The biggest surprises
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Hinsdale, IL
Posts: 469
The biggest surprises
What surprised you the most about moving to the USA?
Me:
*Going to the Doctor costs HOW much???
*America really is such a big country (as in the movies)
*There really are very poor people, and lots of them.....
Me:
*Going to the Doctor costs HOW much???
*America really is such a big country (as in the movies)
*There really are very poor people, and lots of them.....
#2
Jeez, you're not kidding about the medical bills!! Medical insurance is a must!!
Hell, the things I could've bought with the amount my last bill came to. And I'm not even ill!
The vast size of this country still amazes me - I had to take two flights, connecting at Houston to get to Colorado.
I checked how long it would take to drive there - close to 30 hours! Whew! It only used to take me 8 or so hours to drive from Edinburgh to Cornwall.
Hell, the things I could've bought with the amount my last bill came to. And I'm not even ill!
The vast size of this country still amazes me - I had to take two flights, connecting at Houston to get to Colorado.
I checked how long it would take to drive there - close to 30 hours! Whew! It only used to take me 8 or so hours to drive from Edinburgh to Cornwall.
#3
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Joined: Oct 2002
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 920
I couldn't believe how friendly people seemed. When we first arrived, it was a Thursday evening. By Friday lunch time I had enough food to last me the weekend that people dropped off with their phone numbers. Yes, some of it was superficial but I didn't care. It was such a nice thought of everyone to think of us. Even though we don't live in the same state anymore, I still keep in touch with quite a few of my neighbours and they will be friends for life. Great people
I couldn't believe how rude people could be - I still can't get used to an adult saying 'wha' to me when I ask them a question! Or when they are being incompetent and actually get away with it and can't understand why I am cross!
I couldn't believe how rude people could be - I still can't get used to an adult saying 'wha' to me when I ask them a question! Or when they are being incompetent and actually get away with it and can't understand why I am cross!
#4
That almost anywhere you go you can get some really fantastic beers! Not what I expected at all.
The driving test really is that easy.
It's always time for a 50%/75% sale.
People really do ask dumb questions all the time.
BBC America is rubbish 99% of the time.
The driving test really is that easy.
It's always time for a 50%/75% sale.
People really do ask dumb questions all the time.
BBC America is rubbish 99% of the time.
#5
Sad old Crinkly Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Posts: 807
Originally posted by Duncan Roberts
That almost anywhere you go you can get some really fantastic beers! Not what I expected at all.
The driving test really is that easy.
It's always time for a 50%/75% sale.
People really do ask dumb questions all the time.
BBC America is rubbish 99% of the time.
That almost anywhere you go you can get some really fantastic beers! Not what I expected at all.
The driving test really is that easy.
It's always time for a 50%/75% sale.
People really do ask dumb questions all the time.
BBC America is rubbish 99% of the time.
Only 99% of the time?
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Washington, DC via Cornwall
Posts: 193
Originally posted by Duncan Roberts
That almost anywhere you go you can get some really fantastic beers! Not what I expected at all.
The driving test really is that easy.
It's always time for a 50%/75% sale.
People really do ask dumb questions all the time.
BBC America is rubbish 99% of the time.
That almost anywhere you go you can get some really fantastic beers! Not what I expected at all.
The driving test really is that easy.
It's always time for a 50%/75% sale.
People really do ask dumb questions all the time.
BBC America is rubbish 99% of the time.
I was also overwhelmed by the portions of food. You get far too much for not a lot money. I believe it was restaurants trying to stay competitive, and not American appetites, that has caused the nation's penchant for overeating.
To my never ending surprise, many Americans think England (I try not to use UK or Britain because that only causes confusion) is nothing but Mary Poppins, english muffins, "soccer" riots, and the Queen, and beyond that, they dont seem to care.
#7
The biggest surprise for me here is religion.
Being a secular humanist in the bible belt is no picnic.
My other surprises include:
- Medical expenses :scared:
- Drive Thru Stores (we have a drive-thru dry cleaners and a liquor store here)
- How long the Interstates are (I regularly have to drive from Georgia to Louisiana)
- My monthly electric bill :scared:
- Racism
Being a secular humanist in the bible belt is no picnic.
