What do you like/loathe about the US compared to home (Ireland)?

Mutant Mass

I've been living in the states for over 4 years now, with the odd trip back home.

Some of the things I've grown to LOVE:

-US attitudes: The positivity of most people. The attitude of 'if you want something go out there and earn it', there is very little entitlement culture here. The lack of begrudgery.

-The service: From getting a meal, to someone working in a gas station. The levels of service offered here are streaks ahead of home.

-The bars: I know lots of people pine for the old-style Irish country pub, but I love the sports bars here. I love nothing more than calling down to a bar on a Sunday to watch sport, eat some food and have a few beers. I also love the large selection of craft brews available here compared to at home.

-The Wildlife: Taking a camping trip in one of the national parks here is nothing short of incredible. Seeing huge wild animals like bears, wolves and eagles is just something you can't get at home.

Things that I really dislike:

US Attitudes: Some of the attitudes are extremely ethnocentric, bordering on racist. The belief that the US is the epitome of human achievement and that people aspire to be like Americans. Some of the far-right wing religious are completely bonkers. I dislike the passive-aggressive nature of a lot of americans. They're less likely to come out and say they have a problem with you, and instead act passive-aggressive.

Intercity Public Transport: I don't particularly like driving for long periods, but rail/buses between cities absolutely sucks.

TV Commercials: I basically don't watch any TV because of them. Ridiculously intrusive.

Just a quick few of my likes/dislikes. I know this will differ wildly from state to state. But what are you thoughts on living in the US?

rockonollie

Mutant Mass wrote: »

there is very little entitlement culture here.

Don't get this point at all.....the US has a huge problem with the entitlement culture.

InTheTrees

rockonollie wrote: »

Don't get this point at all.....the US has a huge problem with the entitlement culture.

Can you describe some of those entitlements for the European readers who may not be familar?

rockonollie

InTheTrees wrote: »

Can you describe some of those entitlements for the European readers who may not be familar?

Can we start with the Obamaphone?......or the countless people on social welfare that ask, "why should I go back to work when the government pays the bills for me?"

Look at the fast food workers, who have been on strike lately because they don't earn enough money to pay their bills, not asking for a slight raise, or for more hour......they're asking for their pay to double from $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour.

InTheTrees

rockonollie wrote: »

Can we start with the Obamaphone?

I dont understand. Sorry. What specific programs are the problem?

Can you describe the "Entitlement Culture"?

Do you mean food stamps? Or long term disability?

InTheTrees

rockonollie wrote: »

Look at the fast food workers, who have been on strike lately because they don't earn enough money to pay their bills, not asking for a slight raise, or for more hour......they're asking for their pay to double from $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour.

YOu dont like people asking for raises?

rockonollie

InTheTrees....I have no problem with social welfare programs, or people asking for raises......but there has to be a level of realism.

Social welfare is neccessary in every country, but 47% of the population here receive some form of benefits.....there are many that need and are perfectly entitled to it, but there's also plenty that take the benefits simple because they are available and are convenient.

As far as the fast food strike goes.....it's not an issue of people asking for raises.....it's people who work minimum wage jobs asking to be paid twice the minimum wage. They complain that they don't earn enough in that job to support their families.....but it isn't the job of an employer to pay your bills, the employer is supposed to pay you for the work that you do.....and flipping burgers at McDonald's is not a career where you should expect to make a tonne of money.

iusedtoknow

rockonollie wrote: »

InTheTrees....I have no problem with social welfare programs, or people asking for raises......but there has to be a level of realism.

Social welfare is neccessary in every country, but 47% of the population here receive some form of benefits.....there are many that need and are perfectly entitled to it, but there's also plenty that take the benefits simple because they are available and are convenient.

As far as the fast food strike goes.....it's not an issue of people asking for raises.....it's people who work minimum wage jobs asking to be paid twice the minimum wage. They complain that they don't earn enough in that job to support their families.....but it isn't the job of an employer to pay your bills, the employer is supposed to pay you for the work that you do.....and flipping burgers at McDonald's is not a career where you should expect to make a tonne of money.

wow.

Just wow.

Ok, so the minimum wage here in SF is 10.55 an hour. Working 40 hours a week will get you 1688/month Gross.

