Strange things you're not used to

[StillThePrettiest 3]

Answering it isn't what makes me uncomfortable. The fact that they ask it is what makes me uncomfortable.

So ignore it. Maybe it'll make you more comfortable.

I know what you mean, Joe... and I don't think that's the answer, athena

I think part of it is, if you're used to things like that being big no-nos, you just get uncomfortable anyway, but then there's the personal reaction of 'WHY is this important?!' and if it verges on racism, then ignoring it won't do anything, just like in general conversation...

mind you, an implication of the recent anti-Age Discrimination law here in the UK is that you can no longer advertise (or give, as far as I know) bonus holiday for longer service

some things just go too far...

[Don_Joy's Prince 0]

Oh, health care in the United States....don't get me started .

It is the best health care in the world that money can buy, you just have to have the money! That is what pisses you off.

as far as the Gas pumping and the sales tax, come to Oregon we have no sales tax and we do not have self serve gas. You sit in your car give the guy your credit card and in a min. he gives it back. Then when he is done he puts the nozzle back and away you go.

[Jeraly 4]

Yeah - Oregon *does* have sales tax, it is just included in the shelf price - so if something says $2.99 then that's what you pay - it was brilliant when we went up to visit Jeremy's family!!

Of course the only thing putting me off moving up to OR is the fact that Jeremy's family live there

And will defo have to check on the med insurance thing

[pucklechurch 0]

I am finding some things very strange here that I am not used to

They have driveup everything here,you barly need to get out of the car for anything.

If they had drive through supermarkets I bet the people would love it here LOL

yaeh, they even have drive thru pharmacies

The other day I even came across a Drive-Thru Gas Station. Whatever next?

[Converse34 1]

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

I LOVE NJ!! I am from NJ and my mom came out to Chicago with me to look for apartments. Neither one of us had ever pumped gas before (I lived in the UK for last 6 years with no car - She always had my dad do it out of state). We just stood at the gas station asking people.

Can you help us pump gas? We are from NJ and don't know how to do it!! People thought we were nuts!

[Jeraly 4]

Haha - that is pretty funny

[Mrs.J06 4]

I am finding some things very strange here that I am not used to

They have driveup everything here,you barly need to get out of the car for anything.

If they had drive through supermarkets I bet the people would love it here LOL

yaeh, they even have drive thru pharmacies

The other day I even came across a Drive-Thru Gas Station. Whatever next?

No Kidding!

I still have a hard time getting used to the many windows that don't open!

[Don_Joy's Prince 0]

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

I LOVE NJ!! I am from NJ and my mom came out to Chicago with me to look for apartments. Neither one of us had ever pumped gas before (I lived in the UK for last 6 years with no car - She always had my dad do it out of state). We just stood at the gas station asking people.

Can you help us pump gas? We are from NJ and don't know how to do it!! People thought we were nuts!

I did the same thing once in Seattle. The clerk behind the counter tried to say that I already got my gas because I messed it up the first time with no gas pumped. I had to get a little "strong" with the gentleman to get the pump turned back on. Then once in Idaho I tried it outside with the credit card and pumped only 1 penny worth of gas and had to swipe the credit card again.

We pay income taxes and property taxes, no sales tax in Oregon. They have tried some 23 times or so to get a sales tax approved on the ballot, only to be resoundingly defeated each and every time. I am not saying income tax is better though. It's just the way it is. So better not add another tax we would end up like California, and that would be a real tragedy!

The soda fountain free refills are only a gimmick to get you to come to their fast food establishment. It was driven by competition, it did not used to be that way, back in the 70's only one soda. But in the 80's once one fast food outlet started it all the others had to follow suit. You do not have to drink it. I drink only water.

[kim&james 0]

The pay before you pump is weird. James laughed himself silly the first (and only) time I ever put (or tried) "petrol" in the truck (Ute)

Sizes of clothing has me stumped most of the time. I now take a list of my measurements with me and ask if this looks about right before trying on clothes.

How unsafe using a credit card is here. I have yet for anyone to even check the signature on my card let alone see if it is even my card. Im horrified that so often, you can just hand a card over, any card and it is ok.

