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

[OKflyboy 35]

Water towers are up in the air so that when the water is used, gravity will create water pressure to move it through the pipes.

My fiance still curses about the sale tax not being added to the price, and he kept forgetting while he was driving over here that he could, in fact, turn right on a red light.

Actually most of the time pumps create water pressure. The purpose of the water towers is to act as a backup in case there is a large drawdown of water that the pumps can't keep up with (such as to fight a large fire) or an emergency (like a blackout turning off all the pumps), there will always be adequate water pressure for fire fighting and public health purposes.

Acutally, I'd never heard it that way, my understanding was that Luva had t right, but it looks like you're both right:

http://people.howstuffworks.com/water1.htm

Edited February 22, 2006 by OKflyboy

[meddykomp 0]

Magnus was amazed at how quickly dinner is served at restaurants. In Sweden, you wait a long time before they bring meals out to you after you have ordered the food, where as it takes only about 15 minutes here. Also the concept of tipping a server was new to him.

[pax 0]

Yes, Ewen and I have had several discussions about tipping. I had to explain that in the States, wait staff are exempt from minimum wage laws, so they make their money in tips.

He especially couldn't believe that you're supposed to tip bartenders. I told him that if you're at the bar on a weekend night, you better tip that bartender if you ever want a second drink!

[Texanadian 10]

One thing I've noticed about the water towers is that it makes the water a lot hotter. Turning on only the cold water tap in Texas, the water is WARM! Especially in the summertime. It's kind of a bummer as you want cold water to soak your face in a facecloth when it's hot and sticky outside.

[Jaylen Brit 0]

Yes, Ewen and I have had several discussions about tipping. I had to explain that in the States, wait staff are exempt from minimum wage laws, so they make their money in tips.

He especially couldn't believe that you're supposed to tip bartenders. I told him that if you're at the bar on a weekend night, you better tip that bartender if you ever want a second drink!

A friend of mine worked in NY for a while - which btw she LOVED - always said if she ever emigrated she'd go live in NY even tho she also loved the laid back Ca. lifestyle that so impressed ME - anyways - she and some pals were in a bar one night and the girl she was with didn't tip the bar waitress (my friend tipped as she was used to the NY culture)..the waitress followed her out of the bar at the end of evening and aggressively demanded her tips!!!!

And thanks for the water tower info Now I know, I'm happy

[CarolineM 0]

OOOH the tipping thing. YES it makes Stewart crazy - like ewen, it's at the pub where he most doesn't get it. He cannot FATHOM having to tip someone for pouring a beer...

He also doesn't understand why many Americans think that Outback Steakhouse is just SO Australian....

He gets a kick out of that place

[john_and_marlene 162]

OOOH the tipping thing. YES it makes Stewart crazy - like ewen, it's at the pub where he most doesn't get it. He cannot FATHOM having to tip someone for pouring a beer...

He also doesn't understand why many Americans think that Outback Steakhouse is just SO Australian....

He gets a kick out of that place

Your post brings Taco Bell to my mind. When they advertise it as "south of the border" .... I think Canada

[Texanadian 10]

I'm amazed people get mail at all. I don't know if this is common everywhere or not, but in Houston nobody seems to put Rd/Dr/St/Blvd on the end of their mailing address. And it's a large city too! Also I'd guess that 80%+ don't use the full zip code. Just the shortened one.

[Moon9393 0]

Ok this is funny. I was goin to the grocery store and my father in law asked me if i could buy him some CASHEW (the nuts) i said ok and i went to my husband saying: WHY YOUR DAD WANTS SOME CAT SHOES?HE doesnt even have a cat!!

[25ford 0]

We have had some laughs about my attempts at Bisayan. I have found out what Leonedesa types in chatting with me is not the way she pronounces the words sometimes, for example she says slippers and types sleepers. Daylight savings time was a concept I had to explain so we would be online at the same time to chat.

[Aymerlu 3]

This thread made me giggle! I was just with my fiance and we had a lot of discussions about the differences in our countries. It will be interesting when he gets here and experiences everything for himself. He is also very knowledgable about U.S history which amazed me. The only things I know about the history of Egypt is what I have seen on the Discover channel or what I have learned recently! LOL! Guess I need to study up more!

[zyggy 9]

I'm amazed people get mail at all. I don't know if this is common everywhere or not, but in Houston nobody seems to put Rd/Dr/St/Blvd on the end of their mailing address. And it's a large city too! Also I'd guess that 80%+ don't use the full zip code. Just the shortened one.

The only reason that you would be required to puv Ave. Blvd etc on the end of an address is if it refers to two different streets a la New York City. However, that's mostly an East Coast Phenomenon. In most places it's not required at all. In most places each street has a unique name. In this case the added indentifier such as Ave is not required at all.

And normal people are only required to use the First 5 numbers of the Zip Code. The ZIP+4 is only required for mass mailers.

Edited February 27, 2006 by zyggy

[Sister Fracas 5]

Ok this is funny. I was goin to the grocery store and my father in law asked me if i could buy him some CASHEW (the nuts) i said ok and i went to my husband saying: WHY YOUR DAD WANTS SOME CAT SHOES?HE doesnt even have a cat!!

aww...heehee...cute!

[john_and_marlene 162]

We have had some laughs about my attempts at Bisayan. I have found out what Leonedesa types in chatting with me is not the way she pronounces the words sometimes, for example she says slippers and types sleepers. Daylight savings time was a concept I had to explain so we would be online at the same time to chat.

I had almost forgotten the times I had to explain daylight savings time.

[luvaLimey 0]

...you mean you don't tip bartenders in other countries?

><

all this time I'd thought he was just being cheap at the bar!

... and that explains the funny looks the bar girl gave me at that pub in London.