, I completed medical training in the UK and our educator raised this issue herself, specifically because she'd taught Americans in the UK and they'd asked about this very problem. She explained that it in the same way even though we were all UK born so we didn't need it explained to us. No one here is going to sue anyone for saving their life. No court in the UK is going to side with the person suing someone who wanted to save their life.

I once had an American guest at the hotel I worked at who got drunk, fell into a ditch and cut his leg open. So I drove him to the local hospital and he got his cut sutured up, and was given meds too. He got such a shock when I drove him back without having had to pay a bill and when I explained to him that medical treatment is free for anyone in Sri Lanka including tourists. This includes cancer treatment and major surgery too.

When I was working in a restaurant once, there was a large medical convention for doctors all over the world. Served this group of American doctors, suddenly one of them starts complaining about heart pains. Not a single doctor would touch him for fear of being sued. They just said call an ambulance and moved the table out the way. Absolutely insanity.

I live in Poland and kids ages 9 or older go to school every day alone, walking, by bus/tram or most times bikes and skates. Parents ask their kids to do go to small markets or pharmacies alone. It really blew my mind because that was the level of safety I had as a kid back in the 80s in Brazil. Today it is impossible to leave kids outside

Before COVID my last multi visit business trips were to Alabama and I was SHOCKED. Many of the cars that drive around are safety hazards, no way would they be allowed to drive here in NL. It was really difficult to find healthy(ish) food. When you found healthy food it'd be SUPER expensive compared to the unhealthy alternatives. Everyone goes everywhere by car. We tried getting from the hotel to the shopping mall and restaurant on foot. Eventually we asked the receptionist lady for advise on how to get around without a car, she replied: Why would you want that? You have a car right? So we replied that we were looking forward to talking a nice stroll and visit the malls, she looked at me like she saw water burning. She didn't get it, she kept repeating: "But you have a car!"

The whole daily pledge of allegiance everyday at school doesn’t just sound Culty, it’s SCREAMS it I agree I’m in the UK and what freedoms do Americans have that I don’t? The ability to buy a gun when you go out food shopping? Nobody in the UK wants that one!

The tough guy image of an American with a gun over his chest says to me ''What are you so scared about? Who do you think is coming after you? Why are you such a coward?'' Not quite the impression they want to give!!! So sad.

Back in the early '00 while I was at uni (in the UK) we had a few Americans that came to study for a year. They were (apparently) told by their universities that "the UK doesn't have the same level of technology and amenities at the USA, so it might come as a really big culture shock; so try not to compare the USA to the UK". Obviously this isn't true, as they found out as soon as they stepped of the plane. When they told us this we just burst out laughing and things like "typical American arrogance", "Americans really believe their the greatest country on earth, don't they??" etc. These comments aren't true either, BUT there isn't smoke without fire... and there's a lot of smoke.

Portuguese here. One day I was at university, and I've met 2 americans from Iowa that were visiting Europe without any plan whatsoever, It was their first time in an European country. We had some bars here and we all went to one of them. One of the guys was in the park drinking a beer with us, and the older one was in the bar itself talking to students about politics. Then 2 cops were walking in the sidewalk, and the older guy went outside and started waving at us because we were drinking in public 🤣 (We can drink alcohol in the street here) and was afraid that the cops could arrest us. This was not a "dumb american" situation, and the guys were keen on learning about the country and the culture. (One of them was an university teacher and was over 60 years old. Great guy)

I have travelled to the US various times and visited Canada as well, what I find is that Americans don’t travel outside their countries, I’ve travelled most of the Europe and North Africa. Traveling opens your mind and educates you!

Sir, you are an absolute legend! The world loves Americans....but the thinking ones, not the stooges who are blind to reality.

That's something I've never understood. Why African American? Around the world folks are just American! In fact it can work the other way round. Don't go to Scotland and say your Scottish American! No - you're not - you're just an American who may have had Scottish ancestors!

I was a lifeguard and swimming teacher in the UK. Getting sued for CPR or saving a life is never an issue. Almost. Getting accused for being a pedophile for saving a child is a real concern. I hit the alarm, cleared the pool, dived in, saved the kid who had breathed a wave and panicked... I was a hero, almost... One parent saw me dive in, grope a kid and they called the police. Theres 2 hours of police interview I didnt need. Needless to say, I had nothing to answer for.

