Cultural Differences – Part 1

Sep 23, 2007 by Justin Wayne

23/9/o7
jwa

I have been thinking a lot about many of the cultural differences between here (London) and the States and I wanted to share a few things with you all and see what you think. Feel free to comment on these blogs too and if I really like the comment I’ll post it next time.

Anywho… culture…

So, some odd things that I’ve been noticing – other than the fact that they drive on the other side of the road (for some reason, even knowing this before we got here is very strange still) – are weird things that I’ve always taken for granted. Things that I grew up with in the States and things that I used to know how to, and where to go, are completely new again. Walking down the sidewalk even, sometimes, I end up on the right side and get pushed almost into the grass (or into the street!) because they want to walk on the left.

Signs are different, the walk/don’t walk signs are different, prices are different, things I once knew the name of have different names (courgettes = zucchini… I think). I plan on including some pictures so you’ll be able to see what I’m talking about in a later episode.

Jamie said it best last night, when we were completely confused after our phone “ran out of minutes” because we’re on a “pay-as-you-go” plan. She said, “I just want to be able to DO some things instead of having to LEARN first.” Sometimes it’s extremely frustrating! Just think for a bit, if you needed to go to the store to get a bottle of milk…

1. Make sure you have at least two pounds. That’s money, by the way.
2. Don’t forget to bring your house key. On these doors that’s the only way to open a door – front doors have no knob.
3. Crossing the street – look right first. If you don’t and you’re unlucky, it will look clear and then you’ll (if you’re lucky) get honked at by a frustrated motorist.
4. In the store – due to the diversity that inhabits London, and that visit it, much of the labeling in the tiny market shop you won’t be able to read.
5. Pay the man with your two pounds. One pound notes (like um… paper bills) do not exist. They’re heavy, small coins that are worth about two American dollars. Not something you want to loose down the vent.
6. Cross the street, remembering again to look right first, and use the house key you made sure to bring along to get back in your house.

…and that’s not even riding the double-decker buses!

Thanks again for all of your continued support. Let me know what you think about these cultural differences. Any foreigners in the States going through the opposite experiences? I’d love to hear those stories and I’ll happily post anything that I particularly like.

Oh oh, I almost forgot. I’m going to be appearing on some internet radio next week. It’s unpaid, but it’ll be good exposure and most importantly, something else to put on the resume. I’m planning the show out so it’ll be definitely worth listening to. It’s at 11:30pm here, so 5:30pm Central Standard time and 4:30 Mountain time. I’ll post the website next time.

Alright. That’s all for now. Think of me next time you buy milk in the states for $2 bucks!

~Justin