@@peensteen I guess more folks need to contribute to his Patreon? So he can afford his OWN underwear, and stop wearing Calvin's? I hope James is doing the sniff test to make sure Calvin has washed them before he gets his turn with them....
American customer service extends to call centers and grocery check outs and people who bag your groceries and chat with you- no tipping even allowed . It’s not just restaurants
Tipping is NOT the reason customer service reps are friendly in the US. It’s because it’s socially expected. I worked in a customer service post in college which didn’t include any type of tipping-it was part of our training to keep customers happy and coming back. This was particularly evident when McDonald’s came to Russia. The employees were instructed to smile and be courteous. I remember one young Russian man who said it was the first time that a woman had ever smiled at him-and he continued returning to McDonalds for the next 30 years.
I totally agree. Of course, for me at least, I will try to always give a larger tip to someone that was especially helpful & attentive. I think that's a given. You always want patrons to return, smiling & happy is the way to go!😊
Agreed. After 15+ years in retail management, where the employees do not get tipped, great customer service is expected and pat of the job duties. People loose their jobs over not providing great customer service. Not saying it's a good thing, but it is a thing.
This is true. Most customer service jobs are NOT ALLOWED to accept tips, including fast food restaurants. The main idea behind very friendly and attentive service is to keep customers coming back and spending more and recommending the business to people they know. There are SOOOO many places to shop and eat that people will go somewhere else if they are treated in a way they don't like. But, there are some places that put an emphasis on leaving you alone to shop and giving you an attitude of "I don't care". There's a little bit of everything in the U.S. Do a search for "5 reasons the customer is always right Zendesk" and read their article. It explains why businesses train their employees to be friendly and helpful. Many business have comment cards available for customer to leave a note about an employee, so employees start wanting to get a kind comment so they are nice to customers as well. I should top rambling in this comment, but I could go on and on about customer service😂
I agree. I'm from an Italian immigrant family and that is something my mom has always commented about. They were so impressed how kind and courteous people were, offices, banks, stores, etc. Tipping had nothing to do with it.
Here in the Southern US, you literally can not live without air conditioning. Pretty much every year in Texas, we have heat related injuries. And amongst the elderly and very young, increased risks of death.
Every few years, a heat wave will hit Chicago, and 400-500 elderly people will die, not because they don't have a/c, but because they're too cheap to turn it on. It's unbelievable.
I’ve asked my parents-ages 81 and 90-how they stood it here (Central Arkansas) before AC. Everyone was just hot and miserable, and only worked out in it in the early morning. You just used fans, lots of sweet tea, and suffered through. Now I REALLY wonder how they managed it here in the 1800’s-before electric fans, layered in corsets...just kill me now!
Exactly. I live in Oklahoma and with the levels of heat we get in the summer, AC is definitely nice to have. And there a lot of cases of heat stroke and dehydration every year.
When my mom was pregnant, she told my dad she had a hard time cooking dinner during the summer. He bought and installed our first air conditioner for her in the kitchen. Pregnancy raises body heat, so I recommend AC for the pregnant women.
Like most couples, I (male) usually like the inside temp to be much cooler than my wife does. When she was pregnant, she cranked the air conditioner so much that I was freezing to death just for her to be comfortable. Being pregnant certainly can affect a womans body heat!
She's correct, it's not primarily because of the tipping. Most small businesses don't take tips but still provide excellent customer service. It's primarily about providing a better value over the competition.
as a mexican american I'm always happy when US mexican culture is recognized! it makes me kinda sad other countries often think america is just hamburgers lol. I live in WA state, nowhere near the border and we still have loads of mexican markets, bakeries, street food, ect on nearly every corner. all authentic. lots of mexican churches. holidays like Día de los Muertos (day of the dead) are also celebrated here too
I'm just south of you and it's the same here. Lots of markets and little taquerias! I love being able to get authentic food from wherever it originated...mmmm...fooodddd!
@@joshsmith4512 Mexican food in the US is absolutely part of American culture. Culture is just the traditions, customs, etc., of (among other things) nations. We all grow up with Mexican food in our lives.
Customer service: Millie says tipping is the only reason we are nice...but the girl in the video said CUSTOMER SERVICE INCLUDING RETAIL etc.. Stop w the tipping thing, its customer service in general ..the grocery store, post office, retail stores...people selling shirts and filling your prescriptions don't get tips...they just genuinely want to do their best at their jobs. Its a pride thing ❤.
Totally agree100%. Americans tend to wear their heart on their sleeve, and they are some of the most genuine 'salt of the earth' people you will ever meet.
@@anonygent The exception is government workers like the post office or the DMV.... they are unionized and so being polite to customers doesn't affect whether they get raises or get fired... so a lot less incentive for them to be nice. And it's not like the post office or DMV "customers" really have any other options to go somewhere else.
We went to Phoenix, Arizona to see the Mariners play the Diamondbacks one weekend when it hit 121 degrees (49.5 C). We had a 10 block walk to the stadium in that heat. When we walked into the stadium, I said to my friend, "Jesus Christ, it's freezing in here. Why would they make it so cold?" Right as I said it, my friend pointed up to a giant digital thermometer on the wall. It was actually 90 degrees in there. So strange. We experienced an instant 31 degree drop and our bodies were confused.
A friend's husband did his doc in upstate NY. It was so cold, they spent a lot of time indoors. As the weather improved, they could get outside more. One day they took a walk and commented how it was downright balmy. It was 32F. They knew it was time to get out of New York.
@@malcolmschenot6352 As a native Floridian, and going to Univ. in CO and a roadtrip/wedding to CA, the changes in temp, was insane on me. I got used to the cold, no prob it was dry cold low humidity. The heat driving through and stopping in Vegas for a few days, OMG. It was death, it was 92F, low humidity I felt like I was in an oven with no /ac in car or outside. Nothing to cool u down, no sweat, no breeze, I was tortured. Driving into the Mojave in summer on way to Huntington Beach, I died and resurrected at Beach. I'll take my humidity anytime and my sweat which cools the body or an ocean breeze anytime. The insane dry heat out West, not for me. Bing in a constant oven is a no go.
@@lilyz2156 Ha Ha 92F is nothing in Vegas. I lived in Phoenix for 11 years after I moved out of Miami Beach. I drove from Phoenix on s 125F day to San Diego years ago because I was young and stupid. Going uphill over the mountains in CA I had to run the heat at full blast so the car wouldn't redline overheat. The temp gauge was on the red line the whole time until I went down the ocean side of the Cajon pass. I barely made it and kissed the ground when I got to SD. I realized it was extremely dangerous and now know why Arizonans only travel at night in the summer. Luckily I made it but learned my lesson.
@@malcolmschenot6352 I can deal with 92F in FL, because of humidity. Bad for curly hair, great for skin, keeps it moist and my hands soft. As a college student in Colo., the summers were insanely hot 100f and higher and people rarely have a/c there. Swamp coolers is what they have due to very low humidity. Great for curly hair, my skin was always so parched and dry and frequent nosebleeds. I always felt like death in the summer in CO, altitude doesn't help. Never thought I would own a humidifier but there I was. Drove through AZ in summer for a wedding in CA from CO. Three crazy bridesmaids driving through Mojave Thermo said 112F in car- passed out in seat from heat. Should have bought a plane ticket. 🤔🤔🤔
The pool in my old home town was paid for as part of town services and staffed by people employed by the town. Essentially the residential taxes you pay to the town took care of it. They paid some high schoolers who were on the swim team to be lifeguards. You had to rinse off in the facility shower before you went in, which was fine.
Waitstaff will be extra friendly because of the tips, yes...but, friendly customer service extends well beyond tipped service. I think friendly customer service is part of our culture because being friendly is part of our culture. Almost everyone that comes to visit the US comments how friendly Americans are on the street, in lines at stores, just about anywhere. That friendliness overflows into customer service.
Carpet isn't just comfortable, it helps dampens noise rather than everything bouncing off hard walls and floors. You don't really notice it until you're in a house that's all tile/hardwood.
Some things are blurred on her older videos because she had to change the name of her channel due to someone claiming copyright infringement on the original name (German Girl in America). So logos and other graphics with the original name had to be removed.
