I agree that Bloomington is not small town America, but the highway signs are not a good indicator. NJ is filled to the brim with tiny towns like that, but nobody would confuse it with "small town America". I think of those towns in the middle of nowhere with 1 store, a gas station and a diner or to go even smaller, the people who live out in unincorporated county land
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So...I visited the US for the first time
- Thread starter daviyoung
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I agree that Bloomington is not small town America, but the highway signs are not a good indicator. NJ is filled to the brim with tiny towns like that, but nobody would confuse it with "small town America". I think of those towns in the middle of nowhere with 1 store, a gas station and a diner or to go even smaller, the people who live out in unincorporated county land
AbortedWalrusFetus
Member
The credit/debit thing is apparently a big deal.
I was in London in January on business. First time there. I took a taxi from the airport because a) I didn't know the Piccadilly Line ran right to the airport and b) I get it the expense reimbursed from work. Anyway, it was already late, around 7:00pm when landed and I was tired. When my taxi arrived at the hotel I handed the driver my credit card. Since it's easier to sort out my expenses when I pay with card I hadn't bothered to get more than 50 pounds at the airport. The taxi driver gave me an annoyed look and said "I don't take cards." The total was 70 pounds, and I only had the 50, and I explained it to him. Now, in the US I have never seen a taxi that doesn't accept credit/debit cards. In fact in Philadelphia where I live it's actually illegal to not accept credit cards according to city law. I figured this is the modern world and that's how it would be elsewhere (and was in every other city in the world I've been in). So he's really annoyed at me complaining about how 50 pounds wasn't enough and I said "Well what would you like me to do? I don't know the area as I just landed an hour ago. I'll get you your money you have my word. Aren't there any ATM around?" So he drove me a block away to an ATM, I took the cash out, and paid him (he kept the meter running the entire time might I add) and he started giving me a huge lecture about how when you travel to a foreign country you shouldn't act like an idiot and you should try to learn their ways.
And THAT was the moment I no longer considered myself an anglophile. It was one of the top five most discourteous moments I've ever had in my life, and the least courtesy I've ever been paid by a person I was hiring for a service.
He didn't bother to even try to help me with my bags either upon entering his taxi or departing. Not even an offer. It's also the only time in the history of my life a taxi driver hasn't.
Edit: To top it off, I was so busy fuming at how rude the driver was that I forgot to ask for a receipt and I had to cover the expense myself. Still furious about it.
djplaeskool
Member
My last four times flying out of ATL have all been late, one flight (to Chicago for a family reunion) sat on the tarmac for about 3 hours before taking off.
I love this city, but damned if Hartsfield-Jackson isn't a pain to deal with.
NekoFever
Member
You sound like my dad, who can never remember the American terms for things like bins. It comes quite naturally to me, so when I'm in the States I'll start talking about hoods and trunks of cars and such without having to think about it, but he just can't grasp it. It used to drive me nuts when he'd make a spectacle of himself when trying to order some food item he didn't know the 'American' for.
Yes, it sounds like you met a London taxi driver.
BravesCountry
Banned
As a native of Atlanta I absolutely dread going to the airport whenever I travel.
UltimaPooh
Member
One thing that I am sad the OP missed out on is the food. America is incredibly exceptional at one thing and that is food.
You got to experience the typical American diet while in Indiana. If you ever come back especially for leisure I recommend going to an area with some signature cuisine. From what I have learned living in the US my entire life is that we have our Burger, Hotdogs, and Steaks with an almost endless way to prepare them. Then we have 4 distinctive regions of BBQ (KC, Memphis, Carolina, and Texas) Three styles of Pizza that I know of (Chicago, New York, St. Louis) I am sure there are plenty I am forgetting. There is also our ridiculously good Sea Food and our Louisiana cuisine, Tex Mex, Soul Food, Fried Chicken. American cuisine is endless and doesn't even include the tons of ethnic options we have from Mexican to Chinese to Indian and Middle Eastern.
