The hardest thing about moving to a new country - especially for a girl, is finding all those places and people that we have spent years sourcing, like a good hairdresser, a doctor, a beauty therapist, or even a cosmetic surgeon - especially here in the US, because I've seen some shocking examples of Botox and filler overdose. In fact, while my husband and I were in Maui for our honeymoon we decided to adjourn to the Four Seasons for lunch after a wind blew up on the beach and took with it the umbrella we had just paid $20 for about 10 minutes prior to the weather changing, and there, sitting at the next table was a man and woman who obviously got the "two face lifts for one" deal. It was very scary and in my opinion, they were totally ripped off and besides that, I am of the firm belief, that men should NEVER have a face lift. It's up there with men dying their hair.
And of course, there are other things that one has to learn over time when relocating. Earlier this week, I was sitting in bed with my cup of tea and browsing the Internet, when a warning came up from "Qwest". The message went something like this: "There's a virus coming from your computer, so we have limited your access to the Internet. Call this number for further questions." We are in an apartment building with 72 units and the building has wireless Internet and my husband had the same message on his computer. So, I called the number recommended by Qwest and they asked me for my account number. "We don't have an account with you" I replied. And who are you anyway? What is Qwest and why am I receiving messages from you?" And all the while, my husband is waving madly from the next room. "What's he trying to say?" Oh!!!! Qwest just happens to be the largest phone company in the USA! And for those of you worried about the virus, it was coming from someone else's computer in the building - not mine. So rest easy!
And I've noticed a very strange phenomenon here. But I want to know - is it only in Utah or more particularly to Salt Lake City that everyone talks in North, South, East or West, or is it an American thing?
Salt Lake City is set on a grid, which may be fine if you were born here and know which way is North, South, East or West, but for a visitor, it is quite daunting. If you ask someone in Brisbane where they live, and they say: "Wellington Street, Coorparoo, - just off Old Cleveland Road", you generally know that the person lives in Coorparoo and roughly where Wellington Street is. But here, if you ask someone where they live, they say: "6165 South 1300 East and their apartment is on the west side of 1300 East" or something like that. When people ask me where our new house is, I say: "as you are heading to Park City, take the Jeremy Ranch exit and then turn right and it's just off Jones Road. But my husband says: "head east, take the Jeremy Ranch exit, go south and then head east and we are on the south side of I80 but north-west of downtown Park City".
All I can say is thank God for my GPS!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Things I really like about America
I thought it was about time I wrote some positive things about America - not that I like to think of my posts as negative in relation to the US but rather a humorous look at the differences between our two countries.
But there are things here that I think are fabulous:
Loos (aka Restrooms):
My husband and I have done a few road trips during our time together. We have driven to Denver via Wyoming, Reno in Nevada, Northern Arizona and more, and during all those trips, whenever we've had to stop to use the facilities, I have never come across a dirty or gross toilet. Honestly, you can be in the middle of nowhere, or stop at a gas station in the boondocks that is run by what can only be described as "locals" and the "restrooms" as they call them here, are spotless. Australia could learn a thing or two from this as I have been in some gas station toilets that have nearly made me sick, and on one occasion when I've told the gas station attendant that the toilet was disgusting, he gave me a look that was a combination of "what are you talking about? and "well, what do you expect?"
Driving Habits:
I don't know about other States, but drivers in Utah are positively and amazingly polite and considerate. They drive according to weather conditions (and they have a lot here - for instance, we had 14 inches of snow on Sunday), unlike we Aussies who don't seem to realise that when its bucketing with rain, you have to slow down. And the yanks really get what "merging traffic" means.
If you are in a shopping centre carpark and are walking across an area where cars are allowed to go, drivers actually stop to let you cross. Here, pedestrians have right of way. In fact, in Park City and sometimes even in Salt Lake, if you are standing by the side of the road waiting to cross, a car will stop to let you cross. Can you imagine? My experience in Australia is that Aussies would rather run you down that let you cross, or use what I think must be an optional extra in some cars - the brake!
Another cool thing they do here is that you can turn right on a red light (remember they drive on the wrong side of the road here) which really helps keep traffic moving.
And at no time, contrary to what you hear or see on TV, have I seen an incidence of road rage, been honked at or been given the finger. Which brings me to a question that I would love answered: why is it that in Australia if you beep someone who has clearly done the wrong thing, or has not moved on a green light for instance - that they give YOU the finger? In my experience, some drivers have almost had to contort themselves by climbing in the back seat to give you the finger, or wind down their window to stick half their body out, just so they can tell you what they think of you for having the unmitigated gall for suggesting that they made a mistake.
