Close Reading

Things were different in USA many years ago the kids played outside people stay on the porch and walk by and talk it was different.\nBut slowly things became more isolating especially with the internet coming

Hi all how you all doing ,hope your all well.\n\nOoh yeah i wanna marry from there and am so.used to.loneliness which is better than the toxic beings.Believe you me there's nothing out here that is WORTH IT,only a Roof over your head. \n\nAnd what would Pipo do outside of you have nothing to do....it's not like idlers sitting out there.\n\nManze we need each other at the end of the day....be kind to your neighbour ...stop being stingy with love care, play together.i guess even here in Africa we shall come to that.ONE HAS TO GET HOME SICK FADT TO STYLE UP.Culture shock.\n\nThat's why when most of this guy's come back they act different and we despise them because we don't know the shock they had and Culture shock they got to adapt the life style.\n\nThanks fr the video

I am born in America in the suburbs north of Boston.Your words are so correct. I am now 74, and my childhood was idyllic, playing outside every day, roller skating, bike riding, climbing trees and long walks with my girlfriends. Sadly, due to the scourge of the drug trade and gun violence all communities everywhere have been adversely affected. Parents are fearful of letting their kids play outside. I have lived in Egypt for 20. years with returning to the states every summer for 3months I became to realize the problem.\nThen I returned to Florida USA for 8 years to work.The difference was huge from the friendly Egypt. Definitely, isolation is the norm now in the states, and it is impossible for someone to adjust who is from Africa and be happy.\nThank you for clearly warning of the culture clash...it is real. The only option for an African is to live in the big cities like N.Y.. Miami, Chicago, but it is so tough to raise children there due to the gangs.\nThis Ramadan, I pray hard that Allah will change things. But Quran says Allah does not change the condition of the people unless they change what is in themselves.

This makes me laugh...., USA vs. African culture is 2 very different extremes. Especially when African's come and live in the most isolated depressing states in the USA.??USA culture is a little more vibrant and friendly in the Southern States that are always warm most of the year.. In certain areas. The midwest part of the USA and north states, less expensive to live. But our midwest areas are crumbling and are severely depressing. The USA is changing too, as kids us Americans grew up with a very different lifestyle and we played outside and knew our neighbors and cohabitated more...Even in the north. On the flip side I know any American trying to keep up with a African lifestyle, we would just drop dead of exhaustion?? If you are African, your phone rings every 5 minutes, relatives and friends call 24/7 Africans have dinners and celebrations for hours and hours until 4am in the morning (even on school work nights), and Africans just show up and walk into each others houses at any moment with no call all day??.. We don't have the energy plus we value privacy. I wish there was a happy medium!??

Great video. I think part of the issue is that American has a faulty foundation. We are a very diverse country, but in that respect there is a natural division amongst races, with other contributing factors, that causes a general lack of unity, and know one is technically from here. It is very different cultural wise when you and your ancestors can trace your lineage back thousands of years to the same land, verses a couple hundred, like anyone here in America. You have Irish Americans who in Ireland have a very distinct culture, but here they are just considered white, you have black Americans like myself who are like 3 or four African tribes in one, who are just considered black. So I think the black white mindset of America contributes to this factor significantly.

I can agree with these comments if your not American, growing up we had all that interaction with family, friends and neighbors. Life n times have changed in America due to gun violence, especially in large cities. Socializing is different in every state in America and in every country. I can understand how if your not accustomed to our ways of life even today, that you would prefer your ways of living back in your hometown and your Country. If you live in a big City in America and moved there from a smaller town in America, you will be feeling some loneliness, that's normal to us in America. If your American then you adjust to making n meeting new people, that hasn't been so easy with the pandemic for anyone. To compare our homes in one community from another or even from another country, is just criticism. We don't have a specific way of living, as far as our homes are constructed. This is how as American's we have always lived, small homes, large homes, big cities, small towns. Since the pandemic we do find ourselves spending more time inside due to no fault of our own. We do have different ways of living but so do other countries which we do enjoy when we visit. If you want to learn more about America and our lifestyles and history, you should do that. Every Country has it's government rules n law's and we try to abide by them, that's what makes our Country n Our Nation Great, that's also why many people come here to visit or work and study. Loneliness can be anywhere, depending on the person you are and reaching out to make new friends or just acquaintances is important. Especially, if your away from friends n family from home or a different Country. ✌️