Hi James and Millie, Feli’s channel was originally called “German Girl in America” but when she found out that another woman owned the copyright to the name, she changed it to “Feli From Germany”. That is why she blurred out the old name in all her previous videos. Anyways have a great weekend, Marc K
Central heat and air is great. Modern systems you just set temp and it will cool or heat air as needed year round. Also no stale air and air is filtered so it knocks down on dust and allergies.
Seriously, I came here to state this! It's not just cooling the air, it's removing moisture from the air (cutting the risk of mold and mildew), filtering the air to remove particles, dust, skin cells, airborne bacteria, viruses, pollen, animal dander (cleaning the air of allergens and asthma triggers), controlling the temperature throughout the day and night (optimizing sleep in a cool environment and raising the temperature during the day for environmental efficiency), and monitoring the air by zones (testing for carbon-dioxide,smoke and radon). Having a modern HVAC system is essential for efficient, healthy, environmentally friendly houses.
What happened with her channel is that she used to be called A German girl in the US or something like that. She had to change it because someone had copy written it. That is why she had to blur it in her video and later changed her channel name.
I remember that. What annoyed me was that it appeared that the other girl who copyrighted the name was only German in the sense of ancestors being from Germany. I've heard nothing about her since. Feli is real German, and her American(Midwest) English is nearly perfect.
To answer your question about pools: Cities maintain public pools. Those include life guards on duty, cost a few dollars to get in, or you can usually buy a season pass wristband if you have several kids that will be going to the pool all summer. They also have changing rooms and a snack bar. For apartment complexes, those are included in your rent, have no life guards, you swim at your own risk, and you just change and have your snacks from your own house. There also private country clubs which I'm sure England has as well. A waiting list and entry fees to join, often require sponsorship from an established member, have private golf, tennis, racquetball, and swimming, fine dining, etc. Those usually have some provision for established members to bring a few guests on a limited basis.
A lot of subdivisions have pools, as well, which are either paid for through HOA fees or require an annual membership. Either kind will also often offer memberships to people outside the subdivision for an annual fee. These will often also include swim clubs (competitive teams, usually for kids, with beginner training) and supervision/lifeguards.
Since she's from Munich and knows about Munich she using it as her reference, here in the U.S. it's cheaper to move to the suburbs even cheaper to move to the country from big cities
Millie seems the more serious one and James is more cheery. You two are perfect for each other since your different. Just make sure you keep her smiling James.
Tipping is definitely part of the reason for good customer service but it's also our culture to be friendly. There are a lot of jobs that don't receive tips and you still get good customer service. It's generally expected of everyone not to be a jerk to other people and also, who wants to be miserable at work all day? My mood is greatly improved by being nice to people and genuinely wanting to assist others. Being cool with people usually ensures they are cool with you as well. And who doesn't want good interactions? Especially when you are having to be at work.
Re: Tips. Fili mention cheerful customer service in stores and elsewhere where tipping isn't the norm (commissioned positions aren't common). Go to a Chick-fil-a and see if you don't get the most cheerful service you've ever had, even though they aren't tipped. As for the effect a tipped position has on a person's cheerfulness, if you depend on tips for a living it weeds out the sourpusses. If you're not a naturally cheerful person you just aren't going to do well in a tipped position, so cheerful servers are cheerful because they are genuinely cheerful.
I agree and I think there is an American expectation of friendliness. The golden rule is what it used to be called. I'm surprised customer service isn't better in other countries.
Try telling the American tourists that when they visit London, they can be extremely obnoxious , I've seen it myself , so not all are polite like you say .
Millie.. what is nice about central AC is that you have your heat controlled from the same spot, too. Having an HVAC & one system that all uses the same duct work is convenient & comfortable.
Feli went on vacation back to Germany. She started talking to Germans at stores and they didn't respond. She then realized why foreigners thought Germans are rude. Bcuz she thought the same thing momentarily.
Regarding customer service and tipping. My mother was a waitress for over 40 years. She really enjoyed interacting with customers and she was very good at providing an enjoyable experience for her customers. She chose to continue working as a waitress into her mid-70s and then after being treated for breast cancer went to work at Costco as a food demonstrator four hours a day. Another job she enjoyed because she got to talk to people. One day a woman customer said to her, "Carol, you're always so cheerful, I mean, every day, you always seem to be in a good mood. How do you do it?" My mother replied flatly, "It's what they pay me for." The woman and her husband got a bit upset and didn't want to believe her. She said, "Look, that's the truth. This restaurant didn't hire me to dump my problems on their customers. I was hired to serve their food to their customers and give them as pleasant an experience as possible. So the second I clock into work, I'm being paid to do that job and that's what I do." She did continue with, "Now I like my job and I like my customers and I have a nice time MOST of the time. But even if I'm having a bad day, I don't let that detract from doing my job well." Let me say from my observations that there was a time when my family really depended on my mother's tips and in the American economy tips are an essential component. My father had retired from the Air Force and was having trouble finding a decent job. Now while I don't think the thought of a tip EVER influenced my mother's service to her customers, the fact that her level of service might harm her income was no doubt something that was inculcated into her overall attitude the same way a person making a salary takes his need for that paycheck into account when tempted to yield to a bad attitude towards his work. It's human nature.
You keep referring to the 5 days you would not need it, but a good central unit also controls the Heat as well for the other 360 days. Plus, the fact that it would be Filtered and can control humidity. In retail stores the reason is they usually get a commission on total sales made in addition to their wages.
The essential thing I like here that she mentions is how open and friendly people are, customer service or customers. I've met new friends while standing in checkout. It's really nice to consider everyone your friend. 🏊♂️ I pool's! Civic pools are usually pay per use, less than a dollar. There are also lessons and racing/ diving teams. My family has a pool at home but also use the public pool to compete. Flying over southern California you see all the blue spots of pools. LOVE IT!
It's pretty rare to pay upon entry for public pools. Some of the REALLY fancy ones will have payments (more like amusement parks), but most of them are just part of the homeowners association fees, a one-time fee for the whole summer with guest passes, or a fee as part of your apartment rent.
That’s strange to us. Most ALL PUBLIC pools you have to pay to get in. If it’s part of YOUR community pool n just need your passes than that’s different. Prefer our own pool any day ESP if there’s less small kids
as a US resident i feel the carpet thing is slowly fading out but many smaller house do have carpeting, however as you get to the more pricier homes it's less carpet and more of a hard floor not always hard wood though. to touch on the pool thing, if it's a community pool like in the city, then it's typically the city that pays for it, like at an apartment building it's usually included in your rent and you get a keycard to open the gate if you decide to include that in your lease.
I was thinking about customer service quality being correlated to tipping right before Millie brought it up. I can see how that makes sense, but it doesn't fully explain it, since retail store (grocers/supermarkets, etc.) employees do not receive tips. I think it's actually just a cultural difference. There's an old saying in the US: "The customer is always right." (I don't entirely agree with that saying, but I think it boils down to the stereotypical capitalistic idea in the US (and I'm not saying it's a bad thing) that the primary objective of any business is to make money. As another saying goes, "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." There are many options as far as places to shop/eat go in the US and the goal is to keep those customers returning, rather than risk offending them and having them decide to go to a competing business because they felt like they weren't treated as well as they should have been.
One of the great things about Mexican food too is that there are several regional cuisines within Mexico. I live in a small city in NY state and there are 4 authentic Mexican restaurants that all have a different styles based on where the owner's or their family came from in Mexico. Also, I carry a sweater with me everywhere in the summer. The supermarkets especially are way too cold.
No, usually all neighborhood pools are free to enter, same with residential pools. Usually with residential pools your guest would have to have a pool pass, but no fee to enter.
I live in an old farmhouse in Texas, so AC is a must here during these hot days of summer! For the next 6 days, we’ll be at 38C! But with the way my house was built, I was unable to put central air in. I got the ductless wall-mounted HVAC systems instead! Love them, because I can turn on the ones in whichever rooms I’m using and turn the others off when out of the room. I’ll never go back to central ever again!
