I don't mean to generalize, but this is my own experience.
Sincerely, I don't know how the US manages to be the second most touristic country in the world. Travelling to the US can be a nightmare - customs, TSA, metal detectors, body scanners, etc. As a tourist, I've never felt as unwelcomed as when travelling there.
Maybe it's just a cultural thing, but I seriously got the feeling that people who work at airports, subway, or any other place that is by definition essential to tourists are unable to communicate without shouting. The fact that in spite of working at such a place most of them don't even speak a second language may contribute to that - it's like people will understand better what you say if you just say it louder.
Not to mention that you are expected to know exactly how everything works, from the local language (which sometimes becomes Spanish) to how much you have to tip, otherwise people will look at you with that "oh, you must be new here" look.
Strangely enough, the common american that you find in the street tends to be relaxed, friendly and always willing to help. People will sometimes start talking to you in a pretty natural and informal way (this wouldn't happen in Europe).
So, tl;dr: services suck but once you are through the trial of idiocy that is getting into the country, you'll most likely have a good time.
I moved to eastern Europe for a while and was struck by how cold and aloof people were to each other in day to day life. It took me some time to adjust; I had to tone down how I spoke with people I didn't know. No compliments or talking about the weather or coming weekend. This was easier as I started learning the language as I was naturally more self-conscious and reserved. Paradoxically (or not?) I started to make friends much faster once I started becoming more aloof myself. I have to say, it was a bit of relief not having to worry about small talk on the elevator. I also noticed that I valued my friendships much more.
On that note, the personal space thing is spot on. When speaking to friends and colleagues, they enjoyed getting a foot or so away from my face...when drinking this distance would dramatically decrease.
True story: first time I'm at San Jose Diridon waiting for the Caltrain to SF, I notice the platform specified in the ticket was closed. I go to the counter, and the guy there tells me to "go through that door, walk to the left, the train should depart from that platform".
I follow his instructions and can't find the platform, so I come back and ask him (very politely) "Hmm, I couldn't find the platform, was it through that door there?". His answer? He looks at me as if I had pissed on his lunch and asks "Sir, are you asking me a question, or questioning my reply?".
WTF? What had I done to piss him off? I'm obviously new to the place, I've asked similar questions in countless train stations/airports/bus stations around the world and never ever has anyone treated me like that. All I told him was "I was asking for confirmation, but thank you, I'll go ask someone else."
>Sincerely, I don't know how the US manages to be the second most touristic country in the world. Travelling to the US can be a nightmare - customs, TSA, metal detectors, body scanners, etc. As a tourist, I've never felt as unwelcomed as when travelling there.
That is mostly a small BS business that ends in, like, 15 minutes. Then you are in the US and you can start your travel.
I've visited the US six times, road-tripping for 40 days each time, and visited (more than once) all states but Vermont (just for lack of time, next time).
You can opt for a traditional holiday (i.e pick a place, like NY, Chicago, Miami, L.A, S.F etc) or have excellent road trips, or go explore huge natural parks.
In any case, you will find great city life, places untouched by tourism at all (e.g. I remember Langtry, TX, where the nearest shop was like 50 miles away, or Avalon, MS, where only 2-3 blues buffs a year ever venture), and generally helpful and curious folk (with the occasional idiot).
Everywhere you go with a small drive you can find 99% of anything you want (just walk into the nearest Walmart for example), and you can find places to sleep ranging from $3000 a day hotels to $30 a day motels, with even the latter being just fine compared to shitholes you can get in other countries.
What I want to say is, this TSA/Airport business is an INSIGNIFICANT part of the trip. Act along with the security theater, and it is over in a few minutes.
In contrast, there are countries where you even have to bribe some officials to get in (or to avoid trouble).
One thing I remember from a long road trip I took in the nineties across the US was, on multiple occasions, being told that I was "brave" or "courageous" when it came up in conversation that I was an atheist (okay - technical agnostic, working atheist if you want to be picky :-)
Everybody was nice. Nobody was mean about it (I got a lot of hassle over being a vegetarian though) but it was felt odd for two reasons.
First that it came up. I'm from the UK and we just don't get onto the topic of religion that much. Especially with complete strangers from other countries that you've just met.
