Things you like about America

odyssey06 · 26-02-2023 10:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120292230#Comment_120292230

Well lets put it another way if every country in the world was to be destroyed except one ... then from a global perspective if it was America it would preserve the most of the previous world in diversity of people and culture.

Thats something to be liked about them.

wotzgoingon · 26-02-2023 11:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120291808#Comment_120291808

Those drum clips aren't very reliable and are prone to jamming which is why no modern gun has them. The tommy gun would be the most famous gun with it. If you look at the provo's in the early days where they were using official/old IRA guns which many were tommy guns they used a standard clip rather than a drum. Yes the drum holds way more bullets but jams quite often and not good when you are shooting at someone in a life or death situation. Fine if you are at a shooting range like that fella and it doesn't matter if the clip jams.

Hangdogroad · 26-02-2023 11:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120291808#Comment_120291808

Why would you want to own one of them, legally or otherwise?

Hangdogroad · 26-02-2023 11:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120291811#Comment_120291811

Ozzys English.

realitykeeper · 26-02-2023 11:27PM

What I like about the United States is what it was in the past. What I don`t like is what it is now. The US is now trying to provoke war with our Chinese friends just as they did with our Russian friends.

wotzgoingon · 26-02-2023 11:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120292372#Comment_120292372

I agree they are sending US war ships and planes very close to Chinese territory. I was reading the articles and the articles read as if it was the Chinese who was at fault for sending out planes to warn them to not come any closer. You never hear a Chinese warship sailed up to New York or Chinese planes flying close to the US main land. You just wouldn't see it but it's ok for them to be doing it to other countries.

Deja Boo · 27-02-2023 12:18AM

I struggle to see anything I like with America, very shallow, cold place. Strip malls and 'shop till you drop' is their primary culture. No community whatsoever.

Gregor Samsa · 27-02-2023 12:23AM

There are no cats in America.

50HX · 27-02-2023 12:32AM

Vegas

Pancakes

Steak for breakfast

Wide/proper car park spaces

Extremes of weather

Hospitality

The difference in people/nature/cities in West Coast v East coast

They way they'd look at you when you decline a doggie bag...esp west coast

Guns,hunting and massive national park

TooTired123 · 27-02-2023 12:33AM

I cannot think of one thing.

CalamariFritti · 27-02-2023 12:42AM

I've been to the US many times but mostly just to 2 or 3 places over and over again cos business trips. But not entirely. What I like most about it are the people I've met. Some of my US colleagues have become almost friends.

Open to strangers from other places. Also if you're American you're American no matter what you look and sound like. It's obvious they have racism too but I've never seen that first hand. First hand I've only seen the exact opposite.

Nature is incredible especially compared to Ireland which has little to almost no 'untamed' land.

Other than that the cities and towns are all a bit samey. Same hotels same malls same shops same restaurants. There are exceptions but mostly same same same. Towns are a bit weird. Businesses mostly seem to be estate agents and nail or yoga studios.

Definitely dislike a few things too.

US foreign policy. Treat the whole world as subservient and can be messed with whichever way they feel like. Probably not a popular thing to say here but US is probably the single country that has brought the most suffering to other countries since WW2. And yet they portray themselves as the moral high ground guys the bringers of all things good and free and democratic and prosper etc. For a lot of people in the world they do and have done the exact opposite.

Also very cut throat within their own society. Not in any other place I've ever been I've seen so many really old people looking miserable working menial jobs like McDonalds, hotel cleaners etc. Health care very cut throat too. If you are middle class and above and have health insurance then its to a high standard but if you don't well then tough luck go die somewhere else please.

corner of hells · 27-02-2023 12:44AM

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

And there I was , just about to buy one.

thanks for the info.

NSAman · 27-02-2023 12:55AM

Ok.. lived here for quite a while now. Have been to 48 of the states.

someone said all the towns are the same, that’s BS.

people are friendly. Good friends would literally die for you here. Yes people invite you over and mean it. Communities are stronger than in Dublin (much like the west of Ireland).

roads are obviously better. Cars are cheaper and the quality of cars is far superior. the level of trim/spec is the highest anywhere. Purchasing a car is simple and easy. Oh… and deals are always to be done… including the price of the car and the interest rate should you need financing.

eating out..unless in a large city, the food is generally crap. Same oulde same oulde.

entertainment,,,amazing. Simply amazing! Concerts, music, musicals, shows, all are the best and much cheaper than Ireland. Unless you are a Taylor swift fan 😀

speeding…you can do 5mph over the limit without issue. Do 10mph over and you are asking for trouble. Have never received a speeding ticket in the states, yet in Ireland got quite a few for being 5kph over.

wages and taxes. Higher than Ireland, less tax. Sales tax varies normally between 8 and 10% depending on state. Unlike 23% vat. Real estate tax can be high depending on where you live and the value of your home. Normally 2000-4000 per annum in mid states….but can be 400K in other states.

health care… private obviously. Most employers pay a portion so it’s not too bad. I pay (company pays) 1400 per month for mine, and have to say services are far superior compared to Ireland. Doctor visits just call, next day normally if not same day. Hospital costs depend on your deductible. Mine is $250 a year, most are $5000 per annum. Hospitals a numerous and no waiting.