I live in Milwaukee Wisconsin, it has been very hot and humid lately so am thankful for a/c. As to tipping, it's important to tip as we all know regular pay is terrible. I do prefer a house with carpets in living rooms and bedrooms only. I really like an apartment complex to have a pool. Public pools usually charge a fee each time you go, it's usually $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for kids and free for small children. I live pretty close to Lake Michigan which is of course free, they do have public changing places which are free.
Ohio seems to be a butt of a lot of jokes latley, but cincinnati is a fun city with lots to do as far as the midwest goes. UC is a great college. She made a good choice !!!!!
Love Cincinnati..... It's had it's dips like all cities do ... I think it's on the up swing and doing well.... It has a great history and can do great things in the future.
If you watch or meet people for a long time over time you can get a feeling for their personality and can tell sincerity from pretension …you both come across as natural, funny and fun loving couple and I appreciate your (collective) POV
She had to change the name of her channel last year. She was using the same name on her channel as someone else was using for a website, and it turned into a legal issue. So, she had to change the name of her channel. She did a video about it when it happened.
Here in Albuquerque, NM, where I live, summers can be brutal (in the 90's- 101° here in the Southwest Desert) ! My Condo complex has an indoor/outdoor year-round pool, jacuzzi, and sauna. These surround the pool area. Outdoors, by the pool, we also have community barbecue grills that we can use. On the second floor of the Main building, we also have a well stocked Exercise Room with weights, treadmills, stepping machine, and recumbent exercise bikes as well. These fee's are included with monthly rent, or if you own the condo, these fee's can be paid quarterly or yearly in one lump sum. If you don't want a washer and dryer, then there are 2- 24 hour laundry rooms in the Main building. We also have Central Air-conditioning in the Condos and Townhouses !!! I'm very spoiled ! 😉
apartment complex here in texas - has a really nice pool. there's no charge, but also no lifeguard. it's considered an amenity of the complex so included in rent. along with grills to the side, dog park down the path, and a small gym. With it being summer and quite a few families living here, I can hear the kids of the complex swimming and playing out there right now. Fun times at 103°F (39.4°C)... hope they're wearing sunscreen - lol
Talk about bad luck. I live in a mobile home in Virginia with my 26 year old daughter. I am in a wheelchair, use oxygen, and cant use my right arm due to Muscular Dystrophy. So when she mentioned Air Conditioning it reminded me, this year, I woke up on the 4th of July and our central air was not working. It got to 94 degrees F here that day. We tried to get an emergency HVAC person to come out but because of the holiday we couldn't. It was miserable. My brother, who lives behind us in a different trailer, had a portable AC in his shed. We managed to get it hooked up and it just makes this room bearable. The following day we had a guy come out and he needs a replacement part. Turns out a mouse had damaged it. The mouse and any others have been eradicated by the way, but he has to order a new part. So, its been one week today using a portable AC unit and he said it would be 10 days to 2 weeks to get the part. It was 95 today with humidity it felt like 105. I will be so happy when my AC is fixed. Rant Over
I have lived in Sardinia for three years and I have also lived in 18 US States. The midwest has a very interesting climate of extremes. The summers can be very warm and very humid. The winters have times when it is brutal. The middle states of the US does not have any of the moderating effect of large bodies of water. Living in Europe was a large culture shock, but there were many things that I miss about the experience and I would readily go back. One of the biggest things I remember about our apartment in Sardinia was the electricity. Our flat had 5000 Watts of 220v and we had to be very mindful of what was powered. Our flat had mini-split AC units(3), but we could only run two at a time. If my wife wanted to use her hair dryer, we had to unplug and turn-off stuff to prevent the main breaker tripping. Now that I am back in the states, the one thing I enjoy is packing up my stuff in my plane and then flying to another location. I am sure that the same thing exists in Europe, but we have so many small airfields all around the country, it is hard to imagine any other place with this amount of freedom.
Our public pool in rural Oklahoma you can pay daily or buy a season pass. Our pool is part of a trust so admission is crazy cheap. It's 25 cents for adults, 10 cents for kids and $1 for a season pass. All of the school kids get a free season pass at the end of the school year. Its an olympic size pool with a separate kiddie pool, 3 diving boards and we just had a slide installed. Its connected to our largest city park and very popular, as you can imagine, every summer🥰
As a kid there were several local pools to go to, and when we're living in a townhouse, there was a pool for the community. We paid for passes, and those passes were good for the summer. At local indoor pools, we paid a membership fee monthly. I now have a gym membership solely for the gym's pool. That's a monthly fee plus a yearly maintenance fee. My sister has a 10,000 gallon pool. Tbh it costs quite a lot to keep it up during the summer months. Easily 200 a visit for a pool tech to come test, treat, and clean the pool.
This was a fun video! That's funny about Jersey having no drive-thrus!! If one shows up in the next year they better pay you a finders fee for giving them the idea!😂 Also, I dont know why but when James said "that'd make bank" I laughed because that is a common phrase in the U.S. and i guess I didnt think of it being used elsewhere. These are the little things that make me love these videos!
I learned to appreciate central air when stationed at fort hood in central Texas. When I bought my own home in the northwest, I installed central air. This helps with humidity not just heat.
The widespread availability of Mexican food has really improved in recent years. I remember a time (I believe it was in the late 1970's) when I was in Connecticut for a project meeting at our Eastern Data Center (I came out from the Western Center in California). Staying at the same hotel that I was in was a fellow up from our Central Center in Texas. We both had a craving for some Mexican food and set out in Norwich to find a good place to have dinner. After cruising much of the downtown area (remember, this was before the internet, and we couldn't just look it up on our phones!) and being unsuccessful, we returned to the hotel and asked the clerk at the desk if they know of any places around that had Mexican food... after some thought, she said, "well, I think you can get tacos at Jack in the Box". At that point, we decided to just go with the flow and have dinner on what they do well in the region... we went to a seafood place.
My family has lived in southern CA for about 60 years. Even though there were plenty of Mexican restaurants and taco shops back in the day, it was common to cross the border to have lunch or dinner at some great restaurants. When we turned 18 & could cross the border legally without a parent or guardian, it was not uncommon, to cross the border, get to the nearest street taco vendor, purchase plates of tacos and head back to the border crossing. While in line to cross back into San Diego, it was easy to finish off several plates of those tacos that sold for 25 to 50 cents each. Great food and memories. My brother has a story similar to yours. Back in the 70's he took a trip to the south and was craving Mexican food. It wasn't easy to find a restaurant but they did eventually find one, ordered several different items only to discover they used the premade "Taco Bell" shells instead of fresh tortillas and what was suppose to be frijoles was actually ''sweet'' bbq baked beans. That story became a running joke in our family for decades. We couldn't fathom not having access to great Mexican food at any given time when the craving hit. I'm pretty sure the south has since upped their game when it comes to Mexican food. If not, I feel bad for them. But the good news is they specialize in BBQ. That counts for something in my book! :)
I live in Cincinnati, Ohio! A/C is a must. Even with the a/c, we use a fan. I think that since we are accustomed to having central a/c, we don't carry around sweaters & scarves. Of course, there are those ppl who are always cold at all times of the year.
The neighborhood pool is covered with the Community fee which is the neighborhood fee after moving in. Sometimes this isn’t there because there is a large park or golf course nearby that covers that. It’s just knowing what is actually in the price of a home. My neighborhood is actually associated with another neighborhood that we all share community fees together. That fee pays for two pools, a basketball court, tennis courts, two playgrounds, and two neighborhood parks that people like. Honestly it also includes neighborhood cleanups every week by a landscaping company. We also have the box basketball courts that are just concrete boxes with a couple of hoops inside that people use just to practice throws into as they don’t really have much space inside.
I live about 25 minutes away from the University of Cincinnati and it was around 91°F today(33°C) and I'm very happy to have central air conditioning. We keep it at 71°F throughout the house(21.7°C).
Some homes do have a thermostat in every room. With window AC units you can control the temperature in each room by adjusting that unit. Many have the temp shown on the front panel and you can adjust to your comfort with a remote.
Down here on the Gulf Coast, we have had temps in the High 90's and "feels like" temps of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit for most of July and now basically all of August.