Having said all of the above, this has been my experience in Utah, and I cannot speak for people living in New York for example. However, I have a theory as to why the Americans drive better than we Aussies. Have you seen their police? You do not want to be pulled over by these guys. I mean they are scary. They wear black, which in itself is serious, and they are BIG, and they carry big weapons, and they walk really slowly when they approach the car - I mean, you don't want to mess with these guys. Seriously, I think Australian police need a makeover as those powder blue shirts just don't cut it.
Service:
The service in America is outstanding, particularly at those "chain" restaurants, of which there are many. These poor wait staff earn about $2.50 per hour, so they rely on tips - and I won't go on about this as I've already debated the pros and cons of this in a previous post. Needless to say, service is great - even when you are in a store where you don't have to tip. I bank at Wells Fargo, and they are soooo polite, I can't believe it. This is their greeting at the drive through (yes, drive through banks are big here): "Hello, my name is Chad (or some other American name) welcome to Wells Fargo, and how can I help you today?" And then, at the end of the transaction, they give you a lolly. My gym answers the phone: "Welcome to Gold's Gym. How can we make a difference in your life today?" I could think of a plethora of answers
So, you see, there are some great things about America. If only I could get a good a half strength soy flat white everywhere, I'd be really happy.
But there are things here that I think are fabulous:
Loos (aka Restrooms):
My husband and I have done a few road trips during our time together. We have driven to Denver via Wyoming, Reno in Nevada, Northern Arizona and more, and during all those trips, whenever we've had to stop to use the facilities, I have never come across a dirty or gross toilet. Honestly, you can be in the middle of nowhere, or stop at a gas station in the boondocks that is run by what can only be described as "locals" and the "restrooms" as they call them here, are spotless. Australia could learn a thing or two from this as I have been in some gas station toilets that have nearly made me sick, and on one occasion when I've told the gas station attendant that the toilet was disgusting, he gave me a look that was a combination of "what are you talking about? and "well, what do you expect?"
Driving Habits:
I don't know about other States, but drivers in Utah are positively and amazingly polite and considerate. They drive according to weather conditions (and they have a lot here - for instance, we had 14 inches of snow on Sunday), unlike we Aussies who don't seem to realise that when its bucketing with rain, you have to slow down. And the yanks really get what "merging traffic" means.
If you are in a shopping centre carpark and are walking across an area where cars are allowed to go, drivers actually stop to let you cross. Here, pedestrians have right of way. In fact, in Park City and sometimes even in Salt Lake, if you are standing by the side of the road waiting to cross, a car will stop to let you cross. Can you imagine? My experience in Australia is that Aussies would rather run you down that let you cross, or use what I think must be an optional extra in some cars - the brake!
Another cool thing they do here is that you can turn right on a red light (remember they drive on the wrong side of the road here) which really helps keep traffic moving.
And at no time, contrary to what you hear or see on TV, have I seen an incidence of road rage, been honked at or been given the finger. Which brings me to a question that I would love answered: why is it that in Australia if you beep someone who has clearly done the wrong thing, or has not moved on a green light for instance - that they give YOU the finger? In my experience, some drivers have almost had to contort themselves by climbing in the back seat to give you the finger, or wind down their window to stick half their body out, just so they can tell you what they think of you for having the unmitigated gall for suggesting that they made a mistake.
Having said all of the above, this has been my experience in Utah, and I cannot speak for people living in New York for example. However, I have a theory as to why the Americans drive better than we Aussies. Have you seen their police? You do not want to be pulled over by these guys. I mean they are scary. They wear black, which in itself is serious, and they are BIG, and they carry big weapons, and they walk really slowly when they approach the car - I mean, you don't want to mess with these guys. Seriously, I think Australian police need a makeover as those powder blue shirts just don't cut it.
Service:
The service in America is outstanding, particularly at those "chain" restaurants, of which there are many. These poor wait staff earn about $2.50 per hour, so they rely on tips - and I won't go on about this as I've already debated the pros and cons of this in a previous post. Needless to say, service is great - even when you are in a store where you don't have to tip. I bank at Wells Fargo, and they are soooo polite, I can't believe it. This is their greeting at the drive through (yes, drive through banks are big here): "Hello, my name is Chad (or some other American name) welcome to Wells Fargo, and how can I help you today?" And then, at the end of the transaction, they give you a lolly. My gym answers the phone: "Welcome to Gold's Gym. How can we make a difference in your life today?" I could think of a plethora of answers
So, you see, there are some great things about America. If only I could get a good a half strength soy flat white everywhere, I'd be really happy.
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