So the last three weeks I was in America. This was my first time to the other side of the big Atlantic pond, and it's made quite an impression. You have some sort of image in your head of what a country or its people is going to be like, and when you actually do visit you realise all your (subconscious) preconceptions and stereotypes are based on nothing much. Below you will find some things that I noticed, or talked about, or that are just maybe interesting to know or realise. I have only been to the north eastern part (NYC, Boston, some New England, Cape Cod, New Jersey, and Washington DC), so what I say here is probably generalising those areas only, but I wouldn't know.
- There really is a Starbucks on every corner. There is also a McDonald's, Dunkin' Donuts, Wendy's, or Whole Foods. These are never to be found when you are actually looking for them, if you are hungry or in need of free wifi. Also, there are very many small supermarkets and privately owned stores, cafes, and restaurants, which have somehow managed to survive the big chains. We usually went to them instead, as I can have a Starbucks coffee here in Groningen too, if I want to.
- All these shops and stores and restaurants and public transport buildings and what not have a surplus of employees. The Apple Stores are the biggest in this, but generally in restaurants or cafes there was about double the amount of personnel as one would have in a similar European setting. All of these people are very friendly, curious to get to know you, and desperate to please you. As there are so many, they are generally bored, and will be very happy if you talk to them. Also, it's simply polite to say "no thank you, I'm just browsing" than ignore them. I've had some really great conversations with people sitting behind desks or helping out in stores who were just doing their job and interested in getting to know me. I realised that some people just saw them as stupid worker bees that you can ignore when you feel better or smarter than they, but really, these are smart people just trying to earn some money. And they aren't earning a lot of that, so do tip. I was surprised at how happy people are when you give them a tip, even though the US is supposed to be the "big tip" country where you tip at least 15-20% in restaurants (in Europe it's usually 10%, although most people just forget doing it).
- In big cities, people don't greet each other, talk to strangers, or give each other random compliments or services (like holding a door open). When you do do these things, people are generally very happy and outgoing, again eager to help and be nice. In small towns, the situation is the reverse: everybody greets everybody, talks to them, gives them compliments, and helps them out, and if you don't do these things you are generally regarded as strange or outlandish. In big cities, most people ignored us and the fact that we spoke Dutch amongst ourselves, in small towns, some people looked at us suspiciously when doing the same thing.
- Most things are relatively cheap. Hotel rooms in big cities are expensive, of course, but the amount of service you get for the money is pretty high, so overall that's good. Food is cheap too, although alcoholic drinks are expensive. Public transport is really cheap, as is petrol, which is interesting as in Europe both are expensive. A lot of toll on roads and bridges, some of which are ridiculously high, while others are strangely low. Government sites and museums are almost always free or charge a low fee, stand-alone museums or other attractions are very expensive. Once you are inside them, the food is also pretty expensive without being of a great quality (a 12$ sandwich at the US Open which was a soggy 'ciabatta' just containing cold, greasy "grilled vegetables" and some weird hummus paste was the absolute low point). Do mark that most prices are without sales tax, which can be anything from 7 to 20%. If they say "2 donuts for 2$", you will have to dig in your wallet for coins if you show up with just 2 dollar bills in hand. You don't have to pay tax on books, which is something more countries should have.
- Nature is everywhere. I can now see why Americans don't make a big thing about nature loss; they have so
much of it. Everywhere there are trees and fields of grass and beaches and rocks and hills and mountains and what not... In cities this is less, of course, but still they are not all concrete and asphalt, there are many trees and parks and grassy edges. But the forests we saw from the plane, stretching all the way from when we first saw the tip of Canada to the suburbs of New York, are just one example. I envy their big country, where there is so much space for everybody that they did not need to cut all these beautiful forests down, like we have done here. Also, a lot of wildlife. Many species of birds and butterflies bigger than my hand. We saw possums and skunks and huuuuge turkeys walking (or laying dead, sadly) by the wayside, and beautiful whales and dolphins in a marine sanctuary. I can now also understand the stress some Americans have over here when there are bugs or other creatures: they have some scary ones over there. Luckily we didn't meet any of them (except in the zoo), but nature is still really and truly nature over there, the good and the bad parts.
- There are a lot of dogs. I have never seen this many dogs in 3 weeks before. Perhaps related, but I'm not sure: many children. Young children, babies, you name it. They somehow disappear around the age of 10, but below that, you'll see everything. Parents with 3 young children in tow in the middle of NYC is not a strange sight. You hardly ever see them on the subways. Also, many tires on the side of the freeways. No idea why, but many people seem to lose their tires. Finally, a lot of joggers. Everybody seems to be jogging at some point of the day. Which brings me to the next point...
- Most people are obsessed with being healthy. To an extreme degree, I would say. Interestingly enough, most of these people are actually overweight and probably in a pretty bad condition. They eat healthy by choosing the "veggie lovers" pizza at PizzaHut, and then take the bus back to their hotel. I have had some very strange looks over ordering some dishes filled with ricotta or some other kind of cheese, while Americans ordered the "salad", which usually comes with some kind of fried thing (bacon, shrimp) and more dressing than I could wade through. The actual amount of fresh vegetables is usually pretty low. Also, the actual amount of movement these people have is very low (every day some Americans staying in our DC hotel asked us which bus or subway line we took, and every day they were amazed that we walked everywhere. I don't think they believed us, as they were complaining about the subway station being 7 blocks from the hotel, and that the walk was so hard...). Taking cabs everywhere and sitting behind your desk for 10 hours straight drinking coffee and eating bagels isn't going to go away with a jog in the park. But sports are important and a big part of the culture, even though most people aren't able to practise them. Also, corn syrup in everything. Most of the "jams" are just corn syrup with some fruit juice (and colouring agents). I've had pizza slices that tasted sweet and sugary. (If you do want to eat pizza, find a good Italian. American pizzas are huge and fatty and they'll leave you hungry about an hour later, whereas Italian pizzas are just filling and taste a lot better, even though they are a quarter the size...) The positive thing is of course that people are willing and trying to be healthier. The sad thing is that they don't really know how to, and that it's almost impossible to do with the amount of junk that goes into their food.
- In a last point, I think few Americans could have written this post. Not only because it is somehow looking at their society from the outside in (although it is extreme how quickly you adapt to your new situation, and how strange some European things now are to me (Americans walk slower, and the handle to flush the toilet is usually on the left-hand side while here it is on the right, to name a few things)). But especially, because in "the land of the free", people are really and truly free. They can choose whatever they want, and others don't chastise them for it. I heard very little complaining while I was there, very little gossip, and many people who were in terrible situations were positive and nice. They are free to wear clothes that others wouldn't ever dream about wearing without getting strange or dirty looks, free to eat breakfast at 9 in the evening or get a pizza at 8 in the morning, free to visit their great national museums or complain that too much money is going to them, free to practise their religion, not get health insurance, get a job after high school, or get a child at 16. You may see this as bad things (in Europe, governments usually have these strict campaigns trying to discourage or encourage people), but the point of the matter is that they can choose. It took me a while to figure this thing out, but in the end, I think it is a good thing. In the Netherlands, the government decides so many things for you, that usually people a) don't think for themselves anymore and b) complain and gripe about everything. They never feel like it is their decision or possibility to change things, as they are being "taken care of". Now I know many Americans are in shitty situations that they did not choose for themselves and would love a little help, so it isn't the best system either. But overall, on many points, I think the American outlook on life is more positive and healthier. I wouldn't mind living there for a couple of years (I've said this about many countries, so this is not really a big thing, but the point is that I would
never have said this before visiting) and I am very sure I will travel there again!