Central AC comes in every building however there are different types of AC that can be installed. For example, zoned AC, this allows you to change the temperatures in 2 or more different areas. I have seen it installed for upstairs vs downstairs, they still talk to each other but they can control the temperature by each level of the building.
5:39 I often find the movie theaters are too cold, especially because I go late at night when there isn't much body heat filling the room. When I went to see Indiana Jones recently people had brought blankets.
I live in Phoenix Arizona. This week it has been averaging close to 115ºF (46ºC). We have programmable thermostat and keep our house at 78ºF (25-26ºC) most of the day, but cool the house off more at night. This sometimes helps so the air conditioning doesn't not turn on until midday.
When she talked about the air conditioning being a bit too much in the buildings at the university, it reminded me of the time I took an aerospace science class in summer school. I lived in Kansas, where it can be 40 degrees or more. One day the a/c was really cranked up. I went up to the professor and said, "Colonel, it's really cold in here.". He pointed to my chest and said, "I know. Your indicators are on!".
The drive-thru aspect has really boomed since Covid. Curbside pickup at restaurants without actual drive-thru windows is pretty much standard now. You can order online, drive to the restaurant and park in the specially designated parking spots, call the number on the parking spot sign or use an app on your phone, and they will bring your order out to you. Even at Walmart, you can shop online and then have them bring your items out to you in your car.
We all have our days, James and Millie. If you ever need a break, I am cool with that. It is really interesting to see your reactions to Feli from Germany.
Hey guys, I started watching Feli’s channel as a result of some of your reviews of her videos. She has some awesome videos that you guys might enjoy. One in particular is the video where her and her boyfriend, Ben, spent the day where she only speaks German to him for the day. It’s a very cool and sweet video. I usually try to keep my room around 68-70F. Especially if it is extremely humid outside because the humidity makes it feel warmer than it actually is. I actually bought a dehumidifier for the room I live in because of the humidity where I live. I was having issues with black mold due to the humidity. A couple of the reasons retail workers come up to you asking you if you need help is one the stores encourage the employees to engage the customers, sometimes due to commissions and that’s where the employee makes their money. The other is for a security reason. If the employees are regularly “innocently” popping by and trying to engage you in conversation it helps discourage people from trying to steal merchandise from the store.
I live in Houston and had our power go out for 2 weeks from Hurricane Ike. But my next door neighbors power came on after like 2 hours. Sleeping in 95F heat and 90% humidity while listening to your neighbor's AC is buzzing away out of your window.
20:50 Free public pools exist, they have a lot of them in inner cities. Here my dad has a membership to a nearby pool. He gets a senior discount and it's really cheap like $30 for the whole season and if he wants to bring a guest, like me, it's $10 per per guest each time.
I remember when my baby was sick(37years ago), I'd drive out of my way because a pharmacy had a drive through. Now they are common. At that time it was a new thing and in winter with a sick baby or sick myself, it was amazing and worth the drive!
AC units usually are central heat and air, so it cools in the summer and heats the house in the winter. So it's worth having in both cold and hot climates
The thing about air conditioning is it not only makes it cool it removes humidity from the air. So it makes it comfortable even if you don't make it cold
Wanted to add, drive thru libraries. You can drop off your books, or pick up ones you've checked out online. There's still the main building, but a drive thru is set up for convenience.
Carpet is a fading trend in the U.S. Carpeting was the standard for decades, but hardwood flooring accented with a rug is the standard for new floors nowadays
Fun fact: An air-conditioner can only cool the air 20°f below ambient outside air temperature..setting it to a lower temperature will only raise your electric bill...
When we get drive through food or pickup, we will take it down the road to the ocean. A beautiful view while you eat. There are usually public picnic tables to sit at, for public use, so you can enjoy comfortably. Or just sit in the car on a cold day and enjoy a peaceful meal, without the crowdy noise of eating in.😊
If you have a neighborhood pool you usually have a HOA which is a home owners association fee that you pay monthly or quarterly depending that pays for the maintenance/upkeep of the neighborhood and pools
Gotta have air conditioning in Phoenix. We have over 100 degrees more than 100 days out of the year. June-August it’s common for us to have 110-117 degrees. We just broke a record this year for having over 110° almost 40 days in a row, so even though we technically “could“ live without air-conditioning, and many of us have had to when our air conditioners break during the hottest parts of the summer, AC is literally a life saver out here. ❤
New houses with fancy central systems can regulate the temperature per room, but it's a good idea to check with the contractor building it to be sure. Basically the ducts have motorized flaps that automatically shut off that room.
Where I grew up we had a community pool…it had a small entrance fee….my daughter went to the pool…they gave swimming cessions in the morning…now it’s the high school indoor pool that’s the community pool…
Customer sevice is crucial for repeat business. Its not about tipping. Its about convincing a customer to come back and spend their money a second time. Its not that we have great customer service. It that everyone has a competitor who will be happy to provide better service if they fail to. Strong customer service is essential to a successful business in the U.S.
Community pools typically charge a fee, however, there are pools in apartment or housing communities that are part of your monthly rent or HOA fees as well.
Here in Mesa, AZ, USA, most pools don't have lifeguards, but there has to be at least one person in the group above either 16 or 18. Apartment pools upkeep is paid by rent or fees, neighborhood pools are paid by HOA. Most "public" pools are at the middle/senior schools and are paid by taxes and/or entry fees. Those do have lifeguards.
If it looks like a mosquito except bigger, it's probably a mosquito hawk! They eat mosquitoes & never bother people, so it's actually a good thing to have in the house! 🤗
I hate to be "that guy," but mosquito hawks (AKA: Crane flies) do not actually eat mosquitos. That's an urban myth. They are, however, harmless to humans.
Killing mosquitoes with his bare hands while wearing his Calvin Kleins, James can do it all!
Now this made us laugh 🤣🤣🤣
Love it! I thought of Back to the Future and Marty’s undies when I saw that.
@kevananne You mean Calvin's undies? I mean, he even had his name written all over them.
@@peensteen I guess more folks need to contribute to his Patreon? So he can afford his OWN underwear, and stop wearing Calvin's? I hope James is doing the sniff test to make sure Calvin has washed them before he gets his turn with them....
@@kevananne - But, are they briefs like Marty's or a thong? ;-)
American customer service extends to call centers and grocery check outs and people who bag your groceries and chat with you- no tipping even allowed . It’s not just restaurants
Tipping is NOT the reason customer service reps are friendly in the US. It’s because it’s socially expected. I worked in a customer service post in college which didn’t include any type of tipping-it was part of our training to keep customers happy and coming back. This was particularly evident when McDonald’s came to Russia. The employees were instructed to smile and be courteous.
I remember one young Russian man who said it was the first time that a woman had ever smiled at him-and he continued returning to McDonalds for the next 30 years.
I totally agree. Of course, for me at least, I will try to always give a larger tip to someone that was especially helpful & attentive. I think that's a given. You always want patrons to return, smiling & happy is the way to go!😊
Agreed. After 15+ years in retail management, where the employees do not get tipped, great customer service is expected and pat of the job duties. People loose their jobs over not providing great customer service. Not saying it's a good thing, but it is a thing.
This is true. Most customer service jobs are NOT ALLOWED to accept tips, including fast food restaurants. The main idea behind very friendly and attentive service is to keep customers coming back and spending more and recommending the business to people they know. There are SOOOO many places to shop and eat that people will go somewhere else if they are treated in a way they don't like.
But, there are some places that put an emphasis on leaving you alone to shop and giving you an attitude of "I don't care". There's a little bit of everything in the U.S.
Do a search for "5 reasons the customer is always right Zendesk" and read their article. It explains why businesses train their employees to be friendly and helpful. Many business have comment cards available for customer to leave a note about an employee, so employees start wanting to get a kind comment so they are nice to customers as well. I should top rambling in this comment, but I could go on and on about customer service😂
@@audralynn7454 I feel your passion for customer service and totally agree.
I agree. I'm from an Italian immigrant family and that is something my mom has always commented about. They were so impressed how kind and courteous people were, offices, banks, stores, etc. Tipping had nothing to do with it.
