1. Peanut Butter
Never ate it as a child, now can’t get enough. I blame the States where peanut butter can be had in anything – especially candy. Any product called Skippy has to be good by me.
2. Manhattan
I just love the pace of life, the hustle and bussle and the high rise buildings. You just don’t get architecture like that in the UK.
3. Going to the Movies
Best place to see a US movie is in the US. As Mark says the great thing is when you come out of the cinema it’s like you’re still watching the film – even US car parks are different to the ones in the UK.
4. The Countryside
Stunning beautiful scenery, distinctive flora and fauna – there is so many beautiful places to admire.
5. The price of petrol
You can drive for a day on 10 bucks of petrol. Now that can’t be bad.
6. Diversity
A land of contrasts. Exploring and trying to get to understand those contrasts is half the fun.
7. The radio
Rich range of music, news, talk shows – all very distinctive from the UK - it's a great way to discover new stuff. In particular I like driving along to some Motown station, it always makes me feel like I am in a Quentin Tarantino movie.
8. TV
Okay – there’s some dross like Becker which I just can’t be doing with, but there’s quality drama of movie like production and writing standards (24, West Wing etc.) lots of great comedies (Friends, 3rd Rock, Larry Sanders,) talk shows (Conan, Letterman, Leno,) as well as lots of curiously addictive daytime dross like the Judge shows – I can’t get enough of them.
9. Climate
I like it hot and humid and you don’t get that much in the UK whereas anywhere vaguely mid state or below has that for much of the year. Mind you they also have lots of snow in the winter too – a level of variance which far exceeds anything we have.
10. Shopping
I’m a boy who loves to shop and the US can be a shoppers paradise – music is no longer as cheap as it was, but clothes still are especially if you hit the sales at the right time, nevermind the outlet stores or Filenes basement. I reckon about 75% of my wardrobe including all my footwear is from the US…
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