What is your opinion on the USA?

[birchesgreen]

I think virtually all border guards are convinced every visitor to the USA wants to live there. I even told one quite bluntly once that although I admire the USA and appreciate the sometimes brotherly relationship we have, I'd never trade my place in the UK for the USA.

How was Guantamamo?

 

[nw1]

I've found they've got better over the years. I did once get questioned and my luggage searched through in Chicago Airport for 45 mins while transferring flights to Canada, but that was 2004 when things were heightened after 9/11, and I was staying on an army base in Canada and learning to fly at the time, so I can understand the red flags, but there were many stupid questions; I was going Skiing, but the border guard couldn't understand why I didn't have any ski's with me! Just a random search I believe, but they let me on my way once I'd explained everything and rifled through my suitcase. I do always dread dealing with US border guards, but once you're in the country everyone is always incredibly friendly. Luckily the New York border guard person was nice when I visited this year, I think in more tourist places they are slightly more chilled and less-defensive.

Maybe this is a factor in my experience, as three out of the five occasions I travelled to the US were immediately after 9/11 (i.e 2002, 2003, and 2004).

The worst one I ever had was on the land border between BC and WA on the I-5 (actually, just off it) on the Greyhound bus.

Border guard asked where I was going, I said "Seattle", and probably stated the hotel, because that was my destination that night.
Then he said "no, where are you really going" and I said "LA", implying that I was making my way down the west coast over 2 or 3 weeks.

Demanded to know the exact address of the person whose home I was staying at, some 2 or 3 weeks later (my ultimate destination), which seemed a bit excessive - but thankfully didn't go so far as to demand the address of every hotel I was staying at until then.

I had been in the US about 10 days previously (New York) before staying around 10 days in BC. Maybe border-hopping is something that they aren't trained to understand.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Jan 2023 ==

San Fransisco was awful when I went about 8 years ago, full of vagrants and people hassling you for money ("panhandlers" as they call them over there). I hear it's even worse now. Every single Muni Tram I had gone on had people acting strange.

I've never been anywhere in the developed world where you have to physically step over people sleeping in the middle of a booking hall at a station to get through the ticket barriers.

I've been to San Francisco three times (1996, 2003 and 2004) and never really felt unsafe, except in 1996 when I visited in December and consequently daylight hours were restricted. Never saw anything dodgy even on that occasion but obviously big US city + night + solo traveller rings alarm bells. Even still, the central area and the big hill that the tram goes up (Nob Hill, I think) seemed fairly safe in the early evening due to there being people about.

The guidebook said that as long as you keep out of the Tenderloin and one or two other areas, you'd be OK. Essentially I think the general rule was, north and west of Market Street was ok.

So maybe it has changed since?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Jan 2023 ==

The average American citizen has little or no knowledge of events outside the USA - or even in the next state. As to dysfunctional, have you noticed what has been happening in the USA over the past few years...? [1]

[1] As my contribution to the debate I would suggest that 'two party' political systems are less stable than 'multi-party' systems.

Discuss...

At least the two party system does not divide the opposition. The problem with the UK is that it's essentially the Conservatives (=Republicans) versus the Rest (=Democrats). The Rest is split so the Conservatives dominate UK politics far more than the GOP dominates the US, even though the GOP generally gets a higher percentage of the votes in the US than the Tories do here.

Essentially, for the Tories to lose power, they have to be really, really disliked. Anything less, and they will get in yet again.

OK, the USA had Trump, but at least it only had 4 years of Trump. We've had this lot now for pushing 13 years...

 

[Strat-tastic]

As we're at it, taking a long distance Amtrak is still possible. These services have often been at risk of withdrawal but they soldier on. They are still not bad value overall although I'd always get a roomette of which includes free meals. The catering is hardly Pullman dining but it's more than adequate.

If you want to meet the average, more down to Earth American, Amtrak long distance is a great way.

Yes. I met an Amish (or similar) couple in the observation car and had a wonderful conversation with them. Fascinating to learn about them. And me, confirmed shy and introvert! Whooda thunk it?

 

[GS250]

As for the guns situation... some Americans cannot believe a society would only let the establishment and criminals (unlawfully) to own firearms. They have a point...

 

[Iskra]

As for the guns situation... some Americans cannot believe a society would only let the establishment and criminals (unlawfully) to own firearms. They have a point...

Private individuals can own guns, it’s just controlled (properly) here. And nobody really needs an assault rifle.

