The USA. We live here, we get ourselves embroiled in the current political issues of the day, and we get used to what we have without even being aware of what we have. As it’s often said:
Fish are the last to discover water.
Have you seen the reactions of the thousands of soccer fans here from around the world? Here are some snippets from an editorial published by USA Today. Ingrid Jacques opens with:
Europeans especially seem bewitched by the sheer bigness of it all, from the spacious Western grandeur to supersized gas stations like Buc-ee’s. It’s adorable.
Then she quotes some of them:
“This is so surreal, just had the best food ever,” Elsa, who is Swedish, posted to X. “Why did no one tell me ranch sauce is like crack? EUROPE WE NEED RANCH ASAP”
And then there is Freddy the German, who has amassed a huge following as he traverses around to World Cup games: “Just had our first Waffle House experience at 1am. Great food, great prices, and friendly staff. 10/10, we will be coming back.”
A fan from England had this to say about her fast-food experience: “THIS IS THE BEST FOOD I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE, AMERICA YOU KEEP ON DELIVERING!”
Ingrid continues:
The American economy is far from perfect, and Americans are feeling the continued pain of inflation and high grocery bills. But we rarely measure it against what our fellow humans across the globe face.
We are a remarkably wealthy country, and the envy of much of the world…The tourist awe for Walmart and Buc-ee’s? That should serve as a reminder of how lucky we are. – Ingrid Jacques, June 24, 2026
Yahoo Sports captured a few more reactions:
As their teams competed in group stage matches, fans in cities including Kansas City, Atlanta and Seattle have expressed joy at eating at breakfast chains like Waffle House or said their minds have been blown walking through big box warehouse stores like Bass Pro Shops and Walmart.
One man from England posted a video from inside a Walmart reveling at the fact he could purchase car parts, a flat-screen television and a rifle all under one roof...
But the biggest point of chatter among tourists from around the world has been the quality and quantity of food options in the U.S.
Some said they were surprised to see soft drinks come with ice and free refills or posted videos with their mouths agape as servers brought entrees to the table.
When did you last stand in awe and give thanks for ranch dressing or Waffle House? What about Walmart? Ever try to get ice in your drink in Europe? You might get one small cube.
In everything give thanks… (1 Thessalonians 5.18)
Take care lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God…Beware lest you say in your heart, “My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.“ You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth… (Deuteronomy 9.11 – 18, ESV)
PS After I drafted this blog, Peggy Noonan captured all of what I’m talking about in depth. Strongly recommend her July 27 piece: The Tartan Army Takes America.