Honestly I like this place..looks very quiet and peaceful..I'm from India and we also have lots of places like this especially government quarters or private industries quarters but the only difference is that we have more trees,houses were fenced and people are more social..I m blessed that I spent my entire life in such areas instead of some overcrowded congested places in Delhi or Mumbai loll..you will get to see the exact scenario especially during the day time in summers when people tends to be indoors but they comes out in evening everyday hanging chatting and playing around..and if you have some good friends then you really don't need any schedule lol..i still remember me along with my cousins and friends use to roam and wander around the locality even in the daytime in the scorching heat of summer when everyone was inside loll and we used to play volleyball or badminton till midnight..it was such fun and beautiful life..but unfortunately these days people are getting more reserved and more into themselves..

Block parties, cook outs, neighborhood meetings, bus trips to the beaches, weddings and Saturday clean ups were all apart of our past community's. Yes some still exist. However, anytime Blacks in America have demanded equity, justice, education, health rights, human rights, and fair housing, we are met often with a back lash. Suddenly, rents go up. Houses have doubled or tripled in increase. Crime waves have made it almost impossible for people to come out and relax freely. Political changes have also played a major roll. Neighborhoods have been redlined. Even where one goes to vote has been moved. White racism and fear, entire industry's have moved put of key areas. So thete is a natural break down. Neighborhood meets come to a end and different organizations from schools, to planting trees to parking all get affected due to such changes. Local small businesses that knew each family members also close up and leave. Its not a question of oh you have everything you need in your American house. That is not it! Its more complex. The lack of kids playing out front or the older ladies keeping watch have disappeared also due to no rent control policies.

My brother America is a very very big place. You must do research before you come. Each area is different. It really depends on where you live. If you move to Philly or NJ or certain areas of New York in the city and on certain blocks tou will find neighbors and neighborhoods where the same families leave closely for decades. In a lot of these communities have been forced to go through massive gentrification.

I'm American. This new lifestyle of indoor culture is so different than the way my parents and ancestors and myself know in America. You have to become a organizer of events nowadays. Be a part of the solution in your communities.

I am an immigrant from India. I have been in California for almost 8 yrs. I feel California is quite better in terms of socialization because of very mixed and vibrant communities . And yes strangers just randomly greet and talk to each other on the streets. In fact when I first came to USA, I was surprised to see people just randomly greet each other on the streets..which truly I have never seen back in India. In India we have been taught from childhood never to talk to strangers. And the reality is there are winds of change back home in India too. I am not talking abt the villages. They are completely different case. But even people living in small towns are now preferring privacy. And no.. its not because of foreign returnees. Even people living there for generations now don't want to socialize. Even in India now we have to request kids to go out and play..which to me is a very disturbing thing . All of them just want to sit at home and play games on their smartphones. In fact I find kids in USA prefer playing sports or other activities more than the kids back in India. It actually depends which part of the country u live in.... doesn't matter India or USA .

This change is going on in Europe as well - not only America, however its very different in each part of Europe. USA is a huge country, with very different climates and communities, so lets not generalize. In Europe, i am from central eastern europe, yes, ppl tend to stay more and more at home, since the internet age. In the 80s more kids were outside, but its still way more community friendly than in some parts of the US where they dont even have sidewalks on the streets. In Europe, southern ppl still spend much time outside (spain, italy, greece), and the dutch, scandinavians, germans are traditionally colder ppl. The rest is technological change + covid effect and lazyness. + ppl are stuck to mainstream media which pumps them full of shit, fear and they are scared from each other - and try to compensate with buying more useless stuff.

Hi. How are you? Can I claim total 5 years experience in my field if I work in 2 different countries;2 years experience in my own country and 3 years in foreign country like UAE if I want to immigrate through express entry system in canada?And can I bring my wife if she is a housewife;not a federal skilled worker through express entry system in canada?

Hi. How are you? Can I claim total 5 years experience in my field if I work in 2 different countries;2 years experience in my own country and 3 years in foreign country like UAE if I want to immigrate through express entry system in canada?And can I bring my wife if she is a housewife;not a federal skilled worker through express entry system in canada?

