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  1. #1
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    A thread about the good old US of A

    A lot is said about the US and not all of it is good. Their politics are obviously completely bonkers, but let's focus on the good things. After all, there must be a reason why so many people dream of living there and making their millions.

    Food. Is there anywhere better in the world? The best junk food (oxymoron alert) you will ever find as well as the best BBQ you will come across. Then there's the food of the southern states and the great seafood to be found on both coasts. Mexican on every street corner and food from every other corner of the world. The only other place I can think of with such choice is London. Obviously, it's easier to get beans on toast in London, so maybe our capital possibly just edges it in this field.

    The people. Beyond the "Have a nice day, sir" nonsense, I've always found them to be genuinely friendly and helpful. Case in point: taking a bus from Houston airport to the centre a few years ago and I only had $5 to pay for the fare. The driver didn't give change. He told us to get on, not pay and was genuinely helpful. Even giving us directions to our hotel when we got off downtown. Countless other examples of their chattiness and curiosity abound.

    The great outdoors. The weather makes it the perfect place to get out and about. You wanna swim at any time of the year? Head to Florida. Hiking? Nationwide. Skiing? You can do that too. Something for everybody

    The music culture. Again, along with the UK, surely the greatest place in the world for the bands and the genres it has produced? What the US sings today, the world will be singing tomorrow.

    So, TDers, roll up, roll up. What makes the US such a great place in your eyes?

  2. #2
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Man...where to start.

    Lemme get a beer. "sssst" (Sound cracking the top off). Well like any place there are pro and cons. The US IMHO has more positives overall versus negatives, however the negatives carry a higher impact.

    For me ( being a native Californian) its love / hate. Love the weather, love the career opportunities, enjoy the pacific northwest and the endless things to do but hate the taxes, cost of living, cost to do anything and housing prices. You pay a premium to live there. I am not a foody guy so it doesn't impact me. I have found traveling globally for work , I am always able to find quality restaurants.

    I could go on, but that would require another beer...

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stumpy View Post
    cost of living, cost to do anythinger...
    This is a definite negative as a tourist. My family tell me that buying goods and doing day to day shopping is actually cheaper than the UK. However, the price of anything including somebody serving something to you is eye-watering.

    But then you are getting good quality...

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    Quote Originally Posted by Stumpy View Post
    For me ( being a native Californian) its love / hate. Love the weather, love the career opportunities, enjoy the pacific northwest and the endless things to do but hate the taxes, cost of living, cost to do anything and housing prices. You pay a premium to live there. I am not a foody guy so it doesn't impact me. I have found traveling globally for work , I am always able to find quality restaurants.
    You are a west coast guy like me and I love America for the same reasons as you, but let us not forget that most of the Midwest and south are shitholes where you and I would never want to spend any time in at all.

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    Quote Originally Posted by hallelujah View Post
    However, the price of anything including somebody serving something to you is eye-watering.
    Try visiting Ohio or Mississippi. Lots of cheap eats, booze and all-you-can-eat buffets. Oh, and Walmart. Dilly would love it.

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    I have to say, touring around the US costs a pretty good chunk of change, whether by car or air. There are bargain basement hotels but I wouldn't sleep in the beds. A dinner for 4 at a middle of the road type restaurant will set you back a Benjamin easily with out much alcohol and in the US a 18% tip or more is EXPECTED whether the service is good or not. Entry fees to most tourist places is extremely expensive and depending on the area, the parking can be more than the entry fee.

    That said Living there versus spending time as a tourist will give off a far different impression. Again, career opportunities are endless and salaries for a degree'd engineer or experienced professional is >$100K plus benefits and incentives. So a $10 burrito to a native or a $25 plate of oysters or a $50 nice steak or $75 Sushi meal is a daily thing but to a tourist you they would probably say OMG!!!!

