Country Discussion: USA

[Walken]

Am currently in Arkansas visiting good friends who have moved out here from the uk.

Lots of the stereotypes of southern US Bible Belt ring true - but have also been struck by incredible kindness and politeness, superb service and absolutely stunning unspoilt countryside and the opportunity to do stuff that would cost hundreds to do in the uk - or just be impossible because of the crap weather.

Today we got taken out on a boat on Beaver Lake and the water was warmer than the swimming pools at home. We swam, tubed, cruised, ate and drank in the sun all day. Then went to a fried chicken place which works “family style”.

There’s no menu choices. They just bring soup, mash, greens, bread and fried chicken to your table until you’re full, with refillable soft drinks constantly topped up.
Fantastic!

The other day we floated down the Elk River on canoes and kayaks and never saw another soul. Water so clear you could see loads of fish swimming clearly.

It’s just amazing out here.
Obviously there’s the gun stuff and gas-guzzling trucks, but when you come here and see the terrain and the wildlife (there are deer walking around in “urban”residential streets) you kind of get sense of why country folk are so into their guns and hunting etc.

Anyway - having a fantastic time and it’s definitely changing my long-held perspectives a bit

I'm not sure seeing beautiful wildlife would trigger a desire for hunting and guns myself, but each to their own. Enjoy yourself mate

 

[twoblue]

There's probably a dozen or so countries in the world that I have absolutely no desire to ever visit. Iraq and El Salvador would be two, USA would be another.

Absolutely no desire to go there

Spent 18 month in Midwest America. There are pockets of America worth a visit. Chicago, New York, and San Diego genuinely amazing places, great bars, special vibe.
Most other places full of weak minded f-wits who base the running of their country based on what there Pastor tells them them about abortion.
Also been to El Salvador… wouldn’t go back in a hurry

 

[twoblue]

Am currently in Arkansas visiting good friends who have moved out here from the uk.

Lots of the stereotypes of southern US Bible Belt ring true - but have also been struck by incredible kindness and politeness, superb service and absolutely stunning unspoilt countryside and the opportunity to do stuff that would cost hundreds to do in the uk - or just be impossible because of the crap weather.

Today we got taken out on a boat on Beaver Lake and the water was warmer than the swimming pools at home. We swam, tubed, cruised, ate and drank in the sun all day. Then went to a fried chicken place which works “family style”.

There’s no menu choices. They just bring soup, mash, greens, bread and fried chicken to your table until you’re full, with refillable soft drinks constantly topped up.
Fantastic!

The other day we floated down the Elk River on canoes and kayaks and never saw another soul. Water so clear you could see loads of fish swimming clearly.

It’s just amazing out here.
Obviously there’s the gun stuff and gas-guzzling trucks, but when you come here and see the terrain and the wildlife (there are deer walking around in “urban”residential streets) you kind of get sense of why country folk are so into their guns and hunting etc.

Anyway - having a fantastic time and it’s definitely changing my long-held perspectives a bit

The “oh my god your from England” conversations soon run thin. Not much depth of conversation. And trying to explain why the nhs is a good thing and not a communist throw back was bordline crazy. A whole nation told and retold that they were the best at everything in school, films, tv and news. A nation wide circle jerk.
Arkenas is an unusual Place to move. What’s made them go out there?

 

[Jamo Martinez]

I like the respect they show for their armed forces, I worked with them a lot when I was in the RAF and they are ridiculously loyal to their country and I think it's down to that respect. Most Americans I've met have been incredibly polite, and the spread they put on for 4th Jul and Thanksgiving is ridiculous.

San Diego is one of the best places I've ever been and could easily live there. The gun laws are crazy but I can't see that ever changing.

Overall, they're good people.

Far too many veterans having a hard time. Could it be they only respect them while they carry a gun? Same could certainly be said of UK. probably most countries so I don't want to single out the US.

Agree with the rest.

Never been there but the Americans I've met have all been lovely people.

 

[Chewbacca]

I'm not sure seeing beautiful wildlife would trigger a desire for hunting and guns myself, but each to their own. Enjoy yourself mate

Indeed, buy a camera and shoot the wildlife that way

 

[LEONARD]

The deep South, a country within a country.

Meet the White family, God bless them.

 

[Hogwild]

….only done the Disney Florida and New York tourist things but enjoyed it lots.

My concern about America is how a large portion of Americans love Trump.

Believe me, this concerns a lot of us too. (and not just democrats, I’m a republican who would never in a million years actually vote for that narcissistic disaster of a person)

I mean, the first time I guess I can give some people a pass. He obviously was an idiot, but we all make mistakes I suppose.

The second time, after seeing what an absolute disaster he was in office, was very hard to comprehend.

Now the fact that some are excited about a third run is unfathomable.

