What surprises foreigners when they come to America

[Sam I Am]

I came across this article talking about the things that surprise foreigners when they come to America (http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/08/how-first-time-visitors-see-america/260541/). Interesting read.

Anyone here have any stories of things that surprised them when they first come to the US?

[a_minimalist]

That was interesting.

[ethiostar]

....families shipping their elderly parents off to nursing homes, dog-owners kissing their pets,....prices are not up for negotiation,.... convenience culture, richest country in the world has hungry children,....not the wild-west/Bonanza-like.I can generally relate to the above and I know many who do as well.

-The first is one most migrants have a hard time ever coming to gripes with. For most, no matter how long they live in the US. I believe the idea of retirement homes is pretty much unthinkable for most.

-People in a lot of countries have pets (I had a lot of different types of pets growing up) but the status pets hold in US households is also very different. I think to some extent, pets are considered a family member here.

-Set prices for most things almost everywhere was a bit unusual but it wasn't like there were no places back home where prices were not up for negotiation.

-Convenience culture was definitely a welcomed change from a place and time during which people had to stand in line for hours to get the most basic necessities in life.

-I think most people know there are poor people in every country but the level of poverty I encountered was much much higher than what I expected in the US.

-I didn't expect the wild-west but having moved to Texas when I came to the US, and having watched the Long Ranger, Bonanza, and old Western movies growing up, I expected a bit more of a western feel to the state than what I encountered. I somewhat expected some people to still use horses for transportation...LOL.

Now, keep in mind that I moved to the US in 1988. Things have drastically changed in many parts of the world, including my country of birth, and people are now much more connected and informed about one another than a couple of decades ago. So, I wouldn't expect more recent immigrants to have similar types of expectations as I or others who migrated to the US 2 or 3 decades ago.

One thing that struck me the hardest was the luck of respect some young people showed to their parents, teachers, and elders in general. I was completely blown away by this in the classroom (high school and college), friends house, or in public.

Another thing, was that everything was big. I mean everything. Houses, cars, roads, office buildings, grocery stores, etc....
and even people and I don't mean just those who are overweight.

Also, the amount of choices that are available for most things were just simply overwhelming. Walking into a grocery store looking for bread or milk and encountering a couple of dozen choices of each was a bit much for a log time.

Last thing, lack of pedestrians on the streets. Compared to where I was born and raised, the lack of people on the streets was somewhat alarming and made me feel isolated. I know many other migrants relate to this. Unless you go somewhere, i.e., school, work, grocery store, party, etc... there just aren't many opportunities to meet and observe people on the street. It seemed like everybody drove a car or used public transportation.

I will post more if something else comes to mind.

[Phoenix]

Just jumping into this thread and haven't read the article yet, but I would imagine our overall horrible driving habits, particularly on interstates (not staying to the right especially) are one thing that surprises people.

[Yeagermeister]

Just jumping into this thread and haven't read the article yet, but I would imagine our overall horrible driving habits, particularly on interstates (not staying to the right especially) are one thing that surprises people.

Have you seen shows that show people driving in other countries? It's mass choas compared to the US.

[Wimbo]

I recently had lunch with an Iraqi family that moved to the USA about 3 years ago. I asked them the same question. They indicated 2 things that surprised them:

1) The trees. They had never seen trees like we have in the SE USA & were amazed at how big they are & how many there are.

2) Lack of community living: In Iraq several families live in community together - sharing things, kids from many families playing together outside the homes, etc. It used to be that way in the USA, but not so much anymore. It was a big change for them.

The mother greatly missed her home country & wants to return. The kids (teens) love the USA and want to stay. The father has a great job & will not return to Iraq, so, the mother is grieving the loss of her country. Wonderful people.

[jobberone]

Just jumping into this thread and haven't read the article yet, but I would imagine our overall horrible driving habits, particularly on interstates (not staying to the right especially) are one thing that surprises people.

Americans are very orderly and civilized compared to many countries IMO. I didn't even want to get into a vehicle in Nigeria. The people in China drive all over the road, turn in front of you left or right, don't stop at stop signs generally, and basically drive on the edge. It's worse in other countries.

I've only seen road rage in the US though.

Many people who come here take awhile to understand how free we really are. That seems to amaze a few I know.

