If you are NOT American but have been to the US...

[Candid]

I'm not sure your reaction is totally the same as all expats. I remember a guy from our church who came back from living in the middle east for a couple of years to be totally shocked by clothing in the US. Similarly I remember a friend who had lived in China for 3 or 4 year, thinking, while at one of those pizza and games places, how much the place was like a casino and how this was a weird place for children. However, I do know that she was pretty blitzed by some aspects of living in China as well.

[Meriwether]

Really? I don't think Laura meant to be insulting. She is one of the kindest people to frequent the forums. I've read her post three times now and don't see the insult.

 

I've read many of Laura's posts over years. She is a kind person. I should say *I* found it insulting.

[Sahamamama]

Oh and the whole biscuits and gravy thing for breakfast was almost enough to make me sick. :D I watched them being made and had to excuse myself from breakfast. I did manage to swallow the grits. lol

 

:iagree::ack2: I couldn't handle biscuits & gravy OR grits when I lived for several years in the Midwest US.

[Greta]

She was giving her impression, not an insult. Sometimes it's helpful to see how we are perceived, even we are being authentic :) !

 

I agree, and I've found this whole thread very interesting! It has made me aware of something that I need to work on personally: my expectations regarding customer service and my reaction when my expectations are not met. I grew up in OK and one of the many things that shocked me when I moved to NY was the difference in customer service. I never really adjusted though, and now we have moved to NM and the customer service here is pretty good. And I quite expect it to be that way. I've said before that people have too much of a sense of entitlement, and now here's an area where I've been quite guilty of that and never even thought about it! :blushing:

[Meriwether]

After a summer in Mexico, I couldn't eat my mom's chocolate chip cookies. Foods that I enjoyed while living in Spain tasted too bland after being in the States awhile - except paella which is still a favorite.

[stripe]

I know other people from dry climates are overwhelmed by how GREEN some parts of the US are.

 

And also, I have to say, most places in the US are so quiet! I can hear insects chirping right now in my house :001_huh:. Unless you live in the middle of a big city (and I mean, in the smack dab middle), many areas in the US are very quiet at night. Loud blaring music or loud screaming conversations are just...not done. And many people pick up after themselves (less littering).

[Susan in TN]

We complain about everything. :D hehe When I'm out of the country and come back home, that's the first thing I notice, is how grouchy and complainy everyone is here, well, in Miami International airport at any rate. :tongue_smilie:

 

That's funny, because I experienced the opposite. When I got back to the states, it was so wonderful to be in an airport that had employees who knew what they were doing and were willing to help, and restaurant personel who served us well and usually with a smile. That was Detroit, coming from Scandinavia. :D Also far less graffiti.

 

ETA: I hate shopping for soap too, and have left SuperWalmart empty-handed because I got tired of looking for kitchen trash bags.

Edited August 1, 2012 by Susan in TN

[LibraryLover]

My biggest cultural shock was the lack of people on streets. After 18 years I still can't get used to American cities that are really "urbanized areas" and not what I would consider a city. I long for cobblestone narrow streets and small shops for meat, bread, apartments on top of stores, people on the streets ..... I don't like that my shopping requires a special trip to the shopping center. I am still stumped when faced with a choice of 40 different kind of vinegars. I miss huge family gatherings, crazy relatives who ridicule your weight or anything else that would be completely inappropriate. I thing the biggest difference between cultures is personal boundaries.

 

 

LOL the vinegars, I hear you. lol Along with the toothbrushes. Too, too much!

 

When I moved from Boston to Southern CA., it was a big shock. It took me some time to find the village-type area where walking was possible, but we finally found a little beach community with a library and small market right on our street, and lots of little markets on a street close by, with a theater, even. PLus the ocean. That was lovely. But I found leaving that area of town was difficult. I hated the highways and the loops etc. Too much.

 

When I visted London from Boston, London felt like familiar, and much like home. Rome felt bigger, but perhaps history made it seem familiar. I always want to walk and take in the sights by foot. I was used to it living in Boston, and visiting NYC so often, and that walkability is something I crave. These places exisit in the US, but not everywhere. I go to FL frequently for the sun, but I get aggravated by the long stretches of highways with so many Walmarts and Lowe's and Best Buys etc. Although there is tremendous ethnicity in FL. It's amazing.

