Forgetful

[Perry Winkle]

There are a few little things that bug me here. For instance, everything comes with chips or mash. And then on chain restaurant menus they tend to use chips and fries interchangeably (Nando's for instance. The place sucks, I'll never go back.).

I've finally adjusted to crossing the road. It's been a few days since I've nearly been killed by speeding vehicles.

There's a postal strike on this week, which is annoying. I can't remember a postal strike in the US.

I want peanut butter that doesn't look (and taste) like mustard. I want maple syrup. Period. I want a can of Barbasol, and I only want to pay $0.99 for it.

I want to be able to say cheers without sounding like an asshole.

I could go on for a long time like this. . .

The funny thing is that I really, really like it here. There's just a bunch of niggling little things that are hard to let go of.

[limey]

Of COURSE you can be suffering from culture shock! George Bernard Shaw (renowned British playwright) said that the UK and the USA were two nations divided by the notion that they shared a language. What is the difference between "chips" and "fries" - I thought they were the same thing? Get stuff you want posted to you (it'll turn up when the postal strike ends ...) however humble it seems.
The advice I'd give you is to make sure you travel widely from your new, but temporary, base. I'm still kicking myself for the trips I never found time for when I live in Moscow for two-and-a-half years. Let me know when Scotland figures in your plans ...

[monster]

Originally Posted by monster

If you have enough room, take comfort foods -notably condiments.(favourite peanut butter, maple syrup etc). Take extra underwear and toiletries -it can be more frustrating than you expect not to be able to find a brand of deodorant you like (in a last straw sort of a way).

Originally Posted by Perry Winkle

I want peanut butter that doesn't look (and taste) like mustard. I want maple syrup. Period. I want a can of Barbasol, and I only want to pay $0.99 for it.

*ahem*

yup, you are in the first phase of culture shock. Don't worry, this too, shall pass. Have you been to the American Expats site I recommended and asked them where to buy the stuff you crave?