The amazingly good things about the US
Discussion
I love the states! Im 28 states down and off back again next year to Louisiana, Texas area. Think my first time over there was 96 and in all the times ive spent over there I have met one horrible American and she was very rich and made us very aware of that fact. Anyway everyone else has been great and as said above, anyone will talk to anyone in a bar!
We moved to Colorado from Germany/UK in October last year and I can't see us moving back.
People are genuinely friendlier and far more polite than in the UK (Germany as well - people there are some of the rudest I have ever met).
There is far more personal freedom here than in the UK. The First Amendment is a fundamental part of everyday life and, as a result, the authorities don't spend as much time focusing on people being offended by something posted on social media.
The variety in scenery is something else that never ceases to amaze me. An hour's drive east from where we live will find me in rural Colorado - rolling plains, small towns, field after field of crops or cattle, and very little traffic. If I head west then I'm deep in the Rockies with mountains on every side.
The other nice thing is that, outside of Denver, there are no speed cameras here so you can enjoy your driving without worrying about getting a surprise ticket through the post. You will see State Troopers or Sheriff's Deputies quite often. However, as a general rule, they are fairly chilled. State Troopers in particular have a significant amount of officer discretion when it comes to dealing with motoring offences.
People are genuinely friendlier and far more polite than in the UK (Germany as well - people there are some of the rudest I have ever met).
There is far more personal freedom here than in the UK. The First Amendment is a fundamental part of everyday life and, as a result, the authorities don't spend as much time focusing on people being offended by something posted on social media.
The variety in scenery is something else that never ceases to amaze me. An hour's drive east from where we live will find me in rural Colorado - rolling plains, small towns, field after field of crops or cattle, and very little traffic. If I head west then I'm deep in the Rockies with mountains on every side.
The other nice thing is that, outside of Denver, there are no speed cameras here so you can enjoy your driving without worrying about getting a surprise ticket through the post. You will see State Troopers or Sheriff's Deputies quite often. However, as a general rule, they are fairly chilled. State Troopers in particular have a significant amount of officer discretion when it comes to dealing with motoring offences.
BertieWooster said:
You will see State Troopers or Sheriff's Deputies quite often. However, as a general rule, they are fairly chilled. State Troopers in particular have a significant amount of officer discretion when it comes to dealing with motoring offences.
This really made me laugh. It might be a CO thing - it most certainly isn't an FL thing.
These dudes have absolutely zero sense of humor...
Some. Retesting views.
Having travelld extensively in he US over the years, from the 80s until my last visit 3 years ago it wouldn’t bother me not to go again.
There are some amazing natural features but eventually you see through the veneer of the people and the culture. Arrogant, selfish, inward looking, fake and dangerous are adjectives that, generally, apply equally to both in my honest opinion.
I wouldn’t mind if it was only the USA that’s being damaged but it isn’t.
I can’t believe that those singing its praises have travelled widely over there. Or anywhere else for that matter.
Having travelld extensively in he US over the years, from the 80s until my last visit 3 years ago it wouldn’t bother me not to go again.
There are some amazing natural features but eventually you see through the veneer of the people and the culture. Arrogant, selfish, inward looking, fake and dangerous are adjectives that, generally, apply equally to both in my honest opinion.
I wouldn’t mind if it was only the USA that’s being damaged but it isn’t.
I can’t believe that those singing its praises have travelled widely over there. Or anywhere else for that matter.
REALIST123 said:
There are some amazing natural features but eventually you see through the veneer of the people and the culture. Arrogant, selfish, inward looking, fake and dangerous are adjectives that, generally, apply equally to both in my honest opinion.
I'm glad it's not just me! Sometimes I feel like I'm in an old episode of The Prisoner or something over there. All is sweetness and light for as long as you're doing what is expected of you and fitting in with the script, but woe betide you if you deviate from that!BertieWooster said:
There is far more personal freedom here than in the UK. The First Amendment is a fundamental part of everyday life and, as a result, the authorities don't spend as much time focusing on people being offended by something posted on social media.
