Living in the United States, everyone has different feelings and experiences about security. The public security situation in the United States is not static, and has obvious differences in different regions and time periods. Therefore, when living or traveling in the United States, it is very important to understand the local security situation.
Let me talk about my feelings about the United States
1. Some areas and streets in the United States, especially poor areas where black people and South American Latinos gather, have relatively poor security conditions. In contrast, security in most normal areas and streets is good. The worst time for law and order is usually at night, especially in the central areas of big cities. At night, it basically becomes the world of drug dealers and gang members.
Relatively speaking, the security situation in general small towns and urban suburbs is much better. These places make up the majority of the United States. I live in a small town. I often go for a walk in the park after dinner and get home before dark. I’ve only experienced one shooting in this town, and according to locals, it was the first in decades.
Sometimes I wonder about Americans’ housing security. Most American houses are made of wood, with doors made of wood and glass. There are almost no security doors or windows (except in urban areas). The door seems to be able to be kicked open with just one kick. I can’t help but wonder where their sense of security comes from?
2.For those who are about to travel or study in the United States, I always give some safety advice:
Know the local security: When choosing where to stay, be sure to check local crime maps online and choose streets with low crime rates.
Avoid going out at night: Especially for those new to the United States, it is best not to go out for walks at night until you are familiar with the place and feel safe enough.
Night in the city: It is not recommended to go to the city at night unless accompanied by a local. Nights in big cities in the United States are different from those in China. Shopping malls and restaurants usually close before 9 pm, the streets are quiet, and you may encounter homeless people and criminals.
Getting along with people: Most people in the United States are friendly and kind, but road rage and violence have been reported. So, stay humble and respectful when dealing with others.
3.The Forest Park in the United States is really an original ecological paradise! I have been to several parks not far from my home. They are all dense forests with no fixed roads. You can freely choose your route, cross canyons and creeks, and sometimes even need to cross rivers like walking on a single-plank bridge. These parks do not have too many artificial modifications, allowing people to completely immerse themselves in the embrace of nature.
4.In the United States, toilets are generally toilets, which are different from squat toilets in China. Each toilet is equipped with paper on the toilet seat. The gap under the partition is large, and toilet paper is also a must.
5.On today’s Internet, there is always a lot of discussion about the U.S. economy. Some see America in decline, while others see a country with a highly developed economy but slow growth. But in fact, judging from the economic growth rate in recent years, the performance of the United States is not inferior.
A trip to the United States subverted my understanding!
6.In the United States, there is no distinction between high and low jobs. People who sit in offices are not necessarily more respected than people who do hard work. For example, becoming a delivery boy in the United States is relatively simple. As long as you have a social security number and can drive, you are basically qualified. The average delivery boy in the United States earns between US$4 and US$8 per order, including tips. Sometimes the tips are even higher than the delivery fee, so their income is relatively high.
Waiters in American restaurants generally earn between $15 and $20 an hour. In addition, the tipping culture in restaurants also brings extra income to waiters. All told, a waiter’s monthly income usually exceeds $4,000.
The United States is a country with relatively high labor costs. Any job that requires a certain amount of skill, such as plumbing and electrical repairs, can cost quite a bit. Professional plumbers earn an hourly salary of at least US$50 and are on call 24 hours a day, ready to be dispatched at any time. In addition to labor and material fees, they will also charge transportation fees.
In the United States, if a person can retire between 50 and 60 years old, it is usually considered a sign of being very wealthy. Therefore, when chatting with American colleagues, if they learn that your parents retired at this age, they are likely to think that you are the second generation of rich people.
7.In the United States, food prices vary by type. Pork costs about $2 to $3 per pound, while beef (general cuts) costs $3 to $4 per pound. The price of chicken is more affordable, about $1 to $2 per pound, with chicken breasts being slightly more expensive than chicken legs. Seafood, such as headless white shrimp and salmon, costs about $5 to $6 per pound.
Prices for eggs and milk vary according to quality, ranging from the cheapest eggs to organic eggs, which can cost as much as $4 to $6 a piece. A gallon of regular milk costs about $2, while organic milk costs $5 to $6. Vegetables and fruits such as potatoes, onions, tomatoes, broccoli, strawberries, grapes and blueberries also cost between $0.50 and $2 per pound. Bananas are the most stable fruit at about 60 to 70 cents per pound. When the season is right, you can buy 6 corns for $1.
8.In the United States, many people don’t like the fumes in Chinese food, so few people cook Chinese food in rental houses in the United States. I personally am very particular about food, and I especially like Chinese food, so I often go to Chinese restaurants to eat. My monthly dining expenses are about more than 600 US dollars.
In the United States, most people live in villas (Houses), and the apartments we usually live in are called Apartments in the United States. Townhouses are called condos in the United States. The area of a house in the United States is calculated differently. Usually only the indoor area is calculated, and the shared area is not included. Most American houses are equipped with independent garages, usually two or three cars, with an area of about 40 to 60 square meters, but this area is not included in the total area of the house.
