What do you like best about the USA?

The city of Boston

1) The people. All of the Americans that I have met personally have been pretty nice, decent sorts. Many have been quite fun and enjoyable to associate with. I have some distant relatives who are Americans.

2) The natural beauty of Alaska is...well...breathtaking!

3) They gave us Miles Davis.

sitcoms and its advances in technology which have made the world a smaller place.

The fact that we are close neighbours and that I don't live there to enjoy it!

Why is this anonymous?

too numerous to mention: i like the people here and i like the differing landscape and weather thruout the country.

All the wide open spaces. Only 2% of the USA can be classed as 'built up'. So there will be an infinite amount of places where there will be no people and loads of nature to look at.

The Bill of Rights is pretty admirable. Ask me what I dislike and I'd have a longer list! lol

The fact that all my friends live here. And the high standard of living.

The people I know there.

The fact that it's way over the other side of a big ocean.
Although the american comedies are so much better than ours methinks, with the exception of Fawlty Towers and The Pythons.

Justina and Twistermime

I like walking down windy San Francisco streets, people-watching. I like big, enormous bookstores where they always have what you're looking for. I like big, enormouse record stores where they always have what you're looking for. I like drugstores. I like cities by the bay. I like feeling thin, because there are so many fat people in the USA!!!

If you don't like something you can try to change it by voting on it. If you still can't change it you can move to another city or state where the thing you wanted changed is like you want it.

I don't live there, I live in Canada. I've never even been to the USA! What I will say, though, is I like how patriotic they seem to be. That's cool.

The Americans I met were very friendly and hospitable. But also very conservative.
I loved NYC, Chicago and New England. Hated Detroit.

Very Very Very Conservative. Especially the town I live in. It is a town of many German immigrants and I guess they were very conservative.

All the beautiful ladies.

Detroit is a nasty city. I have been there many times but never because I wanted to go.

the land is nice, i've been all over it.
the people in the little far out of the way places are cool and down to earth. i have met the most interesting folk in the little mountain towns and hillbilly villages.
also my favorite food is mexican
and you can find a mexican restaurant in just about any town in america

whats good about the world being a smaller place?

you musnt forgewt black adder and red dwarf!

It's where all my family members and friends live (well, except for my SC buddies who live in other countries). There are some really beautiful things to see in the U.S. I am familiar with the language and money. I am familiar with the politics and religions. I like the freedoms we have in the U.S. God Bless America!!!

I won't even try to be eloquent after my long harrowing days at work, but I LOVE AMERICA!
I'm grateful I was born here. I really am.

Aw shucks
*blushes*

My Mother doesn't live there.

The world first Hare Krishna temple was started there: http://www.radhagovinda.net/home.html

What's good about thinking that foreigners don't matter (earthquakes, hurricanes, wars, terrorist attacks) because we don't know much about them and they're so far away.

> I'm watching you!

and ASexyBabe !!

If you want to make successful business, USA is the place for you. The possibilities, the profits, the investors... all of them can be big.

Although being the big brother who interferes with the little brothers' lives, USA still is better a brother than USSR would've been if it had been USA that fell apart.

And most of you Americans seem to be very nice and warm people.

You're right, they're really good too.

lol

off the top of my head I'd have to say freedom of speech...

The 'U' part.

The large variety of ethnic groups in this country and in my city. I'm interested in various world cultures, music, etc.

It's a pity the ethnic spread isn't reflected in the dramas sent out to the rest of the world. Until September 11th, every single person I'd seen on the streets of New York had been white. That was because all I knew about it was from Sex and the City and The Sopranos. Then the news programmes went to NY and there wasn't a frame of all white people anywhere! Another of my misconceptions about the US down the pan (thank goodness)!

You can be white and have different ethinic backgrounds

The shopping? There are too many different parts of the US to decide.