[joseephuss]

What do you mean I can't haggle?: In many parts of the world, prices on just about anything are up for negotiation, but in the U.S. it's basically limited to used cars and Craigslist. I've heard more than a few stories of well-meaning foreign shoppers taking a cashier's refusal to bargain as mere coyness. A Quora user said of his/her Russian relatives, "At one-off vintage shops and even restaurants, the idea of not talking out price left them a little upset and very surprised."

While it isn't nearly as common to be able to haggle everyday prices in the U.S., there are opportunities you can negotiate better deals. If you are shopping for electronics and other big ticket items and such you should always ask someone what discounts are available.

[joseephuss]

Americans are very orderly and civilized compared to many countries IMO. I didn't even want to get into a vehicle in Nigeria. The people in China drive all over the road, turn in front of you left or right, don't stop at stop signs generally, and basically drive on the edge. It's worse in other countries.

I've only seen road rage in the US though.

Many people who come here take awhile to understand how free we really are. That seems to amaze a few I know.

Go to Youtube. There are videos of road rage from all over the world. Earlier this week there was a thread about one incident from Russia.

[ethiostar]

Just jumping into this thread and haven't read the article yet, but I would imagine our overall horrible driving habits, particularly on interstates (not staying to the right especially) are one thing that surprises people.

I don't know about that, man. I've been to a few countries and 'lanes' are barely a suggestion of how and where people should be driving. In most places I've been, nobody pays attention to them at all and most drivers do not use their turning signal. People drive extremely close to each other, almost pushing each other out of the way:laugh2:. Going back home and driving after living in the US for 10, 15, or 20 years can be nerve racking. I know it takes me a while to get back into the rhythm of things every time I have gone back home.

I recently had lunch with an Iraqi family that moved to the USA about 3 years ago. I asked them the same question. They indicated 2 things that surprised them:

1) The trees. They had never seen trees like we have in the SE USA & were amazed at how big they are & how many there are.

2) Lack of community living: In Iraq several families live in community together - sharing things, kids from many families playing together outside the homes, etc. It used to be that way in the USA, but not so much anymore. It was a big change for them.

The mother greatly missed her home country & wants to return. The kids (teens) love the USA and want to stay. The father has a great job & will not return to Iraq, so, the mother is grieving the loss of her country. Wonderful people.

I can't believe I forgot to mention this. The idea of the isolated and self-sufficient nuclear family is very particular to the US and a few other countries/culture groups. In most places, nuclear families are imbedded in larger units, i.e., extended families including uncles, aunts, cousins, grand parents, etc... who maintain contact almost on a daily basis and in some cases living under the same roof. Neighbors also play a very active role in each others daily lives.

[jobberone]

Go to Youtube. There are videos of road rage from all over the world. Earlier this week there was a thread about one incident from Russia.

Don't doubt that at all. I only been to about 20 countries or so.

[03EBZ06]

You don't have to be a foreigner to be surprised by some Americans and some of American way of life. How many times we shook our head in disgust, or at unbelievable things occur in USA?

I've been to over 25 countries around the world and it was nice to visit those countries, but there is nowhere like USA, and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

[CliffnMesquite]

How many forigners there are here?
;)

[CliffnMesquite]

;) I don't know about that, man. I've been to a few countries and 'lanes' are barely a suggestion of how and where people should be driving. In most places I've been, nobody pays attention to them at all and most drivers do not use their turning signal. People drive extremely close to each other, almost pushing each other out of the way:laugh2:. Going back home and driving after living in the US for 10, 15, or 20 years can be nerve racking. I know it takes me a while to get back into the rhythm of things every time I have gone back home.



I can't believe I forgot to mention this. The idea of the isolated and self-sufficient nuclear family is very particular to the US and a few other countries/culture groups. In most places, nuclear families are imbedded in larger units, i.e., extended families including uncles, aunts, cousins, grand parents, etc... who maintain contact almost on a daily basis and in some cases living under the same roof. Neighbors also play a very active role in each others daily lives.

Well. As someone once said. It takes a Village.

[Sam I Am]

How many forigners there are here?
;)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e4/Foreigner_-_4.jpg/220px-Foreigner_-_4.jpg

:muttley:

[DallasCowpoke]

-The first is one most migrants have a hard time ever coming to gripes with. For most, no matter how long they live in the US. I believe the idea of retirement homes is pretty much unthinkable for most.

-People in a lot of countries have pets (I had a lot of different types of pets growing up) but the status pets hold in US households is also very different. I think to some extent, pets are considered a family member here.

