{"id":7531,"date":"2020-04-02T17:56:12","date_gmt":"2020-04-02T17:56:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tiqets-blog-staging.local\/american-lifestyle\/"},"modified":"2025-08-29T10:01:59","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T10:01:59","slug":"american-lifestyle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/blog\/american-lifestyle\/","title":{"rendered":"Trip to the US Cancelled? Live That American Lifestyle at Home","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u2013<\/em> This post was written by Liam McGarry<\/em> \u2013<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you were planning to take an epic helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon<\/a>, rummage through the vintage stores of Brooklyn, or don your Elvis outfit for a guided tour of Graceland, nothing is going to replicate your dream USAcation<\/a>.

We\u2019ll keep our fingers crossed that your hard-earned holiday can be rescheduled. Until then, there are a bunch of ways you can experience an American lifestyle at home.<\/p>\n\n\n

Try these US traditions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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Photo by Paulette Wooten<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

1. Bleed red, white and blue<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Americans are well known for their complete and unwavering devotion to the US flag. Even iron-jawed sportsmen have been known to blub at the first notes of the national anthem. This heartwarming patriotism is especially unifying in times of national hardship when ordinary Americans put aside their differences for the greater good.

If you\u2019re going to authentically replicate the American lifestyle, you\u2019ll need to swell with national pride at every opportunity. Hang the Star-Spangled Banner from your window. Bake cupcakes with red, white, and blue icing. Shoot waste paper into the trash, basketball style, like you\u2019re the late, great Kobe Bryant. Shout \u201cGod bless America!\u201d at regular intervals \u2013  you\u2019ll pass for a local in no time.<\/p>\n\n\n

2. Tip. <\/strong>Always<\/strong><\/em> tip.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

What you\u2019ve got to understand is, it doesn\u2019t matter <\/em>if the service was good. That\u2019s not the point. The point of tipping is to avoid the social awkwardness of not tipping, obviously (and to show appreciation for the underpaid heroes of the hospitality industry.)

A friend of mine once forgot to tip. The waitress at Hogs & Heifers proceeded to grab a megaphone, turn the music down, and ask the diners what they thought of this insulting faux pas. Heads shook, and a chorus of boos rang out. Said friend has tipped generously ever since. 

Tipping at home is a great way to use those dollars you already exchanged. The next time your partner\/child\/butler brings you a coffee (over-milking, as they always do) slip some dollar bills under the mug and keep the tipping culture alive.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo by Sam Dan Truong<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a> <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n

3. Supersize everything<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

The average American portion size has increased by around 138% since the 1970s. Of course, there are pros and cons to this. But, food is good. Nay, food is great.<\/em>

Treat yourself during this difficult time. Pour your cereal for an extra couple of seconds. Have another handful of french fries. The best thing about working from home? Unlimited refills \u2013 the American way!

What you mustn’t do is panic-buy food in your quest for supersize. Shop responsibly, guys. In the words of the cast of High School Musical: We\u2019re all in this together<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

4. Learn to whoop like a champion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Americans love to voice their satisfaction, with gusto. Whether it\u2019s at a sporting event, after a broadway show<\/a>, or at the end of a really great day, US citizens (after centuries of practice) have perfected the art of whooping, wooing, hooting, and hollering. Legend has it that the Founding Fathers even joined together in a group whoop after signing the constitution.

Okay, we made that last bit up. But, whooping is an important American tradition. The master of this guttural cry is WWE wrestling legend Ric Flair, and there\u2019s no better person to learn from than the Nature Boy himself<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

Watch movies set in iconic US cities<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
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If you\u2019re one of the millions of people currently confined to their home, then chances are you’re leaning on Hollywood classics for support.

Set in famous American locations, these movies will transport you to the cities you should be visiting and<\/em> stop you from going all Jack-from-The-Shining on your partner\/housemate\/bathroom door. Snacks at the ready!

Need some more home-cinema inspiration? Check out these travel-inspired documentaries<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

1. Movies set in New York City<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

If your trip to the Big Apple was postponed, there are plenty of silver-screen substitutes you can turn to. Go on the run through the murky backstreets of NYC with The Warriors<\/em>, watch culture come to life at the American Museum of Natural History in Night at the Museum<\/em>, or settle in with heartwarming child-neglect comedy Home Alone 2: Lost in New York<\/em>.

Top movies set in New York:<\/strong> The Warriors, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Annie Hall, Taxi Driver, Night at The Museum, Saturday Night Fever, Ghostbusters, Midnight Cowboy, West Side Story, Annie Hall.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

2. Movies set in Los Angeles<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Los Angeles is synonymous with film, but it\u2019s not just because it’s home to the studio sets of Hollywood. Some legendary motion pictures have been shot around the city, too. If we had to pick a winner, it would be La La Land <\/em>(try taking this one, Moonlight<\/em>!) but there are loads of <\/em>fab <\/em>flicks that show off the best of the City of Stars.

Top movies set in Los Angeles:<\/strong> La La Land, The Big Lebowski, Pulp Fiction, Boyz n the Hood, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Drive, L.A. Confidential, Crash, Clueless.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

3. Movies set in Chicago<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

In the words of Chicago\u2019s most famous truant, Ferris Bueller: \u201cLife moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.\u201d

Wise words that feel all too real right now. 

Ferris Bueller\u2019s Day Off<\/em>, with its iconic Von Steuben Day Parade scene<\/a>, is the undisputed champion of movies set in Chicago \u2013unless anyone dares dispute it in the comments. There are some notable runners-up. Try a little-known picture called The Blues Brothers, <\/em>or <\/em>home-invasion thriller Home Alone<\/em>. There\u2019s also Candyman, <\/em>if you\u2019re feeling brave.

Top movies set in Chicago: <\/strong>Ferris Bueller\u2019s Day Off, Home Alone, The Blues Brothers, Chi-Raq, Hoop Dreams, The Untouchables, The Fugitive, Risky Business, The Breakfast Club, Candyman.<\/em>

Can\u2019t get enough of Chi-Town? Experience Chicago indoors<\/a> with our partners Choose Chicago. They\u2019ve put together the complete list of Chicago-themed things to do during quarantine including more movies, virtual museum tours, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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