With international soccer now having their elimination rounds being played here in the United States, on the brink of our 250th birthday on July 4th, many questions are being answered that we didn’t expect.
First, visitors from a variety of countries are finding that Americans make great hosts. We are conversationalists when some countries don’t normally engage in casual talk with strangers. We have national parks filled with trees, navigable roadways also surrounded by trees, canyons and mountains and vast oceans. We have Buc-ees and Targets and Walmarts. Footballers from Ecuador visited the Rocky Statue, and the Scottish were so happy in New England at our bars that beer supplies ran out (apparently, they happily guzzled it like water at a 5K), and for the non-alcohol crowd, 7-Eleven’s Big Gulp drinks are also famous (not to mention free beverage refills).
The biggest thing visitors have discovered in America?
Ranch dressing.
The Holy Grail of toppings for veggies and a dip for anything on which you want to experiment (please, no ice cream or adding it to Everclear or something) is not available overseas, so Kraft set to work and is supplying 3.4-ounce TSA compliant kits so visitors can take the experience home. Whether they will set up permanent manufacturing in some overseas destinations is still an unanswered question, but they would be foolish not to cash in. If they don’t, Hidden Valley will likely jump on this opportunity.
The overall experience has been positive. Visitors are discovering that America is not just the tourist attractions in photos. The Grand Canyon, Times Square and other destinations are being given a new appreciation by soccer fans. They’re enjoying our roads and roadside stops, our grocers and specialty shops (one visitor to The Container Store was amazed that such a concept exists). They had the chance to see our yellow school busses, and in extreme heat they relaxed in air conditioning.
Once they leave after the July 19 finals, all the hullaballoo pre- and post-Independence Day may well go with them, but they will take with them memories more valuable than any expensive ticket event. They will see that America is a collection of places and people grown over 250 years to be what they have seen in us. We should continue to see those positive aspects of ourselves as we move into year 251 and beyond. We’re part of a big and wonderful world, and it doesn’t take much to bring us together.
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