Could you give us some examples of the sort of thing that you personally can do in Colorado that you would'nt have felt you can do in the UK?I don't mean the usual sort of sensationalised crap you get in the Daily Wail that very few people ever actually encounter in their day to day lives, but things that you actually do or say now that you feel you couldn't have said or done before you moved.
Kermit power said:
BertieWooster said:
There is far more personal freedom here than in the UK. The First Amendment is a fundamental part of everyday life and, as a result, the authorities don't spend as much time focusing on people being offended by something posted on social media.
Could you give us some examples of the sort of thing that you personally can do in Colorado that you would'nt have felt you can do in the UK?I don't mean the usual sort of sensationalised crap you get in the Daily Wail that very few people ever actually encounter in their day to day lives, but things that you actually do or say now that you feel you couldn't have said or done before you moved.
REALIST123 said:
Some. Retesting views.
Having travelld extensively in he US over the years, from the 80s until my last visit 3 years ago it wouldn’t bother me not to go again.
There are some amazing natural features but eventually you see through the veneer of the people and the culture. Arrogant, selfish, inward looking, fake and dangerous are adjectives that, generally, apply equally to both in my honest opinion.
I wouldn’t mind if it was only the USA that’s being damaged but it isn’t.
I can’t believe that those singing its praises have travelled widely over there. Or anywhere else for that matter.
I travel fairly extensively and I love the US. I think the countries politics certainly exhibit those characteristics and the arrogance you talk of to me comes from the nonsensical assumption that they enjoy more freedom than anyone else and that their way of life is superior to everyone else’s. Add in the fairly strong religious element and it can feel a bit off to a European. When you point out that having weapons isn’t a freedom if you’re justifying their ownership with self defence (fear), the lack of free press (how anyone can’t see through Fox News is beyond me), that their democratic system isn’t particularly democratic and is hampered by a fairly extreme two party system, that their society isn’t particularly safe, the huge income inequality, lack of family/holiday time, high rate of breakdown of families, litigiousness, the fact that Christianity still exerts quite a significant level of control over politics etc etc they don’t like it. They are raised to be nationalists, to think that their country is superior and creepy things like the pledge of allegiance symbolise that perfectly. They’ve successfully conflated pride with arrogance. But I still love the place, for all its faults it’s still a fantastic place to visit.Having travelld extensively in he US over the years, from the 80s until my last visit 3 years ago it wouldn’t bother me not to go again.
There are some amazing natural features but eventually you see through the veneer of the people and the culture. Arrogant, selfish, inward looking, fake and dangerous are adjectives that, generally, apply equally to both in my honest opinion.
I wouldn’t mind if it was only the USA that’s being damaged but it isn’t.
I can’t believe that those singing its praises have travelled widely over there. Or anywhere else for that matter.
Kermit power said:
Could you give us some examples of the sort of thing that you personally can do in Colorado that you would'nt have felt you can do in the UK?
I don't mean the usual sort of sensationalised crap you get in the Daily Wail that very few people ever actually encounter in their day to day lives, but things that you actually do or say now that you feel you couldn't have said or done before you moved.
Pot is legal in Colorado for one, the state is particularly lenient on many laws its known for it due to an influx of hippies in the 60's and 70's and even today I don't mean the usual sort of sensationalised crap you get in the Daily Wail that very few people ever actually encounter in their day to day lives, but things that you actually do or say now that you feel you couldn't have said or done before you moved.
Kermit power said:
BertieWooster said:
There is far more personal freedom here than in the UK. The First Amendment is a fundamental part of everyday life and, as a result, the authorities don't spend as much time focusing on people being offended by something posted on social media.
Could you give us some examples of the sort of thing that you personally can do in Colorado that you would'nt have felt you can do in the UK?I don't mean the usual sort of sensationalised crap you get in the Daily Wail that very few people ever actually encounter in their day to day lives, but things that you actually do or say now that you feel you couldn't have said or done before you moved.
