For the past four days or so we have been touring around Virginia with Dad and Mom T and I must say I have laid eyes on some of the most beautiful sights in nature that I have ever seen. The Shenandoah Valley surrounded by the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains are just stunning. Everything looks like a postcard. I really couldn’t believe I was actually walking around amongst these extremely beautiful sights.
And yes I’m still seeing and experiencing new things on a daily basis and I love it. Here is my list of observations for this post:
For those residing in the US, can anyone answer this little dilemma of mine? Why are public bathroom doors so short? I mean, why does everyone have to see my legs when I’m doing whatever I choose to do behind those closed doors? I feel it is an invasion of my bathroom privacy somehow. Am I the only one bothered by this? I wonder.
As I understand it, any trip to the US is not complete without a visit to the one and only Wal-Mart. On my first visit I saw some things with which I was unfamiliar. First was an almost blatant display of obesity. Oh my God! I have never seen people that obese in my whole life. I kept looking at one woman while trying to decipher what I witnessing. Then I decided to stop before I made a fool of myself. I saw people packing extra weight in places I never knew people could carry fat, like on their back for example. Somehow, this made me feel good about my weight.
Another interesting sight was the Mennonites. When I first saw a woman with a small cap on her head I thought it was some form of fashion statement. But when I saw a second woman with the same white hat, I knew something was going on. Luckily, the husband was there to provide me with the answer.
I’m now in the process of Americanizing my accent. While in London I spent some effort Anglicizing it but it didn’t really work out. Let’s see if my efforts pay off this time. The first thing I’m working on is pronouncing the word "water." Instead of saying "wa-ter," which I guess is the British pronunciation, I’m trying to say it the American way: "wa-der." I guess I still sound weird but I will keep trying none-the-less.
That’s all for now. More to come as time allows.
Hey,
There is nothing wrong with wal-mart.
Just buy from where you like until you find something you don’t like to a degree you no longer desire to buy from them.
All others try to “Ishabbi7” 3alayki since you are new in this wonderful land.
They have their reasons not to shop there, and you have your reasons why you buy from them; thats all what matters.
Ah, Wal-Mart!
Beyond the shoddy service, the overcrowded check-out lines and inferior products, which I grant you, can be attributed to my personal tastes. (I will concede that Sam’s Club will have usually good quality products)
However, WalMart is the frontrunner in the race to the bottom. They’re this growing behemoth that destroys local flavor. It’s not so bad in suburbia, but in small towns and densely urban areas, a new Walmart is the death knell for small mom-and-pop stores, specialty stores, instead absorbing those who can no longer compete into their near slave labor workforce. They have no union to protect their workers, who more often than not have to pay out of pocket for their health insurance.
Walmart is such a big retailer that it can dictate prices to its suppliers, even if those suppliers, usually in third world countries have to operate at a loss just to keep Walmart’s business. There is no way that an American manufacturer can competitively supply merchandise to a Walmart anymore. Walmart beats out several COUNTRIES as one of China’s top ten export customers, independent of any other US trade customers.
And it’s track record in dealing with female employees is downright medeival. It just recently settled or lost, I can’t recall correctly, a large discrimination suit.
Walmart isn’t the only one doing it, but the story is that Walmart is the Poster Child for American corporate greed and exploitation.
I mentioned one other outlet earlier, and there is another discount warehouse that used to be called Price Club (I hold myself to strict rules about not giving corporations free publicity, unless it’s critical in nature) Search your feelings you will. They are more community friendly and can be close to competitive with Walmart
Natasha,
The problem with Wal-Mart is that it is a combination of all the evilness that exists within our consumer, corporate society. Yes they donate money to charaties and yes everything is cheap there. But, if you look into their business practices you will know what I am talking about. I can’t go into detail now about them, because I have to go to the local fabric store and buy some rinestones for my graduation cap. When I come back home late at night, Ill give you a list of some the unethical things they do as a business.
Ok guys I’m serious. What’s wrong with Wal-mart. It has almost everything you need and it is very cheap. what’s the problem? Enlighten me.
Linda,
I can’t believe you do that too. I am exactly the same way and ususally get laughed at for it. I really hate it when someone takes your towel before you get a chance to grab it. You then have to start again at step 1. And I never understood with the automatic flushing systems, automatic faucets, and automatic paper towel dispensers…you still have to open the door with your hands. What I really hate are those places who only have the hand dryers; on some you have to press the button to start them…then how do they expect you to open the door touching all those germs. Something about saving the environment not providing towels…but what about my health.
Natasha,
For men atleast, there is nothing to worry about regarding bathroom privacy as long as they don’t violate the unspoken “rules”. Never look up and if you need to say somthing or have a discussion, you never make eye contact. Violators could very well find themselves getting their @$$ kicked.
And finally whatever you do NEVER, I repeat NEVER, enter a Port-A-Potty!
http://www.portakleen.com/porta_singles.html
Or, bring some anti-bacterial hand gel everywhere. Natasha and Jeff might feel guilty using all that water.
Okay, where ever you go in America, you will come across so many differnt types of people. that’s the greatest thing about this country.
but, in regards to public bathrooms, just try avoiding them. i have using a public bathroom.
and here is a tip when using one: after conducting your business-
1. Turn the faucet on and rinse your hands a bit.
2. leave the faucet on, go to the paper towel holder and pull down some paper twoel. Let it hang there.
3. Go back to the faucet and now clean your hands real well.
4. After cleaning your hands, do not turn the faucet off. First, grab the paper twoel you pulled down earlier, dry your hands, and then with the paper towel, turn the faucet off.
5. Do not throw away the papertowel just yet. Use that paper twoel to open the door as you exit.
6. Once outside of the bathroom, find a trash can and toss the darn thing!
wait to be shocked by the people
before my first visit to america i thought americans were
1- So Smart- turned out that the majority have average or below average IQs, and some are reallly stupid.
2- So mean, turned out they are so kind and ready to help.
3- So arrogant, absolutely not, many of them are down to earth and are just themselves.
4- So clean and classy, no no no no!! Without generalization of course.
I guess human beings are human beings wherever you go!
I know why the doors are so short! It’s so you can crawl out if the lock gets jammed. Wait til you have kids…they crawl out before you are done and you may have to exit quickly unzipped.
Obesity…wait til you visit Birmingham! And make sure to visit the “Country Home Buffet” to see the ultimate effects of a culture indulging itself to death.
Linda, only 30 days until I get my Wal*Mart fix!
I can’t wait! ;)Hey, enjoyed your story about Las Vegas. Can’t believe you FLEW!
Oh GOD NO!!!
Jeff I can’t believe you let her into a WalMart!
For the good of mankind, please consider using Tar-zjhay!
And I haven’t figured the Mennonites out yet, even though one of my friends is of a proud Menonnite heritage. This much I do know, is that they are adamantly pacifist and stand against war in ways other conservative denominations in the US don’t seem to.
Shenandoah is great! You must go in the fall when the leaves turn. Also, you’ll have to take a trip to Monticello and Colonial Williamsburg. Unless you dropkick that and just beeline to King’s Dominion.
I’m still shocked to read that you’re stateside!