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. ❤️

I haven't read the whole thread so this may have been mentioned already, but my favourite thing about USA is how vastly different places are from each other. Manhattan vs Miami... Los Angeles vs Las Vegas... Miami vs Martha's Vineyard... DC vs Denver...

I go there every year (often to a different state or city) and still feel like I've only just scratched the surface!

Boston sounds just like my cup,of tea @MissConductUS
( sorry!)

There's a reason for the expression "Minnesota nice." It's for the warmth and kindness of the people, certainly, but to my mind it's also for Minnesotan sense of the social contract.

That's lovely, but what are you sorry about?

Depending on the time of the year, come to Georgia. We have it all: beach and ocean, mountains, rivers, piney woods, a thriving restaurant scene all over the state, and even though you don't like cities, come to Savannah, a city that feels like a small town (and a lovely one at that.)

Savannah was going to be my suggestion too!
We did a camping trip from NJ to GA, just over three weeks, a figure-eight route taking in mountains and coast. Savannah was our southernmost stop.
We camped in the Skidaway state park and saw dozens of pileated woodpeckers, crabs and barred owls (spooky caterwauling at night!). A barred owl and large hawk were both seen (not at the same time!) in our actual campsite, in the tree above our tent. The park ranger said she'd only heard the owl, so I felt very special 😀

I love love love Boston having been there last year. New England is so beautiful and so varied. The White Mountains, Cape Cod, Nantucket. Can’t wait to visit again.

I live in the Hudson Highlands, an area of New York that is not considered part of New England, but we are right next door to it, and of similar natural beauty.

The question wasn't for me but I think it might have something to do with the Boston Tea Party.

I first went to the states (Florida) in 2009 and immediately felt like I'd come home. I just loved everything about the place and the people. Have been back to Florida, also to New York and Palm Springs. Got a couple of cruises coming up, one ends in Miami and one starts and ends in fort lauderdale and I can't wait.

Agree with so much on this thread but I'm not sure I've read much supermarket love?! I blooming love an American supermarket!!

Once upon a time I wanted to retire there but a chronic medical condition and the associated costs, plus the potential of a trump presidency (and guns) probably puts paid to that. But I will definitely visit a few more times, lots of great suggestions in this thread!

Thank you! And yes, there is definitely that sense of (in the words of the late great Paul Wellstone) “we all do better when we all do better.”

The quintessential Minnesota culture is really just Nordic social/cultural beliefs passed down from our immigrant ancestors, watered down over time and with some Midwestern practicality mixed in. 🤣

Oh, I see. It was a "no taxation without representation" reference. 😁

You have all warmed the cockles of my West Coast heart. So many threads seem to sneer at us and our various 'ways', this one has actually touched me and made me so happy.

I'd just love to have you all come visit, but unfortunately my house isn't quite that big!

And Thanksgiving is just the best holiday ever. First of all no presents, no chocolate eggs, don't need to buy anything. Just family, friends and a big meal that really lends itself to everyone bringing something - with football game or Macy's parade on tv/going to local football high school game/walk in the woods optional. I love it.

Also as someone said it staves off christmas happening in November.

Also - and I think this is a genius unintended consequence - american couples don't have to pick which family to spend the holiday with - they have holidays plural. So you can do one with one family and one with the other or one with family and one by yourselves.

I live in Boston. Every time I go into the city centre I think "if I didn't live in this city I'd really want to visit it"

@AcrossthePond55 don't tempt me! Our next west coast trip in 2026 could very easily include me landing on you to visit! At the very least going out for pancakes...

Fabulous thread, thanks OP. I am moving to the US next month! 😁

Some really beautiful scenery. I like the look of some of the houses and roads. I like that they wear general fancy dress for Halloween.

@Pallisers I heartily concur. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday by far.

Oh wow! Which part? Why are you moving? Are you moving alone? Are you scared?

Sorry for all the questions!!

@MissConductUS or more widely describing something as your "cup of tea" means it's something you really like.

Conversly a very understated English way of saying you absolutely hated something is to describe it as "not quite my cup of tea".

As an asidd Boston is indeed lovely, I really enjoying visiting earlier this year.

Yes, Boston Tea Party reference.

Ooh I like the sound of Minnesota Nordic culture too!
Are there lots of hunky blond haired blokes with surnames like Peterson and Edmundson?

Those trees in Boston are stunning.
I would prefer not to have the background of high rises though. ( I know, I know!)
I suppose I am over used to European cities which generally have an expansive historic core some distance away from the modern parts.
I like small towns. Maybe one should use Boston as a start and travel out from there.
Food for thought!

Savannah/Hilton Head airport. In the waiting area they have rocking chairs.

Outside, at the bus stop: more rocking chairs!

Now that is civilised. (or civilized as we're talking USA)

Words, go to Concord MA - on the commuter rail from Boston. gorgeous small town with the Louisa May Alcott museum (if you are into Little Women, this is literally the house where the book is set - you can see the drawings "Amy" made on the wall, see where "Meg" was married etc - it is lovely), sleepy hollow cemetery, lovely downtown and Walden Pond nearby.

The nice thing about Boston is actually that the historic bit isn't tucked away but is an integral part of the modern city - so you can walk from, say, Paul Revere's house to the financial district, or do the Black Freedom Trail, while steps from great boutiques and cafes. It hasn't always worked - the 60s were a bad time for brutalist architecture - but there is a lot of history preserved and lots of very different neighbourhoods in a living city.