1. Twenty Things That Are a Disappointment
In addition to the aforementioned incidents such as the sudden braking of an airplane and the price tag of a supermarket excluding tax, there are many other experiences that make people laugh and cry. For example, when looking for a public toilet, I found that the gap between the door and the ground was ridiculously large, and there was no privacy at all. The design of public toilets does not seem to fully consider the feelings of users, which makes people feel very embarrassed when they are in urgent need of convenience. Also, when shopping, the price tag of the goods is inconsistent with the actual payment price, which always makes people feel surprised and dissatisfied when checking out. In addition, the food portions in the United States are very large, and for people with smaller appetites, ordering a meal may waste a lot. In some restaurants, the super-large burgers are daunting, and it feels wasteful if you can’t finish them, which makes people very entangled when ordering.
2. Confusion about infrastructure
There are indeed many problems with the infrastructure in some parts of the United States. For example, there are few trees beside some roads, which not only makes the road landscape look monotonous, but also fails to provide shade in the hot summer. The uneven roads in New York City are even more prominent. According to statistics, nearly a quarter of the bridges in the United States have problems, of which 10% are structural defects and 14% are functionally obsolete. As the Prime Minister of Pakistan complained, “New York’s roads are still bumpy.” This not only affects the comfort of travel, but also brings additional wear and tear to vehicles. Public transportation in the United States is also not perfect. Except for some large cities, public transportation in other places is pitifully small, the waiting time is long, and it is almost impossible to move without a car. For example, the US highway system is poorly maintained. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers’ assessment of the US road conditions every 4 years, in the most recent assessment in 2017, the overall road grade in the United States was rated D+.
3. Dilemma of tipping culture
The tipping culture in the United States has caused a lot of trouble for tourists. On the one hand, tourists often don’t know who to tip and how much to tip. According to data, 11% of Americans don’t know who to tip and how much to tip. People of different ages have different views on tipping. The older they are, the more negative their views on tipping culture seem to be. On the other hand, the contradiction between service and tipping is also confusing. If the service is not good, should you tip or not? 64% of people said that the amount of tip depends on whether the service is good or not, but 10% said that they would tip the same amount regardless of whether the service is good or bad. Moreover, some places also make people feel uncomfortable by collecting tips in advance. 34% of Americans are unhappy with the service fees collected in advance by cafes, food trucks and mobile apps. In addition, 25% will choose to give less or no tip when there is a pre-collected tip, but 14% will increase the tip. The tipping culture is like an elusive problem, which adds a lot of trouble to tourists’ trip to the United States.
2. Unforgettable Fun and Unique Charm
1. The joy of having a grandson
In the United States, the birth of my grandson brought me endless joy and unforgettable experiences. After my grandson Linlin was born, he was reluctant to fall asleep, so I pushed him outside and sang “Horse, Please Walk Slowly” for him. Unexpectedly, this trick was very effective and he fell asleep in about half an hour. After a full month, Linlin still needed such comfort, so I also had a special liking for this song.
During my time living in the United States, I have gained a lot of insights into local life. For example, the classification and management of garbage. The community conducts closed-door key management of domestic garbage and cleans it up every day. General garbage is classified into buckets, and large items must be placed in designated locations. There is also compliance with public order in public places. American citizens are calm when queuing. I have personally experienced the discounts on goods in shopping malls. People lined up the night before in an orderly manner.
2. The Adventures Behind the Food
The process of tasting American food is full of interesting things and unexpected experiences. Just like the Chinese guy who brought pig ears to the streets of the United States. No one was interested in them at first, but later they caused a wave of people lining up to taste them. An American uncle exclaimed after eating: “Oh my God, I used to feel disgusted when I saw this thing, but I didn’t expect it to taste so delicious! You Chinese people are really good at eating!” From pig’s trotters to pig ears, Chinese snacks are popular in the United States. This is not only a victory of taste, but also a cultural exchange.
