Strange things you're not used to

[weedebz 0]

Are the Yanks the only people on this planet who write their dates back to front?

One of my shocks was banking. At my local bank we have to pay for cheque books and they don't allow an overdraft. Back in England they practically threw chequebooks at you and gave you generous interest free overdrafts even if you saw your bank manager and simply looked down at your shoes and mumbled that you hadn't any money.

I had to fight with my bank manager to REMOVE my interest free overdraft. No overdraft, no temptation to go into it.

[Jeraly 4]

Haha - I am working at paying mine off but keep spending money - sucks!!

[JVKn'CVO 11]

I'm not used to medicines and doctor's visits being so expensive. In Argentina, by law you get full medical coverage for the whole family, with no charge for you, and all medical expenses are covered with the insurance. I had an average income when I was living there, and I had a very nice health insurance (with a swiss company). I had dental care fully covered, could go to the doctor or specialists as many times as I wanted with no charge for me. Even home visits. When I learned that hubby had a monthly charge of $180 to add me to his policy, and that the plan only covers 75% of bill, I was very surprised.

Saludos,

Caro

Edited January 21, 2008 by JVKn'CVO

[Jeraly 4]

I think that is why benefits are such a huge part of American employment and why people will take lower paying jobs if they have a decent benefits package I must say I find it weird as well though...

[JVKn'CVO 11]

I think that is why benefits are such a huge part of American employment and why people will take lower paying jobs if they have a decent benefits package I must say I find it weird as well though...

I'll definetly look very closely at the benefits before I accept a job here. In a year or two we plan to start a family, and Justin was telling me that there is no standard benefit for maternity leave? is that true? In Argentina, you get 45 days full pay, and the option to take a 6 months leave without pay (this is up to the employee to take or not, it's determined by law and the boss cannot refuse this benefit, and if they try to fire you the penalties are huge). if you come back to work after the 45 days, you have access to "breast feeding schedule", which means you work part time, but still get paid full time.

By the way, I love both my home country AND my new home. Please nobody take offense.

Saludos,

Caro

[Jeraly 4]

Hehe - I think as a teacher here you are entitled to 6 months paid and 6 months unpaid... although maybe it is 3 months full pay and 3 months half pay... I can't remember... never been pregnant I'm hoping by the time we start a family we will be in a financial situation that will allow us to support our family... even if it is a struggle at times - I mean nothing is perfect

[JVKn'CVO 11]

That's nice teachers always seem to have such cool benefits with leaves of absence and vacations, I'm so jelous!

I guess finding the balance between raising kids and a career is never easy, eh? no matter what country you're in

Saludos,

Caro

[Marilyn. 340]

I am in the market for a job, kind of and yesterday I got this email from monster.com about someone who was looking for a nanny.... he was offering a car plus medical and dental .. I have never had a nanny job where they offer that... the only drawback to the job was that he wanted a live-in nanny...

[Jeraly 4]

Haha - prolly why the benefits were good - but still - if you were a single person... you wouldn't have to worry about rent or anything!!

[Marilyn. 340]

it also was a single father with a young son.. that might be kind of weird

[athena_ny 1]

Benefits in the US suck no matter where you're from, I think. I've only ever lived in the US and am shocked at how we're guaranteed no paid vacation while other countries have it written into laws, no guaranteed sick time, etc. I have good health insurance, but every year the number of companies offering decent or ANY health insurance goes down, and we have no national health insurance (and no, I don't think the plans proposed for a plan were good enough for this country).

I've been watching too much Lewis Black this weekend...excuse my anger *bangs head*

[Jeraly 4]

it also was a single father with a young son.. that might be kind of weird

Haha - like I said - an ideal job for a singleton

[Emancipation 2]

nevermind the pre-pay at the pump, I had to learn how to pump gas when I moved here! I'd never had to do it before up home, there's still full serve stations up there. None around here. I hate the smell, it makes me nauseous

You need to move to New Jersey.. Full Service is the law.. no self serve there at all!!

[JandC 0]

Okay....bag boys taking my shopping to my truck! The first time one tried to do it I thought he was running off with my stuff!

[Krikit 1,164]

Okay....bag boys taking my shopping to my truck! The first time one tried to do it I thought he was running off with my stuff!