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    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bsnub View Post
    but let us not forget that most of the Midwest and south are shitholes where you and I would never want to spend any time in at all.
    Agreed Snubs. Been to many. Couldn't imagine living in many of the locations. I always tell people, look you can complain about Thailand being a 3rd world country, but take a trip to Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama or Tennessee. You will come back here thinking this place is top flight.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stumpy View Post
    I have to say, touring around the US costs a pretty good chunk of change, whether by car or air. There are bargain basement hotels but I wouldn't sleep in the beds. A dinner for 4 at a middle of the road type restaurant will set you back a Benjamin easily with out much alcohol and in the US a 18% tip or more is EXPECTED whether the service is good or not. Entry fees to most tourist places is extremely expensive and depending on the area, the parking can be more than the entry fee.

    That said Living there versus spending time as a tourist will give off a far different impression. Again, career opportunities are endless and salaries for a degree'd engineer or experienced professional is >$100K plus benefits and incentives. So a $10 burrito to a native or a $25 plate of oysters or a $50 nice steak or $75 Sushi meal is a daily thing but to a tourist you they would probably say OMG!!!!
    I plan to do Route 66 one day and those hotels can be a lifesaver. $50 a night is pretty doable and they often throw in a basic brekkie as well, don't they?

    The 20% tips are killers, so the less time you spend in restaurants, the better.

    Quote Originally Posted by bsnub View Post
    Try visiting Ohio or Mississippi. Lots of cheap eats, booze and all-you-can-eat buffets. Oh, and Walmart. Dilly would love it.
    I always fancy getting off the beaten track, so why not?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Stumpy View Post
    $100K plus benefits and incentives.
    Fuck, a waiter here in Seattle at a decent place can make six figures. The hospitality industry workers here say they have golden handcuffs because they make so much money. I have a buddy who has an MBA, and he waits tables. He makes six figures and loves what he does. The degree was a waste of money and time in his case.

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    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bsnub View Post
    Fuck, a waiter here in Seattle at a decent place can make six figures.
    I know Crazy huh...and they don't have to claim their tips as income...bastards....

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    Quote Originally Posted by bsnub View Post
    Fuck, a waiter here in Seattle at a decent place can make six figures. The hospitality industry workers here say they have golden handcuffs because they make so much money. I have a buddy who has an MBA, and he waits tables. Is he smart? I am not so sure, but he makes six figures and loves what he does.
    That's unbelievable. What sort of basic are they on?

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    Quote Originally Posted by hallelujah View Post
    those hotels can be a lifesaver. $50 a night is pretty doable
    What I recommend is buy a new sleeping bag when you arrive and sleep on top of the bedding.

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    Quote Originally Posted by hallelujah View Post
    The 20% tips are killers, so the less time you spend in restaurants, the better.
    You need to learn to find mom-and-pop places and dive bars. Avoid the chains at all costs and things will get much cheaper, especially in the Midwest and south. The coasts are always more expensive, especially in the tourist traps.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Stumpy View Post
    What I recommend is buy a new sleeping bag when you arrive and sleep on top of the bedding.
    Out west, he should actually take up camping on national forest and Bureau of land Management (BLM) land. Lot of free places to pitch a tent and go fishing or enjoy nature for free. See some wildlife and get some peace and quiet.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Stumpy View Post
    I have to say, touring around the US costs a pretty good chunk of change
    we bought an old cheap minivan and camped our way across when the kids were small, got it serviced and it made it and we lost $200 inc the service on the deal

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    Quote Originally Posted by bsnub View Post
    Lots of cheap eats, booze and all-you-can-eat buffets. Oh, and Walmart. Dilly would love it.
    I have an Aunt who lives in Florida. She keeps inviting me over. Maybe next year.

    Will take some beanz

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    Quote Originally Posted by Reg Dingle View Post
    I have an Aunt who lives in Florida. She keeps inviting me over. Maybe next year.
    If you go to America, you will be the next Homer Simpson.


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    Quote Originally Posted by bsnub View Post
    Fuck, a waiter here in Seattle at a decent place can make six figures.
    Had two girls (sisters) living with me in Miami for a short time, years ago.

