  Gogo Member Username: Gogo Post Number: 1361 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 198.208.251.24 |
Weeks after opening, businesses near furniture giant in Canton Twp. report no change in customer traffic. Neighbors still await 'IKEA effect' Duh! Apparently these people aren't familiar with big box's. Small businesses meet big box, big box meet naive small business owners. Apparently the Wal-Mart commercials that show Wal-Mart as a good neighbor have brain washed these people into thinking that big boxes are good for small business owners. (Message edited by gogo on July 21, 2006) | ||
Bvos Member Username: Bvos Post Number: 1709 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 134.215.223.211 |
I can't believe the business owners that deal with food actually thought they'd see increased business. There's a reason Ikea has a cafeteria with incredibly cheap food. There's destination business and then there's big box destination business. The later is meant to take care of as many needs as possible to keep you in the store as long as possible so you'll spend as much as possible. | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 1213 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 69.129.146.186 |
Ikea still hasn't paid some of the local traffic control authorities who assisted with their big profile opening | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 1183 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 198.208.159.18 |
the gas stations must get some extra traffic at least... | ||
K_solomon Member Username: K_solomon Post Number: 6 Registered: 07-2006 Posted From: 199.178.223.4 |
I pass by Ikea everyday. The opening week saw a huge crowd and traffic backups all the way down I-275. But after that everything kinda returned to normal. The two gas stations on the corner near Ikea have probably the highest gas prices in the area. I havent noticed any increase in business there either. | ||
Nainrouge Member Username: Nainrouge Post Number: 47 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 209.104.146.146 |
I have been to Ikea a number of times recently. Everytime I go they are packed, so I would refute that everything is back to normal. We usually have to park at a neighboring store to go over there because their parking lot is full. | ||
Udmphikapbob Member Username: Udmphikapbob Post Number: 157 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 206.81.45.34 |
I was told by one of the traffic cops that Wayne County doesn't want a pedestrian bridge from the spillover lot across Haggerty? Instead, they keep no fewer than 4 officers there in uniform on a weekend to help people cross? | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 877 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 216.223.168.132 |
From the article:
Are you kidding me? | ||
Mikefive Member Username: Mikefive Post Number: 11 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 136.181.195.56 |
I am sure the Canton police are enjoying the extra business they are getting. | ||
K_solomon Member Username: K_solomon Post Number: 8 Registered: 07-2006 Posted From: 199.178.223.4 |
Let me clarify, Traffic congestion has been affected much. But my experience is during rush hour. YMMV | ||
Gogo Member Username: Gogo Post Number: 1362 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 198.208.251.24 |
Hysteria - People in Michigan are fat. For most of the people visiting IKEA, this is the most exercise they've had since the Fountain Walk opened in Novi. I'm not at all surprised that most shoppers would be winded after wandering the mammouth isles of IKEA. | ||
Nainrouge Member Username: Nainrouge Post Number: 48 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 209.104.146.146 |
Hysteria, The way that Ikea is set up, you can't just run in and grab something and then check out. That is the most annoying thing about the store. They have some nice stuff, but you have to spend the day trying to find the exit. You are more or less forced to walk through the entire store. | ||
Jelk Member Username: Jelk Post Number: 3900 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.42.65.36 |
You can knock IKEA all you want the company has a good record of treating employees well, paying them well, providing health insurance, etc. Anyone sweating out their jobs in the auto industry should be so lucky as to work for IKEA. | ||
K_solomon Member Username: K_solomon Post Number: 9 Registered: 07-2006 Posted From: 199.178.223.4 |
This a common store layout. Put the checkout in the front, the most shopped items in the back, and people will shop the merchandise in the middle on thier way to the front. It is no accident that the store is setup this way. Its a way to get customers to spend more money. (Message edited by k_solomon on July 21, 2006) | ||
Nainrouge Member Username: Nainrouge Post Number: 49 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 209.104.146.146 |
But most stores don't hand you a *map* when you walk in! Don't get me wrong, I like Ikea and have already spent too much money there, but I wouldn't go there if I was in a hurry. | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 892 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 216.223.168.132 |
Haha ... I know! I can picture visually what the exhausted shoppers look like. | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 1184 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 198.208.159.18 |
i was in and to the check out last night, walking thought the entire store to purchase one item (bed frame) in 15 minutes, and there are "shortcuts" in the store to jump sections or to jump the upstairs showroom all together. my problem was that it took another 20 minutes to get my item from the item from the cash and carry pick-up area | ||
