This is our reporter’s experience in the United States

ralph on the road

I spent a month traveling to the United States as a reporter for the presidential election. From exciting conversations to sensory overload, it's all there. This is my experience in America.

Ralph Steiner, Washington

friendly

Although I found it a bit strange when I first checked in that the waitress in the cafe asked me how my day was, I appreciate the friendliness and politeness of Americans.

They hold doors or elevators for you, always greet you with a smile and make you feel welcome in the restaurant.

Critics may view this as superficial behavior. This may be true to an extent, but I still prefer it a thousand times compared to the harshness one often encounters in the city of Zurich.

Waite

Although I don't like high temperatures – anything over 25 degrees is too hot for me – the climate on the East Coast is very pleasant.

As I write this, the temperature in Washington, D.C. is about 20 degrees. In Miami, people are enjoying the summer weather in mid-October.

Indian Summer in Washington, D.C. in NovemberImage: Watson

When it comes to work, I'm also excited to travel to places with mild climates. I always carry a lot of materials with me, but because of the climate I am able to save money on clothes.

excessive

It feels like America has too much of everything. Too many ads, too many roads, too many cars, too much fast food, too much consumption. The supermarket is huge, with 100 types of yogurt and 15 flavors of Gatorade to choose from. Partly exciting, but also taking some getting used to.

There's definitely a flan flavor for everyone.Image: Watson

entertainment

This point is a continuation of the previous point. Watching an NFL game (the best football league in the world) is a wonderful experience. The atmosphere, the fan parade, the tailgating, it was wonderful. But even in football there are instances of excess and sensory overload.

Two stadium screens – each appearing to be the size of a tennis court – are in constant use during Tampa Bay Buccaneers games.

Before the game, a DJ plays music, introduces the program for a quarter of an hour, provides fan articles, discounts and advertisements, and constantly encourages the spectators in the stadium to cheer for their team. Former player and crowd favorite Rob Gronkowski was also in the stadium and was allowed to yell into the camera multiple times.

There are also countless honors. A retiring military member was praised, as were local police and rescue workers who served during the Florida hurricane.

patriotism

Americans are and remain the greatest patriots. Not only in rural Texas, but also in urban areas, every second house flies an American flag. Both Trump and Harris end all speeches with “God bless America.”

At a football game in Tampa, I sat in the mixed zone. There were no arguments, but there was one or two verbal exchanges. However, when a group of local veterans were honored, home and away fans stood in unison to pay their respects. Somehow this resonated with me.

Even before the game, the emotional connection to the homeland is palpable. During the playing of the American national anthem, experienced men over 60 years old had tears in their eyes.

openness

When it comes to meeting strangers, being a journalist here is easier than in Switzerland. Most Americans – quite unlike the Swiss – are open and simple. They don’t mind speaking into microphones and cameras.

Especially during a campaign, there's absolutely no problem mobilizing people for interviews. Even without such a setting, such as in a street survey, people often quickly agree to participate. They talked freely and some of the conversations were really exciting.

Whenever I mention that I came specifically from Switzerland to participate in the election, Americans sometimes ask me almost more questions than I ask them.

turn

You're happy about a cheap cup of coffee or a cheap dinner, and then it sneaks up from the background and onto the bill: sales tax.

In most places where you leave your money in the U.S., the prices listed do not include tax, which varies from state to state and can sometimes be as high as ten percent.

Purchases at Whole Foods Market are subject to 7% tax.Image: Watson

If the bill is much higher than expected, then the joy of the offer will diminish when payment comes at the latest.

die-hard trump fan

After nearly a month of on-the-ground research, I can confirm that Trump’s die-hard supporters are indeed who you see on social media and in media footage.

They are direct, forthright, often gullible, submissive to authority, shameless, sometimes rude, sometimes very friendly. At a Trump rally in Atlanta, several of them approached me and offered to be interviewed.

Although I sometimes couldn't believe what I was seeing and hearing, attending a Trump event was a very interesting experience.

income gap

In big cities, you see the gap between rich and poor every day. In Miami, Atlanta, and Washington, there are a lot of people walking around in suits, drinking Starbucks coffee, and a few meters away there is a mostly non-white person cleaning the streets or homeless people.

Of course, this situation also exists in other countries, but I think it is especially obvious in the United States. Different socioeconomic classes also seem unrelated to each other. This is certainly not conducive to mutual empathy.

A banker or lawyer in Washington shouldn't care too much about rising prices for bread, milk or eggs. Additionally, millions of Americans work absolutely miserable jobs and have to make ends meet somehow.

Is this still consistent with the American dream that anyone can achieve if they just make a commitment? I have my questions.

drive

On the way to Chapel Hill, I visited a friend who lived outside of Atlanta. She has lived in the United States for 20 years, grew up in Switzerland and other places, and is considering returning to her home country. One reason: cars.

Cars are everywhere in America.Image: Watson

When asked what she could do without it, she replied: “Nothing.” Shopping is impossible without a car. Taking my daughter to daycare without a car: impossible. Going to work without a car: impossible. Eating out without a car: impossible. Going to the doctor without a car: impossible.

It's crazy that America is so focused on car ownership outside of its big cities. And how Americans get used to it. The parking space at the back of the parking lot of my hotel is always empty because it takes half a minute to walk from there to the exit.

Rich variety of food

America is primarily associated with fast food. I do not exclude myself from this prejudged canon. But it would be an injustice to Americans for us to do so.

If you take a few minutes to research, you'll find that there are plenty of really good restaurants where you can eat delicious food at reasonable prices.

Of course, there's even greater diversity in the yuppie mecca of Miami, as well as in big cities like Chicago, Los Angeles or New York. Food lovers can take a food tour of the African continent and add food content to their Instagram account. But even in smaller places, you can almost always find something good.

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Food diversity in the United States

Ramen in Washington DC

plastic, plastic, plastic

The senseless waste production in America is completely ridiculous and the waste of plastic is almost legendary.

The first is restaurants, where food is often served on plastic plates even when consumed on-site. The same can be observed in many hotel breakfasts. Due to excessive hygiene efforts, the apples in our buffet were individually wrapped in plastic wrap.

The onions are chopped and purchased from the supermarket.Image: Ralph Steiner

This continues in supermarkets, where American laziness stems from the fact that vegetables and fruits with their natural skins can be purchased in pre-cut plastic containers. I know it exists in Switzerland as well, but not to this extent.

Hardly anyone here walks into a store with their own shopping bags. You just remove the next three plastic bags at checkout. Flood after me.

Ace

Americans love ice in their drinks, at least that's my impression. Even if it is not 30 degrees, the glass is filled with ice cubes and inflated involuntarily.

This in turn means adults have to drink regular soft drinks from a tube or their teeth will freeze. Each hotel also has a huge ice cream machine for guests to use.