Bizarre: Very strange or unusual. (Oxford Dictionary)
It’s been over six months since I arrived in the United States and there are many about this place that are different from what I’m used to. Here are a few:
1. TIPPING
I used to think of tipping as a reward for exceptional service. Apparently, I thought wrong, since lots of waiters/waitresses expect to be tipped regardless of the quality of service.
2. SALES TAX
In my opinion, it doesn’t make a lot of sense that the price on a price tag is hardly ever what I end up paying at the till. Wouldn’t it be easier to just, I don’t know, include the sales tax when calculating the price???
3. COFFEE OBSESSION
I’ve read about it, and I’ve seen it on TV. But somehow, I never imagined it would be quite the same in real life. So I decided to try it myself, and guess what? I still don’t get it.
4. THE SYSTEM OF MEASUREMENT
It’s going to take me awhile to get used to hearing people measure in Fahrenheits and pounds. And why are the dates written backwards?
5. ADVERTISEMENTS
There are a lot. And what makes it weird is that a lot of them are for prescription drugs. I won’t even go into details about the irony of a pain killer causing side effects like suicidal thoughts.
6. ORGANIC FOODS ARE SCARCE
Why, though?
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
· Almost everyone owns a car: public transport is not very effective, except in places like New York.
· Good chocolate is hard to find.
· Salad is served before the main course.