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2. Everything is “awesome”!
I really hate the word awesome. It used to mean “that which inspires awe”, but in the states it means
nothing! It doesn't even mean good – it's just a word – a filler, like “um” or “y'know”.
This is the stereotypical American cheesy word, and I heard it until my ears started to bleed. Too
many over-the-top positive adjectives like this get thrown around so much that they really mean
nothing.
And when you ask someone “How are you?” the answer will inevitably be “great!” even if they are
far from it.
When you start using excessive positivity it waters down the meaning, and those words become
neutral. Then what do you do when you need to express true positivity? Of course, when someone says
they are “OK, I guess” then you know things are pear shaped! I don't think “bad” is in America's
vocabulary.
But nothing beats America's over-positivity more than this:
4. Tipping
While it's a perk for most of you, for me it was terribly annoying to be in restaurants and having a
waitress interrupt me every 3 minutes asking me if everything is OK. I'd have to feign a smile (it's the
American way – see above!) and thumbs up to make her go away since my mouth was always full.
I really don't see the point – if you've given me the wrong order or if I suddenly realise I'm dying
from an allergic reaction to your food, you'll know it long before those 3 minutes are up.
Eating out is always an annoying experience because of this. In the rest of the world we call the
server over when we need something. If this was genuine interest, or if the person was trying to be
friendly that would be cool, but that's not what it's about. In fact, it's all down to “subtle” reminders that
this person wants you to tip them.
This drove me crazy – I really think tipping as a means of waitresses and others earning the vast
majority of their living is ridiculous. If I have to pay, say 15% anyway, then include it in the bill! It's
not a bloody tip if it's mandatory!!!
Once again, one huge complaint I hear in other countries is how rude waitresses are, and Americans
claim it's because they aren't tipped. Instead of getting tipped they earn a wage like everyone else, and
do their job and if they do it bad enough they'll get fired. But apparently not pestering you every minute
and not smiling like you are in a Ms. World competition means you are “rude”.
I think the basic concept of tipping is nice – but all explanations I've heard about it as a must-do
make no sense when you really talk it out.
You can paint waitresses/waiters as hard workers who earn those tips, and need a chance for a
higher wage than if they got minimum wage… but what about teachers and nurses? Why not tip them?
Why not tip everyone who you interact with in some way – bus drivers, or leave money on your trash
can for the garbage man? It's inconsistent, and waiters, hairdressers and taxi drivers should just charge
us what needs to be charged.
Some people ludicrously suggest that it makes it cheaper that the restaurant doesn't have to charge
more, but you're paying the difference anyway. What it does contribute to is clear though:
9. Heritage
Every American you meet is not actually American. They are a fourth Polish, 3/17 Italian, ten other
random countries, and then of course half Irish. Since Ireland is more homogenous, it's hard for me to
appreciate this, so honestly I don't really care if your great grandfather's dog walker's best friend's
roommate was Irish. I really don't.
The amount of “Oh my gaaawwwd, me too!!” retorts I heard when I said I was Irish is quite silly.
I use country adjectives more restrictively than Americans do, so this was quite the pet peeve of mine.
I finally learned that “I'm from Ireland” means what I wanted to say to them better than “I'm Irish”
does.
I don't want to say I don't respect people's rich heritage (a nice mixture makes a country more
interesting; the melting pot of cultures and skin colours is one reason why Brazil is my favourite country
for example), but when people start talking about it as if it were genetics and their Italian part makes
them more passionate and their Irish part makes them good drinkers I really do have to roll my eyes.
I should add though, that it's a language difference, so “Irish” actually means “Irish American” as
I'd understand it. That's fine, but I'm trying to convey that people genuinely from that country (born
and raised) find this annoying. There is no right or wrong, but it's important to realise that rephrasing
it or saying “I have Irish/Italian heritage” may be more appropriate if you are talking to someone from
that country. This is especially true if speaking other languages.