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American culture

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What is it like?
15 years ago, July 8th 2008 No: 1 Msg: #41260  
Were a couple of guys from scandinavia in the 18-20's who plan to go for a roadtrip across the country (MI - SF / mostly the southern parts).

Just finding a rental service that's willing to borrow us a car is difficult - we know. But that will be handled by time.

I wonder a bit about the people though. I know there's an age limit on 21 y.o for alcohol. We plan to bypass this with some good old fake-id's. How common is this? Will it work? Does youths (<21) of the U.S drink a lot, or is it totally different compared to like Sweden (1-2 times/week)?

The people itself, what do they think about scandinavians? Good/bad reputation? The thing is that what we really want by this trip is to get to know the american culture, people and so on. I mean, it would be cool to get some invites for some real homepartys and not just the local pub/club. But I guess we'll find it out ourself.

Marijuana? Compared to alcohol in these ages, how common?


Just want to know 😊. Reply to this

15 years ago, July 8th 2008 No: 2 Msg: #41295  
B Posts: 228
Hi Kristoffer,

I don't think anyone on here can rightly tell you to use a fake ID or marajuana as we'd probably get in trouble some how! :-) I will say this - if those ID'ing you think you are from another country (and if you have an accent, they may suspect) they may not take your international or fake American ID - it's possible they'll require a passport. Also, our drivers licenses have a bar code type of thing on the back that they can scan and tell if it's real or not. They don't always do this, and I know people certainly get away with fake ID's, but if they suspect your ID's are fake, they might well scan it and then they'll know for sure. Just something to consider when planning out your partying. A lot of under 21 drinking is done at the universities and in homes.

As for Scandanavians, I can't speak for the south but up here in the Northeast I think that you have a pretty good reputation. We tend to love accents here which will help you out :-)

If you really want to know the American culture, you may want to try to spread your trip out over a larger area than just the south. It's a fun place, but just one section of the country and the East Coast, West Coast and Midwest all have a very different feel than the south.

As for the rental car, the reason you are having trouble is that here you often have to be 25 years old to rent a car. Some places will let you do it at 21, but it often costs a good deal extra.

This is a lot, but i hope it helps. Reply to this

15 years ago, July 8th 2008 No: 3 Msg: #41298  
N Posts: 38
Kids under 21 drink a lot too, they usually just get someone else to buy it for them. I'm 21 now, but it was never hard to get alcohol. You prob won't get to go to some of the better bars cuz they are 21+, but there are still some really fun bars that I'm sure you'll have an awesome time at.

I don't think a lot of southerners know much about Scandanavians. I live in Florida and the only thing that stands out that I've heard a lot is the guys are really attractive and drink heavily, so I guess that's in your favor.

Have an awesome trip!

Dana Reply to this

15 years ago, July 8th 2008 No: 4 Msg: #41306  
With fake ID I was thinking about my driving license, and then just switch numbers in the "Date of Birth"-box. Also I plan to get a copy of my passport (with the same age) and bring along in my wallet. So if they ask for passport I could go for anything like "Euuh, yeah... I only got a copy of it, I store the real one in a valuelocker so I won't drop it...", you think they might fall for that? As I'm a foreigner I would have foreigner drivings license and passport, but that would rather be an advantage, because they can't scan it and don't have the same experience with those to easier tell that it's fake. I don't know, but does it sound reliable?

IUMy23, I've found a car rental service that will hire the car to 18 years old with an extra $200 fee/mo. It's located in Loisville, Kentucky and I thought about what you said. It would be great to get a piece of all country parts; some eastern, some southern, some west and some central/north. A state that I really got expectations on would be Tennessee, I mean; Nashville, Cash and JD's...

Man I so want to experience the U.S =O...
Reply to this

15 years ago, July 8th 2008 No: 5 Msg: #41319  
N Posts: 38
The fake ID might work if you go to a gas station owned by indians or hindus; they don't seem to check it as often. Don't even bother using the copy of your passport, it wont get you anything. You should really bring someone who's 21; it would be easier on rentals and beer. Reply to this

15 years ago, July 8th 2008 No: 6 Msg: #41326  
But the rental is taken care of now. We got all that issues and insurances fixed.

What I mean is that, how could they know that I got an fake id, how can they check it up? Reply to this

15 years ago, July 8th 2008 No: 7 Msg: #41327  
B Posts: 228
Agreed that the passport copy won't help you with it. I am not sure if they will take an int'l drivers lisence but perhaps. There are also some states (Ohio being one of them I believe) that will let you into the bars at 19 but you cannot drink until you are 21. Perhaps that is just Ohio, but that's what we used to do in college. They give you a stamp or wrist ban or something to say you are under 21. I agree really with Dana that might be best to bring someone 21! Great that you found a rental car place. Kentucky and Indiana are a little more lenient, perhaps due to a lot of colleges/universities in that border area (I went to school in indiana). Reply to this

15 years ago, July 8th 2008 No: 8 Msg: #41337  
Is it this hard leg check everywhere in the states? I mean, on all pubs/clubs, everywhere :D? Or the club/pub - status does a difference?

When buyin booze/beer in the liquorstores, passport here two?

All though, it feel clumsy that no pub/club would accept a foreigner driving license, they could possible just notice that we're from Sweden in the dialect and that we then logical enough would have swedish driving licenses and not us such.

What if I get stopped when using this to enter a club? Just go away? Call my parents (maybe they'll pick me up 😉😉)? Or take it further to the police (wtf?).

A great thing though would've been a invite at some college/university-party instead. Reply to this

15 years ago, July 8th 2008 No: 9 Msg: #41343  
N Posts: 38
lol, This really is a big to you.

