A feel for the environment

[QFIT]

When we travel to less common destinations, we are often isolated from our environment. The tendency is to concentrate on a small number of casinos and stick close to the object of the trip. I haven’t talked about this before, but I try to avoid that trap. Wherever I go, I try to get a feel for the place. That doesn’t mean a tour bus. That means footing it. As examples, there have been discussions of Paradise Island (Atlantis) and St. Marteen here over the last week. I’ve walked most of the habitable areas of Paradise Island at one time or another, including the residential areas. I’ve walked over the old bridge to Nassau a couple of times (don’t if you have vertigo and if you don’t use a treadmill or live in San Francisco.) Walk under the bridge to visit the local conch stands. In St. Martin, I’ve been in nearly every corner, from driving a jeep over the tricky road to Anse Marcel (scary), Orient Bay, panting on the way up to the old fort, the mosquito filled marina, as well as buying groceries a dozen times in off-the-beaten path, local village stores (and picking out the roaches). I'm actually a lousy tourist, and have never even been to the tourist spots in my own city (Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, etc.). I just think knowing the local culture is helpful.

I try to do this in any city. Does it matter? I don’t know. But why look like yet another ugly American?

 

[WRX]

Thanks for sharing these thoughts, QFIT. It's all part of leading a balanced life, which is crucial for the AP and for anyone else, for keeping a healthy mind and body.

 

[jopke]

Thanks for sharing these thoughts, QFIT. It's all part of leading a balanced life, which is crucial for the AP and for anyone else, for keeping a healthy mind and body.

I think it goes beyond a balanced life. Understanding the culture and how people live, act and interact outside of the casino can help you when playing. You can get a better understanding of what is or isn't insulting, common phrases and just generally fit in better, drawing less attention to yourself. It helps you avoid heat and also stay relaxed because you don't feel so out of place, which reduces fatigue.

 

[creeping panther]

Having a life

Yes Norm, how right you are.

I have always thought whenever possible to spend the day outside in the beauty of nature than to sit in the casino 24-7. UGH!!

Whenever possible my getaways, at least in summer, are always planned this way, natures beauty in the day,,casino at night. Much healthier.

I know at this summer Midwest Bash I and Sage will take everyone on a very scenic tour from one casino to the next until we reach the final destination. I am sure all who have not seen it before will be very pleased with the natural beauty.

CP

 

[MeWin$]

Just Curious

QFIT, im just curious, where are decent places to play outside of the US?

Paradise island and CP in Nassau sure , but imagine an AP could maybe get 3000 in EV before a backoff, and I hear rumors of Dom, and Aruba and always whispers of Valhallas in Eastern Europe, somewhere, but is this true?
If you dont want to give anything away, maybe just Yes or No answer because that would save me hundreds of hours in scouting decisions.

Or anyone can PM me, cmon Cmon!:grin:

good luck to all

 

[QFIT]

Early Surrender is still available in some places not talked about. But, it would really piss some people off if I said where.

 

[Automatic Monkey]

... I try to do this in any city. Does it matter? I don’t know. But why look like yet another ugly American?

The "ugly American" is a myth. Do you get upset if a Frenchman or Japanese visits New York, doesn't speak English and doesn't try riding the subway? Why should they get upset if we don't do what they do in their country?

When I go someplace I prefer to stick to the tourist stuff. They built these facilities for me, so it is right to use them, no? And once you leave the tourist zone for the townie zone, you switch from being a visitor, to a foreigner- not a positive word in most of the world.

 

[QFIT]

The "ugly American" is a myth. Do you get upset if a Frenchman or Japanese visits New York, doesn't speak English and doesn't try riding the subway? Why should they get upset if we don't do what they do in their country?

They don't. That's the myth.

 

[21forme]

They don't. That's the myth.

The French do, but they get upset by everyone and everything :grin:

 

[QFIT]

The French do, but they get upset by everyone and everything :grin:

That's what everyone says. But, I've been to France three times, always travel off the beaten path, speak English to everyone (they just about all know English), and have never managed to find one of these famously nasty people.

 

[21forme]

That's what everyone says. But, I've been to France three times, always travel off the beaten path, speak English to everyone (they just about all know English), and have never managed to find one of these famously nasty people.

I've been to France twice. Met a bunch of nasties in Paris. Maybe it's a big city thing. My wife lived in France for 6 months during college. She hated the people there (and she speaks French fluently). In retrospect, she wished she spent the time in Quebec, instead.

 

[Automatic Monkey]

That's what everyone says. But, I've been to France three times, always travel off the beaten path, speak English to everyone (they just about all know English), and have never managed to find one of these famously nasty people.

It's a stereotype, just like the "rude New Yorker." It has a basis in fact like all stereotypes, but not something you can expect to encounter.

