Things you like about America

Manach

Country and Western Music.

ozmo

Did 1/3 of route 66- loved everything once I got outside the big cities. Cars, roads, scenery, parks, small town culture. Someday hope to finish the trip.

Apiarist

I actually liked food served in many small restaurants there, so much variety at reasonable prices.

Manic Moran

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120293578#Comment_120293578

I think it's more "different" expectations. American manufacturers build to American specifications, Europeans don't. Even the VW Passat built in Tennessee was longer than the one built in Europe to meet the lack of US concern over parking space length in favour of legroom.

There is no equivalent to the Ford F150 or Ford Mustang in Europe. What's the European counterpart to the current Corvette? For $75k, you get a mid-engined, 500hp V8 which pulls over 1g on the skidpan and hits 60mph in under 3 seconds. Those vehicles are affordable enough to be not uncommon here, how many Euro-counterparts do you find on the street in Dublin?

The difference is that Europeans emphasize interior comfort over performance, Americans emphasize affordability over interior. A Cadillac will get you a pretty reasonable interior and competitive performance to an equivalent Euro-Sedan at 2/3-3/4 the price. Yes, if you can afford it, take the BMW M5 over the CTS-6V (Back before Caddy pulled its large sedan). But most of us can't afford M5s (either the car, or the maintenance).

And even if you're not willing to let your standards drop, the Americans may stand on their own feet anyway.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-test/a37962857/2021-audi-rs7-vs-2021-bmw-m5-competition-cadillac-ct5-v-blackwing-compared/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7YqdGt19tw

All three of my current V8s happen to be German. I'm equal-opportunity, buy whatever is appropriate at the time regardless of origin. I've had Ford and Chevy through VW and Mercedes. Don't get me wrong, the German cars are fantastic, and I am willing to pay the money for them, but other people may have other priorities or limits. Only a fool would automatically discount an American car or truck if they're car shopping in the US. You can get a lot of car for not much price.

BattleCorp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120292348#Comment_120292348

Why not? They are fun to shoot.

A2LUE42

BBQ, It is a lot more expensive these days, but I still really enjoy it.

Some amazing scenery on a scale that has to be seen to be believed.

Food and electronics used to be much cheaper than here, but not so much anymore. Used to love best buy, as an example.

4 way stops and how they are used and not abused.

Uber

NSAman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120293578#Comment_120293578

ALL European Manufacturers here in the States have minimum standards in their cars that are much higher than the base models in Europe (especially Ireland)

American Cars (not a massive fan) have much more tech, doesn't always work though..😀 Basics that Ireland would not provide or most cars in Europe are all found in cars here.

The Price is obviously an issue. The cars I drive in the States I could simply NOT afford to drive in Europe.

Gregor Samsa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120294493#Comment_120294493

Did 1/3 of route 66

AKA Route 22

Saladin Ane

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120292514#Comment_120292514

Oh Yeah?

John Sebastian and Joe Butler didn't think so. At least back then:

The Lovin' Spoonful "Nashville Cats" on The Ed Sullivan Show

97K views

1 year ago

The Ed Sullivan Show

The Ed Sullivan Show was a television variety program that aired on CBS from 1948-1971. For 23 years it aired every Sunday ...Subtitles

odyssey06

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120292514#Comment_120292514

Yes the sabre tooth cats would have been a sight to see... from a safe distance.

kirk.

The big juicy steaks in restaurants

The pizzas

NSAman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120292514#Comment_120292514

Must tell the Bobcat in my yard that he doesn't exist or the Cougar that has been spotted in the area also.

You mean our barn cat is actually a dog? JESUS...... this "trans" issue is getting out of hand 😀

odyssey06

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120295973#Comment_120295973

Its a version of the streets are paved with gold...

https://youtu.be/gQMtp2WxEA4

Gregor Samsa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120295973#Comment_120295973

Did you never see the documentary about it?

https://youtu.be/gQMtp2WxEA4

NSAman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120295982#Comment_120295982

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120295984#Comment_120295984

Different accounts????

Gregor Samsa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120295995#Comment_120295995

Conjoined twins.

odyssey06

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120295995#Comment_120295995

Emm showing our age in terms of childhood movies that made a big impression...

