L.J.Kentowski has been kind enough to pass on the Kreative Blogger Award my way. Huge thanks L.J. Pop over and read her 7 interesting facts:)
The general rules of this award are:
First off, you need to thank the blogger who so generously nominated you for this fine award and provide a link back to their blog.
Next, list 7 things about yourself that readers may find interesting.
Finally, nominate 7 other bloggers, provide links to their sites and let them know.
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I’m going to twist things a bit, and pass on this blog award to all my followers, so please feel free to share this on your blog. Also, rather than share 7 facts about me, I’m going to share 7 things I learned while I was on my trip in the US.
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1. Most people in the US only get 2 weeks annual leave per year (there are exceptions). In Australia, we get 4 weeks per year.
2. When shopping at Macy’s, by telling them you’re an international visitor (and showing a passport), you get 10% off everything. Woohoo.
3. Entrees are not appetizers, as they called in Australia, but actually main meals.
4. Kept forgetting tax is not included in prices, so I never knew how much things really cost. I kept getting caught out, since I tried to pay with exact change. Ended up with a huge amount of pennies.
5. Television ads for pharmaceutical items were freaky – I’m referring to the severe side effects they would always mention – one said something about partial blindness. Why would anyone take these drugs?
6. There are USA flags everywhere.
7. Chocolate tastes differently. In the USA, it is sickly sweet, though I still liked it. Australia uses cane sugar, while the US use corn sugar.
And somebody actually asked me if there are kangaroos all over the roads in Australia…hehe made me giggle.
Can you think of any other differences you’ve heard or experienced?
I’m now interested in tasting Aussie chocolate.
I guess it would be nice if taxes were included in prices.
If you ever get the chance, try Tim Tams… they are so good.
Hahaha! I agree with you on the tax thing–it’s totally confusing (and I’ve lived here my entire life). And to make it worse, only certain states charge the taxes on top of the “set” price, while others include it in the price tag. Argh.
Also…the chocolate. *sigh*
Yeah I heard it varies in each state.. how confusing.
Congratulations on your award! Cool info you shared about USA…had no idea you get extra discounts for visiting from another country. Chocolate depends on who makes it and where you get it. The really good stuff isn’t nearly as sickly sweet as the candy bars we buy at the store. Flags…I love it! I have one hanging on the side of my home:) Happy Sunday to you!
I like to see the flags all over. Australia have the beautiful one, so my old land from Romania.
Thanks;)
You know, I feel the exact same way about those freaky commercials!! So… are there kangaroos everywhere? LOL Just kidding. I’ll just have to visit and check it out
Hehe… no kangaroos in the city or towns… but if you go outback or in the bush, you’re bound to see them:)
Congratulations on the award!
I’ve lived in the USA since I can remember (literally–I was adopted from China as a baby) but drug ads disturb me, too. I’m glad companies are required to list the possible side effects, yet they sure don’t sound appealing.
So true… good they tell you, but I’m surprised anyone buys them..
Fun to hear about the US from your perspective!
Thanks:)
Loved this post! Our bff’s are from Australia and live here now and we plan on visiting their homeland with them next summer:) Can’t wait!
Cool… you’ll love it:)
The U.S. has a major obesity problem. I bet it’s related to corn sugar being used in everything.
Maybe… not sure. But the chocolate is quite sweet.
I didn’t know that about Macy’s. I might have to use that to my advantage! I noticed those things as well. Canada and the US have some similarities, but there are differences. I was asked a lot if there’s always snow in Canada and if we lived in igloos. Also, no one had any idea of Canadian geography. They thought it was a small country when it’s the second largest in the world!
You should try it out… just take your passport:) Igloos…hehe that is too funny.
First time I went to the US, number 4 drove me crazy!
Number 5 makes me laugh so much. “This drug will solve these issues, but it may cause DEATH.” Oh, America. I love you.
Number 7… when I lived in the States, I made my mum send me care packages of British chocolate
Such a good idea… being sent choc. I think if I moved there, I’d probably do the same… I’d miss Tim Tams too much.
Maybe they thought kangaroos were like our opossum?
Yes, ads for drugs are scary. I’d rather live with the disease.
Hehe… I’d hate to see a giant possum that hopped around… especially the ones around our place that have huge fights across our roof at night.
Agree with the side-effects! Lol! Thank you for stopping by my blog!
They are pretty funny:)
One of the things I noticed when I moved to London was the British flag everywhere. I guess I stopped noticing the American flag back home since I was used to seeing it. I hated all the medical ads, but I did get a chuckle when they listed the side effects. I know they had to by law but seriously, do people call their doctor up and say I want that pill that turns me purple.
Turns you purple… so funny… it must be from the Willie Wonker factory:)