Next time you come do a bit of research and enjoy one of our endless food options! That's what being an American is all about.
You got to experience the typical American diet while in Indiana. If you ever come back especially for leisure I recommend going to an area with some signature cuisine. From what I have learned living in the US my entire life is that we have our Burger, Hotdogs, and Steaks with an almost endless way to prepare them. Then we have 4 distinctive regions of BBQ (KC, Memphis, Carolina, and Texas) Three styles of Pizza that I know of (Chicago, New York, St. Louis) I am sure there are plenty I am forgetting. There is also our ridiculously good Sea Food and our Louisiana cuisine, Tex Mex, Soul Food, Fried Chicken. American cuisine is endless and doesn't even include the tons of ethnic options we have from Mexican to Chinese to Indian and Middle Eastern.
Next time you come do a bit of research and enjoy one of our endless food options! That's what being an American is all about.
Fragamemnon
Member
Awesome post. Glad you enjoyed the visit. US Air is garbage.
Bloomington is a neat place. Don't mind the haters screaming "go visit the coasts!" , it's just way more people and better food.
The real eye opener I get from people in the UK is when they go to our prime national parks or other outdooring destinations (Southeastern Arizona birding is one where I am always running into people from the UK). I feel that it is in our very diverse-often extremely foreign to Europeans-natural places that you really see the diversity and beauty of our land.
Bloomington is a neat place. Don't mind the haters screaming "go visit the coasts!" , it's just way more people and better food.
The real eye opener I get from people in the UK is when they go to our prime national parks or other outdooring destinations (Southeastern Arizona birding is one where I am always running into people from the UK). I feel that it is in our very diverse-often extremely foreign to Europeans-natural places that you really see the diversity and beauty of our land.
Funky Papa
FUNK-Y-PPA-4
The first time I visited the breakfast cereal aisle at a supermarket I felt like a child from the Soviet Union whose only options in life were steel cut oats and corn porridge.
Then I saw the soft drinks aisle.
I like that it usually is quite literally an entire aisle dedicated to soda.
You mean drive domestically made vehicles, right? This is a really interesting topic, and a weird facet of America even for some Americans.
Not really true in the country as a whole I think (Toyotas and Hondas are very common, and I believe that new Hyundai was the #1 selling car last year) but I grew up in Indiana (where Toyotas are made, but I digress) where there is this really weird "Chevy vs. Ford" thing going on. It's like the console wars for Middle America rednecks. Their call sign? A decal of Calvin of Calvin & Hobbes peeing on their rival's logo.
I have been party to enough Chevy vs. Ford debates to last a lifetime. There's also the subject of Looney Tunes characters on mudflaps, but I'll save that for another day.
cuevas. PhD.
Member
IU sucks.
BertramCooper
Banned
Boiler?
Ravensmash
Member
Nice read.
I'd love to live in small town America.
I'd love to live in small town America.
Shortt Sirket
Member
Bloomington is an interesting choice, being a college town. Indiana is my place, and I have spent MANY a drunk weekend in Bloomington. I honestly dislike the setup of Bloomington, and it is too bad you didn't have time to see downtown Indianapolis.
If you are ever in town again, let me know and I will gladly buy you a beer and show you the sites.
If you are ever in town again, let me know and I will gladly buy you a beer and show you the sites.
Funky Papa
FUNK-Y-PPA-4
The last one I visited was roughly 2/3 the size of my local supermarket. That alone just for soft drinks. I couldn't believe my eyes. Yet the motherfuckers didn't carry lemon Fanta.
~Devil Trigger~
In favor of setting Muslim women on fire
nice read.
Leaving in NYC for so long, I find other American cities, even a City as "big" as Philadelphia strange. No need to tell you able small town America.
Leaving in NYC for so long, I find other American cities, even a City as "big" as Philadelphia strange. No need to tell you able small town America.
catapult37
Member
I live in northern Indiana. Bloomington is quite nice IMO. I was there with my wife once for a conference at Indiana University, and we toured a nearby winery, got a tour of the Upland brewery, and ate at a few of the dozen or so ethnic restaurants that lined block or two south of campus. Each restaurant is built into a well-maintained residential home that all appear to date back to at least the 50s, each with their own style. It's very cool.
