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What’s something really important that you should have been taught in school but you weren’t?

For me, I should have been taught that Russia and America are NOT two of the greatest countries. Truth is, they’re not even close. To date, I’ve traveled to 20 countries, and that only amounts to 8% of the world. This is not coming from a place of privilege. It’s simply an observation. Russia and America are so brainwashed and incredibly nationalistic. They’re taught “we’re the best.”

I’m currently in Denmark for a few weeks. This is my 3rd time here. I love it! Denmark is one of the actually statistically greatest countries in the world. The quality of life is amazing here and people are so happy!

There aren’t many positive things I can say about Russia right now but there are many things that I love about the US. I’m simply pointing out the differences in countries. I really enjoy traveling, talking to people, and learning about their country and culture.

Why are Danes so happy? Is it because they’re not as stressed? They have free healthcare. Free education. Year of maternity leave. Access to affordable housing. I’ve not seen a single unhoused person here. With a population of 5.8M, Denmark has a 0.1% homeless rate. Denmark is tiny compared to the US but the 0.1% homeless rate is impressive. Also, their water is literally 99% clean. I’m sure people will argue with me that healthcare and education aren’t free because of the high taxes. I’m just repeating what people are telling me here. And they’re genuinely happy.

It reminds me of when I went to Finland back in December and decided to take a bus across town. I was horrified when I saw 2 very young children, 5 and 6 y/o max, get on the bus by themselves. My first thought was they were lost, that they last their parents. They’re in danger. They need help! But they were totally fine. They were carrying sleds. They were laughing and joking around then they got off the bus. It’s because Finland is one of the safest countries in the world. Parents there are not worried about their children getting kidnapped or anything bad happening to them. It’s very common in Europe to leave your baby in the stroller outside while you’re inside the cafe watching through a window. Can you imagine doing that in the US?

It’s so odd that America has this nationalist mentality of “we’re only going to teach you about America”. Yet they’re so resistant to teaching about critical race theory. Like I’ve said, I’ve only seen 8% of the world but that is so much more than most Americans and Russians. Travel. Go see the world. Experience how people live outside of your own country.
Shockingly, we’re at a point in the U.S. where people don’t even want their kids taught about the United States. When I was on EP in 2009, I was used to speaking with Americans who were clueless about some aspects of Black history, it’s often been a footnote in our textbooks. Imagine my surprise when posters from the UK and France knew about people like Benjamin Banneker, Crispus Attucks, Ida B. Wells, Mary McCleod Bethune, heroes to some of us, but totally unknown to most here.

I’ve travelled to fewer places than you, but I’ve been to Europe, Central America, Canada, and it was amazing. My parents have been all over the world, and their openness towards people reflect that.
Randi1125 · 31-35, F
@bijouxbroussard

When I lived in the states I was surprised at how many don’t travel and don’t have a passport. It’s not because these people didn't have the money, they just weren’t curious about the "outside" world. They’re like “oh we travel, we go to Florida. 😳

Btw, thank you for answering my posts. I always look forward to reading your comments.
Subsumedpat · 36-40, M
@Randi1125 Probably people don' have passports because there is so much to see in the US. I would like to experience other cultures and their foods but other than that everything is here, you want mountains they got mountains, want snow and skiing they got that, want water have multiple oceans and all kinds of lakes, there is really not much anyone has that you can't find in the US.
Randi1125 · 31-35, F
@Subsumedpat

Yes! Learning the different cultures and food. More importantly, for me is the people I meet and the bond I form with people so completely different from me. And yet the more we learn about one another, we realize we’re not so different after all. I have an insatiable curiosity for different cultures around the world. I love learning from people in different countries. These authentic encounters expose me to their ways of life, their thinking, their traditions… I love and embrace the differences and similarities we all have. I continuously find myself learning new things and with each travel, I’ve developed higher self-awareness.
TinyViolins · 31-35, M
About the neurological and normative differences between people. Different personalities, paradigms, character traits emerge from different people as a response to their individual environments, but we get shoved into a cookie cutter world. Kids get mocked or ostracized or bullied because they lack the ability to empathize with those that are different and have internalized a very limited perception of what's acceptable or desirable.

