Nervous about USA trip !

avstar

Hi All

Got a trip planned to Philadelphia and Las Vegas planned for a months time, and now I'm getting nervous about it !

It's my and OH's first visit to USA - only ever done Europe holidays before.
I know its prob watching too much TV but I'm worried about the crime rate in US - I keep thinking we'll be mugged the minute we step off the plane ! Anyone able to reasure me about these 2 cities ?

Also, we are a mixed race couple, are we likely to encounter any problems in US? I know its not the deep south we're going to, but I'm worried that mixed race couples are still frowned upon in America. We've been together 20 years and had plenty of flak in UK in the past, but oddly enough never had on holiday in Europe. Just worried about meeting the Aryan Brotherhood in America !

Last question - whats the deal with visa waiver thingy - we both qualify for it but where do you get it - on the plane - at immigration ?

Cheers for any info
avstar

Sam_Bee

avstar wrote: »

Also, we are a mixed race couple, are we likely to encounter any problems in US? I know its not the deep south we're going to, but I'm worried that mixed race couples are still frowned upon in America. We've been together 20 years and had plenty of flak in UK in the past, but oddly enough never had on holiday in Europe. Just worried about meeting the Aryan Brotherhood in America !

It's a strangely pertinent question, but you won't have any issues where you're going. I spent a year in Louisiana, and you would have had a few comments there or in the nearby states for sure. However the most important thing is that as soon as people hear your accent you become English (or Scottish, Welsh etc!) and they love you for it! All other prejudices disappear by the wayside!

steveo3002

you get the visa waiver at check out...and offered it again on the plane

ive been loads of times and as long as you use common sense you shouldnt see any trouble at all, try and stick to well lit areas at night etc , dont flash money around , lock the car doors when your in it

alchemista

You'll be fine, I laughed at thinking you'll get mugged as soon as you're off the plane Just the usual wisdom applies, stay to main areas, don't go walking around late at night in back streets, don't flash your money around, etc.

There's nothing less safe there than in Europe. You'll just be getting some amazing deals with the current exchange rate I love visiting the US!

Nobjocki

Well,life is full of pros and cons.
On the minus side every terrorist in the world worth their salt would bring down your plane if they could;Philadelphia has a higher murder rate than New York,Los Angeles or Chicago ( up by 50% since 2002 ) and you're definitely gonna get mugged ( legally ) in Las Vegas.
On the plus side you're getting a great rate to the dollar !
But relax Avstar - you'll have a great time if you use a bit of common sense and the mixed race thing hasn't been an issue in the States for a very long time.
Hope that's cheered you up !

continentalgal

Hehe, I can totally relate, before I went to the USA the first time, my entire knowledge was through TV and I honestly believed that every American was a psychopath carrying a gun and should under no circumstances be provoked 'cause he'd use it.

I agree with Sam Bee, strangely enough, their hypocrit views about race issues don't apply to foreigners, so you should be fine. Moreover, the US have currently got such a bad rep internationally, they'll be happy about every foreigner still wanting to visit their country, you should expect fanfares, red carpet, etc.

continentalgal

P.S. For what it's worth, I'm not English but in comparison, I felt much safer in NYC than I'm doing here in London!

bootsaholic

continentalgal wrote: »

P.S. For what it's worth, I'm not English but in comparison, I felt much safer in NYC than I'm doing here in London!

I agree with that - I would be happier walking alone in NY than in London also.

When we went to Vegas we were told that the Strip was the safest street in the USA because of all the security, cameras, etc etc. Dont know if thats true or just made up - but had no problems whatsoever.

Have a lovely time!!

avstar

Thanks everyone for the reassuring comments

I feel much better about the whole thing, I'll just put on my posh'est English accent - being from Yorkshire they prob won't understand a word I'm saying tha knows !

Its a shame that parts of US are still unfriendly to mixed couples, but I knew that the southern states are a no-no for us. Makes me laugh thats its OK cos we are English tho !

I visit London a lot with work and I'm on my guard, so I suppose it's just like that.

Yes we'll only be doing the tourist things in Philadelphia because we're only there for 2 full days so won't be straying off the beaten track. And I suupose our every move in Las vegas will be on camera which is spooky but strangley comforting !

LesD

North Philly and North Las Vegas are the no-go areas. Although there are many dark corners in Las Vegas!

If you want to frighten yourselves to death, catch up with the comments on Virtual Tourist! But I don't suppose London would get good reviews on safety grounds either!

alchemista

avstar wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the reassuring comments

I feel much better about the whole thing, I'll just put on my posh'est English accent - being from Yorkshire they prob won't understand a word I'm saying tha knows !

Its a shame that parts of US are still unfriendly to mixed couples, but I knew that the southern states are a no-no for us. Makes me laugh thats its OK cos we are English tho !

I visit London a lot with work and I'm on my guard, so I suppose it's just like that.

Yes we'll only be doing the tourist things in Philadelphia because we're only there for 2 full days so won't be straying off the beaten track. And I suupose our every move in Las vegas will be on camera which is spooky but strangley comforting !

The southern states are fine, you aren't going to get lynched. If you go to some out in the boondocks town you may get harassed by the locals, but if you go to any of the big places you would have absolutely no problems. Also, Florida isn't really considered a southern state in terms of culture, it's completely different.