Aren't Americans wonderful?

okyknot

quote:

People from all over the world seem to take great joy in bashing America

The previous incumbent of The White House didn't help there did he?

You are right of course as the biggest and most influential is always an easy target.

Cheers

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Exiled Highlander:
okyknot

quote:

People from all over the world seem to take great joy in bashing America

The previous incumbent of The White House didn't help there did he?

No, he didn't help. So keep bashing for awhile. Americans forget quickly.

yes bash the ugly American overseas, not too hard tho. If someone's looking for a drink, take them to a pub and show them how you do it. Warmer beer darker taste, what the good foods are. It takes a little educating, I learned fast when someone showed me kindness and the local ways. I know they also steered me away from a few disasters too. I want to hang out with the locals even if I can't follow all the conversation. You can win them over and open their middling little minds.

Must remember most Americans were only doing short visits trying to see all the tourist stuff and not understanding the local ways or ambiance.

I'd do the same for people visiting here.

On the earlier comment about being European refugees, I realize there are many peoples here, west coast was settling about the same time as the east but at a slower pace and spanish and Asian influence and then there was the Gold Rush. And of course many of the new arrivals didn't have freedom of choice or equality. But that's what has been fascinating in this land, such a mixture and developing rights for everybody.

But also have to say all colonial powers that dominated around the world really took advantage of their "new found Land" and people.

Years ago in a big family gathering, mostly conservative folk I really respect. And I innocently said "I"m glad I grew up in the 60s". When asked why I said "I remember the "white only" signs in 50s, and women couldn't hold careers, and new ideas weren't welcome. Now more people have equality and there's move of a mix in middle class, I think most people are happier".

They didn't expect this from a 24 YO. Lots of quiet grumblings. My cousin looked at me with a smile and said "would you like another drink?" She'd fought her own battle I found in time. We were always table mates at family gatherings.

Now most of the old folk are gone. Sadly so is she, but her sister and I keep what's left of family connected. My parents in their 80s have only recently realized my worth, it's been an amazing journey.

sorry for long posts, I have way too much time on my hands at times. Most keep their posts short but I like to delve into deep waters. Now to go watch my 2nd French New Wave film.

quote:

Originally posted by mudwolf:
yes bash the ugly American overseas, not too hard tho. If someone's looking for a drink, take them to a pub and show them how you do it. Warmer beer darker taste, what the good foods are. It takes a little educating, I learned fast when someone showed me kindness and the local ways. I know they also steered me away from a few disasters too. I want to hang out with the locals even if I can't follow all the conversation. You can win them over and open their middling little minds.

Must remember most Americans were only doing short visits trying to see all the tourist stuff and not understanding the local ways or ambiance.

I'd do the same for people visiting here.

Once I am retired, we are coming to the United Kingdom. God save the Queen.

An American friend once apologised for for US tourists in Europe, she said they did not represent all Americans.(not that she knew ALL Americans ,of course).
I have always found, the citizens we have met (majority away from tourist areas) to be friendly and polite. We even survived going into a Restaurant in a black area of Washington. They all sort of stopped a la Western movie when we walked in and sat down. Probably says more about our preconceptions than theirs.
Main complaint is failing to get a small meal, so that we don't feel bad about leaving so much.
A fascinating country, and so so big. We have visited (some very briefly) around 20 states, East and West coasts, and hope to visit more soon.

BigH47

quote:

Main complaint is failing to get a small meal, so that we don't feel bad about leaving so much.

As you know doubt know, the "doggie bag" culture is much better developed in the US where restaurants (even quite upmarket ones) are geared up with takeaway boxes for the leftovers. The meal sizes though are crazily large.

Cheers

Jim

Buy one meal and share - most restaurants will happily supply an extra empty plate.
Sometimes a sharing supplement is charged.

Pizzas were designed to be taken home and eaten for breakfast

Getting back to the thread title for a moment...

Aren't Americans Wonderful?

On August 25th my kids take their US Citizenship tests and will swap their UK passports for US ones.

Of course they will then just apply for new UK ones and have the benefits of dual citizenship.

So yes, at least two of them are wonderful!

Cheers

Jim

I love the "doggie" bag concept, it is great if you are staying in a efficiency"? or a home, in a normal motel room they do not have heating apparatus to enable a late supper of leftovers.
There is also the embarrassment of asking for one plate.
Even OAP meals are huge.

My wife and I have found that one typical appetizer + one main course = plenty of food for the two of us. I simply say, "We'd like the ___ appetizer, and we will split the ___." The restaurant staff can ding us for the extra plate if they want to, and we often wind up with a more expensive (and perhaps interesting) main course than we would have otherwise.

Good call JR.

yeah so often the proportions are outsized. People kvetch if they don't have take home food. UGH! but many are battling weight problems (no wonder). I'd rather have something small but great.