We blame school shootings and bullying and teenage suicide on everything but the root cause, which is the lack of empathy and acceptance that people have come to see as a normal hierarchy. Part of being in a society is learning to live with differences, so I think we're not setting our children up for success in the society of the future.
Randi1125 · 31-35, F
@TinyViolins

Very interesting. You won’t find that in the Russian curriculum, that’s for sure. You explained this very well. Thank you.
SW-User
I wish they taught confidence and mental strength bc though i had the best grades i was never happy or felt good abt myself as both aspects were something i never learned, and i realised that bookish knowledge is of no use if you don't have the guts to be happy with yourself or mentally strong
Diotrephes · 70-79, M
@SW-User As you desire.
Tres13 · 51-55, M
@SW-User Martial Arts hard work, discipline equals mental toughness equals self confidence
Randi1125 · 31-35, F
@SW-User ❤️
bugeye · 26-30, F
just general life skills. i've known people who have left school and not know how to go about writing a cv and applying for work, some have no clue how to cook without the use of a microwave and some have no clue about how to organise a budget and are terrible with money.

but by all means teach them about trigonometry, world religions and worst of all from my school Dance. not even an interesting modern dance but the cultural shiz nobody ever uses. honestly if you live in scotland i challenge you to tell me the last time (if ever) out of school you had to dance the Gay Gordons.
Randi1125 · 31-35, F
@bugeye Idk, the Gay Gordons sounds kinda festive. 😏
1490wayb · 56-60, M
i learned very little practical i could use...after 6th grade, a total waste
Diotrephes · 70-79, M
@1490wayb I'm sure that you learned how to be at your duty station on time and how to turn in reports on time. Don't you use those skills in your job?
Diotrephes · 70-79, M
@1490wayb As H.L. Mencken wrote = I do not believe in education, and am glad I never went to a university. Beyond the rudiments, it is impossible to teach anything. All the rest the student acquires himself. His teacher merely makes it difficult for him. I never learned anything in school.
Graylight · 51-55, F
@Diotrephes Yeah, not really applicable at scale, though.
Nimbus · M
Economics, money and how it is used to rule people but then again they don't want us to know that.
Randi1125 · 31-35, F
@Nimbus Spot on.
Money, they should have taught about money, investing and the power money has. The Middle Class in the US were taught how to be a good employees. The rich were taught about power, money, investments.

Countries like Sweden balanced things out. A doctor, lawyer lives in the same building as the garbage man.
Randi1125 · 31-35, F
@Pitchblue

Money, they should have taught about money, investing and the power money has. The Middle Class in the US were taught how to be a good employees. The rich were taught about power, money, investments.
☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️ YES!!!!!!!

Btw, I love Sweden.
Diotrephes · 70-79, M
@Pitchblue Which one of the three is the most important: the doctor; the lawyer; or the garbage man?
DeluxedEdition · 26-30, F
Economics, personal money management
Randi1125 · 31-35, F
@DeluxedEdition So important! I agree.
Ryannnnnn · 31-35, M
I think social skills, how to deal with trauma, mental health. All things that we will deal with which just isn't taught. It seems to be all about increasing GDP instead of actually preparing people for life itself. Even basic philosophical concepts, finding meaning in life, why it's worth pursuing goals and developing as a human being.

These are things that are essential to existing in this world, yet they aren't taught. If i'd been taught these things I wouldn't have struggled with deep existential depression for such a long time before I learnt these concepts from external sources. So simple yet overlooked.
Catzgano · 31-35, F
They don’t teach us to think for ourselves and that money drives almost every political decision made
Randi1125 · 31-35, F
@Catzgano It’s almost as if they don’t want us to think for ourselves. 🤔
Diotrephes · 70-79, M
@Catzgano Your parents should teach you some things as well.
MrBrownstone · 46-50, M
Your rights and critical thinking.
Randi1125 · 31-35, F
@MrBrownstone You weren't taught critical thinking?
MrBrownstone · 46-50, M
@Randi1125 I taught myself after I lived life after school.
Randi1125 · 31-35, F
@MrBrownstone Gotcha
Definitely critical thinking skills. Too many accept woo woo claims. If you’re up late nights, there are commercials for "California Psychics" on TV. Major retail sell "medications" based on homeopathy. Even here, astrology and other magical claims get promoted.

My generation used to say "question everything". For me the adage is: "If it’s not science, it’s superstition.
More about how great the United States really is.
This message was deleted by its author.
Diotrephes · 70-79, M
@MarmeeMarch That does describe the typical racist American during the Jim Crow era.
@MarmeeMarch
WELL - I GUESS OLD MAN RIVER BLOCKED ME - What a butthurt old senile fart.
wildbill83 · 36-40, M
actual history/events, not the watered downed, sugar coated, subjective version they teach today...

"those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it"

the same is true for those who never learned it, or are ignorant of it...
Entwistle · 56-60, M
Self defence. Also to question everything.

 
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