What is the criteria for counting how many states you've stepped foot on?
Oct 21st, 2005, 07:02 PM
#1
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What is the criteria for counting how many states you've stepped foot on?
My husband and I were counting how many states we've traveled through in our lifetimes. My question is, do you include the states that you've only stopped for a layover in the airports? What about Amtrak train rides that took you through states but did not stop at?
Oct 21st, 2005, 08:56 PM
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Well, if you were counting those you "traveled through", then I guess I'd have counted those you went through.
But if I were counting places that I'd tell people that I visited (although not quite sure what that conversation would sound like), then no, I couldn't say a drive/train straight through was a visit. Kind of like having laid over in Japan once. Not exactly the impression of temples and gardens people would imagine if I claimed I'd visited Japan. In other words, I guess I could make any list with whatever "rules" I wanted (states I saw on a full moon and entered leading with my right foot) but if I was planning on commenting on this list to someone else, I'd choose the option that wasn't misleading. Or not.
Oct 21st, 2005, 09:09 PM
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My daughter and I has this discussion this summer. We have set criteria as not only set foot down, but one has to breathe outside air (I know - a totally silly rule - but as stated above, each sets his/her own rules).
So merely passing thru an airport does not count unless you go outside. Hence, we traversed the entire length of Denver airport, exited thru security, exited building to breathe diesel fumes in the bus lane and then reversed process to make our connecting flight. Cross off Colorado.
We also drove thru mountain pass to spend afternoon in Idaho on trip to Yellowstone - since it was only state remaining in northwest part of country and we did not imagine planning a trip to just Idaho in the near future.
So merely passing thru an airport does not count unless you go outside. Hence, we traversed the entire length of Denver airport, exited thru security, exited building to breathe diesel fumes in the bus lane and then reversed process to make our connecting flight. Cross off Colorado.
We also drove thru mountain pass to spend afternoon in Idaho on trip to Yellowstone - since it was only state remaining in northwest part of country and we did not imagine planning a trip to just Idaho in the near future.
Oct 22nd, 2005, 05:53 AM
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Criterion is the singular, criteria is plural. However, from Answers.com
"Like the analogous etymological plurals agenda and data, criteria is widely used as a singular form. Unlike them, however, it is not yet acceptable in that use."
My criteria for counting places I have been to is:
1- If I step on the ground, so being in an airport doesn't count.
2- If I pass through on a train or car, so as to see enough to know what it is like.
"Like the analogous etymological plurals agenda and data, criteria is widely used as a singular form. Unlike them, however, it is not yet acceptable in that use."
My criteria for counting places I have been to is:
1- If I step on the ground, so being in an airport doesn't count.
2- If I pass through on a train or car, so as to see enough to know what it is like.
Oct 22nd, 2005, 06:03 AM
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Nope, not too early. It's either "set foot on" or "stepped on" -- people don't "step feet" anywhere. (A teacher-friend's most recent pet peeve.)
Also thinking a better question would be about how many states including vs. how many states not including airport layover. I figure a train trip through a state will show you at least as much as a car ride on an interstate and usually a lot more. I'm guessing that Georgia (ATL), Ill (ORD), and Texas (DFW) and maybe NY (JFK) and CA (LAX/SFO) would be the states most frequently appearing on one list than not the other.
Also thinking a better question would be about how many states including vs. how many states not including airport layover. I figure a train trip through a state will show you at least as much as a car ride on an interstate and usually a lot more. I'm guessing that Georgia (ATL), Ill (ORD), and Texas (DFW) and maybe NY (JFK) and CA (LAX/SFO) would be the states most frequently appearing on one list than not the other.
Oct 22nd, 2005, 09:11 AM
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Yup, ATL is on my airport list, but I've never really visited Georgia. That's our family's rule: You must actually visit the state, so airports don't count. But a quick scoot across the border, to buy gas or have lunch, does count.
Oct 22nd, 2005, 10:54 AM
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This is funny. For most of the states which I count coup, I have actually visited and seen a fair part of. For me, airports don't count but road or train trips do. My two states that are counted only because of a quick drive into are Delaware and South Dakota.
Oct 24th, 2005, 10:34 AM
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At one point in my life, I'd only been to states on either coast and nothing in the middle (except for IL because of ORD). During a visit to in-laws' on the western border of Iowa, I begged to take a quick trip over the river to Decatur, Neb., so I could say I'd set foot in ( ;-) ) Nebraska. Boy, was there ever nothing there! Just a sad little bar (it's probably a bustling metropolis now, or perhaps part of the reservation casino). But I got to say I'd been in one more state.
