Mrs Xangsamhua and I have just returned from a three-week trip to the US and Taipei. The core purpose was for her and her Australia-based younger brother to visit their older brother in Coshocton, Ohio (near Columbus). They hadn't seen him for 37 years. After the Coshocton reunion, we visited Washington DC and New York before flying back to LA and then Taipei.

I was impressed with the US and the American people we met. I think there is still plenty of energy among the people. Despite 9/11 (yes, we did visit the memorial), Americans do not strike me as people who have become cynical about human efforts to make their country and beyond a better place.

I also had a strong sense that America was all around me. I know there are many empty spaces in the US, but I had a sense that it was a country full of people and cities and towns, unlike Australia, my homeland, which is a mainly empty continent with a few cities strung out around the coastlines with hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles of nothing much between them. America is nicely filled in – a few mega cities and lots and lots of moderately sized ones. This may seem an odd sort of observation to Americans and Europeans (perhaps not Canadians), but to me the sense of isolation and distance in Australia makes me wonder sometimes if my country is a 'real' country at all, rather than just a few settlements on the margins of a hostile land.

The only complaint we have about the US, and I think it’s the same for most travelers there, both citizens and non-citizens, is the amount of security screening one has to go through at airports. I understand the reason for it, but it is still intimidating to be lined up, removing articles of clothing and anything metallic while being yelled at by TSA officials. I’m not sure why they had to yell at everyone to keep them moving; it was pretty clear from the signs what we all had to do. Mrs X was particularly incensed to find her checked-in suitcase on the JFK-LAX flight had been opened by TSA (Transportation Security Administration) and the lock broken and thrown away (it was not a TSA-approved one). She felt that if they wanted to open her case, they should have done it in front of her. I believe that is what is done in Australia, and she will be writing to TSA to suggest that.

Anyway, a few impressions follow. I would be interested to know if Americans think these impressions have any validity or if they just reflect the naivety of the two-week tourist.

1. There's still a lot of energy and patriotic spirit there.

2. Americans are generally polite and helpful.

3. Ethnic diversity is the norm in the cities - LA, DC and NYC - but not in the towns (e.g. Coshocton and nearby places we went to). LA, in particular, is heavily Hispanic and, to a lesser extent, Asian. Washington outside the official centre is largely Black. New York is a mixture of everything.

4. There are heaps of churches, especially in Ohio, which is full of fundamentalist and evangelical churches with names like Greater Christ Temple Apostolic, Bible Holiness, Victory Center Pentecostal, Overcomers Christian Center, Abundant Life Assembly, Acts of faith Community Crusade, and so on - such a bizarre variety. You can see why presidential candidates have to do what they can to capture the evangelical vote. It's a big one.

5. Americans, I’m sad to say, are gluttonous. I think this is a real issue for them. Their appetites and the food services that cater for them are out of control. We've never seen such grossly over-large portions of food and drink; it's no wonder that so many Americans are seriously and visibly obese (30% of applicants to the US military are rejected for being overweight.)

6. US television is probably no worse than anywhere else, but they do seem to have an awful lot of commercials, and most of them are promoting unhealthy food and beverages or medications and pharmaceuticals for every possible ailment, including the effects of too much consumption of unhealthy food and beverages. Having said that, "Dancing with the Stars" is a really good program, featuring fit and graceful people.

7. Presidential campaigns are far too stretched out. Everyone's sick of them and the media know that - in fact they report the campaign fatigue of the average voter - but every move and every word of the President and Governor Romney is reported and discussed on TV every night and every morning.

On our open-top tour bus in New York the guide asked the passengers if we liked New York. "Yes" we all shouted enthusiastically. He then asked if we'd move there to live. "No" we all said more quietly. That's how I feel after this trip. I really liked the States, but I wouldn't move there, and probably won't visit again. Our 14 year-old niece, however, loved it and I'm sure she'd love to go to New York (especially) or Los Angeles when she's graduated and has a qualification she can use there. If I were a 20-something I think I'd feel the same. There's a richness and fulness that you don't find in Australia, despite the latter's many advantages, and I think there's much more energy, generosity and optimism than you'd find in Europe - even Britain, which has less to be miserable about than its EU partners.

Thanks for that. I have not been home for more than 20 years and it is good to know that people are still enthusiastic about improving things.

