First impressions
The last time I tread on USA soil was in May, 2005, so the changes are not as remarkable as other years where 34 months would separate visits. Even though born and raised here, you have to get used to stuff.
Example: Sales tax is not included. Don’t stare at people who are speaking English in the store. They are not visiting. They live here. And they don’t need your help.
Example: When someone asks you, "How you doing today?," they don’t necessarily know you. They are being nice. Don’t try to figure out where you’ve met them before.
Example: Some people eat tacos for breakfast. No, not just tacos… Tacos with chicken and guacamole and cheese and…
Example: It’s okay to talk out loud in the metro. You can even look at people. Sometimes even make eye-contact.
Example: The Tour de France is finished just after you get up in the morning.
Thanks for stopping by.
July 2nd, 2006 at 4:52 am
Welcome “home!” Enjoy your stay … hope to touch base with you in SoCal.
July 2nd, 2006 at 11:34 pm
Love it! These are so right - except for the taco thing. Where do you visit?
July 3rd, 2006 at 2:56 pm
Example: If you ask a young person what they think about the Germany-Italy matchup they think you are having a WWII flashback.
July 4th, 2006 at 4:00 pm
Welcome to the States. Enjoy the visit and the tacos but if you read Steve’s blog, stay away from the burritos.
July 4th, 2006 at 6:33 pm
To mike (in zurich): Excellent comment. Worth many chuckles! Brady, you ate chicken tacos for breakfast? Where on earth are you staying?
July 5th, 2006 at 2:37 pm
Other than the obvious folks, if the English-speaking people you met were in the DC area, I’d sure like to know where they were!
Adding my “welcome home” to the others. I hope it is an enjoyable, relaxing time for you.