Another wealthy American woman complained about the monotonous taste of American food after visiting China. After tasting seafood in China, she was impressed by the ingenuity of Chinese chefs. But when she returned to the United States, she felt disappointed when faced with familiar food and believed that American chefs should learn Chinese culinary art.
3. American-style experience
Visiting the first cable car in San Francisco is a fascinating experience. In 1869, inventor Andrew Smith Holiday saw horses struggling to pull a car in San Francisco, and invented a steam-powered, cable-driven rail system. Four years later, the world’s first cable car began running. Visitors can view the first cable car at the free Cable Car Museum and learn how the underground pulley system works. You can also take a human-powered cable car and go in the direction where the horses once went. Especially on steep Jackson Street, when the brass bells ring, the duet on the public transportation cable car adds a lot of fun. Walk along Fisherman’s Wharf on Hyde Street to Lombard Street to see the “crookedest street in the world”, and there are places worth visiting on California Street, such as Nob Hill, Chinatown and the Financial District.
Nashville is known as the “Music City” and has the highest per capita density of people working in the music industry in the world. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum attracts many music celebrities. There are more than 130 music venues in the town where you can experience wonderful country music. The world-famous Broadway honky-tonk is also located here. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a place not to be missed. Experience the museum’s RCA Studio Tour and visit Nashville’s oldest recording studio, where many celebrities have recorded successful records.
3. Travel tips and precautions
1. City Tour
New York : New York is a charming international metropolis. The must-see attractions include the Statue of Liberty. Visitors can buy tickets at Castle Clinton in Battery Park to go to Liberty Island to appreciate this great sculpture that symbolizes freedom up close. The 9/11 National Memorial Museum has a depressing atmosphere, which can make people feel the cruelty of the incident and the greatness of survival. Central Park is a “paradise” for New Yorkers. It is vast and has lush hills, a large artificial lake, winding walkways, etc. Free Shakespeare performances are also held regularly. In terms of food, Gray’s Papaya’s hot dog is one of the most famous snacks in New York. The sausage skin is crispy and the meat is tender, and the side dishes are sour and salty. In terms of transportation, the New York subway is the subway system with the most routes and stations in the world. It runs 24 hours a day, is convenient and fast, and costs $2.75. Buses are also very convenient, and the fare is the same as the subway. Passengers need to buy a transfer ticket from the driver on the same day, which is valid for 2 hours.
San Francisco : There are many famous attractions in San Francisco. The Golden Gate Bridge is a landmark building, and you can see a close view of it at Battery Spencer on the north side of the bridge. Fisherman’s Wharf is home to a variety of restaurants, shops and entertainment facilities. Lombard Street is famous for its steep slope and blooming flowers. Chinatown is full of a strong Chinese cultural atmosphere. The San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts often hosts various art exhibitions and performances. Alcatraz is a world-famous federal prison. Twin Peaks overlooks the entire San Francisco city. There are also attractions such as Golden Gate Park and Painted Ladies that are worth visiting. In terms of food, Benu Restaurant offers innovative dishes that combine American flavors with Asian cuisine. Yangcheng Tea House is a high-end morning tea restaurant in the Bay Area. Queen’s Restaurant’s creative seafood cuisine meets Michelin star standards. For accommodation, you can choose San Francisco Marriott Union Square, JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square, Hyatt Hotel – San Francisco, etc., which have excellent locations and complete facilities.
Las Vegas : This is an entertainment capital that has risen in the desert. Must-see attractions include the Cirque du Soleil High Roller, which overlooks the magnificent view of Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Strip is bright with neon lights and bustling with activity. Cirque du Soleil’s “KA” show and “O” show are wonderful. The Bellagio fountain is a visual feast on the water. In terms of transportation, the city bus is very cost-effective, the monorail connects hotels, and the hotel’s free shuttle bus, taxis, and taxi apps (Uber and Lyft) are also optional modes of transportation. In terms of accommodation, every hotel in downtown Las Vegas integrates entertainment, leisure, food, shopping, and accommodation. For example, there are hotels in different price ranges to choose from in the east of the strip and the Harry Reid Airport area, the west of the strip, and the northern part of Las Vegas. Special experiences include a variety of wonderful magic shows, song and dance shows, and concerts.