Second the "brave" thing obviously... I've occasionally found some of the more extreme ends of the religious community over here annoying... but never anywhere close to the extent that I would feel stating my (non)religious views would be any kind of brave or courageous thing...
When I asked the guy running the local tourist/visitor-center in some small town in PA what to do out there, his second question (after 'where you from?') was: 'So how are you baptised?' It took me some time to think about an answer. This question was odd to me for a couple of reasons:
1) I have never been asked that question in my whole life.
2) I haven't been baptised.
3) I didn't want to offend him, so after some time I figured it would be more offensive if he caught me lying.
4) It still was uncomfortable because the german stereotype of the religeous american is one of a superficial radical. This stereotype would be tested the moment I'd answer him. Would he drop his friendlliness towards me? Would he treat me differently?
He was strucked by my atheism in third generation. His mood went down. He was honestly concerned for me. I think I ruined his day.
In conclusion: My impression of the religious american (the most religeous one that I've met so far) was a good one. He was open about his believe, believing it consequentially (from what i've saw) and not a bigot (he didn't drop his friendliness).
Actually, I suspect there is a chance that those people were concerned for your immortal soul and therefore regarded your position in the face of impending endless torment as "brave".
But I'm also an atheist and British... and despite growing up in an oppresively religious community I don't really understand these things.
When I was last in the US (in 99) I was told I was brave for walking to the mall. It was only a few miles, for some reason this concept of walking was somewhat weird to the locals. To be fair, I was in Jacksonville NC, but I found it odd that they found it odd.
This article reminds me of when I landed a job in the US (at the time I was living in Canada).
As a part of the relocation package I was sent a book "Culture Shock: USA".
Quite an entertaining read. The most memorable quote was "In the US, it is usually typical for a husband to accompany his wife to the hospital when she gives birth".
Before coming to the USA for the first time I read the following in a guide: "Americans often communicate via inflected grunts and groans, such as "uh-huh" for yes and "uh-uh" for no.
I think the restaurant tipping is the least strange, because at least in Europe you usually tip at restaurants if the service or food is really good, but you don't have to like you do in the US.
What gets me every time is all the other places where you are expected to tip, and where I have absolutely no idea of how much I'm expected to tip or that I'm supposed to tip in the first place. Pizza delivery? What? Cab drivers? Seriously? The omelet chef in a hotel's breakfast restaurant? Are you kidding me?!?
The weirdest one yet was when me and some friends were leaving the US, we got to the airport, and passed some sort of exterior baggage drop. We went to that, but there was a guy there in an airport uniform who took our bags and put them on the conveyer belt when we tried to do it ourselves. So we said "thanks" and walked away.
And he got so angry at us for not tipping him. So confusing.
French tipping practices : you tip only if the service is exceptionally good or if you are a regular and want to ingratiate the staff to yourself. Staff members get a salary and don't have to depend on alms.
Tipping practices are pretty common in a lot of countries. In India, for example, it's expected that you tip a wide variety of people for a lot of small services. I find American tipping practices somewhat middle-of-the-road.
Well, in Brazil 10 percent is already included in the check, it's "optional" but everybody accepts it. Usually that's not related to good or bad service, it's the common practice. And this money doesn't go to the server but to the 'proprietor'.
What are those odd tipping practices? I'm from Canada (Ontario/Quebec), and the standard is to leave 15% of the bill as tip. Less is considered being extremely rude. In other countries, the tip is included in the bill. In other countries, tipping is rare and made in very specific circumstances.
Yes, but visitors that buy guidebooks do not go to your mono-cultural hometown. They go to New York!
Even in my (relatively) small-medium town in New Hampshire[1] there's an amazing variety of high quality restaurants. A lot of people abroad in their own similiar-sized towns don't get to ever try authentic Mexican, or Cajun, or American comfort, or sushi, or Greek, etc, all of which are available here.
For most tourists, especially tourists from small towns going to NYC or Boston or SF, America is a cultural delight of food.
Not only large cities - but rural areas too. The reputation for shitty food really happens in the vast stretches of suburbia that straddle the awkward territory between city and country.
The US has, overall, amazing food. In large cities there is not only immense diversity (after all, the US is more diverse than most Western nations), but also a culture of experimentation at all price ranges. It's possible to eat amazingly in most major cities for anywhere between $5 and $500.
