the USA as a foreign country

[deird1]

dr_carrot is visiting America for the first time, and has many observations, for those who are interested...

I do find it funny that, when going to a foreign country, you expect all the big things - but get totally taken aback by all the little things that never occurred to you could be different. Because... they're done the way we do them. Why would anyone do them differently?

Hence my impression of Germany has very little to do with Matters Of International Importance, and a lot to do with the toilets and the way they close their windows.

Comments

[brin_bellway]

There's a convention for which side of the sidewalk you pass fellow pedestrians on? I don't think I habitually do it a particular way. I wonder if I've been confusing people all this time whenever I happen to choose the left. (I generally pick a side as soon as I see a person walking the other direction, so they have plenty of time to go to the other side even if it isn't what they'd normally do.)
I don't think of escalators as being organised a particular way, either. If they are, I haven't noticed.

As for accents, I once asked a Tim Hortons employee if a "chocolate glazed donut" was a plain donut with chocolate coating or chocolate all the way though. She found it so obvious she was too confused by my asking to answer. (It turned out to be chocolate all the way through.) I realised shortly thereafter I probably should have found an excuse to say "process" (or rather prah-cess) so she could recognise me as a clueless American.

(we actually plan trips up across the border to Canada just to stock up on Canadian grocery items a few times a year)

I just did a similar trip in reverse. Mmm, Cheez-Its...

[deird1]

I don't think of escalators as being organised a particular way, either. If they are, I haven't noticed.

Here, the escalator you want to take is almost always on the left (with the right one coming towards you). And, at least on busy city escalators, all the stationary passengers will stay on the left so that people running to catch a train can sprint past on the right...

[brin_bellway]

And, at least on busy city escalators, all the stationary passengers will stay on the left so that people running to catch a train can sprint past on the right...

Now that rule, I have heard of, and it is indeed reversed.

[stormwreath]

Hmm. In London, you always stand on the right of the escalator, leaving the left side free for people in a hurry to walk. So we're different to you there. And on the other hand, the escalator you want to take is usually the one on the left, at least on the Underground.

I'm confused. :)