Yes, they pretty much check everywhere. Girls, not so much; Guys, they def check. It's a felony to alter your own ID, so if you get caught and there's a cop standing by, then you might get in trouble. Otherwise they will just tell you to leave. And if you get caught drinking in the club/bar underage, they either take your drink away or ask you to leave. If it's crowded and dark, then don't worry about it.

Either way, I don't think you should base your trip off of being able to buy beer or not. If your sociable enough, then it won't be a problem. There's a lot of things to do here besides drinking.

Reply to this

15 years ago, July 8th 2008 No: 10 Msg: #41346  
Yeh, on the other hand it's the easiest way to get to know people (at the bar and so on).

But you're right, there is so much to do than drinking beer. I also guess that we will work it out somehow.

It's just that I might feel strange actually, Sweden is a whole other culture when it comes to drinking, if I say Absolut Vodka, then you might get my point. It's a everyday "problem" with drunk 12-13 y.o in the neighbourhood, I guess it's not the exactly same in the states.

Anyway, you get my point. If were in southern Miami, it's this subtropical weather, crowded street with tons of drunk ppl (girls :D). Then it might be hard to not want to go for a drink to. I guess the crew you hangout with could change the thingy a bit to. If we enter the bar with some hot chicks, then it might be a bit easier than just ourself. Or if your there early on the night with not so much people yet. And the behaviour, as well as the dressing and maturity.

I don't know. But I do want to pay a visit to the pub Sloppy Joe's in Key West, FL 😊. Reply to this

15 years ago, July 9th 2008 No: 11 Msg: #41449  
Good luck dude. I wish you guys the best. Maybe check to see proper beach protocols because you guys could do that if they aloud it.

Ryan M. Rodriguez Reply to this

15 years ago, July 9th 2008 No: 12 Msg: #41464  
Proper Beach Protocols... what..? Reply to this

15 years ago, July 9th 2008 No: 13 Msg: #41465  
yeah... certain beaches will allow you to drink on the beach. Just check to see what Miami's law is or whatever beach you are planning on visiting. Take a cooler out there and meet people.

Ryan Reply to this

15 years ago, July 9th 2008 No: 14 Msg: #41467  
Yeh, that would be cool. I mean, it would be cool to just hangout with some real americans and drink som booze... just relax with some people and not have to worry about getting cold sort of... Reply to this

15 years ago, July 13th 2008 No: 15 Msg: #41723  

Proper Beach Protocols... what..?



No topless sunbathing. :D Reply to this

15 years ago, July 13th 2008 No: 16 Msg: #41754  
Yeah... you might not have a problem with the topless sunbathing part, Kris. Have fun, stay safe. But be sure to check that stuff out regarding the protocols.

Ryan Reply to this

15 years ago, July 16th 2008 No: 17 Msg: #42109  
B Posts: 38
First of all, Southerners won't even consider Florida as a southern state 😊 The rule of thumb is that the northern you are in Florida, the southern feeling you would get. Up north till you cross the state border to Georgia.

Keep in mind that across the Bible-belt States (the Carolinas to Louisiana), alcohol sales might be different from the rest of the continent. State of Georgia does not sell alcohol on Sundays, and I think Alabama and Tennessee have the same rule.

Ditto on passport photocopies, nobody will accept that here. And I agree with everybody else's opinions about Driver's License etc.


Talking about American culture, especially in the South ...

It depends on what time of the year you will be here, but if it is during the college football season (in the fall - August till November), it is worthed to check out big universities in the South that are HUGE into American Football - University of Georgia, Clemson University, Auburn University, Louisiana State University, University of Florida to name a few ... now, then you will find all those hot partying college chicks there and will experience many things about Southern USA culture - tailgating, Greek houses (frat parties, anyone?), porch chilling, fried chicken and cold beer, catfish.

I am a very healty person and I don't smoke or drugs, so I have no clue on the marijuana question.

Good luck in traveling the South - and don't forget to visit us here in Atlanta, the birthplace of Coca-Cola, CNN and Gone with the Wind. And I don't believe we have any negative Scandinavian stereotypical - except y'all are blond, drink Vodka and look Viking-ish ... and yes, the opening of an IKEA store in Atlanta helps to promote the sister cities effort 😊
Reply to this

15 years ago, July 16th 2008 No: 18 Msg: #42111  
hahahaha.... Nice Halef. Reply to this

15 years ago, July 16th 2008 No: 19 Msg: #42112  
Oh, thanks halefg, a very constructive post from you.

Yeah, we planned to visit the states from September - December, so the american football at the universities would definately be an interest.

Of course all those things you name up there is by huge interest from our side. I mean, frat parties and tailgating how cool wouldn't that be? It's as american as it gets... almost 😉.

How well would people from the different universites appreciate (mostly southern) my effort to take contact during a game / tailgate 😊? Would they find it exotic and fun to have a chat with someone from another culture and maybe, or would just appear to be like some stupid foreigner... I guess it's different responses from different people.

Btw, as it seems to fuck up with all this "under-age-of-21" we plan to procrastinate the whole trip some year... I guess were pretty much the same persons if we take the trip now as 18 or later as 21. Then we atleast have some more alternatives in the country. Reply to this

15 years ago, July 16th 2008 No: 20 Msg: #42117  
N Posts: 38
Not to get off the subject but 18 year olds are soo much different than 21 year olds, biggest thing being maturity and responsibility.

I agree on the FL/southern thing. I live in tally while i go to school and it is hickville here versus orlando. I'm so thankful im not from tallahassee :-)

Kristoffer-def go to some frat parties, they are just as fun as they seem in the movies, and its easy to get tickets to football games, there are always scalpers. Reply to this

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