Here in the Southern US, you literally can not live without air conditioning. Pretty much every year in Texas, we have heat related injuries. And amongst the elderly and very young, increased risks of death.
Every few years, a heat wave will hit Chicago, and 400-500 elderly people will die, not because they don't have a/c, but because they're too cheap to turn it on. It's unbelievable.
Heat kills more folks than cold. But the cold-related deaths tend to be more news-worthy.
This. I live in Alabama. My family runs the AC pretty much all the time. Even in the winter.
I’ve asked my parents-ages 81 and 90-how they stood it here (Central Arkansas) before AC. Everyone was just hot and miserable, and only worked out in it in the early morning. You just used fans, lots of sweet tea, and suffered through. Now I REALLY wonder how they managed it here in the 1800’s-before electric fans, layered in corsets...just kill me now!
Exactly. I live in Oklahoma and with the levels of heat we get in the summer, AC is definitely nice to have. And there a lot of cases of heat stroke and dehydration every year.
When my mom was pregnant, she told my dad she had a hard time cooking dinner during the summer. He bought and installed our first air conditioner for her in the kitchen. Pregnancy raises body heat, so I recommend AC for the pregnant women.
My mom had all 7 children without AC.
@@oldcodger4371 mine had 8, so she needed it. 😂
Your dad's a cheapskate
Like most couples, I (male) usually like the inside temp to be much cooler than my wife does. When she was pregnant, she cranked the air conditioner so much that I was freezing to death just for her to be comfortable. Being pregnant certainly can affect a womans body heat!
I have always been so grateful that I have never been pregnant in the summer. All winter babies and I remember just being sweltering all the time.
She's correct, it's not primarily because of the tipping. Most small businesses don't take tips but still provide excellent customer service. It's primarily about providing a better value over the competition.
Agreed because it carries over to healthcare where satisfaction plays a part in insurance payments and the staff definitely don't get tips.
as a mexican american I'm always happy when US mexican culture is recognized! it makes me kinda sad other countries often think america is just hamburgers lol. I live in WA state, nowhere near the border and we still have loads of mexican markets, bakeries, street food, ect on nearly every corner. all authentic. lots of mexican churches. holidays like Día de los Muertos (day of the dead) are also celebrated here too
I'm just south of you and it's the same here. Lots of markets and little taquerias! I love being able to get authentic food from wherever it originated...mmmm...fooodddd!
I am born and raised in Texas, mexican culture is woven into the whole fabric of our lives, and we are better for it.
yeah well thats nit our culture so yeah 🙄
@@joshsmith4512 Mexican food in the US is absolutely part of American culture. Culture is just the traditions, customs, etc., of (among other things) nations. We all grow up with Mexican food in our lives.
@@blanketstarry7725 well no its mexico. nit my culture. 🙄 MEXICO... got it
Customer service: Millie says tipping is the only reason we are nice...but the girl in the video said CUSTOMER SERVICE INCLUDING RETAIL etc..
Stop w the tipping thing, its customer service in general
..the grocery store, post office, retail stores...people selling shirts and filling your prescriptions don't get tips...they just genuinely want to do their best at their jobs. Its a pride thing ❤.
Totally agree100%. Americans tend to wear their heart on their sleeve, and they are some of the most genuine 'salt of the earth' people you will ever meet.
The post office?! 🤨
And, it's expected by most employers. Easy way to get fired? Be rude to a customer..... it's bad for business and will affect repeat business.
In Britain we are greeted at the door with a goodmorningvand then left to shop in peace . Its what your used to I guess .
@@anonygent The exception is government workers like the post office or the DMV.... they are unionized and so being polite to customers doesn't affect whether they get raises or get fired... so a lot less incentive for them to be nice. And it's not like the post office or DMV "customers" really have any other options to go somewhere else.
We went to Phoenix, Arizona to see the Mariners play the Diamondbacks one weekend when it hit 121 degrees (49.5 C). We had a 10 block walk to the stadium in that heat. When we walked into the stadium, I said to my friend, "Jesus Christ, it's freezing in here. Why would they make it so cold?" Right as I said it, my friend pointed up to a giant digital thermometer on the wall. It was actually 90 degrees in there. So strange. We experienced an instant 31 degree drop and our bodies were confused.
A friend's husband did his doc in upstate NY. It was so cold, they spent a lot of time indoors. As the weather improved, they could get outside more. One day they took a walk and commented how it was downright balmy. It was 32F. They knew it was time to get out of New York.
90 degrees in Phoenix feels like 70 degrees everywhere else.
@@malcolmschenot6352 As a native Floridian, and going to Univ. in CO and a roadtrip/wedding to CA, the changes in temp, was insane on me. I got used to the cold, no prob it was dry cold low humidity. The heat driving through and stopping in Vegas for a few days, OMG. It was death, it was 92F, low humidity I felt like I was in an oven with no /ac in car or outside. Nothing to cool u down, no sweat, no breeze, I was tortured. Driving into the Mojave in summer on way to Huntington Beach, I died and resurrected at Beach. I'll take my humidity anytime and my sweat which cools the body or an ocean breeze anytime. The insane dry heat out West, not for me. Bing in a constant oven is a no go.
@@lilyz2156 Ha Ha 92F is nothing in Vegas. I lived in Phoenix for 11 years after I moved out of Miami Beach. I drove from Phoenix on s 125F day to San Diego years ago because I was young and stupid. Going uphill over the mountains in CA I had to run the heat at full blast so the car wouldn't redline overheat. The temp gauge was on the red line the whole time until I went down the ocean side of the Cajon pass. I barely made it and kissed the ground when I got to SD. I realized it was extremely dangerous and now know why Arizonans only travel at night in the summer. Luckily I made it but learned my lesson.
@@malcolmschenot6352 I can deal with 92F in FL, because of humidity. Bad for curly hair, great for skin, keeps it moist and my hands soft. As a college student in Colo., the summers were insanely hot 100f and higher and people rarely have a/c there. Swamp coolers is what they have due to very low humidity. Great for curly hair, my skin was always so parched and dry and frequent nosebleeds. I always felt like death in the summer in CO, altitude doesn't help. Never thought I would own a humidifier but there I was. Drove through AZ in summer for a wedding in CA from CO. Three crazy bridesmaids driving through Mojave Thermo said 112F in car- passed out in seat from heat. Should have bought a plane ticket. 🤔🤔🤔
The pool in my old home town was paid for as part of town services and staffed by people employed by the town. Essentially the residential taxes you pay to the town took care of it. They paid some high schoolers who were on the swim team to be lifeguards. You had to rinse off in the facility shower before you went in, which was fine.
Waitstaff will be extra friendly because of the tips, yes...but, friendly customer service extends well beyond tipped service. I think friendly customer service is part of our culture because being friendly is part of our culture. Almost everyone that comes to visit the US comments how friendly Americans are on the street, in lines at stores, just about anywhere. That friendliness overflows into customer service.
It's true, most customer service people are not tipped, and they are just as friendly....usually.
Carpet isn't just comfortable, it helps dampens noise rather than everything bouncing off hard walls and floors.
You don't really notice it until you're in a house that's all tile/hardwood.
Some things are blurred on her older videos because she had to change the name of her channel due to someone claiming copyright infringement on the original name (German Girl in America). So logos and other graphics with the original name had to be removed.
Hi James and Millie,
Feli’s channel was originally called “German Girl in America” but when she found out that another woman owned the copyright to the name, she changed it to “Feli From Germany”. That is why she blurred out the old name in all her previous videos.
Anyways have a great weekend,
Marc K
Central heat and air is great. Modern systems you just set temp and it will cool or heat air as needed year round. Also no stale air and air is filtered so it knocks down on dust and allergies.
Seriously, I came here to state this! It's not just cooling the air, it's removing moisture from the air (cutting the risk of mold and mildew), filtering the air to remove particles, dust, skin cells, airborne bacteria, viruses, pollen, animal dander (cleaning the air of allergens and asthma triggers), controlling the temperature throughout the day and night (optimizing sleep in a cool environment and raising the temperature during the day for environmental efficiency), and monitoring the air by zones (testing for carbon-dioxide,smoke and radon). Having a modern HVAC system is essential for efficient, healthy, environmentally friendly houses.