In the country and small towns there is a tremendous variation across the nation. The food of the Northwest vs. the food of the Southwest vs. the food of the South vs. the Northeast.
It's only when you get into strip-mall-landia where things start appearing incredibly boring and monocultural, and just plain not good.
It also depends on what food you're used to. I'm from the UK and did the whole cross-country US road trip thang when I was in my twenties. I remember it was the little odd differences in supermarkets and restaurants that freaked me out.
For example - at the time (early nineties) almost no Indian food anywhere. In the UK even small villages often have an Indian take out. On the flip side - in the US you have texmex everywhere. It's still fairly rare over here (and of a.... erm.... different level of quality :-)
Bread was another one. At even small rural shops you had soughdough, rye, bagels, etc. In the UK you get white bread and brown bread ;-)
And the portion sizes... wow... so different. I remember going out with a family chatting away snacking away and suddenly realising that I was now "full" on the "free stuff you eat before your meal"...
In addition to the wide variety of foreign cuisine available in many parts of the U.S., there are many different "native" cuisines in different regions of the country. I'm inevitably going to leave out a lot, especially from the places I haven't been to, but here are some exampes. New York has got its pizza (both the Neapolitan and Sicilian styles, neither of which is very similar to the pizza found in Naples or Siciliy), bagels, half sour pickles, and certain cold cuts. Chicago has Italian beef and deep dish pizza. Wisconsin has its cheeses and bratwurst ("brats"). Philadelphia has cheese steak and hot pretzels like no others. Lousisiana has the Creole and Cajun cuisines. There's Tex-Mex and other southwestern cuisine. Lots of places along the east coast have their own very distinct variety of clam chowder, etc. I never realized how much I would miss food from various American cuisines until I lived in China for five months.
> Of the many pieces of advice proffered, four of the most common are: [...] don't drink and drive (they take it seriously here!)
That is absolutely not my impression of America. Americans I have met have a shockingly casual attitude to drink driving. I've also seen it been portrayed in a positive light on American TV (e.g. fictional protagonist regaling a tale).
In Ireland drink driving is still fairly pervasive amongst my parent's generation and in rural areas. But with younger people drink driving is totally taboo thanks to strict laws and a lot of education. Our media would never broadcast anything that was positive of drink driving in any way.
It's interesting to read about things that are just ingrained from birth and you don't really think about them. When you see them written down they sound kinda bizarre!
It's funny you should mention Japan. If you have ever actually visited it, I cannot think of any large culture that could be more different from Anglo and especially North American culture...
Are there any good wikis or Internet Communities - guiding Visitors to learn new cultures, behaviors, ethics in different places?
It's nice to see a comparison chart on - cost of living, labor costs, a basic meal, hotel rooms(Comparison charts should be - City vs Another-city and Country Level comparisons)
If you're talking about water just lying around, maybe so, but US water standards are if anything ridiculously stringent compared to much of the rest of the world [1]. Read that page carefully, and observe that while the US standards may appear at times to permit things somewhat higher than other standards, the US (along with Europe) strongly enforce them, so it's not that comparable.
As for the air, it is generally clean in the US. Sort this chart by "above or below world average": [2] Also note the line about the US being very well sampled, so if there's an error it's not there.
And if you must put on sunglasses you found on the street, do not stare at the skull headed people, point at the signs saying 'breed', or shut down the big weird radio transmitter thingy.
[+] [-] _pferreir_|14 years ago|reply
Sincerely, I don't know how the US manages to be the second most touristic country in the world. Travelling to the US can be a nightmare - customs, TSA, metal detectors, body scanners, etc. As a tourist, I've never felt as unwelcomed as when travelling there.
Maybe it's just a cultural thing, but I seriously got the feeling that people who work at airports, subway, or any other place that is by definition essential to tourists are unable to communicate without shouting. The fact that in spite of working at such a place most of them don't even speak a second language may contribute to that - it's like people will understand better what you say if you just say it louder. Not to mention that you are expected to know exactly how everything works, from the local language (which sometimes becomes Spanish) to how much you have to tip, otherwise people will look at you with that "oh, you must be new here" look.