It’s totally different mindset.\nA home is for family (not alone), safe place. \nIn the States is privacy and if you want to be involved in a hobby, sport, etc. you go and get involved in a club!\nLook at a movie from the 1960s, i.e. ‘It’s a beautiful life’ the whole town was involved in each others life, you truly feel the love from all your neighbors.\nThat changed with all the different immigration changes, and different cultures that are not assimilated and they form their own sub-culture. The whole American experiment was for immigrants to assimilate in the American culture, but as mentioned that has started to get lost, because now you have many neighbors that don’t speak English. \nI don’t think what he is describing in this video about the countries where he is coming from are that efficient, where people stay outside all day and talk all day and not actually doing any work, but just talk, talk, talk. I come from Eastern Europe and that was what my parents and grandparents did everyday, a lot of youth now just want to be left alone and do their business and have their circle of close friends to be productive with their time.\nI would say for the American people, immediate family is what is strong.

I disagree with your analysis, I'm Asian American and most of my friends are all different colors and races. Allot of us have a very active lifestyle, if your an indoor type of person then you will obviously prefer staying indoors. I think why most people want to immigrate to a America is economical and social freedoms. I'm sure it might be very exciting in Africa, but Its chaotic, lawless and economically depressed. But if that's what you rather have than I suggest you stay where you came from.

This was a very insightful video. That’s why I love YouTube. You learn different perspectives.

The U.S. is very large, and there are many different types of people and many different types of neighborhoods, cities, and communities. I have lived where neighbors knew one another very well, and their kids would play ball in the street or play baseball at the local park or playground. I have lived where there are walking trails where you would see the same familar faces time and again. I have lived where there were many community activities. There are places where you can find farmer's markets and where churches are large and hold events. Our town has many groups that you can join, and there is a local theater. There are cities of course, where you can find all sorts of things to do. People do have a tendency in many places to have their spaces, and as most people do have what they need within those spaces...and many are spending more and more time on computers and watching televisions, we are becoming more estranged than we once were. We have come to value privacy. But, again, there are many many people with many different lifestyles. Today I went to shop at two different stores and ended up in conversations with several people. One man invited me to visit his farm. One woman told me all about her home and garden. Another lady told me about her daughter and what was going on with their family. I did not feel like a stranger, and the people I saw working in different businesses today were talkative and interacting with many other people, including friends and neighbors and other familiar faces. it just takes a little effort to smile and to speak. That being done, I was very happy to return to my home and have my own space again, where I knew I could take a nap without anyone knocking unexpectedly on my door. So....it depends on what you want. I would hesitate to paint the U.S. with a very broad brush. \nThat being said, it is very difficult to leave your home behind. It can be very difficult to stop seeing differences because you did love so many things about where you grew up, though you might not realize how much you will miss them until you've gone. I feel that in myself, and I have to be very careful not to miss the potential and possibilities where I am, because I am always thinking about how I miss where I once was.

The WEATHER is an important factor that determines why and how long people stay outside or visit. it is usually one extreme to another..too cold or too hot. but i agree, culture is different.

It is in their blood to put down eastern and african culture. The problem is they think they know everything just because they are materialistically affluent. \nThe problem is that puts you in various different problems that they don’t get it.

When we were living in the USA for 20years ,my husband and I argued way much because of stress.Last year we moved back to Africa,we are different people now.We are stress free,we can spend 3months with no arguments,life is enjoyable now ,while in the USA I never knew that or realized that I had a great husband when we were living there. This is so true

When mothers stayed at home to look after the young children I think things were very different , its the same here in Australia now . Although when our children were young my wife did not work and there was a vibrant community of mothers during the day time and children playing out in the streets , even when we returned from a small country town back to the city . Now , both parents need to work , so the suburbs ar empty during the week . As an aside if EBM is talking about north / north America much of the winter months are so cold you are not likely to be sitting out on the porch talking to your neighbour !

It's surely no different than speaking with one those deranged hobos sitting on a street corner. Studdering incoherent drivel.

Lmfao this guy... 4billion to build new homes which will destroy the environment.. because where you going to build these houses/neighborhoods.... And btw we KNOW well likely never be able to own a detached home. Trudeau's failed across the board so what is different with this empty promise?

Everyone's opinion will be different. I am black American. What u see now doesn't mean it's always been that way. When I was growing up in the suburbs of long Island, everyone was outside every chance they got. We kids made up games, jumped rope played in the parks went to the beach concerts etc. The adults, if lived in apartments including housing, sat outside and interacted. Neighbors in houses had block parties, new neighbor welcoming, and so on. One of the reasons at least in my community was that a lot of folks were from the south. Everyone spoke, knew each other in their villages. As time went on and more foreign born moved in things changed mainly because of difference in culture then in some places crime is bad. There's no one shoe fits all. It's different all over this big country.

