My brother is back in America, staying in New York for the week.
A proper visit this time cause last year he was on a cruise and only had a day there.
He was 9/11 museum yesterday, said it was very poignant.
I think he said phones and photos are banned, quite right too.
Nothing worse than a load of phones going off at the wrong moment.
I was in the crematorium once when someone's rang.
Of all the places in the US to go, why NY?
Heck, I've never even gone to NY. Of course I'm an uncultured reprobate..
It's like going to the UK and just visiting London.
His wife has an Aunt that moved there ages ago, she was having a party at the weekend for her 80th birthday so they decided to go and make it into a holiday.
I've never been to London, I'm put off by the fact there's more people in London than in the whole of Scotland.
Only six million of us, Madders.
I've just googled Texas, there's 31.29 million people there!!
😮
Well, it's a big place. 😉
Have you ever been to London Madders? If not, then you can't comment.
Not all of it is bad.
I didn't say it was bad. I said I wouldn't want to just go there if I visited the UK.
Same as Brits shouldn't just stay in NY if they come to the states.
Maybe NY is the only interesting thing about US to some, just like some only want to experience London when visiting the UK. Different strokes for different folks.
Magica said
Apr 23 5:24 PM, 2025
Maddog wrote:
Magica wrote:
I would, I've always wanted to go to New York.
So go.
I just think there is so much more to a country than its largest city.
Or any if it's large cities.
I can't fly anymore, but been to Texas twice though.
Anonymous said
Apr 23 5:27 PM, 2025
Maddog wrote:
Magica wrote:
Have you ever been to London Madders? If not, then you can't comment.
Not all of it is bad.
I didn't say it was bad. I said I wouldn't want to just go there if I visited the UK.
Same as Brits shouldn't just stay in NY if they come to the states.
You should probably avoid the UK, or anywhere else in Europe come to that, you'd be a fish out of water.
Maddog said
Apr 23 5:52 PM, 2025
Magica wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Magica wrote:
I would, I've always wanted to go to New York.
So go.
I just think there is so much more to a country than its largest city.
Or any if it's large cities.
I can't fly anymore, but been to Texas twice though.
I think you should eat a steak, get on a plane and go for it..
Anyway.
There's ships I guess..
And trains once you get here.
jackb said
Apr 23 10:16 PM, 2025
Anonymous wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Magica wrote:
Have you ever been to London Madders? If not, then you can't comment.
Not all of it is bad.
I didn't say it was bad. I said I wouldn't want to just go there if I visited the UK.
Same as Brits shouldn't just stay in NY if they come to the states.
You should probably avoid the UK, or anywhere else in Europe come to that, you'd be a fish out of water.
I think Maddogs attitude to visiting is correct and I think he'd enjoy the uk... couple of weeks minimum and car essential.
Maddog said
Apr 24 12:38 AM, 2025
Anonymous wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Magica wrote:
Have you ever been to London Madders? If not, then you can't comment.
Not all of it is bad.
I didn't say it was bad. I said I wouldn't want to just go there if I visited the UK.
Same as Brits shouldn't just stay in NY if they come to the states.
You should probably avoid the UK, or anywhere else in Europe come to that, you'd be a fish out of water.
I'm a fish out of water north of Oklahoma.
However, I'd be fine any where people are friendly.
And most of the Brits I've met here are friendly, but maybe they are the friendly type and that's why they are here, not NY?
Maddog said
Apr 24 12:42 AM, 2025
jackb wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Magica wrote:
Have you ever been to London Madders? If not, then you can't comment.
Not all of it is bad.
I didn't say it was bad. I said I wouldn't want to just go there if I visited the UK.
Same as Brits shouldn't just stay in NY if they come to the states.
You should probably avoid the UK, or anywhere else in Europe come to that, you'd be a fish out of water.
I think Maddogs attitude to visiting is correct and I think he'd enjoy the uk... couple of weeks minimum and car essential.
I'd be bored in London after a day..I'd me more interested in Dover, Wales, The Lake District and the Scottish Highlands..
I live in the middle of a mass of humanity. I don't want to replicate that on vacation..
Syl said
Apr 24 12:43 AM, 2025
Manchester people are warm and friendly...we are known for it..
Vam said
Apr 24 8:56 AM, 2025
Magica wrote:
Have you ever been to London Madders? If not, then you can't comment.