That is before tax, social security etc. Most fastfood/starbucks do not get tips. This is assuming that the workers get healthcare - however when they do they usually have pretty high out of pocket expenses

That is not a living wage, no matter what way you look at it. Most of the people earning this salary do not live in SF because it is too damned expensive, but have to commute in from Oakland. That means taking the BART which costs $8 return.

I have no problem with people wanting a living wage, not a minimum wage.

rockonollie

Insisting the employers pay enough to cover their employees cost of living, regardless of type of job/skills required = sense of entitlement

clairefontaine

iusedtoknow wrote: »

wow.

Just wow.

Ok, so the minimum wage here in SF is 10.55 an hour. Working 40 hours a week will get you 1688/month Gross.

That is before tax, social security etc. Most fastfood/starbucks do not get tips. This is assuming that the workers get healthcare - however when they do they usually have pretty high out of pocket expenses

That is not a living wage, no matter what way you look at it. Most of the people earning this salary do not live in SF because it is too damned expensive, but have to commute in from Oakland. That means taking the BART which costs $8 return.

I have no problem with people wanting a living wage, not a minimum wage.

San Fran is an expensive city. No one forces you to live there. Minimum wage is different state to state. You can move to a different part of California or to a different state.

iusedtoknow

clairefontaine wrote: »

San Fran is an expensive city. No one forces you to live there. Minimum wage is different state to state. You can move to a different part of California or to a different state.

I moved here with my company, and am paid pretty well for it and live pretty well, however what you're saying is, poorer people should not live in cities on the East / West coast even though they may be from there?

Pretty disgusting attitude. The Bay area poor live in ghettos over in the East Bay (Oakland, Richmond, Vallejo) where there are few jobs, so they commute into the city for what minimum wage work there is.

Those cities have the worst schools as their districts are poorly funded as the people are poor, that puts the children at a disadvantage already. A lot leave school with little or no education. It is a horrible circle. They come into work in SF at minimum wage jobs, and just cannot move up in the world. The cycle repeats.

This is pretty good glimpse into the world of a minimum wage worker, and she is one of the lucky ones - she isn't supporting a family on this wage

clairefontaine

iusedtoknow wrote: »

I moved here with my company, and am paid pretty well for it and live pretty well, however what you're saying is, poorer people should not live in cities on the East / West coast even though they may be from there?

Pretty disgusting attitude. The Bay area poor live in ghettos over in the East Bay (Oakland, Richmond, Vallejo) where there are few jobs, so they commute into the city for what minimum wage work there is.

Those cities have the worst schools as their districts are poorly funded as the people are poor, that puts the children at a disadvantage already. A lot leave school with little or no education. It is a horrible circle. They come into work in SF at minimum wage jobs, and just cannot move up in the world. The cycle repeats.

This is pretty good glimpse into the world of a minimum wage worker, and she is one of the lucky ones - she isn't supporting a family on this wage

Eh. I grew up in the most expensive city in the US and I can't afford to live there. Not a disgusting attitude, that is how it is. And no need to get personal.

School funding are you kidding me?

NYC has plenty of money,taxing the bejesus out the middle class and upwards and you still have to spend 25k a year on private school. That's what I call a scam.

iusedtoknow

clairefontaine wrote: »

Eh. I grew up in the most expensive city in the US and I can't afford to live there. Not a disgusting attitude, that is how it is. And no need to get personal.

School funding are you kidding me?

NYC has plenty of money,taxing the bejesus out the middle class and upwards and you still have to spend 25k a year on private school. That's what I call a scam.

Sorry, didn't mean it "personally". But as for school comment, I was talking public schools.

The best public schools in the bay area are in Cupertino and Los Gatos in Silicon Valley. The worst schools are in Richmond and Oakland.

Perhaps I am living in the wrong country, I am a socialist through and through. I don't believe in private education, I believe in universal healthcare, affordable housing and a living wage for all and for everyone who needs it to get a leg up in the world, and it not be a zipcode lottery.

clairefontaine

iusedtoknow wrote: »

Sorry, didn't mean it "personally". But as for school comment, I was talking public schools.

The best public schools in the bay area are in Cupertino and Los Gatos in Silicon Valley. The worst schools are in Richmond and Oakland.

