Comment by throwaway2037

    > This must require a *shocking* cultural adaptation.

I agree. The change was pretty fast. Same for Sweden (20.5%), Denmark (14%), and Finland (11%). I would like to hear from people in their 30s and 40s who grew up in these countries and witnessed the changes first hand. (There is no hidden agenda/meaning in my request.)

The real trick to seeing the best parts of US culture: Get away from the east and west coasts. Once you go inland, especially to small cities, people are very welcoming. I have seen many YouTube videos were foreigners travel to "parts unknown", and are pleasantly surprised when random people stop to have a chat and wish them a good day. For example, lots of Peter Santenello's YouTube videos[1] are about visiting lesser known parts of countryside US. The people are overwhelmingly friendly (to a fault!).

Honestly, I think a lot of continental Europe isn't so different. In small cities and towns, all kinds of random people will wave and say hello in the local language, even if they guess that you cannot speak their language. Usually, they are excited to see some obvious foreigners visiting their place.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/@PeterSantenello