2. Travel preparation
Personal items : When traveling to the United States, you need to bring suitable clothing, comfortable, light and casual clothes. In summer, you should bring a coat to prevent the night from getting cold. The weather in the eastern part of the United States is cold in winter, so you should keep warm. At the same time, since the sunshine in the United States is very strong, you can prepare a parasol, a sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen lotion. Most American hotels do not provide toothbrushes, toothpaste, slippers and other related toiletries, so it is best to prepare them before the trip. Don’t forget to convert the socket. For long-term travel, you can also prepare clothes, toiletries, snacks, etc. according to your own needs. The essential items for travel include passports, ID cards, visas, US dollars, bank cards, mobile phones, cameras, chargers, travel itinerary plans, common medicines, etc.
Medicines to carry : Medical expenses abroad are very expensive, and it is inconvenient to see a doctor. Free medicines must be certified by a doctor. Therefore, it is recommended to bring some common medicines for emergencies, such as cold medicines, cooling and detoxifying medicines, antidiarrheal medicines, and gastrointestinal medicines. It is best to check the medicines. Carrying them with you may cause trouble. If you carry medicines, you must declare them to the customs, and the amount should be limited to what you will take during your trip.
Drinking water : Drinking water in the United States is generally drinkable, but in some remote areas or tourist attractions, the water quality may not be very good. It is recommended to carry a portable water bottle to replenish water at any time. You can also buy bottled water in the supermarket, but pay attention to the price and brand. Bottled water may be more expensive in some places.
3. Security Response
How to deal with situations such as robbery : If you encounter a gun-wielding thug on the streets of the United States, don’t think that you know “Chinese Kung Fu” and go head-on with him. No matter how fast your fists and feet are, they can’t be faster than the speed of bullets. When the thug succeeds in the robbery and starts to flee the scene, you can’t shoot the thug in the back or hit him with heavy objects, otherwise you will be held legally responsible. When you encounter a robbery by a thug, the safest way is to follow the thug’s demands and satisfy him as much as possible, saving your life first. Don’t try to call the police in front of the thug. You can call the police quietly when you have the opportunity. Don’t speak after the call is connected to avoid attracting the attention of the thug. The police will locate your position and go to the scene to investigate. After the thug leaves, you should count your losses, make a detailed list and give it to the police. Remember the other party’s physical characteristics, such as skin color, clothing, face shape, etc. This is especially important when calling the police.
Transportation tips : When traveling in the United States, do not carry a large amount of cash. Use credit cards, checks or check cards or traveler’s checks as much as possible. When taking public transportation, be careful to keep your belongings safe. When leaving the hotel, you must check whether there are any items or money left behind. It is best not to act alone, especially not to go out alone at night. If you take the subway, different subway lines are indicated by different colors. It only costs $2.75 to reach any subway station in any place. When changing subways, do not exit from the turnstile, otherwise you must pay again. When taking the subway transportation system, make sure you have chosen the correct subway line. The subway in Upper Manhattan runs from south to north, while the subway in Lower Manhattan and to Brooklyn runs from north to south. The express subway is different from the ordinary subway. It does not stop at every station along the line. The ordinary subway stops at every station. If you get on the wrong train, just take the next subway and return the same way.
Communication precautions : If you do not speak English when applying for a tourist visa, just tell the visa officer that you do not speak English. When communicating with Americans, pay attention to some taboos, such as try not to take the subway at night, do not call black people “Negro”, do not hitchhike casually, modesty is not a virtue, greet strangers, pay attention to the topic selection when talking, do not forget to greet children, same-sex people cannot dance together, do not take off shoes in front of others, do not say “I am sorry” casually, etc.