Perhaps I am living in the wrong country, I am a socialist through and through. I don't believe in private education, I believe in universal healthcare, affordable housing and a living wage for all and for everyone who needs it to get a leg up in the world, and it not be a zipcode lottery.

California is one of the weirdest states IMO. I'll never get them.

InTheTrees

So it looks like the point is made:

Right wing americans get enraged not by actual entitlement programs (which they have trouble naming anyway) but they're even maddened by people having a "sense of entitlement" which you could also call ambition couldnt you.

SO chalk that up as one in the OP's negative column.

clairefontaine

iusedtoknow wrote: »

Sorry, didn't mean it "personally". But as for school comment, I was talking public schools.

The best public schools in the bay area are in Cupertino and Los Gatos in Silicon Valley. The worst schools are in Richmond and Oakland.

Perhaps I am living in the wrong country, I am a socialist through and through. I don't believe in private education, I believe in universal healthcare, affordable housing and a living wage for all and for everyone who needs it to get a leg up in the world, and it not be a zipcode lottery.

The idea of federalism in the US whe you have state and local control, is that if you don't like the laws in one state, you are free to move to another. Americans have always been migrants in this way. We move around a lot. I would not live in NYC, even todo ugh I love it, because it is a rip off city. Am I entitled to be able to afford to live there just because I grew up there? Nope. It sucks, but I'd hate to see the alternative. It's expensive because of its insane taxes, nd because newcomers pay through the nose in rent to compensate for people living there since 1950 in rent controlled apartments. So ironically, its taxing and re appropriation of wealth which is what has made it nigh impossible for me to live there, and I'm not in the minimum wage bracket either.

If you send your kids to public school in California, you may start believing in iprivate education, I know I would. As an Irish immigrant would you like your kids to stand up everyday, face the flag and pledge allegiance to the USA?
Would you like your seven year old to hear about prominent homosexuals in history? Would you like your kids to be around mostly English speakers? Or would you like some say in what they are learning?

clairefontaine

Mutant Mass wrote: »

I've been living in the states for over 4 years now, with the odd trip back home.

Some of the things I've grown to LOVE:

-US attitudes: The positivity of most people. The attitude of 'if you want something go out there and earn it', there is very little entitlement culture here. The lack of begrudgery.

-The service: From getting a meal, to someone working in a gas station. The levels of service offered here are streaks ahead of home.

-The bars: I know lots of people pine for the old-style Irish country pub, but I love the sports bars here. I love nothing more than calling down to a bar on a Sunday to watch sport, eat some food and have a few beers. I also love the large selection of craft brews available here compared to at home.

-The Wildlife: Taking a camping trip in one of the national parks here is nothing short of incredible. Seeing huge wild animals like bears, wolves and eagles is just something you can't get at home.

Things that I really dislike:

US Attitudes: Some of the attitudes are extremely ethnocentric, bordering on racist. The belief that the US is the epitome of human achievement and that people aspire to be like Americans. Some of the far-right wing religious are completely bonkers. I dislike the passive-aggressive nature of a lot of americans. They're less likely to come out and say they have a problem with you, and instead act passive-aggressive.

Intercity Public Transport: I don't particularly like driving for long periods, but rail/buses between cities absolutely sucks.

TV Commercials: I basically don't watch any TV because of them. Ridiculously intrusive.

Just a quick few of my likes/dislikes. I know this will differ wildly from state to state. But what are you thoughts on living in the US?

The southeast I particularly dislike. Cold never live there. I like the northeast, but that's what I'm used to.

I getting used to the northwest, but there are things that I think are really stupid. My town is spending a fortune on changing the fisherman signs everywhere to fisher person signs. Meanwhile there's ily half day Kindergarten because they won't spend the money on full day. This I think is utterly priority upside down.

iusedtoknow

clairefontaine wrote: »

The idea of federalism in the US whe you have state and local control, is that if you don't like the laws in one state, you are free to move to another. Americans have always been migrants in this way. We move around a lot. I would not live in NYC, even todo ugh I love it, because it is a rip off city. Am I entitled to be able to afford to live there just because I grew up there? Nope. It sucks, but I'd hate to see the alternative. It's expensive because of its insane taxes, nd because newcomers pay through the nose in rent to compensate for people living there since 1950 in rent controlled apartments. So ironically, its taxing and re appropriation of wealth which is what has made it nigh impossible for me to live there, and I'm not in the minimum wage bracket either.

