Only discovered TRP a few days ago and been reading a lot here since then.

The question I have is about international context.

I assume almost everyone here is American, are there any non-Americans reading this?

I think almost all of what is to be found here is valid. And I think it is great to work at bettering yourself for any reason you choose. By all means become whatever version of yourself you want to and don't let anyone discourage you.

I'm 35, Australian, but have lived in Germany the last 6 years. So I have experience of two cultures that are not American but are nonetheless highly American-influenced, being part of the empire at large.

Australian culture has its own peculiarities but is similar to American culture in most ways. I've grown up with the idea that eventually I will need to provide for two or more people and that is a view that I'm only getting away from now.

German culture is a bit different. I have a German friend who told me, you don't go to bars and chat to random people in this country, that's just not how it works. Now, I've heard that some people do in some parts (e.g. Bavaria). And this guy is what you would all refer to as a beta, though like me, not unsuccessful in terms of career and relationships. There are fundamental differences that have a huge impact, however. Women work here, and they pay their share when you go out. They don't want to be paid for. The state looks after couples well when they have a child, providing funds, childcare etc. So there is no big danger of getting taken for half of what you have. It's even normal that partners have a child without marrying first, work out some get-out financial situation beforehand, and the child takes the mother's surname just in case the relationship falls through, she can have another child with someone else and it will still look from the outside like a conventional family. To me, that is rad.

So basically I'd like to know what other people think about international context. I think some peculiarities of the American situation (capitalism on steroids) have resulted in some very sad outcomes there. I still think there is a lot for me to be learnt from this forum, e.g. in terms of recognising certain behaviours in women. I've had two girlfriends that were among the smartest women I've met, they were not manipulative at all, and were heartbroken when I broke it off (Australians). And I've also had one who was a queen manipulator, wanted me to keep buying things for her and doing things for her, I didn't recognise it for what it was and I let it go on for too long before she broke it off (a European). But that was the beginning of a journey that has led me here, which is for the best.

I'd just be interested to hear what some others have to say about international context.