Sometimes I've been out with a friend or two and we just share several appetizers and a bottle of wine.

This is religion to a tee.

As soon as the whole world becomes truly secular and children taught to think for themselves the better.

Jon

I'm not sure children are taught that, and most don't know how to have a conversation. They just want to be entertained and hang out.....

I'm an old fuddy duddy tho, very uncool.

quote:

There is also the embarrassment of asking for one plate.

Never ever be embarrassed by your food habits in the US, just observe the size and content of the plates of food being taken from the breakfast buffet by the locals.

On one occasion I observed a family at a Sunday breakfast at a Marriott full service hotel leaving the table in a war zone type state, food everywhere, on the table, on the floor. The server did an excellent job clearing the mess up without any fuss.

I have a number of American friends who undoubtedly are lovely.

But it seems clear that there are a large number of Americans who are only fairly lovely - I am thinking of the Republicans who are currently publishing false claims about the faults of the National Health Service to discredit Obama's health reforms.

One American chum told me that the best, most liberal, Americans live within 50 miles of the sea. Go inland at your peril he says.

I could not comment on this, probably a generalisation.

Don, Sunny downtown York

Don

quote:

One American chum told me that the best, most liberal, Americans live within 50 miles of the sea. Go inland at your peril he says.

I could not comment on this, probably a generalisation.

Pretty much a sweeping generalisation! Not sure about the "best" or the go inland at your peril part but if you look at the US population distribution you will leave that the majority live less than 50 - 100 miles from the sea (or a large inland lake!) anyway.... see here.

Jim

PS. Maybe that's why I like Alaska so much! (see inset)

I think if we get government, i.e. socialized medicine over here in the US, it will bankrupt our country faster than all the bogus mortgages combined.

I have catastrophe insurance only, because that's all I can afford. But the good news is that I haven't had any medial procedures or even taken any prescription medicines in 30 years. Bottom line: I stay as healthy as I can because I can't afford to be sick.

America is going to collapse on itself because of all the dead weight(in more ways than one).

What is the quality of heath care over in the UK, for say the average person?

Oh yeah, I live 75 miles from the Ocean, take it for what it's worth....

quote:

Originally posted by Tonepub:
What is the quality of heath care over in the UK, for say the average person?

If you read the papers - it's rubbish

In my experience (which unfortunately for myself and other family members has been quite extensive over the past three years) - it's absolutely superb, magnificent even.

Sadly some folk need to remember these places are hospitals, not hotels.

There is no reason why a health service should bankrupt America, the place has some of the most affluent people on the planet. It's a lifestyle thing, everybody hangs on to their expensive SUV's for an extra year or so before trading them in, for something equally inefficient/expensive, they sell their condo in the mountains, the 555 kit is replaced by XS stuff, Rodeo Drive reverts back to being a rodeo and cash is available - jobs a good un.

Actually, you've touched on a really important part of the problem. We have a lot, but we waste a lot.

For so many years, it was considered very uncool to drive a car for more than three years. I've always kept my cars until they wouldn't run anymore. My small Hyundai SUV has 97K on the speedo and because I've taken excellent care of it, is like brand new other than a couple of tiny rock chips. I plan on driving it at least another 100 if not 150k miles. My 86 BMW 3 series has 185k and still looks (and drives) like new with no issues whatsoever.

I live in a modest house and have a lower house payment than most of my other friends car payments.

But I don't think I can part with the 555! That's my one luxury in life.

Seriously though with all the yammering around the US about "being green" we really need to stop throwing so many things away and being so wasteful. That's something that wouldn't require any exotic programs, govt. spending, etc. etc.

What I've never heard mentioned about the big SUV's and pickup trucks over here (don't even get me started about pickup trucks) is not only are they fuel inefficient, but what about all the RAW MATERIALS that go into a Ford Excursion? You could build three or four Mini's with that much steel, etc.

I'd like to see a little bit more conservation over here at that level.

I know it doesn't keep with the party line of having a new car every couple of years, but honestly I get more pride when someone looks at my 23 year old 3 series and says "Wow, your car looks like brand new" than someone saying, "Wow, you just got a new 3 series"

quote:

Originally posted by Tonepub:
I think if we get government, i.e. socialized medicine over here in the US, it will bankrupt our country faster than all the bogus mortgages combined.

Err.... your country is already bankrupt. Have you seen the size of your foreign debt lately? When it all comes crashing down it will take the rest of us with it. The very rich will prosper as usual and the rest will be reduced to abject poverty.

I'd say that's probably a bit oversimplified...

As well as thinking that everyone here will be in "abject poverty." It's not to anyone's advantage to see us go under.

Bankrupt means broke. No capital to operate and no access to capital along with no business being transacted. Things are still moving along, even though we've got some major issues.