Strangely enough, the common american that you find in the street tends to be relaxed, friendly and always willing to help. People will sometimes start talking to you in a pretty natural and informal way (this wouldn't happen in Europe).
So, tl;dr: services suck but once you are through the trial of idiocy that is getting into the country, you'll most likely have a good time.
[+] [-] colkassad|14 years ago|reply
On that note, the personal space thing is spot on. When speaking to friends and colleagues, they enjoyed getting a foot or so away from my face...when drinking this distance would dramatically decrease.
[+] [-] dguaraglia|14 years ago|reply
I follow his instructions and can't find the platform, so I come back and ask him (very politely) "Hmm, I couldn't find the platform, was it through that door there?". His answer? He looks at me as if I had pissed on his lunch and asks "Sir, are you asking me a question, or questioning my reply?".
WTF? What had I done to piss him off? I'm obviously new to the place, I've asked similar questions in countless train stations/airports/bus stations around the world and never ever has anyone treated me like that. All I told him was "I was asking for confirmation, but thank you, I'll go ask someone else."
[+] [-] StavrosK|14 years ago|reply
Hell, the TSA even gave me a free massage!
[+] [-] batista|14 years ago|reply
That is mostly a small BS business that ends in, like, 15 minutes. Then you are in the US and you can start your travel.
I've visited the US six times, road-tripping for 40 days each time, and visited (more than once) all states but Vermont (just for lack of time, next time).
You can opt for a traditional holiday (i.e pick a place, like NY, Chicago, Miami, L.A, S.F etc) or have excellent road trips, or go explore huge natural parks.
In any case, you will find great city life, places untouched by tourism at all (e.g. I remember Langtry, TX, where the nearest shop was like 50 miles away, or Avalon, MS, where only 2-3 blues buffs a year ever venture), and generally helpful and curious folk (with the occasional idiot).
Everywhere you go with a small drive you can find 99% of anything you want (just walk into the nearest Walmart for example), and you can find places to sleep ranging from $3000 a day hotels to $30 a day motels, with even the latter being just fine compared to shitholes you can get in other countries.
What I want to say is, this TSA/Airport business is an INSIGNIFICANT part of the trip. Act along with the security theater, and it is over in a few minutes.
In contrast, there are countries where you even have to bribe some officials to get in (or to avoid trouble).
[+] [-] adrianhoward|14 years ago|reply
Everybody was nice. Nobody was mean about it (I got a lot of hassle over being a vegetarian though) but it was felt odd for two reasons.
First that it came up. I'm from the UK and we just don't get onto the topic of religion that much. Especially with complete strangers from other countries that you've just met.
Second the "brave" thing obviously... I've occasionally found some of the more extreme ends of the religious community over here annoying... but never anywhere close to the extent that I would feel stating my (non)religious views would be any kind of brave or courageous thing...
An odd difference.
[+] [-] woodpanel|14 years ago|reply
1) I have never been asked that question in my whole life.
2) I haven't been baptised.
3) I didn't want to offend him, so after some time I figured it would be more offensive if he caught me lying.
4) It still was uncomfortable because the german stereotype of the religeous american is one of a superficial radical. This stereotype would be tested the moment I'd answer him. Would he drop his friendlliness towards me? Would he treat me differently?
He was strucked by my atheism in third generation. His mood went down. He was honestly concerned for me. I think I ruined his day.
In conclusion: My impression of the religious american (the most religeous one that I've met so far) was a good one. He was open about his believe, believing it consequentially (from what i've saw) and not a bigot (he didn't drop his friendliness).
[+] [-] arethuza|14 years ago|reply
But I'm also an atheist and British... and despite growing up in an oppresively religious community I don't really understand these things.
[+] [-] Cieplak|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] _b8r0|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] refurb|14 years ago|reply
As a part of the relocation package I was sent a book "Culture Shock: USA".
Quite an entertaining read. The most memorable quote was "In the US, it is usually typical for a husband to accompany his wife to the hospital when she gives birth".
[+] [-] raverbashing|14 years ago|reply
I remember reading one of the guides created by an American University to their foreign student
It goes in such excruciating details to things like dating, etc
I suppose this is for the benefit of students from some forgotten city in southeast asia that may think of getting a goat to impress the ladies
Still, it sounds awfully patronizing sometimes.