(I will say I really wish the alternative was not an octogenarian who very frequently has a frighteningly blank stare - the man is not up to the job)

Most of us, I think, wonder how we got from Obama v Romney in 2012 to the potential of Biden v Trump 2 in 2024…..sigh

 

[lurky]

I'm not sure seeing beautiful wildlife would trigger a desire for hunting and guns myself, but each to their own. Enjoy yourself mate

Yeah I get that too. It’s not for me. I do think a lot of it is less about trophy hunting and more about pest control/defence for some too. Admittedly probably not the majority

 

[lurky]

The “oh my god your from England” conversations soon run thin. Not much depth of conversation. And trying to explain why the nhs is a good thing and not a communist throw back was bordline crazy. A whole nation told and retold that they were the best at everything in school, films, tv and news. A nation wide circle jerk.
Arkenas is an unusual Place to move. What’s made them go out there?

I’ve had lots of conversations and not one of them has been that way tbh - but I guess I’ve had the advantage of being introduced to people who already know my English friends - so that novelty value has already worn off for those people and they have genuine friendships and interest.

My friend works for Walmart, which is based in Bentonville, home of the Walton family. He used to work for ASDA in the uk and moved over to Walmart shortly before they sold ASDA.

It’s a slightly unusual town compared to other Arkansas towns as it has many people moving in from around the globe to work at the company. There’s a growing Indian community here which is introducing cricket to the area!

 

[Eggs]

Believe me, this concerns a lot of us too. (and not just democrats, I’m a republican who would never in a million years actually vote for that narcissistic disaster of a person)

…regardless of your political persuasion, you hope those in high public office have high moral values and standards. We’ve never seen things as low over here with Boris Johnson and this Conservative Government but Trump is at an even lower level.

It’s a major concern if Trump re-elected to the most powerful politician position on the planet.

 

[Hogwild]

Yeah I get that too. It’s not for me. I do think a lot of it is less about trophy hunting and more about pest control/defence for some too. Admittedly probably not the majority

I think the stats are something like 30 percent of Americans own a gun and 5 percent hunt. Hunting, or the guns used for hunting, doesn’t cause our problem. It’s the other guns (handguns, ar 15s and the like) that are the problem.

I personally don’t care if you want to have a shotgun or hunting rifle, but the others are only gonna cause trouble.

 

[Hogwild]

I’ve had lots of conversations and not one of them has been that way tbh - but I guess I’ve had the advantage of being introduced to people who already know my English friends - so that novelty value has already worn off for those people and they have genuine friendships and interest.

My friend works for Walmart, which is based in Bentonville, home of the Walton family. He used to work for ASDA in the uk and moved over to Walmart shortly before they sold ASDA.

It’s a slightly unusual town compared to other Arkansas towns as it has many people moving in from around the globe to work at the company. There’s a growing Indian community here which is introducing cricket to the area!

Biased of course ‘cause I went to school there (Woo Pig @RAFUH), but northwest Arkansas is a beautiful place.

I live on the surface of the sun in Houston now, but would love to get back to NWA someday. (Houston’s diversity is wonderful, but it is just too hot, too busy and has too many people for me)

 

[lurky]

I think the stats are something like 30 percent of Americans own a gun and 5 percent hunt. Hunting, nor the guns used for hunting, doesn’t cause our problem. It’s the other guns (handguns, ar 15s and the like) that are the problem.

I personally don’t care if you want to have a shotgun or hunting rifle, but the others are only gonna cause trouble.

Yeah. It’s blindingly obvious the regulations needs to change and the stubbornness about it is hard to get your head around from a UK perspective.

All I’m saying is that having seen the “lay of the land” over here now in person and how different life is, it makes a little bit more sense to me.

I must say - while I’ve seen loads of guns and hunting gear in shops and lots of people wearing clothes that make clear that they are 99.9% certain to be gun owners, I’m over a week in here and I’ve not seen a single civilian with an actual gun on display. People must be concealing well if they’re carrying

 

[lurky]

Biased of course ‘cause I went to school there (Woo Pig @RAFUH), but northwest Arkansas is a beautiful place.

I live on the surface of the sun in Houston now, but would love to get back to NWA someday. (Houston’s diversity is wonderful, but it is just too hot, too busy and has too many people for me)

It really is stunning. And we’ve been into Missouri a few times which is also lovely, the bits I’ve seen - Elk River especially

 

[Hogwild]

Yeah. It’s blindingly obvious the regulations needs to change and the stubbornness about it is hard to get your head around from a UK perspective.

All I’m saying is that having seen the “lay of the land” over here now in person and how different life is, it makes a little bit more sense to me.

I must say - while I’ve seen loads of guns and hunting gear in shops and lots of people wearing clothes that make clear that they are 99.9% certain to be gun owners, I’m over a week in here and I’ve not seen a single civilian with an actual gun on display. People must be concealing well if they’re carrying

I blame you lot…apparently the one successful revolution has led many to believe we might want/need to do it again someday.

Lived here 49 years, 43 of them in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas (the othe 6 in New Jersey just 10 miles from NYC) and can count on one hand he number of times I have seen a gun in a public place (not counting police).