Reference News Network, November 22 report. According to the website of the U.S. "New York Times" on November 13, the competition between the old and new worlds is common on social media. On TikTok, Americans wonder why French and Italian people drink less water than Americans, and some are curious about whether 100 British people or 100 Americans would win in a fight. Many Europeans mock what they see as American life by immediately opening Amazon for shopping right after waking up at 8 o'clock in the morning.

Recently, TikTok users on both sides of the Atlantic have started debating the American Dream and its current state in 2025. Here are the key points.

First, the background: on TikTok and almost all other social media platforms, European and American netizens are accustomed to sharing their views and criticisms of each other's cultures, often joking and teasing each other. This is an enduring tradition.

American tourist may post a video sharing his impression of the hospitality (or lack thereof) of Parisians, while Spanish students studying in the U.S. might share surprising aspects of American high school. These videos show mutual understanding between different cultures (including various stereotypes), and also show that real life often differs greatly from how it appears in popular culture or news reports.

How did the American Dream get involved in the debate? Last week, German content creator Janis Gross posted a TikTok video that sparked intense debates about the American Dream. The content of his video quickly went viral on Reddit. In the video, Gross described the reality of the American Dream as "working 60 hours a week just so your boss can buy a yacht; people are more afraid of medical bills than climate change; fast food is everywhere, while fresh ingredients are expensive; half the country is arguing who is dumber: Trump or those who worship him."

This video sparked heated discussions on Reddit and TikTok, with netizens from Europe and the U.S. debating the validity of Gross's views and arguing about which lifestyle is more superior.

Although many Americans opposed Gross's views, many others clearly expressed agreement. Many American netizens cited an audio clip from a TikTok video published by travel blogger Brenn Ellis in 2023.

"I think the new American Dream is to escape," Ellis said at the beginning of the video. This video received over 75,000 likes and was used as background music for countless other videos.

In the video, she also said that the new American Dream is "packing your bags and heading to a quiet town in Europe or a seaside village in Asia - where we won't be poisoned by food, and won't have to work two or three jobs just to make ends meet; healthcare isn't a luxury but the norm."

Ellis said in an interview that her inspiration for making this video came from the pervasive sense of frustration around her.

"The original concept of the 'American Dream' is now out of reach in the U.S." she said. "People are overworked, barely making ends meet, and struggling to meet basic needs like healthcare and quality food."

As a traveler, she said she often meets people who have regained balance in their lives after moving abroad.

She said the reason her video resonated with people could be because so many feel trapped, and the idea of making a change gave them hope.

"This video has inspired people and touched a nerve - because we all feel this way, and it's really sad," she said.

What does all this mean? The core theme of these videos posted by Americans and others reflects disappointment in the promises once made by the U.S. Many people now believe this promise no longer exists. These contents also reflect a trend: an increasing number of Americans are choosing to move abroad. (Translated by Xu Yanhong)

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7575433416968061490/

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