Don Close is labeled a "redneck" and "Rambo" back home in Australia for his love of hunting.

But even he was a little wary of what the people he’d meet would be like when he came to the United States.

"The media over there seems to paint a picture of America that everyone over here is a gun-toting thug or murderer," said the resident of Melbourne.

" ‘You don’t want Australia to become like America’ is often a catch phrase," added his wife, Maureen, who also has a "shooter’s license."

But in six weeks in the Shenango Valley and visiting tourist sites such as Washington and Niagara Falls, the couple had only nice things to say about Americans.

"I like the respect that is showed to people for whatever their interests are," Mrs. Close said. "It doesn’t matter whether people like it or not, they respect you for it. We don’t get a lot of tolerance."

"Patriotic and well-mannered," added Close. "You’re friendly people. Even people I don’t know are extremely friendly."

In many ways, the two countries are alike, Close said. They are generally the same size, although Australia’s population of 18 million is less than Los Angeles’.

Kangaroo crossing signs are as prevalent down under as deer crossing signs are on American interstates.

"It’s just small, different things: spellings, words, meanings of words," Close said. "I think you’ve got a constitution that allows you a lot of freedom, especially on gun issues and things like that. We don’t have a constitution that allows us the freedoms that you have. We don’t have a bill of rights or anything like that."

Close especially likes the American gun laws. Australia makes it difficult to own guns, even requiring permits for BB and paintball guns, and people generally frown upon gun owners.

"If you had an imitation or toy gun in a store, the owner would be charged under the firearms act," he said.

Although both countries speak English, the differing accents sometimes make it seem like a different language is being spoken.

"A couple of times at checkouts the girl would say something I couldn’t understand," Close said. "I would say, ‘I beg your pardon,’ and she couldn’t understand me."

Close was teased by his brothers- and sisters-in-law for his heavy accent. Asked to say 1888, it came out sounding like "iteen-itee-ite."

The Closes were surprised at the number and nearness of food stores and restaurants.

"You’d never starve to death in America as long as you’ve got a dollar in your pocket," he said.

The Closes said they find drivers more polite in the United States, even though in Los Angeles, "Everybody’s hand was stuck on their horn," Mrs. Close said.

"It’s against the law to use a horn back home unless it’s an emergency," Close explained.