Things 16 people couldn’t believe about America until moving there

Thought this was an interesting read and figured it's worth sharing.

Things 16 People couldn't believe about America until they moved there

Really makes you realise different things about our society or social norms, compared to other places.  Years ago, as an exchange student in the UK, I never really knew how to answer the question "What's America like?" or "How is the US different from the UK?" Reading this helps make me aware of differences I had never thought about.

So rather than always moaning about how things in the UK are different/strange, maybe we can consider others' experiences of life in the US to gain an understanding that things are just different wherever you are in the world, accept this, and try to move on.

Really interesting!

Great read! Thanks for sharing.

Good list.

I really loved this! And I finally understand why my husband is always putting cash in my pocket -- I haven't carried cash so often in the last twenty years!

But, is it wrong if I am secretly proud of it? The big smiles, the big houses, and the big packs of paper towels? 

Of course it's not wrong.

But for me it's a series of reminders of why I really don't want to go back, esp the religion thing. 

But for me it's a series of reminders of why I really don't want to go back, esp the religion thing. 

Ditto.

I think everybody is hinting we should lose some weight.

I always thought I would trim down a bit easier, being Europe and all, but I seem to have rooted around and found all the bad stuff here too - and eat it all in redneck portion sizes. H*ll, I made a Ginsters sarnie last night with a fried egg on top. I'm trying to put that through my calorie counter programme and it doesn't compute.

In case anyone is wondering, you take a half stick of French Bread, split it open and slather with mayo and hot sauce. Then you cram in two nuked Ginsters and cover with a few slices of cheese. The fried eggs are optional.

I felt like a Viking after that.

That you address your boss (and some of your professors) by some abbreviated variation of their first name. And that applies to pretty much everyone, regardless of how much older they are than you.

I was perplexed by this one... anyone know what they mean by this?

I was perplexed by this one... anyone know what they mean by this?

I think in some countries, addressing a boss/professor/elder by their first name is seen as disrespectful. So, being allowed or even encouraged to call a "superior" by a nickname is probably really weird for some people.

In case anyone is wondering, you take a half stick of French Bread, split it open and slather with mayo and hot sauce. Then you cram in two nuked Ginsters and cover with a few slices of cheese. The fried eggs are optional.

I do know what a sarnie is - yay me! - but do I want to know what a Ginster is?   

Does feeling like a Viking mean you wanted to do some pillaging and associated activities?  *innocent blinking of eyes*

 

Oh, and I double ditto the religion thing.  I don't think I'll miss that either.

I do know what a sarnie is - yay me! - but do I want to know what a Ginster is?   

A not very authentic or tasty 'Cornish' pasty, generally sold in places like petrol stations:

Though number 13 Marcia Peterson Buckie's husband seems surprised as a Canadian by the things s/he lists, I'd say two things: generally sums up common, though not universal, sentiments by Canadians about Americans, so I am shocked he's surprised by these things and what shocks me, is that diversity is mentioned - it's just a different diversity and response to immigrant and indigenous issues that both countries share.  

Interesting. A lot of these points highlight relative views based on one's own cultural standpoint.

Thanks for sharing!