Young Tom

Thanks for the insight; isn't it funny how they don't advertise that in the brochure.

The competitive working nature of Americans is something I've heard about and seen a little of. Is there a Nationwide obsession with neat and tidy grass lawns or is it confined to various regions?

Partystar

[QUOTE=Young Tom]Thanks for the insight; isn't it funny how they don't advertise that in the brochure.

The competitive working nature of Americans is something I've heard about and seen a little of. Is there a Nationwide obsession with neat and tidy grass lawns or is it confined to various regions?[/QUOTE]

That's probably the work of a HOA!!! I'm sure AWP would be glad to comment on that if you'd like!

Young Tom

That's probably the work of a HOA!!! I'm sure AWP would be glad to comment on that if you'd like![/QUOTE]

I beg your pardon, but What? and Who?

Bob

I beg your pardon, but What? and Who? [/QUOTE]
You'll have a laugh when you find his thread, angry white pajamas...on the housing association...

Ozzidoc

You'll have a laugh when you find his thread, angry white pajamas...on the housing association...[/QUOTE]

oooh we're still waiting on update....all silent on the flag front?


Sorry to hijack Tom.....erm..... the AWP HOA thread gives an excellent indication of cultural differences.

Partystar

Yeah, can we say anal?!

Partystar

Coolio!

I'm from the Oxford area & that's where I plan to return. I could write an essay about reason for us moving back to England, but I'll try to make it short!

- Lack of affordable healthcare in the US.
- Availability/usage of guns.
- Crime rate.
- School system isn't as good as what I'm used to in England.
- My family & friends are back in England.
- Our quality of life was better in England (better paid jobs, a/l etc).
- More annual leave/sick time in England - (England - 25 days annual leave, bank holidays & 6 months sick leave (3 months full pay & 3 months half pay). US - 10 days annual leave, 10 days sick leave & 10 paid holidays.)

That should be enough for now; I don't want to bore you!

blaze

Prey tell, what is your problem with that?

clydegirl

I like it very easy on the eyes.

blaze

There you go see, a woman after my own heart!

Young Tom

I'm sorry to hear about your unpleasant experiences. My relatives in AZ had told us stories of police heli's going overhead/gunshots etc. That was before they moved to Glendale. I don't know if the story rings a bell with you, but around October last year, there was a shooting at a large Walmart. Unfortunately, a friend of a friend lost his life.

Although I have hardly any experience with firearms, It does seem that the general American attitude isn't the best, when compared to Canada (for example). I only mention that as I saw Bowling for Columbine again last night.

If Hardcore Porn was sold in supermarkets, there could possibly be riots in the streets, but no-one seemed to bat an eyelid when presented with weapons and ammunition.

That said, I personally have no problem with safe (-ish) and responsible firearm usage. It's something I'd quite like to try out, If I was given the chance.

Like young Dot said, "There's no place like home".


On a separate note, I managed to find the HOA thread. My sensible side remembers that pride comes before a fall. Something that many,many Americans would do well to remember. However, assuming an equal reaction to any "Nazi's", may result in you looking like an English Nazi, a quisling, if you like; and we don't want that do we?

Personally, if I felt so inclined, I would fly any flag I felt like. The most probable combination would be the St. Georges Cross at the top, with the Union Jack directly below it. If anyone didn't like it, I would politely explain that I owned the land, the pole and the flag(s), and that's the bottom line.

This show of UN-common politeness might shock them into submission, thus proving that despite all the loud-mouthed ranting, we shall not be moved.

In short, AWP, your HOA sound like a bunch of curtain twitchers with a 20-foot flagpole stuck up'em. I wouldn't be concerned, really.

Partystar

Actually I lived next to that Walmart (in the apartment complex behind it) when it happened, we used to do our shopping there. I remember the 2 men that died & it was weird every time I went back there, remembering what had happened. They put up a plaque as part of a memorial & they put flowers & candles out by it whenever it's a special day, like Valentine's Day. Words cannot express my anger & sadness at such an awful tragedy, I really feel for their families & of course, we all shed a tear for them.

We liked that area of town (Arrowhead), but it's not really in a first time buyer's price range, so we had to move to a newer area, further out of town (El Mirage), but it's great here & so far we've had no problems. That being said, I don't want to raise my child anywhere in this country, the bad outweighs the good by far, for us anyway.