some differences

it's funny how we are so quick to make generalizations. maybe the structure of it makes us feel more in control. i've noticed myself doing it since we've arrived, and then reminding myself that my ONE experience is hardly sufficient to determine something about an entire country or people.

still, here are a few things we've experienced that you don't see as often in the U S of A:

mobile phones go everywhere: dinner table, bathroom (every time I've been in the bathroom, there has been a full conversation happening in the stall next to me.), on the scooter, etc.

spitting: lots of spitting. the throat-clearing-work-a-gob-up and hock-a-loogie kind of spitting. it is believed it is healthy to clear the bad things out of your system. healthy for you ... not so much for my sandals.

restaurants: it is expected that you will alert the server when you need something. and the alert goes something like this "SERVER!" .. with your hand raised. you tell them when you are ready to order, when you need more, when you wonder if something has gluten in it, AND when you need the check. we hung out quite some time our first few days here … reluctant to offend by asking for the check. on many occasion we had very awkward staring competitions … "she hates us .. seriously, she is looking RIGHT at me." but then we found out .. it's as simple as raising the hand. just like kindergarten. now if I could just find the carpet square i'm supposed to sit on.

we asked for clarification around protocol, and received the question,

"if you don't raise your hand in the US, how do they know when you need something?"
"they watch you …"
"that sounds very stressful for the server, and for you."
(we won't even bring up the tipping issue)

"yeah, it actually makes a lot more sense this way." "FU WU YUAN!"

when we get back to the states, we'll implement this policy on behalf of the greater good.

things are smaller: the footprints on the moving sidewalk at the airport, BIKES (chad, only today, found one to fit his MAMMOTH frame), bags (most have mini backpacks or carry their wallets. while i…. i aLWays have the magic bag (just in case I need a map, or a book, or a snack, or a tire iron.). the cups are small, which leads me to believe that everyone is dehydrated like me. the kitchens are small (we have a bathroom sink in our kitchen, and my hunch is that we have a pretty good set up). the ovens are non-existent. perhaps, a lot of this makes sense given that a lot of the people are small.

which makes me TALL. that's right. i'm tall.

safety is lACkiNg: no seatbelts in cabs. now, you know how I feel about seatbelts on the rule abiding roadways in the US. with the top notch trauma centers close by. with the doctors who speak english.

but tHEse seatbelt-less cars are lost in a mass of other seatbelt-less cars … and the only rule we can determine is: GET YOURS.

this rule applies to cars, to bikes, to pedestrians, and most definitely, to ikea.

and finally ... the graciousness. this is a generalization that has yet to be challenged. every person i have met is beautifully gracious. every one.