Culture shock

[mawilson 2,133]

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.

When did I ever suggest I was anti-Ireland? *scratching head*

I think you're the one who's being negative with all the anti America #######.

I love Ireland. That doesn't change the fact that there's not much to do there besides drinking *ahem* socialising.

Also, I never said the UK didn't have the same problems but let's compare apples to apples, shall we?

1) 16.2 Billion POUNDS for a country of 50 million people vs 2.4 Billion EUROS for 3 million people?

Do the maths.

2) Can you buy a 4 bedroom house in *Dublin* for the price of a cardboard box in *London*? I seriously doubt it.

[aidan80 9]

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.

When did I ever suggest I was anti-Ireland? *scratching head*

I think you're the one who's being negative with all the anti America #######.

I love Ireland. That doesn't change the fact that there's not much to do there besides drinking *ahem* socialising.

Also, I never said the UK didn't have the same problems but let's compare apples to apples, shall we?

1) 16.2 Billion POUNDS for a country of 50 million people vs 2.4 Billion EUROS for 3 million people?

Do the maths.

2) Can you buy a 4 bedroom house in *Dublin* for the price of a cardboard box in *London*? I seriously doubt it.

I Quote!

“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.”

If that isn’t anti Ireland, what is? I’d really love to know!

If you loved anything other than your own arrogant, outdated and racist opinions then why would you talk the ####### you’re talking? Because like most racists out there you don't know any better do you?

Applies to apples.. alright.. 16.2 Billion POUNDS is a lot more “apples” than 2 Billion EURO (where do you quote your figures from.. the air??). The “math” speaks for its self does it not? The total population in the south would be a wee bit over 4 Million (July 2006) not quite 3 million as you suggest. The North last time I checked had about 1.7 Million people in it.. oh my that total would be what.. 5.6 Million!

Did I say Dublin? No I didn’t I said Ireland.. the whole country even.. the old forgotten north. Anyway you could still get better house in Dublin with less crime that you would in London. You could get a better house with less chance of being robbed in Belfast

You’re attacking me, my country for what reason? What is the purpose; I’d really love to know because so far you’ve avoided most of the questions and attacked the smallest of things. I think you’ve a problem with Ireland or the Irish maybe you should be decent enough to just spit it out.

[mawilson 2,133]

You’re attacking me, my country for what reason? What is the purpose; I’d really love to know because so far you’ve avoided most of the questions and attacked the smallest of things. I think you’ve a problem with Ireland or the Irish maybe you should be decent enough to just spit it out.

Dude, I was born in Ireland. My father is Irish. I have family in Cork.

Trust me when I say I don't have a problem with Ireland or the Irish.

[mawilson 2,133]

Happy St Patrick's, by the way!

[aidan80 9]

You’re attacking me, my country for what reason? What is the purpose; I’d really love to know because so far you’ve avoided most of the questions and attacked the smallest of things. I think you’ve a problem with Ireland or the Irish maybe you should be decent enough to just spit it out.

Dude, I was born in Ireland. My father is Irish. I have family in Cork.

Trust me when I say I don't have a problem with Ireland or the Irish.

Where you claim to have been born or where you say you have family isn’t relevant, if it was you wouldn’t talk down about your own. I doubt you are anything other than a negative minded troll, with nothing to add to this message board other than random negative and critical comments directed at everyone and everything. From the start your comments have been at the very least offensive, racist in nature and immature.

I wouldn’t believe nor trust a word that comes out of your hole. Your as about as Irish as I am American “dude”.

Like I said before, you avoid the subject and pick at the small things.

[Nessa 23]

I pretty much knew what to expect. We have so much of the american culture in Brazil, tv shows, clothing, movies, music, etc.

I was amazed at some of the things against the law in Brazil and that are not here. For example: driving motorcycles without a helmet and smoking or talking on the cell phone while driving. I still think it should be against the law, the chances of dying or suffering terrible injures if you are in an accident while riding a motorcycle without a helmet are greatly bigger than while wearing it. And lighting a cigarette, or talking on the phone, dialing, answering etc is a distraction, plus doesn't the law say somewhere you should have both hands on the wheel, err how can you do that while smoking or talking on the phone?

Other things are different but understandable...

Like tips, in Brazil we rarely tip people, only cab drivers, room service people, and ocasionally other people, but it's not something you have to do everywhere you go to everybody.

Taxes, in Brazil they're included in products, so if it says 23.99 when you go pay that's what you pay, 23.99 not 25.67...

The size of the food, everything here is bigger, the Doritos packages, the chocolates, the pizza slices, and they cost cheaper. In Brazil everything comes in small portions or sizes and are more expensive.

The houses are not made of bricks;

The cars, trucks, motos are bigger;

Closets, it's built in the bedroom, in Brazil we have to buy wardrobes, they are not part of the house.

Some not that understandable...

The speed limits changes every 100 meters...

Tattoos are for sluts and criminals - I have a few and I'm none... it's very common to have a tattoo in Brazil, and we are respected not judged...

Well I guess that's all that comes to mind right now.

[mawilson 2,133]

You’re attacking me, my country for what reason? What is the purpose; I’d really love to know because so far you’ve avoided most of the questions and attacked the smallest of things. I think you’ve a problem with Ireland or the Irish maybe you should be decent enough to just spit it out.

Dude, I was born in Ireland. My father is Irish. I have family in Cork.

Trust me when I say I don't have a problem with Ireland or the Irish.

