In praise of America....

[recycled sixtie]

Anybody can chime in -even you Americans. Of course the latter will have an American centric view but sometimes it's okay to promote your own brand.

Here are my thoughts and to keep it upbeat I will not mention anything negative!

- It's so big if you don't like the weather you can go somewhere where it is cooler or hotter depending on what you want.

- Great service in restaurants and hotels.

- Great shopping. Coscto etc. Prices are generally lower. Wine, beer, cars etc. etc.

- You speak English/American.

- I feel safe even when I am driving.

- Generous folks.

Cheers, Guy.

[Brian 162]

I find Americans more patriotic than Canadians.
Whenever I'm in the States I'm amazed at the amount of American flags proudly displayed on homeowners property compared to up here.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by Brian 162

I find Americans more patriotic than Canadians.
Whenever I'm in the States I'm amazed at the amount of American flags proudly displayed on homeowners property compared to up here.

I don't know if Americans are more patriotic than Canadians but the Americans like to show it more. There is nothing wrong with either situation just different.
G.

[drcoastline]

Let's not forget we are next to Canada. That we can be proud of also. You all are pretty good to have as neighbors. Now if we could just figure out how to get Australia to the South.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

Anybody can chime in -even you Americans. Of course the latter will have an American centric view but sometimes it's okay to promote your own brand.

Here are my thoughts and to keep it upbeat I will not mention anything negative!

- It's so big if you don't like the weather you can go somewhere where it is cooler or hotter depending on what you want. And yet, so many people stay where they are and beeyoch about the weather.

- Great service in restaurants and hotels.

- Great shopping. Coscto etc. Prices are generally lower. Wine, beer, cars etc. etc.

- You speak English/American. American? Would that be Cherokee or Navajo?

- I feel safe even when I am driving.

- Generous folks.

Cheers, Guy.

IMHO the greatest thing about America is we have freedom... our government is slowly chipping away at our freedom but I feel that we as a nation are sick and tired and starting to demand our freedom back.

[Danimal16]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

I don't know if Americans are more patriotic than Canadians but the Americans like to show it more. There is nothing wrong with either situation just different.
G.

The Canadians that I served with are just as proud of their heritage. They were just a bit more subdued in how they demonstrated their pride.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by Danimal16

The Canadians that I served with are just as proud of their heritage. They were just a bit more subdued in how they demonstrated their pride.

That's right. Americans (or "USians") are intermediate between Canadians and Australians.

[Evans, Marv]

Several times coming back into the U.S. I've felt like a weight has lifted from my shoulders. Maybe it was just the fact I was returning home. I was surprised one time at a comment from a Swiss friend of mine. He told me he felt more free here. I also wish we had the Australians next door.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by Brian 162

I find Americans more patriotic than Canadians.
Whenever I'm in the States I'm amazed at the amount of American flags proudly displayed on homeowners property compared to up here.

I find it quite the opposite. I spend a lot of time up north and think Canadians are far more patriotic/display flags.

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by drcoastline

Let's not forget we are next to Canada. That we can be proud of also. You all are pretty good to have as neighbors. Now if we could just figure out how to get Australia to the South.

We like guys to but we're pretty good where we are thanks

[Bill Douglas]

I didn't know there was any doubt about America. Shouldn't be. In NZ we love you guys, as per most countries do. It seems there is a very "America trend" going on at the moment with America stuff/cars/habits happening. In fact... drum roll please... thank you... My niece is marrying an American guy tomorrow. Actually I'm pissed off! They were meant to get married in Hawaii but they are getting married in Auckland instead. Darn, I was going to goto Hawaii a month early to get my speech sorted and catch some waves while I'm at it.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

- You speak English/American.

Ha ha! My friends and I were in Rome, and I was sent to the airport to pick up the last member of our group, who is from Kentucky. I had no idea what she looked like. I saw this woman walking around looking lost and forlorn and she came up to me and said, "Excuse me, do you speak English?" I said, "No. I"m from Kentucky." It was her.

On NPR Friday a woman was in Pakistan interviewing people and asked what they thought of the US. One young guy said, "The US is perfect, with economic freedom and freedom of expression. All you need is Islam." I don't know if the thinks we have no Muslims in the US and need to let them in, or if he thinks the US should be another Islamic theocracy.

I like everything about the US except all the political rancor. I think the commercialization of political discourse (talk radio and FOX "News") makes living here less pleasant. It was better when political wrangling was done in easy to ignore newspapers and not on TVs in every bar and airport.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

...is from Kentucky. I had no idea what she looked like. I saw this woman walking around looking lost and forlorn and she came up to me and said, "Excuse me, do you speak English?" I said, "No. I"m from Kentucky." It was her.
.....

That's exactly what I was thinkin'...I'm sure I could converse with her with no issues and Guy would be scratching his head goin'....What ?

[recycled sixtie]

The way I see it for those that speak English we all have an accent of some kind myself included. I have no trouble understanding Americans but I do have trouble with my attention span when listening to Southern drawls.ZZZZZZ....

For actual understanding of English there are some accents in Yorkshire, Northumberland and Norfolk UK that I really have to pay attention to to understand.
Some Scottish too.

As regards Australia and New Zealand I wish they were closer too. Just too many hours flying time to get there. Easy to understand folks and down to earth.

Cheers, and I will sign off with an Americanism here, you all have a good day!
G.

[KevinTodd]

Thank you for the shout-out!

I have found wonderful people in most every country I've been fortunate enough to visit, and I truly believe that at the end of the day we are all subject to the human condition. Some good; some not so good. It doesn't seem to matter what the socio-economic situation may be where I'm visiting so much as how people simply interact with each other on the street.

Oddly enough, as seemingly well-traveled as I am, I've never set foot in Canada. It is on my short list, though, along with South Africa.

New Zealand?

Well, let me put it this way--if I could pull up stakes and move anywhere in the world then this would be the place. Every time I've been I fall more and more in love with it.

Ok--back to coffee drinking.

[mattdavis11]

Most of which you mention is true in just one state, Texas. Come summertime, it's hard to escape the heat though. However, if you head west it's dry and feels a whole lot cooler than in the SE region of the state.

If you like a true melting pot of people, it's a great place, but be advised to check your attitude at the door.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Danimal16

The Canadians that I served with are just as proud of their heritage. They were just a bit more subdued in how they demonstrated their pride.

Except at hockey games. I am always moved by how loudly and proudly the Canadians sing their anthem.

[Tobra]

There are good and bad people anywhere you go. It is just that there are not really all that many bad ones.

Originally Posted by Danimal16

The Canadians that I served with are just as proud of their heritage. They were just a bit more subdued in how they demonstrated their pride.

This is also my experience, particularly regarding beer.

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

On NPR Friday a woman was in Pakistan interviewing people and asked what they thought of the US. One young guy said, "The US is perfect, with economic freedom and freedom of expression. All you need is Islam." I don't know if the thinks we have no Muslims in the US and need to let them in, or if he thinks the US should be another Islamic theocracy.

I could tell you, but that is not the direction this thread was going.

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I like everything about the US except all the political rancor. I think the commercialization of political discourse (talk radio and FOX "News") makes living here less pleasant. It was better when political wrangling was done in easy to ignore newspapers and not on TVs in every bar and airport.

You might want to try to restrain your biases and hold 'em in for PARF. You won't get away with your cheap shots there, though.

[creaturecat]

I love the way you can get in a "cheap shot" about a "cheap shot".
Land of the free.
: )