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You probably should specify the city you're talking about. Those seem like pretty specific complaints. I think the main thing that can be generalized across mos
by uxp100 8y ago
You probably should specify the city you're talking about. Those seem like pretty specific complaints. I think the main thing that can be generalized across most of the US that you mentioned is the grid system, with parking lot islands in second place, but they're not common in the center of many cities. They are quite common on the edges.
For example, many readers here may be familiar with San Jose, and itis not a good walking city, but it is not true that it has no yards or parks, and I think the residential architecture is lovely. In portions it suffers very much from parking lot islands, and the businesses are very centralized, not much mix of housing and business.
But if you want to stroll nowhere in particular it ain't bad. On the near north side you can look at the foothills from that park by the elementary school on 22nd ish, then walk down Empire, stop at 13th street, grab a donut and watch people play tennis, handball or volleyball in the park. Then you couldstay there or head south to Naglee Park Garage for dinner (well, maybe that place closed), southwest to downtown for a drink, or just over to 6th street and get groceries or walk around in the little japantown.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- chrisseaton 8y ago> grab a donut Funny question, but in the US does 'grabbing' something not have a bad connotation? When I hear 'grab a donut' my English mind sees you smashing your fist through the glass of the counter, taking a doughnut, and running off.
- aswanson 8y agoI legit got a laugh out of that. Thanks.
- taormina 8y ago'Snatch' might be more of a negative connotation? Grab feels pretty neutral.
- yellowapple 8y agoIt definitely depends on context, and possibly locality/dialect. I have heard (and used) "snatch", "snag", "grab", and "steal" here quite often.
- Retra 8y agoIt may even have that connotation, but even so, using it for flair is perfectly acceptable. In fact, there's nothing bad about your mental image, as it would only be humorous.
- swozey 8y ago"Wanna grab a beer/drink?" is one of the most common invites I've heard for going out. So no, no negative connotations.
- BenjiWiebe 8y agoIt has no negative connotation to my born-and-raised-in-the-US mind. The only thing it implies to me is being in a hurry.
- aswanson 8y agoThere is however, a "smash-and-grab" phrase in the US which fits your imagery perfectly.
- rexpop 8y agoNot at all. It convey's minute commitment; both brief and trivial.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]