20,000 deaths by shooting in a year is not a figure that needs repeating here in the UK.

 

[Thirteen]

Dallas as well as Las Vegas is on my wish list of places to visit. My mother want to visit Memphis so she can go to Graceland.

 

[Bald Rick]

Spectacularly diverse country, matched only by its spectacular insularity. Perhaps best summed up with a quote made to a family member visiting Kentucky:

”so you’re from England? Can you answer me something I’ve always wanted to know - do they speak English in England?”

 

[SuspectUsual]

Dallas as well as Las Vegas is on my wish list of places to visit. My mother want to visit Memphis so she can go to Graceland.

The JFK museum in the book depository in Dallas is absolutely brilliant (or at least it was when I was there 20-odd years ago)

Although it did give Bill Hicks his joke about how it’s incredibly realistic and just like it was on the day JFK died……Lee Harvey Oswald is nowhere to be seen

 

[Thirteen]

The JFK museum in the book depository in Dallas is absolutely brilliant (or at least it was when I was there 20-odd years ago)

Although it did give Bill Hicks his joke about how it’s incredibly realistic and just like it was on the day JFK died……Lee Harvey Oswald is nowhere to be seen

I've been to the JFK Library and Museum in Boston so not sure I'd go to the one in Dallas. I admit one reason I want to go to Dallas is to visit Southfork where they filmed the TV series Dallas.

 

[RichJF]

My experiences of the USA have come from both a family & professional standpoint. I have a naturalised relative in Texas & I've worked (albeit briefly) in the USA. It's better to think of the USA as 50 mini countries inside a larger bloc, similar to but not quite as strategic as the EU.

Geography:
Spectacular & intensely beautiful but also has extremes from desert to tundra & all in between.

Population:
The big cities are generally more centrist/left leaning politically. Some cities have VERY rough areas that are well publicised about.
Rural areas are traditionally more conservative & less government involvement, even in famous Democrat states like California & Colorado.

People:
Generally friendly, especially when you start talking & you have a British/European accent. Some of my relative's friends in Texas are very conservative but also some of the most hospitable people I've ever met!

Rights:
Poor employee/worker's rights (that vary by state) but average only 5 days holiday versus 25+ in the UK. No institutionalised healthcare so be CERTAIN to take out health insurance when you're over there otherwise you'll be broke quickly!

Transport:
Car rules! The North East, California & Chicago have decent train/transit networks & buses but other than that it's very much having to rely on 4 wheels although the Interstate System is a wonder in itself.

 

[william.martin]

The USA is revered by Americans as the best place in the world but I just can't understand why. I've just returned after a New Year holiday and spent a few of those days in the USA, first time since before the pandemic. For me, I think it isn't what it is cracked up to be (not the most free place and the customer service is nowhere near as good as they think it is) and IMO, Europe is so much more interesting to visit. I love that I live next to Europe and have so many great countries only 2 hours away by flight which are easily accessible. Whereas you have at least 7 hours over to the USA, with ESTAs, TSA security etc and there isn't as much to do or see when you are there (New York being an exception).

What is your opinion on the USA as a country? Have you visited? Do you find it an interesting place? Is it really the land of the free? Do they have the best service in the world?

There is one thing I have a genuine heart felt hatred for about the USA - they say that they speak English even though they call crisps chips????? This isn't the only slight modification to our language they have made.
Linking to this, many USA based websites including the last time I checked word (owned and run by Microsoft) the language settings said "standard English" and "English (UK)"

 

[ld0595]

I've just returned from a 10 day trip to the east coast of the US. My partner is from there so I've been fortunate enough to have visited a good number of times.

I absolutely love visiting it. The people have always been friendly and accommodating, some great places and sights to see and its great to just explore off the beaten track. We did a road trip this year from NJ to Shenandoah Park, VA and then onto Gettysburg. I love setting the sat nav to avoid motorways so we get to see some of small town America which is very different from the cities I've visited on the East Coast. Next year I'm really hoping to take Amtrak from Philly to Boston and staying there for a few nights - travelling by rail in the US has always appealed to me but hasn't worked out or has been prohibitively expensive so far.

We considered moving there after graduation as housing costs are lower and my salary would be substantially higher (engineers are criminally underpaid in the UK!) but opted to stay here in Scotland. I prefer not being completely reliant on cars and walking places, taking public transport (ish!), having Europe on our doorstep, more time off work and a decent-ish welfare net to help those in need. I ended up in some really bad parts - Camden NJ and Kensington Philadelphia which really opened up my eyes to how unequal parts of the US is. We're not perfect here in the UK by any means but the US is a whole new level which made me uncomfortable. The political situation is the icing on the cake!