I’m Canadian, and used to work at a call center for Neiman Marcus, mostly talking to Americans, but international calls as well. One thing I noticed about Americans specifically, is that when they would spell phonetically, they almost always said “v as in victory”, whereas everyone else mainly said “v as in victor”. It just always struck me as such an American thing to say.

The woman who told the story of being called "just an American" was so confusing to me. I was like, "What, is this about Americans always calling themselves Texans or Californians or New Yorkers, but now she's just an American?" It was only when you said she's black that I understood it. And I'm European.

I am a type 2 diabetic in the 🇬🇧. As soon as I was diagnosed I received an exemption card so all of my prescriptions are free no matter what they are for. Now I only need metformin not insulin but I still get all this for free. I really feel for people worldwide, not only in the USA, that have to pay for this life supporting medication.

Hello! My ex-husband went for a his gun license two years ago, and I was notified by the government that he did so. The government notifies all exes, and the exes have the power to deny it if they believe it could present a problem. There was no issue, we're still friends, but I was very impressed, and I can clearly see how this law saves lives. I enjoyed your commentary and hello from Canada.

I've never been more grateful that I'm a Finnish national living in Australia. Freedom from Health debt, freedom from educational debt, freedom from guns violence fears, freedom to take leave from my work and know ill get paid and not fired, in fact my boss makes me take paid leave twice a year. The common word being Freedom. I'm just as free as Americans lol. Fantastic place to visit, love that, wouldn't want to live there, sorry....

I used to be married to a Canadian, and when we were in Canada one year, I had a really severe case of bronchitis (like the one guy in this vid). My wife convinced me to see her doctor, and I finally did. The doc apologized to me for having to charge me $20 to see me because I wasn't part of OHIP (my co-pay in the states was $30 at the time) and after seeing me, he prescribed an inhaler and antibiotics. He told me I might want to wait until I was back home to fill them, in case it was free through my insurance (hah!). I filled them at Shoppers Drug Mart. The antibiotics were $7 and the inhaler was $9. In the states I think my co-pay was $40.

I had my first child 3.5 years ago in The Netherlands. I decided to give birth at a hotel/maternity hospital. Prior to the birth, I went to that hospital to visit and a nurse walked us through the hospital and showed us my private birth room equipped with a tub should I choose to have a water birth. On the day of the birth, I had some complications and so 3 doctors attended to me during birth. All went well, and I spent 3 days afterwards in the hotel attached to the maternity, equipped with everything I need for myself, the baby and my husband, including meals prepared and delivered to my bed. Afterwards, I went home where a specialized nurse help me take care of the baby, took care of me, clean the house and prepare some food 4h/day for 5 days. These were all included in my basic insurance.

I'm a person that avoids doctors like the plague (been twice in 20 years), however in the last couple of weeks my left leg has been swelling up, so my missus 'persuaded' me to go today. The doctor has referred me for an MRI, ECG and a full exam. Although I'm not a heavy user of the NHS system, knowing that the only bill I'll have to pay is car parking fees, the £23 per month national insurance seems like amazing value. There is also the time earlier this year when my missus spent 7 weeks on life support, they never gave up on her and she's here giving me a hard time again which was better than a lottery win to me.

When Americans criticise the health system here in the UK they always seem to forget we still have private options too. You could have national healthcare in the US AND keep private insurance and hospitals for the rich, if you wanted.

Firstly, I think the big issue here is that as a country you've been brought up to honour your country, your flag etc., to such a degree that the real meaning of honouring your country is lost; people are blinded to the truth of what's going on in their own country. More and more people, especially the young, travel further afield than perhaps was once the case. They've experienced first hand living in countries that allow much more freedom. They've also come to realise that just because people in say Europe don't "honour" their country in the same way Americans do, it really DOESN'T mean they're not patriotic about their countries - they are. We in the UK are very patriotic, we just don't wear it on our sleeves. But all this is good, it demonstrates that people in the US are waking up, they're realising they've been fed a lot of tosh and when there's enough of you, you'll demand better. Secondly, I want to emphasise that here in the UK for instance, we think we have freedom, and clearly we have more than the US, but still, especially of late, we've all felt the tentacles of control trying to wrap itself around us. We don't want that, We're not used to it.

Over here in Czechia it's actually a crime (for any person) if you are in the presence of a severely injured person and you don't take steps to stabilize them and provide first aid. (Unless doing so would put yourself in danger)

The woman who was afraid of the man.....absolutely true. I live in Finland now, took me years to stop looking over my shoulder. It is really nice.