I would agree with most of what the Op has written. we have set up a new home base on Hilton head in S. Carolina after 16 yrs in SE Asia. we picked HHI for the weather, schools and many of the same vibes that we have on our island home on Koh Samui. We explored the USA b4 selecting HHI and I would agree with the OP the USA is developed and even though the economy is in a down turn the American people seem to carry an optimisim that propels them to a next level. NYC well what can be said other than all the hype is real, the same for San Francisco two very special places. I was motivated for our move because of education and thus far we are very pleased with the public school system which is running the IB program for free and of course offers all the extra activities that public schools offer to keep the children involved. My 8 yr old is playing football/soccer, has begun learning basketball in an organised clinic and will begin team play in Jan. All is well and from most of the small business people i speak with are confident a new potus will only make things better. As for TSA IMO that is hit and miss world wide, my wife and i have been pulled out of line in Taipai, Hong Kong and New Zealand but have never had an issue in the USA however we have found notes in our lugage informing us of it being opened.

A sampling for sure but before you start in on the obesity issue you want might to visit states like Colorado or Utah. And look at the obesity map.

I think its more than "Americans are gluttonous" but perhaps more that restaurants serve ridiculous portions and most people feel that if they are paying for a meal out they should eat it. My father had it drilled into him as a child that he must clean his plate, I'd say thats pretty common for alot of Americans. Add in the ridiculous portions and if all you ever do is eat outside (not in a family home) you will come to the assumption people are gluttonous.

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

OP visited a relatively fat state (Ohio) go to Colorado and Utah and the fit people there will make you want to start exercising

As for the energy, yes I agree. I go home every year and have for years. I like visiting the US, enjoy the friendly people, the good service and amenities. If all you ever read is some of the negative nellies on this forum you wouldn't have any idea what the US is about at all.

A sampling for sure but before you start in on the obesity issue you want might to visit states like Colorado or Utah. And look at the obesity map.

I think its more than "Americans are gluttonous" but perhaps more that restaurants serve ridiculous portions and most people feel that if they are paying for a meal out they should eat it. My father had it drilled into him as a child that he must clean his plate, I'd say thats pretty common for alot of Americans. Add in the ridiculous portions and if all you ever do is eat outside (not in a family home) you will come to the assumption people are gluttonous.

http://www.cdc.gov/o...data/adult.html

OP visited a relatively fat state (Ohio) go to Colorado and Utah and the fit people there will make you want to start exercising

As for the energy, yes I agree. I go home every year and have for years. I like visiting the US, enjoy the friendly people, the good service and amenities. If all you ever read is some of the negative nellies on this forum you wouldn't have any idea what the US is about at all.

That map is for "self-reported". I'd make Georgia a very dark red state. I was in the USA from Sept 2011 until April 2012. Mostly in tiny southern Georgia where I saw the fattest people I have ever seen. Multiple restaurants with all-you-can-eat lunch buffets don't help. I also spent time in Kentucky and Florida and compared to Georgia, the people there were more or less normal.

This obesity has hit the UK big style now and portions are not any bigger in restaurants here.

Its about overall lifestyle and I guess happiness too. The people I see who are grossly obese generally have other issues as well, aside from their lack of control of their diet.

Edit: I've never been to the US...but I'm told its a great place to visit....well most people I know have returned again and again so it can't be too bad I guess!

I spent a little time in the US 30 years ago and had a wonderful time. The people were really friendly and generous. When they found out you were English you were treated like a King (or a Queen in my case). The only guy I had a run-in with was a cabbie in Savannah who seemed to think that things had gone to hell in a handbasket since the days of Gone with the Wind.

Well, I am glad you enjoyed your visit to the United States. It's interesting reading an outsider's perspective on things. I pretty much agree with what you have written.

(1) Yes American's are fat. Did you go inside Walmart when you were in the States? To realize how really obese Americans are, you should go to Walmart and look at the customers.

(2) American's like British accents (or Australian accents because they sort of sound British LOL) cuz the American opinion is that the British (or Australians) are more cultured. (It may also be gratitude towards the British for getting Madonna off of U.S. soil.) Anywas, yes, expect to be treated like a "king" or "queen"

(3) The presidential election commercials aren't really in every state. Ohio is what we call a "swing state" that could actually decide the outcome of the election. So the candidates will spend most of their money their. For example, California will go for Obama and not Romney no matter how much advertising there is, so there's barely a commercial on here.

Based upon some of the comments on this board, I always wondered what people thought of the US. I always thought that folks on this board thought people in America were a bunch of hillbillies riding around in pickup trucks with guns shooting each other.

My father had it drilled into him as a child that he must clean his plate, I'd say thats pretty common for alot of Americans.

