The USA - Am I Wrong???

[celsis]

With my inlaws being in the Delta near San Francisco, I do notice some price rises. For example, I used to but a lot of shirts at the Burlington coat shop, but now they want $20 for shirts that were just $10 a couple of years ago. Cigar prices in CA are a joke! Even gas seeems to be more expensive than elsewhere in the US.

Having said that, i just moved back to Scotland from Ireland six months ago and I'm still relishing how cheap it is! The US is even cheaper!

[Robusto]

Er, can I hazard a guess?

Monterey Jack, squeezy cheese and plastic cheese slices.

100 brands of these three items.

Spot on, Moid.
Nothing but that!

[Soulmanure]

Spot on, Moid.
Nothing but that!

The one place you never want to go to in the U.S. for cheese is a supermarket.

[Robusto]

I was hearing about the regional differences between the prices of everyday things from a family funeral gathering with people from New Mexico, Florida, California and Pennsylvania.

I actually brought up China in the middle of a conversation about the economy and nobody knew what I meant. My family aren't thick by any means, but they couldn't acknowledge the growth of the Chinese economy.

We were sad a lot of the time, but we herfed and went out to eat at fast food places as well as semi-swish restaurants. It wasn't all doom and gloom.

I just seemed to sense rising prices everywhere. I think we in the UK are regally shafted on food purchases. I pay ?10 a week for a local farm to deliver pure vegetables without chemicals and they do taste better but I think I mostly do it to feel good about the planet.

My sister doesn't recycle anything. There are no facilities for it. Half my kitchen is full of fucking waste cardboard so I kind of envied her.

I didn't wear my super Stetson across to the funeral - a military honour funeral - because I was British and fondled my decorum. Of course, the military guys did their bit with the Stars and Stripes to a congregation wearing shorts and Stetsons and all sorts. There were so many drop dead Cowboy hats around town that I really chided myself for thinking it might be disrespectful to cross the pond with one.

I went back to pull on and smell some awesome Cowboy boots but made myself wait. We need a new washing machine and I didn't want it in the neck.

So everybody's skirted round the Talk Radio thing. Fair enough.

I'd just like to say that with more US relatives than British ones, I feel half USA anyway. I love the place to bits, and the hospitality I've always received there.

I love France, too.

If I say that to my relatives, they wince.

[bossanovaboy]

i was in new york in 2006 and everything was half price since the conversion from sterling to dollar was so good, i went again last year and it had changed for the worst, even food at mcdonalds had went up lol.

[daverave999]

I suspect the already mentioned exchange rate adjustments and their causes have a lot to do with it, as have rising oil prices. There is always the possibility that price fixing may be occuring amongst the dominant retailers too.

[larrysputnik]

Well I'm no American, but...if I were I might say "there's something fisht going on with these prices pal."

But since I am not American I really just say "screw those Americans and their diamond encrusted toothbrushes and gold-plated pillow cases. They don't deserve frugal living."

[whisky77]

Miami

I've been going to florida each year for the last 7 years, and we have noticed the costs going up each year. we will still go no matter what, its our second home

I try and get over to Miami every couple of years, I absolutely love it there, but as Lee says the prices seem to be higher on every visit.

[SeanP]

So everybody's skirted round the Talk Radio thing. Fair enough.

I won't skirt it. Talk radio is made up mostly by blowhards and those on the lunatic fringe. Lots of loud talking with disregard to facts and so much spin that you can't tell which way they're coming from and every now and again they end up talking in so many circles they tie themselves in knots. It's more of an entertainment genre then information outlet. Think tabloid radio. And the vast majority of the said shows are conservative in nature so you would hear a lot more Anti- than Pro-Obama speak.

Actually I would say the majority of American media is moving more toward the entertainment market and away from the information provider role. Sad state of affairs really.

[Robusto]

That's how I heard it, Sean. I find politically slanted info-news - of any political colour - a very dangerous genre.

I won't dwell on it. It will spoil the party.

Back to the Daily Mail...

[goose165]

Well I'm no American, but...if I were I might say "there's something fisht going on with these prices pal."

But since I am not American I really just say "screw those Americans and their diamond encrusted toothbrushes and gold-plated pillow cases. They don't deserve frugal living."

ARE YOU JEALOUS CAUSE MY TOOTHBRUSH HAS SOME BLING. (just kidding)

[Son of Cigarsmoke]

Er, can I hazard a guess?

Monterey Jack, squeezy cheese and plastic cheese slices.

100 brands of these three items.

We sell Monterey Jack at the place i work, if you read the label it says in small print "MADE IN WALES" lmao!

[Soulmanure]

We sell Monterey Jack at the place i work, if you read the label it says in small print "MADE IN WALES" lmao!

What's wrong with Monterey Jack? Next you're going to tell me there's something wrong with American cheese.

p.s. it looks like it's not going to get any better for you: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8537959.stm

[El Yanqui]

A little late on this thread, but interesting. I'm going back to the States to visit family tomorrow and I'll have a look. Things have definitely gone up in the last few years I've been here, as they are wont to do, but I'm not sure how across the board that is.

While in San Francisco, I'm sure I'll see eye-watering prices for things. In Nevada, not so much. We shall see starting tomorrow.

[Soulmanure]

A little late on this thread, but interesting. I'm going back to the States to visit family tomorrow and I'll have a look. Things have definitely gone up in the last few years I've been here, as they are wont to do, but I'm not sure how across the board that is.

While in San Francisco, I'm sure I'll see eye-watering prices for things. In Nevada, not so much. We shall see starting tomorrow.

Good luck in San Francisco--I think even the air is more expensive.