One of my colleagues saw someone who was hit by a car outside our store one day while he was on a tab (cigarette) break and went to help and was on the phone to the emergency services for the Ambulance. But the guy was from America and was banging on about not being able to afford one when my colleague started laughing a bit and told him he was in England and he didn't get charged for it or for the medical help unless it was a specific specialist procedure...that's the beauty of our National Health Service and the Big Parmas from America also want to not only muscle in on it, but also privatise it

I'm from the UK, in May I had elective surgery to have my gallbladder removed, I waited 16 days for my surgery. I'll take that any time over bankrupt causing medical bills! Thank christ we have the NHS, it's wonderful!

Sorry german here: You can let your child go outside nearly everywhere in germany. In small cities it is even more safe than in big citiies due to the traffic. And I´m sorry but a social healthcare in the US is only able if the whole systems would break down and has to be created new. Otherwise the medical lobby is to strong (financially).

When the guy talked about crying because he got life saving medicine, it reminded me of something. I had gone without food for a while and my stomach was burning, I had the shakes, I was dizzy and I could barely stand. I finally got my food stamp card in the mail. It only had $16 on it, but it was enough. I started crying thinking finally I can eat. And when I tell you that was the best ramen and soda I ever had. The food stamps were empty by the end of it all but I had food for a few days so I has really happy. I mean yeah I had to figure out how to not die after that. Slight confession, stealing isn't immoral if it's about life and death.

My nephew in western Canada had to be rescued out of the mountains after a bike crash. This necessitated an airlift by medivac helicopter to the nearest town & an ambulance to Vancouver. As he was pretty banged up all over, after scans, tests & everything else, it was determined he had a concussion & a spiral fracture on one leg which necessitated emergency surgery on that leg. Cost was $80 for helicopter & $80 for ambulance. As medical fees for ambulances are different in every province, this was still a bargain. Proud to live in Canada where our taxes are spent on saving lives & educating people.

I lived in the States for two years as a kid, age 7-9. I still remember having to say the PoA, despite being a British citizen. I can still quote it. I get the idea of the flag as a symbol of America, but the level of infatuation with it is unsettling.

Honestly, your very honest and smart reactions restore a lot of faith for us towards Americans, its very refreshing, clearly there are very good people there, respect to you sir.

I'm Australian and live in New Zealand. In both countries, universal healthcare means that if you have an accident or you're in a car crash, you'll get treatment, no worries. In NZ, all standard prescription medicines are $5 per prescription. (I trialled a specially compounded prescription medication and that was $150. Didn't end up staying on it. ) Oh and shortly after moving to NZ, I fell down the stairs at home. Was my own silly fault. I went to my physical therapist (who I see for maintenance of an injury I suffered 20+ years ago) and she told me "oh that's under the ACC. If we file a report on the incident, they'll help cover the cost of treatment." This was super helpful as I didn't have a job yet. I can't fathom why people defend the US system.

15:00 i grew up in a rural area of germany and i am still living here. we always played around the whole village no problems ever and now as an adult i know the neighbourhood kids at least by sight and you automatically keep an eye out for them if they are in your general area. we have a little hill on the property so when there is snow we have like 20 kids sledging down there. been this way since my great grandparents build the house and i intend to keep it like that everyone is welcome. i also feel very safe as a woman even walking home alone at night.

im Canadian and i live near the border i have lots of stories but i just want to say in both america and canada working conditions are terrible i dated a gril from france for six months the amount o time she said "oh my god they can do that?" is insane. shes over there complaining about working thirty hours a week in an entry level job and owning a home meanwhile im over here working two jobs struggling to make rent at 60 hours a week

I am recently retired St John Ambulance. I was never told we had to ask consent to do CPR, or indeed do anything with an unconscious patient, but I was always taught to tell the patient what we were doing. 3 reasons: 1) Even if the patient is unconscious, they may still hear you. Hearing is the last thing to go and the first thing to return. If they know someone is helping, then that can help them. 2) It tells bystanders what you are doing, so they don't think you are feeling them up or something silly like that. I'm a 60yo bearded, 17 stone male. Can you imagine what me doing chest compressions on a mid teen girl might initially look like? 3) It helps to calm us down and make sure we do everything correctly, to protocol etc. St John first aiders are volunteers. We are not (for the most part) Health Care Professionals. We would train on this three or four time a year minimum, yet in my 27 years as a volunteer, I think I did CPR for real only once.