 

[nlogax]

There is one thing I have a genuine heart felt hatred for about the USA - they say that they speak English even though they call crisps chips????? This isn't the only slight modification to our language they have made.

It may not be the variety you like but it is English. It shouldn't be forgotten that we continue to make plenty of language modifications wholly within UK borders. There is a whole other thread about this.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jan 2023 ==

Camden NJ

Camden is the only town I've walked around that has properly scared me although that was during its early 2000s extremes as a crime capital. I've not witnessed poverty quite like that anywhere else in the country.

 

[GS250]

It may not be the variety you like but it is English. It shouldn't be forgotten that we continue to make plenty of language modifications wholly within UK borders. There is a whole other thread about this.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jan 2023 ==



Camden is the only town I've walked around that has properly scared me although that was during its early 2000s extremes as a crime capital. I've not witnessed poverty quite like that anywhere else in the country.

There were some parts of South Central LA that totally blew 'badlands' parts of the UK away. A friend took me around there in his 4x4 (Glock pistol at hand) and I've never quite seen anything like it. The film 'Boyz n the Hood' comes to mind as did the speech by Lawrence Fishburne as to why these places continue to exist.

 

[ld0595]

Camden is the only town I've walked around that has properly scared me although that was during its early 2000s extremes as a crime capital. I've not witnessed poverty quite like that anywhere else in the country.

You're brave walking around! I felt nervous even from the comfort of a locked car. My partner's father told me to treat stop signs and red lights as advisable in the worst areas.

The waterfront and area around Cooper University is nice and relatively safe but it gets bad quite quickly if you go inland. It's shocking to see the level of deprivation there - in a league of it's own compared to deprived areas in the UK.

 

[nw1]

Camden is the only town I've walked around that has properly scared me although that was during its early 2000s extremes as a crime capital. I've not witnessed poverty quite like that anywhere else in the country.

Had to look it up, I have to admit - I've vaguely heard of the name without knowing where it was. Imagined it might be close to New York but actually across the river from Philadelphia.

 

[Mojo]

Ive felt quite uncomfortable in two places in inner-city USA. Both whilst Tram bashing! One was in Washington DC and the other the line 15 in Philadelphia. Can’t quite put my finger on why I felt so uncomfortable but never had anywhere else in the world.

 

[jfollows]

Reports today of a customer in a Houston restaurant putting 8 bullets into a thief (the thief had a fake gun, as it turns out) including one into the back of the thief's head; there are many people in the USA - especially Texas - and some here who would say that the thief got what he deserved but for me this is an example of the "self sufficient" and "right to self-protection" which is totally wrong in the USA. It's an attitude which I don't like and don't agree with.

 

[nw1]

Ive felt quite uncomfortable in two places in inner-city USA. Both whilst Tram bashing! One was in Washington DC and the other the line 15 in Philadelphia. Can’t quite put my finger on why I felt so uncomfortable but never had anywhere else in the world.

Most uncomfortable I've felt in the USA was walking a section of Broadway, I think roughly northwest from the Empire State Building area to Times Square. I'd been up the Empire State Building and wanted to see Times Square at night, and naively thought midtown Manhattan in the central area would be 'safe'. It was deserted and I really didn't feel comfortable at all. Didn't see anyone dodgy but there was a certain "atmosphere" about it.

This was just as darkness was falling, in July, so guessing around 9.30 - 10pm.

I experienced the same kind of feeling when I unknowingly walked through the St Paul's area, Bristol, one night in October 1993 (an area I later learnt had experienced riots some years earlier).

Some areas I've seen (in cities such as San Francisco) looked very run down indeed, more so than anywhere in the UK, but never actually walked round them - just saw them from the bus, which (as it was a bus from out-of-town) passed through without stopping. And surprisingly, some places well out of any city (Salinas, CA was one) looked really rough by UK standards.

 

[birchesgreen]

My best friend has lived in the US for over 20 years now (now a business owner) on the Iowa / Illinois border (Quad Cities area if you know, never been to be honest). I asked him about guns once and he said he was not something that visible at all where he was. He said how once there had been a woman in a store with an openly displayed pistol and even the locals thought it was an unusual sight. I think America and guns varies a lot to be honest.