Where you claim to have been born or where you say you have family isn’t relevant, if it was you wouldn’t talk down about your own. I doubt you are anything other than a negative minded troll, with nothing to add to this message board other than random negative and critical comments directed at everyone and everything. From the start your comments have been at the very least offensive, racist in nature and immature.

Ah, I get it now. You just don't like me. You should have just said so right from the start and

saved me the trouble of trying to explain my point of view.

I'm not going to stoop down to your level of insult and question your honesty or intelligence,

but just for the record, I didn't "attack" anyone or anything. Yes, I said that life in Ireland was

boring, but you chose to take it completely out of context:

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??

just so you can take a jab at it and attack me on a personal level.

Anyhow, I still stand by my opinion which could be right or wrong but is truthfully based on

my own experience. I always had a great time in Ireland but at the same time I consider

myself lucky to have survived the non-stop drinking binge. I also said that people make

less money in general and it's a fact.

If either statement strikes a chord with you, I apologise.

[GabachaYucateca 0]

Nessa: the size of the food packages is why Americans are often overweight! I wish that the packages were smaller!

And not everyone thinks tattoos are just for sluts and criminals! Looks like you live in the Midwest, maybe that's why.

[Cali Gal CPA 0]

When my wife got here she was shocked at how big people are.

It was not size of people that amazes her, it's the size of food piled on the plate on buffet.

True, servings are huge! Before I came to the US, I was a size 0-2, now I'm wearing 4-6! My slowing metabolism may have a lot to do with it, but the big servings in restaurants and almost sedentary lifestyle contributed to the weight gain as well.

[Niels Bohr 72]

My wife will probably be shocked too. Her weight is approximately 100 lbs. This is normal for a native Cambodian. She says I'm fat. I'm no way near fat in the US. Based on my height, the B.M.I indicated I'm normal. She says I'm fat.

Not only weight will be an issue here because of the dietary habits of the society, the weather too. Over in Cambodia, an average temperature in the afternoon can reach to 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more. I remembered one day the temperature was just underneath 80, and she said to me " it's so cold. " Now, I live in the Northeast region of the US which is very cold during the winter, and autumn season. I can imagine her being stuck inside during those times. And, the high standards of environmental up keeping compared to Phnom Penh such as trash collection, etc...will cause a major relief in her. I'm looking forward for her to arrive.

[tijuanahilton 0]

Some not that understandable...

The speed limits changes every 100 meters...

Tattoos are for sluts and criminals - I have a few and I'm none... it's very common to have a tattoo in Brazil, and we are respected not judged...

Nessa.......

whoever thinks that tattoos are for sluts and criminals must be a complete idiot. My fiance and I are both completely tattooed up..... we're not sluts, and we're certailnly no criminals. In fact, we both have MAs, him in graphic design and me in Literature (from UCLA no less), are property owners...)and let me tell you, owning beachfront property in southern california is no small feat)...the list goes on.

There's nothing wrong with your body artwork, don't let anyone else make you feel otherwise.

saludos y it's a pleasure to have people like you in the country!

[Ladylethal 12]

What I miss about my country is the little corner snack places, with the fruits hanging down from the ceiling, where you can have a healthy snack on the rush. One in every corner beats all the fast food I see here. Btw, I have the impression that even our McD's and other fast food joints look more comfy as opposed to how they look impersonal here.

I miss the fact online banking is an everyday thing and I don't EVER have to go to the bank to do anything.

I miss the fact food is not so costy and that I could take home tons of fresh food when here if I want to shop cheap I should stick to these canned #######.

I miss the warmth of people although puertoricans are very warm it's different than my brazilian people.

[Nessa 23]

Some not that understandable...

The speed limits changes every 100 meters...

Tattoos are for sluts and criminals - I have a few and I'm none... it's very common to have a tattoo in Brazil, and we are respected not judged...

Nessa.......

whoever thinks that tattoos are for sluts and criminals must be a complete idiot. My fiance and I are both completely tattooed up..... we're not sluts, and we're certailnly no criminals. In fact, we both have MAs, him in graphic design and me in Literature (from UCLA no less), are property owners...)and let me tell you, owning beachfront property in southern california is no small feat)...the list goes on.

There's nothing wrong with your body artwork, don't let anyone else make you feel otherwise.

saludos y it's a pleasure to have people like you in the country!

Well I'm very proud of my tattoos, and I'd like to think I can show them off without having to worry about what people think. I was never worried in Brazi, I won't say that there's no people that might be prejudice when it comes to tattoos, but it's way more acceptable I believe. Here I am worried. Specially after someone told me people that have tattoos like one of mine (i won't get in details) are usually sluts. That really hurt me and it really got me worried. Because when you're in your country and you know people, their reactions and you know what to expect is different. I am not completely familiar with the way people think in here.

Laura, I agree with everything you said, specially about the food being so expensive. I would pay like R$ 8.00 (about US$ 3.5 ) for 4 papayas, here I pay US$ 5.00 for 2. It's absurd!

[mawilson 2,133]

Laura, I agree with everything you said, specially about the food being so expensive. I would pay like R$ 8.00 (about US$ 3.5 ) for 4 papayas, here I pay US$ 5.00 for 2. It's absurd!

Well..... it's not THAT absurd. After all, papayas do not grow in Kansas

[Peil 1]

I think the reason that binge drinking might be such a problem is that if a doctor over in ireland diagnosis you as an alcoholic, the government gives you money every week just to buy alcohol. I was shocked when i first heard this, but its true.