 

The US is a big honking place, we have roads and roads...which is cool, expecially if you want to drive across the whole of the country. It's amazingly diverse...and it is all big. The sky, the mountains, the canyons. If we could do something about the ridiculous choice of bath gels, we'd be better off. lol Portion size is somethig else. I figure you can have part of it for breakfast the next day. Doggie bags for all. :)

Edited August 1, 2012 by LibraryLover

[Heather in Neverland]

And also, I have to say, most places in the US are so quiet! I can hear insects chirping right now in my house :001_huh:. Unless you live in the middle of a big city (and I mean, in the smack dab middle), many areas in the US are very quiet at night. Loud blaring music or loud screaming conversations are just...not done. And many people pick up after themselves (less littering).

 

this is true! Because everyone is so squished together here it is always noisy. Also, America is MUCH more organized and orderly than Malaysia.

[Heather in Neverland]

I agree, and I've found this whole thread very interesting! It has made me aware of something that I need to work on personally: my expectations regarding customer service and my reaction when my expectations are not met. I grew up in OK and one of the many things that shocked me when I moved to NY was the difference in customer service. I never really adjusted though, and now we have moved to NM and the customer service here is pretty good. And I quite expect it to be that way. I've said before that people have too much of a sense of entitlement, and now here's an area where I've been quite guilty of that and never even thought about it! :blushing:

 

I hear ya. I was that way when I arrived here. After living here for 3 years my standards have PLUMMETED and I am just thrilled when ANYTHING goes right. :tongue_smilie:

[Greta]

And many people pick up after themselves (less littering).

 

I don't know how the US compares to other countries in this regard, but in my experience within the US, this varies tremendously by region. When hubby and I lived in upstate NY, we traveled the local region a lot, drove a lot of roads and highways in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Maine, etc, and we never saw trash by the sides of the roads. Never. But Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico are a whole different story! Trash and billboards line the roads and highways. And here in the NM cities, graffiti is a real problem (though I don't remember that being a problem anywhere else that I've been or lived.)

Edited August 1, 2012 by GretaLynne

[Jean in Newcastle]

It makes such a difference what culture you come from to the U.S. I was shocked at the poor customer service compared to Japan! I was used to gas station attendants running out and stopping traffic for you to enter the gas station. And for salesladies at department stores always bowing to you as they help you. (Though I am glad that American department stores help you buy booKshelves in private instead of holding it up against you for everyone to see!)

[LibraryLover]

this is true! Because everyone is so squished together here it is always noisy. Also, America is MUCH more organized and orderly than Malaysia.

 

 

Was as it you who posted the video about the crazy traffic and lack of lights? Was the video from Malaysia or India? Do you evern know what I'm referring to? lol It seems to me one really wouldn't want a nice car in such places, no? lol

[Greta]

I hear ya. I was that way when I arrived here. After living here for 3 years my standards have PLUMMETED and I am just thrilled when ANYTHING goes right. :tongue_smilie:

 

:001_smile: :grouphug: That's a better way to be, but I suspect that getting there is tough. I was reading a quote yesterday from someone who, like most of us, had started out wanting certain things and being disappointed when they did not happen, but who had learned to only want those things which he had. That would be a useful skill to work on!

[ereks mom]

Not to hijack the thread, but I just wanted to mention this:

 

I love to watch House Hunters International on HGTV, and I am always intrigued by the homes in other parts of the world. It's often amusing when an American moves to a European or Asian country and expects to find spacious homes like those in the US.

[besroma]

:lurk5:

[Mrs Mungo]

I agree, and I've found this whole thread very interesting! It has made me aware of something that I need to work on personally: my expectations regarding customer service and my reaction when my expectations are not met. I grew up in OK and one of the many things that shocked me when I moved to NY was the difference in customer service. I never really adjusted though, and now we have moved to NM and the customer service here is pretty good. And I quite expect it to be that way. I've said before that people have too much of a sense of entitlement, and now here's an area where I've been quite guilty of that and never even thought about it! :blushing:

 

That is too funny to me! I grew up in Oklahoma, dh in Texas. We've *never* found *anywhere* with service like we get back home. We love it when we go home and get great service, lol!

[LibraryLover]

I was born and raised in the USA. When I came back from my time overseas (Belize, Malawi) the thing that shocked me was the toothpaste aisle.

 

In Belize or Malawi, we were happy to FIND toothpaste. One brand, happy to have it. Or soap, one brand, happy to have it. Here, it's 47 varieties of toothpaste!?!!?!?! Thirty-nine choices for soap? It really is mind-boggling, even to me.