Different family members, going to the shops will ask if anyone needs anything and anyone who does will give over their card. In both Australia and New Zealand, When the receipt is signed, you check the name and the signature. If it does not match in any way, you ask for ID and make a note on the receipt. If you still have concerns you ph the hotline and get approval for the transaction. No wonder there is so much CC fraud here.

The refills at fast food places, I still feel uncomfortable with that, it does feel like stealing.

Paying for healthcare. Thankfully James company has a great plan for both of us.

The short holidays given and less public holidays.

[kelzm 0]

Kim - you'd find New Zealand has changed a bit since you left. It now seems far more like the USA.

We have pay before you pump petrol as a result of the petrol prices going up so much and people driving off without paying. Only one gas company has put in the creditcard swipe pumps though (which I love, I hate lining up inside to pay first).

All the fast food places are installing drink machines in the restaurants now, to let people do refills. NZ is like a mini USA, thankfully healthcare is still subsidised but the waiting lists for any type of surgery are atrocious.

[Rob1980 0]

Paying for healthcare. I don't have it, if I got run over tomorrow we'd be screwed. Hopefully I can find a job where I get good healthcare.

We've been to NJ a few times and had someone 'pump gas' for us. That, to me, is weird. It feels wrong to not do it yourself. Lazy?

In certain areas you can't even walk to the nearest pub or shop. You literally HAVE to drive!

Tipping in pubs.

Small pint size.

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Tipping in pubs.

This one gets me...fortunately I drink very little.

Then again...I haven't seen any pubs within ten miles of where I'll be living. Right now in the UK I pass four on my way to work - and that's just a mile's walk.

Portion size and asking for a 'box' so you can take food home with you...that'll take me a while to get used to. I was always told it was impolite to leave food on your plate but I'll have to in the US unless I want to balloon to double my size!

[pucklechurch 0]

Yes, tipping in bars!!

So we pay your wages not your employer. No, not a chance. I'm not giving anyone a dollar for opening a bottle and putting it front of me. If I get served a meal and a few beers then I may tip but if I'm on a pub crawl, no way.

One other things that the Yanks do is constantly annoy me whilst I'm eating with the 'is everything all right' and 'do you need more of this or that' and 'can I get you a second helping of lard with your lardburger' etc. No. leave me alone and I'll simply call you if I want something. Instead of hovering around me looking for a tip just ####### off and do something useful like wash the dishes or guide cars into the parking lot correctly.

[mox 298]

Yes, tipping in bars!!

So we pay your wages not your employer. No, not a chance. I'm not giving anyone a dollar for opening a bottle and putting it front of me. If I get served a meal and a few beers then I may tip but if I'm on a pub crawl, no way.

Just keep in mind that those in the service industry pay taxes on tips whether they receive them or not. It's kind of a strange system, but basically the IRS decided that since servers weren't reporting their tips as income as they ought to, that they would just decide how much a typical server makes in tips and tax them on that. The server can avoid paying that tax by carefully documenting each and every tip, but most don't. So your server really isn't to blame for this system, and (IMHO) ought not to be penalized unless you really do feel your service wasn't adequate. (in which case I'd definitely avoid tipping)

One other things that the Yanks do is constantly annoy me whilst I'm eating with the 'is everything all right' and 'do you need more of this or that' and 'can I get you a second helping of lard with your lardburger' etc. No. leave me alone and I'll simply call you if I want something. Instead of hovering around me looking for a tip just ####### off and do something useful like wash the dishes or guide cars into the parking lot correctly.

Yeah, that annoys me too. But in most cases they're not looking for a tip. These chain restaurants instruct their wait staff to check up on you every so often. As an ex waiter myself (college days), believe me it bugged me as much as it bugs you. I'd rather be grabbing a precious sit-down minute in the kitchen rather than swinging from table to table asking if I can refill your little linoleum lizard's sippy cup or wondering if I can get the Missus a third bowl of sour cream to put on her salad.

[pucklechurch 0]

True, very true. My gripe isn't with the staff who have to almost prostitute themselves to supplement their earnings, it's with the employers who force them to do this. My meal gets ruined by waiting staff buzzing around me like flies around dog's business and all the time it's for some restaurant owner to get his/her hands on some fat profit to live the 'American Dream' and open up a similar cafe in the next town, or something.