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. ❤️

Dd17 and I have never been to the USA but we both watch so much American TV that we sometimes speak to each other in an American accent. 😊 Dd started it. We do not do this in public. 😀
I guess we're the equivalent of the Jennifer Coolidge character in Friends when she puts on an English accent. (I feel like a perfect arse.)

Cracker Barrel and IHOP. Candlewood suites, we have Laz-y-boys thanks to a stay there. Remote log cabins in the middle of nowhere. Massive 4x4s for road trips. K Mart, love it and big supermarkets with ranks and ranks of colourful fresh produce. Speaking Spanish in Miami then French in New Orleans. Shame about the Trump love 😢

@AffIt it's interesting you say that - we work in music and people think nothing of travelling 3 hours for a special gig and driving back- here people won't drive 40 minutes- they want everything literally on the doorstep

If you want to watch something truly uplifting and like cycling & the USA, watch "Two bikes, 1 wheelchair" on Youtube. Francis and Justin cycled across the USA and the people make the video! It's a fab watch.

I know, seems like all mention of Americans brings out the haters.
I love the country and people, the vast expanse of wilderness and wild animal practically on the doorstep.

Many of my favourite authors are American. Many of my favourite films, TV shows, theatre productions are American.
People, scenery, shopping, cities, there is so much to like.

Lovely thread, it's nice to read people (mainly) being positive!

Root beer. Friendly people, genuinely curious about other cultures. Radio ....so much choice of music. Breathtaking scenery. Especially Pacific North West.

We think 100 miles is a long way ; they think 100 years is a long time ...

@Andyetitrains I'm in NYC (Manhattan) and our kids have lockdown drills, but it's much more about one of the local crazies getting into the building - the gun laws here are very, very strict. TBH I've always been pretty relaxed about them.

However, I went to a meeting this week
And we learned about the protocol and drills for another 9/11 and that made my blood run absolutely cold. DS is only 5 and I'm not ready to have that conversation yet.

I got amazing medical care when we were dead broke :) It probably varies by state, but mine (Minnesota) has fantastic insurance available for low or no income people.

I forgot all about that Jennifer Coolidge character, but when I read that I heard it exactly in her voice and cackled 🤣 thanks for the laugh!

@CheerfulYank ah ha. I'd probably need a green card also. Or get deported to Mexico. Lol.

Oh yes someone mentioned this upthread but Americans really do love English accents. Most of them can't recognise regional accents and don't associate them with stereotypes except perhaps cockney (Jake Wood does the Geico insurance commercials here). So it doesn't matter where you're from, people will love it. Americans think John Oliver sounds posh. I have a friend who loves Sarah Millican half for her accent. It's funny but sweet, because they're very sincere about it. Sometimes I see non-north Americans get a bit condescending but let's face it, many British people can't distinguish North American accents either...

its around 30 years since I lived there. No internet shopping them but shopping by phone was the thing, either from catalogues or TV shows. The call handlers were always blown away by my accent and one of them asked me to help him learn the accent for amdram. He read me out his lines and I had to say them back to him...stuff like "can I get you a cup of tea?" "goodbye for now" We were on the phone for about an hour doing this, luckily all shopping numbers were free to call. Afterwards i did wonder if it was some kind of joke.

I have complex feelings about America and Americans (I am one 😀) but I do enjoy being there. I've just returned from a visit and the sounds of crickets and screen doors gave me a deep nostalgic ache. My (English) DH and I spent hours watching osprey, whales and dolphins from the beach (which btw was not doable when I was a child and is only back due to the extensive environmental legislation of the 70s and 80s).

The less touristy cities are worth a visit. We loved Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Madison (WI), PIttsburgh, Raliegh etc. People are delighted that you've come from far away to see a place that to them is utterly unremarkable. Good food, warm people, excellent vintage clothes in wearable sizes 😀if that's what you're into 👗 I love the variety of accents and cuisine.

I think due to familarity and language, British people think they understand America and its culture better than they actually do, so there's a lot of frustration over what Americans do, believe, vote for etc. It's a huge place with a huge population and its own legitimate history, culture and valid variety of English. (I hope this doesn't sound negative, I mean it as a neutral exploration of the relationship.)

It has made me rather emotional to read all these lovely posts so thank you OP and PP 💐

I love the US. We've see most of it as it's where we have holidayed for years. We do have family who emigrated there generations ago and still keep in touch. Everyone is so friendly, and the amount of people we speak to who have Scottish connections is amazing. There's no place I've been where I wouldn't return to, the hospitality, hotels and food has been wonderful.

Can I just say I love the preppiness & teens wearing the coligiate clothes. I love the pride they have in their colleges & Ivy League schools

@CheerfulYank ah Tim Walz territory - I believe it's the same with school meals etc-have seen lots of locals praising Minnesota on various posts on social media

I love Isabelle from Florida. Recently stuck in a Paris hotel with no way to get to the Le Havre cruise port (long story). Isabelle went out of her way to help 2 very stressed strangers to get on the NCL transfer. I have never met a sweeter person. Thank you so much Isabelle from your Canadian friend.

Yes Americans love an English accent and hearing us say phrases such as " Higgledy Piggaldy" "WillyNilly" "Sorted" "Topsy Turvey and Skewif" .

This is interesting. ( do not want to derail so please say if I should start another thread)

I could just have one big trip left in me.

Where should I visit?

I do not like cities, but enjoy historic architecture. ( anything fake repels me completely)

Love being outside ( mountains, lakes rivers woods ) and appreciate spectacular landscapes

Really enjoy proper food, and a good rare steak. Really do not like fast food.

Like to keep to myself generally but good to meet new people (up to a point!)

I'd prefer not to be shot or eaten by a bear

@Words
What about somewhere in New England (I've never been but I'd love to)?
Looks spectacular 😀

Boston, MA.

I know you said you don't care for cities, but Boston is a small and very manageable city with lots of beautiful historic architecture. And there are lovely natural areas within an easy drive or train trip like Cape Ann, Cape Cod and the North Shore. I don't recall bears being a problem. 😁

Boston has loads of fabulous restaurants, particularly for seafood. It's also an easy flight from the UK.

That's definitely an understatement.

National (and State) Parks - the scenery in America is so varied and so much beauty.

The breakfasts!