How can a country like the USA be so forwards in some areas, yet so backwards at the same time. It just consumes my brain and makes me think I am so stupid. I will give you some examples…
Food – Back home in Australia, we have not quite caught onto the whole Calorie control thing. There isnt much choice when it comes to Low Fat/Diet options and it can be a struggle at times. Yet over here, there is so many options for this. 100 Calorie packs everywhere, Diet drinks galore. This is the forward thinking over here, yet you go out and you head to a restaurant and it goes backwards so quickly. There are not many light options fast food wise, and some how a simple salad comes in with a very HEFTY calorie count.
Banking – A country that is open to numerous options for banks including ATM’s that will scan cheques and release the funds instantly, still relies on cheques. I mean seriously, I don’t think I have ever written a cheque, let alone ever even thought about using it. Using bill pay online actually gets the bank to send a cheque for you. Direct deposits just do not exist! Chip & Pin is a whole other story! It is so confusing!
Phones, Internet, TV – Mobile phones are prevalant here, there are dozens and dozens of options for Throwaway providers, yet Smartphones are very very uncommon for most of this. They offer unlimited packages for calls or messages, but data is a whole other story. IF you have a smart phone, prepare to bend over and take it. It is crazy! Same with Internet. Usually bundled with Cable TV, and that means lots and lots of channels, no download limits however your going to pay through the nose for that priveledge… but unlimited downloads… o yes!
These are just a few examples of how much my head spins at times, I have had to try and rethink so many ways to do things, say things etc. Day to day I struggle with the difference between a “Surname” and a “Last Name”. Driving on the other side of the road isn’t a big deal, unless I am super tired like Sunday morning where I was on the wrong side of the road entirely (thankfully the intersection was deserted). Don’t even get me started on figuring out the Temperature (anything below 70 == COLD!)
Either way, I am still loving life over here, I don’t regret a single action I have taken to come over here!