A young Dominican woman has gone viral on TikTok after sharing a video where she expresses her surprise while walking through the streets of the United States. In the video, she strolls through a seemingly quiet neighborhood and highlights the cultural differences she notices compared to her home country, the Dominican Republic.
"Look, this is America. Not a single bachata, no salsa, no one playing dominoes on the corner," she remarks as she walks through the deserted streets. The young woman continues to point out the lack of activities that are common in her native country: "This is America. There's not even anyone on the street. Nobody is in the yard. Nobody is drinking coffee outside. No neighbor is yelling if they want coffee. This place is dead," she laments, identifying herself as @iam_yahelis.
"You think someone here is going to mug you, but I don't know who. There's no one on the street. So now you know. This is America. You won't even see a cat on the street, not even a dog," she says at another point in the video, which has gone viral and generated a wide range of reactions.
"That's quality of life, not the competition between neighbors with loud music that makes it unbearable to live. I like that peace," "And still, many want the American Dream," "They leave the neighborhood, but the neighborhood doesn't leave them," "Honestly, I don't want to live that life," "Yell, you're Dominican, make some coffee and call your neighbors," or "I don't like it either, there's no vibe," said some of the comments.
Reactions to Cultural Differences in the U.S.
The video shared by the Dominican woman has sparked various opinions and discussions online. Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the cultural differences highlighted in her video.
Why did the Dominican woman think the streets in the U.S. were empty?
She noticed the lack of outdoor social activities and cultural events that are common in the Dominican Republic, such as playing dominoes or listening to music.
What were some of the reactions to her video?
The reactions ranged from appreciation of the quiet and peaceful environment to nostalgia for the lively social interactions typical of her home country.