"The Kindness of Americans.. an Omaha... " a Omaha Travel Page by cochinjew

Because of my interest in the Tribes living in Nebraska, I have to fly into Omaha fairly often. Over the period of months, I have been staying at Sleep Inn, just five minutes from the airport. and on my repeated visits I had become friendly with the staff. (this is a small hotel)
I arrived yesterday late from Portland Oregon and had to rush to the Indian reservation this morning and returned this evening. On entering the hotel I realized that my dirty laundry which I was supposed to have dropped off at a Mexican owned laundry in South Sioux City (to be picked up on my next visit) was still in the back seat of my rented car.
As I entered to check in, TaShayla was at the desk and I explained the situation. She without hesitation said: that is no problem, I am not that busy tonight and we have a nice machine, I will put it in for you.
How kind are people in the United States?
In my years of visiting this country, I have come across kindness over and over again. there may be other countries where people are more polite, but in USA, they are friendly, not because they want something from you ( me a foreigner from Australia, with deep connections to Cuba, their supposed enemy) BUT because what they can do for you. Compare this with the grumpy chinese singaporeans, half hearted service you receive in so many other parts of Middle East and Asia..
Since I have to do a fair bit of travel within the USA, I have always been met with warm smiles, great service and help when true help is needed.
Muchas Gracias..

I am always astounded by the friendliness of the people at Continental airliens counter, Avis Rent A Car counter and also at the front desk of the Sleep Inn near the airport.
On My december visit,I had booked a car, but they had upgraded me to a large more comfortable car. I went to them and said I would like a less luxurious car! they laughed and gave me a more luxurious car!
Same thing happened when I went at 8 pm for coffee and a croissant at Delyce Cafe, the ladies couldnt be kind enough.
My theory is that americans that I come in contact with, in this context, usually for a few minutes at a time, know that I am a foreigner and immediately accord a great welcome to me. It never fails regardless of the place in the USA I go to.. after a while I have come to expect it, to be treated like a visiting Royalty!

This is a great vexing questions when one comes to the midwestern part of tlhis country.
My long term association with the UmonHon and HoCank Tribes of Nebraska brings me back to their territory on a regular basis. I fly into Omaha, usually on Continental Airlines. If it is after an international flight, last year I used to fly Tokyo to Houston and then connect to Omaha or this year, it has been Paris to New York and then Connect, I spend the night at sleep Inn near the airport.
On this visit, I decided to stock up on some good food, before i journeyed to visit the Dakota in South Dakota. Went to visit WILD OATS food market and it was a pleasure to shop there, found so many good food items and was happy to chat with the filipino who makes the sushi and also to the various helpers. Loaded up with vegetables, some wine for friends and also some organic stuff for my friens in South Dakota.. a nice experience for someone who is not in the habit of shopping for food ( in Asnieres sur seine, we buy food as necessary locally and usually fresh )
Certain Rituals: coffee and croissant at Delyce Cafe and occasional lunch at Le Bouvet and always a visit to the Jackson Street Bookstore.
The pretentious vietnamese who run the Mongolian BarBQ where the workers are mexicans, I go there because of the Mexicans and not the vietnamese..I wish I could have some good vietnamese food here, eventhough I am old there is one in the suburbs called Saigon, perhaps the one which used to be in midtown.
ALORS, WILD OATS IS NO MORE, THANK GOD THE VIETNAMESE OWNER HAS LEFT, AND SAIGON SERVES GOOD FOOD IN THE SUBURBS. WHOLE FOOD IS IN THE SUBURB DIFFICULT TO FIND AND EXTREMELY HIGH PRICES TO BOOT.