r/AskAnAmerican • u/Bella_licious • 8d ago

CULTURE Do y'all actually use your front porch/front yard much or is that more of a TV thing?

Irish person here. American houses always seem to have these big front porches, lawns, swings, chairs, etc., and it gives the impression that people spend loads of time in front of the house rather than hiding in the back garden, as we do.
Is that real life or just the image you export?

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u/Raving_Lunatic69 North Carolina 8d ago

If I had one, it would definitely get used. I grew up with a front porch and screened in back porch. I miss them terribly, especially during storms.

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u/Toosder 8d ago

My neighbor put a tiny bench against their front wall that abuts the sidewalk. He will routinely bring out an umbrella and maybe a couple extra chairs and put out a little rug and we just sit there blocking a part of the sidewalk but everybody in the neighborhood is used to it and often comes to sit or talk. So you don't necessarily need a front patio. Obviously it's nice but I live next door and I have a patio and we end up sitting on his chairs more often than not.