-Set prices for most things almost everywhere was a bit unusual but it wasn't like there were no places back home where prices were not up for negotiation.

US, Japan, Iceland, Denmark, Netherlands, Canada, UK, France and Italy, all have numbers that are within percentage points of each other in relation to elderly care facilities and beds occupied. And China is climbing that list fast!

As far as the "kissing your dog thing" the US pales in comparison to the UK. Youtube some videos of British dog training shows and prepare to be gobsmacked. ;)

It's certainly not the widely done practice here as it is in a majority of other countries, it's way more acceptable, and successful, than a LOT of ppl realize. If you simply ask, especially if you're polite, don't act like you're trying to get by with something outlandish and can deal with an owner or manager w/o making the salesperson feel belittled, you'd be surprised how successful it can be.

[BrAinPaiNt]

Few observations or stories.

Echoing most others here...as bad as some of the driving and traffic is here it is much better than the places I have been.

S.Korea was just terrible. People would pass you going up hill and around a turn with no way of seeing what is coming in the other lane.

I have to tell this story as I still find it funny. My main job was a medic in the army. However while stationed in Korea I had to also be a part time driver for an LT. So he signed out a cutv (basically a 80's chevy blazer). I am driving him and a Capt to another base. The Capt is sitting in the front seat, I am driving and the LT is in the back.

A korean passes me going up hill, around a turn and into a tank trap area that narrowed the road and gave no way to pull off the road. In doing so the Korean almost hit a car coming from the other direction and I had to hit the breaks very hard in order not to crash...how I did not cut the will to pull off as normally would be instinct is beyond me but I got us stopped.

I was mad and the Capt was mad. So I start driving again and the Capt is cussing like a sailor and somehow we wind up getting caught up to the fool who passed us and he starts yelling...Hit him, ram him and I am in the moment and still mad and start hitting the gas and say Yeah...thankfully the LT had a cooler head and told me to stop and we did not hit the guy. Of course later the LT said it was not the idea of being safe that made him order me to stop...it was the idea that he signed out the vehicle and did not want to have to pay for it. :laugh2:

Couple of other things I noticed over there. Seemed like there was a much higher number of trucks and buses vs individual cars which can make for some hairy situations when you are driving in the middle of Seoul in an Hummer ambulance and the buses are so close to each side of you that you can reach out and touch them with out stretching your arm out the window.

Another thing...While over there I rarely saw female drivers. I asked one of the koreans it one day and he said that if you seen a woman driver it meant they came from an extremely wealthy family as it was not the norm to have women drivers. Of course that has probably changed a great deal since the late 80s.

One last thing about korea....It was a shock to see a family of 2-5 people on a single moped. Or see a person on a moped with a LARGE number of boxes or crates on it. Never see that kind of thing state side.

Recently got back from St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands and the cab drivers down there made my butt cheeks clinch the seats. Crazy Crazy Crazy Drivers...also strange that they are a US territory but they drive on the wrong side of the road even though the steering wheel is on the correct side. Just really weird but scary driving up and down those mountain roads in such a crazy manner but at least they were not passing people like crazy.

====

I had a buddy that married a girl from Germany while he was stationed there.

So when his tour was up he came state side and was stationed in Ft Polk. He told us a story about how the first few days his wife was in the USA he had one really funny story. They were driving around looking for a place to live off post and as they were going up and down the road/streets his wife said...Awww that is so sweet (or something like that). He said what is sweet.
She said, that sign back there said slow children playing. He replied...well they just want people to be careful so they don't hit any children who might be playing. This is when he realized she did not read it as slow down, there are children in the area...she read it as there were children playing that were mentally slow.

[ethiostar]

US, Japan, Iceland, Denmark, Netherlands, Canada, UK, France and Italy, all have numbers that are within percentage points of each other in relation to elderly care facilities and beds occupied. And China is climbing that list fast!

As far as the "kissing your dog thing" the US pales in comparison to the UK. Youtube some videos of British dog training shows and prepare to be gobsmacked. ;)

It's certainly not the widely done practice here as it is in a majority of other countries, it's way more acceptable, and successful, than a LOT of ppl realize. If you simply ask, especially if you're polite, don't act like you're trying to get by with something outlandish and can deal with an owner or manager w/o making the salesperson feel belittled, you'd be surprised how successful it can be.

With the exception of Japan, all of those countries are 'Western' countries so they share some similar characteristics. Even Japan now is considered very 'Westernized'.