I guess there is a discrepancy -- that is, a lot of ethnic groups live in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, and San Francisco -- some of the really large cities, more than others. I am from San Francisco and I absolutely delight in our Chinatown, which I live very close to. it is, I suppose, the largest Asian community outside of Asia (but New York's Chinatown is no doubt a very close second). Chinese New Year's is coming up, by the way, the Year of the Horse, sometime in February. There are a couple of street fairs and the big parade. I also especially thank the state of Louisiana for giving the world Cajun and Zydeco music (and food...)

Go away Mum!!!!!!

I've never been there.

I guess she meant ethnicities without seemingly "Caucasian" origins. But in the end, you can't see if they have some or not either can you. I believe there could be much less racism in the U.S. if people really understood how common it is to have, for instance, native American ancestry (like rather many of the SC users seem to have, too). Of course nearly no one admits being a racist nowadays...

the irony

uh, ok

Yeah, but only the white backgrounds seem to be represented on US import tv here.

I wasn't even talking Caucasian - I was only referring to people of Western-European appearance because they're the only ones who make it onto my tv screen in US tv shows.

huh, I wonder why?

It could be inherent racism. Or, more likely I think, the writers/producers/casters may have grown up in a less mixed society so when they have an image of a charcter in their mind, it's white. I do that when I read books - unless someone has an Asian name, they're white until the text says otherwise. I think that's because the first 16 years of my life I went to schools where *everyone* was white. There were 180 kids in my year at secondary school - maybe 2 or 3 weren't white. Now I go to a much more mixed school - half my Chemistry class are Asians and I can see much more clearly when places are all white. But it doesn't change my early - white - view of the world

One of the things I'm worried about going to Oxford for - I'm concerned that I'll end up in a mostly-white society again. There were a lot of people who weren't white when I went to interview but I don't know how many people got places. It's probably racist to say i want to go somewhere I can mix with people from lots of different backgrounds - but I can really see it's value since |I started my current school. After a bit, you stop seeing the colour any other way than you might think "Oh, she's got black hair" It's nice

Everything

Freedom of speech, the constitution, the people, the comedy (which has drastically improved from the status of 'crap'in the 80's)the variety of consumer goods available, the way the US government fights for Americans first.

My friends that I left when I moved back to Australia. I miss them!

I live in it. I love my country.I love my home town(Honolulu) I love California,the people here are so laid back,the beaches are beautiful,the food is fantastic!

Do you still live in San Francisco? & whay do you like the Chinese new year? Where you born in the year of the Horse?

Yes I still live in San Francisco. Some of the reasons I like Chinese New Year: it's ethnic, noisy (lots of fireworks), and crowded. I just naturally like big outdoor celebrations (like street fairs, Carnaval/Mardi Gras) where people can come and go as they wish, walk around, visit booths and other attractions; there's lots of good stuff to eat, and various things/people to look at. The parade itself I'd prefer to watch on TV instead of in person, however, 'cause I'm short and it's hard for me to see over peoples' heads. I have always liked Chinatown anyway -- the food especially. I live nearby and shop there often. The food is cheaper in many cases, especially for produce, than in supermarkets. I was not born in the Year of the Horse. I think it was the Year of the Monkey. I would have preferred to be born in the Year of the Snake (just about to be over -- was 2001) because I like snakes.

1/15 9:10pm
Your relatively new here aren't you?? I'd like to say welcome to the SC community.How long have you been here?I'm kinda new myself.February makes a year for me.

I live in Murrieta,in the county of Riverside.That's between Los Angeles & San Diego.


When we lived in Long Beach,my husband & I would take our kids to China Town in L.A.,to celebrate the Chinese New Year.We'd make a night of it by having dinner & watch the Dragon & the Lion dance.One year,an old Chinese man,let my then 5 year old son,play with some fireworks.He was so jazzed by that.We haven't gone for the past 8 years,cause it's just too far to drive,now.My son is now 18 & has showed some interest in wanting to go again.I'm thinking 'bout it.