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 1724 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.250.205.35 |
Geez, too bad we didn't get Ikea on the Hudson's site like many on here were promoting as a great plan for Detroit. | ||
Jelk Member Username: Jelk Post Number: 3901 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.42.65.36 |
No Dialh, don't you understand that would have been different! | ||
Eric_c Member Username: Eric_c Post Number: 795 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.76.202.10 |
Packard site would have had more impact than Hudson's or Canton, with or without "spillover". But whatever. It's done now. | ||
Mike Member Username: Mike Post Number: 652 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.41.93.235 |
I found this article sort of commical. Of course spill over business is kept to a minimal. Its not like there is much in Canton anyways. Canton is filled with big boxes and chain restaurants that can be found anywhere. Plus, its not like you can actually walk from Ikea to the neighboring stores. Too many parking lots. Then again, your average suburbanite in Michigan refuses to walk. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 7550 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.208.159.19 |
/quote{Then again, your average suburbanite in Michigan refuses to walk.} I think that is all of Michigan, not just Detroit suburbs. | ||
Jjw Member Username: Jjw Post Number: 148 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 68.33.56.156 |
IKEA did spawn a bunch of new businesses near it here in Baltimore but most of them were also big box retailers--Target, Lowes, Best Buy, Value City, and some smaller ones also along with numerous restaurants,etc. AND----the spawning effect took at least 5 years after IKEA opened. They actually built one of those fake "Main Streets" after it was built also. Of course, none of that construction helped the city as it is all out in the burbs. So---in a way, be thankful nothing else was built there yet. Believe me, it was better as farmland and forest before it was all developed. | ||
Danindc Member Username: Danindc Post Number: 1644 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.100.158.10 |
^^^Are you blaming that entire White Marsh disaster on Ikea? That sounds a little unreasonable, no? | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1064 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 205.188.116.137 |
I was there last weekend on Sunday and it was packed, in fact by 1:00PM they had closed the main lot because it was full. Put that together with a trip to the Michigan Jazz Fest at Schoolcraft College. | ||
Knocturnal Member Username: Knocturnal Post Number: 140 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 24.247.222.121 |
It is will definitely remain busy into the fall as well with all the college students returning to their drinking shelters. | ||
Jjw Member Username: Jjw Post Number: 149 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 68.33.56.156 |
Dominic---White Marsh was there for years and none of that other development occured until after IKEA got in there. But, to be honest, I am not blaming it on IKEA----I think it was eventual fate to become big box land. Egad---speaking about disasters---a trip along Rockville Pike last weekend almost led me to commit suicide. Yikes! | ||
Mani Member Username: Mani Post Number: 5 Registered: 07-2006 Posted From: 68.60.182.26 |
I love Ikea! It is a blast to go there. It is set up exactly like every other Ikea in every country that I have been too. Walking through the show rooms is fun and gives you ideas. It is a huge thing in Europe. I do not think Americans get the concept, especially fat people in Michigan (which is a lot people). My only problem with having one of these stores local is that all of my friends are going to have the same cool Ikea stuff. I know that is the idea, that everyone can have cool stuff~cheap but I want all the cool stuff for myself! Oh well I guess it is still a good thing. | ||
Mani Member Username: Mani Post Number: 6 Registered: 07-2006 Posted From: 68.60.182.26 |
Nainrouge.... You are complaining about the entire concept of Ikea. You are not suppose to grab and run. It is not Target, K-mart or 7~eleven. It is Ikea! Unlike the whole American concept of shopping, which is why I love it!! Perhaps it will ween out all the fat people. | ||
Citylover Member Username: Citylover Post Number: 1656 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 4.229.126.135 |
From all the fat people to Mani.........."FUCK YOU ASSHOLE"..... | ||
Darwinism Member Username: Darwinism Post Number: 531 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.209.147.12 |
The main effect is most certainly employment. I have casually spoken to a few friendly IKEA associates off-site and they are unanimously happy with their jobs and their management. Just a quick patrol down the many rows of parking revealed license plates from Ontario, Quebec, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, New York, Wisconsin and etc. How nice it is to have people from out-of-state spend their sales tax dollars here in SE Mich ? What about Canadian customers, WOW ?! We love them for shopping here, of course. Some businesses just aren't going to benefit from the 'IKEA effect'. If you run a business that is in direct competition, of course the numbers are going to be lower. Don't expect a positive effect for furniture stores in the area. Don't expect a positive effect for budget-priced restaurants in the area, because it is hard to beat the $4.99 15-piece Swedish meatballs and the $0.50 hotdogs. However, I am confident the story would be positive for the pet store, the consumer electronics store, the bookstore, and the rest of the other retail sectors on Ford Road. | ||
