American Impressions

**nrgbeat** · February 27th, 2005, 05:39 AM

Just wondered if any of you folks from other countries had visited the U.S. and wondered what your experience was like.

Did you enjoy yourself?

Were people friendly?

Were there things from back home that you missed because you couldn't find them in the U.S.?

**JussiK** · March 2nd, 2005, 02:18 AM

I went to New York a month ago. The edginess and the spirit of creativity that once characterized the city seemed to have all but vanished - a sad state of affairs. New York sure ain't the place it used to be. Friends living there agree. Naturally they can do without the subway slashers and stuff like that from the past but the overall disneyfication, diminishing tolerance of nightlife venues, the constant censoring of arts and the overall effects of religious fundamentalism now rampant in American society have almost reduced the once mighty cultural metropolis into a bland, everytown America. There certainly are nice funky cafes a plenty in lower Manhattan and nighttime walks and rides thru Brooklyn or the Bronx still send a shiver or two along the spine but compared to truly thriving, tolerant and exciting cities like Barcelona, Paris or Berlin, the apple now seems a bit past it's sell-by date. - The people were cheerful, fun and expressive as always, if a bit on the "OH MY GOD!!" side as seen in tv shows like "America's next supermodel" - "my god that's too fabulous! Oh my god I've never seen ANYTHING that am-aaazing!" when the thing in front of them is just ordinary. The food was excellent, wonderful in spots like Babbo's. No film screenings to get excited about at all but that's hardly anything new now that most Hollywood movies are rated pg-13. Arthouses offered nothing exceptional. Superb, to die for exhausting vinyl stores and a stunning Prada emporium in Soho, a Rem Koolhaas fantasy you can float around in for hours, just taking in the ambient music, the subtle changes in texture and form, the colours, and maybe buy something too now that the euro/dollar exchange rate is so favourable to us. MoMa is very good but it actually costs 20 dollars to get in, apparently the state doesn't sponsor the arts much in America, it was like poor people stay away we don't want you here. Sidewalks are in so-so condition in the Village where my hotel was and there were very few post offices around. Kim's store in the St Mark's Place had an impeccable selection of genre dvds and offbeat film magazines plus books. The coffee was tasty. Good design shops, too, so maybe New York wasn't what it used to be but I certainly had a good time. If only they'd get rid of Bush then maybe the city could be nursed back into good (mental) health and we'd have a ball.

**SandraDee** · March 5th, 2005, 09:55 AM

Originally Written by JussiK

I went to New York a month ago. The edginess and the spirit of creativity that once characterized the city seemed to have all but vanished

I've never actually visited but from what I've seen & read, I feel that NY became a very different place from the mid 80s on because of the dreadful effect of AIDS. Most of the truly interesting or creative people in NY seemed to be lost to this simply awful affair. :cry: It will take probably decades to build up this creative population again but I'm sure it will happen eventually. I'm actually planning to visit NY later this year to 'celebrate' my 40th bithday & feel very excited about it. I've previously been to California & found the place exciting & the people mainly friendly & helpful.

**Rab** · March 8th, 2005, 12:14 PM

- The people were cheerful, fun and expressive as always, if a bit on the "OH MY GOD!!" side as seen in tv shows like "America's next supermodel" - "my god that's too fabulous! Oh my god I've never seen ANYTHING that am-aaazing!" when the thing in front of them is just ordinary.

I hear the people in Finland are very unemotional. They don't even get angry. I remember seeing crowds of people on TV in Helsinki, and long lines at dept stores, and everyone had this basic glib expression on their face. They don't get excited, they don't get angry...sort of like statues with no expression that move. But, hmm...I was wondering Jus, do you have a lot of big blonde guys with broad shoulders there? Tom of Finland types? :P

**JussiK** · March 9th, 2005, 03:22 AM

Originally Written by Rab

I hear the people in Finland are very unemotional. They don't even get angry. I remember seeing crowds of people on TV in Helsinki, and long lines at dept stores, and everyone had this basic glib expression on their face. They don't get excited, they don't get angry...sort of like statues with no expression that move. But, hmm...I was wondering Jus, do you have a lot of big blonde guys with broad shoulders there? Tom of Finland types? :P

We're made of stone. We don't show any emotion whatsoever even when fighting against polar bears and Russian spies, Wu-Tang-style. I for one have never smiled in my life, nor do I make eye contact with anyone while baring my massive upper torso in department store lines while waiting for the latest Nokia model. Built like a truck, I grab my mobile phone/cellphone and ride off into the night Like An Eagle.

**SandraDee** · March 9th, 2005, 03:59 PM

I've seen a photo of you Jussi & your torso didn't look that big! :lol:

**JussiK** · March 10th, 2005, 12:34 AM

Originally Written by SandraDee

I've seen a photo of you Jussi & your torso didn't look that big! :lol:

I'm absolutely enormous but the people posing next to me happened to be more so, don't let the pic fool you, girl. Also, the smile was by Adobe Photoshop.