I find it absolutely crazy that you can go buy a gun at 18 yrs old but you can't go for a beer until you're 21. That's back to front in my opinion.

That comment tickled me. More houses in America have got more guns than fresh vegetables. 🤣🤣

I saw several examples in documentaries, where people lived in suburban area and had their kids playing outside or walking home from school by themselves and neighbors called the cops. Parents got in trouble, cops asked questions about drugs or nude adults in the house, child protective services came. It's not only the cities.

As a Norwegian, I would love to visit the US some day, but moving there? Hell no. And it's not just because of the crappy health care system, it mostly about safety. Here in Norway, I am NEVER EVER afraid, not even the slightest concerned, about ANYTHING when going somewhere. In my region, I've never heard of anyone being robbed or murdered, heck the "worst" that usually happens, is that people are caught speeding.

The car registration thing confuses the hell out of me. In the UK, you register as the owner when you buy the car and you're done, when you sell it the next person registers as the new owner, no time limits, no renewals. The American tax system seems dumb too, the government knows how much you earned and how much tax you owe, but you have to figure it out and will be punishe dif you're wrong. In the UK, The government knows how much you earn and how much tax you owe, and your employer pays your income tax out of your wages before giving you the rest. Only self employed people have to do their own taxes.

On a visit to the USA I was asked by customs if I was carrying any weapons, when I replied no they said you're in America so we better give you one 😁👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

I am English, I lived in Mississippi for not far short of 3 years and loved my life there, including owning several guns and going hunting with friends a couple of times a week, seasons allowing. For me the killer was your medical system. Despite having company provided medical insurance, the couple of times I fell ill with the Delta Crud as the locals called it, it cost me money. I believe it is the very existence of the insurance system that has driven up the prices of your medical bills. Insurance is paying, put the price up, put the price up further... yada..yadda..yadda. This to the extent that you need to now get insurance to top up your insurance is ridiculous to most of the world but yourselves, as you have been so indoctrinated that your system is the best. Unfortunately, it is nowhere close to the best unless you are in that top few percent of rich Americans that can afford this stuff without issue. You are the land of the free, but only as long as you have a permit for it. I loved my time in America and made some real lifelong friends, whom I love dearly, but ya'll need to wake up to the reality of your lives and use your believed freedom to do something about it, because the rich folk won't.

Great video! Like how you paused after each and gave both your opinion and understanding. :) Literally, I 🇬🇧 would have no issue going up to police here. Every member of the force I have spoken to are lovely. I got lost going to a cinema once and Google Maps was being useless. (I was in a new city and had minimal idea where I was going.) Asked two policemen if they had any ideas where it was. They walked me there (I was five minutes away and going in the wrong direction 🤦‍♀️), one chatting to me, the other keeping an eye on what was occurring around us, wished me a good night, gave me their names and the local station's number in case I felt unsafe after I came out, and made sure I had a local taxi company's number in case I wanted to get a taxi home, rather than the bus.

28:00 Yeah the only medical cost you incur in Sweden is the up front fee, which roughly translates to about 20-25 dollars at a time. (the rest is covered by the government) After that you get a FULL consultation to whatever issue you are currently dealing with. However one detail is that this fee has a roof, in case your issue is chronic or needs regular checkups, so once you have paid this fee a certain amount of times under a one year span, all other visits are free of charge until the next year rolls around. So yeah, the U.S. has a thing or two they should learn from us Swedes.

Your moral compass and social awareness is pointing straight and true my man. 👍🏼✊🏼 Calling anyone Commie or Socialist is just wilfully lazy, and says everything about their knowledge of those terms, and nothing about your own beliefs.

the pledge of allegiance thing becomes really funny once you realize that North Korea does the same in school with a picture of their great leader

I love the US I have visited many times, on a personal level I have met many great Americans but like all countries you have problems and I think the majority of it stems from lack of good education system. I will guarantee that as a New Zealander I probably know more about American geography, history and politics than many Americans' do. I think also that that many Americans seem to be encouraged to take a very insular view of the world with an American good rest of the world bad stance. By and large though I am eternally grateful that you exist as a nation, you have saved us from tyranny at least a couple of times and you continue to provide protection via your strength. No nation is perfect and every system has it's faults. I just wish you could get past that social medicine thing, is it wrong to care for those who can't care for themselves or to have a belief that I shouldn't become bankrupt if I get sick?