That's because people mind their business. Seriously, you can't compare this to Africa. It's a different lifestyle altogether. Not a good comparison. Yes, it's indoor they are not living in a mud hut. Americans are NOT lonely unless they chose to be. Really, nonsensical, comparison ?

That's honestly a weird way of living according to me ???... \nLet me enjoy Africa ?❤️ even more before i land there some day maybe ... We need to see little shops around , kids running in different directions, chicken and goat crossing the street and some drinking bar or cafeteria playing songs

What should I do, if I would like to get to know someone from a different country (play dates, genuine friendship, dinner parties, hanging out). The immigrants I’ve met have no desire to talk to me, or if they do it is very reserved. How do I show them that I would like to start a genuine friendship?

You are lonely in the US only because everyone lives far and you have no family and extended family here. Otherwise, living in the US is no different than living in other countries. Really people.

I am Dominican and American citizen. This is SO REAL! We lose so much to win income and things. But LONELINESS is a great price to pay. Here you will lose your identity, your roots, your life , to become maybe more financially stable. I love America, with all my heart, but I realize it is a totally different world. It is designed to work, work, work, and forget about family, friends, relationships. We will get more toys, more things, and more order and organization, less open corruption, but will also have to settle for less life in community, settle for materialism and individualism. Settle for a lifeless life. Loneliness is a very high price for a better car, or bigger house or opportunities. And still...I.love America. My advise, unless you have your whole (or many) family here..\nStay in your country!

Folks !! Loneliness is not a culture.. in fact it is a choice.. all the people who are talking about being lonely in A different country … make an effort to mingle !! Stop complaining.. u went to these countries for better prospects and also because u could not make/ have a decent living in your own country.

I am Ugandan, student in the US. It is isolated, and lonely definitely. When am done I might just stay for at most 5 years and head back. This side is good to visit, but if u stay your life just washes away in door. I don’t judge their lifestyle though, I see it as different, something I have to bear with for now.

Yes, I agree with you. I grew up in Indonesia which I used to have lots of friends but since I have been living in USA for 33 years, I feel lonely here. Westerners are very individualist, happy only for themselves. My son was born here, the way he thinks is very individualist, selfish, and he is happy only for himself or few friends. \nAsians, Hispanics, Africans are similar, they like to share, talk, give but not Westerners, they are very different!

All he is saying is not true. Sorry, I don’t know where he lives but I was born and raised in the southern part of the USA. My experiences are so opposite of what this man is saying. You must know that foreigners from other countries will not have the same experience as born/raised Americans. I am very travelled, yes there are various differences from countries to countries but it’s up to an individual to find meaning in life no matter where they are.

So we’ll said my friend. I came from India and I feel so lonely. And being immigrant and person of different color it makes it so difficult. People and friends would be in and out of my house. Always had people around. And if you don’t have family or a single person no spouse or partner it is very very lonely.

So different with asian countries. We have that sense of communal unity, where we can help our neighbours and hang out with fellow neighborhood.. but so different at western countries..

I have always wondered about this. You look at literally any other continent in the world and you see many people out on the streets hustling and bustling. Especially here in Pakistan, everything is always alive. But whenever I look at the U.S or Canada on Google Maps, I always get this strange lonely feeling. Why are the streets always so empty? I have often thought that despite the endless amount of celebrities and YouTubers, journalists etc. who are always noisy on the news and social media, and portray a very lively image of North America, I really felt that the situation of the common man is quite different. The common man of North America must not think that their neighborhoods being this lonely and empty is normal. After watching this video, that belief of mine has been validated.

You are right. I am Canadian and it's cold, I mean, very cold. We can't wait for the summer which do not last and are very short. With the pandemic situation, everything changed in the last 2 years. Masks, take out, social distancing, no restaurants, cinema things like that, it got worst. I took an early retirement we moved in the country side where our parents were raised and all of our cousins and brother & sister are, people know each other. It's totally different. You go anywhere you are not a number, you are people. The bad parts are there are no much work or job available, you have to wait to get older to live there or if your lucky enough to get a job, you keep it, no choice and all the muskitos for a month in spring, it's so bad that you can't stay outside for too long. We call this ''muskito clouds''.

Hello. I am not sure whether I am eligible for any PNP programs. I am in the pool for almost a year with a score of 414. I have overall 5 years of work experience in different NOC codes but one year in my primary NOC 1121. How can I boost my score or what program to apply to? Thank you in advance.

