Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
#91
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
OK, I know the lack of adequate road signage has been brought up before … but OH BOY is this an issue around DC metro land.
Took a couple of days off to drive to PA and do a scheduled tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater (great architecture).
Hardly any problems away from DC metro land, but on the way back to DC land I took a wrong exit off the 495 beltway (used by the "Beltway Boys" on the telly, and no, I don't watch their show) and oh hell, spent two hours driving around totally lost … the road I was on took me into rural Maryland. It was “pitch black” and no road signs, totally lost, and I, I, I nearly lost my mind; it was such a FRUSTRATING experience.
What is it with the roads – telling me I am on such and such road but not giving directions to a major highway (which I can find on a map) is really BAD! What a waste of fuel and time. Plus I could have unintentionally strayed into a bad area and BLAM!
Took a couple of days off to drive to PA and do a scheduled tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater (great architecture).
Hardly any problems away from DC metro land, but on the way back to DC land I took a wrong exit off the 495 beltway (used by the "Beltway Boys" on the telly, and no, I don't watch their show) and oh hell, spent two hours driving around totally lost … the road I was on took me into rural Maryland. It was “pitch black” and no road signs, totally lost, and I, I, I nearly lost my mind; it was such a FRUSTRATING experience.
What is it with the roads – telling me I am on such and such road but not giving directions to a major highway (which I can find on a map) is really BAD! What a waste of fuel and time. Plus I could have unintentionally strayed into a bad area and BLAM!
#92
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
I am an American that has been living in the UK for the last 5 years. When I first moved over I complained about everything here comparing it to America. However, what I quickly realised was that it isn't the US and UK that I was comparing, it was my small suburban town outside of Chicago that I was comparing to the Royal Forest of Dean in the middle of nowhere! What I am trying to get at is that you cannot strictly compare the US to UK because both are so diverse that no matter what town you live in, no 2 are ever alike.
In response to the road markings and cat eyes, if you live in Maine then your state is equipped with snow plows which of course means that any reflectors need to be set in to the roads. This in turns means that the road markings will not be as easy to see. However, if you travel down to TX or AZ, then the markings stand out loud and clear because they don't have to worry about the snow. Sounds like all of the complaints one may have of America is actually just problems with Maine and you should consider moving. Also, this cannot be compared to the UK road markings with their bright reflectors because even though they do get snow, I've never seen a snow plow (I know, I don't understand it either), so even though you can see where you're going very well in normal weather, in the winter you cannot drive at all because of the state of the roads!
Also, defending the drinking culture of America (or the lack there of) I don't see how you can possibly think this is a bad thing. Certainly from a health point of view it is better to limit the amount of alcohol that one puts into their body? Every time that we go out into the city to go for a nice meal it is always spoiled by all the drunken people stumbling out of pubs and clubs wanting to pick a fight with everyone they meet.
Lastly, about having to drive between strip malls, I would rather it take those few minutes compared to where I live in the UK where it takes me over an hour to get to the local mall. Yes, I can get to the nearest city 30 minutes away to do some shopping but they are all outside and considering it rains every day it doesn't making shopping a pleasant experience.
In response to the road markings and cat eyes, if you live in Maine then your state is equipped with snow plows which of course means that any reflectors need to be set in to the roads. This in turns means that the road markings will not be as easy to see. However, if you travel down to TX or AZ, then the markings stand out loud and clear because they don't have to worry about the snow. Sounds like all of the complaints one may have of America is actually just problems with Maine and you should consider moving. Also, this cannot be compared to the UK road markings with their bright reflectors because even though they do get snow, I've never seen a snow plow (I know, I don't understand it either), so even though you can see where you're going very well in normal weather, in the winter you cannot drive at all because of the state of the roads!
Also, defending the drinking culture of America (or the lack there of) I don't see how you can possibly think this is a bad thing. Certainly from a health point of view it is better to limit the amount of alcohol that one puts into their body? Every time that we go out into the city to go for a nice meal it is always spoiled by all the drunken people stumbling out of pubs and clubs wanting to pick a fight with everyone they meet.
Lastly, about having to drive between strip malls, I would rather it take those few minutes compared to where I live in the UK where it takes me over an hour to get to the local mall. Yes, I can get to the nearest city 30 minutes away to do some shopping but they are all outside and considering it rains every day it doesn't making shopping a pleasant experience.
#93
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by NewEngVic
Certainly from a health point of view it is better to limit the amount of alcohol that one puts into their body?
#94
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by NewEngVic
In response to the road markings and cat eyes, if you live in Maine then your state is equipped with snow plows which of course means that any reflectors need to be set in to the roads. ...