Haggling exists here, that's for sure. You can get discounts for some items in many stores if you point out that the item is somewhat less than pristine, for example. I just got a great deal on a car and to a large extent my upbringing helped prepare me to negotiate with the sales person. Well, that and countless hours of online research:D

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Have you seen shows that show people driving in other countries? It's mass choas compared to the US.

yeah driving in the US is not a problem

[CanadianCowboysFan]

What always surprises me is how no matter what airport you are at, there are always a ton of soldiers travelling around. I am also shocked how a country born out of revolution and whose citizens want the govt out of their lives, willingly roles over for "security" measures and how the richest country in the world has citizens who will do whatever they can NOT to check luggage including shoving the equivalent of grand pianos in the overhead bins.

[Yeagermeister]

Driving on the Autobahn for the first time was an eye opener. You're cruising along at 80 mph when WHOOOOOOSH you get passed by something blue. You can't even make out the type of car just the color. :laugh2:

[ethiostar]

Driving on the Autobahn for the first time was an eye opener. You're cruising along at 80 mph when WHOOOOOOSH you get passed by something blue. You can't even make out the type of car just the color. :laugh2:


http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo303/pumango/funny-gifs-meanwhile-on-the-autobahn.gif

[DallasCowpoke]

Driving on the Autobahn for the first time was an eye opener. You're cruising along at 80 mph when WHOOOOOOSH you get passed by something blue. You can't even make out the type of car just the color. :laugh2:

Hey, I flashed my high beams at you, which is the universal signal for, "SLIDE IT OVER GRANDMA!"

And my Benz wasn't "blue", that was just what was coming out of the tailpipe. We was burning a little rich that particular day! :p:

[Yeagermeister]

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo303/pumango/funny-gifs-meanwhile-on-the-autobahn.gif

Yeap looks familiar :laugh2:

Hey, I flashed my high beams at you, which is the universal signal for, "SLIDE IT OVER GRANDMA!"

And my Benz wasn't "blue", that was just what was coming out of the tailpipe. We was burning a little rich that particular day! :p:

Hey I was in an Army vehicle be glad I was able to do 80 :laugh2:

[rynochop]

Ditto on the people who make out with their dog. I see people let their dog lick them on the mouth, disgusting.

[jobberone]

Driving on the Autobahn for the first time was an eye opener. You're cruising along at 80 mph when WHOOOOOOSH you get passed by something blue. You can't even make out the type of car just the color. :laugh2:

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo303/pumango/funny-gifs-meanwhile-on-the-autobahn.gif (http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo303/pumango/funny-gifs-meanwhile-on-the-autobahn.gif)

There are also highways in France that have unlimited speed limits as well. I was driving from Paris to Monte Carlo and doing about 120mph or so. I saw headlights way behind me. Very quickly a Ferrari then a slant nosed Porsche 911 came flying by me. At least 40 to 60 mph faster than me. Maybe more.

I once had a European 911 Turbo that I put an adjustable waste gate on and then used helicopter fuel in. I got on 95 in Bridgeport CT heading south and was immed passed by a slant nosed 911. I followed both of us doing 120 plus up to 150 traffic allowing. I followed that car all the way to middle VA at those speeds occasionally faster from Bridgeport and never saw a policeman or had the radar detector go off. Got to SC in record time. I'd never do something so stupid now.

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Ditto on the people who make out with their dog. I see people let their dog lick them on the mouth, disgusting.

why wouldn't you? They are like our children.

[Phoenix]

Driving on the Autobahn for the first time was an eye opener. You're cruising along at 80 mph when WHOOOOOOSH you get passed by something blue. You can't even make out the type of car just the color. :laugh2:


Yeah, this is mostly what I was thinking of with my original comment about the driving. Germans are really good about staying on the right, and I imagine driving here must be frustrating for many of them. But I do get about a lot of places being chaos to drive....I remember getting stuck on the inside loop of that damn circle intersection by the Arc De'Triumph in Paris, going round and round and round that stupid thing trying to get the heck out of it! Crazy!

[Yakuza Rich]

I've been to Europe and Japan.

Generally Europeans are shocked at the convenience we have, particularly with our refrigerators which are nothing like the refrigerators over there. Same with showers which are far more elaborate and convenient. Europe is much more into having people taking baths and it was one of the things I hated about being in Europe.