 

The other thing that stood out to me was the shallowness and exorbitant wealth of the American churches.

 

 

I think we can blame the ancient Roman Catholics for starting that trend. lol ;) J/k, but one has to admit there are some pretty awesome catherdrals in Europe, and massive other places of worship all around the world. Not that I am an apologist for religion, being agnostic and all. :)

Edited August 1, 2012 by LibraryLover

[Mrs Mungo]

I don't know how the US compares to other countries in this regard, but in my experience within the US, this varies tremendously by region. When hubby and I lived in upstate NY, we traveled the local region a lot, drove a lot of roads and highways in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Maine, etc, and we never saw trash by the sides of the roads. Never. But Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico are a whole different story! Trash and billboards line the roads and highways. And here in the NM cities, graffiti is a real problem (though I don't remember that being a problem anywhere else that I've been or lived.)

 

When we moved back from Hawaii we flew into Oklahoma and all of the kids said, "look, billboards!!!"

 

I think what has been strange to me in this regard? You are right that you'll see more trash by the side of the highway than in other countries. However, the suburbs and neighborhoods are much more tidy than in other countries.

[Greta]

That is too funny to me! I grew up in Oklahoma, dh in Texas. We've *never* found *anywhere* with service like we get back home. We love it when we go home and get great service, lol!

 

Once when I was back in OK after having lived in NY, I was on a road trip and stopped at a fast food place with my daughter. We got the food to go, though, and headed out to the car. As I was packing dd into her car seat, this employee came running out of the restaurant straight for me. I was quite startled and did not know what in the world he was planning to do. Well, he had seen me (stupidly) set my drink on top of the car, and he was worried that I was about to drive off with it still up there. I'm afraid that I wasn't properly grateful for his concern because I was still in shock that someone would go to that much trouble to save me from spilling my iced tea in the parking lot! :lol:

 

By contrast, a fast food place in upstate NY once served me chicken that was still RAW inside, and then not only did NOT apologize, but actually acted annoyed that I had the gall to mention to them that I'd prefer cooked meat. :thumbdown:

 

Oops, bit of a thread hijack there. Sorry! But yeah, I know exactly what you mean. I said the customer service here in NM is pretty good, but it's still not up to Oklahoma standards. :D There's a lot about OK that I do not miss, but the customer service in unparalleled.

[Greta]

When we moved back from Hawaii we flew into Oklahoma and all of the kids said, "look, billboards!!!"

 

:lol:

 

 

You are right that you'll see more trash by the side of the highway than in other countries. However, the suburbs and neighborhoods are much more tidy than in other countries.

 

Oh, that's interesting. Did not know that.

[MrsBanjoClown]

I don't know how the US compares to other countries in this regard, but in my experience within the US, this varies tremendously by region. When hubby and I lived in upstate NY, we traveled the local region a lot, drove a lot of roads and highways in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Maine, etc, and we never saw trash by the sides of the roads. Never. But Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico are a whole different story! Trash and billboards line the roads and highways. And here in the NM cities, graffiti is a real problem (though I don't remember that being a problem anywhere else that I've been or lived.)

 

That's interesting to me. I'm from Texas and sadly what stood out to me most when I visited NY was how much trash there was everywhere (especially along the highways). That was 16 years ago, though. What we do have a problem with here (small town) is people thinking it is ok to use small county roads as dumps. Most of the town I live in is clean and nice, but there is a little road near my house that looks awful because people literally dump all kinds of things there. People try to come along and clean up, but they just can't keep up. I think that is more of a problem with a small number of people (probably the same people doing it every time) that just don't care. It's frustrating.

[munashe]

1. Americans are much more open

2. Alcohol is a less integral part of the culture than perhaps it is here in the UK.

3. Americans tend to be less dry or sarcastic;

4. Tipping everywhere – I still don’t understand this one!

5. Openly patriotic – Being very proud (at times even defensive). I remember visiting a Baptist Church near Atlanta and most of the elderly church goers greeting me with sentiments along the lines “you are very fortunate to have visited our great nation.” We Brits are moaners and like to moan about anything, so its a bit of a shock hearing people gushing praise about their country. Perhaps that compares well to royalists here who gush praise at the Queen and would not accept any hit of criticism towards her and the whole Monarch thing.

6. Last but not least…. everything is BIG. The cars, the houses, the appliances, the people, the roads, the meals just about everything is huge,

 

….but I really love your country and wouldn’t mind living there as long as I had good health insurance.

