As I read British and Australian opinions on America's strangeness

[Cantih]

Snuff was pretty fun, he's back on track after Unseen Academicals.

[Linliel]

Whats there to be scared of? We're such politically correct tryhards its not even funny.

Politically correct tryhards who talk up their country as much as possible, try to convert me to religion, make me feel bad/spit in my food because I forgot/didn't know to tip, indoctrinate my kids, make me fat from eating too much, poison me with the terrible coffee, then shoot me. Oh, and then make me pay out my ears for medical treatment because I can't afford health insurance.

(yeah I'm exaggerating here)

(I actually really quite like visiting the US!)

[ⒻⓊⒸⓀⓎⒺⒶⒽ]

One of my best friends is Welsh. I have to ask her to repeat herself all the time when she talks though. Its really hard understanding that accent sometimes.

I always got mocked because my accent is too Americanish.
I'm not upset that I don't sound like this:

[Conrad]

As far as tipping goes, there's a law that you can pay servers or tip-based positions less than standard minimum wage (but they still have one, something like $2.20 if I remember correctly). In spite of this you're liable to make $20-25/hr at any mid-range restaurant on a given night. My family personally always tips at least 15% and usually 20%, and many people I know do the same.

edit: US minimum wage is $7.25 (some states can make it higher, highest being Washington state at $9.04), if you receive tips then $2.13. However employers have to make up the difference if your paycheck comes out to under $7.25/hr

[Linliel]

Oooh oooh, now explain the rules of cricket!

http://jeffreyhill.typepad.com/.a/6a...ab7b28a4-800wi

If it makes you feel better, I'm basically scared of Australia.

Excellent. That's something we like to perpetuate to keep the rabble out.

[Alleya]

Now, this is scary.
Poor indoctrinated children.

I used to get sent to the principle's office for not saying the pledge.

It was even more humiliating at my school, because int he morning, before the pledge, they'd force us to sing these really cheesy songs about how everyone is special and can do anything they want. Also at this time, Space Jam came out, so there were a bunch of kids required to sing an R. Kelly song. Ironic. Used to get in trouble for not singing, too.

[Linliel]

I always got mocked because my accent is too Americanish.
I'm not upset that I don't sound like this:

lol this guy sounds a bit like my housemate (who's Welsh), but also really camp at the same time. Awesome.

[Alleya]

Lin is it true that prostitution and marijuana are legal in aussieland

[Charismatic]

Lin is it true that prostitution and marijuana are legal in aussieland

If so, its gonna take a lot more than dropbears to keep me out.

[Linliel]

Lin is it true that prostitution and marijuana are legal in aussieland

Yes and no. In most places prostitution is legal and brothels are regulated. In some states, while prostitution is legal, brothels aren't regulated (and are illegal). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_in_Australia

As for marijuana, in the ACT it's decriminalised for small amounts (you can't be dealing). That's the only place though. I think you can keep 1 or 2 plants? and a small amount for personal use, iirc.

[Cantih]

Video Games are illegal though =\
(Or may as well be)

[Alleya]

Yes and no. In most places prostitution is legal and brothels are regulated. In some states, while prostitution is legal, brothels aren't regulated (and are illegal). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_in_Australia

As for marijuana, in the ACT it's decriminalised for small amounts (you can't be dealing). That's the only place though. I think you can keep 1 or 2 plants? and a small amount for personal use, iirc.

WELP. Time to pack my things.

[Linliel]

Video Games are illegal though =\
(Or may as well be)

What a load of rubbish. Just import them, like everyone else does.

[Linliel]

Cheaper that way too, esp. with the strong Aussie dollar.

[Lucienne]

Whats there to be scared of? We're such politically correct tryhards its not even funny.

The combination of misinformed, poorly educated population that is easy to manipulate and the military force your country is capable of supporting to name one thing.
Your entire culture is so economy driven that it can justify actions that are clearly endangering the health and security of its citizens.

Don't get me wrong, there is a lot I like about America, it has a simple genuinity to it that I haven't found anywhere else so far.

[Linliel]

WELP. Time to pack my things.

I looked into it more and here you go:

"National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC) details the penalty systems in place throughout Australia; in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), a civil-penalty system for possession of small amounts of cannabis was introduced in 1993. Possession of up to 25 g or two non-hydroponic plants attracts a fine of 100 Australian dollars, due within 60 days."

"In South Australia possession of small quantities of cannabis is decriminalised, attracting a fine similar to that for a parking ticket. However, penalties for growing cannabis have become harsher since the advent of widespread large-scale cultivation. There is much confusion on the subject, with many believing that possession of a small amount of cannabis is legal. In Western Australia, possession of up to 30 g, two non-hydroponic plants, or smoking equipment attracts a fine of up to A$200, with an option to attend a cannabis education session.[32] (Drug Aware) Any amount exceeding this is dealt with by the criminal court. The Northern Territory has a similar civil penalty to that in Western Australia.
In New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania, possession and use of cannabis is a criminal offence; however, it is unlikely that anyone caught with a small amount will be convicted.[32] Diversion programs in these states aim to divert offenders into education, assessment and treatment programs. In New South Wales, if one is caught with up to 15 g of cannabis, at police discretion up to two cautions can be issued.[32] In Tasmania up to three cautions can be issued for possession of up to 50 g of cannabis, with a hierarchy of intervention and referrals for treatment with each caution.[32] Similarly, in Victoria up to 50 g of cannabis will attract a caution and the opportunity to attend an education program (Victoria Cannabis Cautioning Program); only two cautions will be issued."

So yeah it's decriminalised, and you basically get a parking ticket. I don't think I've known of many people who've got them, but I never really hung out with stoners.

[Linliel]

The combination of misinformed, poorly educated population that is easy to manipulate and the military force your country is capable of supporting to name one thing.
Your entire culture is so economy driven that it can justify actions that are clearly engendering the health and security of its citizens.

Don't get me wrong, there is a lot I like about America, it has a simple genuinity to it that I haven't found anywhere else so far.

(itym "endangering")

[Lucienne]

(itym "endangering")

yes! ffs I have no idea how I manage to spell anything at times.

[Linliel]

Yeah, definitely don't get me wrong in this thread. I have a super amount of respect for Americans. I think Americans on the whole are some of the most welcoming and friendly people in the world. They work their arses off for little pay and no holidays, and yet go about it with an amazing cheerfulness that I don't think you'd see anywhere else.

[Linliel]

Lots of good things to be said about Americans, but America itself is a bit frightening to me.