Reentry Tips

Another blog post on leaving (or rather, on the reentry side of leaving).  And this time on a somewhat lighter, more tongue-in-cheek note.

For myself:

~ Don't cross the street when there are cars coming.  You will die if you do in the US what everyone does in WA.

~ Eating with your left hand is okay.  Really.

~ Sharing cups and eating from the same plate/platter is not normal in the US.

~ You want to get rid of small change (especially coins), not try to save it.

~ Cutting, chopping, and slicing is supposed to be done on a cutting board, not in your hand.

~ Personal space is important.  Don't sit or stand against someone.  They'll probably think you're creepy or annoying.

~ Enjoy the French fry-less burgers and sandwiches.  Even if they seem to be missing something.

~ You can drink tap water.

~ Eggs need to be refrigerated.

~ Be a little more conscious of time than you are here.

~ Don't correct other people's children, particularly if they're right there.

~ Take the opportunity to impress people with how many languages you can speak.  (In the US, three is a decently impressive number as far as languages go.  In WA - or actually most of Africa - you would have difficulty impressing anyone with the fact that you know more than one language, since many people speak three or four or more.  Fluently.  From an early age.)

~ Follow traffic rules.  (In other words, don't drive the way you've seen people here drive.)

~ You don't have to greet each individual in a room when you enter or when you leave.  Also, try to avoid interrupting a conversation simply to greet someone.

~ Give yourself time to adjust.  Everything is probably going to seem so clean and so well-ordered and so different that it will be overwhelming.  That's okay.  It's normal.

For everyone else:

~ In general, if I do or say something weird...cut me a little slack. :)