Edited August 1, 2012 by munashe

[Sahamamama]

Though I am glad that American department stores help you buy booKshelves in private instead of holding it up against you for everyone to see!

 

:lol::lol: Having just bought a new set of booKshelves, I'm trying to imagine what this would have been like in Japan. Especially with the size of mine compared to the size of most of theirs (not all that huge, but by comparison...). :lol::lol:

 

Is it difficult for Americans living in Japan to find clothing & shoes in their sizes?

[Laura Corin]

She was giving her impression, not an insult. Sometimes it's helpful to see how we are perceived, even we are being authentic :) !

 

I was asked to give my impressions. The precise phrase was, "What does American culture "feel" like to you". It felt to me as if the US was trying too hard. Perhaps I should have said that I found Americans defensive.....

 

I haven't jumped down anyone's throat about the perceived grumpiness of Britain.

 

Laura (married to an American and with dual nationality children)

Edited August 1, 2012 by Laura Corin

[Jean in Newcastle]

:lol::lol: Having just bought a new set of booKshelves, I'm trying to imagine what this would have been like in Japan. Especially with the size of mine compared to the size of most of theirs (not all that huge, but by comparison...). :lol::lol:

 

Is it difficult for Americans living in Japan to find clothing & shoes in their sizes?

 

The booKshelf buying was accompanied by people giggling and saying loudly, "Look how big she is!" :blush:

 

It was difficult to find bigger sizes when I was growing up. I sort of doubt that is the case now because I have a lot of younger Japanese friends who are taller than I am and even broader than I am. Though the broadness might be due to living in the U.S. now. . .

[8circles]

The booKshelf buying was accompanied by people giggling and saying loudly, "Look how big she is!" :blush:

 

It was difficult to find bigger sizes when I was growing up. I sort of doubt that is the case now because I have a lot of younger Japanese friends who are taller than I am and even broader than I am. Though the broadness might be due to living in the U.S. now. . .

 

I had a very difficult time b00k buying in KL about 10 yrs ago, not sure if its changed. 32DDD was impossible to find & the salespeople insisted that that size didn't exist.

[MeaganS]

I've lived in the US all my life and have only been to a few islands outside of it. I've lived in 8 different states, and I have to say, I still feel culture shock when I move from one region to another within the US. Currently, I live in a town of 70,000 people in Arkansas. But, if I drive 5 minutes, I will be in forests and mountains. Where I live is very spread out. I spent my high school time in western Oklahoma, where we had to drive hours to do most shopping. When I visit California or NYC, I definitely feel a culture shock. First, it looks different. Houses, scenery, even stores just look different. The people act different. So I can only imagine how it seems to those from outside.

 

Re portion sizes, yeah, they are way too big. When hubby and I go out, we either split, or plan on saving the leftovers for multiple meals. We still don't order any food for our kids, they just share with us and we all still have more than we need.

 

Also, I will say that I always feel very uncomfortable if I have to go into a small store. I don't know why (and it drives dh crazy),but I HATE having to ask a store person for help, and I really hate it when they come up to me to offer to help. I think it is from growing up in the Walmart generation and being a bit introverted already. Now with Amazon Prime, I almost never shop in little stores.

 

Oh, and I love having a large refrigerator! I see the small ones on British television (like Doctor Who or whatnot), and am so thankful I have all the room I do. :)

 

And here is one especially for you LDS -

 

we stayed in Utah for two weeks. It was weird :D and the people seemed a little over the top and waaaay too smiley and perfect to be real people :001_unsure: I kept feeling like everything I did was being watched because it was guaranteed there was another LDS in in the same vicinity :D

 

In Australia the only time you run into other LDS people is at church on Sunday or engaged in church activities. And the lessons that were prepared -holy cow - it would take me two months to do all the effort and work they did. We go by the less is more motto here :lol: I was really glad when we left and got back out into normal LDS world.

 

Haha, I lived in Utah for 5 years while dh and I went to BYU. I still get LDS culture shock. We don't want to ever live there for the reasons you stated, but it is interesting to visit.

[Roadrunner]

LOL the vinegars, I hear you. lol Along with the toothbrushes. Too, too much!

 

When I moved from Boston to Southern CA., it was a big shock. It took me some time to find the village-type area where walking was possible, but we finally found a little beach community with a library and small market right on our street, and lots of little markets on a street close by, with a theater, even. PLus the ocean. That was lovely. But I found leaving that area of town was difficult. I hated the highways and the loops etc. Too much.

