The US seems like an actual dystopia.

It is. Compared to a lot of the rest of the world, and nearly all of the Western world. A conversation I’ve had with more than one person:

Them: I sent them an email two weeks ago and I haven’t heard back yet.

Me: They’re in Germany, right? And it’s August. They’re probably on a month-long vacation to the Med or the Azores. You won’t hear back any time soon.

Them: But surely it’s not that long? That’s not allowed, right? Who can take a vacation that long?

Me: Everywhere is not like the US. Suffering is not de rigeur. Many countries pretty much shut down for a month or so in late summer, like Germany and France.

Them: How am I supposed to get the project done if I don’t hear back from the Program Manager? Won’t they be checking email?

Me: No, they won’t be checking. Just wait. It’s not the end of the world. Everyone’ll live.

Them: grumbling vaguely about the unfairness of it all now that they’ve realized not everyone gets treated like American workers