BTW do you happen to know when the Chinese New Year begins this year??I don't have a calendar stating the day,so I'm kinda clueless this year.I love Chinese New Year!The food,the custom,the fireworks,the parade,the people,the excitment.I love it all!!Mostly because,it's part of my heritage.

I was born in September 1952,the year of the Dragon.My husband is the year of the Snake,December 1953.There's never a dull moment in our house hold.I think Monkey people are so cool! Their so clever & witty & a bit of a tease at times.

Yes I am new to SC -- couple of weeks I think. Thank you for your Welcome. I am not sure when Chinese New Year's begins here; the person I talked to last in a Chinatown store last week was not sure either. When I lived in Los Angeles in the '70s, their Chinatown was not very big. When I go shopping in Chinatown next, I will try to find out when exactly New Year's is, including the parade day. Last time there was a Year of the Dragon I got this little red stuffed Dragon, a couple of feet long, at one of the booths.

1/17 4:58pm
I love Dragons!!!!! I have a collection,of all sorts of different medias of dragons.But yeah,the Chinatown in L.A. IS small.But the food is great! The Honolulu Chinatown,is small also & VERY old.I miss it.

I called a friend of mine in Long Beach today,& his friend is Vietnamese.He told me the Year of the Horse begins,February 12th.Again Welcome to SC & have fun here.

I've seen little bits of New York's Chinatown on TV cooking shows before and I'm impressed with this one too. Would like to visit it.

1/18 7:37pm
Yeah me too Just for the FOOD alone!! I cook quite a few Chinese dishes.Also Japanese dishes too.My father ws an excellent cook,he had to be......my mom couldn't cook for beans(cept a few easy stuff)As you'll see on SC,I'm the FOOD aholic.

I have this talented neighbor who's a very good cook; he has a couple of woks and does a great job with Chinese. I do the shopping in Chinatown for various ingredients, like a certain rice wine for cooking, chili paste, sesame oil, oyster-flavored sauce... We used to be regulars at a restaurant in downtown SF called "China Moon." The owner, the late, great Barbara Tropp (knew her personally), lived in China for a while when younger, studying Chinese poetry I think, and cooking, then came to SF and opened this wonderful little restaurant (mid-'80s). Her books are "The China Moon Cookbook" and "The Modern Art of Chinese Cooking" -- your library might have them -- check them out if you can. As for Japanese -- ARGHHHH -- how I love Japanese food too. I am a foodaholic too. There is this great little place a couple blocks away called "Sanraku" which I go to once in a while. My favorites are maguro, unagi, tempera, and miso soup, but I have never tasted a sushi (or other Japanese dish) that I did not like! Neither of my parents nor my sister were interested in food or cooking; I became a foodie later in life...

Why haven't you tried sushi? It's great with wasabi & soy.I can make a meal out of just that with just hot rice.I LOVE Japanese food,it's the Best!! I was raised in a household,where my dad did nothing but Chinese cooking.So I'm kinda burned out on that.But if it wasn't for his cooking I wouldn't know how to cook at all.My mom made a killer sweet sour spare ribs (Hawaiian style) on rare occasions.I miss that.I was brought up on a lot of local Hawaiian,Chinese,Japanese,Filipino,Korean & Portuguese foods.Okay I'm home sick now.

What I was saying, actually, is that I have never had any sushi that I DID NOT LIKE. Meaning that I have so far liked everything!! Aha - so you're from Hawaii? Do you still live there? I used to want to live in Hawaii when I was a kid. Have you ever heard any ancient Hawaiian chants? I have liked this stuff since I was a little kid. Anyway, I've not actually been to Hawaii but know a fair amount about its history, etc. 'cause my good friend/neighbor is from there, AND I've had an attraction for various Hawaiian things since childhood. Yes, I've tried poi. It's okay. I've also had the rest of the foods you mention, and am especially fond of Portuguese food.