 

When I visted London from Boston, London felt like familiar, and much like home. Rome felt bigger, but perhaps history made it seem familiar. I always want to walk and take in the sights by foot. I was used to it living in Boston, and visiting NYC so often, and that walkability is something I crave. These places exisit in the US, but not everywhere. I go to FL frequently for the sun, but I get aggravated by the long stretches of highways with so many Walmarts and Lowe's and Best Buys etc. Although there is tremendous ethnicity in FL. It's amazing.

 

:)

Where??????????

I am always told SF is a "city,", but even San Francisco doesn't make a cut. I do love NY, looooooooooooove it, but I can't afford living on Manhattan :( Smaller towns have one or two streets with "action", but the rest is just residential. Sure you can walk on them, but for what? :001_smile:

 

Oh, another thing that's shocking is how new everything is. Maybe because we are in CA, it seems like everything was built yesterday. East Coast feels different.

 

Another cultural difference. Nobody will show up at your house without invitation, ever! unless of course they are bunch of foreigners. It's not a bad thing, but just an observation.

My mom spends summers with us and my aunts don't understand how come she doesn't hang out with our neighbors. :lol::lol::lol:

Edited August 1, 2012 by Roadrunner

[LeslieAnneLevine]

I was asked to give my impressions. The precise phrase was, "What does American culture "feel" like to you". It felt to me as if the US was trying too hard. Perhaps I should have said that I found Americans defensive.....

 

 

:lol:

[Laura Corin]

I

Oh, and I love having a large refrigerator! I see the small ones on British television (like Doctor Who or whatnot), and am so thankful I have all the room I do. :)

 

That many things were kept in the fridge that would be kept in the cupboard in the UK. Things like various sauces, eggs, bread..... If you take all those out, you have a lot more space.

 

Laura

[Liz CA]

I

food shopping. Big supermarkets. (Back home, supermarkets are much smaller. There are small butcher shops, vegetable shops, and of course bakeries on every street corner) But, people in stores tend to be much friendlier in the US.

the food. Most of all, I was missing good bread, and the bakeries. And good cheese.

 

Yes, people are friendlier here. On the subject of bread, I bake my own rye because I could stand the "soft" bread here. In several places, where I live, I can now get Mestemacher Dark Rye (the rectangular shaped loaf with thin slices.) For cheese, try the Artisan route. Are there cheese factories near you? These are fabulous places where they make the cheese on site in small batches.

[stripe]

I had a very difficult time b00k buying in KL about 10 yrs ago, not sure if its changed. 32DDD was impossible to find & the salespeople insisted that that size didn't exist.

Yeah, my sisters in law find what I'd call medium sized bras hilarious. They think those are as big as it gets. ha.

 

Shoes, too.

 

There are definitely places in the US with graffiti, but I consider that different from everyone (kid, grandma, whoever) tossing their water bottle or corn cob on the street. Like, there are no public trash cans, or the concept of picking up after yourself doesn't exist. And even in nice neighborhoods, the streets are covered in trash. That's another thing: many places don't have trash pick up. So there are smoldering dumps in the middle of town, with goats, chickens, and kids jumping around in the (horribly smelly) trash.

[Liz CA]

That many things were kept in the fridge that would be kept in the cupboard in the UK. Things like various sauces, eggs, bread..... If you take all those out, you have a lot more space.

 

Laura

 

:D, yes...AND when I was in Europe, we did not go shopping once a week and buy a load. One went every day or every other day to get fresh bread, milk, veggies & eggs.

[Roadrunner]

That many things were kept in the fridge that would be kept in the cupboard in the UK. Things like various sauces, eggs, bread..... If you take all those out, you have a lot more space.

 

Laura

 

My mom is always wondering why I put so many things in the frig here :001_smile:.

 

Now that I am a hybrid person (half American, if not more, and rest something else), I bought a refrigerator for our second home that's not located in the U.S. It was the biggest we could find and it's still smaller than my standard frig in the U.S. The family kept opening it up to see why we wanted to have such a massive frig and what on earth we planned to keep in there.

Basically when I am in the U.S. I feel like a foreigner and when I am abroad I feel like I am an American. A very funny feeling. :lol:

[juelle]

I agree with this. I remember having to choose a toothbrush for the first time after moving back to the US and being totally overwhelmed. In Germany, we had a handful of toothbrushes, not half an aisle. It really is crazy.

