I've risen from the icy snow of Finland and I am demanding more answers! I was thinking if you'd feel fine about telling me your personal stories about drinking life, studying, working and maybe the cosplay scene in USA? Something more "real" should I say. You can ask me stuff back if you wish.
Arise! Arise seeker of the Sampos! I have the answers you seek!
Weeeelll, actually I don’t…..
Of all the people to ask such questions, I happen to be the worst (just for these questions, though!)
-I’m not in the drinking scene. I’m the guy with the car meaning I’m always the designated driver for my friends. Because of this, I practically drink only once a year, at the New Year’s party at my house where I can sleep after without having to drive anyone.
-Studying isn’t exactly what film students do. We make short practice films, that counts as studying, right? But we don’t do the classic “load up on textbooks and stay up memorizing things” routine. We’re all far too lazy to do that!
-Working. Aside from the weddings gig I had, I have had one of the most unorthodox work schedules compared to my friends. As an editor on the side, I would get random jobs here and there without warning, things to keep me busy for a week or so and then BAM, nothing. Same with the voice acting gigs I got. As someone who dabbles in the entertainment field, you don’t really get the same job experience as everyone else, but BOY OH BOY DOES IT PAY WHEN YOU FIND SOMETHING!
I am literally writing rap lyrics for money on this latest assignment. That’s how unpredictable things are.
I can tell you about cosplay though! I haven’t been to other countries or places, but as far as I can tell: The US has the strongest cosplay game (Sorry UK and Canada). And of course the cosplay scene is much bigger along coastal cities where folks are more open minded towards the idea of dressing up and what not (good luck finding someone cosplaying in the deep woods of Missouri). However, even in smaller more rural areas, there do seem to be cons with cosplayers, such as Anime Iowa. However, it’s pretty much that ONE con for the whole state for the whole year, areas like Los Angeles have AX, ALA, WonderCon, Comikaze…sooo many different conventions with chances to cosplay!
I could tell you what I observe from my friends though!
Drinking: Drinking games are fun! Where as the rest of the world drinks anyways, Americans need to create games to justify their drinking. It’s quite cute and the games are rather fun, and I can definitely see the appeal despite everyone else goin “WHY DON’T THEY JUST DRINK ANYWAYS?”. Drinking is veeeeeeeery common in American parties, but that’s pretty much it. There’s a social stigma to drinking alone, generally the more people you have over the better it is perceived to drink. While Americans may not be able to drink as much as the Finns, they will still do so at whatever party they can. A Finn would have fun in the states, but may wake up one day asking why there’s nothing to drink in the house. Americans are “in the moment” creatures (lovely, cheery, in the moment creatures, bless their hearts)
Studying: This kills the man. Or woman. Person. This kills the person. Sure the level of studying ranges all the way from film student to doctor, but most of the scale is filled with PANIC levels of studying. People pay so much for education in America that studying becomes a HUUUUUGE deal to them, stressing them right the hell out and what not. Sure, I have only respect for those who study and hone their craft, but the amount of stress these kids go through…it’s unnatural. Still, they take their 5 hour energy pills, coffee and what not and somehow manage to survive. When they ain’t partyin, they’re studyin, when they ain’t studyin’ they’re partyin’. Before they know it, they graduate and have to deal with finding a…
Job. Work. Harder to find than an honest man in the Senate. I have a friend who has to take the graveyard shift at a local superstore just to support his family. He still says he’s lucky to have the job, even with its unholy hours. I have a friend who was the best engineer at our school and things look good for him, he works for the city and inputs data remotely and what not (He’s one smart sunuvagun too, I love the tall bastard). Another friend sells life insurance to the old Russian people in his neighborhood and he gets by too.
These are just examples, but the process of job hunting and workin in the states is extreme. The government ain’t as positively involved with its citizens as the govts in Europe are with theirs, if you can’t snag a job that’s steady and pays well you will fall into an almost inescapable death trap. Wealth is truly much more important in the States.
And I do feel a bit bad raggin on life in the US, cause everyone seems to do that nowadays (though surely they must have a reason). It’s certainly better than life in Iran in many aspects, but for a supposedly free and prosperous Western nation, it’s got some major issues!
In summary: If you can study hard or work hard, then you’ll get by in the states along with all the other friendly Americans. BUt don’t screw up, there’s no mercy.
FinnAnon, if I had to guess where you would like the most, I would say LA for a quick visit and New York for living. LA has better weather and more sights to see but it really grinds on you if you’re not the LA type, whereas New York is a bit closer to European style, so perhaps more familiar for long term staying!
As always, friend, if you want me to be more specific with something, don’t hesitate to say so. I only answer as vaguely as the questions I am presented.If there’s a more specific aspect of US life (like HOW do people go about drinking, what do they drink, how is drinking viewed for casual fun, ect, ect) just ask, I am your comedic guide to the culture of the States!
Hmm, my questions..
How is the Finnish cinema scene? Lots of movies being made? What do Finns think of their film students? Of their directors, writers, actors?