Europeans are always holding a mirror up to the United States of America and chiding us in the most condescending tone that we are a country with a lot of problems. Our bobble-head media bobs approvingly. Chief among our problems are places like Waffle House, Buccee’s and Dollywood. With the Soccer/Football FIFA World Cup Championship being held on this continent, we might have expected a lot of snooty European putdowns. We would have been wrong.

We have been blessed with Freddy the German tourist. From Newsweek:

A German soccer fan’s cross-country road trip ahead of the 2026 World Cup is capturing America’s heart—drawing attention from top U.S. figures—after his enthusiastic posts about everyday American experiences struck a chord online.

The traveler, known on X as “Freddy” (@FreddyLA7), has been documenting a six-week journey across the United States and Canada as he follows Germany’s World Cup campaign, sharing wide-eyed reactions to everything from late-night Waffle House meals to stops at Buc-ee’s and Walmart.

Freddy has been holding up and mirror for us and we have been saying, “Hale yeah”. Another poster mentioned that we need to rebrand because of how the U.S. and foreign press portray us. Rebranding won’t help and we don’t care. We will still love people like Freddy because he loves Buccee’s and Waffle House. Best eggs anywhere are at Waffle House:

Just had our first Waffle House experience at 1am. Great food, great prices, and friendly staff. 10/10, we will be coming back.😋 pic.twitter.com/QHgftpqfoX

— Freddy🇩🇪 (@FreddyLA7) June 8, 2026

Fox 61 had an interesting take on the Waffle House:

It appears Freddy and his friends all enjoyed some of Waffle House’s famous hashbrowns, and they very fittingly dined at 1 a.m. The comments once again were undefeated.

“Europeans discovering Waffle House is elite content,” one person responded on X.

Another person joked, “See this Americans, if you see any foreigners eating at a Waffle House it is an American duty to start a fight with each other so they can get real authentic American entertainment”

No most nights at Waffle House are quiet. Don’t ask me how I know.

Buccee’s is the best, 100 plus gas pumps can’t be wrong.

DUDE LMAO THIS IS A GAS STATION😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/YYFmWJiCQa

— Freddy🇩🇪 (@FreddyLA7) June 10, 2026

Bass Pro Shops slayed Freddy. I grew up with my Dad building a shooting range in our home, but I would be impressed with a catch and release fishing pond, which Bass also has

We found another surreal place on our way. I know some people will say I’m too positive about everything I see, but this place was crazy. They had a shooting range in the store. pic.twitter.com/dBkEDzmRKo

— Freddy🇩🇪 (@FreddyLA7) June 11, 2026

Girlfriend laughing about Taco Bell cuisine proves that she is not a Southern Belle, snooty booty:

Cynical Publius is right for the most part, but not Cheesecake Factory. Their food is tasteless and most Grandmas make better cheesecake. Just saying.

Dear People Visiting the U.S. for the World Cup:

Much ado has been made about Freddy from Germany and other visitors from Europe, Asia and elsewhere delighting in quintessential American chain dining establishments such as Buc-ees and Texas Roadhouse.

Please allow me to make…

— Cynical Publius (@CynicalPublius) June 13, 2026

We are glad the tourists confined their environs to the South. We’ll take care of all y’all.

Freddy may stay. He fell in love with Ella. J/K:

Out on the road again, Freddy listened to several songs by Alabama-born country music star Ella Langley.

“The best discovery of our road trip has been a musician called Ella Langley. We had never heard of her before, but after hearing her on pretty much every country radio station, we’ve become big fans. She’s basically the soundtrack of our trip,” he wrote.

Apparently, Ella went to Auburn, which is quick to claim her:

Ella is a Bama girl and went to Auburn! War Eagle!

— Sue Cohen (@AUmom1995) June 13, 2026

On the other hand, Freddy should know that he could boat the Tennessee River to Neyland Stadium. I am sure we could stand him for a football game. Soccer doesn’t much do it for us.

If any of the tourists need anything, give us a holler and we’ll fix you.

Featured Image: Toni S. Williams/cropped/Personal Collection