If you send your kids to public school in California, you may start believing in iprivate education, I know I would. As an Irish immigrant would you like your kids to stand up everyday, face the flag and pledge allegiance to the USA?
Would you like your seven year old to hear about prominent homosexuals in history? Would you like your kids to be around mostly English speakers? Or would you like some say in what they are learning?

Yes to all, we intend on taking dual citizenship as soon as we can, our kids will be american (as they will be born here), they have to respect the country they will be growing up in.

What is wrong with learning about prominent homosexuals? If they have accomplished something (harvey milk etc) then why not? Also I am all for equality, especially seeing as my brother is gay, my boss is gay.

Most of the kids around our neighborhood are chinese/american as well as many hispanic and european...however I rarely hear anything but english being spoken by kids. Anyway, our kids will be bilingual seeing as my wife is Spanish.

clairefontaine

iusedtoknow wrote: »

Yes to all, we intend on taking dual citizenship as soon as we can, our kids will be american (as they will be born here), they have to respect the country they will be growing up in.

What is wrong with learning about prominent homosexuals? If they have accomplished something (harvey milk etc) then why not? Also I am all for equality, especially seeing as my brother is gay, my boss is gay.

Most of the kids around our neighborhood are chinese/american as well as many hispanic and european...however I rarely hear anything but english being spoken by kids. Anyway, our kids will be bilingual seeing as my wife is Spanish.

Ok, that's fair enough for YOU. But some don't want their kids learning about Ellen Degeneris' lesbianism at age 7. I don't want to have to explain lesbianism or heterosexual sex to my seven year old thanks. At that age you're still learning how to roller skate and jump rope. It shouldn't matte, so make it not matter. I refuse to answer racial questions on school application forma, for this same reason. I write down the famous Martin Luther King quote and hand it back to the administrator.

Anyway, I have no problem with private school if it means you get the education for your kids that you want. In NYC it's a necessity I'd you want to give them half a hope. Maybe San Fran is different, I don't know.

lil_lisa

clairefontaine wrote: »

I don't want to have to explain lesbianism or heterosexual sex to my seven year old thanks.

I don't believe any school teaches about sex between any 2 people regardless of sexual orientation to a seven year old. Even in public schools

clairefontaine wrote: »

I refuse to answer racial questions on school application forma, for this same reason.

I could be wrong, but haven't they made it a law now that these questions are always an "opt-out" question? i.e. you can always choose "prefer not to answer" or something?

whitey1

Mutant Mass wrote: »

I've been living in the states for over 4 years now, with the odd trip back home.

Some of the things I've grown to LOVE:

-US attitudes: The positivity of most people. The attitude of 'if you want something go out there and earn it', there is very little entitlement culture here. The lack of begrudgery.

-The service: From getting a meal, to someone working in a gas station. The levels of service offered here are streaks ahead of home.

-The bars: I know lots of people pine for the old-style Irish country pub, but I love the sports bars here. I love nothing more than calling down to a bar on a Sunday to watch sport, eat some food and have a few beers. I also love the large selection of craft brews available here compared to at home.

-The Wildlife: Taking a camping trip in one of the national parks here is nothing short of incredible. Seeing huge wild animals like bears, wolves and eagles is just something you can't get at home.

Things that I really dislike:

US Attitudes: Some of the attitudes are extremely ethnocentric, bordering on racist. The belief that the US is the epitome of human achievement and that people aspire to be like Americans. Some of the far-right wing religious are completely bonkers. I dislike the passive-aggressive nature of a lot of americans. They're less likely to come out and say they have a problem with you, and instead act passive-aggressive.

Intercity Public Transport: I don't particularly like driving for long periods, but rail/buses between cities absolutely sucks.

TV Commercials: I basically don't watch any TV because of them. Ridiculously intrusive.

Just a quick few of my likes/dislikes. I know this will differ wildly from state to state. But what are you thoughts on living in the US?

I have lived here for close to 20 years....4 different states and work has brought me to visit more than 30. The town I live in has 1 other Irish born person and he moved here when he was 1. Lets just say Im assimilated

The country is enormous with vast disparities in ethnicities, attitudes, wealth education etc.