Not all of it is bad.
🙋🏻♀️ I second that! I still miss my London years…
(🤞🏻you get to see NYC some time - I loved living and working there back in the day)
Vam said
Apr 24 9:09 AM, 2025
Syl wrote:
Manchester people are warm and friendly...we are known for it..
🙋🏻♀️ I absolutely second that too!
I’ll never forget my first visit to Manchester (for a wedding). Stayed at the Lowry, and walked across the nearby little bridge over the Irwell to go get a blowdry. The girls at the salon were just lovely and welcoming. They seemed into my accent (for some unkown reason! 🤷🏻♀️) By the time my stylist had finished, my chair was surrounded by another stylist and 3 juniors - all chatting anway and having a laugh.
Restaurants, stores - everywhere I went, the people were a pleasure to be around
Syl said
Apr 24 12:48 PM, 2025
Vam wrote:
Syl wrote:
Manchester people are warm and friendly...we are known for it..
🙋🏻♀️ I absolutely second that too!
I’ll never forget my first visit to Manchester (for a wedding). Stayed at the Lowry, and walked across the nearby little bridge over the Irwell to go get a blowdry. The girls at the salon were just lovely and welcoming. They seemed into my accent (for some unkown reason! 🤷🏻♀️) By the time my stylist had finished, my chair was surrounded by another stylist and 3 juniors - all chatting anway and having a laugh.
Restaurants, stores - everywhere I went, the people were a pleasure to be around
I was born and brought up 5 minutes from where you had your hair done, Vam.
It was very different structurally in those days, but the people have always been the same.
Vam said
Apr 24 1:51 PM, 2025
Syl wrote:
Vam wrote:
Syl wrote:
Manchester people are warm and friendly...we are known for it..
🙋🏻♀️ I absolutely second that too!
I’ll never forget my first visit to Manchester (for a wedding). Stayed at the Lowry, and walked across the nearby little bridge over the Irwell to go get a blowdry. The girls at the salon were just lovely and welcoming. They seemed into my accent (for some unkown reason! 🤷🏻♀️) By the time my stylist had finished, my chair was surrounded by another stylist and 3 juniors - all chatting anway and having a laugh.
Restaurants, stores - everywhere I went, the people were a pleasure to be around
I was born and brought up 5 minutes from where you had your hair done, Vam.
It was very different structurally in those days, but the people have always been the same.
Oh wow, Syl - small world, if you know the salon.
It was just a small distance from the bridge, and there was a big Russell & Bromley store just across the street. Of course, the reason I recall that Russell & Bromley is cos - you guessed it - I bought a gorgeous pair of black satin stilettos there 😂
Maddog said
Apr 24 2:08 PM, 2025
Syl wrote:
Manchester people are warm and friendly...we are known for it..
The UK is backwards from the US. Folks get friendlier here the further south you go.
Syl said
Apr 24 5:19 PM, 2025
Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
Manchester people are warm and friendly...we are known for it..
The UK is backwards from the US. Folks get friendlier here the further south you go.
Southerners are friendly one on one.
I have worked with many, and they were mostly lovely. I just think if you are in the city, they are not as friendly en masse as Mancunians.
Vam said
Apr 24 9:20 PM, 2025
Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
Manchester people are warm and friendly...we are known for it..
The UK is backwards from the US. Folks get friendlier here the further south you go.
Same in Italy and Spain.
Neapolitans can’t stand the snobby folks from cities like Turin and Milan.
And don’t get me started on how Andalusians here feel about the Madrileños (folks from Madrid) 🤣 If stone cold baleful stares could kill…!
Anonymous said
Apr 25 10:32 AM, 2025
Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
Manchester people are warm and friendly...we are known for it..
The UK is backwards from the US. Folks get friendlier here the further south you go.
You're obviously a great ambassador for promoting southern friendliness.
But I have spent time in Chicago and Milwaukee and I found them to be a friendly lot.
As an aside, I once drove from Chicago to go camping in Montana; en route I stopped at a Walmart in N Dakota to buy some gear. Just as I was driving off, the cashier raced across the parking lot to stop me, waving a bunch of banknotes in her hand. "Excuse me sir, have you lost a whole load of money?" I had. I'd been carrying around $1000 in a money belt, pulled it out to pay, and put it back behind the pouch instead of inside it. So unknown to me around $950 had dropped on the floor.