I once went in to get help after I crashed my bicycle and hit my face on the asphalt, it wasn't as bad as it looked, and it was clear I didn't suffer internal damage after being checked on real quick. So they basically gave me some ointment and bandaids and sent me on my way. They charged me over $1,000 for this

Hi Alan. On your point about gun classes, I spent 30-years in the UK Military Police and was armed approx 75% of the time and I still had to be tested every 6 months to ensure I was safe and proficient with every weapons system. My wife and daughter are American and we're planning to move to the US in the next 18 months or so (possibly NC) I've already started preparing them for active shooter responses, gun safety, 1st aid, situation awareness, etc.

I grew up in London in the 70s/80s. Like most kids we'd play outside on our own all the time. The school summer holidays, we used to go off in the morning and come home when it was getting dark. I'd go swimming, go to parks or just hang about with my mates getting up to mischief lol. Happy days.

freedom is not a right, it is a duty, a duty towards oneself and towards others

I was so confused by the lady’s story when she cried being called an American until you explained it’s cause of racism being treated different because of skin colour. That’s so sad, granted you will get the odd racist here but it’s not normal and people will 💯 defend the victim if anyone is being racist in public. Sad that it’s normalised in the US

Nice to see Scotland's NHS getting a thumbs up (England makes you pay for the Prescription). On the fighting inflation point, you could always reduce... corporate profits. Seriously, it's an anti-inflation measure. Your pause at 30.35 is a beautiful geniune reaction that speaks for your love of your country and all people.

About the CPR stuff: I'm a trained "first-aid at work", one of the major concern about CPR that new trainees have is "what if they hurt the victim?". The trainer response is always the same "don't you dare give a fuck if you will hurt them or not, a broken sternum can be healed and even if they will suffer a lot, at least they won't be dead."

I have seen this video a few times, because pretty much everyone is reacting to it.... and I never understood the last one, I had always thought it odd... "they just accepted me as American." - ok yeah, you are American, what else would they expect you to be? The race thing went completely over my head until you pointed out what the issue was.

Alan, love you and your family, you are one of the most genuine, honest and gentle men on this planet, and having to see the pain you going thru to show and try to regulate what is the norm in America, compared to other countries, is very painful, what one country sees as norm and then see it being slated in your own country must be hard, here in the UK, we have some fucked up laws from years gone by, 1500s 1600s, and these are still law abiding, but to see your own fellow country men slating what goes on day by day in the land of the free ( lol ) must be hard. And for you to try to regulate and comment on these must be even harder, as said love and respect to you and your family, keep the great content coming

Sitting here, listening to you and your comments on these videos...I cried. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I'm glad my family and I aren't alone!

I spent a part of my childhood living in the US, as my family were stationed there as part of Finland's diplomatic mission in the US. My older siblings had to learn the pledge of allegiance at school, even though we all had diplomatic passports 😁 Our parents apparently rolled their eyes and told my siblings to take it as a learning experience (can you tell one of them trained as a teacher 😅).

I had a conversation with someone saying to me that they was the land of the free. How are you but I’m not? Oh, because we have guns to defend ourselves. The worst that’s happened to me is when I left my car open and someone sat in it playing music, what on earth do I need a gun for? 😂 #england

Lived and worked in the US, absolutely loved it, loved the country and the people, however the one thing that put me off moving there is that if you get seriously ill or end up unemployed, there doesn't seem to be much of a safety net.

A little background on why the elective waiting lists are becoming so long in the UK now. The primary reason is The conservative party (our version of the republicans) since coming to power in 2010 have been systematically defunding the NHS in real terms. When they came to power the NHS was Ranked as one of the best Healthcare systems in the world. Now after 12 years of the Conservative party its on the verge of collapse, They are doing this for one reason. They've always hated it, they basically want a for profit system like you have in the states but they realise they couldn't do that straight away, so by cutting funding, services and increasing wait times, people with money start going to private care instead, this undermines the principle of universal health care, because those that are paying resent paying for a service they are not using. The Conservatives in the UK have a long history of doing this with many industries in the UK. Same every time, defund, make sure its fked then say if we privatise it, it will function much better, it will be cheaper etc etc .. it never is.