Detroitduo Member Username: Detroitduo Post Number: 702 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 84.156.50.228 |
I don't know what Canton expected... Ford road was ALREADY a Bigbox wasteland, before Ikea came in. Ikea was just the last piece of the puzzle. I agree with Darwinism, the biggest impact will be jobs and sales tax$ coming in from out-of-state visitors. (btw, nice to see CityLover is fat enough that he can speak for ALL the fat people...) | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1066 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 205.188.116.137 |
Yes I have to agree the biggest benefit of Ikea is people form out of state/country contributing to the sales tax. Any little bit helps up here. | ||
Mani Member Username: Mani Post Number: 10 Registered: 07-2006 Posted From: 68.60.182.26 |
Citylover... Ovbiously you are fat. I am not trying to offend anyone who is fat. I am being honest. I am not going to tip toe around issues of obesity in this county. It is OUT OF CONTROL and a slow suicide for many, as well loaded with many help problems. I am sorry if my comment may have come off as insenitive but i am finding that many people who are fat or over weight (however you want to soften the blow) are complaining about having to walk too much. I stand firm on my belief that over weight americans are lazy and do not want to take responsibilty for their health. And it is getting worse! Someday American is going to be full of fat people and skinny people. It will very distinct. It is no joke, not mention how this is affecting health care cost, which directly relates to me. My health insurance coverage just keeps getting worse. And now i have gone way off the topic of this thread which is about Ikea. Perhaps I should start a new thread on how fat is Detroit? | ||
Detroitduo Member Username: Detroitduo Post Number: 703 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 84.156.50.228 |
Mani, don't let it get to you. CL is just reflecting. Just nod, smile and move on. | ||
Themax Member Username: Themax Post Number: 146 Registered: 09-2005 Posted From: 69.246.123.118 |
"The way that Ikea is set up, you can't just run in and grab something and then check out. That is the most annoying thing about the store. They have some nice stuff, but you have to spend the day trying to find the exit." Sounds like Ikea models its stores after the casino. | ||
Darwinism Member Username: Darwinism Post Number: 532 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.209.147.12 |
On top of employment and sales tax, another sociological impact that I notice is the draw of people from various backgrounds. I saw Whites, Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Inter-racials, and so on, all enjoying themselves in the restaurant, the bistro, the showrooms, the tent kiosks outside - the 'IKEA effect' goes further than simply the P/L worksheets of the car wash or the smoke shop highlighted in the article. Going back to the sales tax and employment. I personally, consider that as the backbone of helping SE MIchigan. The jobs brought by IKEA aren't just cashiers, there are management positions for departments ranging from food/drinks, to customer relations, to logistics, to technology. Tax revenue is paramount. According the article and the manager, McCaslin, "Of the 12 Ikea stores that have opened in the U.S. in the past three years, the Canton store is one of the most successful" !! Fellow Metro Detroiters, there is no other way to spin such a testament of positive outcome. We should all be happy. | ||
Citylover Member Username: Citylover Post Number: 1658 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 4.229.123.211 |
Mani, you don't know what I am. That aint the issue, the issue is you are an asshole hence the fuck you......I'll say it again and no response is needed.......on behalf of fat people FUCK YOU ASSHOLE. | ||
Jjw Member Username: Jjw Post Number: 152 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 68.33.56.156 |
hehehe---someone mentioned this in the smoking ban---eventually more "health concerns" may become regulated. But, speaking on behalf of all the thin or non-overweight people, Mani--you really are a terd. You critize people because of their weight?? My mom--bless her soul, walked five miles a day and had a body to die for---and she did just that---of ovarian cancer---her sister is overweight, eat tons of butter, drinks a few beers everyday, smoked for 25 years and is doing just fine-----Mani---fate my dear---and one more thing---GET A LIFE!!!! | ||
Jjw Member Username: Jjw Post Number: 153 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 68.33.56.156 |
excuse the spelling for criticize--it's hot here and i'm tired | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 384 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 24.192.25.47 |
Fuck you, fatty!  (Message edited by focusonthed on July 23, 2006) | ||
Mani Member Username: Mani Post Number: 12 Registered: 07-2006 Posted From: 68.60.182.26 |
Ikea is Great! They have yummy ice cream too!! It is also fantastic that people of all races and ethnicity are embracing this new shopping experience. Did I mention the yummy ice cream ;-) | ||
Darwinism Member Username: Darwinism Post Number: 534 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.209.147.12 |