I've never forgotten that kind and honest gesture.
Syl said
Apr 25 11:13 AM, 2025
Anonymous wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
Manchester people are warm and friendly...we are known for it..
The UK is backwards from the US. Folks get friendlier here the further south you go.
You're obviously a great ambassador for promoting southern friendliness.
But I have spent time in Chicago and Milwaukee and I found them to be a friendly lot.
As an aside, I once drove from Chicago to go camping in Montana; en route I stopped at a Walmart in N Dakota to buy some gear. Just as I was driving off, the cashier raced across the parking lot to stop me, waving a bunch of banknotes in her hand. "Excuse me sir, have you lost a whole load of money?" I had. I'd been carrying around $1000 in a money belt, pulled it out to pay, and put it back behind the pouch instead of inside it. So unknown to me around $950 had dropped on the floor.
I've never forgotten that kind and honest gesture.
There are lovely people everywhere in the world.
I saw a man drop a wad of notes from his back pocket once. I picked them up, caught him up, tapped him on the shoulder and said "are these yours?" he just snatched them out of my hand and quickly walked off.
My OH saw this, and noted the man hurried to catch his wife up. We reckoned he was anxious for her to not find out he had almost lost a load of money.
Syl said
Apr 25 11:18 AM, 2025
Vam wrote:
Syl wrote:
Vam wrote:
Syl wrote:
Manchester people are warm and friendly...we are known for it..
🙋🏻♀️ I absolutely second that too!
I’ll never forget my first visit to Manchester (for a wedding). Stayed at the Lowry, and walked across the nearby little bridge over the Irwell to go get a blowdry. The girls at the salon were just lovely and welcoming. They seemed into my accent (for some unkown reason! 🤷🏻♀️) By the time my stylist had finished, my chair was surrounded by another stylist and 3 juniors - all chatting anway and having a laugh.
Restaurants, stores - everywhere I went, the people were a pleasure to be around
I was born and brought up 5 minutes from where you had your hair done, Vam.
It was very different structurally in those days, but the people have always been the same.
Oh wow, Syl - small world, if you know the salon.
It was just a small distance from the bridge, and there was a big Russell & Bromley store just across the street. Of course, the reason I recall that Russell & Bromley is cos - you guessed it - I bought a gorgeous pair of black satin stilettos there 😂
I don't know that particular salon Vam, but we do still sometimes have an afternoon at the Quays.
I don't know when you went, but in the last year they have opened a huge international food hall, you can buy everything from Greek gyros to Chinese dishes, burgers, Vietnamese specials...everything.Eating out overlooking the waterfront is a great way to spend an afternoon...and of course, there are lots of shops too.
Maddog said
Apr 25 5:40 PM, 2025
Anonymous wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
Manchester people are warm and friendly...we are known for it..
The UK is backwards from the US. Folks get friendlier here the further south you go.
You're obviously a great ambassador for promoting southern friendliness.
But I have spent time in Chicago and Milwaukee and I found them to be a friendly lot.
As an aside, I once drove from Chicago to go camping in Montana; en route I stopped at a Walmart in N Dakota to buy some gear. Just as I was driving off, the cashier raced across the parking lot to stop me, waving a bunch of banknotes in her hand. "Excuse me sir, have you lost a whole load of money?" I had. I'd been carrying around $1000 in a money belt, pulled it out to pay, and put it back behind the pouch instead of inside it. So unknown to me around $950 had dropped on the floor.
I've never forgotten that kind and honest gesture.
That's what we call flyover country and you are correct. The Midwest and West are full of friendly people, less gregarious than here, but definitely friendlier than the Northeast..
My brother lived in Wisconsin for years. I remember visiting him and many people were a bit amused at my outgoing behavior. While the typical person from there might politely say hello to a clerk as they walked into a store, I'm more likely to say something like "hows life treating you". That will throw them off coming from a complete stranger.
Vita said
Apr 26 3:23 AM, 2025
My sister-in-law has been sending me videos of their holiday and unlike Scotland, the place isn't covered in dog shit.
A video of Central Park and not a turd in sight.
There was a cute wee Westie.
In the air at the moment coming home, Manchester then up to Scotland.
