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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.
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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.