I could try to segue into making the case for America as a beacon of hope as it is presented in An American Tail but the hour is late and all the cheese is gone.

The Californian Zinfandel wine was v nice though so there is that... we have American wine to thank for getting France etc to raise their game.

Manic Moran

"4 way stops and how they are used and not abused."

On that note: Turning on a red light. More countries need to import that.

Larbre34

I've been in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Washington DC, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Nevada, Arizona, California, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon and Washington.

While some of those States are similar, others are as different from each other as Ireland and Pakistan, or Namibia.

I like some things about the experiences I had in each of those States, mostly people you'd meet, but its hard to say anything I like about America, because America feels like at least six different countries.

And not many of them have a soul.

ozmo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120296162#Comment_120296162

Yes - we can trade them Roundabouts for the Turn on Red - way better than the confusing 4 way stop.

ThePentagon

I backpacked across USA coast-to-coast back in 2008.

There were some elements I disliked: apart from the likes of NY and New Orleans, there's something disappointingly generic about the big cities I visited. There's such an overwhelming dependence on the automobile there that it makes Ireland look like the Netherlands in comparison. Things like this really help you appreciate how it is here and in Europe in general.

Apart from that, however, I really enjoyed the whole experience. Like what other people have written, I found Americans consistently very friendly and open. It was easy to strike up conversations in pubs, cafes, etc. which is great when you're a lone traveler. The people came across as very optimistic and positive, which I found kind of contagious. I feel that positivity does manifest itself in a greater entrepreneurial spirit among the population, and it felt like a relief from the often heavy-duty cynicism you get from Irish people.

Some of the landscape is absolutely magnificent, particularly in the west side of the country. There's something so cinematic about the likes of the blue skies and snowy mountains of Colorado, or the pink-orange-red stone of the Painted Desert. There's something very appealingly familiar about that type of "Americana", especially if, like me, you've consumed a lot of American films or tv shows. If I had the time and the money I'd go back there to travel tomorrow.

In a more general sense, I really like elements of American culture, e.g. the rock music and some of their cinema and tv. Some of my favourite authors and comedians are American. American's have achieved great things in the fields of science, technology, computing, etc. It's a fine country.

yourdeadwright

Its hard question for most of us as we only go as tourists & when you do that you have a different mind set ,

Your going to do things you enjoy & to spend more money in the time period than you owuld at home because you doing fun stuff,

I love hearing form people who actually live there,

As a tourist i love the people ,if you go to a random bar for a day you meet so many nice people with different stories, The Pizza is amazing , the big Cities are so captivating & a real wonder, Iv been to Vegas which is just insane, Iv been to Detroit about 8 years ago which was crazy to see totally run down big City like that ,

The scenery is also amazing in the states

Karppi

I like that after a nice breakfast you can drive from Woburn to Manchester to Essex to Ipswich to Newbury to Salisbury to Amesbury to Andover to Chelmsford and back to Woburn and arrive comfortably back in time for lunch without ever leaving MA. Try doing it in the UK!

JupiterKid

Lived in California for a year and have travelled around a good bit of the USA over the years so I know the place fairly well.

The landscapes are absolutely stunning in places - especially the Rocky mountains, the West in general - Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Yosemite, redwood and sequoia forests of California etc.

Americans are generally a very open and friendly people who I found very easy to make friends with. Warm, positive and very welcoming in many cases.

Very diverse set of climates where you can bask in the sun on Miami beach whilst there's a blizzard in Boston.

Strong sense of self-reliance, self-belief and a positive "can do" attitude to things in general. Americans tend to have an optimistic attitude, despite all the serious and worsening problems in their country.

Excellent customer service in the hospitality sector and even in chain stores - they are very helpful. Europeans in general really don't do great customer service.

dxhound2005

Europeans in general do really great customer service. Even in chain stores.

SVI40

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120292317#Comment_120292317

The Russians had no problem with drum magazines in the PPSH, to the extent many Germans preferred them over the MP40's.

NSAman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120296339#Comment_120296339

Its actually much easier than bloody roundabouts and takes up less space also.

Admittedly, it took some getting used to when I started driving here first.