I certainly was in my case. Not that I ever minded much.

I read that if you took the South out the US would have normal obesity rates, I believe that.

As for the accent, yup, Americans love the British accent and will be super friendly and outgoing but then most are anyway.

I spent a little time in the US 30 years ago and had a wonderful time. The people were really friendly and generous. When they found out you were English you were treated like a King (or a Queen in my case). The only guy I had a run-in with was a cabbie in Savannah who seemed to think that things had gone to hell in a handbasket since the days of Gone with the Wind.

I was in Savannah the for the first time just last year. One of the most beautiful cities in the USA I've been to. I was really surprised.

I've always told English friends they would love America because Americans love that English accent (while we more often than not take grief from Brits). Of course, a proper Windsor accent will get you further than one of those that Americans can't understand a word you are saying.

Back in 1995 I returned to Florida after 18 months overseas (my first overseas trip). I was soooo happy to be someplace where strangers were friendly. Go into a convenient store and the clerks start up conversations with a smile. Even the toll booth attendant was ready with a smile and "How are you today!"

Edit: I've never been to the US...but I'm told its a great place to visit....well most people I know have returned again and again so it can't be too bad I guess!

I've been overseas all but 21 months the past 18+ years and the vast majority of the America haters I've met had never been to the country. Sometimes I'd meet someone who was defending America and I was surprised until they told me they had visited before. Now, of course it depends where you went on your visit too. I knew this young Russian guy back in 1995-6 who didn't like America at all and he was an exchange student there. They put him in a predominantly black neighborhood in Connecticut and Russians in general wouldn't be happy with that situation. When the subject turned to food, his attitude changed, he loved the food and portions.

I find large portions of food a problem though koheesti as I too grew up in a waste free household.

If I'm alone then I avoid places which serve huge portions....unless its burgers and buckets of beer in ice while the footy is on TV.

Why Nigel's barbie place never worked remains a mystery to me at least!

I find large portions of food a problem though koheesti as I too grew up in a waste free household.

If I'm alone then I avoid places which serve huge portions....unless its burgers and buckets of beer in ice while the footy is on TV.

Why Nigel's barbie place never worked remains a mystery to me at least!

Portion size is a major problem. When I was back, and we'd go to the all-you-can-eat buffets, I'd limit myself to one, non-overflowing plate. When I was younger I would never think of doing that.

Still, it's nice to get the food variety in the USA. The town I was in had a population of 10,000. It had a Super Walmart, open 24/7 and a wide range of restaurants to choose from, more than some EU capitals I've been in...certainly cheaper.

I find large portions of food a problem though koheesti as I too grew up in a waste free household.

If I'm alone then I avoid places which serve huge portions....unless its burgers and buckets of beer in ice while the footy is on TV.

Why Nigel's barbie place never worked remains a mystery to me at least!

Portion size is a major problem. When I was back, and we'd go to the all-you-can-eat buffets, I'd limit myself to one, non-overflowing plate. When I was younger I would never think of doing that.

Still, it's nice to get the food variety in the USA. The town I was in had a population of 10,000. It had a Super Walmart, open 24/7 and a wide range of restaurants to choose from, more than some EU capitals I've been in...certainly cheaper.

The town I grew up in has a similar population and only a couple of restaurants of poor quality...and food options after 10pm will be burger or kebab.

Different strokes and all that! I'm sure the folks back home would prefer the US option...well certainly the kids....

Edit: I've never been to the US...but I'm told its a great place to visit....well most people I know have returned again and again so it can't be too bad I guess!

I've been overseas all but 21 months the past 18+ years and the vast majority of the America haters I've met had never been to the country. Sometimes I'd meet someone who was defending America and I was surprised until they told me they had visited before. Now, of course it depends where you went on your visit too. I knew this young Russian guy back in 1995-6 who didn't like America at all and he was an exchange student there. They put him in a predominantly black neighborhood in Connecticut and Russians in general wouldn't be happy with that situation. When the subject turned to food, his attitude changed, he loved the food and portions.

I spent a few years sailing round the US coast and took the opportunity to go ashore wherever we went. The only place I was told that it would not be sensible to go ashore was Baltimore so I didn't

The town I grew up in has a similar population and only a couple of restaurants of poor quality...and food options after 10pm will be burger or kebab.

The town I grew up in had a Berni's Steak House as the only restaurant when I was a teenie. Now you can eat food from all over the world here.

