US Border Patrol - Checking Buses & Trains In NY
Aug 31st 2010, 4:46 pm
#106
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: US Border Patrol - Checking Buses & Trains In NY
5. Let the other person save face.
I'd say that Oregon4Now was very gracious yesterday in acknowledging that he's got something to learn on this topic and I'm very pleased that the discussion was able to go on civilly.
Aug 31st 2010, 4:49 pm
#107
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: US Border Patrol - Checking Buses & Trains In NY
Aug 31st 2010, 4:54 pm
#108
Heading for Poppyland
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Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
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Re: US Border Patrol - Checking Buses & Trains In NY
Be a Leader: How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment
5. Let the other person save face.
I'd say that Oregon4Now was very gracious yesterday in acknowledging that he's got something to learn on this topic and I'm very pleased that the discussion was able to go on civilly.
5. Let the other person save face.
I'd say that Oregon4Now was very gracious yesterday in acknowledging that he's got something to learn on this topic and I'm very pleased that the discussion was able to go on civilly.
Aug 31st 2010, 4:54 pm
#109
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: US Border Patrol - Checking Buses & Trains In NY
interesting thread, and I will admit i haven't read it all, but I have found the US strangulating on my 3 years here, the Paranoia, immigration fears, and documentation! I have joke at least once a week the only other place in the world you could live with these rules, would be a communist country, I find it very similar, you live by these rule, you complete this paper work, you carry this card, 3 weeks ago I went to NY with a British Friend on the train, during convo I found out she didn't have her passport, we where coming from CT, she had left it in the hotel safe, I worried all day on it, I worried that I only had my CT driver license, not my passport with my visa in it.
The subjective part of your post, paranoia, is something under your own control, just as your experience with your friend shows. *You* were the one worried all day, not her. You know that your CT DL was only received after you showed proof of legal presence, and that it would have satisfied any usual request for identification.
But I suppose my objections just give ammo for Mummy & Sally to say, 'ha HA! See what an American has to say back..' Personally, the idea of my every move being videotaped in the UK creeped me out now end, so horses for courses I guess.
I gave vaccines as a living in the UK and believe in them, but they shouldn't be forced into it by the State, (they should be educated and some will reject in the UK but that is freedom, makes me cross, but it is freedom), just to get their Kids in school!
Aug 31st 2010, 5:04 pm
#110
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Re: US Border Patrol - Checking Buses & Trains In NY
Since I am not familiar with what documentation those in a communist country need to carry on their persons, I cannot say if the US equates with them or not.
But in the US what documentation do you need to carry? You are not mandated to carry any identification in the US if you are a USC. Of course, if you are driving you need your driver's license. I'm assuming you have to do that in the UK as well. I am also assuming you don't have to carry proof of your British citizenship while going about your lives in the UK.
What forms do USC's have to complete? Other than a form to prove the right to work, I can't think of any that I am obligated to complete to prove my status.
But in the US what documentation do you need to carry? You are not mandated to carry any identification in the US if you are a USC. Of course, if you are driving you need your driver's license. I'm assuming you have to do that in the UK as well. I am also assuming you don't have to carry proof of your British citizenship while going about your lives in the UK.
What forms do USC's have to complete? Other than a form to prove the right to work, I can't think of any that I am obligated to complete to prove my status.
Aug 31st 2010, 5:04 pm
#111
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: US Border Patrol - Checking Buses & Trains In NY
Since I am not familiar with what documentation those in a communist country need to carry on their persons, I cannot say if the US equates with them or not.
But in the US what documentation do you need to carry? You are not mandated to carry any identification in the US if you are a USC. Of course, if you are driving you need your driver's license. I'm assuming you have to do that in the UK as well. I am also assuming you don't have to carry proof of your British citizenship while going about your lives in the UK.
But in the US what documentation do you need to carry? You are not mandated to carry any identification in the US if you are a USC. Of course, if you are driving you need your driver's license. I'm assuming you have to do that in the UK as well. I am also assuming you don't have to carry proof of your British citizenship while going about your lives in the UK.
And while I don't remember the details very clearly, my uncle the Mountie made a point of telling 15 year old me to not go oot n' aboot without ID in Canada, as that would be illegal. Maybe he was just yanking my chain though, because he's been known to do that.
Aug 31st 2010, 5:05 pm
#112
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: US Border Patrol - Checking Buses & Trains In NY
It's a general observation that a lot of systems here, not just immigration, are very bureaucratic, antiquated, overstaffed and needlessly fiddly in a way which is greatly reminiscent of my experience of the Soviet Union and East Germany. It's not even necessarily a bad thing, it gives employment to a lot of people. It's just slightly amusing that many Americans wouldn't believe that.
