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In my experience, Koreans who come to the United States are amazed at how big things are in America: not only the country itself, but the houses, the cars, the food portions in restaurants . . . and yes, the people themselves. It all seems pretty normal to me.
One thing that amazed me about Korea was how so many people live stacked up on top of each other in high-rise apartment buildings, not only in the major cities but even in small towns. But that's perfectly normal to them.
When I was in Korea with the Army, I said to a Korean soldier I worked with, "if you went to America you'd be shocked at how fat people are." He said, "you're not fat." I said, "well, I'm required to exercise five days a week."
When I first arrived in Korea I was struck by the sight of huge apartment towers surrounded by rice paddies. Some real population density there.
Oh I see, sorry I thought Walmart was a superstore like Tesco's or Asda? The superstores near me sell groceries, clothes, toys, homeware & electricals, there are Opticians and drugstores in them, some sell petrol, there is one Asda nearby that has a hairdressers service and pet shop inside :-D. The Tesco and Asda superstores are open 24 hours as well so you can see why I think they are trying to take over the country!
This is why I mentioned the lines getting blurred. Tesco and Asda as far as I understand, started out as grocery stores with a pharmacy. Walmart added groceries later.
However I think we both agree, that a European or someone from the UK isn't awed by choice in the US, but perhaps was struck that a
" Pharmacie" had so much selection.
i thought the topic was about things that foreigners find odd in America.
I'll tell you some of mine:
-women walking at lunch time in their sport shoes and business suits. You will never see this in Europe.
-diner plates the size of european platters
-french roast coffee (really? no french person would drink that bitter concoction) and coffee being diluted in general
-workaholic environment (short vacations and people working on vacations)
This subject has been covered on the NYC forum. Some of it is predictable, such as "why the hell would anyone in their right mind want to go to Times Square????" or things like the Statue of Liberty, a popular tourist attraction that no one in NYC notices anymore.
Another one for me would be that "Imagine" circle in Central Park, a tribute to John Lennon. When they first made it, my friend and I went in to the city to see it, and we were underwhelmed. We said in unison, "That's IT?"
The strangest one, though, is that if you go into Central Park or Battery Park or any park in the city where tourists might go, you will always find a group looking at SQUIRRELS and laughing, taking pictures of them, etc. SQUIRRELS. You've traveled to one of the most famous cities on the planet, the largest one in the United States, and it's squirrels that you find fascinating?
Foreign posters, do you not have squirrels where you come from?
This subject has been covered on the NYC forum. Some of it is predictable, such as "why the hell would anyone in their right mind want to go to Times Square????" or things like the Statue of Liberty, a popular tourist attraction that no one in NYC notices anymore.
Another one for me would be that "Imagine" circle in Central Park, a tribute to John Lennon. When they first made it, my friend and I went in to the city to see it, and we were underwhelmed. We said in unison, "That's IT?"
The strangest one, though, is that if you go into Central Park or Battery Park or any park in the city where tourists might go, you will always find a group looking at SQUIRRELS and laughing, taking pictures of them, etc. SQUIRRELS. You've traveled to one of the most famous cities on the planet, the largest one in the United States, and it's squirrels that you find fascinating?
Foreign posters, do you not have squirrels where you come from?
We get this in Vancouver as well. Did you know that the grey squirrels in Stanley Park are all descended from 8 squirrels from NYC's Central Park, introduced into Stanly Park in 1914? The reason why is lost to history apparently. Grey squirrels aren't native here, but other types of squirrels are.
People also surrounding a skunk and taking photos...I give those people a very wide berth.
We get this in Vancouver as well. Did you know that the grey squirrels in Stanley Park are all descended from 8 squirrels from NYC's Central Park, introduced into Stanley Park in 1914? The reason why is lost to history apparently. Grey squirrels aren't aren't native here, but other types of squirrels are.
People also surrounding a skunk and taking photos...I give those people a very wide berth.
No, I did not. Heck, I didn't even know what Stanley Park was, but now that I've looked it up it just adds to my desire to visit Vancouver.
Thanks for the trivia. I've had two pair of house finches visiting me, and I looked them up and found they are native only to western North America, but that they were being bred and sold illegally by people in Long Island, NY, in the 1940s, and when the authorities came after them, they released their birds and all the ones in the east are descended from them.
I have only ever seen black squirrels in Canada (but I've only been to Ontario) besides the smaller red squirrels, but I've never seen a black squirrel in New Jersey. We have lots of grey squirrels.
I have seen black squirrels in NYC and also in Westchester County, NY, just to the north of the city. The grey are more prevalent, though.
No, I did not. Heck, I didn't even know what Stanley Park was, but now that I've looked it up it just adds to my desire to visit Vancouver.
Thanks for the trivia. I've had two pair of house finches visiting me, and I looked them up and found they are native only to western North America, but that they were being bred and sold illegally by people in Long Island, NY, in the 1940s, and when the authorities came after them, they released their birds and all the ones in the east are descended from them.
I have only ever seen black squirrels in Canada (but I've only been to Ontario) besides the smaller red squirrels, but I've never seen a black squirrel in New Jersey. We have lots of grey squirrels.
I have seen black squirrels in NYC and also in Westchester County, NY, just to the north of the city. The grey are more prevalent, though.
Stanley Park is one park that we don't take for granted. It's truly is a beautiful park. Check out the Vancouver Seawall...at 29 k, not just the park.
What Vancouverites may take for granted is how close real wilderness is. We just assume that visitors understand this. That just because you can see the mountains, doesn't mean they're tame. Sadly people go on day hikes and never return.
The strangest one, though, is that if you go into Central Park or Battery Park or any park in the city where tourists might go, you will always find a group looking at SQUIRRELS and laughing, taking pictures of them, etc. SQUIRRELS. You've traveled to one of the most famous cities on the planet, the largest one in the United States, and it's squirrels that you find fascinating?
Foreign posters, do you not have squirrels where you come from?
When I got to Korea with the Army, I had never seen a red squirrel before. They looked odd with their little ears sticking up. So if you've never seen a grey squirrel before, I guess it's noteworthy.
Why on earth would anyone want to come to Las Vegas?
If you're looking for Sin, there's hasn't been any Sin in Las Vegas since the Mob left, so what Sin are you looking to find here, that you can't find in St. Louis, Missouri?
Funny, I just had that conversation with my husband the other day. He said he wanted to go to Vegas for vacation. Why?! To go to a casino? We have like 6 casinos here in St Louis. I have no desire to fly halfway across the country just to do something we can just as easily do at home.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LynnBBQ
I live about 15 miles east of St Louis MO and I work about 25 miles west of downtown St Louis. So I drive past the Gateway Arch twice each day. I don't understand the fascination.... People want to ride to the top.
While I have no desire to ever go up into the arch again, I do love it. Where I used to live, you could see it from the park across the street from my house. Any time we drive into the city, I like to announce the first glimpse of the arch from the highway. And it's always a welcome sight when returning home from a long road trip. It gives some much-needed energy to the end of the trip "I see the arch! We're almost home!" And the 4th of July! I'm glad it's been moved back to the Arch grounds as there is no better place (IMHO) to watch fireworks then laying on a blanket underneath the arch.
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