Comments on: Things About America I Didn’t Know While I Lived There

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:43:59 +0000

Service may be better in Asia, but it’s far worse in Europe than the US — particularly Eastern Europe. The waiters almost act insulted that you want to order from them.

By: Vietnam Hotel Travel

Vietnam Hotel Travel — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 15:20:09 +0000

Very interesting observation. I think I agree with you.

By: Nightazday

Nightazday — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 05:49:06 +0000

first time I heard a balanced report on the US

By: fuzzy

fuzzy — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:18:53 +0000

The Europeans are coming to introduce us to there way of life, god help us. Silly Students who stay here a month and now Have the misguided Idea, that they understand the United states and it’s people. Funny, Hey I watched east enders so I know all about London. There all a bunch of blue collar cockney dimwits cheating on there wives and getting pissed at the corner Pub.NY is an unsafe city? Funny lived here my whole life no problems, but hey you were here a week , so I will defiantly bow to your extensive in depth knowledge. I will say this one more time, stop believing what you see in Hollywood movies and then have the misguides idea, that you understand the USA.At least we would never tolerate a group of Muslim immigrants raping our women and beating the shit out of our citizens on our streets, Like you highly advanced Europeans..Look at how Sweden is dealing with the problem of Muslims beating there women in the streets, Oh that’s right, there not doing anything but running away. You take care of yourselves and well worry about us And for Gods sake stop whining about our Guns, you yellow bellied wimps. Maybe if you had a few Firearms you could handle getting beat up by your Muslim friends instead of crying your little eyes out.Will see how much balls you have when Putin’s new Russia comes rolling down to visit with you, or turns off the gas from there pipeline.Next time you get into a jam you our on your own.

By: Adriana

Adriana — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 05:33:18 +0000

great article!!
however, I think the points mentioned are relative… it depends what you compare with the US…
about food – I lived in the US fo 9 yrs and when I compare it to food in South America and SE Asia, I find it very expensive… plus – you can get amazing fruits and vegetables in Spain for cheap prices…
About the service – after living in Spain and Cyprus, I think the service in US is AMAZING! everyone is so nice and friendly compared to the two.
About transportation – it depends what city in the US you’re talking about… I lived in DC and the transportation system there is amazing!!! how ever in suburban areas it’s not… I’m living in Cyprus and the public transportation here is non-existent! miss the metro! ;)
I just came back from a trip to Egypt and was amazed that my cellphone worked in the middle of the desert…. and my cellphone in the US didn’t work in some cities I visited…
so, I guess it al depends what 2 places you compare…
love your blog!

By: Carlos

Carlos — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 02:46:05 +0000

Interesting, how you say service in the US is so bad. Did you notice that nearly all service jobs in US cities, are held by foreigners? With tips, a waitress in America makes more money than a journeyman machinist.

By: manyolk

manyolk — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 17:30:34 +0000

on the service tip: if you actually asked for that kind of treatment, or if people are feeling obliged to give it to you in order to keep you happy, have you ever considered that maybe you are a douchebag?

service in the US, from my experience goes like this: if you work with them, they work with you. if you’re high-maintenence, most people don’t want to be bothered by primadonnas. they are not making enough$$ to put up with that, and shouldn’t have to.

By: che

che — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:29:29 +0000

awesome awesome article, just want to go to japan for metro :P, here in Califronia Bay Area, metro(BART) goes 30 mph, but in Japan 180mph ? can’t believe i cant save lot of time. also stumbled.

By: Ted

Ted — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 03:36:42 +0000

“Joe”. Americans are conditioned to believe we are living in the best country God ever created and that might makes right. Granted, we have a lot of things going for us, but as the saying goes,”Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Our country was based on the right ideals of liberty and justice for all; but the credo has changed since WWII to “He who has the gold rules.” I have traveled extensively through Europe, the Americas, the Orient and Middle East and found good people and bad people in every place I’ve been. If you visit another country and make an attempt to understand their language and customs, more often than not you will be treated with respect, assisted and accomodated. If you arrive with a chip on your shoulder and act like the atypical ugly American you will be treated in kind. You might even disappear, but in your case it might strengthen the gene pool. I have shared meals with people who had little to offer, but offered their best. To refuse would have been akin to spitting in their face. The Romans begat the Crusaders and the USA is nothing less than the new Rome creating ill will and enemies at every turn. Rome fell and thanks to the Imbecile Bush and his puppeteers we are heading the same direction. If you can’t bring yourself to understand other cultures, you may want to at least learn a little culture (ie read a book without a centerfold or pictures to color) because the people you look down on today may well be the ones you are looking up to tomorrow. Case in point, China may well hold the note on your trailer since our debt to them is over a trillion and climbing, you’d better pray to God the people you disparage never call in their notes…..

By: Daniel Massicotte

Daniel Massicotte — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:02:20 +0000

Also: The toilets in the US are as good as it gets. Other countries have it much worse (i.e. squatting)