Things I've had to explain about the U.S.

[R&W 5]

I can't even think of them now but I know I've had a few funny moments of explaining things like this! It's good to remember sometimes the world doesn't work the same way for everyone as it does for us (Can you tell I'm a sociology minor? )

Yes it's true.

I am a Filipina and my husband is an American. And it's neat how we keep on learning from each other. I know all of us have stories like that.

I remember a night when I can't sleep; he started talking about Southwest Airlines... (We're both accountants so it's neat that we have common language)... well the story made me to sleep. From then on, history, worldmarket stories and things like that became my bedtime stories.

hello, not to pick on you or anything...but if your wife-to-be went to school and finished college (and even if she didn't...she watched enough movies/tv and/or read books/newpapers/magazines)...you don't really need to explain to her the falling leaves or how the government of the US works. as i can remember, it was covered in my Science and World History/Government classes...in highschool.

I also understand his point. Well in fact, I TRULY understand his point. It's like a defense for Filipino people. Because a lot of Filipinas way back (or even today) made their impact to the whole world as "craving socialites". That just marrying a "foreigner" is the key to improve their lives.

Fortunately there are schooled boys and girls here who are also economically okay who happen to marry Americans (or from anywhere)... who are hurt because of unfair judgement.

Enjoy everyone!!!

Wendy

[MarieAnastasia 0]

Even though Bruce & I are from very similar countries (Canada & US) every day we learn something new about the other. He really gets a chuckle out of my cultural (Newfoundland) because we have so many sayings that only a Newfoundlander would understand. And I get a chuckle out of his Maine accent. But it is all in fun and with the utmost respect. We love each other with our hearts and souls and we love learning about each other. That's what it's all about...................{{{{HUGS}}}

[gatoradenz 0]

Awesome thread, I'm sure my husband could add a billion things to this. I also cant figure out why the tax isnt already considered into the main price you see on the shelves. I've been here 4 years and still ask WHY at least once a week!!!!

[isuckspam 0]

4) why people think he is from Australia (even worse, when working one day the customer was asked who assisted her, and she said, "that Mexican guy" and she had even spoken to him he still gets ribbed at work for that one )

On my trips to see her I've been called, Australian, south african and Irish. I'm always like actually no, I'm from London, England.

[lucyrich 20]

The night of Bush's state of the Union address, Lucy was bummed out. She thought she wouldn't get to see "American Idol". She was used to Hugo Chavez. When he gets in the mood to talk (which is very frequently), he takes over all the nation's TV stations and blathers on and on for multiple hours, pre-empting all TV for the night. When I told Lucy that Bush would stop speaking in about an hour or so, she didn't believe me.

Daylight saving time is another concept that took some explaining.

[gatoradenz 0]

Meant to add, I've been called Australian, South African and British too.... sigh....

[meauxna 15]

OK, I know this might seem kind of dorky, but I've recommended this guide so many times I figured I should read it, and guess what?! There are actually some simple explanations of some of the basics of US life that the average joe/joe-ette can benefit from!

Check it out, esp. the Getting Settled and beyond portions:

Welcome to the United States:

A Guide for New Immigrants

http://uscis.gov/graphics/citizenship/imm_guide.htm

[silly_chick 0]

Great thread!

I can't remember my sweetheart actually explaining things to me... Maybe about the difference between a debit and a credit card (in Russia a credit card is a slightly different thing), but gee, it was 10,000 years ago... I do find our relationship mutually beneficial, because there's so much we can learn from each other! And wow, do I love it!

And I find it extremely inspirational that different countried operate differently. I enjoy learning more and more about the U.S., and I realize that I've learnt to accept a lot of things that used to annoy me at first (like sales tax that for some reason can't be added to prices ).

[de_sjiem 0]

Awesome thread, I'm sure my husband could add a billion things to this. I also cant figure out why the tax isnt already considered into the main price you see on the shelves. I've been here 4 years and still ask WHY at least once a week!!!!

They do it cuz it makes the prices look smaller... its like something costing 5.99 instead of 6 bucks.. just looks smaller even though it isn't really..

[Cassie 8]

After working 10+ years in jobs that involved dealing with tourists, I have a multitude of stories, but I won't bore you with them.......

Since I have been living here...

I've had more conversations about Smarties, snow in Nova Scotia, the health care system, "yes, there are white sand beaches in Canada", news coverage, and our loonies and two-nies than I care to admit. But the craziest question I was asked was last year, on the first really warm day in spring. I broke out my sandals, and went to an outing at our church. Someone looked at my footware, and asked "Is this the first time you've ever worn sandals?"

[Peggy 1]

Too funny Cassie.........

Some of the questions people ask me are just too funny.

[john_and_marlene 162]

I'm nearing the end of my day here at work and found myself daydreaming about some of the interesting things I've had to explain to Marlene (Philippines) about the U.S.

1. Deciduous trees. Why we don't cut them down when the leaves all fall off.

2. annual vs. perinneal flowers ... and why we can't put most of them outside in Oklahoma in February.

