The amazingly good things about the US

[LaurasOtherHalf]

I can't see it ever happening as I'm unqualified and need to provide my own employment but I 100% believe I've missed out by not living in America.

I quite possibly wouldn't have stayed there but it was in my plans when younger and just never happened. I travelled far but never quite got there.

Love to visit but it's one of a few regrets I have in life.

[gregs656]

I really like the US. I was fortunate to spend 3 months working in Arizona and Nevada in the national parks (inc the Grand Canyon) and had an amazing time, met some brilliant people and generally had a riot. I have also met tons of Americans travelling through Europe and again have found them to be engaging and interested - though I completely accept that the kind of people spending their summers travelling Europe are the more outward looking ones in the first place.

I'll happily keep going back.

[Globs]

theplayingmantis said:

Globs said:

If you are not happy having your camera laptop, phone copied and analysed only take new basic ones. I'd also clean up your social media anyway, there's a BIG push on anything 'subversive' - anything that questions the official narrative. Imagine you are back in 1980 visiting the USSR: That's currently where the US is today, but with shinier, bigger cars, TVs and fatter people. The TSA have caught exactly 0 terrorists but caused mayhem so forwarned is forearmed.

is this really true? plenty of subversive websites originate there dont they? 4chan, reddit etc.

Indeed you may have missed the 'Fake News' initiatives by social media in which shadow banning, banning and withdrawal of advertising on youtube etc is happening at quite a rate for any non -narrative news source. They even cut Ron Paul off from ad revenue!!! Some has even made the mainstream news - questioning the narrative on the regular mass shootings results in regular post-event culls for many social media accounts and has led to pretty much all comment sections of all western newspapers being closed.

Also you may have missed the attacks on RT - because that contains the most dangerous type of propaganda only a post USSR country could contrive: that dangerous, subversive element known as 'truth'. That was Snowden's crime too BTW.

However, back to your question, I'm not going to argue the point because quite frankly it's not my problem, it's not a country I'd ever consider visiting these days, and Google is a better source of information for you

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/13/technology/aclu...

The Food in the US is however very good: remember the US itself is simply a military regime/junta, the actual americans are from all over the world and have brought their cooking skills with them: just avoid the corporate chains and seek out the people who know what they are doing. That also means Austin for Steak and SF for Clam Chowder

[liner33]

Globs said:

The Food in the US is however very good: remember the US itself is simply a military regime/junta, the actual americans are from all over the world and have brought their cooking skills with them: just avoid the corporate chains and seek out the people who know what they are doing. That also means Austin for Steak and SF for Clam Chowder

Texas = steak
New England = Clam chowder
SF = Asian

IME

[DurianIceCream]

Kermit power said:

Yipper said:

Know someone who runs several teams for work across the world. A 25yo grad in the US typically gets paid as much as a 40yo middle manager in the UK.

I work for a very large American corporate and yes, they tend to get paid a fair bit more.

In return, they get less than half the holiday we get, and all seem to work insane hours and think it's normal.

The only way you could get me to swap would be to pay me enough in a year that I'd never have to work again.

I've worked for American companies before. I find the working environment fine.

I would not work for standard British salaries; I'd find a way to increase it or move somewhere else. High house prices and low pay in comparision to experience and cost of living don't appeal.

[Dave Brand]

Good things about the USA?

A few off the top of my head:

Steaks
The Mississippi
NASCAR
Service
Fruit Loops

Food-wise, some of the best meals we've ever had have been in the USA. The Fat Canary in Williamsburg, VA, Brix in Flagstaff, AZ, Gibson's in Chicago, Brave New Restaurant in Little Rock, AR. . .

[Zed 44]

As an American, came to Britain 50 years ago. Never regretted it; wouldn't go back. Hope the American Gestapo is not reading this.

[smifffymoto]

Zed,I would be interested to hear your reasons why.
We had a family holiday in New England last Summer and each of us decided we wouldn't go back unless it was for something specific,like walk the PCT or cycle coast to coast,a bucket list thing rather than just a holiday.

[LDN]

I have an extended family member who came over from America. Originally British; moved, when a child, to the States. Grew up in New Jersey and later in Miami.

He can’t stand America, for many reason, but one that seems to haunt him; he had a shoulder injury at work and they fed him pain killers that he remained hooked on for years. It was only when he came to the UK, that he was weened off them! They have a massive problem with drugs, as he told me; even average joes can get caught out.

His tales of police encounters; dodgy neighbourhoods and the general media / hysteria over almost anything and everything, are enough to put anyone off. The orchestral music that backs every news event in the media, has the average American in a state of constant sub-conscious anxiety, in my experience.

Personally, I’ve visited the US a few times; enjoyed every trip and I think I could live there. But I understand living there and visiting for a road trip / vacation will be two different things entirely.

The fact that so many there think that they are ‘more free’ than any other nation; is an example of the innate arrogance that; even in it’s mildest form, can grate a little.

Food wise; I think the quality of the average eatery isn’t on a par with Europe; the meat seems laced with, what can only be described as, a myriad / concoction of drugs and god knows what. The stuff can go right through you. That said; California had some of the very best places, I’ve ever eaten. As well, if you’re into music; America has so much history and it was great to see where the bands I love, formed and came up. I thought I’d hate Vegas, but loved it. Couldn’t live there as it’s unreal; in an unnerving kind of a way... San Fran / San Diego / loved the whole west coast. A British accent goes a long way! As I found out, in an LA strip club

All in all though; give me a trip to the Italian Rivera, or the French Alps, any day! European history and culture is altogether more diverse, interesting and addictive, imo.