I didn't get to talk to many people in Japan since we didn't have a language commonality and those who could speak English speak it about as well as I speak Japanese. The big thing I found is that they actually think of Americans as being Cowboys, wearing the 10-gallon hats and such. They also had video games that they were playing well before they even hit stateside. So I would imagine that if they came over here they would look at the video games as antequated.

Transportation is completely different in Europe and Japan as well. In the US, if a person owns a bicycle, they usually have it for leisure and exercise. In Europe and Japan it's actually a very important piece of transportation.

Of course, there are always exceptions.






YR

[burmafrd]

Spent a year in Kuwait and anyone claiming the US has the worst drivers needs to go there.

[Jammer]

A few years ago when I was still in the Air Force one guy who worked for me married an East German girl. This was just a few years after the fall of the wall. I asked her what most surprised her about being in America and she said she was surprised people actually worked. All her life she was told Americans sat in big office chairs while peasants did all the work for scrape wages. She said Americans worked much harder and got paid so much more than her country’s people did. She said the reality was so much different than what she was led to believe.

She also enjoyed the sizes of homes and especially apartments. She said the first place she lived when they moved the United States was so large. She kept thinking another richer family would kick them out or at the least another family would move in with them.

[rynochop]

why wouldn't you? They are like our children.

Do I really need to answer that for you?

[trickblue]

What always surprises me is how no matter what airport you are at, there are always a ton of soldiers travelling around. I am also shocked how a country born out of revolution and whose citizens want the govt out of their lives, willingly roles over for "security" measures and how the richest country in the world has citizens who will do whatever they can NOT to check luggage including shoving the equivalent of grand pianos in the overhead bins.

That's not the case... there is a huge row over TSA in the states and it makes daily news...

You are spot on on the overhead luggage... I think it's because the airlines (except for Southwest) charge a pretty penny to check bags. I know Continental is currently mulling over charging fees for using the overhead bin...

[arglebargle]

....
I can't believe I forgot to mention this. The idea of the isolated and self-sufficient nuclear family is very particular to the US and a few other countries/culture groups. In most places, nuclear families are imbedded in larger units, i.e., extended families including uncles, aunts, cousins, grand parents, etc... who maintain contact almost on a daily basis and in some cases living under the same roof. Neighbors also play a very active role in each others daily lives.

I think this is a relatively recent occurence. I know when my grandmother was growing up in rural Tennessee, extended family was still a major thing. As in, kids who didn't get along with their parents moved in with aunts, uncles and cousins, mobility between households was higher, and people in the family helping out a bunch. Etc.

The nuclear family thing is a result of the post-WWII urbanization effect, imo. It's not really a traditional thing, it just seems that way due to folks being raised that way more and more.

I have heard this observation about family from visitors and new arrivals as well.



Had a friend who was a missionary kid, raised in East Africa, and when he came back to States as teenager, he really didn't like the pace of life in America. He eventually ended up leaving the country because of it.

[Phrozen Phil]

One thing I've noticed over the years when I cross the border are the large billboard sized signs telling me to REPENT! (It didn't work:D)
Political campaign signs in the cities are huge and omnipresent leading to an election.
It's difficult to get in-depth news from American TV stations about other locations unless violence is involved or as a novelty (ie the running of the bulls in Pamplona) The people reading the news are generally tall, attractive (perfect teeth) and deliver news in short bursts of information.
The hospitality industry is incredible, with a very high standard for service. I do notice that the wait staff are genreally older than up here, but their skills are great. The reason for obesity? The enormous portions at restaurants. Tons of food at reasonable prices, most of it quite fattening.
As I don't live there, my perspective is different than one who emigrates there, but the U.S. is a fun place to visit.

[WoodysGirl]

That's not the case... there is a huge row over TSA in the states and it makes daily news...

You are spot on on the overhead luggage... I think it's because the airlines (except for Southwest) charge a pretty penny to check bags. I know Continental is currently mulling over charging fees for using the overhead bin...
Man, don't get me started on TSA. 3 out the last 4 times I went through security, I think I've had to get patted down. Two because I wore dresses they couldn't see through. Hello! I don't want people seeing through my dress. And another because the shorts I wore had an attached belt, so that got me felt up.

I've never used the overhead bin. I put my laptop bag and purse under the seat. And if it doesn't quite fit, they don't see it because I'm sitting by the window and my feet are on top of them.

[vta]

why wouldn't you? They are like our children.

