Film Noir Buff Style Forum / American Differences

Topstitcher · 2013-07-22 02:09:12

I like to be in America...

Although it's ages since I was.

I especially liked the way that their beds were higher than ours. One climbed up into them.

Their plumbing was different too with far more water in the lavatory bowl. Difficult for a chap to have a quiet jimmy in the European way, but one got used to it.

Food was larger.

Beer was lighter.

Social attitudes were endearingly prim.

Their womenfolk had a sweet modesty about them. One even said 'Jeepers' to me.

I found the pornography in the Combat Zone in Boston strangely alien - Far more raw and lurid than what I was used to back then. All the pink bits seemed pinker than ever.

Although not generally regarded as being a food culture, I found their insistence on fresh produce better than that in England at the time. Later in France I discovered that insistence elevated to the point of fetish. I thought the Americans had it about right.

I liked the choice in America and found even the lowliest 7-11 to be bewilderingly rich in options and variations on a theme.

I liked the convenience culture too - The ease of instant gratification that they seem to prize, taking the waiting out of wanting.

My experience of America was always very familiar/unfamiliar. On the whole, the land I visited about 11 times in total was not the place I'd lapped up from films and the television - It was far nicer. Even walking alone down Broadway in the wee small hours I saw no evil. When asked if I was looking for a good time and replying 'to be honest I'm looking for a sandwich', just to change the subject quickly, all the drug-ravaged whores I encountered couldn't have been more helpful in recommending places to eat.

What other things does this pro- American style forum like about America ?

Charlie Kasso · 2013-07-22 02:35:51

big 50s/60's cars, roads that don't end...
used record stores where top class jazz lps can be bought for 5 bucks...
Reuben sandwich with thousand island...

Charlie Kasso · 2013-07-22 02:43:00

bottomless cup of joe..........
pancakes with bacon and maple syrup....
Greenwich Village...
Lake Michigan beaches in summer....

Charlie Kasso · 2013-07-22 02:45:21

finding bars that you can still smoke in.....
can you tell I love the place?
I was born in Los Angeles but have grown up in England. I visit my brother in Indiana when I can and pretty much consider it my spiritual home.

J. Taylor · 2013-07-22 03:23:49

House music, inherent friendliness, disco, the ridiculous array of sandwich fillings they have, my bird, having a citizen head of state, breakfast, their take on Mexican food.

Lots to love about the States. I'm back over next month, although I'll be in Texas seeing the inlaws, rather than somewhere a little more exciting like New York of DC.

Worried Man · 2013-07-22 05:03:53

Lots of talk of sandwiches lately.

woofboxer · 2013-07-22 05:23:49

I like Americans sense of pride in their nation, it's place in the world and it's achievements. That's not say that they are blind to the many problems they have, the average yank is ready to have grumble and groan like anyone but there seems to be an underlying optimism that trancends the negativity.

This contrasts with our self depracating outlook and the oft voiced view that everything in the UK is crap - which clearly it is not.

Jeff Reed · 2013-07-22 05:27:59

I love that we saved western civilization once from fascism, a second time from communism, and all we do is continue to provide the umbrella to our feminine friend, Europe.

Last edited by Jeff Reed (2013-07-22 05:28:25)

Charlie Kasso · 2013-07-22 05:42:15

Project Paperclip was a wizard wheeze, was it not?

woofboxer · 2013-07-22 06:01:13

Armchaired · 2013-07-22 06:02:01

Owing to the fact I am only British due to the Irish Diaspora and having plenty of US born members
Of my extended family. My relationship with America is probably a bit different to your average Brit.
It may even explain why I love Ivy and all the stuff that comes with it.
It has never been one of sneering which seems to be common (even on a clothing forum dedicated to American style).
I think we have far more in common than most pompous twats would like to admit.I have enjoyed my visits stateside.
I love American movies; traditional American clothing, i work for Americans and ultimately I love America (there I have said it).
The nuances that separate us really do not interest me that much. People are People after all.

Jeff Reed · 2013-07-22 06:34:49

Topstitcher · 2013-07-22 06:56:16

Topstitcher · 2013-07-22 06:57:43

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pot_roast

sonofstan · 2013-07-22 07:06:33

Jeff Reed · 2013-07-22 07:21:36

Jeff Reed · 2013-07-22 07:43:35

Back to the proper subject. I like American writing. I used to be more an admirer of French literature and secondarily British, but I have come to realize that it is American literature that speaks most to me. Melville, Twain, but above all Frank Norris, who to me is the most quintessentially American writer.

It is funny to me that that the best of our literature is so free from pretense while our society has ever been full of it.

Last edited by Jeff Reed (2013-07-22 07:44:17)

Topstitcher · 2013-07-22 08:01:40

The American short story is especially dear to me. Good old Mr. Cheever and so many of the rest.

Nathaniel Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown is an old fave from schooldays.

Jeff Reed · 2013-07-22 08:21:19

All time fave is Melville's Bartleby. Love Updike too. A&P and Lucid Eye in Silvertown. All three left a considerable impression on my young mind. And Irving. Our own mythology made up whole cloth without apology. And it worked.

Liam · 2013-07-22 08:22:27

The American Dream - 5 tacos for a buck

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJoDOo9gpzU

Charlie Kasso · 2013-07-22 10:04:16

Runyon's Broadway short stories are great fun...

J. Taylor · 2013-07-22 10:42:34

stanshall · 2013-07-22 11:58:00

Worried Man · 2013-07-22 12:59:57

I love American girls. I think they're getting more beautiful as time goes on. I keep getting older... that's the problem. Well, that, and I'm off the market.

stanshall · 2013-07-22 13:24:52

#1 2013-07-22 02:09:12

American Differences

#2 2013-07-22 02:35:51

Re: American Differences

#3 2013-07-22 02:43:00

Re: American Differences

#4 2013-07-22 02:45:21

Re: American Differences

#5 2013-07-22 03:23:49

Re: American Differences

#6 2013-07-22 05:03:53

Re: American Differences

#7 2013-07-22 05:23:49

Re: American Differences

#8 2013-07-22 05:27:59

Re: American Differences

#9 2013-07-22 05:42:15

Re: American Differences

#10 2013-07-22 06:01:13

Re: American Differences

#11 2013-07-22 06:02:01

Re: American Differences

#12 2013-07-22 06:34:49

Re: American Differences

#13 2013-07-22 06:56:16

Re: American Differences

#14 2013-07-22 06:57:43

Re: American Differences

#15 2013-07-22 07:06:33

Re: American Differences

#16 2013-07-22 07:21:36

Re: American Differences

#17 2013-07-22 07:43:35

Re: American Differences

#18 2013-07-22 08:01:40

Re: American Differences

#19 2013-07-22 08:21:19

Re: American Differences

#20 2013-07-22 08:22:27

Re: American Differences

#21 2013-07-22 10:04:16

Re: American Differences

#22 2013-07-22 10:42:34

Re: American Differences

#23 2013-07-22 11:58:00

Re: American Differences

#24 2013-07-22 12:59:57

Re: American Differences

#25 2013-07-22 13:24:52

Re: American Differences

Board footer