from a foreigners perspective :-)

[burk48237]

The scenery out west can most certainly rival Switzerland. And as far as things being "Big" in the US you haven't even been to Texas! Seriously the first time I ever went out west (N. Dakota, Montana) I was shocked at how big everything was. When your driving at night the lights you see ahead are twenty miles away thats the next town! Here's a shot in Glacier National Park

 

[Poop-Loops]

Washington has some amazing scenery, too.

Constrasted with Seattle:

Link Removed

All in one state!

 

[machine gewehr]

You can show me outrageous gas prices....I'd love to show you what real humidity is.

Mike

Come to Turkey,I can show you both! Ever experienced %98 humidity?You need more than a gas mask to breath normally.
I won't even talk about gas prices,you'll think I'm joking.

But I can buy you the best dinner you can ever eat!

 

[vindy500]

from the car window

 

[mike_v_s]

Ever experienced %98 humidity?You need more than a gas mask to breath normally.

I know the feeling well. The worst is when both the temperature and the humidity are kissing 98.

Mike

 

[DigMe]

Blavelle,

It was an entertaining read. Certainly you shouldn't base your entire view of America on your experience in one small part (As far as humidity, etc...) but you did get much of it right.

bc

 

[MJ5150]

...On a really bad day, you need scuba gear to get from the house to your car in Louisiana....

I live in a state with virtually no humidity. I did spend two weeks in early June in Kenner, Louisiana. I can comfirm Gards comment above. It was literally unbearable. I drank water by the gallon, and never once peed all day.

-Mike

 

[bmc]

We had a microwave when we lived in Canada. We never bothered to buy one when we lived in the Middle East. Kitchens are so small here, we have no space for one. AFter being without one for 8 years, this is the first time I have even thought of the concept. To be perfectly honest, I think we would have to sit down and assess what we would do if we had one. I think thawing frozen food is the only think we would use it for.

 

[Headroom]

We had a microwave when we lived in Canada. We never bothered to buy one when we lived in the Middle East. Kitchens are so small here, we have no space for one. AFter being without one for 8 years, this is the first time I have even thought of the concept. To be perfectly honest, I think we would have to sit down and assess what we would do if we had one. I think thawing frozen food is the only think we would use it for.

Personally, I purposefully don’t own one in order to discourage consumption of preprocessed foods. However I understand the objection to microwaves is significant among some Europeans, musicians in particular:

 

[bmc]

Thanks, mods, for keeping the thread going.

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

Everyone has a microwave in England.

.

No they don''t - I have never had one and have no desire to own one! I live in England.

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

Personally, I purposefully don’t own one in order to discourage consumption of preprocessed foods. However I understand the objection to microwaves is significant among some Europeans..

I agree.

 

[SuperDuck]

Thanks, mods, for keeping the thread going.

Hear hear! It's been quite educational so far.

 

[Poop-Loops]

How do you reheat left-over food without a microwave? Actually re-heat it? That takes ages...

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

How do you reheat left-over food without a microwave? Actually re-heat it? That takes ages...

Sorry - this is an "alien" concept to me - I would never re-heat left-over food (or eat it) and I think this could lead to health problems - bacteria etc..

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

Welcome to the states. It is a great place and don't knock the "greasy" food too much. Many here are somewhat endeared to the "greasy Spoon" diners.
.

From

http://www.ohii.org/america_health_watch.php

"But what has our country gained from its huge appetite for greasy foods? I can think of three problems-three problems that have stood coldly on America's doorstep. These problems have destroyed the lives of millions of Americans over the past decade. They are: 1) Obesity 2) High Blood Pressure and 3) Heart Disease. Strangely enough, American consumers will continue to satisfy their appetites for greasy chicken dinners, colossal burgers, salty French fries, and dozens of other fast foods. But the biggest threat is that these three health problems, if left unchecked, will bring more pain, more suffering, and higher death rates to the American population. "

 

[bmc]

It's interesting that you raise the diet issue, Bruce, because it applies not only to what is eaten over here, but also to the attitude towards food. Back home, we obsess with "don't eat this because it causes cancer", "don't eat that because of this ailment". You just don't here it here.

Food is served in much smaller quantities in restaurants and at home. Processed food is not popular, nor are hamburger joints. Sure we have McDonalds, but I believe that is the only foreign hamburger outlet in Switzerland. To boot, there are a handful of McDonalds in the major cities. Junk food is just not popular. Meals are to be enjoyed, not jammed into a busy schedule.

Here's another difference some of you will shake your heads at. People shut down their stores for 2-3 weeks in August for summer holidays. Music stores are closed. You can't find open stores. From a North American perspective, this is madness. From a Swiss perspective, it's summer vacation time....I'm outta here. Stores close at 7pm each night. Car dealerships close at 6pm each day and they are only open from 9-noon on Saturdays. Sundays, everything is closed. You have to take a vacation day to buy a car.

As crazy as it drives you at first, you soon find Sunday is your best day of the week. There is nothing to do but relax, hike, cycle, cruise, etc.

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

It's interesting that you raise the diet issue, Bruce, because it applies not only to what is eaten over here, but also to the attitude towards food. Back home, we obsess with "don't eat this because it causes cancer", "don't eat that because of this ailment". You just don't here it here.

Food is served in much smaller quantities in restaurants and at home. Processed food is not popular, nor are hamburger joints. Sure we have McDonalds, but I believe that is the only foreign hamburger outlet in Switzerland. To boot, there are a handful of McDonalds in the major cities. Junk food is just not popular. Meals are to be enjoyed, not jammed into a busy schedule..

I should say that this is how I would like it to be in England - especially that last part - but unfortunately IMO, we are being taken over by a fast-food mentality - eventually this may be one of the reasons I leave England and live on mainland Europe, in countries which have similar attitudes ....

Although I think Switzerland is probably, just too expensive for me !!

 

[Adam Barkley]

Cultural Relativism, it's a good thing. Thanks for that.

 

[bmc]

Although I think Switzerland is probably, just too expensive for me !!

Speaking with friends that have left here for London, they had more disposable income here. Salaries, like anywhere else, take cost of living into consideration.

The Swiss can be very uptight. The price for being uptight is a very orderly country that is very safe. We often forget to lock the house at night. You very rarely see police cars, to the extent that you get nervous when you see one. You can drop off gear at a club for a gig, jump back in your car to find a parking spot and return 20 minutes later and not worry about your gear walking away. You can leave gear in your car and not worry about a breakin. I would never do that in France, mind you, but Switzerland is safe that way.

Ands then, there's the topless beaches, but I'll save that for another thread.