What happened with her channel is that she used to be called A German girl in the US or something like that. She had to change it because someone had copy written it. That is why she had to blur it in her video and later changed her channel name.
Oh wow really? That makes sense on the blurring
That sucks that happened
The channel is now called "Feli From Germany (in America)".
I remember that. What annoyed me was that it appeared that the other girl who copyrighted the name was only German in the sense of ancestors being from Germany. I've heard nothing about her since. Feli is real German, and her American(Midwest) English is nearly perfect.
To answer your question about pools: Cities maintain public pools. Those include life guards on duty, cost a few dollars to get in, or you can usually buy a season pass wristband if you have several kids that will be going to the pool all summer. They also have changing rooms and a snack bar.
For apartment complexes, those are included in your rent, have no life guards, you swim at your own risk, and you just change and have your snacks from your own house.
There also private country clubs which I'm sure England has as well. A waiting list and entry fees to join, often require sponsorship from an established member, have private golf, tennis, racquetball, and swimming, fine dining, etc. Those usually have some provision for established members to bring a few guests on a limited basis.
A lot of subdivisions have pools, as well, which are either paid for through HOA fees or require an annual membership. Either kind will also often offer memberships to people outside the subdivision for an annual fee. These will often also include swim clubs (competitive teams, usually for kids, with beginner training) and supervision/lifeguards.
Since she's from Munich and knows about Munich she using it as her reference, here in the U.S. it's cheaper to move to the suburbs even cheaper to move to the country from big cities
Customer service applies to a lot of industries not just restaurants in the US.
We like to be left to do our shopping in the u.k. , if we need help we will ask for it . Its just what your used to I suppose .
The look on James' face when it comes to buttered popcorn. 😄👍
Millie seems the more serious one and James is more cheery. You two are perfect for each other since your different. Just make sure you keep her smiling James.
Tipping is definitely part of the reason for good customer service but it's also our culture to be friendly. There are a lot of jobs that don't receive tips and you still get good customer service. It's generally expected of everyone not to be a jerk to other people and also, who wants to be miserable at work all day? My mood is greatly improved by being nice to people and genuinely wanting to assist others. Being cool with people usually ensures they are cool with you as well. And who doesn't want good interactions? Especially when you are having to be at work.
I just converted my central ac to an HVAC zoning system. It divides your home into multiple zones, each controlled by its own thermostat. I love it.
Several mosquitos disliked this video.
🤣🤣
Millie, you have no reason to be negative about yourself. Your intelligent and pretty and seem very nice. You’ve got it on you, time to shine.
The mosquito lol
Re: Tips. Fili mention cheerful customer service in stores and elsewhere where tipping isn't the norm (commissioned positions aren't common). Go to a Chick-fil-a and see if you don't get the most cheerful service you've ever had, even though they aren't tipped. As for the effect a tipped position has on a person's cheerfulness, if you depend on tips for a living it weeds out the sourpusses. If you're not a naturally cheerful person you just aren't going to do well in a tipped position, so cheerful servers are cheerful because they are genuinely cheerful.
I agree and I think there is an American expectation of friendliness. The golden rule is what it used to be called. I'm surprised customer service isn't better in other countries.
Agreed.
Your trained to be polite, you’re representing someone’s company/business. We’re also raised to be polite.
Exactly. Manners and standards, as well as courtesy and respect. The golden rule essentially.
Try telling the American tourists that when they visit London, they can be extremely obnoxious , I've seen it myself , so not all are polite like you say .
Millie.. what is nice about central AC is that you have your heat controlled from the same spot, too. Having an HVAC & one system that all uses the same duct work is convenient & comfortable.
The comparison of the cost of living varies greatly around the United States. California and New York are crazy!!!
The cost of living within a single state can vary greatly depending on the location. Even in NY and CA.
Te average price of a house in Sonoma county is $500,000.
Feli went on vacation back to Germany. She started talking to Germans at stores and they didn't respond. She then realized why foreigners thought Germans are rude. Bcuz she thought the same thing momentarily.
Regarding customer service and tipping. My mother was a waitress for over 40 years. She really enjoyed interacting with customers and she was very good at providing an enjoyable experience for her customers. She chose to continue working as a waitress into her mid-70s and then after being treated for breast cancer went to work at Costco as a food demonstrator four hours a day. Another job she enjoyed because she got to talk to people.
One day a woman customer said to her, "Carol, you're always so cheerful, I mean, every day, you always seem to be in a good mood. How do you do it?"
My mother replied flatly, "It's what they pay me for."
The woman and her husband got a bit upset and didn't want to believe her. She said, "Look, that's the truth. This restaurant didn't hire me to dump my problems on their customers. I was hired to serve their food to their customers and give them as pleasant an experience as possible. So the second I clock into work, I'm being paid to do that job and that's what I do."
She did continue with, "Now I like my job and I like my customers and I have a nice time MOST of the time. But even if I'm having a bad day, I don't let that detract from doing my job well."
Let me say from my observations that there was a time when my family really depended on my mother's tips and in the American economy tips are an essential component. My father had retired from the Air Force and was having trouble finding a decent job. Now while I don't think the thought of a tip EVER influenced my mother's service to her customers, the fact that her level of service might harm her income was no doubt something that was inculcated into her overall attitude the same way a person making a salary takes his need for that paycheck into account when tempted to yield to a bad attitude towards his work. It's human nature.
You keep referring to the 5 days you would not need it, but a good central unit also controls the Heat as well for the other 360 days. Plus, the fact that it would be Filtered and can control humidity. In retail stores the reason is they usually get a commission on total sales made in addition to their wages.
The essential thing I like here that she mentions is how open and friendly people are, customer service or customers. I've met new friends while standing in checkout. It's really nice to consider everyone your friend. 🏊♂️ I pool's! Civic pools are usually pay per use, less than a dollar. There are also lessons and racing/ diving teams. My family has a pool at home but also use the public pool to compete. Flying over southern California you see all the blue spots of pools. LOVE IT!
It's pretty rare to pay upon entry for public pools. Some of the REALLY fancy ones will have payments (more like amusement parks), but most of them are just part of the homeowners association fees, a one-time fee for the whole summer with guest passes, or a fee as part of your apartment rent.
That’s strange to us. Most ALL PUBLIC pools you have to pay to get in. If it’s part of YOUR community pool n just need your passes than that’s different. Prefer our own pool any day ESP if there’s less small kids
From even uo here in Northern California we all laughed when she said "really hot. 80° to 90°" hahahahahaha!!! That's a cold day june - October.
as a US resident i feel the carpet thing is slowly fading out but many smaller house do have carpeting, however as you get to the more pricier homes it's less carpet and more of a hard floor not always hard wood though.
to touch on the pool thing, if it's a community pool like in the city, then it's typically the city that pays for it, like at an apartment building it's usually included in your rent and you get a keycard to open the gate if you decide to include that in your lease.
I’m an American and yeah, I like to crank the AC in my room pretty much every night in the summer. It cuts through humidity better than fans.
I was thinking about customer service quality being correlated to tipping right before Millie brought it up. I can see how that makes sense, but it doesn't fully explain it, since retail store (grocers/supermarkets, etc.) employees do not receive tips. I think it's actually just a cultural difference. There's an old saying in the US: "The customer is always right." (I don't entirely agree with that saying, but I think it boils down to the stereotypical capitalistic idea in the US (and I'm not saying it's a bad thing) that the primary objective of any business is to make money. As another saying goes, "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." There are many options as far as places to shop/eat go in the US and the goal is to keep those customers returning, rather than risk offending them and having them decide to go to a competing business because they felt like they weren't treated as well as they should have been.
One of the great things about Mexican food too is that there are several regional cuisines within Mexico. I live in a small city in NY state and there are 4 authentic Mexican restaurants that all have a different styles based on where the owner's or their family came from in Mexico.
Also, I carry a sweater with me everywhere in the summer. The supermarkets especially are way too cold.
Years ago, I moved from an apartment with carpeting to one without. It was funny watching my cats try to adjust to the hard floors.
