As a communist in the USA, it’s weirdly affirming how both USSR citizens and now red book users both experience a shock in learning the reality of living in the west. The former tragic because it was caused by transitioning to it, but this time it’s vaguely warm. There is no threat, just exposure.

I saw a post where people were shocked to learn that ambulance costs weren’t government propaganda. I know the app trends bougie and liberal in the mainland, but maybe that’s good given the current context? They are being exposed to the reality of America rather than the RFA version.

[–] Frogmanfromlake@hexbear.net 47 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

This often happens for a couple reasons. The US embassy straight up lies and will say things like every American can afford a house while working in a kitchen.

Another is soft power. People see shows like Friends or whatever’s trending on Netflix and think all Americans live like that. YouTube plays into this too when they see massive YouTuber homes and believe every American can easily afford it.

[–] NewOldGuard@hexbear.net 16 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

The embassy released a list of posts on Weibo i believe in response to Americans talking about life here in XHS. They claimed we have universal healthcare and an average household net worth of 1.2 million dollars lmao

[–] Grandpa_garbagio@hexbear.net 12 points 11 hours ago

https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309405122444334858366

i found the household value one but i dont see the healthcare one

[–] skeletorsass@hexbear.net 45 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago) (1 children)

I have enjoyed the liberal Chinese reaction a lot. Liberal who say that American people make a lot of money and have a good life are humiliated. 😸

I troll them

[–] RNAi@hexbear.net 13 points 13 hours ago (2 children)

How much trolling until they get scratched and tell you it's because of your "personal and generational failures"?

[–] skeletorsass@hexbear.net 2 points 4 hours ago

When they get scratched they will attack me because I am from Gansu. I can tell that they are mad.

[–] NewOldGuard@hexbear.net 12 points 12 hours ago

I’ve seen a few people saying things like this, that Americans make a lot of money but are just spendthrifts who don’t know how to save. I hope they mull over the vast number of anecdotes and receipts people are sharing to realize how false that perception is

[–] darkmode@hexbear.net 37 points 21 hours ago (1 children)

awhile ago there was a youtube video posted here where there was a comment seemingly from someone outside of the US who claimed to hear that we had good healthcare or something. If one isn’t deep in the web it’s hard to know for certain

for example, i have the benefit of living around and having friends who’ve lived or currently live in China. Exchange students in college for example, and that set me straight in my libs years. Just asking about daily life and recognizing that ppl r the same everywhere. Not everyone views the world in that simple way which leads to understand of differences and nuance etc

[–] EpicKebabEater@hexbear.net 43 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

I live outside the West and people who want to move to the United States know basically nothing about it. I've never seen one acknowledge homelessness, people who need multiple jobs, healthcare costs etc.

I might be the most anti-USA person I know because I have a lot of USian friends to explain the experience first-hand.

[–] darkmode@hexbear.net 49 points 19 hours ago

the US’s reputation is absolutely riding on the runoff of its golden years. people getting crushed in the belly of the beast also still believe that ppl want to immigrate here bc of “opportunity” and other such vague-ries