For us in the Pacific, America seems to be deemed the poor mans vacation, the destination for those who can’t afford a holiday to Europe. America, full of the crass when compared to its sophisticated European cousin….a young country, not unlike our own, with nothing in it of any ‘cultural or historical’ significance.
How wrong Rosie and The Operator were!
We chose San Francisco as a starting point as our national carrier flew directly there and, we hadn’t been there before. Simple. We chose to explore California only as we wanted to self navigate and still have a relaxing holiday in our 3 week time frame without too much driving and having to cover too much ground. Good in Theory. So, having downloaded a map and placing heaps of pins in it for a wish list of where to go, a holiday was born and off we went. Having travelled and ‘lived’ in America albeit out of a suitcase Rosie and the Operator made may observations along the way.
#1 Americans are nice people, when in America. Reversing that, Americans are not the nicest when on holiday themselves….we see them as loudmouthed, irritating, sneaker, tracksuit and sunshade wearing fat arses. We roll our eyes and say ‘oh, they are American’, and that statement absolves them from their complaining and whinging about whatever. But, Americans in America are lovely. They are all assertive and articulate but in a good way, the message and the point comes across and there is no mistaking what is being said. This transcends all races and classes, the beggar on the street is just as articulately engaging as the suit wearing businessman. We could take a leaf out of the American education public speaking and annunciation curriculum, especially being a nation of mumblers ourselves!
American children are well bought up and polite. They open doors for their elders and let them pass, they actually smile at adults and acknowledge them if greeted. They stand for those who need a seat on public transport and offer their own….why are the majority of our kiwi kids so sullen and self absorbed instead of bright and engaging like their American counterparts. Rosie will tell you why…..we are a nation of ‘glass half empty’ peoples….Americans will have their glass half full and be more than happy with the quantity of that glass. Plus, the kids in America look like kids, no make up or slutty clothes, these kids on the whole are acting and looking their age. What a bunch of re refreshingly positive and upbeat people the Americans are.
Americans are fiercely loyal and patriotic. This is fantastic, especially in a country on the economic slippery slope of doom, no one is jumping ship, all truly believe that things will be better tomorrow and this is the best country in the world. Imagine if us Kiwis lost the World Cup…it doesn’t bare thinking about, every All Black would have been banished from the country….all TVs would be switched of in disgust and the international visiting teams sent home cause NZ had thrown a tanty. We are a nation of poor loser’s and little allegiance. Just look at the amount of flags on front porches as you drive through America, testament of a proud nation and one that will rise like the phoenix from the ashes.
Where are all the fat Americans? Rosie asked the Operator…..he said it was too hot and they were all inside….For a country that is ridiculed world wide for its obesity I can honestly say walking up the street in NZ you would see more fat people their than wherever we went in America. Rosie was looking forward to being the slim one….not on this holiday.
Tomorrow – Public Toilets.
hmmmm…not enough convincing evidence to support the theory of polite children in America…
I agree with the children. The last time I was in The states I was in Boston, and I saw 3 14-15 year old boys walking along when suddenly I heard one of them ask an older woman if she needed assistance with some boxes she was carrying. I didn't hear the whol conversation but I was sitting on a bench nearby and the young boys started to carry these big boxes from the boot of the old woman's car into a building. When she thanked them and they walked away, I smiled at one of them AND HE SAID HELLO TO MY HUSBAND AND I! This would be bizarre in th UK I think ha.