The town I grew up in has a similar population and only a couple of restaurants of poor quality...and food options after 10pm will be burger or kebab.

The town I grew up in had a Berni's Steak House as the only restaurant when I was a teenie. Now you can eat food from all over the world here.

I'm talking a Chinese and Wimpy!!

Nothing has changed....except for the kebab shop.

Uncle Sam,, I forgot why they call he that... is still a nice to visit. I do not miss the Major Metro Areas. I prefer the small town I grew up in CA. I do agree, the TSAs need to be vigilant. However, just an observation, is there a trend, a profile, a personality type that best describes the TSA? Hmmm.. approved locks by the TSA, do they market their on brand now.

An episode, I recall with the TSA, and you will find many more informative accounts, started off innocently, a woman of Age, is that the term now, cut in front of me, I gladly gave her the spot and smiled.. It is fine, please, no problem.. They the SUPER TSAs counted off at random and selected her as a the candidate to question and intimidate. Grandmom, was visible shaken by this event, this verbal assault, agressive duty bound procedure, this application of following procedure regardless of the profile...

The people in line all expressed there dismay, and the TSA gave their standard reply, Just making America Safe Sir.. Mam. Now let me do my job.

This is the lowest moment of American membership, I have experienced.

I have found my home even if it is not my birthplace, the grass is green where I watered it.

The TSA screening goes beyond its intended purpose of finding weapons or explosives. I say that because once inside that tune-thing where you stand with your hands above your head, they questioned me about my pocket lint. Not a container of liquid, not a piece of metal, nothing with wiring, no funny powder but a tiny piece of pocket lint.

The TSA screening goes beyond its intended purpose of finding weapons or explosives. I say that because once inside that tune-thing where you stand with your hands above your head, they questioned me about my pocket lint. Not a container of liquid, not a piece of metal, nothing with wiring, no funny powder but a tiny piece of pocket lint.

I can't believe they allow lint-smugglers on this forum

The TSA screening goes beyond its intended purpose of finding weapons or explosives. I say that because once inside that tune-thing where you stand with your hands above your head, they questioned me about my pocket lint. Not a container of liquid, not a piece of metal, nothing with wiring, no funny powder but a tiny piece of pocket lint.

I can't believe they allow lint-smugglers on this forum

Well, he didn't really get away with it. Our crack experts at TSA caught him in the act.

The TSA screening goes beyond its intended purpose of finding weapons or explosives. I say that because once inside that tune-thing where you stand with your hands above your head, they questioned me about my pocket lint. Not a container of liquid, not a piece of metal, nothing with wiring, no funny powder but a tiny piece of pocket lint.

I can't believe they allow lint-smugglers on this forum

Well, he didn't really get away with it. Our crack experts at TSA caught him in the act.

Well, he did let me get away with it. As my training taught me, when caught with lint, let out a quick, "What? Pocket lint? Are you kidding?" and the TSA agent would back down...and he did!

I've never been to America, but I'd love to. I did have an American aunt-by-marriage, though, and we loved her! She came from Charleston, South Carolina, and her ancestors came over in the Mayflower..... she wouldn't have appreciated the living conditions in the Mayflower, though.

For chatty locals, try taking a cab in Singapore.... so often the chattiness or otherwise of the locals depends on a common language. And most Americans, like the British, seem to think that everyone, but everyone, speaks English (there I go, sneering again; sorry!). I saw this at its worst in a carriage on the Paris Metro..... an American lady exclaimed loudly, "Is there anyone in this carriage speaks English?" I'm afraid, being a shy teenager at the time, I didn't 'fess up.. Nor, I may say, did anyone else.

...

She came from Charleston, South Carolina, and her ancestors came over in the Mayflower..... she wouldn't have appreciated the living conditions in the Mayflower, though.

Probably 1 in 100 Americans who say they are connected to the Mayflower actually are.

Anyway, speaking as a real Americano, my ancestors came over on a prison ship from Havana, armed with dodgy papers. I'm proud!

I guess thats pretty accurate .....As far as the TSA goes they simply don't have the time to track down each person who's luggage has to be opened and would you really have been happier missing your flight just to watch them look in your case ? Would you have been happier if you had not heard the announcement of your name and as you tried to board were told you couldn't because your luggage needed to be searched and you didn't show up in time ? I had a non approved TSA lock and they broke mine once so your not alone ..... The TSA doesnt sell the locks for the poster who asked locks are "approved" because the TSA can open them without breaking them. Trust me the last thing you want is another line of people wating to observe their luggage being searched.