Please allow me to illustrate some rough numbers in relation to sales tax. According the article, 5000 people were in the store during just the first 3 hours !! Let's just be conservative and estimate 10,000 people going through that store on a daily basis. From observing other people at the checkout line as well as from my family's own experience, a typical visit to IKEA easily is a minimum $100 expenditure including food. Trust me, most people spend multiple times more than that. With that in mind, at 6% sales tax rate, IKEA easily generates $60,000 of tax revenue each day without a drop of sweat !! And that is just a very conservative estimate. Do we not need the tax dollars ? While I have not tried the ice-cream, I am confident that IKEA serves a lot of good food both at its restaurant upstairs, as well as the bistro downstairs. | ||
The_aram Member Username: The_aram Post Number: 4989 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.41.124.8 |
The food is really, really great. Try the lingenbery juice! only a dollar, and it's fantastic. they sell concentrate for it in the bistro, but i haven't had the heart to dump the change on it. i have to make a serious IKEA run in the next few weeks, gotta pick up a chair and a bedframe and maybe a table. who knows. i've found the best things they have there are things like glasses, silverware, picture frames, lamps, things like that. all really, really cheap. and very cool looking as well. | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 902 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 152.163.100.8 |
It's funny now that the store has opened, everyone seems very positive about it. Before, attitudes were very, very negative. | ||
Johnnny5 Member Username: Johnnny5 Post Number: 306 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 71.227.95.4 |
I have always hated most of Ikea's products, but now Mani has opened my eyes as to why. This entire time I was under the impression that it was my distaste for cheap imported pressboard furniture, but in reality it's because I'm a fat, lazy American. Thanks Mani. | ||
Mumbly Member Username: Mumbly Post Number: 31 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 70.236.167.229 |
"It's funny now that the store has opened, everyone seems very positive about it. Before, attitudes were very, very negative." I noticed that too. Many Metro Detroiters don't like change and are suspicious of anything new or foreign. It's a shame. | ||
Darwinism Member Username: Darwinism Post Number: 535 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.209.147.12 |
Metro Detroiters are indeed hesitant of change or any new, foreign influence. I, too, felt that the tide has switched from negative to positive. For the most part, retailers themselves are cautious when planning new developments in the Metro Detroit region. They know we are hostile and negative to change. They know we are hostile and negative to foreign influence, even though this area is such a diverse region with people from so many shades of Black, Yellow, White, Brown and Magenta. Retailers are concerned, and therefore are slow to break ground in our community. I hope that stores like IKEA, H&M, from Europe, aren't afraid of us anymore. | ||
Mani Member Username: Mani Post Number: 17 Registered: 07-2006 Posted From: 68.60.182.26 |
I agree and would like to see more European influence in America. We can learn a lot from other cultures (outside of america). Also having a European influence might slim down Americans. If people walked more they would have more energy for all of the big shopping that americans like to do. It is not my fault that Americans are fat, so, I wondering why people on this thread keep lashing out at me? Is it my honesty and that the truth hurts. Well I don't make people eat big macs and diet coke with super size fries and diet apple pie. But if it makes you feel better, then I'm your huckleberry! | ||
Citylover Member Username: Citylover Post Number: 1660 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 4.229.123.214 |
European influence? Please! Have ya noticed that the throngs of people in the world looking for opportunity mostly want to come here to the U.S? Perhaps the reason is because we have always been about adaption and change.Hell in Europe they are still using bldgs that are hundreds of years old.And while I applaud that I have to laugh at those of you that say we are resistant to change.All we do is change. Besides if it sells and people want it it will fly here. Mani I already told you but maybe you are just not perceptive enough to understand. | ||
Mani Member Username: Mani Post Number: 19 Registered: 07-2006 Posted From: 68.60.182.26 |
Citylover...you sound like a typical American. Obviously you have never traveld abroad and have no clue about lifestyle outside of america. If you have traveld, you have not done any reading. I have lived abroad and what I experienced was a lot of people who could care less about america (esp giving the current government). Do you know they are "using bldgs that are hundreds of years old"? Oh my god I can't believe you are saying this. Wow...Perhaps a good book on Europe and history. Citylover all we do IS NOT CHANGE! People do not change that much. What you are saying is ill informed and silly. Come to me with some facts and I will listen. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 7551 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.208.159.19 |
Mani - Have you noticed how much fatter Europe as a whole has gotten in the last 5-6 years? From my travels I can tell you that the population gaining weight is not an American phenonemon, just a bit more over the top here. | ||
Citylover Member Username: Citylover Post Number: 1661 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 4.229.123.214 |