Maybe NY is the only interesting thing about US to some, just like some only want to experience London when visiting the UK. Different strokes for different folks.
I can't fly anymore, but been to Texas twice though.
You should probably avoid the UK, or anywhere else in Europe come to that, you'd be a fish out of water.
I think you should eat a steak, get on a plane and go for it..
Anyway.
There's ships I guess..
And trains once you get here.
I think Maddogs attitude to visiting is correct and I think he'd enjoy the uk... couple of weeks minimum and car essential.
I'm a fish out of water north of Oklahoma.
However, I'd be fine any where people are friendly.
And most of the Brits I've met here are friendly, but maybe they are the friendly type and that's why they are here, not NY?
I'd be bored in London after a day..I'd me more interested in Dover, Wales, The Lake District and the Scottish Highlands..
I live in the middle of a mass of humanity. I don't want to replicate that on vacation..
🙋🏻♀️ I second that! I still miss my London years…
(🤞🏻you get to see NYC some time - I loved living and working there back in the day)
🙋🏻♀️ I absolutely second that too!
I’ll never forget my first visit to Manchester (for a wedding). Stayed at the Lowry, and walked across the nearby little bridge over the Irwell to go get a blowdry. The girls at the salon were just lovely and welcoming. They seemed into my accent (for some unkown reason! 🤷🏻♀️) By the time my stylist had finished, my chair was surrounded by another stylist and 3 juniors - all chatting anway and having a laugh.
Restaurants, stores - everywhere I went, the people were a pleasure to be around
I was born and brought up 5 minutes from where you had your hair done, Vam.
It was very different structurally in those days, but the people have always been the same.
Oh wow, Syl - small world, if you know the salon.
It was just a small distance from the bridge, and there was a big Russell & Bromley store just across the street. Of course, the reason I recall that Russell & Bromley is cos - you guessed it
- I bought a gorgeous pair of black satin stilettos there 😂
The UK is backwards from the US. Folks get friendlier here the further south you go.
Southerners are friendly one on one.
I have worked with many, and they were mostly lovely. I just think if you are in the city, they are not as friendly en masse as Mancunians.
Same in Italy and Spain.
Neapolitans can’t stand the snobby folks from cities like Turin and Milan.
And don’t get me started on how Andalusians here feel about the Madrileños (folks from Madrid) 🤣 If stone cold baleful stares could kill…!
You're obviously a great ambassador for promoting southern friendliness.
But I have spent time in Chicago and Milwaukee and I found them to be a friendly lot.
As an aside, I once drove from Chicago to go camping in Montana; en route I stopped at a Walmart in N Dakota to buy some gear. Just as I was driving off, the cashier raced across the parking lot to stop me, waving a bunch of banknotes in her hand. "Excuse me sir, have you lost a whole load of money?" I had. I'd been carrying around $1000 in a money belt, pulled it out to pay, and put it back behind the pouch instead of inside it. So unknown to me around $950 had dropped on the floor.
I've never forgotten that kind and honest gesture.
There are lovely people everywhere in the world.
I saw a man drop a wad of notes from his back pocket once. I picked them up, caught him up, tapped him on the shoulder and said "are these yours?" he just snatched them out of my hand and quickly walked off.
My OH saw this, and noted the man hurried to catch his wife up. We reckoned he was anxious for her to not find out he had almost lost a load of money.
I don't know that particular salon Vam, but we do still sometimes have an afternoon at the Quays.
I don't know when you went, but in the last year they have opened a huge international food hall, you can buy everything from Greek gyros to Chinese dishes, burgers, Vietnamese specials...everything.Eating out overlooking the waterfront is a great way to spend an afternoon...and of course, there are lots of shops too.
That's what we call flyover country and you are correct. The Midwest and West are full of friendly people, less gregarious than here, but definitely friendlier than the Northeast..
My brother lived in Wisconsin for years. I remember visiting him and many people were a bit amused at my outgoing behavior. While the typical person from there might politely say hello to a clerk as they walked into a store, I'm more likely to say something like "hows life treating you". That will throw them off coming from a complete stranger.
My sister-in-law has been sending me videos of their holiday and unlike Scotland, the place isn't covered in dog shit.
A video of Central Park and not a turd in sight.
There was a cute wee Westie.
In the air at the moment coming home, Manchester then up to Scotland.