Attitudes. People are NOT begrudging like Ireland. There is an open-ness to new ideas and giving people a chance. Results get rewarded. Failure is seen as part of success.

variety of landscapes. Midwest can be flat. Parts are not and are beautiful. Deserts mountains lakes are all here.don’t forget the USA is bigger than all of Europe.

things that are bad in the states….

many uneducated and materially driven people.

lack of culture.

show off mentality.

parts are dangerous.

guns and idiots don’t mix.

Strip malls and homogeneous looking outskirts of towns and cities.

phone internet and tv costs…can be crazy.

CalamariFritti · 27-02-2023 01:16AM

someone said all the towns are the same, that’s BS.

I've said that but I also said that I've not seen a great number of them. Not been to 48 states. But where I've been, mostly east coast and mid-west, they were all the same. Main street, chain restaurants, malls malls malls and estate agents, nail and yoga studios. Then the obligatory city hall from 1885 and the football field.

But like I said limited experience, I've only seen a small part of the US in maybe 4 or 5 states. So while thats my impression and you can only talk about what you know I'm sure it's not true overall.

wotzgoingon · 27-02-2023 01:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120292625#Comment_120292625

Don't forget the American flag hanging outside schools and some businesses.

Manic Moran · 27-02-2023 01:33AM

Been here over 20 years (mainly California, but now Texas), love it. No intention of returning to live in Ireland.

I'm one state behind NSAMan, I don't recall setting foot in Vermont, North Dakota or Oklahoma, though I do intend on doing the latter this year.

"Wilderness" has a specific legal definition in the US, just over 2.5% of the lower 48 has that designation. It is a vehicle-free area, not even bicycles are permitted, let alone anything with a motor. You're either on foot, or on horseback.

Much though I appreciate the car culture (and I've three V8s, good luck with that in Ireland), there's another vehicle that the US does which you have to tip your hat to. Trains.

Waiting for a two-mile-long double-stack to pass you on the grade crossing may be infuriating if you're in a hurry, but you have to admit, the Americans know how to make trains, and trains made the US. Every Irish locomotive from the 1960s 121 class onwards was built by General Motors. Europeans don't often think about it because it's not a passenger-centric system, but in terms of raw ton-miles, ton-miles per capita, even ton-miles-per-gallon of fuel (CSX averaged 500 miles to the gallon for a ton of freight, including shunting/idling), the American rail network is a feat of engineering.

General Aviation is also very well supported in the US, I'll observe.

NSAman · 27-02-2023 02:13AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120292625#Comment_120292625

I get what you are saying. Strip malls destroy the towns/cities.

yes the courthouse is the centre of most towns. It’s the administrative building for tax collection, licensing etc. many host the court, the police and fire department offices, town maintenance etc etc…

small town america is and has been destroyed in many cases by larger population centres and strip malls. I’m lucky in that chains are banned by ordinance in my small city. It is beautiful where I am and very unique. The other thing to remember is that driving through (a misnomer) many towns you don’t actually see the towns. You by-pass them, so the outskirts of towns are very homogenous.

schools, football pitches and basketball/baseball and volleyball are what keeps towns coming together with Friday night football etc..etc. hence the pitches are everywhere.

cj maxx · 27-02-2023 04:48AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120292680#Comment_120292680

What state are you in ?

Kaybaykwah · 27-02-2023 06:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120292625#Comment_120292625

The outskirts of towns may be repetitive, but towns are not less nor more repetitive in the US than in Ireland, even within a given region.

Mad_maxx · 27-02-2023 01:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120292591#Comment_120292591

Americans are known for their low expectations and standards when it comes to cars , way below Europe

Manach · 27-02-2023 01:13PM

Country and Western Music.

ozmo · 27-02-2023 04:14PM

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 · 27-02-2023 04:30PM

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

Manic Moran · 27-02-2023 04:34PM

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 · 27-02-2023 04:42PM

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

Why not? They are fun to shoot.

A2LUE42 · 27-02-2023 04:49PM

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 · 27-02-2023 05:18PM

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.