Our children don't use their tongues as toilet paper...

And let's not get on with how their saliva is cleaner than ours, as everyone likes to spout off. Dog feces isn't clean.

[jobberone]

One thing I've noticed over the years when I cross the border are the large billboard sized signs telling me to REPENT! (It didn't work:D)
Political campaign signs in the cities are huge and omnipresent leading to an election.
It's difficult to get in-depth news from American TV stations about other locations unless violence is involved or as a novelty (ie the running of the bulls in Pamplona) The people reading the news are generally tall, attractive (perfect teeth) and deliver news in short bursts of information.
The hospitality industry is incredible, with a very high standard for service. I do notice that the wait staff are genreally older than up here, but their skills are great. The reason for obesity? The enormous portions at restaurants. Tons of food at reasonable prices, most of it quite fattening.
As I don't live there, my perspective is different than one who emigrates there, but the U.S. is a fun place to visit.

Way, way too much food. Part of the reason there is an obesity problem here. You seldom see a fat person in China and even the fat are at worst a little chubby.

[ethiostar]

I think this is a relatively recent occurence. I know when my grandmother was growing up in rural Tennessee, extended family was still a major thing. As in, kids who didn't get along with their parents moved in with aunts, uncles and cousins, mobility between households was higher, and people in the family helping out a bunch. Etc.

The nuclear family thing is a result of the post-WWII urbanization effect, imo. It's not really a traditional thing, it just seems that way due to folks being raised that way more and more.

I have heard this observation about family from visitors and new arrivals as well.



Had a friend who was a missionary kid, raised in East Africa, and when he came back to States as teenager, he really didn't like the pace of life in America. He eventually ended up leaving the country because of it.

That is very true.

Mobility due to rapid economic development and the availability of jobs associated with it has been responsible for dispersing extended families over time and to various parts of the country because economic centers/employment opportunities were available in many parts of the country. Furthermore, the fact that the US is such a large country means that when family members relocate they are often too far away making it inconvenient to visit each other more than a few times a year.

Also, most of the time, when people talk about US 'culture' they are usually talking about the urban/suburban middle class and more often than not, European Americans. Life in rural areas is still very different and to some extent has retained its pre WWII favor. Even in cities, extended families are still relied upon to some extent in some/perhaps most predominately African American communities.

[rynochop]

Our children don't use their tongues as toilet paper....

Mine dont either, lol. And i quit kissing them on the mouth years ago, though they are 15 and 11.

A friend of mines wife has dachsunds, and i'll go over for a game or ufc fight, she'll make food and dips, then i'll see these dogs all over her and she's almost frenching them...yeah i'll grab whataburger thanks. And i'm not some germophobe, its just offputting.

[jnday]

Ditto on the people who make out with their dog. I see people let their dog lick them on the mouth, disgusting.

Why don't they just go for the French kiss to the rear? A dog is a filthy animal. Sorry dog lovers, but this is taking things too far. I don't even want an animal in my home.

[jnday]

Sam, another great topic for discussion.

[VietCowboy]

Halloween.

I was 4, came to the US on October 30, 1990.

Suffice it to say, since then, I have never had a sweet tooth.

[cowboy_ron]

Our children don't use their tongues as toilet paper...

And let's not get on with how their saliva is cleaner than ours, as everyone likes to spout off. Dog feces isn't clean.
:laugh2:

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Our children don't use their tongues as toilet paper...

And let's not get on with how their saliva is cleaner than ours, as everyone likes to spout off. Dog feces isn't clean.

we change our children's nappies, our little boys often urinate in our face when we change them, kissing your dog is clean next to that.

[jnday]

we change our children's nappies, our little boys often urinate in our face when we change them, kissing your dog is clean next to that.

Yeah, but you are kissing a dog's butt on purpose.

[Ren]

Was born in Grand Prairie TX but lived most of my life in Norway.

My first time back in 87 the thing that most surprised me was fat people, not so much the quantity but the extremes some people took it too, there's nothing like that here. Not trying to flame or anything but those everything is bigger in Texas t shirts are true in that sense at least

[trickblue]

we change our children's nappies, our little boys often urinate in our face when we change them, kissing your dog is clean next to that.

Yeah... you learn pretty quick to put your handshield in front of that pee-gun...