As an Aussie, taxpayers pay a 2% levy on our taxes for Medicare. Recently my appendix burst and I was admitted for emergency surgery, stayed for 4 days and out of pocket bill was $0.00. Not the first time I have had a "free" hospital stay and I am very comfortable that my years of a percentage deduction have also given others that same care 🙂Love your work.

When I (German) was 11 I got to homestay in D.C. for a month. I was soooo confused why I was not allowed to go outside by myself... neither the pool in front of the complex, nor use the elevator by myself.... not even go onto the balcony by myself.... it was soooooooo creepy... In Germany I literally walked for nearly 2km from one village to the other from school, picking up my little brother from kindergarden, when I was in elementry school... meaning 8/9 years old. Not because we didn't have a car or anything (we did) but my mum said: you're old enough to do that by yourself... (my fellow classmates mostly also went home on their own)

About that gun ownership thing: in Germany (Europe generally I think) you need to have a pretty good reason to be able to own a gun. Like being in a sport shooting club or working as a security guard for high risk targets etc. And then you get the permit only after a very thorough background check and psychological assessment, after having trained in the use of the gun and after a pretty harsh theoretical and practical test. The people I know who own guns are all qualified huntsmen. And by qualified I mean you have to pass a hunting permit exam with the local forestry authorities as well. You also need to store the guns in a safe at home that conforms to certain safety standards and that should theoretically be checked from time to time by the authorities (not sure how often those checks occur, though). And last not least:military grade guns are right out, so you can forget about any kind of military assault rifles or machineguns. Also there's no such thing as carrying guns in public. Concealed or otherwise. If you have to move the gun you're allowed to carry it to and from the point of use, but that's it. It's true that you can still own guns legally in Germany, but the hoops you have to jump through make sure not many people do. And, frankly, why should they if they're not sport shooters or hunters or privately employed security guards?

I'd love to see you react to a video by Evan Edinger called "What it's like as an American abroad with taxes: Double Taxation" I never knew any of the stuff he talks about in that video and it honestly blew my mind. Think it would be a great video/topic to cover. Great videos as always, thank you!

Technically anyone can be held accountable here for not trying to save a life. Not that they actually go after people that don't but technically you legally 'have' to help here in Belgium.

It genuinely scares me that in the USA insulin is an expensive item. I'm a Type 1 diabetic (and have been since I was 12) in the UK and not only do I get my insulin for free, but I also get all my other prescriptions for free because I have a lifelong health condition. The fact that prescriptions are also at "retail cost" is, honestly, disgusting. Pharmaceutical companies in Europe make a profit - as they should, because they need profit to develop further medicines - but they do so with subsidies from the treasury because no-one should ever have to worry about being able to afford medicine. Those that pay for prescriptions in the UK pay less than £9 per item. The USA would be considered a failed state if it weren't for the Billionaire wealth of California and New York.

When it comes to suing people over first aid, I kinda wonder if it's to do with the insurance companies refusing to pay out for (for example) broken ribs from chest compressions unless you sue the person who broke your ribs first.

