toopie28

I have been here most of my adult life so the date thing has stuck. Also driving.

The sad thing is when I do go home (for one week every year), I get in the wrong side of the car and write the wrong date. By the time I get used to it's time to leave again.

I don't dare drive at home anymore - the roads are so narrow and not what I'm used to. I'm like the "left, right, left, right" moron there when I'm crossing the road. I'm surprised I remember how to walk - don't do much of that here.

I still say lift, petrol, boot. Full stop. Fringe (bangs-ugh). Oh, and I always spell with s (authorise) and ou - (neighbour).

Another thing - NEVER got used to the pricing. The amount BEFORE tax is added. Hate that.

Cardienscarf

I love it when I go home and 19.99 really does mean 19.99.

MiniBrit

That's one of the things I loved about living in Oregon, no sales tax. You actually do pay the price shown

Anian

I always have to think twice before crossing the road. One too many times I have thought "It's the opposite" only to later realise that I had reversed it twice. Of course, you should always look both ways before crossing, but one of those ways is rather more important much sooner!

_Clueless$y$t€m_

Although I've been here the best part of 4 years, it's only recently I've been second guessing myself at shell gas stations when filling up. Back in UK, I used to drive a diesel and would use the black pump for diesel, not the green for unleaded but here in the US it's the other way round. Even when not using a shell station I'm still making myself look a tit by getting out the car at full serves. That awkward moment when you realise you're not pumping your own gas.

Holliver

I've only been in the US for 6 months, but have just popped back to the UK for our wedding party and I'm surprised at how ingrained some 'wrong' things are.

I keep trying to get into the wrong side of the car. I've gasped a few times when I thought my parents were driving on the wrong side of the road. The roads and cars all seem tiny here now.

I've been baffled by the sell-by dates in the supermarket - wondering why they are selling out-of-date food because I keep reversing them. Sometimes I try to read the barcode as the date probably because in Japan they often write it all backwards so May the 4th 2012 would be 2012 05 04.

I really didn't think I'd have a problem with this, goes to show how well I am adjusting to US life The husband will be impressed.

MiniBrit

Oh I know!! that kills me every time I go back, have to shut my eyes when being driven down those tiny roads with all the double parked cars!!!

Also all the rooms in my parents house seem tiny, and the stairs!! so narrow and steep! (and my parents house isn't even small by UK standards). Last time after returning back from the UK everything in my US home seemed like it was made for a giant for a couple of days.

captainsensible

Almost as bad as getting in the car on the wrong side is being a front seat passenger, and reaching for the steering wheel when trying to exit the car. Amuses my American wife no end when I do that...

Jerseygirl

Been here 16+ years and have never pumped my own gas. One advantage of living in NJ.

robin1234

Aye, so longer as we keep them amused, we haven't failed completely..

Bob

It drives me bat shit insane that full service crap.

I want to pump the petrol and get out of there, not have to faff around sitting in a hot car waiting for a gormless wonder to come along and do it and then to expect a tip.

Except when it's a monster blizzard in the middle of winter, then it's not so bad

MiniBrit

It's been so long since I heard that phrase. Thanks for making me chuckle

Jerseygirl

A tip...gas station attendants?

GeoffM

Gas station attendants? I think one usually lives in the attached building but I rarely see them... prefer DIY personally anyway.

robin1234

So that's why you don't live in New Jersey!