[+] [-] joshAg|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bufordtwain|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ericras|14 years ago|reply
Semi-related: Do other countries have fragments of speech used as filler such as "like" and "you know"?
[+] [-] ericb|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] henrikschroder|14 years ago|reply
What gets me every time is all the other places where you are expected to tip, and where I have absolutely no idea of how much I'm expected to tip or that I'm supposed to tip in the first place. Pizza delivery? What? Cab drivers? Seriously? The omelet chef in a hotel's breakfast restaurant? Are you kidding me?!?
The weirdest one yet was when me and some friends were leaving the US, we got to the airport, and passed some sort of exterior baggage drop. We went to that, but there was a guy there in an airport uniform who took our bags and put them on the conveyer belt when we tried to do it ourselves. So we said "thanks" and walked away.
And he got so angry at us for not tipping him. So confusing.
[+] [-] liotier|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] _delirium|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] marcosvm|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] AYBABTME|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jisaacstone|14 years ago|reply
huh, really? Whenever I get back from traveling I feel the opposite.
Sure in places like NY you can get any kind of food. But in my mono-cultural hometown there is little besides hamburgers or pizza.
[+] [-] simonsarris|14 years ago|reply
Even in my (relatively) small-medium town in New Hampshire[1] there's an amazing variety of high quality restaurants. A lot of people abroad in their own similiar-sized towns don't get to ever try authentic Mexican, or Cajun, or American comfort, or sushi, or Greek, etc, all of which are available here.
For most tourists, especially tourists from small towns going to NYC or Boston or SF, America is a cultural delight of food.
[1] http://www.yelp.com/c/nashua-nh/restaurants
[+] [-] potatolicious|14 years ago|reply
The US has, overall, amazing food. In large cities there is not only immense diversity (after all, the US is more diverse than most Western nations), but also a culture of experimentation at all price ranges. It's possible to eat amazingly in most major cities for anywhere between $5 and $500.
In the country and small towns there is a tremendous variation across the nation. The food of the Northwest vs. the food of the Southwest vs. the food of the South vs. the Northeast.
It's only when you get into strip-mall-landia where things start appearing incredibly boring and monocultural, and just plain not good.
[+] [-] adrianhoward|14 years ago|reply
For example - at the time (early nineties) almost no Indian food anywhere. In the UK even small villages often have an Indian take out. On the flip side - in the US you have texmex everywhere. It's still fairly rare over here (and of a.... erm.... different level of quality :-)
Bread was another one. At even small rural shops you had soughdough, rye, bagels, etc. In the UK you get white bread and brown bread ;-)
And the portion sizes... wow... so different. I remember going out with a family chatting away snacking away and suddenly realising that I was now "full" on the "free stuff you eat before your meal"...
[+] [-] dsrguru|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] rsl7|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Kudos|14 years ago|reply
That is absolutely not my impression of America. Americans I have met have a shockingly casual attitude to drink driving. I've also seen it been portrayed in a positive light on American TV (e.g. fictional protagonist regaling a tale).
In Ireland drink driving is still fairly pervasive amongst my parent's generation and in rural areas. But with younger people drink driving is totally taboo thanks to strict laws and a lot of education. Our media would never broadcast anything that was positive of drink driving in any way.
[+] [-] jakejake|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] kazuya|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] drucken|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] guruparan18|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] pajju|14 years ago|reply
Are there any good wikis or Internet Communities - guiding Visitors to learn new cultures, behaviors, ethics in different places?
It's nice to see a comparison chart on - cost of living, labor costs, a basic meal, hotel rooms(Comparison charts should be - City vs Another-city and Country Level comparisons)
And I would definitely pay $$ for such a service.
[+] [-] PidGin128|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] derleth|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jerf|14 years ago|reply
As for the air, it is generally clean in the US. Sort this chart by "above or below world average": [2] Also note the line about the US being very well sampled, so if there's an error it's not there.
It isn't 1965 anymore.
[1]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinking_water_quality_standard...
[2]: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/datablog/2011/sep/26/g...
[+] [-] doktrin|14 years ago|reply
"Pollution" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mvYec6AnCU
[+] [-] ktizo|14 years ago|reply