20 features of life in the US, which can be confusing

About two years ago I spontaneously sent a questionnaire to participate in the Green Card Lottery for the company with her husband's colleagues. I made a picture on the background of white door and forget about it. In May came the reply that I won. Next was a long process of preparation and transfer.

Over 27 years of living in Russia, I often hear that Americans are weird, crazy or stupid. Yes, just not "real" with his white-toothed smiles. However, eight months of life in New York - it is an occasion to question their own "normality". For a great difference in mentality is such as huge national identity. The main difference between the Americans - the love of freedom and comfort, it is impossible for them not to be respected. I'll tell you about the features of life in the US, which surprise Russian, at least I - exactly.

1. alcohol Culture

Neither party will not pass without gallons

alcohol, Immersed in plastic pots with ice. Beer stores dismantled packages. Any event - a football game, the Super Bowl or just a Friday night - begins and continues in the bar. But Americans know exactly the measure.

2. The habit of walking around the house in shoes

No, it is not only in the series. Few hold home slippers for guests. Purity on the road allows you to not take off one's shoes in the apartment with a clean (well, almost) conscience, although I'll never understand. They say that some Americans may regard your request to remove your shoes as an infringement on their freedom.

3. Freedom to the

If you want to run around in a bathing suit on the street, juggling disco balls - always welcome, the city is waiting for you. Nobody will be surprised a man in a parrot costume rather surprised woman in a dress with perfect make-up and styling that goes to the subway.

Americans - the people without complexes. Even the problem of excess weight could turn into a movement bodipozitiva. Not to complicate what can be simplified - that's the essence of the American worldview.

4. The need for the cash

If you have in your pocket a few credit cards, it does not mean that you can buy everything and everywhere. A lot of shops, cafes, restaurants accept cash only. Here's a fact. What can I say - here still use checks.

5. loud conversations

At the party, you are sure to surround the crowd and the music. Do you want to chat - cry. Do not be afraid to appear uncultured: people are doing so at their convenience. Recently, I almost lost my voice and spat chief cocktail husband. Only one way out - to get used to.

6. city ​​dogs

Lack of communication - the problem of all employed people. Many decide to make up for it with the help of a pet. But if you decide start a doggieFirst you will need to buy an apartment (landlords usually do not want to see animals in their apartment), place the veterinary passport and get ready to spend money on a new furry buddy. (And it's still easier than finding a real friend here.)

All parks have a playground with swimming pools for pets popular hairdresser and babysitting for the dog.

7. Landromaty

Landromaty or Laundromats are located in almost every home and is quite easy to use. All that you need - two hours free, detergent and a couple of dollars coins of 25 cents. We have got a washing machine, and it made life easier: socks do not get lost along the way, no need to change money, saves time. But not electricity.

8. expensive electricity

Summer in New York's hot, in the winter - cold. Heat in homes is often provided with air conditioning with heating function. In the cold season bill electricity may be greater than $ 300. This is one reason why people do not set in the apartments washing machines.

Nevertheless, the evening streets of New York are filled with lights. "There is electricity sent down (or raised if you wish) to the level of a trained animal in a circus. There he was forced to wriggle, jump over obstacles, winking, dancing. Quiet Edison electricity turned into durovskogo sea lion. It catches the nose balls, juggling, dies, comes to life, does what he is ordered to. Electric parade never stops "- a better description than in the book of Ilf and Petrov's" one-storey America ", I do not find.

9. The universe of fast food

Everything has to be fast, bold, sweet, bad and loud music. Italian pizza, bagels - the legacy of Jewish cuisine - Chinese noodles, American Pancake await around every corner. New York - this is a big restaurant, created by immigrants, which complicates the choice, but prepares you for the discovery. In what city is still possible to find a Ukrainian diner with an American menu?

10. Metro - "Cave Rat King"

SIFCO called Rat Pizza really says a lot about the largest metro in the world, which operates since 1836.

The price of a single trip - $ 2.75. Unlimited for the month - $ 200.