I fly plenty and the main difference between places is the shoe thing in the USA but overall it's not much different than other places , I don't find TSA rude or loud or overbearing , just folks doing their jobs most of the time with a smile and politeness.

It's not the TSA's fault that nut jobs have shoe bombs and liguid bombs and laptops need to be taken out to be screened.

Are their wack job TSA agents of course but from my observations less of them than wack job whiner passengers who think the security measures should apply to everyone but them as they complain because they couldn't read the obvious signs clearly explaining the rules.

In my original post I said "I was impressed with the US and the American people we met. I think there is still plenty of energy among the people."

I was reminded of this when reading former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey's comments in this week's Spectator.

Dr Carey was speaking of the doom and gloom he hears all around him in Britain ("I've never known such a prolonged period of anxiety and pessimism in my lifetime") and asks "Where is the 'can-do' attitude that I've seen recently on several trips to America? Though the election exposed the US as a very divided society, there is still a definite spirit of entrepreneurialism over there. There is still an 'American dream' that even the poorest and most humble can succeed." (Spectator, 29 December 2012)

In my original post I said "I was impressed with the US and the American people we met. I think there is still plenty of energy among the people."

I was reminded of this when reading former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey's comments in this week's Spectator.

Dr Carey was speaking of the doom and gloom he hears all around him in Britain ("I've never known such a prolonged period of anxiety and pessimism in my lifetime") and asks "Where is the 'can-do' attitude that I've seen recently on several trips to America? Though the election exposed the US as a very divided society, there is still a definite spirit of entrepreneurialism over there. There is still an 'American dream' that even the poorest and most humble can succeed." (Spectator, 29 December 2012)

Dr. Carey must have been high. The "American dream" is dead. Apparently he poorest and most humble cannot "succeed" without gov't handouts.

In my original post I said "I was impressed with the US and the American people we met. I think there is still plenty of energy among the people."

I was reminded of this when reading former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey's comments in this week's Spectator.

Dr Carey was speaking of the doom and gloom he hears all around him in Britain ("I've never known such a prolonged period of anxiety and pessimism in my lifetime") and asks "Where is the 'can-do' attitude that I've seen recently on several trips to America? Though the election exposed the US as a very divided society, there is still a definite spirit of entrepreneurialism over there. There is still an 'American dream' that even the poorest and most humble can succeed." (Spectator, 29 December 2012)

Dr. Carey must have been high. The "American dream" is dead. Apparently he poorest and most humble cannot "succeed" without gov't handouts.

You may be right. There was an article by Dominic Lawson in today's "The Australian" newspaper that referred to a book by Nicholas Eberstadt, "A Nation of Takers: America's Entitlement Epidemic", which shows that growth in entitlement payments by the US government to its citizens "has risen by an explosive average of 9.5% per annum for 50 straight years" from 1960 to 2010. For example, in 1960 there were more than 150 men and women between the ages of 18 and 64, working or seeking employment, for every person on disability benefits; by 2010, the ratio was 18 to one and continuing to decrease, and this in a land where substantial improvements in workplace safety and public health have taken place. What's more, data from places like Maine and Minnesota have shown that the "culture of entitlement" is just as strong among Anglos as among Blacks and Hispanics.

In my original post I said "I was impressed with the US and the American people we met. I think there is still plenty of energy among the people."

I was reminded of this when reading former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey's comments in this week's Spectator.

Dr Carey was speaking of the doom and gloom he hears all around him in Britain ("I've never known such a prolonged period of anxiety and pessimism in my lifetime") and asks "Where is the 'can-do' attitude that I've seen recently on several trips to America? Though the election exposed the US as a very divided society, there is still a definite spirit of entrepreneurialism over there. There is still an 'American dream' that even the poorest and most humble can succeed." (Spectator, 29 December 2012)

This may be a touch of-topic, but George Carey has done more to destroy the Church of England during his stewardship than any previous prelate. The man is a complete tosser, dithering on every subject, indecisive and a complete waste of space. Thank goodness he has now cut and run.

A few years ago I attended the centenary service of the church founded by (among others) my maternal grandfather. In that 100 years we have had three pastoral leaders (vicars) only. The community picked very carefully and each pastor has been a valued and dedicated man. For the centenary we invited former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rumsey, but not the then incumbent, Dr Carey. He just didn't represent our view of the Church of England and what it stands for.

The church has declined in influence and the presentation of the views of the community every day that Carey has been in office. That is why the Church is in such a parlous state these days.