[OptimusPrime69]

In your opinion, does SoFla feel like the US to you?

Or does it seem like another country?

[rusty78]

The same could be said about any major city or area around a major city...travel to NYC...not just Times Square...once you are outside of the tourist area's many places look like they could be in a foreign country...no one speaks english and some of the residents look at you like a hungry lion looks at a stray calf...but what the hell...Welcome To America...

[jambo101]

Aside from a heavy Cuban presence around Miami it seems as American as anywhere else when i drive through the area to Key West..

[HarryWho?]

Yes.

[NCtoMiami]

Originally Posted by OptimusPrime69

In your opinion, does SoFla feel like the US to you?

Or does it seem like another country?

To me it feels like i am living in another country.

[MiamiRob]

What do you mean by "American"? As in WASPy? Miami is as American as New York or Chicago or Los Angeles.

[jambo101]

Define American and south Florida more clearly as i'm thinking south Florida as anything south of Tampa and American as being the usual strip malls,fast food joints,car dealers,big box stores,people driving around in SUV's and pickup trucks.
What other country do you think it feels like and what is leading you to think half the state is not American?..

[OptimusPrime69]

Originally Posted by jambo101

Define American and south Florida more clearly as i'm thinking south Florida as anything south of Tampa and American as being the usual strip malls,fast food joints,car dealers,big box stores,people driving around in SUV's and pickup trucks.
What other country do you think it feels like and what is leading you to think half the state is not American?..

Uh, to clarify: I never said it didn't feel "American" to me. So, I dunno why you're even asking me why I don't think it's not American. I simply asked a question, while leaving no personal opinion of my own. Also, in the title of my thread I stated the 3 counties of which I was referring to: Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach)... I dont mean to include SW FL, as no offense, but it is not nearly as populated or econimically important as SE Florida.

Anyway, I often hear that people are like "Oh, Miami is like a 3rd world country" etc etc. I'm trying to figure out why people say that. What about Miami, in particular south florida is not "american" feeling...or why does it feel 3rd world to some? I often hear this.

Is it because of the Spanish? The Caribbean and South American influence? What is it?

[OptimusPrime69]

Originally Posted by NCtoMiami

To me it feels like i am living in another country.

OK, I see. Now, can u explain why? I'm curious as to your reasoning.

[amIayankee?]

In some places in hialeah it does not. Everyone now and then you encounter people who don't know the concept of right on red... that doesn't happen too often in places like New York (in which case 16 people will be honking at you) I dont even bother to honk at people in that situation because they really just cant take in their surroundings.

I actually like the fact it doesnt feel american. That said every city is made up of its surroundings and people. Some of the people in miami dont seem american at all. Some of the surroundings dont seem american at all. Most of the people on this website will argue it does feel like america because they live and reside in surroundings that look like america, hang around people that seem american.

Now all said and done I could turn everything I just said on it's head so it really depends where your coming from.