My French vs. English experience is limited to Quebec and being I can be mistaken for an Anglophone Canadian, refusing to address a Francophone Quebecois in French can be perceived, by some, as a hostile statement, being Canada is bilingual and language is a sensitive issue there. Once they realize I'm American, English is no problem at all.

 

[blackjack avenger]

Am I Missing Something?

Sure if you are in a foreign land sightseeing is part of the experience. However, as an example if you are in the Bahamas learning/acting like a local I don't think you will be acting like a casino patron. The casino patrons in the Bahamas would be Europeans and Americans on vacation? I would think if you strolled through the casino and noticed how the players were dressed and acted you would have the information you needed without losing so much time and energy.

When in Rome:joker::whip:

 

[iCountNTrack]

The French do, but they get upset by everyone and everything :grin:

yeah maybe in the 40s with my Grandma and Grandpa. My parents MOVED to the US because THEY LIKED Americans.

 

[MeWin$]

Early Surrender is still available in some places not talked about. But, it would really piss some people off if I said where.


thanks for the prompt reply, and ill be logging miles somewhere; and im sure to find something good

good to luck to you

 

[QFIT]

I’m not terribly interested in how casino patrons act. I’m barely cognizant of their existence. I’m more interested in the staff.

Common advice is to observe average gamblers, and act like them. But, the casinos know this is what APs try to do. So, why do it? I haven’t acted like a “ploppy” since, well, since I was one. It is important to not look like a threat and to make the casino comfortable with your presence. But, that doesn’t mean you have to look like an idiot, or a compulsive gambler, or make expensive, stupid plays. Long-term, this will necessarily present contradictions. Particularly if you play at high speed, which I believe is of utmost importance.

When I take a trip to a casino, I try to look like I am more interested in the trip than the casino. That doesn’t mean that I try to look ignorant of casino play. That’s a losing proposition. I look as though I am quite familiar with casinos – just that I am also familiar with the locale, and am more interested in the latter.

 

[blackchipjim]

The traveling AP

Not that I'm some world traveler but people tend to treat people the way they are treated. When I travel to the carib, I treat everyone with respect from the rich to the poor and it pays off. I like people and find other lands interesting to say the least. Some countries don't like pig Americans from the gitgo which I understand because some Americans that travel exude arrogance wherever they go. Playing in another country is easy because of the dumb american act goes well overall. I like to see the countries I visit for the country not just the gaming.

 

[ihate17]

How true this is

It's a stereotype, just like the "rude New Yorker." It has a basis in fact like all stereotypes, but not something you can expect to encounter.

My French vs. English experience is limited to Quebec
. Once they realize I'm American, English is no problem at all.

For many years I had dealings with a company in Montreal. Everything was said to me in French every single time I contacted them until I just said, "this is ihate17 from California", then suddenly the person who would only speak French to me miraculously spoke perfect English to me.

Americans they speak English too.
Canadians they speak French too.

 

[QFIT]

For many years I had dealings with a company in Montreal. Everything was said to me in French every single time I contacted them until I just said, "this is ihate17 from California", then suddenly the person who would only speak French to me miraculously spoke perfect English to me.

Americans they speak English too.
Canadians they speak French too.

Insightful. Canada has a particular internal problem in this area based on their history, as does Belgium. In fact, this problem is heating up in Belgium this week. Pity as a adore Brussels, and it is probably the most multilingual city on the planet.

As blackchipjim said, "people tend to treat people the way they are treated." Of course they also have some predetermined reactions based on the way they perceive those of whatever "ilk" they immediately identify with anyone they meet. This can be quickly overcome. In particular, the French love much about America. But, they dislike the gov't (as do so many in the world) and écouter American, boorish businessmen.

 

[blackjack avenger]

Insightful. Canada has a particular internal problem in this area based on their history, as does Belgium. In fact, this problem is heating up in Belgium this week. Pity as a adore Brussels, and it is probably the most multilingual city on the planet.

As blackchipjim said, "people tend to treat people the way they are treated." Of course they also have some predetermined reactions based on the way they perceive those of whatever "ilk" they immediately identify with anyone they meet. This can be quickly overcome. In particular, the French love much about America. But, they dislike the gov't (as do so many in the world) and écouter American, boorish businessmen.

Many many more people in the world like America and it's government:
Population of:
China, but not their government
India
Russia, but not their government
Eastern Europe
Taiwan, South East Asia
I think the above countries amount to approx. over half the worlds population?
Iran?, but not their government
What does Western Europe dislike? Our ending 2 of their wars or protecting them from Stalinist Russia? and continuing to have troops in Europe?
I would add as the final thought the feet argument, people sure do come to this country in larger numbers, and if no restraints this country would probably have half the world's population in short order!

If the governments of Cuba, N Korea, Iran, Russia, China, Venezuela and many of our so called friends in the Middle East and Africa don't like the USA then I think we are doing something right!:joker::whip: