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-   -   What do Europeans Like About America? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/what-do-europeans-like-about-america-124302/)

hans May 16th, 2001 05:33 AM

What do Europeans Like About America?
 
I read a good amount of American stereotyping on this board so I'm curious: <BR> <BR>1.) What do Europeans like about America and Americans? <BR> <BR>2.) What do Europeans like to do and see when they visit the States? <BR> <BR>Thanks.

Miriam May 16th, 2001 05:47 AM

Hello Hans, <BR> <BR>I travel to the U.S. about 3 times a year. I like sitting in a bar and to be able to have easy conversations very fast. Everybody seems to have been to Germany, knows somebody who had, the Grandma is from Germany etc. I never found people who were unfriendly or rude and that`s a very pleasant thing and different from a trip to France f.e. <BR> <BR>I like driving the Highways and Interstates more than the Autobahn-less stressing. <BR>I like the thousands of possibilities for outdoor activities, like swimming with Dolphins. <BR>I like the fact that it`s different from Europe but not so strange that you have to worry about shots, the language or where to buy a tooth-brush. <BR>There are many more things I like... <BR>I hate the cheese, the bread, the low-fat products and too much ice in my coke... <BR> <BR>Miriam

Hans H May 16th, 2001 05:58 AM

I think that Germans go to: <BR> <BR>Florida. It's no tourist destination which interests me but I guess that the Germans go out of the same reasons as the American tourists. <BR> <BR>West coast, taking the tour from LA or SF to Nevada, Grand Conyon, and the phantastic national parks. <BR> <BR>New York, mainly as a city tour. A tour through the New England states is normally only taken if the tourist has been at the West coast before. <BR> <BR>Personally, I'm impressed by the sheer beauty of the (in comparison to Europe) untouched nature and the width of the country. Don't get me wrong, I would visit a city like SF if it was only two hours by plane from my home but it's not that impressive that I wouldn't look first at the alternatives closer to me. But there's nothing in Europe comparable to the nature and the landscape. <BR> <BR>And then there are many Germans which are fascinated by the USA and its culture. Cruising down the highway with Elvis on the radio, stopping for a burger and feeling very different from being in Germany.

Cindy May 16th, 2001 08:29 AM

I'm an American and love to vacation in Europe, but would not want to live there. What I love: the "oldness" of it! I love standing in a building and seeing that it was built hundreds and hundreds of years ago--there's nothing in the US to compare with that. And of course the history and culture behind all those great buildings. Europe is also more laid back than the US--the people are not as frenetic as we are here most of the time (of course, I live in the NY Metro area). I love the food, the wines, especially in Italy. I like talking to Europeans, or trying to anyway, with the help of a phrasebook or hand signals! Sitting at a sidewalk cafe and just people watching... <BR>What I don't like: the l-o-n-g plane ride to get there, people who stereotype Americans as loud and uncultured, and (sorry) Europeans who don't shower regularly!

xxx May 16th, 2001 08:51 AM

DUH Cindy the topic is what do Europeans like about America <BR> <BR>Not what do Americans like about Europe!

Ursula May 16th, 2001 08:54 AM

I like the large hotel rooms ;-) <BR>and the nice people of course! <BR> <BR>And I cannot wait to go back to NYC next year.

Ess May 16th, 2001 09:14 AM

Let us know when you plan to be here Ursula, I'm sure we can organize a NYC and environs get-together to coincide with your visit.

kavey May 16th, 2001 09:22 AM

Hotel rooms: size, aircon, price <BR> <BR>Service: Anywhere you go, shop, hotel, restaurant, the service is always good, and usually very friendly. Partly its an issue of training, partly because thats what is expected and grumps maybe wont keep their jobs, but in the main it really seems to be that people are willing to make the best of their job and enjoy it whatever it is. <BR> <BR>Scenery: The sheer diversity of stunning landscapes available <BR> <BR>Travel: Ease of driving, price of petrol <BR> <BR>Many many others... <BR> <BR>Oh yes, Boston Lobster Feast and FAO Schwartz, Cheap outlet shopping, and bras from KMart...

Ursula May 16th, 2001 09:23 AM

Ess, thanks a lot and I will. :-) <BR>I shall be staying with Swiss friends living in Soho. So the only thing is, I shall have to look for a good deal for the flight. At this moment, Swissair/Delta offers ZRH-NY RT for some SFr. 600.-. <BR>But with all the trouble they are facing now (speaking about SR), I am not sure they will repeat that offer. But I can also pay a bit more. Don't worry. Have not been there for a long time and I start getting excited like you people when coming to Europe! <BR> <BR>See, Americans are nice, really and very easy going in general.

David May 16th, 2001 09:32 AM

among other things, I like the cleanliness of America. The first time I saw a carry it in, carry it out park I was amazed. And then I saw that the Americans actually do carry out their rubbish, leaving parks tidy.

Steve May 16th, 2001 10:24 AM

David, <BR> <BR>I don't know where you're from or where you've been in the US, but I think we Americans litter alot. Most cities and towns I've been to in other countries are much cleaner. Of in the tourist areas, people are employed to pick up the trash, but there's still alot of cigarette butts, wads of gum on the sidewalk and fast food bags.

sylvia May 16th, 2001 12:04 PM

Americans are extremely friendly and hospitable. <BR>The best things about the US is nature, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Painted Desert etc. I hope big business is not allowed to destroy all the wonderful wild places.

mac May 16th, 2001 01:06 PM

If the American President George Bush has his way, all of the beautiful scenery in America will be destroyed in the name of energy and oil.

Mac May 16th, 2001 02:29 PM

<BR>Kavey....bras at K-mart!?

xxx May 17th, 2001 10:25 AM

top

Art May 17th, 2001 01:35 PM

In my travels within the US, I don't believe that I've ever been to a national park without running into Europeans especially Germans. I would have to surmise that the Nature represented in the US is one of the more desired destinations. <BR> <BR>

Patti Suttle May 17th, 2001 10:29 PM

After reading some opinions on visiting Euro Disney near Paris-how about the Germans and French visiting Death Valley during the summer? Now THATS crazy!!! (give me Disney-Paris anyday over 120 degree heat on vacation!) <BR>Patti

Kavey May 18th, 2001 12:22 AM

Mac <BR> <BR>Decent bras in my size in the UK are at least £20 UK. In KMart I can get a good bra for less than $10 US. <BR> <BR>And in the UK all bra manufacturers assume that if you are my size you will want horrible uncomfortable underwiring in the bra, which makes it uncomfortable and difficult to machine wash. In US bras are often designed without underwire yet still supportive, but more comfort and machine wash and cheap and so on.... <BR> <BR>So yes, bras at KMart, a big part of my visits to the US... <BR> <BR>YOu might like Victoria's Secrets, but give me KMart any day!

Maira May 18th, 2001 03:04 AM

Steve--- when you consider the amount of garbage that every American generates a day, proportionally, we litter significantly less than you might think. My job as an Environmental Engineer takes me all over looking at towns, rivers, lakes, and streams, and, I wholeheartedly agree with posters above, the natural beauty of this country is unbelievable. <BR> <BR>Now, let's go back to our European friends :-D

maggi May 18th, 2001 03:26 AM

We get lots of visits from relatives in Germany and they want to shop, shop, shop! They buy designer jeans by the armload. Having been over there to visit, I can see why. Their clothing is very expensive. I also hear a lot of positive comments about how friendly, helpful and open we Americans are.


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