Workload subway sometimes baffling. You can stand in a traffic jam for 20 minutes. Or a branch can no longer work due to weather conditions. Or it changes its direction, and you accidentally leave to explore new lands.

11. Serious attitude to Emergencies

Blizzard with sleet and wind is considered a strong snowfall. Usually these days override movement of some subway lines and departures of aircraft, close schools and universities. After receiving a warning about bad weather, people are thoroughly pre-purchased in supermarkets. (Only Russian can go with the times in the snow to buy a sweet tea.)

In general, in any situation, if there was an accident or someone got sick in the subway, the police along with the ambulance will appear in minutes.

12. Pride parades

The locals are very proud of this event, the social network every year are filled with rainbow photo and social advertising. Even the church raise rainbow flags. All that remains - to be proud of, along with the Americans, zazhovyvaya union rainbow donuts from a nearby bakery.

13. Insurance or life

Medicine in the United States is expensive. Free you do not even dovezut by ambulance to the hospital. This has to be tolerated, as with taxes. Do you want to live well - pay. Medical insurance is obligatory, without it, a one-time appointment at the doctor will cost 1 000-3 000 dollars.

14. The winning equality

Women in America so zealously fought for their the rightsThat now no one gives them a place in the metro, and an offer from a man to pay for a dinner lady can be seen as an insult, so that now almost no one offers. Russian girl repeatedly complained to me about this "strange" behavior of boys. Unfortunately or fortunately, we have to adjust to these rules.

15. Caring about the environment

Metropolis - it is always a concrete jungle. Every resident solves this problem in its own way: someone vegetated roof, someone - either a balcony or courtyard. Everything looks very cozy.

Still can not forget the garbage sorting, which is not so simple.

And in any city in the world of those where I was, I did not see in the parks of the number of wild animals, squirrels, chipmunks, turtles, swans, ducks, raccoons. And if you will call in remote areas, there is a chance to meet even the wild deer and bears.

16. unpredictable climate

Fifteen minutes ago, the sun was shining, and here falls downpour. Watching movies as a child, I was, until recently was in full confidence that the people in the US are unaware of winter. Why else would they go to the house of street shoes and wearing light jackets in January? It turned out, the local population for years to develop immunity to these conditions, therefore, be found in the cold season, the guys in T-shirts and shorts - the norm.

17. paid parking

Everywhere. keep the machine not as expensive as paying parking and infinitely slow down at every traffic light. Given the frequent inability of drivers to park in any other way but to bump into someone else's bumper on buying a car should think not once, not twice. In the rush hour by car you will go longer than could be reached by subway. New York has long been a city for pedestrians.

18. Alternative modes of transport

New Amsterdam as it was called New York Four centuries ago, it is perfectly adapted for movement on the bike. Use Urban City Bike rental system, and no traffic will not stop you. Some manage to dissect ekstremaly on bikes, even in winter. I prefer the summer walks, however, in the heat it is better to plan for the evening. Skateboarding is popular not less.

19. mandatory gratuities

You are obliged to leave a tip service personnel. Sometimes this amount fits in check, sometimes given cash. First trip to the salon was a torture: I imagined a picture of how embarrassing to leave a tip in small denominations, quietly slipping their master. Much easier: when paying for services the customer chooses via the payment terminal, how many percent of the amount he is willing to leave a tip.

Even before this incident came to our house man, to connect to the Internet. Long sigh, called on the phone, somewhere to go. After I warned him that in a hurry, boy perked up and, smiling sweetly, she said: "We have to wait an hour! I'll go sit in the car! "I honestly waited this long hour. No one could not assume that it is one of the methods of soliciting tips.

20. concentrated multi-ethnic

Chinatown blends in Little Italy, the Korean quarter rests in the business Midtown, Brooklyn Hasidic peaceful borders with Russian regions. The norm for the average New Yorker - know 2-3 languages. The teacher in my university said once in four languages ​​to multinational audience quickly process information.

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All people in the world are the same, there is a difference only in the way of thinking, which is reflected in the standard of living. Americans are still a bit crazy - in the best sense of the word. I wish you to come and make themselves.

see also

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