I have done research in the US, writing my thesis to finish my university track. I had many opposite experiences to what I hear in this video, as in I was still being the European in the US. Being Dutch, I don't think about etnicities (basically the Netherlands is one big melting pot of cultures, but I see everyone as Dutch), and I wanted to take some buddies I met there to a pizza place down town in Golden (its a small university town next to Denver). My buddies go like "nah we don't really like down town Golden (the city I lived). We don't feel welcome as Mexicans". Firstly, I was honestly confused they refered to themselves as Mexican rather than American, they are full citizens born and raised. Only then it ticked to me that university campus areas tend to be very elitist in the US, and appearantly people look down on ethnic minorities? I have a very thick Dutch accent, so there is no way someone would assume I'm American, but I only recieved curiosity and friendliness. That also made me realize that my ethicity or looks or whatever gets me treated differently (in somehow a positive way? I didn't like it.) and it made me quite sad. Another time I was visiting a buddy in Boulder, and we were just chilling at his place, and I heard some fireworks outside. I proceed to put on my shoes, and my buddy goes like "wtf are you doing", appearantly I was next to a mass shooting at a local supermarket, and while everyone was ducking for cover (I didn't really realize, my circuits didn't connect), I was looking for my shoes to go and watch the fireworks. The shooting actually made it to the national news in the Netherlands, and my parents were definitely not ammused to learn I was actually trying to go and "watch the fireworks". The third one, one that actually upset me most, was when a buddy took me to a shooting range. He wanted to give me a proper American experience, and I was absolutely all for it. He had everything neatly organized, in a suitcase (so I thought), and we proceed to enter the building so he can give me instructions on gun safety. What I however did not know, and until 5 months after moving to Colorado had not realized the meaning of it, is that Colorado is a concealed carry state. I just assumed that it means that a very select group of soldiers/government employees/law enforcement etc. can carry a hidden gun. What it actually means is that basically anyone can get a permit to carry a gun on them at all times. So my buddy, with whom I was working in the lab quite a lot, pulls this big handgun out of a concealed holster on the back of his pants and like its nothing starts explaining me the rules of gun safety. He noticed me being confused and went like "Oh yeah I carry most of the time". As this guy is one of the nicest guys I met while in the US, I was not too bothered by him personally carrying a gun on him, because he is my friend and I felt quite safe around him. However, it also made me realize that basically anyone I would run into could carry a gun, which made me feel very unsafe and made me isolate myself quite a bit. Lastly, unironicly, Coloradians are crazy fit. I am slightly more fit than average at home and also feel about average when working out at the gym/outside in the Netherlands. Cycling up the rockies, or even just hiking, made me realize how unfit I really am. I did not pass a single person during my hikes and rides, but would get passed by people sprinting up the mountain while I was gasping for air at pedastrian pace. Altogether I had a very nice experience in the US, and everyone I met was way nicer to me than Im used to from strangers in Europe. People like to shit on the US but there are just many different things you can measure/focus on, focus on the good and you'll have a nice time :)

There's a flip side to the cops without guns thing.... I took my American friend to the football, Millwall vs Crystal Palace. She couldn't believe the way the stadium and surrounding area was swarming with police, including mounted cops and riot control. 😂🤣😂🤣

The Japanese have a great method on pay disputes. Workers put in their request, Management put in their offer. Then they negotiate, if they don't come to a settlement then either side can ask a judge to arbitrate. The judge will decide on one of the original offers. It hardly ever gets to a judge.

Here in Norway we have every freedom that you have in the US. And our police are mostly unarmed like in the UK. I was in MA several years ago, and needed directions to a garage to have the car fixed. I was insanely skeptical when I approached a cop for directions. Last time I was that "scared" was in Lebanon when I drove an unarmed ambulance in to an erea where we suspected that there were mines to rescue my platoon lt. and 2 others who had hit a mine.

I'm a Canadian living in British Columbia. I can't speak to everyone's experience with our health care system, but I can speak to mine. I'd just like to preface first by saying that our health care system is not perfect, but no health care system is. In any case, I have 2 kids and both were delivered by c-section. In the operating room during delivery there were 5 surgeons, 5 nurses, a doctor anesthesiologist and lots of high end equipment. When we finally went home, the most I had to pay was $6 and that was to park the car. If I get cancer, I don't have to worry about mortgaging my house to pay my medical bill. It saddens sometimes to think about how wealthy the U.S. is and yet U.S. citizens are either under insured or not insured at all.

I have MS (multiple sclerosis) and I am just always glad to live in Germany and not in America. Here I can afford the examinations and medication without becoming poor. Or having to be without medication/examinations and for that I am always grateful!

mate, i wish more people were able to take a balanced look about things like you dude. subbed, liked, hit that bell haha xD. I'm gonna be honest here, as ighty and great the US might be, a lot of people in Europe and the rest of the world for that matter have a pretty bad opinion about you as being ignorant, brainwashed etc etc. Thank you for showing that there are still Americans out there that are capable of looking 10 feet outside their bounds and seeing things for what they are xD.

I love these videos that you are doing. Your reactions are brilliant.

You're a really likable person. Love your videos. I really hope that American people will get the rights they deserve soon. Greetings from Greece

I live abroad myself and I have to say that the medicine one got me. I went into the ER at 8pm because I cut my finger deep. I had tried to bandage it and glue it together because of course I did. I'm American. Wouldn't stop bleeding and wouldn't stay closed. Finally got my friend to take me to the doctor. Got stitches and I was like, "Alright, so my bank account is about to be gone." Got the bill at the desk. U.S. equivalent, $6. What the actual fk, America? I've actually heard that one about having to ask for consent to perform CPR too. It was a Buzzfeed thing when Buzzfeed was a thing. It's like... you know CPR is used on people whose hearts have stopped beating, right? They're literally incapable of doing anything, let alone consent, because they're essentially dead.