I have been abroad and I do read.And congrats you are batting 1000.% Mani, unfortunately in the wrong direction.The fact is Europe is becoming more like the U.S. then ever before and tha aint neccesarily a good thing it just is. As for wether they care about the U.S. guess what? I don't care one bit what they think about us....more power to em.. | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 388 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
I've been in 500 year old buildings in better shape than 50 year old buildings in the US. The age of the building means less than our "why fix when we can replace" attitude. | ||
Johnnny5 Member Username: Johnnny5 Post Number: 307 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 71.227.95.4 |
Mani take your anti-American crap somewhere else. Why the hell would you come to a Detroit based site and bash American culture? Nothing better to do? Perhaps you should try ParisYes.com or even better try that HotFudgeDetroit site. | ||
Darwinism Member Username: Darwinism Post Number: 536 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.209.147.12 |
Folks, please calm down and stay on topic - IKEA in Canton. Please avoid straying off course, O.K. ? | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 392 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
Mani hates America and supports terrorists! | ||
Ray Member Username: Ray Post Number: 747 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 69.209.182.243 |
On behalf of all Americans, .. | ||
Cinderpath Member Username: Cinderpath Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 69.47.102.79 |
"Hell in Europe they are still using bldgs that are hundreds of years old." Nothing personal, but the above statement is idiotic on so many levels it is unbelievable. Let's see here- so if it is "New" than it must somehow be better? This just reeks of the classic American throw away mentality, that couldn't give two shits about our history, and the city our forefathers built. Personally as someone who has lived in Europe for 5 years, then came back I can tell you: A) There is modern architecture there that blows away anything in Detroit, and B) I suppose the mentality as listed above would imply that if it is old, let's just let it go to hell in a hand basket???? I lived in Innsbruck, Austria, the old city there is well over 500 years old, and is stunningly beautiful, and Detroit at 300 years old, a majority of it looks like Beirut, and was trashed in less than forty. In ten years after WWII they bothered to rebuild, while we let our cities fall apart. (And please spare me the lame argument that they were given money from the US to do it, There is nothing preventing us from doing the same aside from misplaced priorities.) When people from out of town come here they are simply appalled. The condition of our city is deplorable, and is hardly something to be proud of. If a European influence means not trashing the city, investing in infastructure and education, to make it a more livable place, then sign me up. Having said that, I truly love America, but let's be honest- there are a few 10,000 pound elephants in the room that are quite difficult to ignore. I love how the idiots on here absolutely cannot take any constructive criticism, or accept reality or truth concerning problems and issues concerning the Detroit area. It's always "love it or leave it" or if you don't like it here then go back to blah, blah, blah.... No- if you truly are patriotic, and do care about the place you live, you look at it honestly and try to improve it, even when it means accepting the good with the bad. My how we seem to forget that our country was founded by people who wanted change, looked for better and different ways, and were far,far different than today's conservatives. The conservatives back in 1776 were busy paying taxes to the queen, and never wanted America in the first place. Conservatives have changed very little (pun intended) in the past 230 years. I was invited to come to this list, foolishly thinking it was different, that people were cool, and open-minded and it would be a place for refreshing discussion, But after reading several threads it is obvious that it is populated by the same bigoted, angry, close-minded individuals that seem to be on every other list, that offer lots of bitching, flaming, but very little towards a solution. Excuse me while I now go do something productive, as writing this is time away from my life. Hell even wasting brain cells with alcohol is more productive than reading some of the stupidity found here. | ||
Mani Member Username: Mani Post Number: 20 Registered: 07-2006 Posted From: 68.60.182.26 |
I appreciate what you are saying and could not agree with you more! I lived in Germany and spent time in Austria. Finally something on this thread that actually makes sense. | ||
Citylover Member Username: Citylover Post Number: 1662 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 4.229.126.32 |
Well here is something you all might understand......fuck Europe. I make that simple declaration because you choose to attach some sort of meaning to my words that were not written or implied.I simply stated that in Europe they use bldgs that are hundreds of years old.You choose to take that as I mean that is a bad thing.I neither said nor implied that.My point was that Mani in all his puny knowledge claims that we should adhere to some sort of European influence as if we need that.So nothing personal to any Europeans here or anywhere but fuck them and fuck that | ||
Detroitduo Member Username: Detroitduo Post Number: 704 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 84.156.76.189 |