The Fourth Amendment (which relates to search and seizure) places fairly significant restrictions on how the police can operate. If they go outside the rules - e.g. searching a home/vehicle without probable cause and a warrant (unless the owner gives consent or under exceptional circumstances such as threat to life) then what they find can be suppressed at trial. It's known as the fruits of the poisonous tree doctrine if you want to find out more.
Fifth Amendment (right to silence and counsel) is another one. If I get flashed by a speed camera in Denver then I am under no obligation to say I was driving. If my wife was driving and I get the ticket through in the mail then again, I have no responsibility to advise the authorities of that. The burden of proof is entirely on them.
Matt Harper said:
This really made me laugh. It might be a CO thing - it most certainly isn't an FL thing.
These dudes have absolutely zero sense of humor...
Every Trooper I've met here in CO has been pretty chilled. They don't have any ticket quotas or prosecution targets. I know one Trooper who writes hardly any tickets but prefers to just give warnings (unless it's something serious like DUI/DUID).These dudes have absolutely zero sense of humor...
janesmith1950 said:
Kermit power said:
It's strange how one person's great can be another person's dreadful, isn't it!
I reckon I get superb, genuine customer service in the UK 99% of the time, but I simply can't abide the faux bonhomie they put on in the States...
Different strokes different folks, I suppose.I reckon I get superb, genuine customer service in the UK 99% of the time, but I simply can't abide the faux bonhomie they put on in the States...
I prefer the faux happiness and willingness to serve over the laziness and sneering you get from those in the UK service industry, many of whom seem to believe working and dealing with customers is an unfair breach of their human rights.
Still, my experience here is but a few days old.
Have to say, I really don't like Las Vegas. Too much like Blackpool on steroids and far too full on for me.
I get what you mean about Vegas, on the 3 occasions that I’ve been there, the first time was just myself and a friend years ago, 2 London Black Cab drivers with a bunch of dollar bills to spend, so we stayed on The Strip, and virtually lived in casinos, the second and third times were with my wife.
We rented a house in Summerlin, by Red Rock Canyon, both times, and went to The Strip I think once on each trip, once to see Celine Dion, and once to see Robin Williams.
Can’t see any comparison between Vegas and Blackpool, I’ve only had the misfortune to be in Blackpool once, (when I was a truck driver), but I’d prefer to spend 72 hours tied to a cactus with barbed wire in the Mojave Desert, than one afternoon in Blackpool.
Edited by Frank7 on Sunday 11th March 15:31
To visit I'd recommend Austin Texas - lovely place, you should stay around Lake Tahoe and San Francisco can be fun with live music you can wander into. Head for sports bars for good food, food and people in general are very good if you stay away from the burgers, although your GM intake will of course go up.
I certainly wouldn't contemplate living there for many, many reasons, not least are the militarised police and desperate poverty (not to mention eminent domain and civil asset forfeiture) and a bizarre legal system coupled with private prisons, but if you minimise your contact with the regime you'll be just fine.
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.
If you rent a car remember all V6's are gutless but still fine, the V8 is where you start getting power. Remember to STOP at stop signs however pointless it seems, it's just part of the fun, and make an effort to see the magnificent scenery which despite a lot of effort is still among some of the best in the world. Also remember you can't casually park next to a forest etc without paying some fee - it's cheap and saves the hassle and threat of fines - it's not like the UK and Europe for stuff like that for state parks. A lot of local government involves taking away peoples rights and selling them back to them - so permits are needed for most things - just ask and look.
Take medical insurance. Maybe worth visiting Yellowstone too, as I say, the riches are the natural world and the ordinary people so engage and enjoy, you'll love it!
I certainly wouldn't contemplate living there for many, many reasons, not least are the militarised police and desperate poverty (not to mention eminent domain and civil asset forfeiture) and a bizarre legal system coupled with private prisons, but if you minimise your contact with the regime you'll be just fine.
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.
