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. ❤️

It's such a geographically diverse country, from the swamps of New Orleans to the skyscrapers of New York to the canyons, valleys, mountains and more.

It is a land of 'can do' - there is still a sense of hope, freedom and magic in America.

Wide long roads.

Donald Fart brings me endless amusement because of how stupid he is. I genuinely find it funny, DH and I always laugh when he is on TV with his comb over sprayed so stiff with hairspray.
It also amuses me how stupid many of his followers are. I love listening to the ridiculous things they say - the news is so depressing I don’t watch much of it, but I always watch any Donald Fart stuff as it’s great stuff for entertainment.

I spent the majority of my childhood/teenage years in the US so although I'm British, to me it's "home". Everything that has been mentioned on this thread makes me smile, the friendliness, the genuine willingness to help others, the food, the seasons (esp Fall and the Thanksgiving holiday) and the difference from state to state in climate and scenery. I get hugely homesick for it but thankfully I married someone who understands that I need to go back every couple of years! My first stop is always a Walmart followed by CVS. I've always found the people to be happy, positive and genuine. Back there in March and I cannot wait!!

Not really in the spirit of the thread.

I went on a bit of a US road trip a few years and ago and while it was mostly a bit meh we ended up in a little place called Ocracoke on the North Carolina outer banks and it was just divine. Every cafe and restaurant served “shrimps” (not prawns!) and they were enormous, the size of a small hand. And delicious. Never seen anything like that before or since.

Always used to admire how much they respected and admired their Presidents, Americans seemed much more passionate about politics than us, and British politics seemed so dreary and boring in comparison.

Went into the Twin Towers in 1994 to buy discounted theatre tickets for that evening twice, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, where you could go right up inside.
less touristy. Was wowed by Times Square the first time. Amazing experience.

I adore America. I’d live there in a heartbeat. I’ve visited several states and just love the place. In fact I’m entering the green card lottery this year, because…why not! Chances of winning, very slim, but no harm in trying. Entries being accepted now folks!!

I have family who immigrated a few years ago and they are absolutely flourishing, the kids particularly. They encourage their young people like I’ve never seen before. I watched the livestream of my nieces high school graduation and it was incredible how the students were championed for their achievements. The education they are getting is miles better than they would have had here in the UK, though I realise the schools in their area are particularly good.

Like others have already said, the diversity of the landscape, the weather, country music, the food, the friendly people, the outstanding customer service, the patriotism, the self confidence, the unwavering belief in the American Dream…..I love it all. 🇺🇲

Higher wages

Restaurants EVERYWHERE!

Big parking spaces

Weather

Gorgeous scenery, we’ve done mountains and the Keys and they were absolutely beautiful

Friendly people, who enquire and it was easy to make friends there.

Optimism and a can do attitude.

I like country music (I know, sorry).

When I first arrived in New York I was greeted by a very rude immigration officer and I then did quite irritated as waiting for people to get off subways/trains/through doors doesn’t seem to be a thing. I felt I had to push my way around! I thought Americans were awful.

As soon as I left New York I actually found people super friendly and did actually end up living in America for a year, which I loved.

American kindness and generosity is unmatched in my experience.

an anecdote - I was a student during 9/11 and found myself trapped in San Diego for 2 weeks until flights resumed and I could return to the U.K. a woman I had been working with for a week , a woman I barely knew took in not only myself, my boyfriend and our friend into her one bed apt and gave us shelter for 2 whole weeks. I was and remain so grateful for her generosity.

The colours of the fall and dogwoods in the spring

Some bloody stunning scenery. Did an amazing road trip last year and doing another next year.
Each holiday have found the people to be really friendly and welcoming.

This classic!
https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/its-decorative-gourd-season-motherfuckers

My Halloween front door decorations.

LOVE that @ANGIEPANGY77

Oh that's GORGEOUS! I love the orange glow! The pile of pumpkins is fabulous, such a good idea! I'm totally taking a leaf out of your book this year. 😁

Lake Tahoe- an unbelievable place
the friendliness of the Americans
the weather (the sun not the hurricanes)
the vastness of the place- I love how one country can have so many different climates. You could be skiing in one bit of it and sunbathing in another
Washington DC
Boston
Yosemite
I love it there so much. It wouldn’t be a place for me to live but I’ve visited it 4 times and always want to go back. There is so so much to explore. I’d love to road trip for 3 months or something. Maybe one day when I retire!! I want to go to the southern states and I also really want to go to Vermont and Maine. I loved New Hampshire and would love to go again in fall

My dream is to go to America and I hope to one day.

But over the past couple of years, all I hear about is mass shootings, fights on the street/in shops, racism etc etc and it’s made me a bit nervous.
I find MN can be quite negative about America/Americans too.

So I think that this thread is great 😁

Another American here saying thank you.

Far from it. I've been to Oregon, Georgia, Vegas, the Canyon and Indiana and loved it all!

What a lovely thread! 🥰 Nice to hear people and places being bigged up, instead of being torn down! 😊

I don’t much like actually being in America, find the level of visible poverty in cities too depressing (it’s bad here, but not as bad). But I do love meeting enthusiastic American tourists. I really enjoy their unselfconscious enthusiasm for immersing themselves in a place they’re visiting, not trying to be cool about everything. And have experienced similarly enthusiastic hosting when visiting there.

These people sound lovely. How wonderful to have had them in your life. You honour them in describing them so well.

I've never been but would love to go!
I love this thread, as it's so refreshingly positive. Wonder how it would have fared on AIBU ... 😬

Oh so so much.

Alaska - the vast wilderness and the wildlife.

The BBQ food, especially in the southern states

The absolute madness and bustle of New York.

The lack of pretension - I love the American approach of saying 'I'm so pleased to be here/see this'

Country music

The OTT seasonal decorations, especially Christmas

A lot of the houses - ranches, farms, townhouses, brick, stone, wooden, I don't care, so many of them are gorgeous

Pick up trucks

And lastly, the language - "ma'am" and "y'all" in any southern accent are my favourites