America
Saturday 2 September 2017
America is one of my favourite places in the world. I love the fact that each state can be like visiting a different country, and I'm desperate to go back and explore a little more. During the time I have visited I have come across some things that were a little different to life in the UK...
Tax
Tax isn't included in the prices on the shelves. So you have to work it out yourself. If your rubbish at maths like me, it can be a surprise when you get to the till...I'm not sure why they can't just write it on the label. That would be too easy right?
Massive gaps on the toilet doors.
Most of the toilet cubicles in public places have big gaps in the door so you can see out - or even worse - see in. Queue the awkward eye contact. I actually Google'd this whilst writing so see if I could find some kind of explanation, and the only thing I could find was 'it stops sexual assault and drug taking'. Ok then. If you say so?
Crazy food choices
This one just gets a picture. No explanation needed. Spotted in Ithaca, NY.
Royal family obsession
Every time I have visited America, I have seen magazines plastered with the latest completely untrue scandal about the royal family. 'Charles and Camilla shock secret divorce'. 'Kate and Wills secret heart ache'. They literally just make stuff up. Let's not forget the fantastically tacky (but also secretly watchable) Kate and Wills movie they made - which FYI I only recently found out the actress that plays Kate Middleton is Jo from Grey's Anatomy.
Credit or Debit?
Whenever you use a card they also ask 'credit or debit?' I always have a travel bank card, but find staring at them blankly works a treat, and suddenly they just seem to know the answer. Also, if you want to draw out cash from a cash machine, you have to pay for it. If you're going to Vegas, you can expect to pay $7 for your own money. Daylight robbery.
Biscuits are not biscuits
In America, biscuits are more like scones. And they have them with gravy. And to make it slightly more weird. They have them for breakfast. I cannot cope.
The Adverts
TV programmes have SO many commercial breaks. And it's not always obvious. Sometimes there is definitely some uncertainty as to whether it is actually part of the show. They advertise some weird stuff too. Medication (with all the side effects listed), and this sign in particular was one of my favourites - Divorce. Spotted somewhere near Newark, NJ.
So much water in the toilet bowl
The toilets are full of water, and they are not blocked. They are actually supposed to be like that. If you drop your phone in there, it's survival rate is practically next to nothing.
Tipping
You have to tip everyone for everything. Basically add extra to any bill, taxi, or service. I joined a taxi queue in NY and had to tip the man stood at the front for sticking his arm out for a taxi for me. He literally stuck his head through the window and wouldn't let the taxi leave until I had paid him. I paid him $2 to stick his arm out. Also whilst getting a pedicure in NY, me and my friends basically got held hostage until we tipped. But that's another story.
All the Pop-Tarts
They have so many choices. And this isn't just the Pop-Tarts. We are also talking Pringles, Ben and Jerry's, and Oreo's. How are you possibly supposed to choose? I would 100% be obese if I lived in the States.
Jay walking
It's illegal in America to just cross the road anywhere. You have to use the crossings. Illegally crossing the road is called jay walking. It's highly inconvenient if you don't have a car, as some of the main roads don't have crossings, and for example, the 'all you can eat Chinese buffet' might be on the other side of the dual carriage way. Which we definitely did not make a cheeky illegal dash to. Disclaimer - don't do that.
They love Australian's
I did some travel after camp, with an Australian girl I had met. We had numerous conversations with American's that basically went like this. (I'm not joking, it was a regular occurrence)
American: So where are you girls from?
Me: I'm from England
Australian friend: I'm from Australia
American: Ooo Australia! I know someone who went to Sydney once, have you been there?
Laws change in different states
So, in some states it is illegal to use a mobile whilst driving, but in other states it's not. Each state has it's own state laws. How on earth American's know what law is where?! Very confusing.
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