You tip the NPCs for extra clues. That's why the guy asked him where he was headed. Unfortunately he got a little offended. No teleport whistle for him.
edit: mudflap character question is easy. you need mudflaps, the choices you have are tweety bird, silver naked lady, yosimite sam, and blank. Why would you pick blank?
The Albatross
Member
Top 4 / 5 cars in the US are non-US. Compare this to a country like Germany, where the top 5 / 5 cars are all German
I've never really understood that looney tunes mudflaps thing. What's the deal?
cuevas. PhD.
Member
Glad you enjoyed yourself, OP. Great post. I don't think you would have encountered that slang problem in some of the bigger cities. I perfectly understand rubbish bin, for example. Come back soon and visit something different. I'll vouch for the West Coast if you'll allow me to be biased 
Felix Lighter
Member
Nice post. Very interesting perspective.
I've lived in the US my whole life, specifically north central PA. I traveled to Denver for the first time last week and it was like a whole different planet. Culturally, there wasn't really any apparent difference but the terrain, flat desert to massive snow peaked mountains could not have been more different than the green rolling hills I'm used to in PA. There is a ton to experience in this massive country.
I've lived in the US my whole life, specifically north central PA. I traveled to Denver for the first time last week and it was like a whole different planet. Culturally, there wasn't really any apparent difference but the terrain, flat desert to massive snow peaked mountains could not have been more different than the green rolling hills I'm used to in PA. There is a ton to experience in this massive country.
tekumseh
a mass of phermones, hormones and adrenaline just waiting to explode
Daviyoung, as a resident Hoosier for my entire 49 years, I'd like to tell you how pleased I am that you found our state so welcoming. I think that, for a first time visitor, you probably came through a route which afforded you to meet some of this country's most affable people, in both Charlotte and in Indiana. The South and Midwest offer some of the most friendly, courteous residents in the country. As someone who went to Indiana University for a couple of years, I can affirm that Bloomington is, without question, one of the great college towns in this country. And I humorously agree, Indiana is, for the most part, one huge cornfield, broken only by the occasional collection of buildings to make a town.
Interestingly enough, this week is the 1 year anniversary of my last trip to the UK. My family spent about 15 days last year in London, staying in the Shepherd's Bush area, and also in Edinburgh, where we stayed in apartment style accommodations literally steps off the Royal Mile. Our stay in London was in a primarily residential area, so it was fascinating to get up early and walk the streets with the residents as just another face on the sidewalk. It really gave a great sense of immersion into the community, no matter how short our visit, and I truly love that aspect of traveling, far more than staying in a place with a greater tourism focus. It goes without saying, of course, how incredibly efficient the public transport systems were, not only in England, but in Scotland as well. For our transport between cities, we took the train and, aside from an incredibly loud and dangerously drunken group of football fans, many of whom ended up being removed from the train and arrested, it was a spectacular look at the wonderful countryside and lovely collections of towns and villages we passed through, highlighted by a pass through Berwick-upon-Tweed, a place that appeared to be so beautiful that we immediately put it at the top of places we intend to visit on our next trip.
I anticipate hearing about your next visit to the States. If you find it as fascinating as we've found the UK, I can imagine your strong desire to do so as soon as possible!
Interestingly enough, this week is the 1 year anniversary of my last trip to the UK. My family spent about 15 days last year in London, staying in the Shepherd's Bush area, and also in Edinburgh, where we stayed in apartment style accommodations literally steps off the Royal Mile. Our stay in London was in a primarily residential area, so it was fascinating to get up early and walk the streets with the residents as just another face on the sidewalk. It really gave a great sense of immersion into the community, no matter how short our visit, and I truly love that aspect of traveling, far more than staying in a place with a greater tourism focus. It goes without saying, of course, how incredibly efficient the public transport systems were, not only in England, but in Scotland as well. For our transport between cities, we took the train and, aside from an incredibly loud and dangerously drunken group of football fans, many of whom ended up being removed from the train and arrested, it was a spectacular look at the wonderful countryside and lovely collections of towns and villages we passed through, highlighted by a pass through Berwick-upon-Tweed, a place that appeared to be so beautiful that we immediately put it at the top of places we intend to visit on our next trip.
