Culture shock

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Where did you go in Dublin, Alex? Dublin has a great live music scene - although the nightclubs aren't as good as London (and few places are) I've never been stuck for a good night out there.

Although, I think you might be under-estimating how great Minneapolis is for a city stuck in the Midwest.

[doodlebug 3]

Is it rush rush rush here because we get more done or what? I'm trying to think of how we would get it all done and not rush.

[Alex+R 0]

Where did you go in Dublin, Alex? Dublin has a great live music scene - although the nightclubs aren't as good as London (and few places are) I've never been stuck for a good night out there.

Although, I think you might be under-estimating how great Minneapolis is for a city stuck in the Midwest.

Yeah, I saw quite a bit of live music in Dublin, but it doesn't compare to Minneapolis. And there are fewer venues, but I liked Whelan's. I think I remember being surprised at how often I went into a bar and there wasn't even a DJ. But the live music they are producing there in Dublin is really really great stuff, that is true.

[Anna C. 4]

I miss.... order!!! Especially on the roads.... People don't blink, speed or under-speed for no reason, I just always have the impression that all people here drive with a learner's permit without anybody showing them how to drive. I am also pretty much shocked how companies treat customers (phone companies, insurances): no service, hour-long waiting on hold, misinformation everywhere, rude people ("client associates").

I like the ice cream and the donuts here though....

First I lived in New York City and apart from the mentioned above points life is pretty much the same, just, I agree with some other posters, everything is in a rush. But well, it was NYC! After moving to NC I thought it would be different, but it's not. I am a very slow eater, even for Europeans. I don't like eating in a rush and frankly I can't eat fast (makes my stomach upset). Sometimes I am totally amazed how fast some people can eat. I taught my hubbie to eat slower, it's simply healthier. On the other side I met extremely health-and-food-aware people who won't eat anything but organic food. The country is full of extreme contrasts, as expected (a lot more people live here ). Life isn't very nice right now because I can't find an adequate job here, which means no friends, no work.... But that will change since we will move to the Bay Area. I must say I am quite used to work a lot, at least interns in Germany are totally exploited so nothing new to me (did quite a lot internships during college)!

I think almost everybody misses food from home. I spent quite some time in Italy and then I lived in Munich where are a lot of Italians, so I'm not very happy with the so-called Italian food here. I must admit though that it was available in New York, hopefully in every metropolitan area!!! I miss some products such as quark (curd cheese), real cream (yes, 32% of fat please), Milka chocolate and real Nutella (no peanut flavor). My family sends me the chocolate, the dairy products aren't allowed to be transported unfortunately (and it wouldn't make sense since it would go bad). I guess everybody has the food issue....

Edited March 14, 2007 by Anna C.

[GrenadianCrix 2]

Is it rush rush rush here because we get more done or what? I'm trying to think of how we would get it all done and not rush.

Although I wonder, what do we get done? I have to say, as an American living in the Caribbean. I wonder if all we get done is really necessary? I know, I know, there is a reason we are a fully developed country and I agree there are many many good things about the country. But maybe we need to take a cue from other countries. Efficiency is good, it is supposed to let us have more time to ourselves. Instead we use efficiency as a way to cram twice as much into our days. I think as Americans we derive meaning out of our lives by seeing what can we produce, not who we are.

I fully understand we live within our context and if we want to get by in the states we have to play the game with everyone else. But I know when I move back with my fiance I will understand his culture shock a lot better. Things are just different, it's not just the things in the grocery store or which side of the road we drive on, it's how we find value in ourselves.

I guess I could go on being philosophical but I doubt you all want to hear it.

Sue

[bgreed 0]

My fiancee is from UA and they live a much less hectic life than we do here. More holidays off and getting time off is no big deal. (Although I do like the pay the doctor for a sick excuse idea we have used this more than once) It just seems to me that they take the time to enjoy life more than we do in the states. Most other countries have way more paid vacation time than we do. When you tell someone from europe for example that the average vaction days in the US is something like eleven days they just about fall over. (Currently in EU countries you start a job with six weeks paid vacation)

So we have made a decision to live a less "things" oriented life and a more love and laughter kind of life. One of the things that Lena said to me early in our relationship is "I don't want to live a gray life" Meaning that there were other things much more important to her than just getting up and going to work everyday, then repeat, repeat, repeat

[Nancy2015 2]

When I first came to the US, I was shocked that not all apartment complexes here have a washer/dryer in the unit. Where we live, all the tenants share one laundry room. I loved having my own washer

I loved how easy the driving was and how polite the drivers were. I'm from Moscow, the Russian Federation, and you can't drive there without someone beeping at you all the time for no apparent reason

Silicon Valley may be hectic, but I'm so used to it, and I love it a lot! I'm one of those people who "rush, rush, rush and rush" and I can't stand laid back atmosphere. So, I guess, it worked out pretty well for me

I think people here are more open-minded and less racist than in my country. Well, at least here, in Northern California, I don't know about the rest of the U.S.