Wow. CL, take a pill. No need to attack our European friends. Stop being an Ass. I have been living in Germany for 1.5 years, now. While I agree with JT that Europeans are gaining weight, so are Japanese and other developed areas who have been following the U.S. culture. Shit, the British are getting HUGE! Regardless, the Europeans know how to build cities. They have been doing it much longer than the U.S. has. btw, I live in a building which was built in th 1400's and it is WAY better than my condo built in 2000. I completely understand where Mani is coming from and agree with him on so many levels. The U.S. is on a self destruct path and I am not particularly fond of it. I don't hate America, but I am continuously disappointed, daily. While, America is not Europe, nor will it ever be, for CL to slam his eyes shut and not want to see or learn anything from another culture is absurd and "Oh, so American". Dude, get off your box. YOU are the Ugly American people around the world hate so much. Fat or not! | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 2486 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.72.117 |
DetroitDuo, as someone who was born in Germany and came to Detroit at age 4, I agree with you 100%. Mani's weight comment really sent him off, so I think he's real sensitive in that department. That and blood pressure issues frequently go hand in hand. | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 402 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 24.192.25.47 |
If you ever want to be REALLY persuasive with your argument, to get as many people as possible to believe you...swear. It works every time, fuck yeah! | ||
Citylover Member Username: Citylover Post Number: 1666 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 4.229.132.107 |
The ugly american is one who goes to another country and trashes(figuratively) that place.I was simply responding to Mani's pedestrian comments.I have been to Europe.It was many years ago and the folks I have talked to that live there now or have been more recently tell me it is more like the U.S. than ever.That may not be true everywhere but in general it probably is. So who is ugly here? Me for simply telling some shitbird to fuck off because he makes disparaging remarks about people that are overweight? What possible purpose does that serve but to announce yourself as an asshole? Or Mani for being a jerk? Europe works great for Europe.But we have a lot going for us as well.And the recent trouble in France tells me that they have some issues where race and class are concerned so before they criticize my house they damn well better clean up their own. | ||
Trainman Member Username: Trainman Post Number: 163 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
Paris has a great mass transit system but we have a better one. It's called the free enterprise system. We can vote YES on August 8, 2006 and our state and industries will pay nothing Or, we can be free and vote NO. A NO vote means that all the transit workers will keep thier jobs and everyone will have bus service. This is a fact and if you want to know more then just ask for my website which proves that a NO vote will not hurt SMART or mass transit. This is a tax shift thus is protected by federal laws. It is against the law for our state to shift transit taxes onto local communities and YES you can fight the neglect and abuse. | ||
Cynknight Member Username: Cynknight Post Number: 73 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 69.215.249.151 |
I've never been to an IKEA, but so many of my friends and family are excited about shopping there. BTW - They're Canadians - do they count as a foreign influence? I lived in Sweden for 6 months when I was in high school. What I observed there still resonates today, over 25 years later. I think every person in the world would benefit by living for a few months in another country (or even another part of their own country!) to learn that there are different points of view and different ways of doing things. Perhaps insulting people (truthful though it may be) and swearing at people (not cool, IMO) isn't the way to win friends and influence people? | ||
Sticks Member Username: Sticks Post Number: 93 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 69.136.140.132 |
I only went to Ikea once just to browse but I would assume they had some sort of Rascals or at least some wheelchairs for the people that cannot walk due to whatever reason. I mean, if even Meijers or Kmart does this, shouldn't Ikea do this as well? | ||
Kbreenbo Member Username: Kbreenbo Post Number: 1 Registered: 07-2006 Posted From: 136.1.1.33 |
There are a few reasons why our eating habits have changed over the years. Our lifestyles are much different and have been influenced by being more productive. We grow ever impatient. A lot of women, and even some women who stay at home, do not cook meals from scratch. We eat out a lot. We snack. Europeans DO NOT SNACK and usually do not eat out. These are all things that haven't changed for hundreds of years in Europe, but have changed drastically since the 1970s in the US. Our cities and land are more spread out. Usually in Europe, things are much closer and there are local bakeries and grocery stores NOT fast-food restaurants. In Europe, shopping is done daily for that day's meals. Restaurants serve meals from scratch not processed re-heated food like they do here. Mass transit is plentiful and parking is hard to come by, which usually translates to walking to some degree. I agree with Cynknight...every one of us could benefit from living in, or traveling to, another country. |
