Ask a foreigner

[user27357]

i drive by what is likely the oldest building within 50 miles every day and have for years, never stopped. it is approaching 200 years old, an old military fort from the days before any real anglo presence. Its America, our stuff isnt that old and doesnt get much attention.

 

[notsurewheretoturn]

I live not far from Hadrians Wall, its about 1900 years old, and it gets over 1million visitors a year.

 

[Rose White]

Hadrians Wall,

I learned about Offa’s Dyke which is kind of like Hadrian’s wall except it’s between Wales and England. Apparently some landowner plowed a portion of it down to build a stable because he claimed he didn’t know it existed, which kinda floored me that he wouldn’t have known the local history.

We have ancient-ish stuff here related to the native peoples who lived here. It’s neat finding pottery shards or knapped obsidian but I leave them out of respect.

 

[gorgonzola]

Its America, our stuff isnt that old and doesnt get much attention.

I say, I say, I say, I say: what's the difference between Brits and Americans? Brits think that a hundred miles is a long way, but Americans think that a hundred years is a long time.

 

[notsurewheretoturn]

I learned about Offa’s Dyke which is kind of like Hadrian’s wall except it’s between Wales and England. Apparently some landowner plowed a portion of it down to build a stable because he claimed he didn’t know it existed, which kinda floored me that he wouldn’t have known the local history.

We have ancient-ish stuff here related to the native peoples who lived here. It’s neat finding pottery shards or knapped obsidian but I leave them out of respect.

The problem is a lot of things that old are buried over time, or dilapidated and fallen down, so people do sort of know about them, but not where they are.

Archaeologists are still discovering roman buildings all over England they knew nothing about, especially along the walls.

 

[FFnerd]

How is new years usually spent where you’re from?
I’m in the American Midwest - so it’s usually a lot of drinking with friends inside somewhere lol. The bars will stay open for 24-36hrs doing breakfast and lunch the next day.

 

[In the weeds]

I'm in the South right now. It's not quite as bad as when I lived in Nebraska. It's LOUD. There is a lot of drinking and a lot of fireworks. It's hard for some people - and cats who don't understand the ruckus going on outside. We keep the fans going, the radio blasting, etc. On a side note, in Omaha, people think July Fourth starts late June.

I'm never awake to see the New Year come in. My alarm goes off early 365 days a year.

 

[user27357]

rural part of a pacific Northwest state here. I used to be a volunteer first responder and we saw “amateur night” dui wrecks maybe every other year out here. Nowadays it is more of a celebration of a paid day off and the ability to get some sleep hopefully

 

[FFnerd]

huh, yeah I never hear fireworks where I'm at for new years - usually if you stay at home for it, it'll be a pretty quiet night with just you and the snowfall.

On a side note, in Omaha, people think July Fourth starts late June

weird lol over excitement I guess

 

[FFnerd]

rural part of a pacific Northwest state here. I used to be a volunteer first responder and we saw “amateur night” dui wrecks maybe every other year out here. Nowadays it is more of a celebration of a paid day off and the ability to get some sleep hopefully

yeah that also sounds about right, we've got too much of a drinking culture over here though
The nice thing is every bar will usually have free food and non alcoholic drinks available to whoever

 

[parrotthepolly]

I think what I did and what people in my location did on new year's are two separate questions and I never have a 'usual' with anything. Well I was in one of the capital cities in Australia but didn't bother going into the city, it's always crowded as shown on TV.
This year I actually spent it with 3 people and I spent the majority of time staring into space. Didn't get any sleep but the reason was worth it. I had a mini cocktail but it couldn't have been more than 1.8 standard drinks so didn't help, one of drinks had actual sugar in it and I think i still had McDonald's in me that I didn't throw up properly earlier so that was disappointing. People around me were drinking a fair bit but it was one of the times I was already numb and didn't feel like paying. Really grateful I had a bed to lay in, I knew it was safe to sleep but I couldn't. It started raining and got cold in the early morning and that image will be in my head forever.

Heard some people had illegal fireworks in the suburbs. We could see a bit of the main 9pm ones that ran for 12 mins out of one of the windows and went for a short walk to see the midnight fireworks, again 12 mins. Someone set an alarm so it seemed like they really didn't wanna miss it, I'm indifferent cause I can hardly feel anything anymore so went for the walk.
Don't know what to think, just glad I wasn't alone or I might've ended up doing something I will regret. It's been at least 3-4 years since I wasn't alone during holiday season, doesn't sound too long but it's so far. I guess I did chose to be alone before and maybe I should isolate next year.

 

[notsurewheretoturn]

In the UK loud partying is usually confined to city centres, but fireworks tend to go off everywhere! The law is though that you cannot set them off after 1am on new years night, midnight any other time of the year. I think anyone celebrating at home keeps it indoors until midnight.

I have noticed over the years that new years has become more muted now, maybe the cost of living has something to do with it, but you certainly don't get the loud raucous celebrations you used to.