11 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Did you bother reading who I responded to? I doubt it. I'm not defending anything, I am saying for a US citizen to say he won't step foot in the US for risk of whatever his bizzaro mind conjures up, that is being a drama queen.

I really am beginning to wonder if Trump fans can read. I was home all May for my daughters wedding in Big Sur. Did a road trip to the Grand Canyon and Sedona as well. Wonderful but very expensive trip home. Luckily I did not set foot in a Wallmart. Trump is okay by the way, maybe put some anger back in the bottle. 

13 hours ago, marin said:

Such an empathetic guy you are. Pity you dont take the time to think about those in America in the hospitality and travel business. Tourists coming to America is off over 15% and its just going to get worse. Europeans, Asians other than Indians, and Canadians are giving it a miss. Expensive, and dangerous. Thanks Donald you are taking the greatest country in the world apart piece by peace without even having a clue. 

Who cares, its not thailand and not reliant on mass tourism

It's hardly reflective of US as a whole but when I went to NYC in May, on business, I did feel the CBP/TSA folk were being unusually unfriendly. Mind you, I did fly into Newark, which is third-world in many respects.

 

After queueing for an hour at Immigration it was rapid fire unsmiling questions 'why are you here', 'what does your business do', 'what is the name of your company' - all reasonable questions for an immigration officer to ask but the guy's attitude was borderline hostile, not just formal / business like. Previous trips I've usually got a 'have a good day' but not this time.

 

Maybe he didn't like Brits or had a bad day. But when the tone from the top is 'you have the power - use it', sadly not uncommon for a lot of people in uniform to let that go to their heads.

 

57 minutes ago, angryguy said:

Who cares, its not thailand and not reliant on mass tourism

 

You obviously are unaware of the importance of  tourism in the US economy.Tourism provides;

-+3% of US  GDP

- 4% of overall employment

- One of the most important employment oppoertunities for uneducated and unskilled  labor.

-  In 2024, international visitors spent $286 billion in the U.S. Historically, travel has run a large trade surplus, with foreign visitors spending more in the U.S. than Americans spent abroad.

- 50% of  the US international visitors come from Canada and Mexico. They are staying away in droves now.

 

The takeaway is that the US tourism market is taking a hit and one that will only get worse.

3 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

You obviously are unaware of the importance of  tourism in the US economy.Tourism provides;

-+3% of US  GDP

- 4% of overall employment

- One of the most important employment oppoertunities for uneducated and unskilled  labor.

-  In 2024, international visitors spent $286 billion in the U.S. Historically, travel has run a large trade surplus, with foreign visitors spending more in the U.S. than Americans spent abroad.

- 50% of  the US international visitors come from Canada and Mexico. They are staying away in droves now.

 

The takeaway is that the US tourism market is taking a hit and one that will only get worse.

Point being the US govt doesnt have to kiss the worlds ass like thailands politicians. USA doesnt need anyone else. Keep them out

18 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Good for me. Last year, Japan was a real bargain. Hope to go again this year after the summer heat goes away. Seems slightly pricier this year, but still good value compared to what it used to be like for tourists like me.

Definitely good for you.  And FYI, it is still hotter than Satan's taint here- 39 degrees today where I am! Might want to wait until November- the fall colours can be spectacular in the mountains.

 

Tourism here is at all time highs, but to be honest the locals are having very mixed feelings about it.  Japanese have rather high pride, they like people to come and enjoy their culture/history, but at the same time bridle at the idea of their country being treated as some kind of theme park.  

 

Plus they are rather picky about social mores and norms.  People who don't understand or follow "the rules" are viewed with disdain. Tourists who are used to the "cutting loose" style of tourism like many practise in Thailand are not wanted. 

4 hours ago, angryguy said:

USA doesnt need anyone else. Keep them out

Did you know the old rock band Jethro Tull, you should as you fit their biggest hit to a T. Thick As a Brick. Yeah we will just go it alone with Donnie boy at the helm and RFK junior riding shotgun.  

4 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

- 50% of  the US international visitors come from Canada and Mexico. They are staying away in droves now.

 

Hmm. 🤔 I wonder why?

9 hours ago, Hanaguma said:

Definitely good for you.  And FYI, it is still hotter than Satan's taint here- 39 degrees today where I am! Might want to wait until November- the fall colours can be spectacular in the mountains.

 

Tourism here is at all time highs, but to be honest the locals are having very mixed feelings about it.  Japanese have rather high pride, they like people to come and enjoy their culture/history, but at the same time bridle at the idea of their country being treated as some kind of theme park.  

 

Plus they are rather picky about social mores and norms.  People who don't understand or follow "the rules" are viewed with disdain. Tourists who are used to the "cutting loose" style of tourism like many practise in Thailand are not wanted. 

 

A visit to Tokyo's Shinjuku, Kabukichō and Akihabara districts will quickly disprove the idea of rigid social mores and norms.  😄

That being said, they leave the fire extinguishers that are on the street corners alone and still respect pedestrian crossing signals and will give wallets and jewellery found on the street to the police. Try leaving  a fire extinguisher out on a US city corner.

On 8/31/2025 at 7:50 PM, EVENKEEL said:

Such a drama queen. How about you tell the truth and say you can't afford it.

Last trip was one month. Into Atlanta - Disneyworld-St. Augustine/Kennedy Space Center-Savannah-Charleston-Montecello-Williamsburg /Jamestowne and DC for final week flying back from there. Pity my Thai Wife & Stepdaughter trapped driving with Papa being a retired Professor of History filling in the background as they toured, including White House and Capitol tours. All in $19,000.00 usd. You are correct to assume I am retired in a lower cost country due to having a sustainable monthly budget of $2400.00 usd ($1604 of that from SS). You can leave off the personal "drama queen" comments ... I block those who wish to insult others ... 78 and educated, I have no time for such.

1 hour ago, Wrwest said:

Last trip was one month. Into Atlanta - Disneyworld-St. Augustine/Kennedy Space Center-Savannah-Charleston-Montecello-Williamsburg /Jamestowne and DC for final week flying back from there. Pity my Thai Wife & Stepdaughter trapped driving with Papa being a retired Professor of History filling in the background as they toured, including White House and Capitol tours. All in $19,000.00 usd. You are correct to assume I am retired in a lower cost country due to having a sustainable monthly budget of $2400.00 usd ($1604 of that from SS). You can leave off the personal "drama queen" comments ... I block those who wish to insult others ... 78 and educated, I have no time for such.

Sounds like a wonderful trip. 4 months back I took my kid back to US with me. Landed in Ca. flew to NYC for a week, saw all the sights including a day trip to WDC, train to Buffalo for Niagra falls, rented a car and drove back to Calif, saw the sights. Good times in the USA.

 

You said earlier you won't go back to US with Trump in office because you're afraid of being arrested. that statement was worthy of "Drama Queen" comment.

 

 

A personal attack was removed. Please be nice to each other. Thank you.

 

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