I anticipate hearing about your next visit to the States. If you find it as fascinating as we've found the UK, I can imagine your strong desire to do so as soon as possible!
MisterNugNug
Member
You know we have kebabs and currys too.
SteveWinwood
Member
I love bloomington. Did you go to any of the bars? Could have had a fun time!
I don't understand it either, just keenly aware that it's a thing. Can someone tell us why Taz and Yosemite Sam mudflaps are a go-to accessory in the country folk truck world? lol
This is as American as apple pie in my eyes.
UncleSporky
Member
Indiana is a great place to live and I'm glad you enjoyed your visit!
Just commenting on the open space workplace concept:
In Susan Cain's book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, she brings up studies that show open spaces are actually less efficient for productivity, a huge distraction and more stressful. Having your own cubicle, or best of all your own office, just keeps you better relaxed and focused without the constant pressure to be "on," interact and look busy, proper, presentable. Humans need occasional privacy to thrive, and needed breaks from "office life" while in the office (this doesn't mean being lazy, goofing off and such).
Also, most meetings and group work were demonstrably inefficient in work accomplished and lead to narrow-minded scope in ideas and critical thinking -- herd mentality, embarrassment of the individual to bring up good ideas that may not fit with whatever half-assed direction was established early by the group..
In Susan Cain's book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, she brings up studies that show open spaces are actually less efficient for productivity, a huge distraction and more stressful. Having your own cubicle, or best of all your own office, just keeps you better relaxed and focused without the constant pressure to be "on," interact and look busy, proper, presentable. Humans need occasional privacy to thrive, and needed breaks from "office life" while in the office (this doesn't mean being lazy, goofing off and such).
Also, most meetings and group work were demonstrably inefficient in work accomplished and lead to narrow-minded scope in ideas and critical thinking -- herd mentality, embarrassment of the individual to bring up good ideas that may not fit with whatever half-assed direction was established early by the group..
Some places do but it doesn't taste the same.
I caught tons of flights in and out of Hartsfield over the years so I've gotten pretty good at navigating the airport, but they could use multiple security entry points for every terminal like Dallas/Ft. Worth instead of the single bottleneck area they have now. It's a nightmare if you don't know where you're going. (Though at least you have a decent chance of making it to your flight on time since there's so many delays.)
Thanks for the impressions, btw, that was a nice read.
David Incorporated Esq.
Member
Bloomington really isn't small town America. Go half an hour south to Bedford for small town America, i.e. poors and meth.
Had to work for a year in Bedford. Bloomington was a nice place but very atypical for a small American city.
Had to work for a year in Bedford. Bloomington was a nice place but very atypical for a small American city.
PushTheButtonMax
Banned
Daviyoung, if you are in fact going to check out the South, I would recommend looking into a trip to Charleston, South Carolina or Savannah, Georgia. They're great colonial towns with a ton of history, and have a lot more to offer than your regular tourist trap destinations.
Muffdraul
Member
As long as you don't drive while you're there.
It wasn't the petrol station part, it was the WH Smiths inside the hub of the services. I asked the guy behind the counter if they took cards and he pointed at the £1.50 cash machine. Then everything about England came flooding back. That shit wouldn't fly in the States, they'd probably charge $5 instead.
Yes, this is what I meant that studies must have been done to prove cubicle space allowed for better productivity. I just didn't know which ones. It is obviously a more efficient way of working over the open plan idea.
