In Chicago, problems are like garbage : you don’t want to see or talk about it. In the US in general, most of people adopt the «positive attitude», which means being dynamic, smily and nice in society. Americans like to motivate each other : enthusiastic expressions like «Amazing», «Awesome», «Oh my God» or «So cute» are part of any day to day conversations. And honestly, it feels really good to be encouraged and valued at each initiative.

This attitude, encouraged in all areas of life, is very bankable for the «Feel Good» market. Books, DVDs and coaches explain the secrets of this science of happiness that helps to see the half full glass.

However, some Americans are not convinced that the positive attitude as only benefits. If keeping the smile helps for a good mood, it can also force yourself to repress negative emotions or, even worse, to lose your critical thinking. Barbara Ehrenreich, writer, feminist and socialist activist, explains that the excess of positive attitude participated in a way in the subprime financial crisis. According to her, when this attitude is excessive and infantilizing, it develops a blind trust in prosperity that encourages the public debt and the debacle of mortgages.