Lastly, about having to drive between strip malls, I would rather it take those few minutes compared to where I live in the UK where it takes me over an hour to get to the local mall...
Lastly, about having to drive between strip malls, I would rather it take those few minutes compared to where I live in the UK where it takes me over an hour to get to the local mall...
As for the malls, that depends on where your living to doesn't it, if you lived in a city, it wouldn't be a problem. I'm living in a city, but there's bugger all here, have to go 45 mins to any of the main big cities or a wally world. And no, I don't intend to stay here permanently, but it's where I am now.
As for the booze, don't even get me started, it's all about choice, oh which, it is very limited over here, if your older enough to vote, join the army, buy guns etc, you should be of sound mind to choose to buy a bottle of beer without having to go through major hoops.
#95
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
I remember one winter in Chicago when a car did a ski-ramp flip onto a CTA metro line.
At least two of the Chicago freeways have a CTA train tracks running along the middle of the highway (separated by concrete wall/barrier).
Now cometh the snow, then cometh the snowplough trucks ... and the snow in the "fastest" lane gets pushed and compressed and pushed and more compressed ... up against the train wall/barrier.
Then cometh the cars, automobiles, trucks, your poison. One took a sideswipe at said barrier and actually did a ski-ramp kind of flip up the compressed snow and over the barrier and landed on the tracks (upside down on the tracks if my memory is serves me right).
The tracks have that "third rail", i.e. they are electrified.
At least two of the Chicago freeways have a CTA train tracks running along the middle of the highway (separated by concrete wall/barrier).
Now cometh the snow, then cometh the snowplough trucks ... and the snow in the "fastest" lane gets pushed and compressed and pushed and more compressed ... up against the train wall/barrier.
Then cometh the cars, automobiles, trucks, your poison. One took a sideswipe at said barrier and actually did a ski-ramp kind of flip up the compressed snow and over the barrier and landed on the tracks (upside down on the tracks if my memory is serves me right).
The tracks have that "third rail", i.e. they are electrified.
#96
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Virginia,USA
Posts: 5
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Mind if I join in?
My pet peeve is people saying "What?" after everything I say... so I have to repeat myself a few times!
And not being able to find something I *know* they'd have back home
AND trying to find the latest Terry Pratchett book... or other favourite author/musician not available over here!
~Spin
My pet peeve is people saying "What?" after everything I say... so I have to repeat myself a few times!
And not being able to find something I *know* they'd have back home
AND trying to find the latest Terry Pratchett book... or other favourite author/musician not available over here!
~Spin
#97
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by Spinneretta
AND trying to find the latest Terry Pratchett book...
On the subject of peeves. People that use the term "dude" more than once in a sentence. Drives me nuts.
#98
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by Spinneretta
Mind if I join in?
My pet peeve is people saying "What?" after everything I say... so I have to repeat myself a few times!
And not being able to find something I *know* they'd have back home
AND trying to find the latest Terry Pratchett book... or other favourite author/musician not available over here!
~Spin
My pet peeve is people saying "What?" after everything I say... so I have to repeat myself a few times!
And not being able to find something I *know* they'd have back home
AND trying to find the latest Terry Pratchett book... or other favourite author/musician not available over here!
~Spin
#99
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by Spinneretta
Mind if I join in?
#100
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by rincewind
On the subject of peeves. People that use the term "dude" more than once in a sentence. Drives me nuts.
#101
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Virginia,USA
Posts: 5
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by rincewind
Barnes and Noble stores stock all of Pratchetts books. Failing that, I get most of my books and music from Amazon.com.
Has anyone else noticed an excessive number of policemen watching for speeders over here?
~Spin
#102
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by Bob
Dude? jubbly...
Arrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!
#103
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Virginia,USA
Posts: 5
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by Bob
Welcome to the site
I'm only typing English here... although my husband and I have gotten into some discussions on exactly what constitutes ENGLISH here... I submit that HE speaks AMERICAN and I speak ENGLISH
~Spin
#104
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by Spinneretta
Except the Discworld almanac
Has anyone else noticed an excessive number of policemen watching for speeders over here?
~Spin
Has anyone else noticed an excessive number of policemen watching for speeders over here?
~Spin
I did see a police Camaro on the road (i.e. driving) the other day. The only other time I'd seen one was at the State Fair and it was on display
NC Penguin
#105
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Virginia,USA
Posts: 5
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Must just be around here then ...
Probably want their Christmas bonus'
~Spin
Probably want their Christmas bonus'
~Spin