 

I had a panic attack in the grocery store right after I moved back, just looking at the bread aisle. Had to leave the store.

[Parrothead]

ICurrently, I live in a town of 70,000 people in Arkansas. But, if I drive 5 minutes, I will be in forests and mountains. Where I live is very spread out. I spent my high school time in western Oklahoma, where we had to drive hours to do most shopping. When I visit California or NYC, I definitely feel a culture shock.

It is this reason that technically I count as a third culture kid. I did not grow up within my parents home culture or the culture of my birth.

 

I was recently in the region my parents grew up in. I "heard" and "saw" them in every interaction of people there. It was a revelation.

[NASDAQ]

People talk more to people they don't know.

 

Lots of choices and almost everything costs less.

 

Less Asian food in the stores but more Mexican food.

 

People are less patient, but as a result service is better.

 

Your mail comes really fast.

 

People are more religious.

[Ibbygirl]

And also, I have to say, most places in the US are so quiet! I can hear insects chirping right now in my house Unless you live in the middle of a big city (and I mean, in the smack dab middle), many areas in the US are very quiet at night. Loud blaring music or loud screaming conversations are just...not done. And many people pick up after themselves (less littering).

 

That's funny, because I experienced the opposite. When I got back to the states, it was so wonderful to be in an airport that had employees who knew what they were doing and were willing to help, and restaurant personel who served us well and usually with a smile. That was Detroit, coming from Scandinavia. Also far less graffiti.

 

 

My answer to both of these is not in Miami. :p hehe I don't know if it is just too hot, too crowded, too many people from too many cultures thrown in together or what, but yeah here it is loud and people complain a lot, not like NYC scale complaining, but pretty close. :p hehehe

 

Where??????????

I am always told SF is a "city,", but even San Francisco doesn't make a cut. I do love NY, looooooooooooove it, but I can't afford living on Manhattan Smaller towns have one or two streets with "action", but the rest is just residential. Sure you can walk on them, but for what?

 

In South Florida there are lots of places you can walk around. Not only at the beaches but in the downtown areas of cities as well. Las Olas in Ft. Lauderdale, Coconut Grove in Miami are fun places to walk and there are lots of people out and about and things going on. Where I live now I am in walking distance of my city's downtown area and there is an arts park, live music Thursday-weekend, concerts festivals all the time, lots of interesting little shops and restaurants. There's a lovely Italian market not 5 minutes walking distance from my house that we go to quite often. :) I don't know about other states as I've only ever lived in Florida, but it exists here. :)

 

My mom is always wondering why I put so many things in the frig here

 

Now that I am a hybrid person (half American, if not more, and rest something else), I bought a refrigerator for our second home that's not located in the U.S. It was the biggest we could find and it's still smaller than my standard frig in the U.S. The family kept opening it up to see why we wanted to have such a massive frig and what on earth we planned to keep in there.

I have a big refrigerator AND a deep storage freezer. :leaving: :lol:

 

Basically when I am in the U.S. I feel like a foreigner and when I am abroad I feel like I am an American. A very funny feeling. :lol:

I can totally relate to this. I was born and raised here in the US, but my family is Cuban/Spanish and I grew up in that culture so I feel foreign sometimes in my own country when I'm in a place that is outside of the Latin community, but when I go to my husband's country (Dominican Republic) I realize how American I really am. It's really weird. I always kinda feel like I don't really belong anywhere. :confused:

[Mrs Mungo]

I noticed the flags too. It seemed (forgive me) as if the US was trying too hard, perhaps because of a short history. I was used to countries that were more relaxed about their nationhood.

 

Can I try to rephrase this for those who were offended?

 

One time I was at a re-deployment ceremony in the summer. It was being held in an airplane hanger for soldiers as they were flying in from overseas. One of the wives wore a prom dress and a tiara. American patriotism looks like that to people on the outside looking in. It is no personal reflection on you. :)

 

Does that seem like a fitting analogy, Laura?

[Greta]

That's interesting to me. I'm from Texas and sadly what stood out to me most when I visited NY was how much trash there was everywhere (especially along the highways). That was 16 years ago, though. What we do have a problem with here (small town) is people thinking it is ok to use small county roads as dumps. Most of the town I live in is clean and nice, but there is a little road near my house that looks awful because people literally dump all kinds of things there. People try to come along and clean up, but they just can't keep up. I think that is more of a problem with a small number of people (probably the same people doing it every time) that just don't care. It's frustrating.

