That’s a really interesting take and I 100% agree. Outside of the UK, America is the country I feel most at home in. Like you I grew up obsessed with American high school and wanted nothing more than a locker!! I’ve been multiple times and have absolutely loved every single trip. But as much as I love it, I simply cannot support it at the moment. I refused to go (plus Covid) the last time the Cheeto was in power and I refused this time. Hopefully he won’t completely implode the country so travel there will be possible in the future but we’ll have to see how the next few years play out.
I do agree that now’s the time for other countries, cultures etc to shine. Whilst last time I just didn’t go for 4 years, this time I’m actively trying not to buy or support anything American made/owned and whilst I’m not perfect as it’s not always obvious I am trying. I feel like I’m doing my bit to take a stand against him and everything he stands for. I do feel bad for the American producers who are good people but I refuse to contribute anything to their economy right now. I’ve even stopped buying Cadbury chocolate which I pretty much ate every single day due to it being American owned 😂
As much as I love the country, at the moment it’s a dumpster fire that the rest of the world is looking at in horror and only seems to get worse and worse every day. I would discourage anyone from travelling there any time soon and go explore what the rest of the world has to offer. There are some pretty great places out there!!
Love Japan and Korea. I was Lucky enough to visit pre pandemic and am planning another trip soon. Everything about the countries brought joy to my soul x
Enjoyed reading this as an American who is new to the UK — I think the East Asian influence hit America 5 to 10 years ago (if not even before, starting in towns and cities with a sizable East Asian community) and is just now reverberating across the pond, so in part it could be another wave of globalization hitting alongside the UK appreciating a non-dominant culture after the dominant one turned out to be... awful. I just went to PureSeoul in Stratford and it was PACKED like a Sephora, which was honestly very cool to see.
We will have to revisit this topic when Beyonce's Cowboy Carter tour comes to London next week...!
Hard agree with all of this, LC! I was watching old 90s/00s music videos from my American faves the other night and thinking about how much I wanted to live there growing up - it made me sad that I no longer feel much warmth towards the country (at least not right now). But LOVED my trip to South Korea last year, and it seems like there's a new K-beauty pharmacy opening up every week in central LDN at the moment (which I am in no way mad at). xxx
Every UK 90s kid longed to ride that yellow bus, go to a real American prom and have that locker to hide their secret diary in haha! You're so right, it has lost it's charm. It would be interesting to hear the generation belows thoughts...do you think they look at East Asian schools etc with envy like we did American?
Absolutely loved this write up LC. Couldn’t agree more on all of the points made either.
I’m the same age as you (and I have 3 little ones), am I collecting LaBuBu’s but for *me* also yes! And it’s not just a trend either. I only want 3 and whilst I couldn’t get them from POPMART, Vinted has been wonderful for sourcing the colours I wanted 💞
They are fun, they are cute, they remind me so much of my youth (the book, Where The Wild Things Are) and a calmer, worry-free period of time.
I have family in the US, fortunately they are dual citizenship and are doing what they can to leave. They say it doesn’t feel safe anymore and it’s just the beginning.
What with Trump and his cronies rolling back the years, it’s like some dystopian version of reality that no one (well no one I know) wants to be apart of. The US used to feel fresh and aspirational. Now it feels stuck and rigid and there’s no way I’d waste any time, effort or money visiting whilst it’s so hard for so many people. In contrast everything about the East feels innovative, fresh, and welcoming. Although I still haven’t tried a matcha! 🍵
It's the first time I hear someone express the feeling I felt, and still feel, about the United States. I guess it's because we're from the same generation, we grew up dreaming about that American “shine”, and it will probably never fully leave us.
I'd even say I feel a bit sad about the joke they've become, because a part of me still admires them (in retrospect).
What’s happening with Asia is undeniable, something Americans will probably never accept. But hey, there’s not much more we can do for them hahaha.
I get the feeling (not sure if anyone would agree) that, in general, the United States is a very immature culture in general. Since it’s a country that was created relatively recently, there are still paths they haven't walked yet as a society. Just thinking out loud.
Love Japan and Korea. I was Lucky enough to visit pre pandemic and am planning another trip soon. Everything about the countries brought joy to my soul x
That’s a really interesting take and I 100% agree. Outside of the UK, America is the country I feel most at home in. Like you I grew up obsessed with American high school and wanted nothing more than a locker!! I’ve been multiple times and have absolutely loved every single trip. But as much as I love it, I simply cannot support it at the moment. I refused to go (plus Covid) the last time the Cheeto was in power and I refused this time. Hopefully he won’t completely implode the country so travel there will be possible in the future but we’ll have to see how the next few years play out.