No, usually all neighborhood pools are free to enter, same with residential pools. Usually with residential pools your guest would have to have a pool pass, but no fee to enter.
I live in an old farmhouse in Texas, so AC is a must here during these hot days of summer! For the next 6 days, we’ll be at 38C! But with the way my house was built, I was unable to put central air in. I got the ductless wall-mounted HVAC systems instead! Love them, because I can turn on the ones in whichever rooms I’m using and turn the others off when out of the room. I’ll never go back to central ever again!
I live in Milwaukee Wisconsin, it has been very hot and humid lately so am thankful for a/c. As to tipping, it's important to tip as we all know regular pay is terrible. I do prefer a house with carpets in living rooms and bedrooms only. I really like an apartment complex to have a pool. Public pools usually charge a fee each time you go, it's usually $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for kids and free for small children. I live pretty close to Lake Michigan which is of course free, they do have public changing places which are free.
Ohio seems to be a butt of a lot of jokes latley, but cincinnati is a fun city with lots to do as far as the midwest goes. UC is a great college. She made a good choice !!!!!
Love Cincinnati..... It's had it's dips like all cities do ... I think it's on the up swing and doing well.... It has a great history and can do great things in the future.
@@DashRiprock513Early on, Cincinnati had a lot of German immigrants. Feli did a video about it.
I'm from Ohio I like Cincinnati but prefer southern Ohio but still great city
If you watch or meet people for a long time over time you can get a feeling for their personality and can tell sincerity from pretension …you both come across as natural, funny and fun loving couple and I appreciate your (collective) POV
She had to change the name of her channel last year. She was using the same name on her channel as someone else was using for a website, and it turned into a legal issue. So, she had to change the name of her channel. She did a video about it when it happened.
Here in Albuquerque, NM, where I live, summers can be brutal (in the 90's- 101° here in the Southwest Desert) !
My Condo complex has an indoor/outdoor year-round pool, jacuzzi, and sauna. These surround the pool area. Outdoors, by the pool, we also have community barbecue grills that we can use. On the second floor of the Main building, we also have a well stocked Exercise Room with weights, treadmills, stepping machine, and recumbent exercise bikes as well. These fee's are included with monthly rent, or if you own the condo, these fee's can be paid quarterly or yearly in one lump sum. If you don't want a washer and dryer, then there are 2- 24 hour laundry rooms in the Main building. We also have Central Air-conditioning in the Condos and Townhouses !!!
I'm very spoiled ! 😉
apartment complex here in texas - has a really nice pool. there's no charge, but also no lifeguard. it's considered an amenity of the complex so included in rent. along with grills to the side, dog park down the path, and a small gym. With it being summer and quite a few families living here, I can hear the kids of the complex swimming and playing out there right now. Fun times at 103°F (39.4°C)... hope they're wearing sunscreen - lol
Crazy, as an American, I have to say that I LOVE German music artists. Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, are just a few of my favorites.
I love German music artists too. Ramstein, Oomph! etc.
Talk about bad luck. I live in a mobile home in Virginia with my 26 year old daughter. I am in a wheelchair, use oxygen, and cant use my right arm due to Muscular Dystrophy. So when she mentioned Air Conditioning it reminded me, this year, I woke up on the 4th of July and our central air was not working. It got to 94 degrees F here that day. We tried to get an emergency HVAC person to come out but because of the holiday we couldn't. It was miserable. My brother, who lives behind us in a different trailer, had a portable AC in his shed. We managed to get it hooked up and it just makes this room bearable. The following day we had a guy come out and he needs a replacement part. Turns out a mouse had damaged it. The mouse and any others have been eradicated by the way, but he has to order a new part. So, its been one week today using a portable AC unit and he said it would be 10 days to 2 weeks to get the part. It was 95 today with humidity it felt like 105. I will be so happy when my AC is fixed. Rant Over
I have lived in Sardinia for three years and I have also lived in 18 US States. The midwest has a very interesting climate of extremes. The summers can be very warm and very humid. The winters have times when it is brutal. The middle states of the US does not have any of the moderating effect of large bodies of water. Living in Europe was a large culture shock, but there were many things that I miss about the experience and I would readily go back. One of the biggest things I remember about our apartment in Sardinia was the electricity. Our flat had 5000 Watts of 220v and we had to be very mindful of what was powered. Our flat had mini-split AC units(3), but we could only run two at a time. If my wife wanted to use her hair dryer, we had to unplug and turn-off stuff to prevent the main breaker tripping.
Now that I am back in the states, the one thing I enjoy is packing up my stuff in my plane and then flying to another location. I am sure that the same thing exists in Europe, but we have so many small airfields all around the country, it is hard to imagine any other place with this amount of freedom.
Our public pool in rural Oklahoma you can pay daily or buy a season pass. Our pool is part of a trust so admission is crazy cheap. It's 25 cents for adults, 10 cents for kids and $1 for a season pass. All of the school kids get a free season pass at the end of the school year. Its an olympic size pool with a separate kiddie pool, 3 diving boards and we just had a slide installed. Its connected to our largest city park and very popular, as you can imagine, every summer🥰
As a kid there were several local pools to go to, and when we're living in a townhouse, there was a pool for the community. We paid for passes, and those passes were good for the summer. At local indoor pools, we paid a membership fee monthly. I now have a gym membership solely for the gym's pool. That's a monthly fee plus a yearly maintenance fee. My sister has a 10,000 gallon pool. Tbh it costs quite a lot to keep it up during the summer months. Easily 200 a visit for a pool tech to come test, treat, and clean the pool.
This was a fun video! That's funny about Jersey having no drive-thrus!! If one shows up in the next year they better pay you a finders fee for giving them the idea!😂
Also, I dont know why but when James said "that'd make bank" I laughed because that is a common phrase in the U.S. and i guess I didnt think of it being used elsewhere. These are the little things that make me love these videos!
I learned to appreciate central air when stationed at fort hood in central Texas. When I bought my own home in the northwest, I installed central air. This helps with humidity not just heat.
The widespread availability of Mexican food has really improved in recent years. I remember a time (I believe it was in the late 1970's) when I was in Connecticut for a project meeting at our Eastern Data Center (I came out from the Western Center in California). Staying at the same hotel that I was in was a fellow up from our Central Center in Texas. We both had a craving for some Mexican food and set out in Norwich to find a good place to have dinner. After cruising much of the downtown area (remember, this was before the internet, and we couldn't just look it up on our phones!) and being unsuccessful, we returned to the hotel and asked the clerk at the desk if they know of any places around that had Mexican food... after some thought, she said, "well, I think you can get tacos at Jack in the Box". At that point, we decided to just go with the flow and have dinner on what they do well in the region... we went to a seafood place.
My family has lived in southern CA for about 60 years. Even though there were plenty of Mexican restaurants and taco shops back in the day, it was common to cross the border to have lunch or dinner at some great restaurants. When we turned 18 & could cross the border legally without a parent or guardian, it was not uncommon, to cross the border, get to the nearest street taco vendor, purchase plates of tacos and head back to the border crossing. While in line to cross back into San Diego, it was easy to finish off several plates of those tacos that sold for 25 to 50 cents each. Great food and memories.
My brother has a story similar to yours. Back in the 70's he took a trip to the south and was craving Mexican food. It wasn't easy to find a restaurant but they did eventually find one, ordered several different items only to discover they used the premade "Taco Bell" shells instead of fresh tortillas and what was suppose to be frijoles was actually ''sweet'' bbq baked beans. That story became a running joke in our family for decades. We couldn't fathom not having access to great Mexican food at any given time when the craving hit.
I'm pretty sure the south has since upped their game when it comes to Mexican food. If not, I feel bad for them. But the good news is they specialize in BBQ. That counts for something in my book! :)
I live in Cincinnati, Ohio! A/C is a must. Even with the a/c, we use a fan. I think that since we are accustomed to having central a/c, we don't carry around sweaters & scarves. Of course, there are those ppl who are always cold at all times of the year.
