Coke no ice please

What's the deal with ice? Growing up in the UK I was never used to ice. Never had ice with my water or in my drinks. On the few occasions when the waiter asked if I wanted ice I declined because it seemed like the drink was watered down with the addition of the ice.

In the US you have to specifically state when ordering a drink that you DO NOT want ice because otherwise you will get ice. And sometimes when you do request no ice, you still get it ANYWAY. I hate ice in my drink, what's the deal with that anyway. It waters down whatever it is you choose. I guess if the drink has been kept out and is really hot, you may need ice to cool it down but otherwise if the drink is cool, I'll take it without ice.

'coke, no ice please'

The selling game

We all know how enthusiastic sales associates are in the US and how keen they are to do everything they can to make a sale. Well most of the time they have to - its their job. And in certain stores they get a commission based upon how much they can sell.

Went to Macy's the other day w/ my cousin. She was looking at a designer bag. A sales associate approached us and asked if she could help. A few minutes that she approached us again in a different area asking again if she could help. After saying no both times, I was surprised when I saw her again for the third time, but this time she began asking us if we had a Macy's credit card, and if not, she would be happy to open one for us so we could get an additional discount on this purchase she was 'hoping' we would make. When my cousin told her that she was not a Florida resident, she went on to tell us that she could still try to open an account for her or would try to see if she could offer her an international discount if she could open a international credit card. Seriously - I think she was a little over the top, but I guess she was just doing her job.

Isn't it funny how sometimes when you do want help, you can never find someone to help you but when you don't want help, and you just want to be left alone to do your shopping - there is someone bugging you constantly.

You can't win - I suppose.

That's awesome

Have you ever noticed how many times Americans say 'that's awesome?' Do we really mean it, or is it just another optimistic way of looking at the world, or just part of the American friendliness that we all try to portray.

Crisps or Chips

In the UK - crisps are those things that you get in small little packets in different flavors and shapes. Chips are the things you get in a newspaper that are fried and you can put salt and vinegar on.

In the US - chips are the things in small little packets. Fries are the things you get from McDonalds, burger king, wendy's etc.

At Washington airport my cousin and her kids were at the airport and fancied some 'chips' (the typical fish and chips). and when they asked for chips at a food stall, they were surprised when they got a packet of crisps  (Doritos) which in America are actually called chips. So just remember when visiting.......... you have to know what is called what if you want a good snack.

Restroom privacy

Have you ever noticed that most public restrooms have a gap? Usually this gap is between the point where you lock the door. Crazy huh? I hadn't thiought much of it until my cousin who was visiting mentioned that this is very different from the UK. Not to mention the whole restroom vs. toilet debate between the UK and the US.
The restrooms at the airport, at the outlets, at the malls they all seemed to have this same gap that we don't tend to think much of it but the gap is big enough to be able to tell if someone is in the cubicle or not. So next time you use a public restroom think twice becausre you might not be totally alone as you might think.

Celebrities vs. royalty

What is the difference between a celebrity and a member of the royal family. Well - it all depends on which country you happen to be in. In England the Royal family are celebrities. Of course they still have other celebrities too... but the Royal family are celebrities. The Royal family are constantly splashed on the TV, newspapers, and in magazines. People 'stalk' the royal family for photos and information just as they do here in America with celebrities.
In America its all about the celebrities but sometimes the two worlds can mix when there is a big event. For example, with the wedding of William and Kate even though I don't watch the news regularly, I've seen the information on the American news channel and even in magazines.
So - is there really a difference between celebrities and royalty. Not really. Celebrities are those that got to where they are either by doing something spectacular (actor/actress etc) or by marrying or being the child of someone famous. The royal family are people that were born or married into it. The media and the public are both fascinated by the lives of these individuals and will do almost anything to know about them better.

Holiday..... celebrate

Sometimes if I'm not sure what holiday comes next, popping into the card store will tell me. Or sometimes I don't even need to go to a card store, its right there, its everywhere.
Right after christmas and of course the christmas sales, valentines day starts to appear. You can't miss the flash of red that greets you and jumps out at you. Encouraging those with loved ones to buy a card, buy a gift, sweets, chocolate anything. In England, from what I remember Valentines day was there but it wasn't as big as it is here. Here it takes over stores. Most stores have a special section dedicated to Valentines day. And its not just for those with lovers either. Its for friends and family, kids, teachers everyone. They have these special cards that kids can buy - of course they're themed with Dora, Mickey mouse, Tinker bell or Spongebob and kids can give these to other kids in their class and even their teachers. They never had this in England when I was a child anyway. And of course there's the candy, the chocolates, the heart shaped confetti not to mention the heart shaped plates, cups, glasses, napkins, clothes, jewellry....the list is endless. Libraries, restaurants, bookstores all have some kind of display, promotion for valentines day. No one wants to be left behind.

After Valentines day is Easter. Easter bunnies start poppoing out from the corner. Chocolates, baskets, furry bunnies. Easter was celebrated in England, but more spiritually than anything else. I remember them selling these huge chocolate eggs based on your favorite Cadbury's chocolate. And each year my dad would buy my sister and I one. It was usually milk chocolate and then would also include the actual chocolate of your choice. But I don't remember easter egg hunts like they have here, or bunny rabbits, or gifts.

After Easter comes Mother's day. In England Mother's day is in March but in America it is in May which is totally bizzare that it would be different but anyway.... Mother's day presents and cards flood the stores including TV advertisements reminding you not to forget that special person in your life.

After Mother's day is Father's day which is the same day in both countries.

In America we also have 4th of july and this means a lot of merchandise including cards which have the flag of America on it. People decorate their houses, cars, self for the occasion. There is also a firework show in the evenings, or people just lit their own fireworks to celebrate this special day.

Then its October and Halloween. Costumes in costume stores, as well as pharmacies, grocery stores, and other stores. Clothing which has something related to Halloween, jewelry, accessories and all that jazz. Even theme parks offer a Halloween special event. Halloween in England consisted of Trick or Treating but not much more. But here in America its huge. People dress up for work. People wear jewelry and themed t shirts the whole month long. People celebrate it for weeks. Parties, activities, games.

Then its thanksgiving. Cards wander into the stores. Grocery stores have a special section for thanksgiving. Not to mention you can wear a shirt or a sweater with a turkey on it, and of course jewelry. And then of course its the after thanksgiving sales so of course that's being advertised intensely.

And then of course Christmas. Christmas, Christmas Christmas. We all know what that means.

I might have forgotten some smaller holidays along the way but you get the jist of what I am saying and there is a store called Old navy which actually offers $5 t shirts for each of these holidays as they approach. Crazy huh? So what is it? Are these holidays a means of commercialization or is it just a way of bringing people together. Is Valentines day important to people dating, or married. Or does it matter if that special person can't be there to celebrate that day with you? Who made these holidays and how come in America they are so much bigger and so much more celebrated. Are they less significant because of how they are commercialized?