9.House prices in the United States are relatively low. The median price is about US$250,000, which is about 2 million yuan. You can buy a villa of 200 to 300 square meters and an area of about one acre. At the same time, furniture in the United States is very expensive, and many Americans are willing to spend a lot of money to buy furniture. Americans have a special affection for sofas. Many Americans often mention to me how good their sofas are when chatting.
10.In the United States, the use of air conditioners is different from ours. There are very few air conditioners in the United States that are common in the country. The air conditioners are either window type or central air conditioners. Window air conditioners and another type of air conditioner with a compressor placed in the room are very noisy.
11.In terms of living habits, Americans will put their shoes in the washing machine for cleaning, and they will not avoid putting clothes in the same washing machine just because they have washed their shoes. I usually don’t have the habit of changing my shoes and will even wear my shoes to bed. In addition, many Americans are generally accustomed to taking a shower in the morning. Even if they exercised the day before, they will choose to go to bed after brushing their teeth and take a shower the next morning.
12.In the United States, there are a wide variety of ready-to-eat frozen and canned foods, ranging from meat to vegetarian options. These foods include a variety of frozen fried foods, frozen vegetables such as broccoli and cowpeas, and a variety of canned meats and vegetables. These high-calorie fast foods are cheap and may be one of the reasons many Americans are obese.
13.If you encounter performers wearing puppet costumes in bustling areas such as Times Square in New York, be sure not to take photos with them easily. I once encountered this situation with my colleagues in New York. We were enthusiastically dragged into a photo by a performer wearing Mickey costumes. Although I refused, the classmate was still dragged to pose.
When I took the photo, there were originally only two dolls, but the moment I raised my phone, four more appeared. After taking the photos, they asked for payment, which was 10 US dollars per person, but one photo actually cost 400 RMB. I’ve only seen this happen in New York, not Chicago. This is similar to the routine of being dragged into receiving free products or hairdressing and hairdressing at Silverstone Plaza in Chengdu or Wangfujing in Beijing. It is really unwise to fall for this trick.
14.On the streets of America, if someone offers you a CD, do not accept it. If you answer, they will start chatting with you enthusiastically, claiming to be music creators and letting you enjoy their works for free. But when you want to leave, they ask you for a tip. If you give 5 to 10 US dollars, you won’t be able to get rid of it. Even if you give 30 to 50 US dollars, others will give you their “works” and the process will repeat. In the end, your wallet may be empty of cash.
15.In terms of education in the United States, if parents leave children under 11 years old alone at home and are discovered by neighbors, the neighbors are likely to call the police. Parents will be investigated and, in serious cases, may even lose custody of their children. The density of libraries in the United States is so high that even small towns usually have libraries. Libraries in the United States not only provide book lending, but also serve as places for citizen activities. In addition to books, you can also borrow movies, game CDs, etc. Signing up for a library membership is as simple as providing your driver’s license information.
16.In terms of traffic, if you are pulled over by the police, do not get out of the car and do not move your hands. If you’re obviously speeding, not admitting it won’t help. But if the police accuse you of another crime, such as having an open bottle of alcohol in the car, or ask if you can search the vehicle, don’t agree. Because sometimes what you think is a harmless item, the police may suspect you have a motive or identify it as dangerous.
17.In the United States, it is not uncommon for high school students to own cars, most of which are second-hand cars priced between $3,000 and $5,000. Owning a car means more freedom and possibilities for American teenagers. They can travel by car and work part-time, which has a great impact on their character development. At the age of sixteen or seventeen, driving on the road is their cautious step into the adult world.
As a major oil country, the United States has abundant oil reserves, so oil prices are relatively low, much lower than domestic oil prices. This makes it almost painless for Americans to refuel.
18.In the United States, driving speed has its own specific rules. Typically, you can travel five miles faster than the maximum speed limit. For example, on a highway with a speed limit of 70 mph, you can drive up to 75 mph, and on a road with a speed limit of 15 mph, you can drive up to 20 mph. There is also an unspoken rule that if you occupy the fast lane and the car behind you thinks you are driving too slowly, they will turn on their high beams to remind you. At this time, you should not be angry, but should give way to the slow lane.
19.Americans like all kinds of entertainment activities, so many people choose to buy pickup trucks. Not only are pickup trucks practical, they can also pull their various tools, such as RVs, motorcycles, and more. Although Americans also like luxury cars, when their capabilities are limited, they prefer to choose more practical models.
20.In the United States, vehicle modifications are relatively free. You can put anything you want on your car (except logos that mimic police cars). However, the United States does not allow sun protection film to be applied to the windows of the driver and passenger. Although California allows sunscreen films with a certain degree of transparency, in general, vehicles with sunscreen films are more likely to be stopped by police cars on the highway. Therefore, most people choose not to wear sunscreen.
There are a large number of helicopters in the United States. If some serious incidents occur, such as shootings or vehicle escapes, the police and television stations will send helicopters to film. Television stations will also broadcast these events simultaneously, just like scenes from American movies.
To the end
Reading thousands of books is not as good as traveling thousands of miles. Sometimes what you hear may be indoctrinated or exaggerated. Only if you have truly seen and thought about what the world is like can you form your own vision and opinions.
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