Ask a 'Merican! / Ask a Brit / Ask a (insert other nationality here) — Page 3

georgec said:

Dear fellow Americans,

If you could live in another country, which one would you choose and why?

Canada.

Because I know a pretty Canadian girl. Also, I hate the shitty desert in which I live, and Canada has trees and winter and grass and above-ground flowing water.

I would really go with Oregon or Washington state or somewhere, because I really like America, but if I had to move to another country, likely Canada.

Yeah! Crazy!

Dear Americans, what do you think about the good old Europe? Where would you like to visit here and why? Do many Americans want to travel here or rather somewhere else?

I've always wanted to visit USA and it would be cool to live there, too. Haven't had the chance yet but when I do, that will be the first one on my list to visit there. But there are also a few negatives living there, like you have to do your own taxes, LOL. Is that hard? What else do you think is "bad" about your country and you wish that things were like in country X? For example education is free here including university, which is one thing I'd miss in the States.

My parents used to do our taxes because they went through the whole DIY phases (including my schooling).

They wizened up later and now take them to HR Block or wherever.

As far as Europe goes, I'd love to visit one day. I love history with a passion, so I would love to go and see all the castles and cathedrals and ruins and whatnot; especially the Teutonic stuff in Estonia and thereabouts now as I had ancestors in the order.

Dear Americans,

Having just watched "Wreck-It Ralph", I was wondering if you have arcades over there that contain a combination of classic games alongside modern machines, like the fictional Litwak's arcade shown in the film?

If so, I'm jealous. All our arcades here in the UK only have dancing, driving or shooting games; you can't seem to find "old-school" joystick games any more.

Arcades in of themselves from my experience are dead, at least in Southern California. They tend to only exist as side-attractions in bowling alleys or theme parks... and even then, they're shrinking. Hell, even Disneyland ditched all the ones they used to have! It was the only place I ever played the 1993 SW arcade machine :/

However, closer answering your question, it depends on the size of them. Bowling alleys likely have all new machines with an obligatory Pac-Man / Galaga hiding in the corner, but if you're at a theme park you can find a row or two of old machines. I've even found a Super Mario Bros. VS machine not too far from where I live! My first world problems sense tingled enormously when it went from 25 to 50 cents a game.

Also, fighting game-exclusive arcades are still around here. That's probably due to the somewhat active tournament circuit though.

Bingowings said:

Has the term "Goodwill" come to refer to any charity or thrift shop?

And while we are on the subject why call it a thrift store?

Surely a thrift store would be one that sell no nonsense long lasting low cost produce in as less as necessary packaging? Stores that promote and work on the concept of thrift (a bit like Woolworth used to be when it started).

The UK terms are 'second hand store' (for things previously owned), 'charity shop' for one raising money for a charity and a 'flea market' for a largish building with small mostly second hand stalls (bric-a-brac etc) ran by many individual sellers.

It was ages until I got the triple meaning of the title to Goodwill Hunting.

As far as I know Goodwill only refers to actuall Goodwill stores and donation sites.

There are other charity/thrift shops such as The Salvation Army.