What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
Dec 16th 2016, 12:02 am
#196
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2016
Location: Northern California
Posts: 2,277
Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
I never realized flags were so much of an issue.
Last edited by johnwoo; Dec 16th 2016 at 12:19 am.
Dec 16th 2016, 6:31 am
#200
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 86
Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
I would say a big culture shock for me was the healthcare system. It would make me so mad but I learnt you just need to except this is the way things are and go with it. Oh also the extreme importance of good credit or even having credit. Without which life can be very difficult. I wish I had just given in When I first moved here and gotten the secured credit card where you basically put money on a card and then buy stuff and make payments to build up your credit. What I learned is sometimes the way things are done here can be really frustrating but if you just accept them it is a lot easier and eventually they become the norm or part of the journey.
Dec 16th 2016, 9:15 am
#201
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 10,009
Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
Don't get me started on the banks. All I wanted to do was set up a standing order to my landlord but because he's at a different bank I had to set it up so that a physical check gets automatically sent to him every month. I was dumbfounded that I just couldn't set it up as an electronic payment. Some things in this country are so backwards.
I would say a big culture shock for me was the healthcare system. It would make me so mad but I learnt you just need to except this is the way things are and go with it. Oh also the extreme importance of good credit or even having credit. Without which life can be very difficult. I wish I had just given in When I first moved here and gotten the secured credit card where you basically put money on a card and then buy stuff and make payments to build up your credit. What I learned is sometimes the way things are done here can be really frustrating but if you just accept them it is a lot easier and eventually they become the norm or part of the journey.
I would say a big culture shock for me was the healthcare system. It would make me so mad but I learnt you just need to except this is the way things are and go with it. Oh also the extreme importance of good credit or even having credit. Without which life can be very difficult. I wish I had just given in When I first moved here and gotten the secured credit card where you basically put money on a card and then buy stuff and make payments to build up your credit. What I learned is sometimes the way things are done here can be really frustrating but if you just accept them it is a lot easier and eventually they become the norm or part of the journey.
Dec 16th 2016, 2:03 pm
#202
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
I don't think they gave us one at my ceremony, now you bring it up.
We were forced to listen to that god awful country song (redundant phrasing) but didn't get a miniature flag. That's weird.
Dec 16th 2016, 2:13 pm
#204
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Dec 16th 2016, 2:24 pm
#206
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Dec 16th 2016, 2:26 pm
#207
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: CT
Posts: 33,524
Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
Dec 16th 2016, 2:32 pm
#208
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
It's the little things.
Dec 16th 2016, 2:40 pm
#210
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598