There's quite a lot of America-bashing on this forum, which is all fine and dandy, except I've got to go there next week, and I'm starting to get a little worried. I won't be in New York or Los Angeles or anywhere fancy like that, but a small town in the Mid West where, I'm told, it's quite chilly at the moment.

I've never been to the New World before, and I have no idea what to expect, apart from what I've seen at the pictures. I'm guessing that most of what I've seen at the pictures is a load of cobblers.

So... rural middle America: What is it really like? What should I do there? What should I be careful about? What enormous social mistakes should I avoid? What shouldn't I miss?

Also, if anyone has any advice about being stuck in an aeroplane for the equivalent of a British working day, and dealing with the chaps in immigration, I'd love to hear it.

Cheers, er, guys.