And omg, talk about employment for life.. the Greeks have us all beat hands-down when it comes to bureaucracy!
Aug 31st 2010, 5:08 pm
#113
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Re: US Border Patrol - Checking Buses & Trains In NY
Before I became a citizen I never carried my green card with me. It never crossed my mind that I would ever run into trouble re my immigration status while I was out and about. Being watched by cctv when I'm outside my home doesn't bother me either.
I think it's a good thing.
NYS is the same and was that way back when my girls were in school in the 70's and 80's and when I went to school in the 50's and 60's.
Think this is a poor example of "control" by government since it has been around for decades and has helped stop the spread of some childhood diseases.
Think this is a poor example of "control" by government since it has been around for decades and has helped stop the spread of some childhood diseases.
I think it's a good thing.
Aug 31st 2010, 5:11 pm
#114
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
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Re: US Border Patrol - Checking Buses & Trains In NY
I don't know if you ever lived in another country besides your own before coming to the US. Immigration documentation is one of the most stressful parts of living in another country, IMO. In Greece, I was forever afraid of the police while waiting for my paperwork to come through, and I traveled weekly to another village (considerable effort to accomplish) to chase down a piece of paper. This went on for months. I don't think your comment is fair if the US is your only experience.. you can't compare it to other, MUCH less organized systems.
The subjective part of your post, paranoia, is something under your own control, just as your experience with your friend shows. *You* were the one worried all day, not her. You know that your CT DL was only received after you showed proof of legal presence, and that it would have satisfied any usual request for identification.
But I suppose my objections just give ammo for Mummy & Sally to say, 'ha HA! See what an American has to say back..' Personally, the idea of my every move being videotaped in the UK creeped me out now end, so horses for courses I guess.
Did you read anything about the whooping cough breakout recently in California?
The subjective part of your post, paranoia, is something under your own control, just as your experience with your friend shows. *You* were the one worried all day, not her. You know that your CT DL was only received after you showed proof of legal presence, and that it would have satisfied any usual request for identification.
But I suppose my objections just give ammo for Mummy & Sally to say, 'ha HA! See what an American has to say back..' Personally, the idea of my every move being videotaped in the UK creeped me out now end, so horses for courses I guess.
Did you read anything about the whooping cough breakout recently in California?
Aug 31st 2010, 5:20 pm
#115
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: US Border Patrol - Checking Buses & Trains In NY
Aug 31st 2010, 5:59 pm
#117
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: US Border Patrol - Checking Buses & Trains In NY
Even with a Greencard you always have to deal with the lowest common denominator. I recall flying through Skyharbor here in Phoenix once shortly after getting my Greencard. The TSA drone actually turned around to her colleague and said "Do we accept these?", I was very restrained.
Aug 31st 2010, 6:13 pm
#118
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,556
Re: US Border Patrol - Checking Buses & Trains In NY
It's a general observation that a lot of systems here, not just immigration, are very bureaucratic, antiquated, overstaffed and needlessly fiddly in a way which is greatly reminiscent of my experience of the Soviet Union and East Germany. It's not even necessarily a bad thing, it gives employment to a lot of people. It's just slightly amusing that many Americans wouldn't believe that.
Aug 31st 2010, 6:18 pm
#119
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Re: US Border Patrol - Checking Buses & Trains In NY
Even with a Greencard you always have to deal with the lowest common denominator. I recall flying through Skyharbor here in Phoenix once shortly after getting my Greencard. The TSA drone actually turned around to her colleague and said "Do we accept these?", I was very restrained.
In my case it was an airline check-in clerk, who decided that my cousin from Australia, on a world trip, did not have the proper visa for her next leg to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Seeing my cousin and husband crestfallen I intervened to translate the Portuguese visa language (by way of Spanish) for her. The clerk then turned to an associate who then agreed that it must be ok. It was obvious that neither one had any idea of what the visa language meant but had the power to create serious problems for travellers.
Aug 31st 2010, 6:53 pm
#120
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Re: US Border Patrol - Checking Buses & Trains In NY
I never visited the Soviet Union, but always had a soft spot for the socialist countries of eastern Europe. It dated back to the novel In Praise of Older Women: the amorous recollections of András Vajda. I read the book when it first came out, so I was an impressionable 15 year old imaging myself having sexual encounters with women in their thirties and forties. Life seemed to me so carefree in Communist Hungary compared to Harold Wilson's England. No doubt the reality was different, there were forms to fill out & queues to stand in..
Ennnnhhhh!!! DOES NOT COMPUTE! DOES NOT COMPUTE!!!