Regarding America(ns) I
During my two weeks so far I’ve made some interesting observations of this country and it’s inhabitants. It’s surprising how many stereotypics there really are when it comes to appearence, behavior, stuff they do or don’t do, culture etc. I have tried to either confirm or kill American myths with help from my observations and asking the locals themselves. If you can’t handle sarcasm the following might not be for you!
Statements & Conclusions I
Clothing. Statement: American men are generally very casual and wear shorts at anytime they possibly can. They prefer to wear either sandals, trainers or some kind of hiking shoes with that.
Conclusion: Absolutely and utterly true. I will do my best to find out why.
Food. Statement: American food is greasy, processed and come in enormous portions.
Conclusion: Not true. I have had the nicest, tastiest, freshest meals during my stay so far. Sure you can find a lot of stuff that are either heart attackes or contains your entire daily calorie intake. The portions are quite normal, but from time to time on the bigger side. Then you usually share.
Alcohol. Statement: When purchasing alcohol in America you always get your bottle in a brown paper bag.
Conclusion: That’s pretty much the case. I’ve only bought wine, but both in my local grocery store, wine tasting rooms and in nicer wine shops they always put the bottle in a brown paper bag. I personally think it’s great because the bottles wont clink.
Culture 1 - Answering machines Statement: The first thing an American do when arriving home is to turn on the answering machine, walking about while listening.
Conclusion: Well, even Americans have cell phones these days. So from what I’ve heard this is not the case, however leaving messages is still common.
Culture 2 - Valet parking Statement: In film and on TV Americans always throw their car keys to a teenage boy who parks and retrieves their car for them.
Conclusion: Valet parking exists and in a lot of places. Sometimes they’re complimentary and then why not use it? Other than that it seems to be a safer, convenient and more expensive way to park.
Culture 3 - License and registration please Statement: When (or should I say if) you’re pulled over by the highway patrol car they ask for license and registration that Americans always keep in the sun/mirror flap above their head.
Conclusion: When I borrowed the car that’s taking me around I was given license and registration papers. Where you keep them seem to be voluntary but I just HAD to put them in the flap.
More to come, stay tuned.
