as seen on TV

[deird1]

The barns look like barns on Smallville.

The schools really are big square buildings several storeys high.

There really is Wendys, and Applebees, and Dollar Tree.

People really do say "we need to get to Lexington and 9th" and "stay on FDR" (even me).

The school buses really are yellow, and really do drive all over the place.

People really do keep asking if you've found Jesus (and seriously, folks, he's not missing).

The houses look all American, with shingled roofs and window shutters.

The hydrants are just like the ones on Sesame Street.

Comments

[deird1]

Roads:

Two factors here. Firstly, we don't navigate by corners nearly so much. If I wanted to be somewhat specific about a location, I'd say "on Boronia Road, between Woodvale and Rankin", or similar. It was quite odd getting to DC and New York and immediately changing to navigating via street corner.

Also, the examples I gave above weren't random. Before I'd ever been to New York – before I'd even glanced at a map – I still could have rattled off "Lexington and 9th" and "stay on FDR" (and more), because those phrases are in SO MANY SHOWS. Friends, Castle, Elementary, How I Met Your Mother, for starters – and I've watched all of them through multiple times. Navigating New York is something I've heard so often – so when I find myself using the exact same phrasing, it's very weird to me.

[out_there]

If I wanted to be somewhat specific about a location, I'd say "on Boronia Road, between Woodvale and Rankin", or similar

Huh. I'd honestly never noticed that, but yes. When I describe my place, I say "Thompson Road, between Cox and Donnybrook" and anyone local knows exactly which end of a rather long street I'm talking about.

[snickfic]

Your examples are very funny to me, because apparently you have watched WAY more TV set in NYC than I have. 😂 If asked I would have no idea what city those were in, or whether they were even real locations.

Anyway, thank you very much for this and your description of Australian schools! I knew people from other parts of the world didn't have yellow school buses or red barns, but the distinct features of our navigation and school buildings was totally new to me!