I will take a moment to address your dislikes

(1) I live in Boston....very welcoming of immigrants who want to work. They dont want or like people coming here to go on the dole. If you want to work you can. If you cant speak English, there are plenty of free classes you can avail of, so theres really no excuse

this is what people are sick of

http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/opinion/op_ed/2013/08/voodoo_queen_gets_culture

I wouldnt agree that people think the US is the epitome of Human Achievement. For the most part their system works. When I moved here in the early 90s a regular blue collar person would have had a similar standard of living to an upper professional person in Ireland. Im talking about cars, houses, vacations, eduvational opportunities for their kids, recreation.

Show me any other country in the world where you can go from abject poverty to top 1% wage earners in one generation

(2) Agree and disagree. Typically only poor people would take a Greyhound Bus. I dont think European type rail service is available outside of the Northeast corridor but I could be wrong.

Yanks love their cars/trucks-its part of their culture. Most intra city public transport options are very under utilized or operate only with big taxpayer subsidies.

There are also plenty of cheap options to fly.


(3) Get cable or a dvr

silja

**** One post removed as a personal attack. Let's stick to the topic in the OP and stay away from bickering and politics. *****

InTheTrees

silja wrote: »

**** One post removed as a personal attack. Let's stick to the topic in the OP and stay away from bickering and politics. *****

I was just thinking the most loathsome thing about the USA is the political bickering.

But I'm as guilty as anyone...

iusedtoknow

What I like about the US (California)
1. The place: we can be skiing, go to the desert, go to the beach, be where there is a lot of music/art/culture, be in the mountains all within a few hours of home
2. The food is amazing, great new american, sushi, vietnamese, chinese.
3. The people are really friendly here, as long as you treat people with respect, you'll get the same back. People are willing to shoot the breeze, even in the middle of a busy day. Because SF has a long history of immigration, no one marks you out because of your accent, you're just another part of the city.
4. The pace of life is great, obviously people work very hard, long hours (especially in tech) but at weekends, all bets are off - people gear down and life isn't as rushed.

What I dislike?
1. the portions of food.

2. racial segregation is still in place, it is done via the economy, but it is still there. We rarely if ever see black people in our neighbourhood (Inner Sunset: Old Irish (you hear 80 year old men with this Mayo Accents), Chinese/Vietnamese and New Tech workers( mostly white). However, the poorest parts of the city (bayview and the tendorloin) are predominantly black, the richest parts are white (Nob Hill etc). The poorest parts of East Bay are predominantly Black (Oakland) while the richer parts are white (Berkley).

3. The lack of help for people that need it. There is a high level of mental health issues with the homeless people here, they are obviously sick and need help, however due to the hatred of all things socialist, they get the basic needs looked after, nothing more. There is a huge gulf between the haves and have nots in this city.

4. Rents are through the roof. Our rent now is pretty much the same as my monthly salary in Europe, we can afford it but it would be nicer to be paying less. We made our choices, we wanted to live in the city, and so we pay the rent that requires.

whitey1

iusedtoknow wrote: »

What I like about the US (California)
1. The place: we can be skiing, go to the desert, go to the beach, be where there is a lot of music/art/culture, be in the mountains all within a few hours of home
2. The food is amazing, great new american, sushi, vietnamese, chinese.
3. The people are really friendly here, as long as you treat people with respect, you'll get the same back. People are willing to shoot the breeze, even in the middle of a busy day. Because SF has a long history of immigration, no one marks you out because of your accent, you're just another part of the city.
4. The pace of life is great, obviously people work very hard, long hours (especially in tech) but at weekends, all bets are off - people gear down and life isn't as rushed.

What I dislike?
1. the portions of food.

2. racial segregation is still in place, it is done via the economy, but it is still there. We rarely if ever see black people in our neighbourhood (Inner Sunset: Old Irish (you hear 80 year old men with this Mayo Accents), Chinese/Vietnamese and New Tech workers( mostly white). However, the poorest parts of the city (bayview and the tendorloin) are predominantly black, the richest parts are white (Nob Hill etc). The poorest parts of East Bay are predominantly Black (Oakland) while the richer parts are white (Berkley).

3. The lack of help for people that need it. There is a high level of mental health issues with the homeless people here, they are obviously sick and need help, however due to the hatred of all things socialist, they get the basic needs looked after, nothing more. There is a huge gulf between the haves and have nots in this city.

