Observations on America in Denver, Colorado, USA
Randi Sinisi asked me what things in America are most notable to someone who has been living abroad for 3 years plus. My immediate answer was the overwhelming tendency for Americans to speak loudly about themselves: "I think . . .," "I said . . . " & "I want . . . ."
Next, Americans are most educated consumers on the planet. And I don't mean the education that one achieves in school or in life. This is the education of TV commercials, radio sound bites and sales pitches. Why does a young single mother know vast amounts of information about every 4-wheel-drive SUV on the market, including which ones are built on which chassies, which production lines Ford has created (and what years they stopped) and what features are available on every GMC? People have vast stores of information about calling plans and insurance deductibles. We are educated consumers of products and services. But most American can't locate Delaware on a map (except for half the people who live in Delaware) and have no idea what the European Union is and which countries might be in such a group.
I have long marveled how much Americans identify themselves with the brand names they sport, and in which stores they shop, as if these things define a person's soul. Most Europeans notice this and try to avoid it.
In addition to those big items, I notice that in America, both people on a cell-phone conversation are paying for their minutes. In other countries, to the best of my knowledge, the recipient of a phone call does not pay (unless perhaps when roaming in a different country).
It's almost impossible to live without a car in this country.
We still dominated the trivia game at Hemingway's. 107 points out of a maximum 120. I think the second place team had 70 points.
Next, Americans are most educated consumers on the planet. And I don't mean the education that one achieves in school or in life. This is the education of TV commercials, radio sound bites and sales pitches. Why does a young single mother know vast amounts of information about every 4-wheel-drive SUV on the market, including which ones are built on which chassies, which production lines Ford has created (and what years they stopped) and what features are available on every GMC? People have vast stores of information about calling plans and insurance deductibles. We are educated consumers of products and services. But most American can't locate Delaware on a map (except for half the people who live in Delaware) and have no idea what the European Union is and which countries might be in such a group.
I have long marveled how much Americans identify themselves with the brand names they sport, and in which stores they shop, as if these things define a person's soul. Most Europeans notice this and try to avoid it.
In addition to those big items, I notice that in America, both people on a cell-phone conversation are paying for their minutes. In other countries, to the best of my knowledge, the recipient of a phone call does not pay (unless perhaps when roaming in a different country).
It's almost impossible to live without a car in this country.
We still dominated the trivia game at Hemingway's. 107 points out of a maximum 120. I think the second place team had 70 points.