Sunday 6:52pm
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh! I see! & here I thought you ment,that you DIDN'T like sushi. **hits herself in the forehead** What a dingbat I am!

Ummm no,I don't I live in Hawaii anymore.I was born(9/6/52)& raised there tho.When I met my then boyfriend,now husband,we moved to southern California in 1977,& have been here ever since.We're down in Riverside county,in a city called Murrieta.How 'bout you? Do you actually LIVE in & around San Francisco's Chinatown? Or on the out skirts?

We go back home to Hawaii,every so often,when finances permit.Since I've lived here,my family & I have attended many Hawaiian Festivals in around our area. Most are,during the month of July & September.
One of my cousins(who recently passed away,in Feb of last year)used to be one of the islands,leading"Kumu Hula"instrustors.He did a lot ancient hula chants.

Hey! If you like that kind of stuff( like spooky stories) go here: http://www.chickenskin.com it has a lot of creepy old Hawaiian stories & ledgens.

BTW did you like the poi when you treid it??My husband likes it & he's a hoale(that's anybody who's of european decent) Whenever my family & friends visit me,I always demand that they bring me some poi & dried aku(tuna jerky Hawaiian style)Ask your friend/neighbor about that.As for portuguese food,I just made one of those nationality dishes,3 nights ago.Dang I 'm good!!Cept minus the portuguese sausage,which would have made it even better. They don't have good sausages here,so I usually have to have it mailed to me with dry ice.

What nationally are you? I'm Hawaiian,Chinese,Scotch,Irish & Kiowa Indian.My husband is Italian,Irish & Dutch.

That it can be nuked into oblivion... or taken over by a foreign power of sex-crazed lesbian amazons who then elect Mandy for supreme tzarina.

I actually live a few blocks from SF's Chinatown and frequently shop there and go to the Chinatown branch of the library.
I think they should sell some of those Hawaiian hula festivals on videotape. Why is it that if a person who does not live in the area where a festival is held (for example, the Hawaiian festivals and the annual Carnaval in Rio) it is so very difficult to get a videotape of it? Especially when the people who live there can easily get it. I wish there'd be more "international shopping centers" on the Web where you could get stuff like local videos, and other things not readily available in the usual US shops, from other countries without actually having to travel there. I thought poi was okay -- not crazy about it but it didn't strike me as the most yucky thing I'd ever eaten either! -- and I probably could've got used to it okay. There used to be a Hawaiian restaurant here (in the North Beach neighborhood of SF) years ago but I don't know of any now. There should be.

I've got Portuguese ancestry, plus other Western European, i.e., English, Scotch, Spanish, Irish, that I know of, plus may have a bit of Native American (don't know what tribe though).

Oops -- almost forgot, some French-Canadian ancestry also.

Here are some Hawiian type web sites that might help you find some videos of Hawaii.& or hula festival videos.If you tap the Aloha World web site,scroll down,on the left you will see some cute little colorful islands,scroll down till you see "Lost Ohana Album" island(the 5th island),click that,& when you get in there,(the "lost ohana album"),scroll down till you see the name AVALON & click on it,you'll be able to see what my husband & I look like. This web site is SOOOOOOOO colorful!!!!

http://www.alohaworld.com
http://www.e-Hawaii.com

Oh darn! I'm looking at back of a Hawaiian calendar,that my daughter sent to me,& I thought that it had a web site,to them. But,it doesn't. Bummer! cause it has some cool videos in it.

You might also want to try the Hawaiian newspaper there.Im not sure if the 1st one is correct.check it out,any way,& let me know.Okay?

http://www.starbulletin.com
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com

I've also tapped a Chinatown web site.Pretty interesting!But I have to look for the site again.

Thanks for the Hawaiian Websites URLs. Will check them out soon.