 

[nw1]

My best friend has lived in the US for over 20 years now (now a business owner) on the Iowa / Illinois border (Quad Cities area if you know, never been to be honest). I asked him about guns once and he said he was not something that visible at all where he was. He said how once there had been a woman in a store with an openly displayed pistol and even the locals thought it was an unusual sight. I think America and guns varies a lot to be honest.

The only time I ever directly experienced a man with a gun was in the UK of all places, and in the midst of the genteel countryside outside of Winchester, close to a reasonably sizeable village (so not the back of beyond). I was walking on a public footpath, which had been obstructed by an electric fence, and I went to the farm building to complain and the farmer launched into a rant and waved a gun about! And this was in the late nineties, during the early Blair era, so we're very much talking modern times.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jan 2023 ==

Reports today of a customer in a Houston restaurant putting 8 bullets into a thief (the thief had a fake gun, as it turns out) including one into the back of the thief's head; there are many people in the USA - especially Texas - and some here who would say that the thief got what he deserved but for me this is an example of the "self sufficient" and "right to self-protection" which is totally wrong in the USA. It's an attitude which I don't like and don't agree with.

"Trespassers will be shot". Isn't that actually legal in (parts of) the USA?

 

[66701GBRF]

Reports today of a customer in a Houston restaurant putting 8 bullets into a thief (the thief had a fake gun, as it turns out) including one into the back of the thief's head; there are many people in the USA - especially Texas - and some here who would say that the thief got what he deserved but for me this is an example of the "self sufficient" and "right to self-protection" which is totally wrong in the USA. It's an attitude which I don't like and don't agree with.

I’d say robber is a better description than thief. I don’t think there is any thing wrong with being able to defend yourself or others and as such I don’t think the initial action by the defender is an issue. However there are always limits (just as there is here) and the action the defender took after the first couple of shots go beyond self defence in my opinion.

 

[nw1]

My experiences of the USA have come from both a family & professional standpoint. I have a naturalised relative in Texas & I've worked (albeit briefly) in the USA. It's better to think of the USA as 50 mini countries inside a larger bloc, similar to but not quite as strategic as the EU.

Geography:
Spectacular & intensely beautiful but also has extremes from desert to tundra & all in between.

Population:
The big cities are generally more centrist/left leaning politically. Some cities have VERY rough areas that are well publicised about.
Rural areas are traditionally more conservative & less government involvement, even in famous Democrat states like California & Colorado.

People:
Generally friendly, especially when you start talking & you have a British/European accent. Some of my relative's friends in Texas are very conservative but also some of the most hospitable people I've ever met!

Rights:
Poor employee/worker's rights (that vary by state) but average only 5 days holiday versus 25+ in the UK. No institutionalised healthcare so be CERTAIN to take out health insurance when you're over there otherwise you'll be broke quickly!

This is the big problem with actually living there, and is enough to make me not seriously consider the possibility - there would have to be a very, very, good reason (such as a dream job which was so good that I wouldn't care not having much holiday). Didn't realise they had a mere 5 days holiday, that is bad. Gives you very little time to enjoy life, it's a wonder many don't go completely crazy. You can't even have one two week holiday per year, and Christmas (despite the popular depiction) must be a very transient festival indeed; IIRC they don't even get Boxing Day off. The health issues I've already commented on.

Transport:
Car rules! The North East, California & Chicago have decent train/transit networks & buses but other than that it's very much having to rely on 4 wheels although the Interstate System is a wonder in itself.

This is the other big issue (for me personally) with the USA, though if I was to live there I'd learn to drive so it's not as insurmountable as the health / workers' rights problems.

Some places are completely unreachable by public transport, and that meant, for example, that I was unable to fully see the wonders of Washington State (of which I believe there are many).

A bit of planning and research, and perhaps luck, does allow you to get around by public transport. Greyhound is the major provider, though (in 2004 at least, not sure about now) they had this infuriating policy where a bus could be full - but you could not book it in advance. In other ways, planning a journey was difficult. This was something I was unaware of before going. Thankfully I mostly got lucky but did have to hang around the small town of Grants Pass, OR, one day waiting for a later bus.

I also visited Manitou Springs, Colorado (to climb Pikes Peak) and got lucky in the sense that in that particular year, there was a frequent all-day high quality bus service between Denver and Colorado Springs ("FREX" - Front Range Express - with free wifi). Sadly it didn't last and now it's just back to infrequent Greyhounds. Amazing that the two largest cities (I think) in Colorado have such poor connections. By contrast, Denver itself has a very good, continental-style, cheap (it was then), publicly-owned public transport system. Colorado Springs though is a really strange place. Lots of skyscrapers, big empty streets, and very little in the way of shops. Well-known for rampant conservatism, I believe, but nearby Manitou Springs was much more laid-back.

