I have some America questions for you!

Bobbo,

Awesome. I is always interesting to see what perceptions those in other countries have of ones own. I take for granted that Howdy Doodee is not an international household word.

I have recently been working with various others from different countries and I always attempt to play this game with them. I ask my quasi ethnosintristic but innocent questions as well as respond to there's. It is especially entertaining with the Africans. I must say I enjoy doing the same with the Brits as well.

I usually stick to asking questions about different accents and attempting to talk them into some cockney rhyming slang while they almost always ask if everybody is a cowboy or something to that effect.

Lessons I have learned so far:

1. Cockney rhyming slang is fun to listen to even if you don't know what the hell is being said.

2. Afternoon tea is a great idea (I learned that from a S. African). So far, Lapsang Souchong is my favorite.

3. Maybe we can't change the world but we can enjoy it a little more often.

Anyway, great thread.

thanks,
jocko

I have to chime in on the gun thing- it all depends on where you're at. I don't carry, but I own 3 guns. My father in law owns many and carries. My dad owns several. Most mechanics I knew had a few. It really just depends on the area. Here in the Oklahoma-Texas area, we're very comfortable with guns being around and like to have them.

The thing that most people forget to ask is how often all these guns are actually shot. I haven't shot one of my guns in at least 3 years, another probably 1.5 years, and the other 8 months or so. I clean them and take care of them, but they don't get too much action.

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Originally Posted by azjoe

As you know, I also live in Arizona, having moved here 15-years ago. I live in the Phoenix metro area (Phoenix being the 5th largest city in the US).

Most of the people I've seen openly carrying weapons here were working in the tourist industry (eg, waitresses at "cowboy restaurants", tour guides, etc.). Yes, a few had an outdoors job that might require one to deal with snakes or varmints, and a few were probably just doing the macho thing... but most just wear them openly to give the tourists a thrill. I'd guess I see someone with an open carry weapon at least once a month.

However, Arizona is one of 43 states that issues concealed carry permits. Matt, I think you'd be very surprised at the number of concealed weapons being carried in Arizona... the last stat I saw for CCW permits was 84000 (Nov 2006)... and something like 43% of those are women. Now granted, everyone with a permit doesn't necessarily carry one, but you'd be surprised what granny has in her handbag and what that guy you just flipped-off in traffic has under his seat.

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That is a good point. I had totally neglected to consider concealed in handbags or vehicles. I guess that raises the number considerably.

I live and work in the "Metroplex" which is (if you do not already know) a concrete jungle of city suburbs which extends from Dallas to Fort Worth and the surrounding towns and cities - we have several million folks in this sprawling area.

I do not call myself a gun nut, because I don't buy and sell regularly, or subscribe to any weapon magazines, or vote with my gun. However, I do carry when I can, and I own several, both sporting and handguns. I have taken now over 80 hours of defensive handgun classes (Thunderranch), because I have never equated gun onership with gun *competance*. I think that the numbers of folks that own and carry guns in Texas is pretty substantial. With the passing of a new law allowing folks without concealed handgun licenses to carry weapons in their cars (even if they are not crossing county lines), I think more folks have more guns available at their disposal. Texas, I am told, has one of the most stringent concealed carry licensure processes in the States, requiring background checks, fingerprinting, and a 10 hour course on the law (with a final open book test) and a shooting test to prove ability to handle a gun.

I do not ever intend to kill a human, I am not overly fond of killing any living creature (and have not hunted in twenty years), but as Clint Smith said "While everybody is going to die, I am not going to let that guy [criminal with gun] decide when it is time for me to die, and I am not going to get killed for lack of shooting back."

OK, that might get me yelled at, so lets talk UK! I went to school at Emmanuel in Cambridge for a spell, spent some excellent time on the ditch that is the Cam, never had a chance to get to Oxford, though we roughed up some boys from Merton, I was the pasty US rugby ringer...fun times. I think I was rotting my brain with my new found joy, "Black and Tans" while listening to George's Best at unreal volumes on some crappy old Wharfdales...those were the days.

K

I'll pass on the first two but I do have a license to carry a gun and I have a collection on guns, just like I have a collection of straight razors. America is a great place, you are FREE to do what you want. It's great.

You really can't ask Americans about guns without it becoming political ---- it's a very touchy subject --- the concept of gun ownership is built into our Bill of Rights --- it's really asking an American to address what it means to be an American -- you might as well be talking about freedom of speech or religion. So Bobbo, however objective a question about gun ownership might be (asking for statistics and such), it is very difficult for an American to just give figures without interjecting an opinion or two. Again when I was a kid (growing up in the rural south), everyone had guns -- some people had visible hunting rifles on gun racks in their trucks --- fighting was common amongst young males (and females) but never once can I remember someone using a gun (the gun might only be a few feet away in a truck) for offensive reasons against individuals.


Justin

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Originally Posted by Kriton

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OK, that might get me yelled at, so lets talk UK! I went to school at Emmanuel in Cambridge for a spell, spent some excellent time on the ditch that is the Cam, never had a chance to get to Oxford, though we roughed up some boys from Merton, I was the pasty US rugby ringer...fun times. I think I was rotting my brain with my new found joy, "Black and Tans" while listening to George's Best at unreal volumes on some crappy old Wharfdales...those were the days.

K

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Ah you Cambridge lads are all the same... My alma mater is Oxford (DPhil, not undergrad, although I was a college tutor at The Queen's College, so I got to observe the wildlife pretty closely). Lived there for 4 years and loved it.

I've punted on both the Cam and the Isis - sorry, but IMO the Cam just doesn't compare...;)

James.

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

Ah you Cambridge lads are all the same... My alma mater is Oxford (DPhil, not undergrad, although I was a college tutor at The Queen's College, so I got to observe the wildlife pretty closely). Lived there for 4 years and loved it.



James.

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James ---- I'm not sure how to address or speak to you now ---- I feel like I have to be much more formal and maybe call you Dr. ---- nah ---- I'll continue being rude,crude, and lude ---- the lowest common denominator can be understood and appreciated by all ;).

Justin

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Originally Posted by jaegerhund

James ---- I'm not sure how to address or speak to you now ---- I feel like I have to be much more formal and maybe call you Dr. ---- nah ---- I'll continue being rude,crude, and lude ---- the lowest common denominator can be understand and appreciated by all ;).

Justin

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Justin - my friends usually call me "Master" :D (that's a joke - "stupid pratt" is usually what I get)

Mate, rude, crude, and lewd works for me. Keep it coming :tu

James.

I also carry a pistol whenever I leave the house except when going to work or church where it isn't allowed. The last percentage figure I heard was also about 2%.

About the school "massacre" thing. I think it often gets totally blown out of proportion by the amount of publicity that surrounds each incident. For example the Latest school "massacre" was a guy shooting his ex then himself in the parking lot during spring break and the only one who died was the shmuck who did the shooting. Some "massacre".

Here's a little tidbit to chew on London's violent crime rate is double that of Washington DC which is hands down America's most dangerous city. London's gun related crime rate is also higher, despite the restricted access compared to here.