I think I didn't have that much of a "culture shock" - just some little things I hadn't been aware fo before I got here

[Autumnchik 6]

Is it rush rush rush here because we get more done or what? I'm trying to think of how we would get it all done and not rush.

Although I wonder, what do we get done? I have to say, as an American living in the Caribbean. I wonder if all we get done is really necessary? I know, I know, there is a reason we are a fully developed country and I agree there are many many good things about the country. But maybe we need to take a cue from other countries. Efficiency is good, it is supposed to let us have more time to ourselves. Instead we use efficiency as a way to cram twice as much into our days. I think as Americans we derive meaning out of our lives by seeing what can we produce, not who we are.

I fully understand we live within our context and if we want to get by in the states we have to play the game with everyone else. But I know when I move back with my fiance I will understand his culture shock a lot better. Things are just different, it's not just the things in the grocery store or which side of the road we drive on, it's how we find value in ourselves.

I guess I could go on being philosophical but I doubt you all want to hear it.

Sue

Well said!!!! I want to hear it

[aidan80 9]

I was thinking that too! I was like, wait, are you telling me that there are other places in the world where you don't get up, go do the same boring job, and then go home make dinner clean the house and go to bed?? Seriously if that is what working life is like in Ireland, I'm so in. Aidan where do we sign up for Irish immigration?

It's exactly like that in Ireland, only it's even more boring and with less money.

The only entertainment over there is the pub.

Thanks mawilson, I never thought Ireland was so “boring”… “with less money” and “the only entertainment is the pub”. I didn’t know you were an expert in Irish culture? If that’s the case then your telling me I want to go back home to be drunk, bored and skint? I think not… I work more, make less and am stressed a whole lot more in the US than I ever was back home. I think you have a typically backward, outdated vision of Ireland in mind. That or you’ve watched too many British soaps where they spend all day talking ####### while drinking.. in the pub.

I miss.... order!!! Especially on the roads.... People don't blink, speed or under-speed for no reason, I just always have the impression that all people here drive with a learner's permit without anybody showing them how to drive. I am also pretty much shocked how companies treat customers (phone companies, insurances): no service, hour-long waiting on hold, misinformation everywhere, rude people ("client associates").

I like the ice cream and the donuts here though....

First I lived in New York City and apart from the mentioned above points life is pretty much the same, just, I agree with some other posters, everything is in a rush. But well, it was NYC! After moving to NC I thought it would be different, but it's not. I am a very slow eater, even for Europeans. I don't like eating in a rush and frankly I can't eat fast (makes my stomach upset). Sometimes I am totally amazed how fast some people can eat. I taught my hubbie to eat slower, it's simply healthier. On the other side I met extremely health-and-food-aware people who won't eat anything but organic food. The country is full of extreme contrasts, as expected (a lot more people live here ). Life isn't very nice right now because I can't find an adequate job here, which means no friends, no work.... But that will change since we will move to the Bay Area. I must say I am quite used to work a lot, at least interns in Germany are totally exploited so nothing new to me (did quite a lot internships during college)!

I think almost everybody misses food from home. I spent quite some time in Italy and then I lived in Munich where are a lot of Italians, so I'm not very happy with the so-called Italian food here. I must admit though that it was available in New York, hopefully in every metropolitan area!!! I miss some products such as quark (curd cheese), real cream (yes, 32% of fat please), Milka chocolate and real Nutella (no peanut flavor). My family sends me the chocolate, the dairy products aren't allowed to be transported unfortunately (and it wouldn't make sense since it would go bad). I guess everybody has the food issue....

There is no order on the roads here, I’ve lost count how many cops I’ve seen fail to use their indicator, yield for pedestrians or completely stop at stop signs. I too was Very shocked at how outright hostile, stupid and cheeky some companies can be here like the stupid cable company. As far as competition is concerned in some areas (cable) there is none, it’s a capitalists wet dream. Treat the customer how you like, the way you like, pump up the prices when you like.. the only choice for TV they have is you! I too would also list insurance companies up there as well.. especially for misinformation and outright lies.

[aidan80 9]

Is it rush rush rush here because we get more done or what? I'm trying to think of how we would get it all done and not rush.

Although I wonder, what do we get done? I have to say, as an American living in the Caribbean. I wonder if all we get done is really necessary? I know, I know, there is a reason we are a fully developed country and I agree there are many many good things about the country. But maybe we need to take a cue from other countries. Efficiency is good, it is supposed to let us have more time to ourselves. Instead we use efficiency as a way to cram twice as much into our days. I think as Americans we derive meaning out of our lives by seeing what can we produce, not who we are.

I fully understand we live within our context and if we want to get by in the states we have to play the game with everyone else. But I know when I move back with my fiance I will understand his culture shock a lot better. Things are just different, it's not just the things in the grocery store or which side of the road we drive on, it's how we find value in ourselves.

I guess I could go on being philosophical but I doubt you all want to hear it.

Sue

I agree, all that rushing is for what? Filing that extra report? Leaving 5 minutes early to beat “rush” hour? I agree there are many, many good things about the US, quite a few I’ll miss. This lifestyle and rush culture isn’t for me.

