Different Things From Different Places
Things are done differently in different places and this is always the problem I have when I’m traveling. Fortunately, I haven’t been to a right-hand driving country yet, so I’ll spare my time from talking about that. I usually travel alone (because I enjoy it — no hassle) so I can’t concur with someone regarding these things.
The first habit that troubles me when traveling is eating at a fast food restaurant. I don’t know if I should leave my litters on the table or I should throw them in the garbage myself. One might say that if in doubt, throw them in the garbage. That can’t be done because if you do that, they’d apprehend you because they have their own way of trashing. I’m used here in the US where we throw our own trash after eating. What I usually do is eat slowly and observe others then I follow.
Since I’m the topic of food, when I go back home to our province where most households have helpers (a third-world nation can really progress through slavery of their kind), after eating I’m used to bring my plate to the sink and throw my leftovers. I’m often reprimanded because I must leave the pate on the table and wait for the helper to clean the mess. Basically, we have a waiter in our dining room. Very progressive.
When driving, I’m always troubled whether I should turn right after stopping on a red light. In New York City, we are used not to do this 98% of the time — the 2% have signs permitting you to do this. It’s a serious situation because if you stop on a red light and you have your right blinkers on with a car on your tail, you’d get some honkin’. I hate being honked.
Lastly, I have the currency to worry about. I usually use larger bills so that I don’t have to waste my time and the cashier’s time by trying to figure out what coin I have. I had this trouble recently at UAE. The coins didn’t have numerals, so I always used the bills and that means I had tons of coins in my pocket. I hate carrying coins because they make so much noise when I’m walking.
Add comment June 3rd, 2008