I am from Pakistan. Studied and lived in USA for over 10 years. Don't know where my time has gone so fast. Life is very busy in usa (I lived in Chicago, Denver, Orange County, CA and LA. People have to work two jobs to ends meet. Most people have to share housing...that really sucks. Constant expense (rent or mortgage payments are so high people have to constantly work. Whatever time people get they run chores and stay home and chill. You see ultra rich or people on welfare having fun at the beach. I have had a very close friend from pakistan came to usa same time as I did. we both never had enough time to meet up on regular basis. even when we met we had so many things in back of our minds running. I had couple of girlfriends (of course at different times) but they had other boyfriends at the same time. And number one thing they had on their mind is was get money from you. What you wear and drive is what you are. People consider you obsolete if you wear non branded shoes or older models of branded shoes. I traveled extensively in the US and Canada. But in East Europe like Romania and Poland I found people very friendly. Now I am back in pakistan facing basic problems like traffic jams, noisy honking streets and so on but for some reason i feel worriless and relax. whenever i go out, people start to talk to you and you feel like home. everyone is super friendly and is available for help. however you cant really trust people with money though. hahahha. After living in USA for so long I do really miss many things about it though. the efficient system is definitely a big plus. and i have realized that some times i like being all alone for extensive period of times. but knowing that i can meet up anyone any time gives me peace of mind. i have realized hard way that man made martials can amuse you to some extent only. you need live beings are you.

Hi I am from Sierra Leone ??, I know the culture and lifestyle are quite different, Africa is noisy and busy round the clock but if it up to me,living quietly like this wouldn't change my mental status because honestly I live like this in my country.\nI don't like partying or going out much,I just love my own peace of mind and quietness.\nI agree with what your saying but not everyone sees this as boring, many in Africa lives in villages and towns just like this

I'm different . I like the life in US and Canada. I like western culture and its individual nature. I love family and friends too but I also like my space. I like the quietness and indoor life.

Here in the US ?? I live here from 2019 I grew up in Africa you can’t compare here with Africa \nAfrica is backwards here is developed and far better in life style if you talkiabout neighboring or greeting or playing together africa is better and social \nBut let me tell you \nIn the US if you have good job you have a good car a lovely wife you go to work you come back you can play with your wife \nOr take your car go to the town enjoy \nTake your kids on weekends to parks malls beaches and play \nLot things to do cause here public places are well taken care of different from Africa \nAfrican cities public places even hospitals or local schools are not taken care of \nIn the US you just need a good paying job a car a lovely wife I swear you gonna live a beautiful life \nYou can travel summer time to Florida with your family everything here is with good job ?

Americans complain so much about others speaking different languages in America but when they go to Korea or Germany to live it’s a different story (AND FYI THEY DONT COMPLAIN).

Greetings from Mauritius ??, living in Mauritius is no different from the western world, every developed country has detached neighbourhood. Sad but true ?

Sir u talking about only the house area if u go to live in city that difference lifestyle in city like Mumbai like London like newyork

Representing Nairobi Kenya. I believe in travelling and experiencing different cultures around the world. But as for settling, these Western countries seem too cold and lonely for us and our way of life. We are very communal, we sit and walk outside a lot. Common Market places are an integral part. Our kids always come out to play with neighbors kids when not in school. I have lots of friends everywhere, our shopkeepers are our friends, gas station attendants, security guards, technicians, our workmates are all friends. I'd hate for my daughter to have no friends to play with and to just sit watching TV or on a computer all day every day. We find this very antisocial and bad for a child's development. Its is so sad and unfair but I guess its just the way life is there.

What you say is very very true. Life in the USA is very different than in many other countries. You basically covered the things that I have told people who want to move to the USA.

I hear you very well my brother. My only issue about this is that it seems like you came there to judge their lifestyles, and how they do things. I mean you know exactly why you relocated there and there are even good countries in Africa or outside where in which you could have stayed which would have accommodated the type of person you are. I am an introvert and I would definitely enjoy staying there because less contact with people gives me more energy and happiness. It is very vital to be prepared mentally, physically, and spiritually when you relocate to a different place. That is why doing prior research about the environment you are moving to is important. I am assuming you are temporarily just staying there, right? I mean like most of your family is back home in Africa. Then, why are you stressing yourself out?

I absolutely agree with you. Indian culture is different also from USA or Canada.