Hubby is pushing me and we just got here

[thamansa 4]

Addendum:

When Mrs. T-B. first came here, she was amazed at the concept of thrift stores.

(In Ecuador, no one ever throws anything out.)

She very rapidly filled her closet with quality, designer clothes.

We spent entire days "resale-shopping," and even went on some out-of-town road trips.

Our record was 7 thrift stores in one day.

This can be a fun, inexpensive activity with your husband or girlfriends whom you meet.

Hey! Yeah in Ecuador if there's a thrift store it's usually clothing that needs to be in the trash can lol You can't even wear it plus Ecuador is super expensive right now! I'm in awe of how the tiniest thing is expensive there. I recently came back to the U.S from Quito. My dad is from Ecuador and mom is from Mexico

[Mike-eeh and Odie 193]

You know, I really don't understand some USCs who marry a foreign bride/groom and never prepare for their arrival and expect them to adjust to the USA overnight. Before my wife arrived here I had bought her several nice outfits and warm winter clothes. I made sure to buy food that she enjoyed and find Filipino clubs so she can be comfortable while she adjusts. It's been 2 years now, and she is still adjusting.

That said, your husband should be the one to introduce you to the neighbors. He should also take into consideration your shy personality and have you connect with others on your own terms. In addition, he should have had the foresight to buy you clothes for when you arrived here. You left everything behind to be with him. He should be doing everything in his power to make you happy.

[Dal&Rose 45]

That said, your husband should be the one to introduce you to the neighbors. He should also take into consideration your shy personality and have you connect with others on your own terms. In addition, he should have had the foresight to buy you clothes for when you arrived here. You left everything behind to be with him. He should be doing everything in his power to make you happy.

I think the part you are missing her husband and family all lived in Greece. They all moved together, so he wasn't here without her to prepare for her arrival necessarily.

But he should definitely respect her personality and be supportive of her.

[Marco&Bettina 502]

I think the part you are missing her husband and family all lived in Greece. They all moved together, so he wasn't here without her to prepare for her arrival necessarily.

But he should definitely respect her personality and be supportive of her.

I missed that part too cuz the signature is TLDR.

[Caykay1 71]

Soft hugs. I remember you from when you posted you were nervous to move to the US. Hope things get better for you and your family. Good luck

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

I think the greeting neighbors is a regional thing. It was common for the 3 different areas in Wisconsin that I lived as well as now in Minnesota. I never once spoke to my neighbors for the year I lived in New Jersey. OP is from Michigan and someone else mentioned Ohio so it leads me to believe it could be a Midwest thing?

But even still 9 times out of 10 it's the current people living there that greet the new neighbors.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

Do things in your own time. Explain to your husband that everyone is different and you will open up when your ready.

Some neighborhoods are very friendly like that, some are not. Just depends. I personally, prefer to keep to myself at home also. That whole "we are curious who moved in" sounds nosey to me. I don't like neighbors in my business, but everyone is different. They are probably just trying to be welcoming. Every city has different organizations that give away clothing. A good place to start is Catholic Services. They can point you in the right direction.

[lost_at_sea 995]

I've noticed that Americans are way friendlier than what I'm used to - and I've only ever been to California, aren't they supposed to be less friendly than many other Americans?

The "hug and kiss on the cheek" thingy when they greet you kinda freaks me out tbh. To them it's probably just as normal as shaking hands, to me it's way too personal. I kiss and hug my man, that's enough!

These are just cultural differences we'll have to learn to deal with, I'm sure it won't feel so strange after a while. It's a new country and new people to us and we'll adapt.

I'm in CA and ohmygod these people insist on hugging me ALL THE TIME. I hate it. I intro myself to people as "I'm British so please don't hug me" pretty much as soon as I can now (those that have known me a while know that a hug is a very special occasion thing from me).

I didn't want to make new friends when I got here - I was kind of bitter, I guess, about having to leave behind the perfectly good friends I already had back in London AND I'm an introvert, but as it goes friends tend to come along anyway and attach themselves like fungus.

Don't stress about clothes - Americans can be slobs like the rest of us and I'm sure it's not as bad as you think. I bet you have a gorgeous tan, too. I'm kind of addicted to youtube and pinterest guides on "capsule wardrobes" at the moment - having a very small number of nice pieces and endlessly remixing them for always-classic style. Might be fun to try that. Also, for hair and make-up, I'm basically the worst adult woman and didn't learn any of that stuff until youtube came along and now I cut my own hair most of the time (and not because I'm cheap, but because I hate small-talk at the salons).

Edited July 27, 2016 by lost_at_sea

[NikLR 13,227]

I get a haircut once a year. Maybe twice. I like to try new colours and eventually get rid of split ends.

Youtube is fantastic for make up and you don't need expensive stuff if your skin isn't super sensitive. But otherwise I RARELY wear the stuff.

My husband's friend and his wife and kid are living with us right now while they house hunt. The wife does her hair and make up every day. Like blow dry and curl or something... I couldn't be bothered. My mascara goes bad before I ever us all of it! LOL

[Lelyze 49]

Hi Marienne, I sent you a private message

[mallafri76 1,012]

I think the greeting neighbors is a regional thing. It was common for the 3 different areas in Wisconsin that I lived as well as now in Minnesota. I never once spoke to my neighbors for the year I lived in New Jersey. OP is from Michigan and someone else mentioned Ohio so it leads me to believe it could be a Midwest thing?

But even still 9 times out of 10 it's the current people living there that greet the new neighbors.

We do it in Texas too, especially in the suburbs. You always greet new neighbors, have block parties, talk to neighbors, help each other out etc.

OP, sounds like both you and your husband's going through an adjustment phase. Communication's key to a successful relationship so talk to your husband about how you feel, tell him what you told us. Maybe he's not realizing he's pushing you, maybe he thinks he's helping you.

[Karl and Olga 3]

Tell him how you feel. Tell him what you told us here. Sometimes the big mistake is we don't tell we just expect our partner to feel it. It comes after years of living together, right now you need to explain, how you feel, why you fell like that and how he can help you.

[happiestoflives 13]

Dear Marienne,

As for the way you look: Please google People of Walmart, then look at yourself and think "I look so much better than those people, it's definitely ok for me to go out and be seen". Just because your clothes are a bit older right now does not mean you have to feel bad.

I think you're a bit on the introvert side, which is not a bad thing at all. Your husband has to start understanding this. The ideas given re thrift stores are actually really good, same goes for Ross, Marshalls, and I have found cute clothes at TJ (TK ? Which is it again in the US?) Maxx... These are all budget-friendly ways to update your wardrobe, a little at a time.

The neighborhood you live in sure sounds friendly, and I don't think they willl have too much of an issue. By now the world should know that living in Greece is not easy, unfortunately When you meet your neighbors, they can give you good advice on good (and bad) hair salons and shops. It's really helpful in a new environment. Or, if you want to do this first, then ask your in-laws, as they live close by from what I remember?

And maybe, your husband should read Susan Cain's Quiet - The Power of Introverts

I hope you feel ok soon, but please keep in mind that adjusting to living in a new country takes quite a while, because there's always something new you have to deal with.

XOXO