3. The government actually refunding overpaid taxes.

4. Why manicures are $25 - $35 instead of $4

5. Same reason why the taxi is $25 instead of $1

6. Same reason why a 60 minute massage is $125 instead of $15

7. Distances ... we drove to see my mother .... it was 700 miles but just in the next state.

..... many many more but to difficult to put into a bullet

I'm sure there will be many more ....

hello, not to pick on you or anything...but if your wife-to-be went to school and finished college (and even if she didn't...she watched enough movies/tv and/or read books/newpapers/magazines)...you don't really need to explain to her the falling leaves or how the government of the US works. as i can remember, it was covered in my Science and World History/Government classes...in highschool.

also, it's common knowledge that everything in the US is ten times more expensive than the Philippines. for this reason, when we go back and visit...we try to do all the pampering we can get for cheaper (massage, hair done and other spa stuff)...well...at least, i do.

maybe this approach will work...answer whatever questions she has about life in the US without being condescending. (i think she'll be asking about the English slang usage and other "cultural" stuff...like...people you don't know will say HI to you just to say HI.) you'll be surprised on how much Filipinos know about the US. it's not surprising because no matter how much we want the US out of our country...we so want a lot of things american.

so yeah...in a nutshell. this is the least of your worries.

Actually these ARE the things she has asked about.

[john_and_marlene 162]

I'm nearing the end of my day here at work and found myself daydreaming about some of the interesting things I've had to explain to Marlene (Philippines) about the U.S.

1. Deciduous trees. Why we don't cut them down when the leaves all fall off.

2. annual vs. perinneal flowers ... and why we can't put most of them outside in Oklahoma in February.

3. The government actually refunding overpaid taxes.

4. Why manicures are $25 - $35 instead of $4

5. Same reason why the taxi is $25 instead of $1

6. Same reason why a 60 minute massage is $125 instead of $15

7. Distances ... we drove to see my mother .... it was 700 miles but just in the next state.

..... many many more but to difficult to put into a bullet

I'm sure there will be many more ....

hello, not to pick on you or anything...but if your wife-to-be went to school and finished college (and even if she didn't...she watched enough movies/tv and/or read books/newpapers/magazines)...you don't really need to explain to her the falling leaves or how the government of the US works. as i can remember, it was covered in my Science and World History/Government classes...in highschool.

also, it's common knowledge that everything in the US is ten times more expensive than the Philippines. for this reason, when we go back and visit...we try to do all the pampering we can get for cheaper (massage, hair done and other spa stuff)...well...at least, i do.

maybe this approach will work...answer whatever questions she has about life in the US without being condescending. (i think she'll be asking about the English slang usage and other "cultural" stuff...like...people you don't know will say HI to you just to say HI.) you'll be surprised on how much Filipinos know about the US. it's not surprising because no matter how much we want the US out of our country...we so want a lot of things american.

so yeah...in a nutshell. this is the least of your worries.

Actually these ARE the things she has asked about.

I just thought I'd add a couple of comments. My wife is a college graduate and has worked for international companies for most of her adult life. She is very bright and witty, but she had some rather endearing questions. Perhaps you were just condescending to me because you are such a young pup that you wouldn't understand the situation when those much older than yourself attended school there. Marlene has told me stories about what it was like going to school during the Marcos martial law era and I'm surprised they were able to concentrate a many nuances of life in other countries.

Edited February 13, 2006 by john_and_marlene

[ceriserose 1]

Well, as the immigrant, I've had to have a few things explained to me. Nothing major (I only moved 4 hours south of where I grew up in Canada) but one of my favorites was when we were discussing taking a trip.

We haven't had a honeymoon yet and when I mentioned that I thought Hawaii would be nice for us (relatively close, tropical, CAPS hasn't been there) we went through pros and cons of it. And then I mentioned that we'd need to get his passport in order before we went. (I hadn't been thinking clearly, obviously.)

The look on his face was priceless. And now I can't bring up Hawaii without him making a comment that he doesn't have his passport yet.

[john_and_marlene 162]

Well, as the immigrant, I've had to have a few things explained to me. Nothing major (I only moved 4 hours south of where I grew up in Canada) but one of my favorites was when we were discussing taking a trip.

We haven't had a honeymoon yet and when I mentioned that I thought Hawaii would be nice for us (relatively close, tropical, CAPS hasn't been there) we went through pros and cons of it. And then I mentioned that we'd need to get his passport in order before we went. (I hadn't been thinking clearly, obviously.)

The look on his face was priceless. And now I can't bring up Hawaii without him making a comment that he doesn't have his passport yet.

We booked our tickets to Hawaii this past Friday to finally take our honeymoon in May. I will finally have enough vacation time from work again. I guess it's a good thing I have my passport alread

We're going to Oahu for a week starting May 13th. We'll be at the Outrigger Reef on the beach We've never been to a Luau and couldn't decide which one sounded the best, so we signed up for 2 different ones.