Once that lil pistol hits cool air it goes into semi-auto mode... :laugh2:

[Hostile]

Richard Pryor had a great punch line about things that amaze other people about America. He said he visited Africa and people there said to him, "Is it true in America that stores and restaurants with food are open 24 hours a day?"

He replied, "Yeah, if you've got some money or a pistol you can get yourself something to eat in America."

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Was born in Grand Prairie TX but lived most of my life in Norway.

My first time back in 87 the thing that most surprised me was fat people, not so much the quantity but the extremes some people took it too, there's nothing like that here. Not trying to flame or anything but those everything is bigger in Texas t shirts are true in that sense at least

I had never seen a 5XL shirt until I was at DFW Airport. I didn't think they made shirts that big.

[5Stars]

I had never seen a 5XL shirt until I was at DFW Airport. I didn't think they made shirts that big.

Silverbear....where are you?




:laugh2:

[Temo]

When I came to the US I was 4 years old and I remember walking into a toys'r'us and being unable to comprehend that there would a store that size just dedicated to children's toys.

If I had a single toy to play with, I was happy. Then I'm brought here, walk into a Toys'R'Us and it's just mind blowing.

That said, I grew into a typical spoiled American kid pretty fast.

[Temo]

Halloween.

I was 4, came to the US on October 30, 1990.

Suffice it to say, since then, I have never had a sweet tooth.

Wow, I was the same age at almost the same time when I came to the US (I came over mid-October though).

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Silverbear....where are you?




:laugh2:

you mean you want him to rip the Norwegian guy who made the initial comment?

[tecolote]

I live in Mexico City and over the years US influence has been greater and greater here, so there are not a lot of differences with life in the US as far as goods, services and daily life, but one of the things that is different is how honest people are in the US, an example:

We were on our honeymoon and my wife left her wallet with US$1000.00 on top of a pay phone at the Miami airport. We relized this about 30 mins later when we were at the car rental counter, we went back to get the wallet but it wasn't there anymore. Just as we were leaving the airport we heard my wifes name on the PA system, a cleaning lady had found the wallet and returned it intact. We gave her a nice reward and went on our way.

I was amazed by that, that doesn't happen in Mexico, people are generaly good here but if you lose a cell phone you will never get it back. We travel to the US a lot and being that my wife is the Michael Jordan of losing things, we have had that type of good experience another 3 or 4 times. I love that about the US.

[rkell87]

I live in Mexico City and over the years US influence has been greater and greater here, so there are not a lot of differences with life in the US as far as goods, services and daily life, but one of the things that is different is how honest people are in the US, an example:

We were on our honeymoon and my wife left her wallet with US$1000.00 on top of a pay phone at the Miami airport. We relized this about 30 mins later when we were at the car rental counter, we went back to get the wallet but it wasn't there anymore. Just as we were leaving the airport we heard my wifes name on the PA system, a cleaning lady had found the wallet and returned it intact. We gave her a nice reward and went on our way.

I was amazed by that, that doesn't happen in Mexico, people are generaly good here but if you lose a cell phone you will never get it back. We travel to the US a lot and being that my wife is the Michael Jordan of losing things, we have had that type of good experience another 3 or 4 times. I love that about the US.

I've personally returned 4 cell phones and know many people have done the same and had the same done for them. I once found a beat up phone on the side of the road and walked about 100 yards to gather the pieces on the off chance it would work and it did so I returned it

[trickblue]

I live in Mexico City and over the years US influence has been greater and greater here, so there are not a lot of differences with life in the US as far as goods, services and daily life, but one of the things that is different is how honest people are in the US, an example:

We were on our honeymoon and my wife left her wallet with US$1000.00 on top of a pay phone at the Miami airport. We relized this about 30 mins later when we were at the car rental counter, we went back to get the wallet but it wasn't there anymore. Just as we were leaving the airport we heard my wifes name on the PA system, a cleaning lady had found the wallet and returned it intact. We gave her a nice reward and went on our way.

I was amazed by that, that doesn't happen in Mexico, people are generaly good here but if you lose a cell phone you will never get it back. We travel to the US a lot and being that my wife is the Michael Jordan of losing things, we have had that type of good experience another 3 or 4 times. I love that about the US.

My wife is from Mexico... and you are right...

She was astounded by the innate honesty of Americans and she has embraced the American culture...

Yes, we are stupid in many instances, but she loves the honesty she has found here... especially in the South...

[visionary]

americans are by and large honest, friendly, and open minded

though you wouldnt know that if you visited CZ ;)