This article has been included in M’s weekly newsletter, focusing on modern masculinity for everyday people in an unusual world.
Instead of enjoying her time abroad, Los Angeles Times columnist Jackie Calmes opted to stay engaged with American news, and I couldn’t help but reflect on her choices. It felt a bit glittery, I guess. The news cycle was busy, filled with riots against ICE in Los Angeles, responses from Trump and Musk, and military parades celebrating the Fourth. In her commentary, Calmes viewed these incidents as signs of America sliding into authoritarianism.
She mentioned returning home with 38,000 feet of clarity, observing how those from developing nations face their own challenges, perhaps in a privileged perspective.
Coincidentally, I was also away on an international trip—my honeymoon—while Calmes was busy with the news. However, as someone who feels a deep connection to America, I saw things differently. To me, the USA and its everyday wonders are something special.
First off, unlike Calmes, I tuned out the news entirely. I mean, who goes on a honeymoon with one eye on Italy and the other on headlines? It didn’t make sense to spoil my relaxing days by analyzing Trump’s reactions or the short-lived controversies. It was all about disconnecting.
Secondly, upon returning, I noticed simple yet profound things about America—little details we usually overlook.
For instance, chicken. I was surprised to find that there were no Chick-fil-A locations in Italy (at least not in the area where my wife and I were). Fried chicken? Not so much. Even chicken parmesan was hard to find. It was a bit shocking, honestly.
Then there’s water. In the U.S., servers automatically bring you an ice-cold glass of water. In Italy, you have to pay for still water and, ice? Forget it. Italians don’t believe in it. They prefer it without.
And let’s talk about drivers. Italian drivers can be, well, quite reckless, as if they’ve had one too many. Sure, there are bad drivers in the U.S. too, but on the whole, Americans are typically more courteous to pedestrians. They’ll stop to let you cross—unless you’re in New York City, of course.
Lastly, air conditioning. Italians shy away from it, viewing it as unnatural. Their buildings are often too old for central air, so they’re not particularly comfortable in the heat. In America, we embrace the cold relief of AC, and I certainly can’t imagine living without it.
Indeed, America has several reasons to celebrate, like our freedoms and geography. Yet, it’s these everyday comforts—like chicken, AC, and the suburbs—that make it truly great. We shouldn’t overlook them.
