Hi everyone!
I haven't blogged in a while because of the big move and because I have been away for a while.
Now the big news: I have been here in America for almost two weeks now, and I've tried to start living the American life & finding the differences between my Dutch life. To be honest: the first week here, I have just been unpacking stuff, reading my summer-reading-list books (which are great!), figuring out how my new laptop works and being mad because there isn't any phone reception in our house. GREAT! Other than those things, I have discovered some differences in the American culture already.
1. THE PEOPLE
In Holland people tend to be quite reserved, it's not a bad thing, at all. But it is different. Because when my family and I came to live here, neighbors and other people living down the street immediately came to introduce theirselves, invited us for a drink (or at least my parents) and were very open and kind. Even when you are walking your dog in our street and you come across someone else, the other person will start some small talk with you: "It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" , "Sure it is." BLABLABLABLABLA. You get it. Even in shopping facilities people will just walk up to my dad and say: "Four girls, ay? Must be hard." And then they both crack into a laugh. (-I've got three sisters.) And so on. I adore the people here for doing that; it make you feel welcome; at home and brings a smile to your face. It really does.
2. THE FOOD
When you think America, you think food. The endless McDonald's, BurgerKing and Taco Bell signs along the road are really tempting and I believe that it is quite easy to become fat in America. When I walk through the aisles of the supermarkets, you just can't believe the amount and variety of JUNK products there are available. Things I've never heard of like: Klondike bars, Oreo-Dippers, Fried Oreo Cookies, and so on. But there also is a selection of healthy products, of course. But what really tastes horrible in the local supermarkets is BREAD. Dutch bread is delicious and so is the cheese. Also lunchmeats taste a lot better in Holland. Or maybe it's just what I'm used to. But to say shortly: I'm not very enthusiastic about the food here. The Netherlands deserve a point for their food selection in supermarkets.
3. SHOPPING
In the Netherlands you walk to the inner city - or drive somewhere's else. In the US, you drive to a mall. When I came there at first, I saw a beautiful, big building, with two fountains before it. The shiny steps to the entrance also caught your eyes. When the sliding doors opened, you landed in a SHOPPINGMANIA. There were so many shops! It was three stories high, and filled with beautiful stores. Clothing, coffee machines, computers, FOOD. Everything was there. I love - the mall. And on this field, America deserves a point.
Those were my three cultures differences for now!
I haven't blogged in a while because of the big move and because I have been away for a while.
Now the big news: I have been here in America for almost two weeks now, and I've tried to start living the American life & finding the differences between my Dutch life. To be honest: the first week here, I have just been unpacking stuff, reading my summer-reading-list books (which are great!), figuring out how my new laptop works and being mad because there isn't any phone reception in our house. GREAT! Other than those things, I have discovered some differences in the American culture already.
1. THE PEOPLE
In Holland people tend to be quite reserved, it's not a bad thing, at all. But it is different. Because when my family and I came to live here, neighbors and other people living down the street immediately came to introduce theirselves, invited us for a drink (or at least my parents) and were very open and kind. Even when you are walking your dog in our street and you come across someone else, the other person will start some small talk with you: "It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" , "Sure it is." BLABLABLABLABLA. You get it. Even in shopping facilities people will just walk up to my dad and say: "Four girls, ay? Must be hard." And then they both crack into a laugh. (-I've got three sisters.) And so on. I adore the people here for doing that; it make you feel welcome; at home and brings a smile to your face. It really does.
2. THE FOOD
When you think America, you think food. The endless McDonald's, BurgerKing and Taco Bell signs along the road are really tempting and I believe that it is quite easy to become fat in America. When I walk through the aisles of the supermarkets, you just can't believe the amount and variety of JUNK products there are available. Things I've never heard of like: Klondike bars, Oreo-Dippers, Fried Oreo Cookies, and so on. But there also is a selection of healthy products, of course. But what really tastes horrible in the local supermarkets is BREAD. Dutch bread is delicious and so is the cheese. Also lunchmeats taste a lot better in Holland. Or maybe it's just what I'm used to. But to say shortly: I'm not very enthusiastic about the food here. The Netherlands deserve a point for their food selection in supermarkets.
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| Fried Oreo's. |
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| Endless McDonald's signs. |
3. SHOPPING
In the Netherlands you walk to the inner city - or drive somewhere's else. In the US, you drive to a mall. When I came there at first, I saw a beautiful, big building, with two fountains before it. The shiny steps to the entrance also caught your eyes. When the sliding doors opened, you landed in a SHOPPINGMANIA. There were so many shops! It was three stories high, and filled with beautiful stores. Clothing, coffee machines, computers, FOOD. Everything was there. I love - the mall. And on this field, America deserves a point.
 |
| Not the mall I visited, but this is what malls look like! |
Those were my three cultures differences for now!