The other form of public transport you get in the USA takes the form of something which is a cross between a bus and a taxi. You get these minibus shuttles which leave at set times, but have to be booked (otherwise they won't run) and are rather more expensive than regular buses. I used such a service to reach Summit County, Colorado from Denver and also used one in Oregon south of Portland - wanting to divert inland for a bit to see some of the interior (with rather varying results, I think in retrospect I should have gone down the coast).

Talking of Portland I found it (only stayed one night) a very laid-back kind of city almost with a bit of a European vibe.

Finally one surprising experience was the lack of taxis in rural areas. I stayed in Summit County (which had an excellent and completely free bus network) but one day wanted to climb a peak not on the bus routes (Quandary Peak) and thought I'd splash out on a taxi just for the one day. I remember trying to arrange it the day before but it seemed impossible to find a taxi which was free at this time! So I never did climb this particular peak.

 

[Cloud Strife]

You can't even have one two week holiday per year

In comparison, in PL, it is absolutely mandatory for anyone employed under a labour contract to have a two week work-free period once a year. You can't give it up, at least one of your holidays must be for two weeks.

 

[GS250]

I’d say robber is a better description than thief. I don’t think there is any thing wrong with being able to defend yourself or others and as such I don’t think the initial action by the defender is an issue. However there are always limits (just as there is here) and the action the defender took after the first couple of shots go beyond self defence in my opinion.

There's a saying in some parts of the USA that if you're going to use a weapon to defend yourself, make sure you kill them.

 

[jfollows]

In comparison, in PL, it is absolutely mandatory for anyone employed under a labour contract to have a two week work-free period once a year. You can't give it up, at least one of your holidays must be for two weeks.

Apologies, what's "PL"?
However - when I started working for IBM in the UK in 1984 this was a condition of the holiday entitlement, that's to say we were expected to book at least one holiday of two weeks' duration or more out of our entitlement. I think this went by the wayside in due course, wasn't enforced, but was generally something I chose to do anyway.

 

[GS250]

Apologies, what's "PL"?
However - when I started working for IBM in the UK in 1984 this was a condition of the holiday entitlement, that's to say we were expected to book at least one holiday of two weeks' duration or more out of our entitlement. I think this went by the wayside in due course, wasn't enforced, but was generally something I chose to do anyway.

Poland?

By the way some US companies actually see it as a negative if you take all of your allocated leave. Their work culture is one of professionalism but the whole attitude to leave a bit too extreme for my liking.

 

[nlogax]

Their work culture is one of professionalism but the whole attitude to leave a bit too extreme for my liking.

Indeed. Certainly in my US IT industry experience there exists a culture of presenteeism and long work hours beyond what we Europeans consider anywhere near reasonable in the context of our private and family lives. Very much to the detriment of actual employee productivity. You can earn all the money in the world but you'll be hard pressed to find the time to spend it.

 

[nw1]

Indeed. Certainly in my US IT industry experience there exists a culture of presenteeism and long work hours beyond what we Europeans consider anywhere near reasonable in the context of our private and family lives. Very much to the detriment of actual employee productivity. You can earn all the money in the world but you'll be hard pressed to find the time to spend it.

That's the thing. Unless your job is truly amazing, it makes you wonder what the point of living is. With only 5 days leave a year you end up being effectively an automaton, with next to no time to enjoy life. You can't look forward to your big summer holiday the way that many Europeans can.

The US has all this amazing scenery and variety yet the average American has virtually no time to appreciate it (let alone the rest of the world), it appears. Often people make accusations of insularity about US citizens, but given they have so little free time, is it any wonder that some are? I'm sure more Americans would see more of the world if only they were allowed time to do so.

 

[GS250]

Indeed. Certainly in my US IT industry experience there exists a culture of presenteeism and long work hours beyond what we Europeans consider anywhere near reasonable in the context of our private and family lives. Very much to the detriment of actual employee productivity. You can earn all the money in the world but you'll be hard pressed to find the time to spend it.

Yep. A friend who is in US tech pretty much says the same. In fact it got so extreme that you were almost frowned upon if you didn't turn up for work at 630am and do an hour or so in the on site gym before you sat at your desk.