It’s astonishing how everyday aspects of life here strike an American visitor as luxurious privileges only accessible to affluent individuals in the United States, according to Ukr.Media.
I’d like to share an account of a recent visit by a New Yorker to our rural community. He arrived as part of a work assignment alongside my friend (they’re colleagues). Having long dreamed of experiencing life in our country firsthand, he seized the opportunity to spend several days at my friend’s parents’ village home, where I joined them later (unwilling to miss such an intriguing encounter).
Here’s what left the deepest impression on our guest.
Abundance of Fresh Produce
The timing coincided with July’s peak summer heat. Upon entering the family home, our visitor immediately noticed baskets overflowing with garden-grown vegetables, buckets of apples, and herb bundles drying on newspapers.
– “What’s all this?” he inquired.
– “These are fresh harvests. My parents preserve them for winter. During summer and autumn, we always have plentiful crops. People here pickle, salt, and dry surplus foods to sustain themselves through colder months—store-bought meals are costly otherwise.”
– “Initially, I thought your family must be millionaires! Few Americans can afford such quantities of fresh produce daily. Eating tomatoes regularly in New York could bankrupt someone!” His comment sparked laughter.
We clarified that local markets offer similar baskets from gardeners at symbolic prices, contrasting sharply with processed or imported goods in supermarkets. A visit to the village store became an eye-opening experience, with our guest continuously documenting prices to share with family back home.
Household Appliances
The washing machine and drying setup particularly astonished him. While affordable in the U.S., installing such appliances proves challenging in many New York residences due to incompatible plumbing systems.
– “Only wealthy residents in upscale neighborhoods typically own personal laundry machines. Others rely on shared facilities,” he remarked.
Companion Animals
– “Are your parents secretly rich? How do they afford multiple pets?” he questioned upon seeing three cats, a kitten, and two large dogs roaming the yard.
– “We don’t purchase animals here. Strays get adopted and multiply naturally. Parents don’t spend extra funds on sterilization—this is commonplace. Pets eat leftovers rather than specialty foods,” I clarified.
The American’s astonishment made sense given U.S. norms: pets require purchased licenses, breed-specific fees, and medical insurance. Routine vet visits alone average $100, making pet ownership rare outside affluent households.
Concluding his visit, our guest expressed gratitude for the eye-opening journey, summarizing:
“This amazed me! Fresh, natural foods cost less here than processed alternatives—the opposite of America. Laundry machines symbolize wealth in New York neighborhoods, while pet care demands significant finances. What Americans view as prosperity markers here reflect modest living.”
Джерело: ukr.media