I do agree that now’s the time for other countries, cultures etc to shine. Whilst last time I just didn’t go for 4 years, this time I’m actively trying not to buy or support anything American made/owned and whilst I’m not perfect as it’s not always obvious I am trying. I feel like I’m doing my bit to take a stand against him and everything he stands for. I do feel bad for the American producers who are good people but I refuse to contribute anything to their economy right now. I’ve even stopped buying Cadbury chocolate which I pretty much ate every single day due to it being American owned 😂
As much as I love the country, at the moment it’s a dumpster fire that the rest of the world is looking at in horror and only seems to get worse and worse every day. I would discourage anyone from travelling there any time soon and go explore what the rest of the world has to offer. There are some pretty great places out there!!
The US is a dumpster fire of epic proportions and you are right to hesitate about visiting us again now.
Check your DMs, have a question for you!
Love Japan and Korea. I was Lucky enough to visit pre pandemic and am planning another trip soon. Everything about the countries brought joy to my soul x
Enjoyed reading this as an American who is new to the UK — I think the East Asian influence hit America 5 to 10 years ago (if not even before, starting in towns and cities with a sizable East Asian community) and is just now reverberating across the pond, so in part it could be another wave of globalization hitting alongside the UK appreciating a non-dominant culture after the dominant one turned out to be... awful. I just went to PureSeoul in Stratford and it was PACKED like a Sephora, which was honestly very cool to see.
We will have to revisit this topic when Beyonce's Cowboy Carter tour comes to London next week...!
Hard agree with all of this, LC! I was watching old 90s/00s music videos from my American faves the other night and thinking about how much I wanted to live there growing up - it made me sad that I no longer feel much warmth towards the country (at least not right now). But LOVED my trip to South Korea last year, and it seems like there's a new K-beauty pharmacy opening up every week in central LDN at the moment (which I am in no way mad at). xxx
Every UK 90s kid longed to ride that yellow bus, go to a real American prom and have that locker to hide their secret diary in haha! You're so right, it has lost it's charm. It would be interesting to hear the generation belows thoughts...do you think they look at East Asian schools etc with envy like we did American?
Absolutely loved this write up LC. Couldn’t agree more on all of the points made either.
I’m the same age as you (and I have 3 little ones), am I collecting LaBuBu’s but for *me* also yes! And it’s not just a trend either. I only want 3 and whilst I couldn’t get them from POPMART, Vinted has been wonderful for sourcing the colours I wanted 💞
They are fun, they are cute, they remind me so much of my youth (the book, Where The Wild Things Are) and a calmer, worry-free period of time.
I have family in the US, fortunately they are dual citizenship and are doing what they can to leave. They say it doesn’t feel safe anymore and it’s just the beginning.
What with Trump and his cronies rolling back the years, it’s like some dystopian version of reality that no one (well no one I know) wants to be apart of. The US used to feel fresh and aspirational. Now it feels stuck and rigid and there’s no way I’d waste any time, effort or money visiting whilst it’s so hard for so many people. In contrast everything about the East feels innovative, fresh, and welcoming. Although I still haven’t tried a matcha! 🍵
Great observation! I see tweens walking around looking like goths, but then notice a k-pop idol’s face on their backpacks or something, a plush toy
It's the first time I hear someone express the feeling I felt, and still feel, about the United States. I guess it's because we're from the same generation, we grew up dreaming about that American “shine”, and it will probably never fully leave us.
I'd even say I feel a bit sad about the joke they've become, because a part of me still admires them (in retrospect).
What’s happening with Asia is undeniable, something Americans will probably never accept. But hey, there’s not much more we can do for them hahaha.
I get the feeling (not sure if anyone would agree) that, in general, the United States is a very immature culture in general. Since it’s a country that was created relatively recently, there are still paths they haven't walked yet as a society. Just thinking out loud.
Great article and I agree.
Crash Landing On You is one of my favourite Korean TV dramas.
I was lucky enough to go to Japan last year and loved it so much I went back later in the year just to spend more time in Tokyo.
Love Japan and Korea. I was Lucky enough to visit pre pandemic and am planning another trip soon. Everything about the countries brought joy to my soul x