7 Things America Does Really Well

In which I lay down 7 big things America does better than anywhere else.

[andrewspears]

"Those fire hydrants you see in the movies are actually real." That gave me a laugh.

[blackstone]

You brought a smile to my face. Bringing up road trips and diners.. There is nothing more American than taking a road trip and stopping at the local diners for a bite to eat. Forget the fast food. You'll get some of the best home cooking at the local diner.

[geisaune]

I think the National Park system is one of the things that Americans should be most proud of. From the famous and easily accessible parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon to the less known and much more remote parks like Great Basin, Gates of the Arctic, and Zion. Each one of them is an absolute gem. Conversely, I also think the lack of decent intercity passenger rail (to say nothing of high-speed rail) is one of the things Americans should be most regretful of.

[michaelmeadows]

As an American, our State/National parks are the thing I love most about this country. Especially out in the midwest/west. Yellowstone almost feels like a different planet.

[Christus-Veritas]

*As a Brit now living in America I find that something that is uniquely American is not just eating breakfast at a diner but eating breakfast with friends and family. Just like in the UK you would eat out with friends and family but in the evening. Where I live there is a local diner and if you go there Saturday or Sunday morning you will see the same people there with their kids, family and friends, week after week. Eating out in the morning is a very uniquely American thing. Something I never experienced n the UK.*

[ripvanwinkle]

you are so correct about Diners..
unless they are done poorly, there is something about them. they seem more like youre at your aunts house for breakfast and a bunch of rarely seen cousins have popped by as well.. its weird but it feels like family somehow when youre in a diner..

[rharris]

I have to concur quite emphatically about the road trips.
Englishman here, travelled Route 66 back in 2019, but with some detours. Starters in LA, finished in Chicago, and I’ve gotta say, driving along the PCH and through the west and the deserts and different geographies that you’ve got over there is as close to a spiritual experience as I’ll ever have. I’ve never seen anything like it. Truly astounding. The drive through the Sierra Nevadas was terrifying and mesmerising, and then when we dropped down and not long after we found ourselves in the deserts of Nevada. That was just amazing. Can’t wait to come back this year.

[a.b.c.]

I think something else America does well is attract smart, deep thinking and entertaining people to come live here. Making us that much better for it.

[minimaster]

him pulling out the american accent for the "Good Morning!" was the funniest thing ive ever seen
also, even though everything is similar, you can practically go into a different country by going a few hundred miles in whichever direction

[danamania]

I’m an American living overseas and this video made me extremely homesick! Getting breakfast & coffee at a diner is something I miss terribly 🥲

[koobs]

Laurence, as a native Detroiter, you have no idea how much it means to me to hear that you prefer Detroit style pizza to both Chicago & NY. I feel like so many times when people mention cities associated with pizza, they fail to realize Detroit’s place in pizza history. Many people are surprised to learn that there is such a thing as Detroit style pizza.

[theoptimisticmetalhead]

Shockingly excellent "Good morning." Like not just the accent, but the cadence and tonality and everything. Took me right back home. And I'm still here. how'd you make me nostalgic for something I'm currently immersed in??

[joannhunter]

I think America comes together over a crisis better than most. When the tornadoes demolished a large part of Kentucky, help arrived from all the states around Kentucky. The electric crews came from other states to help get the power back on, etc. We may disagree on politics but when we are in need, we pull together. I think it's our best strength.

[skyline]

Great video! I'm Canadian, and think your list is spot on. America does a lot of things really well! When I visit the U.S. I'm always impressed with how friendly and outgoing so many Americans are, and how many of them have a cheery and positive disposition!

[Ganglydude]

God bless you for your positive commentary of my homeland. Sometimes this place feels hopelessly lost with all the madness today but it helps to hear a little upbeat commentary from someone relatively new here.
Actually means a lot.

[Rick_Hoppe]

You really nailed the appeal of the local American diner with its comfort food and comfortable ambiance. You mentioned “the pour of the coffee”;
I can’t think of anyplace other than the American diner that has the reassuring ritual of the waitress floating through the restaurant every 15 minutes with a glass globe of coffee topping off everyone’s cup. Though it’s usually quite unnecessary, it leaves one feeling nurtured.

[miketackabery]

Hilarious that you did the American accent "good morning" almost as a throwaway. You are just consistently entertaining!

[rustyaxelrod]

As an American, I have romantic feelings about trains. I wish we had more here in the states. I have no experience with them but it seems like it would be awesome to get in a train in Ohio and ride to Arizona for example.

[davidpumpkinsjr.]

When people define "Americana" (which is admittedly a nebulous term), diners are a big part of that.

I also like that he included Quantum Leap alongside great American entertainment like Star Wars and the MCU.

[michaelmeadows]

Also, the wild thing about our road system is that despite how big our country is, you can get onto your pedal bike and literally get to just about anywhere. It might take you several months, but you can.