The other thing that is good is the right turn on Red. Introduced during the 70s to save fuel, it makes life a lot easier. Rather than just sitting at lights and waiting for them to change, if its clear, turn and on your way. Probably would not work in Ireland as no filter lanes and the lack of road law adherence.

Have to say though, the level of driving skills here (at least where I am) is abysmal.

dxhound2005

Wrong way round there. If the law said it is OK to go when traffic is clear, we would do it. We adhere to the existing law, so we wait.

slither12

One thing I really like about America is how much easier it is to get a date there as a guy. I feel that women are generally more receptive to being asked out directly compared to Ireland. Chatting a woman in a supermarket, bus stop, or work would garner strange looks here.

Funnily enough, I also know a lot of non-white guys who date girls that fetishize them. It's almost at the other end of the racial issues they have there.

dxhound2005

You would want to be a bit discreet at work. A rejection in the presence of work colleagues could be awkward. I don't think people talking in supermarkets in Ireland would attract any attention. Nobody would know what your were trying to do. Not sure about bus stops, it might be more of an American thing like you say.

NewbridgeIR

One think I like about the US is the fact that most of the left-leaning people seem to have no issue with driving and car ownership.

Different over here - I've run into quite a few uptight non-drivers over here who make you feel guilty for using your car for a weekly grocery shop.

ozmo

No sales tax ("VAT") in certain states...

And in many others its close to nothing.

No Tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon

Low Tax: Thirteen states impose sales tax rates of 5% of the purchase price or less, including five states where the tax is 4%:

https://www.thebalancemoney.com/states-without-a-sales-tax-3193305

Donald Trump

They used to have the best President.

MAGAAA 2024 baby

Barna77

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120298851#Comment_120298851

Something like this...

https://youtu.be/pxuCn-_QUP8

Breweries everywhere

Amazing scenery

The Cheesecake Factory.

Tell me how

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120297757#Comment_120297757

I find the customer service in the US a bit too forced. Particularly in the chain stores it seems to be done as part of the job while that is fine most of the time, it can be a bit impersonal or disconcerting when it is clear someone isn't judging your body language or hearing what it is you are saying but instead are staying on script.

This is a thread on things we like about America, so I'm not going too far in to this, but the way chain stores have taken over and helped the 'depersonalization' of so many communities is definitely a mark in the 'dislike' column.

Back to the likes side, in any of the big towns/cities, because schools and parks are publicly funded, and because of the 'attention' paid to value gained from taxes, they're usually optimized for use by the public so you can go to a local school and have access to an athletics track, soccer pitches, basketball courts etc etc. But again, this is likely heavily dependent on the wealth of the town you are in so can't be taken as a given for the country by any stretch.

I do often feel that Ireland, by comparison goes out of its way to make it harder for people to enjoy things which have been provided.

Tombo2001

The food is great; really love the American breakfasts.

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120300381#Comment_120300381

Steak and eggs.

Love it.

Ush1

Consumer choice is pretty much unrivalled in America which I like. Some would see this as a bad thing.

Badly Drunk Boy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120292514#Comment_120292514

D'ya know the way all cats are female and all dogs are male? Well, in America it's the other way around...

Montage of Feck

I'm going to be a smart arse and say having the Atlantic ocean between us.

ozmo

Weather is great - well of course depends on where in America and what your weather preference is - but they have all the options to pick from...

cj maxx

That people don’t tend to pre-judge you as stereotypes but on what you actually do. Very open country from the people and places I’ve been to . Also whatever you’re into there’s a place to go .

Also your money goes ALOT further.

Kaybaykwah

Things you like…

McCreary County, Kentucky…

https://youtu.be/_pMOG4k08H8

dxhound2005

Tyrone people transplanted into Kentucky.

Graces7

Seeing some of the news,, that it is a loong way away

BattleCorp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120304296#Comment_120304296

The news chanels over there always amazed me. Very partisan. Different chanels could report on exactly the same incident/topic and it would seem like two completely different stories.

ozmo

I liked the Goodwill shops there - nothing like what we have anywhere here in Europe - huge warehouses full of very cool stuff- When I go I love looking through the Electrical for low priced old retro consoles etc.

Terrier2023

I like thatyou can buy a gun and have it in your house or car and defend your life & property. Definately needed in some rural parts of Ireland !

The flight home was great.