Thanks, the South is is definitely on my list. I didn't do any research this time since it wasn't vacation. I was told where I was going and why I was going. I was free, so I packed my bags. Next time I'll take USA at a more leisurely pace and see things I should see.
No worries, the term Hoosier was new to me aside from the band name and my pronunciation was off. People kept saying 'Hooszer' and I wanted to keep correcting them, I know I was in the wrong. I would go back to Bloomington because I obviously didn't see half of it, and there's a restaurant called Little Zagreb that I would have gladly visited had I had time there. Maybe speak some of the tongue with the proprietor if they've still kept it.
The public transport in UK you bring up is an interesting point, and one I've missed from the OP but there is a glaring difference. Yep, our public transport is efficient. The London Underground is incredible, but it has to be to cope with the demand. In Bloomington everyone drove, I never even saw a bus and people I asked said I was more likely to see a school bus than anything else. This is the same in the UK, but only in the deepest countryside, which isn't really what I thought was Bloomington's equivalent. When your roads are as long and flat and well planned as yours, there's no need for public transport. I'm sure in the big cities like New York or Washington DC there is a more robust public network.
Once again, thanks all for reading. And for coping with my typos.
Parakeetman
No one wants a throne you've been sitting on!
cause you know, this isnt America -
but this is -
Hey c'mon now some of it is wheat and potatoes too you know! lol
TheContact
Member
Cool, man, you did choose an odd starting state but it's cool you had fun here. There's a lot to do, I would love to check out Europe sometime
Rice-Eater
Member
My god I love this line lol
But as someone who has been born in raised in America it always kind of surprises me when I read about how people in other countries aren't like how they are here. I'm so use to strangers being helpful, polite, and talkative that I really just thought everybody was like this everywhere for the most part.
you came from a podunk non existent airport into philadelphia. You get to travel via the express terminal. Its most definitely not an amazing airport, but you definitely flew into and had to get shuttled around the super shitty part, because you were coming from a "regional" airline
How did Sarah Palin get a GAF account?
Closest I've been to England was an overnight stop in Scotland on the return from my deployment in the desert.
Everyone was really friendly. In fact, two drunken Scots damn near took a stabbing for me from two other drunk Scots. It was really weird. It was about 4AM and two drunk Scots come stumbling down the street, super friendly and super talkative with us. Now as a disclaimer, I find it very difficult to understand a sober Scot, but a drunken one? FORGET it. Smile, nod, and reply when you recognize a word here or there.
A few moments later, two other drunken Scots stumble up with an "OYE CUNTS", though I was unsure if they were talking to us (military, in uniform) or to the two other drunken Scots that had already engaged us in conversation. The first two turned and yelled, "OY, Y'DON'T TALK TE THEM LIKE THA', SHOW SOME FOOKIN' RESPECT YA SHITES". All up in each other faces and shit. After some back and forth between them, more heated words, I thought one was going in for a stabbing. Fortunately, it turned out to be a hug and happy times were had by all.
Long story short, Scots are cool dudes.
Everyone was really friendly. In fact, two drunken Scots damn near took a stabbing for me from two other drunk Scots. It was really weird. It was about 4AM and two drunk Scots come stumbling down the street, super friendly and super talkative with us. Now as a disclaimer, I find it very difficult to understand a sober Scot, but a drunken one? FORGET it. Smile, nod, and reply when you recognize a word here or there.
A few moments later, two other drunken Scots stumble up with an "OYE CUNTS", though I was unsure if they were talking to us (military, in uniform) or to the two other drunken Scots that had already engaged us in conversation. The first two turned and yelled, "OY, Y'DON'T TALK TE THEM LIKE THA', SHOW SOME FOOKIN' RESPECT YA SHITES". All up in each other faces and shit. After some back and forth between them, more heated words, I thought one was going in for a stabbing. Fortunately, it turned out to be a hug and happy times were had by all.
Long story short, Scots are cool dudes.
TheKaeptain
Banned
lol This is such bullshit.
Funky Papa
FUNK-Y-PPA-4
That's Scotland alright.
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