[Detty2809 0]

oh no....i'm barely 5 feet tall.....noooooooooooooo.........

Claudeth is only 4'8" but believes she is dynamite in a small package

a dynamite in a small package... haha me likey!

mm.... does she ever feel tense around her neck for looking up all the time when she has to talk to americans? I should get shoes with 5 inches heels or something....haha....

[Mrs.J06 4]

Is it rush rush rush here because we get more done or what? I'm trying to think of how we would get it all done and not rush.

It doesn't seem like it! I have the feeling I got quite a bit more done in my home country and still manage to have a little time to myself every day. I had a 40+ hour work day there, too, but it didn't take me the best part of an hour to get home. On Saturday mornings I got my groceries bought, packed and put in the refrigerator in an hour! Here, that's about the time I need to just get there and back (o.k., thats mostly because my husband is a very fussy eater ). Here, we don't even seem to have time for a decent, quiet and time-consuming breakfast since we (feel like) we need to get done so much.

Don't get me wrong, that's not meant to be a criticism and it's mostly due to our livestyle, anyway, the days are shorter in the US, trust me!

As to efficiency at the workplace, I dare say that sometimes the German way of management ("just do as I say and don't try to argue") is necessary and makes a company more efficient than the admittedly nice way of Americans to manage companies by asking everybody about their opinion and spending hours listening to people's ideas and whinings. It takes days to get some things decided here, or so it seems!

[Anna C. 4]

As to efficiency at the workplace, I dare say that sometimes the German way of management ("just do as I say and don't try to argue") is necessary and makes a company more efficient than the admittedly nice way of Americans to manage companies by asking everybody about their opinion and spending hours listening to people's ideas and whinings. It takes days to get some things decided here, or so it seems!

Depends on the company.... I worked for Infineon Technologies in Germany and they had the policy do your job, I won't control you, which I thought was kinda inefficient since some people used that to surf all day (online shopping, chatting...). I think what you said is right, I heard about companies being like that in the US. But it depends pretty much on which job - if it is a job that actually requires a college degree and comes with a decent pay the treatment is usually nice and friendly. When I recently mostly out of boredom did the part time job at the mall the treatment of us employees was like in a Gulag!! Something like that would never happen in the German version of the department store (something like Karstadt), I am pretty sure!!! It was really bad there, and most of us were college grads, just we don't get a job here, and still we were treated as if we were stupid, babies, inmates. I quit asap!

@ Adain: My sister did part of her residency in a hospital in Galway. She loved it there, my parents visited her for 4 weeks and drove all around Ireland. As far as I am concerned it is pretty modern and up-to-date in Ireland with good jobs and competitive salaries. Within the past 20 years things have changed (economically) dramatically there to the good! I wish I could have gone with them (hmmm exams at college back then). I mostly loved the Connamara (sorry for spelling) sheep. so cute!

@ Vacation issue: Hubbie and I agreed to take more time off (unpaid leave) to compensate for the small amount of vacation as soon as we earn enough to be able to afford it (we both just graduated a year ago from college). I happily renounce on some money for relaxation! I also found out depending on the job you can have lots of paid vacation days here. My sister in law used to work for a company in Palo Alto with 20 days vacation a year and a lot of sick days too....

[mawilson 2,133]

Thanks mawilson, I never thought Ireland was so “boring”… “with less money” and “the only entertainment is the pub”. I didn’t know you were an expert in Irish culture?

You better believe I am. Drinking remains a HUGE part of Irish culture. Alcohol-related

problems cost Ireland more than €2 billion per year. Binge drinking is the norm for Irish men.

House prices are through the roof. If you made more money in Ireland, you must have had

a really good job. I'm sure you can find a better job here too.

[aidan80 9]

Thanks mawilson, I never thought Ireland was so “boringâ€â€¦ “with less money†and “the only entertainment is the pubâ€. I didn’t know you were an expert in Irish culture?

You better believe I am. Drinking remains a HUGE part of Irish culture. Alcohol-related

problems cost Ireland more than €2 billion per year. Binge drinking is the norm for Irish men.

House prices are through the roof. If you made more money in Ireland, you must have had

a really good job. I'm sure you can find a better job here too.

Oh god of course you are, how stupid of me.. I only grew up there! Where did you grow up?..

Drinking is part of the culture (as it is in most of Europe) but socializing is more a part of it than drink. Having the “craic†is more important to the majority of people I know than drinking themselves stupid.

So if your figures are correct. It costs Ireland 2 Billion EURO to deal with alcohol related problems… then England and Wales must be really partying hard if it’s costing them 16.2 Billion POUNDS (or as quoted here 20 Billion) to deal with it. I worked for mainly myself in Ireland; I can’t do that here as no one trusts anyone in this place. House prices are going up but.. what about the over heated housing market in England? I could still buy a 4 bedroom house in Ireland for the price of a cardboard box in London.

Do yourself a favor, stop being so negative, stop with the anti Ireland ####### and if you’re going to quote figures do some research first.

Edited March 15, 2007 by aidan80