If you rent a car remember all V6's are gutless but still fine, the V8 is where you start getting power. Remember to STOP at stop signs however pointless it seems, it's just part of the fun, and make an effort to see the magnificent scenery which despite a lot of effort is still among some of the best in the world. Also remember you can't casually park next to a forest etc without paying some fee - it's cheap and saves the hassle and threat of fines - it's not like the UK and Europe for stuff like that for state parks. A lot of local government involves taking away peoples rights and selling them back to them - so permits are needed for most things - just ask and look.
Take medical insurance. Maybe worth visiting Yellowstone too, as I say, the riches are the natural world and the ordinary people so engage and enjoy, you'll love it!
Done all but two states , back this June to do them. Vegas is special, went this Xmas staying at the Mandarin Oriental, eating at olives for lunch, mon ami gabi for dinner, done the same maybe 40 nights over 20 years. Certainly not Blackpool and repeat this summer again for the normal two nights, that’s quite enough.
Favourite state Utah, national parks, camping.
Favourite state Utah, national parks, camping.
Globs said:
To visit I'd recommend Austin Texas - lovely place, you should stay around Lake Tahoe and San Francisco can be fun with live music you can wander into. Head for sports bars for good food, food and people in general are very good if you stay away from the burgers, although your GM intake will of course go up.
I certainly wouldn't contemplate living there for many, many reasons, not least are the militarised police and desperate poverty (not to mention eminent domain and civil asset forfeiture) and a bizarre legal system coupled with private prisons, but if you minimise your contact with the regime you'll be just fine.
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.
If you rent a car remember all V6's are gutless but still fine, the V8 is where you start getting power. Remember to STOP at stop signs however pointless it seems, it's just part of the fun, and make an effort to see the magnificent scenery which despite a lot of effort is still among some of the best in the world. Also remember you can't casually park next to a forest etc without paying some fee - it's cheap and saves the hassle and threat of fines - it's not like the UK and Europe for stuff like that for state parks. A lot of local government involves taking away peoples rights and selling them back to them - so permits are needed for most things - just ask and look.
Take medical insurance. Maybe worth visiting Yellowstone too, as I say, the riches are the natural world and the ordinary people so engage and enjoy, you'll love it!
I see that you mentioned "good food" in your post. Is there such a thing as good food up there? My budget on food for my clients is unlimited and I still struggle to find anything decent in the US. Most of the food I order is from Europe as it is nearly impossible to find flavour in fruits and vegs. Meat is a disaster. Fish is OK when I catch a guy going at sea for me and bread taste like paper. I certainly wouldn't contemplate living there for many, many reasons, not least are the militarised police and desperate poverty (not to mention eminent domain and civil asset forfeiture) and a bizarre legal system coupled with private prisons, but if you minimise your contact with the regime you'll be just fine.
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.
If you rent a car remember all V6's are gutless but still fine, the V8 is where you start getting power. Remember to STOP at stop signs however pointless it seems, it's just part of the fun, and make an effort to see the magnificent scenery which despite a lot of effort is still among some of the best in the world. Also remember you can't casually park next to a forest etc without paying some fee - it's cheap and saves the hassle and threat of fines - it's not like the UK and Europe for stuff like that for state parks. A lot of local government involves taking away peoples rights and selling them back to them - so permits are needed for most things - just ask and look.
Take medical insurance. Maybe worth visiting Yellowstone too, as I say, the riches are the natural world and the ordinary people so engage and enjoy, you'll love it!
E34-3.2 said:
I see that you mentioned "good food" in your post. Is there such a thing as good food up there? My budget on food for my clients is unlimited and I still struggle to find anything decent in the US. Most of the food I order is from Europe as it is nearly impossible to find flavour in fruits and vegs. Meat is a disaster. Fish is OK when I catch a guy going at sea for me and bread taste like paper.
Meat is a disaster? The BBQ brisket and beef ribs are incredible if you find the right place (anywhere in the south). The steaks are other worldly. The seafood can be amazing, my fiancee lives on oysters when we’re in New Orleans.We love it there, been all over the place, including Hawaii and Kauai, and the usual stuff. Loved Yellowstone, thought it was absolutely fab, missus reckons Colorado was the most safe she has felt anywhere; Vegas is mad, but great fun, Dallas quite interesting, San Francisco, a touch overrated, until you step off the beaten track.
