Tuesday, February 17, 2015

10 Random Observations on Life in America So Far


1.  I still can't get used to having an outside postbox - outside, down the drive, and actually across the other side of the road and up a bit.  Small thing, but annoying when it's snowing or raining...

2.  We regularly shout at the television when they mispronounce words that we're used to (eg see below).

3.  Some words are often pronounced normally in American in a seemingly pretentious way (eg parmesan = parme-sharn; filet = fillay; herb = 'erb) (more mental shouting).

4.  I have been asked twice whether the UK is a part of England (I tend not to confuse matters further by mentioning Wales) (sorry Wales).  I've also been asked if I'm from New Zealand. And no, I've never watched Downton Abbey :-)

5.  Cadbury's chocolate over here is licensed to Hershey (*ptooey*) and does not taste the same.  Even worse, Hershey are trying to ban real Cadbury imports.  My spare suitcase will be used solely for stocking up on proper chocolate supplies when I return to the UK shortly...  http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-31120182

 6.  When we arrived we spent ages trying to find spray-on deodorant but couldn't.  This January, spray-on deodorants are being advertised as an "exciting new thing".  Welcome to the 21st century...

7.  Main courses here are "Entrees", when in every other language, an "entrée" is a starter.  Apparently there is a slightly tedious historic reason for this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entr%C3%A9e

 8.  BOGOFs are BOGOs and half price is "Half Off".

9.  21st century?  Everything is measured old-skool.  It's very frustrating.  Fabric comes in inches and yards.  Recipes are in pounds and ounces (and random cups).  Mental calculations are still needed for the weather.  For example - today's weather "morning temperatures are near 0 with windchills -10 to -20.  Winds will diminish later today.  Expect temperatures near 10 at lunchtime and a high of 16 this afternoon."  For those used to Celsius, it doesn't sound too bad, does it?  Except that its not, and it actually means it's starting out at -17°C, with windchills of -23°C to -29°C, rising to -10°C at lunchtime and then reaching a balmy high of -9°C this afternoon.  *Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr*

 10.  Despite allegedly speaking the same language, lots of people don't understand my accent....  I also find myself annunciating in a very British manner in an effort to be understood...  (#cliché)   Other times, people LOVE my accent and ask me to speak more to them.  And no, I still don't watch Downton Abbey.

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