|
Several people did write and say they'd be interested in my 'impressions of America' so I thought I'd write a few things that have struck me since being here:
(Realizing, of course, I'm in the south and this may cause things to be somewhat different from other areas of the U.S.)
-
I am more and more aware that Brits and Americans do not speak the same language. I'm FROM here, but my accent has changed so radically (apparently) that people from my 'homeland' don't understand me. I'm constantly asked to repeat what I've said, usually closely followed by "Where are you from?". :)
- The amount of food served to you in restaurants here is positively OBSCENE. I had forgotten how much food you are served when you go out, especially for dinner.
We went to a restaurant called Ruby Tuesday's (a chain that serves a variety of American and other-wise inspired dishes) last night, and I managed to consume *half* of what they brought me. I'd heard British people who have visited here go on and on about how big portions are, but I didn't realize how true it is until I'd spent a considerable amount of time away.
- Drivers here are definitely in a race, and I think the prize must be HUGE! Everyone seems to drive as fast as their cars will possibly move.
And this from someone who's been driving where the national speed limit is 60! I do run across the odd car that's going within the speed limits, but usually it seems to be full of old people and driving WELL below the speed limit. Either too fast or too slow, I suppose.
-
Everyone here is very interested in what kind of day I'm having. <grin> I can't count how many times I've been told to 'have a nice day!' It's very kind, but I do wonder if some of them really mean it. ;) I'd heard many jokes about Americans always telling everyone to have a good day, but it's TRUE!
- People here not only make *eye contact* on the street (They do NOT do that in the south of England -- it's considered rude.) but they very often smile at you as well. And these are not
people I know or even recognize. This is definitely a southern thing, I'm sure, but I keep wondering "Do I know him/her?", forgetting that most people are just being 'friendly'.
- I don't know if this is southern or not, but everyone seems inclined to give out great heaps of information to complete strangers.
I went to join a gym today, and in the process of just signing up, the owner imparted to me when he'd bought the business(which was over 2 years ago, btw), what state it was in at the time of purchase, what kind of people ran it before, what he'd done to improve it, and even the terms of an agreement he has with an upholsterer to fix the pads on the machines when necessary. This was a lot more than I needed to know. ;)
- It's a very 'small world' here even in a 'big' city like Chattanooga. (And I consider it pretty big really.) The man who sold us shrimp at the seafood market today not only worked at
one time under the surgeon who did my mother's knee replacement, but he's also best friends with her next-door-neighbor's brother.
Don't ask me how we covered all these topics in the process of buying shrimp anyway -- see the previous comment. <grin>
Those are some of my initial impressions. I'm sure there
will likely be more to come. :)
|