Ohhhh -- What great sites those two Hawaiian Websites are! They are both very well done. There are some good recipes too. Y'know what I really like most is the JOKES feature on e-hawaii.com. This is so hilarious!! There are so many funny ones. They are not offensive in the least to me (and I am also somewhat familiar with pidgin, and definitely familiar with the various ethnic groups that live in this fascinating state!) By the way, cool picture! I have just recommended the sites to a couple friends. Thanks again!

Yeah! I thought you'd like it!! Isn't it so colorful? I love it.

Ohhhhh,so you went a step further & clicked on the Ono recipes "island" huh? Good for you! I've experimented with many of the recipes already,so I highly recommend them to you.The desserts are Da Best! I've put on so much weight since,I've click on that island,you can't believe!!!I try not to click on that island anymore,cause just reading the recipes alone,makes me leave the computer(& I DON'T leave my puter,unless it's absolutely necessary)to find something to cook.

I'm so happy that you decided to actually cruise the site.The 1st island "Pacific Expressions"is were you can send free Hawaiian style E-cards.

The 3rd island "Hawaiian Events" show you were & when some cool stuff are happening in your area.Festivals etc.

The "Mainland Websites"island,is worth checking into,for local stlye eateries & other food related things.(my personal favorite,besides Ono Recipes

Also,the 6th island "Hunabuddah Days" is written by my cousin "Kamaka Brown" His dad & my dad are brothers. There's some cool & tender childhood stories in there.When you have the time,you gotta read them.Their pretty cool.One of them was about our grand parents house in Waimea.It's very well written.

Be sure you visit the "Lost Ohana Album" again & this time,put your picture on the site.(I didn't have a scanner at the time,so I mailed the picture in,& they put it on there.)Least you'll have a url so people can click to see your picture.

& last but,not least,while your in the "Lost Ohana Album",scroll all the way to the bottom,& click "Guest Book",then scroll down till you see,"Sign the Guest Book" & sign in.

I gotta agree with you,that e-hawaii,does have some of the funniest jokes.I turned my family on,to the JOKES there & they cracked up!They couldn't stop laughing.Me either. & like you it helps to be proficiant in Pidgin. Read the "E branic"joke. Well actually,like you said,they're all funmny!

So glad to hear that you also recommend the site to some friends too! Cool! What did your friend/next door neighbor think of it? Happy surfing!

My neighbor visited some of the site and liked it. He's proficient in pidgin. I told him three of the jokes I could remember and he loved 'em. Well, you've just turned all of Surveycentral on to these sites, especially with your last reply to me. I don't know yet if my other friend has found the time I told her to especially check the jokes out. She just informed me she too was born in Hawaii.

Fri 12:30pm
Yeah,it IS a cool site!! I love it!
Does your friend,visit Survey Central as well? BTW where was your friend born & raised in Hawaii? Tell her to click my picture & caption here:

http://www.alohaworld.com/lostohana/avalon.htm

When you go back to Aloha World,the next time,
click on the Aloha World Forum (island)
scroll down to Message Board,click that.It will shoot you into a screen that says Delphi forum/aloha world forum
sign in (set it up,it's easy & cost nothing)
a commercial will come on,giving you an option.
Either one of the options when clicked,will shoot you into the next screen,
scroll down & on the left,under "Recent Discussions"
scroll down & on the left,click "Eh Ralph"
that will shoot you into a list "Local Kine Humor"
click that & have fun reading more local jokes.

I'm still looking for the Chinatown link for you.That also,is a very cool site.My personal favorite is reading the Chinese calendar year signs & their traits.The Chinese customs link,makes for very interesting & informative reading. I have a feeling,that you'll enjoy that too.
When I find that site again,I'll get back to you.However it'll have to be,later on today.
Till then have a great Aloha Friday!

12:45pm
Oh darn!! I just tried tapping the Chicken Skin site & it was wrong!!!! Sorry 'bout that. Here's the correct addy:

http://www.chicken-skin.com

click that NOW it's so cool!

western US has lower population than many other places