One of the first things that people from the UK seem to ask me is why did you leave NYC and how is it compared to London? and all I can say is different.
Everything is different and it's not something one realizes until they're really living in another place. The difference on the surface are no longer as visible as the entire cultural differences. I can sit here and tell you how their drinks don't have high fructose corn syrup and that they call a faucet a tap and somehow scotch tape is magic but that stuff is no longer prominent.
Americans fit the stereotype, they're loud, they're bossy, they're greedy, and they're self obsessed in themselves and their country. I've never thought of myself as a stereotypical American and to be fair no one thinks of themselves as a stereotype of anything, but somehow these traits shine right through like I have never seen them before. In class I'm always the first one to speak up and state my opinion on everything whether it's asked for or not. With friends I'm quick to decide for the indecisive what it is that we are doing exactly and when. When meeting people from other countries they know all about mine and I'm quick to identify that the only thing I know about their country is where it is and if I'm lucky a major city.
The differences are extreme, I'm all those things I never thought I was, loud, bossy, greedy, and self obsessed, but next to other Americans I'm not these things at all.
There's a Jens Lekman song that I currently am I love with, the entire song, lyrics, melody, all of it fits so well into my life currently.
The Spanish girl pointed at me and said, "silencio"
Making a little gesture as if switching off a radio
Sliding her fingers 'cross her lips as if shutting a zipper
And I clearly got the message; I didn't need to ask her
Making the reverse zipper 'cross my lips, opening for conversation
Signaling the international sign of reckless contemplation
Shrugging her shoulders and lifting up the hand that rested on her thigh
Her middle finger extended until its simple message could not be denied
I turned 17 and I swore to never speak a word again
But then someone came along and ruined everything
It was a strange time in my life
People seem to think a shy personality equals gifted
But if they would get to know one I'm sure that idea would have shifted
Most shy people I know are extremely boring
Either that or they are miserable from all the shit they've been storing
I turned 17 and I swore to never speak a word again
But then someone came along and ruined everything
It was a strange time in my life
Enjoy your fall... and continue telling us more about your life in your new place when you have time... I quite enjoy reading what you have to say.