I freely admit to everyone who’ll listen that I love the US.
My last visit there at the beginning of this year would have constituted my ninth visit to the country. I love the people, the food, the differing cultures and the rampant loyalties to political parties/sports teams/states (even if it sometimes does seem a little crazy to me). I actually can’t think of a bad experience I’ve ever had when visiting the USA (please don’t let that change, ‘Merica).
But as with every country, it has its stand-out positives and its negatives, too. Hey, we can’t all be perfect. So here’s my rundown of the good, bad and ugly I’ve come to love and live with when it comes to USA travel.
The Good
The Road Trips
America is the land of the roadtrip. Coming from a country that sucks at road trips and road travel in general, I am in awe of a country where people don’t even think twice about jumping in their car and driving ten hours to get somewhere. And they make it so damn easy for you, too. All the service stations selling wonderfully unhealthy food, the motels (for when you’re falling asleep at the wheel) and the funny roadside billboards and attractions to keep you amused. God bless you and your huge-ass cars.
The Sizes
When people say “everything’s bigger in the US’, they’re usually right. The food portions, the hotels, the theme parks. Even the art installations are bigger, for goodness’ sakes. I, personally, love this about the US. They make no excuses for the fact that they’re proud to house the world’s biggest Pez dispenser and ball of barbed wire. And if you’ve ever watched Man Vs Food, you’ll know about some of the food challenges out there.
The Food
Which brings me on to the food. Don’t get me wrong – not all food in America is big in portion size. But it is damn tasty. I particularly love the fact that you can get great Tex Mex food almost anywhere (something which we tend to lack in the UK) as well as awesome burgers, pasta and regional specialities.
The (Sometimes Overly) Attentive Customer Service
I debated over whether to put this one in the good or the ugly section, because, being from the UK, I tend to shy away from contact of any kind with overly-attentive staff in shops and restaurants. I don’t really want to tell someone I don’t know (and likely may never see again) how my day’s been; I just want to purchase what I came for and leave.
But when it comes to being made to feel appreciated, the US have it down pat. An example: one night we ordered a pizza with different toppings on each half. One of the halves had the wrong toppings on, but we only realised after we had bitten into it. The waitress apologised for the error and brought us another pizza, for free, in addition to the one we had already been given. At home, if that had happened, there would have been an awkward interaction with the wait staff and the customer most likely wouldn’t have been given another for free. They would have just taken it away and replaced it, probably leaving you sat there hungry, waiting for your correct food to arrive.
Happy Hours
I had always assumed that a Happy Hour just applied to drinks specials in bars. Oh, how wrong I was. This last visit to the US I discovered the art of the restaurant Happy Hour, in which you can order both selected cocktails/drinks and food for a fraction of the normal price. This is amazing. I went to at least five and only spent around $20 each time. That definitely make me “happy”.
The Bad
The Constant ID’ing
Coming from lax Europe, this was something I noticed a LOT. Everywhere I went, if I was purchasing alcohol of any kind, I had to make sure I had my passport on me. Which I don’t normally like to carry around, simply in case it gets lost, but I’m aware that a lot of places won’t accept a foreign driving licence. I understand that there are laws to uphold, but I did find it slightly ridiculous when, purchasing a bottle of wine as a gift in a supermarket, that both Scott and I were asked for our ID, even though he was the one paying for it. The woman at the cashdesk then proceeded to be shocked that I presented her with a passport, as if she’d never seen one in her life. Although I’m used to having somewhat of a “baby face” and people assuming I’m younger than I am, it was a bit disconcerting when bartenders would say to Scott “you don’t need ID, but she does”. If you’re going to card people, do it across the board. Looks can be deceiving.
The Sports
Now, before you start lambasting me for this heading – let me explain. I’m not saying that American sports are bad. What confuses me is the overwhelming NUMBER of sports that people support. At home, if you asked someone which sport they followed they would most likely have one, perhaps two. If you said to them “which team do you support?” you would usually be referring to football (or soccer, in the US) and people would take that as a given (unless the conversation was referring to rugby or perhaps cricket).
In the US, people don’t just support one team. They support two, three, four…. They don’t have an “off” season because when one team isn’t playing, another is. Not only is there American football, baseball, basketball and ice hockey, there are also an abundance of college teams and qualifying competitions. It makes my head spin.
The Ugly
Corn Syrup
This isn’t anything new. Everyone knows about the ugly hidden additives in food these days, all across the world. But corn syrup is a nasty little one that seems to regularly spring up in even the most unassuming foods in the States. You pick something up at the supermarket which is marketed as being healthy, only to find that corn syrup is one of the main ingredients. And sugary bread? I have to draw the line there, I’m afraid.
Four-Way Stop Signs
When I first asked Scott what the rules of the road were when it came to four-way stop signs, he said that whoever arrives at the stop sign first has right of way. Which is not only a game of chance with each of the drivers and their perception of who got there first, but also sometimes a game of wills as to who feels brave enough to set off without driving into someone coming the other way. Please, for the love of God, just install a mini roundabout or a set of lights. That is all.
Light Beer
I just don’t get light beer or why it is more popular than “normal” beer. There isn’t much more to say about it than that. If you’re already overweight, buying a ten-pack of light beer doesn’t make it ok.
The Overwhelming Choices
Again, this usually refers to the supermarkets. I was stunned to see size of the soda aisle in supermarkets. Each brand offers around ten different flavours or calorie contents for the consumer to choose from. I don’t know how people ever manage to do a “quick” shop. I’d be there for hours, deliberating over which tasted or looked better. And don’t even get me started on the size of the ice cream section.
And then just when you think the decision-making is over, you get to the checkout and they ask you which bag you’d like (paper or plastic). I appreciate the choice, but please, just make the decision for me. I’m okay with it.
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