Things I adore about the USA and Americans

[PermanentTemporary]

No special reason... and it doesn't have to be things other people all agree with.

We're planning a holiday there in a couple of years to see some family so the wonderfulness of the USA is particularly on my mind. But am just thinking about how much I love it.

I'll bring up Senator George Mitchell, who gave years of his life to somehow bring the best out of every politician in Northern Ireland and made it possible for the Good Friday Agreement to be made.

I'll bring up American health care. Because although I don't want to change our system to theirs, the fact is that if you either have good insurance or nothing at all, you can have the best care in the world.

And the Grand Canyon. Not sure I've ever been speechless the way I was the first time I saw it.

I'm wondering if we can drop in to see some distant cousins of my partner's who live in Ohio. We've met once at a wedding. Of all the countries in the world, we can be pretty sure that they will be welcoming and happy to see us. ❤️

Were you planning on joining a search party to look for bodies on your vacation then? 😉 (To be fair, I might if the opportunity presented itself!) I guess I’ve never actually been in either of those situations so I don’t know. I actually don’t know if I’ve ever seen anyone pray outside the confines of a church or saying grace over dinner.

If you like woodlands and remoteness I would suggest Minnesota, but it’s my state and I’m very biased!

Oh, that's put me off, he's a baby!
Any sort of 35 and up Nordic guys?

That’s why I said GROWN versions! Yes all sorts up north. Come in the wintertime and we’ll go dogsledding or some other slightly offbeat outdoor activity, they flock to that sort of thing.

Water towers can be humongous, and they are not only for emergency use.

www.openhausrealty.com/blog/exploring-the-varied-water-towers-of-chicago-and-its-suburbs/

Is there anything sexier than a Swedish accent?
( loses track of thread briefly)

May I please order a rugged, blond, blue eyed Swedish emigre for my inaugural US trip ?

I wouldn't even mind too much if he did the praying thing.

I also like meatballs. Draw the line at roll mop herrings however.

Dogsledding!!!! OMG yes please

I've never searched for a corpse, so I wouldn't have experience with that opportunity for spontaneous communal prayer.

I have, of course, experienced planned (as opposed to spontaneous) communal prayer, living in the Bible Belt as I do. My brother's Thanksgiving grace alone could take up a good 5 minutes of any Netflix series (we all have to say what we are thankful for, but for the Thanksgiving after a presidential election, it can get a bit lengthy, as well as fractious).

Something else I adore about America - we always get the nice ones here in Europe.

Am now agog for a Chicago wedding... I wonder what makes it special! [Revisits travel plans to try and include Chicago]

I have a small daydream that dp might propose while we're in the US. Too many movies I guess but it would be top romance to me. An American beach maybe. Or the Griffith observatory. Or the Golden Gate Bridge. Or Bixby Canyon Bridge.

It’s really fun :) Growing up we had a few neighbors with dog teams, and they would take us out sometimes. I also have fond memories of throwing frozen moose guts to the huskies, for a treat.

The Great Outdoors is what I like best about the USA. The vastness and beauty of the National and state parks is amazing.

Well that's that then.

What an utter disaster.

Sending huge love to all of the lovely Americans who didn't vote for this change today. ❤️ I've been on the phone to my best friend all day and she is in pieces. Massive, un-MN hugs to all of you.

Well regardless of the politics which this thread didn't about I am looking forward to my US trips next year 😀

We will need all the support we can muster both domestically and internationally. Never have I've been so disappointed in my country. I feel hopeless.

We're thinking of you xxx 💕

Its been a while but when i went to California, I was amazed at just how open and curious people were - and happy with it. They just seemed genuinely jolly.

i was also amazed at just how big everything was; trucks, highways, trees, people (tall), skyscrapers, it was impressive.

I loved the customer service too as they all seemed genuinely happy to help and give the best service possible.

The friendly conversations with strangers. The ability to think big and have bold ideas. It's a flawed but also wonderful country.

I'm so sorry. It's such a huge kick in the teeth, and believe me, there are a huge amount of people in the UK despairing with you and on your side. I just wish the support of "people" could make a change for you.

Like I said to my friend earlier - it'll swing again. He'll dig deep, and he'll also dig himself deeper. He'll expose himself.

I know this isn't a political thread, but we have had some talk of it before now so I think it's an apt time to give support.

My friend just told me they give out free drinks if you vote over there. I hope you all got the tastiest coffee or whatever else you chose. I yearn for your proper pumpkin spice lattes. 😁

Lots of love to all Americans wondering how the big political change is going to play out on the ground. I hope it works out well for all of you and all of the rest of us.

Went to Utah earlier this year and going back again soon. The place was stunning and the people extremely friendly and welcoming.

Never once felt uncomfortable going out for either food or a drink in the evenings, unlike the UK, where you feel it could kick off, never once saw anyone who had too much to drink either.

Utah is the place to be if you want to avoid alcohol and related phenomena but in general alcohol just doesn't play the same cultural role in the US as it does here.

I'm no Republican and I'm disappointed like a lot of people but this is democracy.
Afaik the process took place correctly, legally and civilly.
I don't like the result but in four years we'll do it again.

Don't forget the Midterms, @trainedopossum - only two more years.

Utah is the place to be if you want to avoid alcohol and related phenomena but in general alcohol just doesn't play the same cultural role in the US as it does here.

Utah is a lovely place, I left there thinking I could happily live there. Im definitely glad to be going back in a couple of weeks.