Like the US so much, we bought a place in Orlando
Like the US so much, we bought a place in Orlando
E34-3.2 said:
Globs said:
To visit I'd recommend Austin Texas - lovely place, you should stay around Lake Tahoe and San Francisco can be fun with live music you can wander into. Head for sports bars for good food, food and people in general are very good if you stay away from the burgers, although your GM intake will of course go up.
I certainly wouldn't contemplate living there for many, many reasons, not least are the militarised police and desperate poverty (not to mention eminent domain and civil asset forfeiture) and a bizarre legal system coupled with private prisons, but if you minimise your contact with the regime you'll be just fine.
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.
If you rent a car remember all V6's are gutless but still fine, the V8 is where you start getting power. Remember to STOP at stop signs however pointless it seems, it's just part of the fun, and make an effort to see the magnificent scenery which despite a lot of effort is still among some of the best in the world. Also remember you can't casually park next to a forest etc without paying some fee - it's cheap and saves the hassle and threat of fines - it's not like the UK and Europe for stuff like that for state parks. A lot of local government involves taking away peoples rights and selling them back to them - so permits are needed for most things - just ask and look.
Take medical insurance. Maybe worth visiting Yellowstone too, as I say, the riches are the natural world and the ordinary people so engage and enjoy, you'll love it!
I see that you mentioned "good food" in your post. Is there such a thing as good food up there? My budget on food for my clients is unlimited and I still struggle to find anything decent in the US. Most of the food I order is from Europe as it is nearly impossible to find flavour in fruits and vegs. Meat is a disaster. Fish is OK when I catch a guy going at sea for me and bread taste like paper. I certainly wouldn't contemplate living there for many, many reasons, not least are the militarised police and desperate poverty (not to mention eminent domain and civil asset forfeiture) and a bizarre legal system coupled with private prisons, but if you minimise your contact with the regime you'll be just fine.
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.
If you rent a car remember all V6's are gutless but still fine, the V8 is where you start getting power. Remember to STOP at stop signs however pointless it seems, it's just part of the fun, and make an effort to see the magnificent scenery which despite a lot of effort is still among some of the best in the world. Also remember you can't casually park next to a forest etc without paying some fee - it's cheap and saves the hassle and threat of fines - it's not like the UK and Europe for stuff like that for state parks. A lot of local government involves taking away peoples rights and selling them back to them - so permits are needed for most things - just ask and look.
Take medical insurance. Maybe worth visiting Yellowstone too, as I say, the riches are the natural world and the ordinary people so engage and enjoy, you'll love it!
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.djc206 said:
I travel fairly extensively and I love the US. I think the countries politics certainly exhibit those characteristics and the arrogance you talk of to me comes from the nonsensical assumption that they enjoy more freedom than anyone else and that their way of life is superior to everyone else’s. Add in the fairly strong religious element and it can feel a bit off to a European. When you point out that having weapons isn’t a freedom if you’re justifying their ownership with self defence (fear), the lack of free press (how anyone can’t see through Fox News is beyond me), that their democratic system isn’t particularly democratic and is hampered by a fairly extreme two party system, that their society isn’t particularly safe, the huge income inequality, lack of family/holiday time, high rate of breakdown of families, litigiousness, the fact that Christianity still exerts quite a significant level of control over politics etc etc they don’t like it. They are raised to be nationalists, to think that their country is superior and creepy things like the pledge of allegiance symbolise that perfectly. They’ve successfully conflated pride with arrogance. But I still love the place, for all its faults it’s still a fantastic place to visit.
nothing wrong with pride in there country, rather than thinking its sh*t or being apologetic or embarrassed as a lot of us seem to be.re. guns don't they justify that as to stop the king of England waltzing in and to hunt dangerous or delicious animals?
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