 

I'm sorry - I didn't word that well at all. I actually meant that the New England states that I listed (which we visited frequently while we lived in NY) were the pristine ones. NY itself was not as clean - some parts were, but some definitely not. I apologize for being unclear.

 

And, yes, as you and others have rightfully pointed out, people DO tend to take pretty good care of their towns and their yards. There's just something about a country drive or being on the highway that makes people feel like throwing trash out the window??? :confused: :lol:

[munashe]

The way this post is going kind of fulfills what we from the outside think about Americans, very patriotic and (at times even defensive) of their country. I must say I saw the post moaning about Laura being offensive with a smiley at the end and I thought it was somebody being sarcastic. Didn't realize they were genuinely offended. There you have it here, some of these cultural differences actually showing in this thread.

[Mrs Mungo]

Awww...that's sweet. :001_wub:

 

It is sweet! But also, kind of weird to an outsider looking in to their relationship. Kwim?

[justLisa]

I don't think I even know what it means to be patriotic. My dad is a fanatical republican. Well more like a capitalist. I have read a few very emotional books lately about members of the military and their stories. They are so passionate and would die for this country. I often think *how.* That makes me feel pathetic.

Edited August 1, 2012 by 425lisamarie

[Laura Corin]

Can I try to rephrase this for those who were offended?

 

One time I was at a re-deployment ceremony in the summer. It was being held in an airplane hanger for soldiers as they were flying in from overseas. One of the wives wore a prom dress and a tiara. American patriotism looks like that to people on the outside looking in. It is no personal reflection on you. :)

 

Does that seem like a fitting analogy, Laura?

 

Unfortunately I don't a strong cultural resonance for prom dresses or tiaras. I'll take your word for it though.

 

Here's an analogy. I have a first class honours degree in two subjects. That's not common. It's not something that I tell people about unless asked. It's not on my resume (not relevant). I know that I did well at university and I'm proud of my achievements. I don't need to make a show of it.

 

If I had my certificate on the wall for all my guests to see, it would, I believe, make me seem insecure, protesting too much (unless I was selling a professional service that required that qualification). That was how I felt about the flags. It was a personal impression.

 

Laura

[Roadrunner]

After a very heated discussion of the sorts with 10 people talking/screaming, one of my friends said that often Patriotism is defined as "loving your country at the expense of others." After several years I am still thinking about it.

[justLisa]

After a very heated discussion of the sorts with 10 people talking/screaming, one of my friends said that often Patriotism is defined as "loving your country at the expense of others." After several years I am still thinking about it.

 

 

See, I could never be screaming about it. Or much else. Maybe I just don't care about anything enough to actually scream at people about it. Now, take away my beer and maybe.....;)

 

I love a lot of things here, but I don't know if I love the country I live in.

[Roadrunner]

See, I could never be screaming about it. Or much else. Maybe I just don't care about anything enough to actually scream at people about it. Now, take away my beer and maybe.....;)

 

Yes, but you take 10 Political Science majors in grad school in the midst of major wars on the TV and it gets ugly really fast. :D

[justLisa]

Yes, but you take 10 Political Science majors in grad school in the midst of major wars on the TV and it gets ugly really fast. :D

 

Yeah, or like 10 old men, half one party, half the other. That's what my mom has to deal with. I don't allow it here. Go outside and talk trash :D

[Parrothead]

My mom is always wondering why I put so many things in the frig here :001_smile:.

 

Now that I am a hybrid person (half American, if not more, and rest something else), I bought a refrigerator for our second home that's not located in the U.S. It was the biggest we could find and it's still smaller than my standard frig in the U.S. The family kept opening it up to see why we wanted to have such a massive frig and what on earth we planned to keep in there.

Basically when I am in the U.S. I feel like a foreigner and when I am abroad I feel like I am an American. A very funny feeling. :lol:

This has to be because we have not set up our towns/cities to be conducive to walking. I'd have to walk three miles every day to get groceries if I didn't have a place to store cold food. Not that three miles is horribly far, but consider when it is below freezing in the winter. Yuck.

 

Then there are the people in the southern states. Who wants to walk 3 miles when temps are above 100. Yuck again.

 

I'm blocks from our city center. But there is no place there to buy fresh produce, milk or eggs.