My other surprises include:
- Medical expenses :scared:
- Drive Thru Stores (we have a drive-thru dry cleaners and a liquor store here)
- How long the Interstates are (I regularly have to drive from Georgia to Louisiana)
- My monthly electric bill :scared:
- Racism
Last edited by rincewind; Feb 23rd 2004 at 11:24 pm.
#8
Originally posted by rincewind
.....
- My monthly electric bill :scared:
...
.....
- My monthly electric bill :scared:
...
#10
Originally posted by dunroving
I live in a shoebox by myself and never take a bath!
I live in a shoebox by myself and never take a bath!
350/month - yikes! There are 4 of us in a 3000 sqft house, and we only average 75/month - thru that nasty hot sticky Houston summer we still only got up to 150/month twice. Are you sure the neighbours haven't tapped into your meter....
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Woodbridge, Virginia
Posts: 127
- Racism [/QUOTE]
How can you be surprised of Racism in the US, they have it in all countries.
How can you be surprised of Racism in the US, they have it in all countries.
#12
Originally posted by Yorkieabroad
Maybe the latter explains the former!!
350/month - yikes! There are 4 of us in a 3000 sqft house, and we only average 75/month - thru that nasty hot sticky Houston summer we still only got up to 150/month twice. Are you sure the neighbours haven't tapped into your meter....
Maybe the latter explains the former!!
350/month - yikes! There are 4 of us in a 3000 sqft house, and we only average 75/month - thru that nasty hot sticky Houston summer we still only got up to 150/month twice. Are you sure the neighbours haven't tapped into your meter....
I'm beginning to wonder whether the dog turns up the heat while Im at work.
Actually, you might not be far wrong - the neighbours have their heat/AC on constantly (and I mean it is literally ALWAYS running!)
1400 sq ft, new-ish heat/AC system, fairly temperate climate, new water heater, thermostat turns the heat/AC down at night and during the day. Can't understand it. Maybe I should contact the utility company.
#13
Originally posted by FlyergirlUK
Jeez, you're not kidding about the medical bills!! Medical insurance is a must!!
Hell, the things I could've bought with the amount my last bill came to. And I'm not even ill!
The vast size of this country still amazes me - I had to take two flights, connecting at Houston to get to Colorado.
I checked how long it would take to drive there - close to 30 hours! Whew! It only used to take me 8 or so hours to drive from Edinburgh to Cornwall.
Jeez, you're not kidding about the medical bills!! Medical insurance is a must!!
Hell, the things I could've bought with the amount my last bill came to. And I'm not even ill!
The vast size of this country still amazes me - I had to take two flights, connecting at Houston to get to Colorado.
I checked how long it would take to drive there - close to 30 hours! Whew! It only used to take me 8 or so hours to drive from Edinburgh to Cornwall.
Only 30 hours!!! Heh, that's just a short drive to an American. It took me a couple of flights to get from Texas to Ohio, but like I said, to an American that's nothing.
#14
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,296
Originally posted by Yorkieabroad
Maybe the latter explains the former!!
350/month - yikes! There are 4 of us in a 3000 sqft house, and we only average 75/month - thru that nasty hot sticky Houston summer we still only got up to 150/month twice. Are you sure the neighbours haven't tapped into your meter....
Maybe the latter explains the former!!
350/month - yikes! There are 4 of us in a 3000 sqft house, and we only average 75/month - thru that nasty hot sticky Houston summer we still only got up to 150/month twice. Are you sure the neighbours haven't tapped into your meter....
You must have cheap electricity over there Yorkie. You wouldn't get away with bills that low here in Florida unless you lived in the tiniest of apartments and never ran the A/C. Our old house was over 3,000 sq ft and we were anything up to $450 in the summer and the lowest bill in the winter was $170. Even now that we've downsized and currently have 1900 sq ft under air- we average at $150 a month...Summer highs of over $200 and the lowest at $85.
#15
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Joined: Mar 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,296
Re: The biggest surprises
Originally posted by Muswell Hill
What surprised you the most about moving to the USA?
What surprised you the most about moving to the USA?
That so many people live in abject poverty- thousands of people going hungry in America doesn't fit the image of the country that's portrayed over in Europe.
The kitchen equipment and appliances being so old fashioned.
Religion here in the South and prudish attitudes (dress codes for the beach!!! ).
That the land of the free.. really isn't.