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

[Tobester 0]

I had to get some medicine at the pharmacist. She asked me what country I was from so i told her: " the Netherlands". She gave me a puzzled look and asked: "Which one?"

[LaGreenEyes 0]

With Carlos being from Panama, I, too had to explain the reasons why a taxi is 25.00 not 2.00 and the tipping thing! He totally does not get it and agreed that when he gets a job and all that, he will pay the food bill but I am to leave the tip haha! I also showed/explained to him the joy of coupons..for groceries, restaurants, dry cleaning etc. He was amazed and happily shocked at the whole process. Buy one dinner and get one free...what a concept! He was also very surprised that in this country if you get bad service, a bad product, etc..usually if you complain you get compensated if the complaint is warranted. I guess that NEVER happens in Panama. If you don't like your food or your service or if a product is damaged too bad so sad. Even if a merchandise is defective the store will not take it back. When my mother in law was staying with us before the wedding, she was amazed that in the mall you could go into a store with a package from another store and did not have to check it in at the door, leave it and get a number. You have to do that at all the malls in Panama..guess they have alot of theft.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Tipping is considered rude in some countries

In China, I tried tipping taxi drivers and what not and they just wouldn't accept it. The bartenders at the bars in Beijing where all the westerners go to seem to have cottoned on to the concept though

[eau_xplain 2]

I had to get some medicine at the pharmacist. She asked me what country I was from so i told her: " the Netherlands". She gave me a puzzled look and asked: "Which one?"

:lol:

That would be somewhere near the "Nether-regions" right?

[Artegal 1]

My wife is from Peru and she does not understand why we do not have Taxis and Buses running up and down the main streets every minute.

I had to explain tipping. 24 Hour grocery stores and walmart. Also being able to return items for something else or money. She likes to open and things and sample them before buying them--and I have to tell her that is not allowed here without like permission to do so. Sales tax has not really come up. But property tax is a lot higher here so that has been an issue.

She thinks that the Mailman (lady) is really really busy since everyone has a mailbox and everyone seems to get mail--I told her that there are more then just one mailman doing the job so do not worry. How nobody will normally steal the mail that is in the mailbox.

She also had to be told about seat belt use--that children under like so many pounds or age need to be in childseats, and that law enforcement are strict on moving violations. How can I leave my car unlocked in our driveway. Why none of the homes have bars on the windows--and that homes are made from wood or otherwise non-reinforced concrete. She also was told how prisoners clean the streets to cut time or as part of their punishment. What else--oh also how you do not get free gifts when you buy stuff and how the days get a lot longer in Summer and shorter in Winter.

Edited March 5, 2006 by Artegal

[allserene 0]

I was in York (THE York) and an American girl got talking to me - she said - 'we are going to Norway tomorrow - is that in the North of England too ? '

Many brits say to me 'is it hot in america ? ' - they don't appreciate the variety of climates at all.

I reckon geography is not too strong in the uk or usa

My american wife thinks that Manchester and York etc were named AFTER the American towns...

I keep saying - do you mean the original Boston ? - she says - yes in Massachusetts....

Things I've explained:

1. How to execute a 4-way stop

2. The seperation of powers of the federal government, i.e. what the president can and can't do (or is not supposed to anyway)

3. What is handled at the state level, versus what is decided at the national level

4. Why US series have so many repeats in the middle of a run, the concept of the television "season", and the "sweeps" period

5. American football

I would love to execute a 4 way stop but there is no death penalty in Wisconsin

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Hey, what's that 4-way stop ever done to you?!?!

cue allan thread: "roundabouts: americans just don't understand"

[j&js 0]

Actually we do have rotaries in MA, but out-of-staters always look confused on them and get in the way! I've seen a few in PA too, but just on small streets usually

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I once saw my life flash before my eyes on that rotary that goes before the bridge that takes you to the Cape

[luvaLimey 0]

we've got some here too,and no one knows how to use them properly. I always go in with one foot near the brake and one have near the horn. I can't tell you how many times someone's pulled into one, right in front of me.

I mean.. the "yeild" sign is there for a reason.

[Lizzy 0]

Oh this is the best thread ever - made me laugh.

I went into a store in Oklahoma where my baby lives and asked for 20 marlbrough lights.... she got this look on her face, you want 20 boxes of 200!!!...

Also whats a freshman and an alumini... goodness ive got a lot to learn.....

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

freshman - first year student

sophomore - second year student

alumni - a graduate of a school or university

[V&J2005 0]

there's something else different in this country that I have to be in the habit ... It's the sarcasm. In latin america We don't use it to much because some people specially the olders can misunderstanding and think you are being disrespectful so young people in Latin america use the sarcasm as a joke whit friends who have close age but here is common hear a commentary about something using the sarcasm and you don't know if people are being sarcastic or are not.. I think it will take me time to understand when people use It and what to say about it...

there's something else different in this country that I have to be in the habit ... It's the sarcasm. In latin america We don't use it to much because some people specially the olders can misunderstanding and think you are being disrespectful so young people in Latin america use the sarcasm as a joke whit friends who have close age but here is common hear a commentary about something using the sarcasm and you don't know if people are being sarcastic or are not.. I think it will take me time to understand when people use It and what to say about it...

[germangel 0]

the sales tax thing got me all freaked out and still does sometimes. i guess it goes together with vanity sizing in some stores. At some stores I'm a size 2, while I'm normally a 6 and at Victoria's Secret my 36 C turned into a 34 D very quickly...

Also, why in summer, they like to produce artificial temperatures below freezing inside stores and buildings. Don't get me wrong, I like the fact that there is Air conditioning but I don't wanna freeze my butt off in my shorts in August...

[Ladylethal 12]

3. Why I can turn right at a red light (this is not allowed under Singapore traffic laws, period).

Here in Brasil we can't turn right on a red light either, in fact, you can't move even if there's nobody else in the street.