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So what now, are American cities culturally similar, (as you said above, but referring only to first world countries which the USA is part of), or "completly culturally different" als Chicagoist said?
I've lived in Barcelona. Spent lots of time in London, Lyon and Milan. My lifestyle didn't change that much.
I spoke in a different language and some of the appliances I used were slightly different. Restaurant menus were often different - but then my city has some of the best Italian, Spanish and French restaurants in the country - so if i want that food I can get it. That's rare outside of the biggest cities in Europe.
What I did during the day, how I moved from place to place, the things I talked about, the things I read, the kind of people I hung out with, the movies i watched, what I did in my spare time - none of that changed.
Places can be different while still offering a similar experience.
Now, If you want to talk about food, architecture, accents, religions, ethnic background, laws, history, etc. Then yes, many american cities can be very different from one another. As much or more so than many European cities.
There's such a thing as nuance. Nice try, though.
Also - If you think these places are architecturally similar you must be from another planet
Sorry, I guess I committed the same type of generalization I was criticizing. I lived in NYC. I had issues with the lack of fresh ingredients I was used to, the lack of the type of Mexican food I like, and the lack of vegetarian options in general. There is some incredible food in NYC, but only being able to buy a fresh avocado 2 months out of the year really got to me.
At the same time, I have friends from over there who visit California and gripe that everyone eats salads all the time and there is no decent Italian food or bagels. So I'm not trying to say one place is inherently superior to the other in terms of food, just that there are definite differences.
Maybe the adage, "When in Rome..." applies.
Instead of eating that rock hard avocado in disappointment, you should have tried some Jersey sweet corn and egglant or Hudson Valley onions, garlic or asparagus. You know, eat what the area is known for growing well. As far as cuisines in New York, well there aren't many Mexicans around, but there are tons of Caribbeans of all types. Maybe try some Caribbean cuisine.
I have never heard of someone going to France and saying "There was no good food. The sushi was awful."
Sorry, I guess I committed the same type of generalization I was criticizing. I lived in NYC. I had issues with the lack of fresh ingredients I was used to, the lack of the type of Mexican food I like, and the lack of vegetarian options in general. There is some incredible food in NYC, but only being able to buy a fresh avocado 2 months out of the year really got to me.
Did you live in Staten Island or something?
Granted, you can never get fresh avocados on the east coast because they all come from California or Mexico but there are really only 3 months (at least in Philly anyway) where we're not getting veggies trucked in overnight from Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, etc.
Anyway, NYC basically invented the 24-hour vegan diner. Put "Veggie" in front of any kind of food and you can find it Williamsburg alone.
The Americans say "the Europeans xxx" out of arrogance as well as ignorance. How many American actually have visited more than 4 or 5 European countries anyway to make such a statement?
Per capita, Americans visit Europe at twice the rate that EU citizens visit the US.
Quote:
The US despite its vastness and diversity, is incredible homogeneous. People eat essentially the same kind of food, go to the same stores, drive the same car, live in the same kind of suburban houses with very few exceptions. Most cities look similar. Yes, NYC is different and there are difference among smaller cities as well, but in general, they are pretty homogeneous.
Bull ****.
Typical Texas Hill Country ranch home:
Typical Ohio farm house:
Typical Appalachian farmhouse:
Typical West Coast farmhouse:
Typical Louisiana farmhouse:
Typical New England breakfast:
Typical Southern breakfast:
Typical Southwestern breakfast:
Typical Creole/Cajun breakfast:
Typical California breakfast
Typical "cowboy breakfast:"
Last edited by KathrynAragon; 08-01-2012 at 10:02 PM..
Today I went to Dallas. I went to KoMart (a huge Korean market). Last week I went to Shreveport, Louisiana and stocked up on goodies from my favorite Lebanese grocery store. Next week I may go to Fort Worth and stock up on southwestern spices and peppers. And don't even get me started on the foods available in Houston!
A new restaurant just opened up downtown - they serve a pungent mixture of California and Tex Mex menu items. YUM!
About a month ago, in my LITTLE TOWN, a Pho (vietnamese) restaurant opened up. It's jam packed every day. Finally I decided I would just learn how to make pho so I don't have to stand in line to get some. So I went to the nearby Vietnamese/Thai grocery.
Living in Texas, the Tex Mex food is AMAZING.
We are a nation of immigrants and our culinary delights and options reflect our diversity. Sure we have chains - so what? If you don't like them, don't eat there. Eat at locally owned restaurants and ENJOY!
We are a nation of immigrants and our food reflects it.
In southeast PA it's pretty much the same thing but with Scrapple or sausage instead and here it's called a kaiser roll and usually doesn't have poppy seeds.
It's even the little things. Here in Chicago brunch is like a ritual on Sundays. Everyone does brunch! However when I went to visit LA and SF my friends who lived there said they miss brunch. They said while it can be found in those two cities it's not very popular to do onsundays nor is it found everywhere. That's it's not part of those cities cultures. It's the little things like that show you the difference of cultures in cities. Brunch is a big part of Chicago on Sundays.
In southeast PA it's pretty much the same thing but with Scrapple or sausage instead and here it's called a kaiser roll and usually doesn't have poppy seeds.
Now, see - down here in Texas - I don't even know what scrapple is - and can't remember ever even buying a kaiser roll in my entire life!
But I love to make breakfast taquitos on corn tortillas! Nothing quite like a jalapeno pepper to get you moving in the morning!
It's even the little things. Here in Chicago brunch is like a ritual on Sundays. Everyone does brunch! However when I went to visit LA and SF my friends who lived there said they miss brunch. They said while it can be found in those two cities it's not very popular to do onsundays nor is it found everywhere. That's it's not part of those cities cultures. It's the little things like that show you the difference of cultures in cities. Brunch is a big part of Chicago on Sundays.
Brunch was a big thing when I lived in Virginia and Maryland too. Here in Texas it's unheard of. People go to church on Sunday mornings!
But a big Sunday dinner is practically required.
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