Man. . . I live in NY. I have had to do CPR on a person who had been shot and was sitting and going into respiratory arrest. (Ocean Ave and church ave) I was put under investigation for flying into action and assisting the victim. 1 whole year I was investigated as part of the crime. Albeit, I was working and took it upon myself to assist. Apparently, the family came to sue anyone, because, under good Samaritans law, we are covered to a certain amount, and albeit the victim was not going to make it (a round struck the back of the head and side) BY LAW, if we start CPR, YOU CANNOT STOP until EMS comes and relieves you. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE up until you are relieved. The family persued and during the court case, I was acquitted, I did my best. But I was going to be sued for trying to help. (I maintained the victim until the EMS arrived, at whoch they did their means and pronounced him brain dead at the hospital, post relieving me of CPR, they worked the guy all the way to the hospital) I'm a Veteran of the USMC. In any other country, I would not have had a year of stress and nonsense because I tried to help. . .

I remember reciting the Australian pledge of allegiance in school assembly in the 1970s. By the 1980s I think that died out. With the CPR thing, I think the problem is that successful CPR usually breaks the dead person's rib cage... and US healthcare or worker's conditions or welfare often doesn't cover someone's healthcare treatment and loss of income while they heal up. A badly broken ribcage can be a financial disaster for a US citizen, whereas elsewhere those costs are largely covered. Hence a US citizen needing to sue for costs after CPR, and overseas, there's absolutely no reason to need to sue for the costs of a broken ribcage.

Healthcare is free at point of service in the UK, we pay for it through tax (less than average US insurance) and that goes into paying for the treatment of anyone who needs it. I've only been to A&E twice in the past 30 odd years, never as a child, so the majority of what I've paid into the system went towards helping other people some I knew such as my grandfather who ended his days in a specialised cancer care ward while the majority I will never meet. You have to really question the mentality of the people and system that allows someone to be sued for saving a life. UK car owners have to pay a road tax each year for their car, in theory it goes into road maintenance. But to get that tax validated you need to also have an MOT certificate which ensures that the car is road worthy. There's videos on youtube of cars taken into the garage because of a "rattle" some of which are a scary prospect for sharing a road with. Might want to look at some of those for a reaction or two.

Mark Twain: “Before I follow a flag, I want to see who’s waving it.”

In Aus, I stupidly got stabbed in the eye with a stick quite seriously when I was cutting down a tree branch. Went to the standard hospital emergency room and they sent me to an eye specialist in the private hospital wing. I told them that I was not privately covered, and they said to "not worry about it" (apparently this guy was the best in the hospital and that is just what they did in an emergency). Luckily my eye was not permanently damaged and they removed a small piece of wood and disinfected, told me to pick up a prescription and take tablets and apply this gel for like 3 weeks. Had to return 3 times to the specialist just to make sure everything was fine over the next month. Total cost = $20 for the pills and eye gel. Completely free for the emergency consultation with the "private hospital" specialist and the following 3 checkup visits. Anyway. On one of the visits I asked him... what would be the difference if I did have private insurance exactly? To which he replied "literally nothing at all" (at least in regards to him and what he does). Apparently, my "service" was just standard. Then he told me that let's say someone from an overseas very poor country was visiting family in Australia and got some kind of serious eye infection but literally had no $$$'s at all. They would do everything they could to save the eye and cover the medications for the duration necessary anyway. After the patient was in the clear they would present them with "the bill" (with full knowledge that they had no way to pay) and make sure the due date to pay the bill was long after their visa would run out and they would be back in their home country. And then they would just write the whole thing off as "the costs of doing business". This was (unadvertised) just understood to be "standard procedure" on the down low. I asked if this kind of scenario was common over any given year, and he said they did it many times a year at least. The specialist basically told me that he (and his entire department, including the "higher ups") would rather save the eye if it was possible, than to not do it because of something as pathetic as a simple lack of money on behalf of the patient since in the end this is why they became doctors in the first place. Yay, Australia. It's difficult to not be proud that this kind of stuff just happens naturally behind the scenes and not even for any kind of recognition or acknowledgement. Just trying to do the right thing.

Australia has the Good Samaritan law where you can’t be sued for saving their life. Also in most states it is illegal to leave someone if you know first aid and you could be arrested for not saving them