Birmingham, Alabama

[Pethegreat]

Thread split from "So, how is the world luvin the new world leader"-thread.

So Fancypants how are you enjoying the US?

[MrFancypants]

Originally Posted by Pethegreat

So Fancypants how are you enjoying the US?

It's great. I'm surrounded by religious Republicans, but they are all very nice although I have different views on almost everything. People are always much easier to get along with if you meet them in person.
I especially like the food and low gas prices, a nice combination for tourists

[Jeffro]

Originally Posted by MrFancyPants

It's great. I'm surrounded by religious Republicans, but they are all very nice although I have different views on almost everything.

Can you tell us at least which city/state you're near? Also, did you witness any nationalistic bumper stickers or anti-abortion sentiment?

[MrFancypants]

Originally Posted by Jeffro

Can you tell us at least which city/state you're near? Also, did you witness any nationalistic bumper stickers or anti-abortion sentiment?

I'm in Birmingham, Alabama for a 3 month internship that is now almost over (I'm going back to Krautland in 2 weeks). I don't usually look for bumperstickers; some Americans (soccer moms driving oversized trucks while talking on the mobile phone) drive rather eratically, so I try to stay away from their cars

[Pethegreat]

Can you tell us at least which city/state you're near? Also, did you witness any nationalistic bumper stickers or anti-abortion sentiment?

I am going to say it is not in the western US. I am betting on a southern city, maybe in Texas?


Edit: I was too slow, but I guessed it right for the region.

I don't usually look for bumperstickers; some Americans (soccer moms driving oversized trucks while talking on the mobile phone) drive rather eratically, so I try to stay away from their cars

My parents rode in some Italian taxis when they were over in Europe. They make our soccer moms look sane.

[Jeffro]

Birmingham, eh? You're in the bible belt, my good sir.

[Monster_user]

Originally Posted by MrFancypants

some Americans... drive rather eratically, so I try to stay away from their cars

As if mom's in other countries don't drive erratically. Hence the expression "Crazy woman driver!", as opposed to "Crazy Female American Driver!"

Well, Mr. FancyPants, if I had known you were this close, I would have invited you over for a good ole fashioned Barbecue. Yee-Doggey!!!

[MrFancypants]

Originally Posted by Pethegreat

My parents rode in some Italian taxis when they were over in Europe. They make our soccer moms look sane.

Italians drive very differently from Germans, but in Germany we have many crazy drivers as well - it is probably just that I am used to their antics.

Originally Posted by Jeffro

Birmingham, eh? You're in the bible belt, my good sir.

Judging from all the christian souvenirs you can buy here that could indeed be the case :P

Originally Posted by Monster_user

As if mom's in other countries don't drive erratically. Hence the expression "Crazy woman driver!", as opposed to "Crazy Female American Driver!"

True, but in Germany they usually drive smaller cars, which is a little bit less scary.

Well, Mr. FancyPants, if I had known you were this close, I would have invited you over for a good ole fashioned Barbecue. Yee-Doggey!!!

I'll let you know the next time I'm here, then we can take care of some German beer during that old fashioned BBQ


edit: Since I have now completly derailed this thread I'll move the off topic posts to a new thread.

[Jeffro]

Alright, I've lined up a few more questions for our German expatriate:

1.) What has been your favorite food as of yet?
2.) Has there been any person or thing that has gotten on your last nerve?
3.) Any American social idiosyncrasies that you find peculiar?
4.) Besides vast differences in political and social views, have you met anybody yet with similar views to yours?

[Monster_user]

Originally Posted by MrFancypants

True, but in Germany they usually drive smaller cars, which is a little bit less scary.

Lol, true, true...

Originally Posted by MrFancypants

I'll let you know the next time I'm here, then we can take care of some German beer during that old fashioned BBQ

Now your talkin'!

[MrFancypants]

Originally Posted by Jeffro

Alright, I've lined up a few more questions for our German expatriate:

1.) What has been your favorite food as of yet?
2.) Has there been any person or thing that has gotten on your last nerve?
3.) Any American social idiosyncrasies that you find peculiar?
4.) Besides vast differences in political and social views, have you met anybody yet with similar views to yours?

1.: A cheeseburger from a restaurant called "Fatman's BBQ". Burgers here are simply great, in Germany it is very difficult to find something as good.
There is lots of other food that I like too. The variety and size of restaurants is amazing and the service is better than what I've experienced in Germany.

2.: Listening to the same 10 country-songs every day for several weeks
softened up my brain a little bit.

3.: Sometimes (but rarely) people in cars shout something at me if I go on foot. I don't understand what, but it seems to be something like a drive-by-insult aimed at tree-huggers such as myself. Very peculiar.

I also find it strange that it is very difficult to get around on foot unless you're downtown. There are no sidewalks or traffic lights for pedetrians (in this area, at least).

4.:I've met a few Germans and immigrants from other countries who are more liberal than your average Alabamanian. Most women seem to be more leftist than most men as well.

[Ihaterednecks]

Originally Posted by Jeffro

Birmingham, eh? You're in the bible belt, my good sir.

Very, very deep into the bible belt.

Have you seen any trailer parks yet?

[Monster_user]

Psh,... Hater!

I live in a trailer park, mind you. Best invention ever made!

Originally Posted by MrFancypants

1.: A cheeseburger from a restaurant called "Fatman's BBQ". Burgers here are simply great, in Germany it is very difficult to find something as good.
There is lots of other food that I like too. The variety and size of restaurants is amazing and the service is better than what I've experienced in Germany.

A lot of the time that is true, unfortunately it is not a constant. The service in a little town called "Augusta, Georgia" is absolutely atrocious, except for a few locations.

Originally Posted by MrFancypants

2.: Listening to the same 10 country-songs every day for several weeks
softened up my brain a little bit.

Originally Posted by Carrie Underwood - Last Name

Today, I woke up, thinking about Elvis somewhere in Vegas
I'm not sure... how I... got here...
Or how this ring on my left hand just appeared...
outta nowhere. I gotta go... take the chips...
and the Pinto and hit the road
They say what happens here, stays here, all of this will disappear

There's just one little problem...

I don't even know my last name...
Oh My momma would be so ashamed..
It started off, "hey cutie where ya from"
And then it turned into "oh no, what have I done"
And I... don't even know my last name!

We love our Country. Just tune on in to the GAC!

Originally Posted by MrFancypants

3.: Sometimes (but rarely) people in cars shout something at me if I go on foot. I don't understand what, but it seems to be something like a drive-by-insult aimed at tree-huggers such as myself. Very peculiar.

Hmmm, no idea. Then again, no real southerner actually walks anywhere...

Originally Posted by MrFancypants

I also find it strange that it is very difficult to get around on foot unless you're downtown. There are no sidewalks or traffic lights for pedetrians (in this area, at least).

That is quite typical. Like I said, no real southerner actually walks. An old worn out Oldsmobile, or Ford is a staple of the south. So any vehicle with few enough miles on it to be driveable (under 200,000), is high dollar. If that mileage is under 100,000, then we're talking GOLD!

[Mr. Matt]

Originally Posted by Jeffro

Birmingham, eh? You're in the bible belt, my good sir.

Kinda ironic considering Birmingham in the UK, the city after which I presume yours is named, is officially the gateway to Hell...

[Crazy Wolf]

Funny, people say that about the American one too...