The neighborhood pool is covered with the Community fee which is the neighborhood fee after moving in. Sometimes this isn’t there because there is a large park or golf course nearby that covers that. It’s just knowing what is actually in the price of a home. My neighborhood is actually associated with another neighborhood that we all share community fees together. That fee pays for two pools, a basketball court, tennis courts, two playgrounds, and two neighborhood parks that people like. Honestly it also includes neighborhood cleanups every week by a landscaping company. We also have the box basketball courts that are just concrete boxes with a couple of hoops inside that people use just to practice throws into as they don’t really have much space inside.
I live about 25 minutes away from the University of Cincinnati and it was around 91°F today(33°C) and I'm very happy to have central air conditioning. We keep it at 71°F throughout the house(21.7°C).
Cincinnati is in the North. Northern homes usually have carpet. In the South, it's more hardwood floors.
Some homes do have a thermostat in every room. With window AC units you can control the temperature in each room by adjusting that unit. Many have the temp shown on the front panel and you can adjust to your comfort with a remote.
Down here on the Gulf Coast, we have had temps in the High 90's and "feels like" temps of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit for most of July and now basically all of August.
Kettle Corn is actually cooked differently then regular popcorn also.
It's also has sugar on it!🍿🍿🍿 love the stuff!
Fairness and kindness are appreciated, and are virtues in all people 🤗
Central AC comes in every building however there are different types of AC that can be installed. For example, zoned AC, this allows you to change the temperatures in 2 or more different areas. I have seen it installed for upstairs vs downstairs, they still talk to each other but they can control the temperature by each level of the building.
5:39 I often find the movie theaters are too cold, especially because I go late at night when there isn't much body heat filling the room. When I went to see Indiana Jones recently people had brought blankets.
With the AC instead of just closing the vent most people usually shove a type of cloth into it to plug it and that works really well.
I live in Phoenix Arizona. This week it has been averaging close to 115ºF (46ºC). We have programmable thermostat and keep our house at 78ºF (25-26ºC) most of the day, but cool the house off more at night. This sometimes helps so the air conditioning doesn't not turn on until midday.
When I was in Paraguay, I used a fan to keep the mosquitoes off me when I didn't have a mosquito net.
When she talked about the air conditioning being a bit too much in the buildings at the university, it reminded me of the time I took an aerospace science class in summer school. I lived in Kansas, where it can be 40 degrees or more. One day the a/c was really cranked up. I went up to the professor and said, "Colonel, it's really cold in here.". He pointed to my chest and said, "I know. Your indicators are on!".
The drive-thru aspect has really boomed since Covid. Curbside pickup at restaurants without actual drive-thru windows is pretty much standard now. You can order online, drive to the restaurant and park in the specially designated parking spots, call the number on the parking spot sign or use an app on your phone, and they will bring your order out to you. Even at Walmart, you can shop online and then have them bring your items out to you in your car.
The positive vs. negative this is really a good thing - my husband is not very positive but I am so we even each other out.
We all have our days, James and Millie. If you ever need a break, I am cool with that. It is really interesting to see your reactions to Feli from Germany.
Ohioian here ❤ 30 mins from where she lives, and its 88° and im sitting right next to my air conditioner watching CZcams lol
Hey guys, I started watching Feli’s channel as a result of some of your reviews of her videos. She has some awesome videos that you guys might enjoy. One in particular is the video where her and her boyfriend, Ben, spent the day where she only speaks German to him for the day. It’s a very cool and sweet video. I usually try to keep my room around 68-70F. Especially if it is extremely humid outside because the humidity makes it feel warmer than it actually is. I actually bought a dehumidifier for the room I live in because of the humidity where I live. I was having issues with black mold due to the humidity. A couple of the reasons retail workers come up to you asking you if you need help is one the stores encourage the employees to engage the customers, sometimes due to commissions and that’s where the employee makes their money. The other is for a security reason. If the employees are regularly “innocently” popping by and trying to engage you in conversation it helps discourage people from trying to steal merchandise from the store.
I live in Houston and had our power go out for 2 weeks from Hurricane Ike. But my next door neighbors power came on after like 2 hours. Sleeping in 95F heat and 90% humidity while listening to your neighbor's AC is buzzing away out of your window.
20:50 Free public pools exist, they have a lot of them in inner cities. Here my dad has a membership to a nearby pool. He gets a senior discount and it's really cheap like $30 for the whole season and if he wants to bring a guest, like me, it's $10 per per guest each time.
I remember when my baby was sick(37years ago), I'd drive out of my way because a pharmacy had a drive through. Now they are common. At that time it was a new thing and in winter with a sick baby or sick myself, it was amazing and worth the drive!
AC units usually are central heat and air, so it cools in the summer and heats the house in the winter. So it's worth having in both cold and hot climates
The thing about air conditioning is it not only makes it cool it removes humidity from the air. So it makes it comfortable even if you don't make it cold
Wanted to add, drive thru libraries. You can drop off your books, or pick up ones you've checked out online. There's still the main building, but a drive thru is set up for convenience.
Most companies stress providing excellent customer service. We want our customers to enjoy doing business with us. It is expected
Carpet is a fading trend in the U.S. Carpeting was the standard for decades, but hardwood flooring accented with a rug is the standard for new floors nowadays
It's been years since I worked in retail or a call center and I can still turn on the upbeat "customer service" voice at the drop of a hat.
17:47 I was looking at that in the store yesterday thinking "didn't some CZcamsr say that was really good?" haha.
Fun fact: An air-conditioner can only cool the air 20°f below ambient outside air temperature..setting it to a lower temperature will only raise your electric bill...
It's 43 today in Dallas, Texas. Thank god for AC. After all, why not ?
When we get drive through food or pickup, we will take it down the road to the ocean. A beautiful view while you eat. There are usually public picnic tables to sit at, for public use, so you can enjoy comfortably. Or just sit in the car on a cold day and enjoy a peaceful meal, without the crowdy noise of eating in.😊
PS: We are from Mid-Coast Maine where the ocean is.
Pools are usually pay $10 for a day pass or $300+ for a seasonal membership for couple or family which works out cheaper if you use it a lot.
If you have a neighborhood pool you usually have a HOA which is a home owners association fee that you pay monthly or quarterly depending that pays for the maintenance/upkeep of the neighborhood and pools
Gotta have air conditioning in Phoenix. We have over 100 degrees more than 100 days out of the year. June-August it’s common for us to have 110-117 degrees. We just broke a record this year for having over 110° almost 40 days in a row, so even though we technically “could“ live without air-conditioning, and many of us have had to when our air conditioners break during the hottest parts of the summer, AC is literally a life saver out here. ❤
New houses with fancy central systems can regulate the temperature per room, but it's a good idea to check with the contractor building it to be sure. Basically the ducts have motorized flaps that automatically shut off that room.
Austin, Texas here. July 8 thru July 16. Every day with high Temps. 105 to 107 degrees Fahrenheit.
Where I grew up we had a community pool…it had a small entrance fee….my daughter went to the pool…they gave swimming cessions in the morning…now it’s the high school indoor pool that’s the community pool…
Customer sevice is crucial for repeat business. Its not about tipping. Its about convincing a customer to come back and spend their money a second time. Its not that we have great customer service. It that everyone has a competitor who will be happy to provide better service if they fail to. Strong customer service is essential to a successful business in the U.S.
Never forget, in the US pools are very common. Some have outdoor hot tubs too so air con isn't always used.
Community pools typically charge a fee, however, there are pools in apartment or housing communities that are part of your monthly rent or HOA fees as well.
Here in Mesa, AZ, USA, most pools don't have lifeguards, but there has to be at least one person in the group above either 16 or 18. Apartment pools upkeep is paid by rent or fees, neighborhood pools are paid by HOA. Most "public" pools are at the middle/senior schools and are paid by taxes and/or entry fees. Those do have lifeguards.
If it looks like a mosquito except bigger, it's probably a mosquito hawk! They eat mosquitoes & never bother people, so it's actually a good thing to have in the house! 🤗
I hate to be "that guy," but mosquito hawks (AKA: Crane flies) do not actually eat mosquitos. That's an urban myth. They are, however, harmless to humans.
That, or you are in Texas. LOL