    They both wanted jobs on South Beach making drinks. They told me they knew a girl making 2,000.00/night mixing drinks!

    My daughter was thinking about going back to work as a traveling nurse (really just joking about it). During Covid the rates were even higher than the 170,000.00/year they are paying today.
    Last edited by S Landreth; 24-09-2022 at 07:10 PM.
    Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by bsnub View Post
    You need to learn to find mom-and-pop places and dive bars. Avoid the chains at all costs and things will get much cheaper, especially in the Midwest and south. The coasts are always more expensive, especially in the tourist traps.
    Oh, don't you worry about that, snubs. If there is a dive bar, I'll certainly find it! I still have fond memories of this place in Miami.

    teds hideaway | teds hideaway

    They wanted $20 a pint in some bars on South Beach, but I just kept walking and walking. And walking some more until we stumbled on that place. Lovely staff, friendly locals and US sports on all the big screens (me and my old man didn't have a fucking scooby what was going on, but some of the fellas explained the rules to us). We loved it and went back every night. I love a proper bar in the States.

    Well, I love a bar anywhere, but...

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by malmomike77 View Post
    we bought an old cheap minivan and camped our way across when the kids were small, got it serviced and it made it and we lost $200 inc the service on the deal
    That would be brilliant. Do you fancy driving again and need a couple of passengers?

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by hallelujah View Post
    A lot is said about the US and not all of it is good. Their politics are obviously completely bonkers, but let's focus on the good things. After all, there must be a reason why so many people dream of living there and making their millions.

    Food. Is there anywhere better in the world? The best junk food (oxymoron alert) you will ever find as well as the best BBQ you will come across. Then there's the food of the southern states and the great seafood to be found on both coasts. Mexican on every street corner and food from every other corner of the world. The only other place I can think of with such choice is London. Obviously, it's easier to get beans on toast in London, so maybe our capital possibly just edges it in this field.

    The people. Beyond the "Have a nice day, sir" nonsense, I've always found them to be genuinely friendly and helpful. Case in point: taking a bus from Houston airport to the centre a few years ago and I only had $5 to pay for the fare. The driver didn't give change. He told us to get on, not pay and was genuinely helpful. Even giving us directions to our hotel when we got off downtown. Countless other examples of their chattiness and curiosity abound.

    The great outdoors. The weather makes it the perfect place to get out and about. You wanna swim at any time of the year? Head to Florida. Hiking? Nationwide. Skiing? You can do that too. Something for everybody

    The music culture. Again, along with the UK, surely the greatest place in the world for the bands and the genres it has produced? What the US sings today, the world will be singing tomorrow.

    So, TDers, roll up, roll up. What makes the US such a great place in your eyes?
    Had a similar episode with a bus driver in Warrington, we've been together 25 years now

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    Only been to Denver and San Francisco and loved both (SF probably not as much as Denver). Found people friendly and curious. food is generally excellent. Saw some interesting stuff such as Red Rocks, and Georgetown Colorado, and walked Powell street end to end. In Georgetown was stopped and chatted with a young mother who was born 8 hours away, but in the same stata. flying over from LA to Salt Lake the views are magic. The poverty in places is soul-crushing, and the Guatemalans working Mcdonald's aren't as good as the Pasifika in Auckland. Stand out was some black fella in a Zoot Suit. 7/10
    we won it at wemberlee
    we on it in gay paree...

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by reinvented View Post
    Had a similar episode with a bus driver in Warrington, we've been together 25 years now


    A thread about the good old US of A-b1f69d41d5b2a433061ff5d996b2385e-jpg

    I'll have you reinvented!

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by bsnub View Post
    That is not a dive bar FFS. It is a tourist trap.
    .
    It was totally local. There wasn't a tourist in there.

    It might have changed since, but not 5 years ago.

  25. #25
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    For me and the impact on my life I would say the music.
    Blues, Jazz, Northern Soul and Motown, Americas greatest export in my opinion oh and baked beans.

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