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Home » 11 Issues to Know About American Tradition Earlier than Transferring to the U.S.

11 Issues to Know About American Tradition Earlier than Transferring to the U.S.

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An immigrant woman eating a burger

Coming to america? Unsure what to anticipate? Nicely, buckle up and prime your self for a wierd and thrilling experience within the land of the massive. Right here, you’ll discover the elysian delight of bottomless soda machines. The uncanny expertise of spray cheese. You’ll traverse the aisles of the biggest supermarkets you’ve ever seen, whereas consuming to-go burgers and downing venti coffees. You’ll put on sweaters in the summertime and nonetheless be too chilly as a result of the air-con is at all times turned right down to “cool.”

On this article, we’ll go over 11 of the quirks you’ll be able to anticipate finding as a brand new immigrant in america.

Consuming on the Go

Strolling down the road in a U.S. metropolis, you might discover, right here and there, a pedestrian eater — an individual waving down a taxi (or Uber) whereas scarfing down a pizza. You may additionally discover, at your native cafe, folks leaving with large cups — cups bigger than the common face — stuffed to the brim with difficult coffees. You’ll discover these items as a result of many Individuals — somewhat than sit and luxuriate in their vanilla latte with 2 pumps mocha, nonfat, steamed, additional sugar — will take their meals (or drink) to go.

And even when they do take a second to sit down and eat, they may ask the waiter for a “doggie bag,” a receptacle particularly designed for leftovers. No meal goes wasted within the U.S. of A. — that’s, until you allow it at the back of your additional giant American fridge for weeks on finish. However that’s a unique story.

Massive, Massive, Larger!

You could have heard that in america issues are simply greater. Typically needlessly so. Some supermarkets are extra like airplane hangars than grocery shops. You might stroll right into a Walmart and suppose you’ve seen all of it. However you then’ll discover a Costco. And nobody’s prepared for a Costco.

But it surely’s not simply shops. Meals are sometimes served in beneficiant parts. Espresso cups are bigger than they should be. Vehicles, hummers, jeeps. Vehicles are, typically, a lot bigger than in different components of the world. There’s no approach round it. For higher or for worse, issues are very massive in america.

Is the Bread Sweeter?

Sure. Apparently in america, the bread is sweeter and extra sugary than in different components of the world. That is just because mass market breads are made in a short time. With a fast turnover, breads don’t have an opportunity to ferment totally, which implies much less taste. Producers throw in some sugar and salt to masks this utter lack of tastiness. The excessive sugar content material led one Irish decide to conclude that Subway bread is legally not bread. However don’t fear, it is best to be capable of discover good flavorful bread on the native bakery.

Should Love Canines (or Cats, or Any Different Pet)

An immigrant with her pet

Individuals love their pets and look at them as a member of the household. They costume them up for Halloween (or simply as a result of), take them out consuming, and embody them on work calls. Practically 70% of Individuals personal a pet, and that quantity is rising.

In the event you’re new to the U.S., getting a pet might be an effective way to satisfy new folks. Take your canine to the native canine park and begin bonding over the most effective grain-free kibble.

A Lot of Flags

In lots of international locations, an occasion with flags is usually a worrisome affair, as nationalistic pleasure — what many in america name patriotism — is usually related to the historical past (and really current subject) of fascism. Within the U.S., nevertheless, flags are on all the things. You might even see them on properties, atop metropolis buildings, at giant (or small) public occasions, in entrance of eating places. So simply because there’s a flag in entrance of a constructing doesn’t imply it’s the Pentagon. It may be a diner.

Trip? What Trip?

Different components of the world acknowledge the necessity for leisure time. Time to refresh and mirror. Time for your self, your pals, your loved ones. Not in america. Excluding sick days and paid holidays, folks working within the U.S. personal sector have a mean of 10 paid trip days after 1 12 months of labor. And in 2017, 52 % of individuals in america solely used a portion of their trip days.

That is very totally different from international locations like Brazil, the place employees get 30 days of trip per 12 months. However keep in mind, totally different corporations have totally different guidelines, so that you could possibly discover one with a extra lenient vacation coverage.

Would You Like Ice With That?

Immigrant drinks a soda

Nobody ever asks this query in america. They simply put ice in your drink.

In loads of international locations, chilly drinks aren’t, by necessity, jam-packed with ice. In america, however, it’s a unique story. In the event you don’t need ice in a chilly drink, you’ll most certainly must ask the server to skip the frozen water. However should you’re a fan of numerous ice, you then’ll be on cloud 9.

Pancakes at 3:00 am? No Drawback

Okay, so you might not discover a place for pancakes at 3:00 am in actually each a part of america, however in lots of cities, it’s very simple to seek out an all-night restaurant. You would possibly discover a 24-hour diner with a 30-page menu otherwise you is perhaps in New York Metropolis, the place bars by no means appear to shut. You may additionally discover the random meals truck serving late-night clubbers. In the event you ever thought “gosh, I actually want I might stuff my face with greasy meals after midnight,” you then’re in for a deal with.

Not Many Trains

The USA is a car-centric nation. Even New York Metropolis’s in depth metro isn’t almost as full or user-friendly as different practice programs discovered all through the world. Mass transit, typically, is missing in america. Through the previous 65 years, america has spent roughly $10 trillion on roads and highways however solely $2.5 trillion on mass transit and railways. But when you find yourself in cities like New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, or Washington D.C., you’ll be able to nonetheless get round and not using a automotive.

Individuals Prefer to Keep on Schedule

Immigrant during a work call

You would possibly discover exceptions to this rule, however typically, folks in america are critical about their punctuality. Failure to reach on time for a gathering (whether or not formal or casual) may very well be taken as an affront or, on the very least, may very well be trigger for annoyance. Why is that this the case? Onerous to say for sure, however it could have one thing to do with the work tradition in america. Since a lot time is spent at work, there’s little left over for recreation. Losing this additional time would possibly, due to this fact, be seen as an indication of disrespect.

Tip Your Waiter

In lots of components of the world waiters obtain a comparatively substantial hourly wage, making the observe of tipping nearly pointless. However in america, servers could make as little as $2.00 per hour, earlier than taxes are deducted. So with out suggestions, the waitstaff would possibly go dwelling empty handed.

Failing to tip your waiter is, thus, seen as disrespectful, so that you’ll wish to remember to collect (at the very least) 15% to twenty% of the entire, for tip. Exterior of eating places, the customs are much less easy. rule of thumb is: should you’re given the choice to tip, it is best to most certainly depart gratuity.

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