4. Rents are through the roof. Our rent now is pretty much the same as my monthly salary in Europe, we can afford it but it would be nicer to be paying less. We made our choices, we wanted to live in the city, and so we pay the rent that requires.

Racial segregation....Ive got an idea for you and you can kill 2 birds with one stone. Move into one of the more racially diverse neighborhoods, and donate to charity what you will save in rent.

clairefontaine

whitey1 wrote: »

Racial segregation....Ive got an idea for you and you can kill 2 birds with one stone. Move into one of the more racially diverse neighborhoods, and donate to charity what you will save in rent.

This happened in NYC. White middle class liberals thought they were being progressive and embracing diversity by moving into black neighbourhoods in Brooklyn. They drove the rents up even more so locas couldnt afford the rents, and yes ended up resenting those white people. It wasn't like thanksgiving dinner and perfect harmony by any stretch.

iusedtoknow

clairefontaine wrote: »

This happened in NYC. White middle class liberals thought they were being progressive and embracing diversity by moving into black neighbourhoods in Brooklyn. They drove the rents up even more so locas couldnt afford the rents, and yes ended up resenting those white people. It wasn't like thanksgiving dinner and perfect harmony by any stretch.

It is already happening here. People are "moving" to Bayview as they get the first choice in schools (SF operates a lottery for public school places). If you are registered in Bayview, you can get into whatever school you apply to. Richer people are leasing apartments, not using them and getting their kids into what PS they want.
Aside from using up much needed affordable housing and driving rents up, it is forcing the city into looking into removing Bayview's privilege in school choices, this perpetuating the circle of disadvantage (school in a lot tax intake area, bad funding for the district etc)

clairefontaine

iusedtoknow wrote: »

It is already happening here. People are "moving" to Bayview as they get the first choice in schools (SF operates a lottery for public school places). If you are registered in Bayview, you can get into whatever school you apply to. Richer people are leasing apartments, not using them and getting their kids into what PS they want.
Aside from using up much needed affordable housing and driving rents up, it is forcing the city into looking into removing Bayview's privilege in school choices, this perpetuating the circle of disadvantage (school in a lot tax intake area, bad funding for the district etc)

There's a lot of games people play with this stuff. I know wealthy New Yorkers who claim residency in PA but live in NYC to avoid NYC taxes too.

Schools in urban areas are always going to have this kind of yuppie musical chairs. This is why people end up going private.

Do you know of SF warehouses apartments?

Murt10

Some of my pet likes and dislikes.

Goods
1. 4 way stops

2. Being allowed to turn on a red light

3.. The no nonsense approach regarding prison sentencing. 10 years means 10 years. None of this temporary release.

Bads
1. Tipping shouldn't be mandatory. People should be able to survive on their basic wages without having to resort to depending on tips.

2. Entering a motorway on an uphill slope.

3. Looking at (old) people working at a till in a supermarket not being allowed to sit while they are doing their job.

4. The free availability of assault weapons

dave2pvd

Murt10 wrote: »

Some of my pet likes and dislikes.

Goods
1. 4 way stops

2. Being allowed to turn on a red light

3.. The no nonsense approach regarding prison sentencing. 10 years means 10 years. None of this temporary release.

Usually only in Federal Pen. As far as states go, it's typically just like Ireland with early release for all sorts of reasons. One exception can be mandatory sentencing for drug-related offenses...a policy that has been a abject failure.

Bads
1. Tipping shouldn't be mandatory. People should be able to survive on their basic wages without having to resort to depending on tips.

Resistance is futile...you will be assimilated. Why fight it?

2. Entering a motorway on an uphill slope.

3. Looking at (old) people working at a till in a supermarket not being allowed to sit while they are doing their job.

Where is that??

4. The free availability of assault weapons

Personally, I think they should not be available at all. At the same time, 'assault weapons' are not freely available. Depends on your definition though.

...

iusedtoknow

clairefontaine wrote: »

There's a lot of games people play with this stuff. I know wealthy New Yorkers who claim residency in PA but live in NYC to avoid NYC taxes too.

Schools in urban areas are always going to have this kind of yuppie musical chairs. This is why people end up going private.

Do you know of SF warehouses apartments?

Warehouse Apartment? You mean where people renovate warehouses into apartments?