Culture Shock and Observations

Even though it had been a little over two years since I was last NOB, I didn't find that things had changed dramatically. There were a few items that I noticed though, both good and bad. Such as.....



* I could read every sign and every billboard. Sometimes my mind gets tired here, trying to read them as they speed by. I usually get enough to form some kind of false interpretation! I read every thing I passed no matter what it was...and at a lightening speed with comprehension. I had forgotten what that was like.



* Eavesdropping. Unintentionally or forced to. I was beginning to wish I could just tune people out. Why is it that I think everybody who speaks in a language I don't understand is having some deep, thoughtful conversation. They are probably talking about the same boring, totally uninteresting things that everybody around me was talking about. I did hear some juicy stuff though!



* Fast food. Everywhere. Every type you can imagine. Even on a stick! Thank goodness.



* Cars. There is certainly no let up on the huge SUV's. They were everywhere. Once in awhile a smaller, more gas efficient model would be seen, but not often. And cars are everywhere.



* Roads. What a joy. I could even drive safely at night! Except for the multitude of deer I had to watch out for. Or the occasional raccoon or skunk. All roads were in great condition and well signed. And nobody jumped a red light, tried to turn from a non turn lane or drove the wrong way on a one way.



* Cell phones. And Blue Tooths. (teeth?) Drove me crazy. I don't want to hear your conversations but they are everywhere. And talking on them is so commonplace now that I don't think people even realize that others can hear them. A guy sat two chairs away from at the boarding gate and shouted into his phone "I just sent that payment! I should only be two payments behind now!" Another time I was in a changing cubicle and the girl in the next one over was sending a cell phone pic to somebody while at the same time discussing the shoes she was trying on. My question. Why would you try on shoes in a private cubicle?



* Prices. I found most restaurant prices high. Beer relatively the same as here. It just sounds like more when you pay in dollars! And let's not forget gas. It ranged from $3.48 to $3.79 while I was there. Guess which was the weekend price? Speaking of gas, I pumped and paid at the pump. It took me awhile the first time. The gas pumps have become much more sophisticated now. It pissed me off too that I had to wash my own windows. Pissed me off even more when the wash water tub was empty!



* Beer. Everyone is drinking ales and micro brews. Whatever happened to Bud, Miller, Coors and Michelob? I did find a beer I liked and was similar in taste to Sol. Miller High Life. Laugh if you want.



* Stores. So much to say. The choices in all of them was overwhelming. I walked every aisle in every store I went into. The array of offerings was mind boggling. How do you ever decide what mustard to buy when there are over 50 kinds? And even in mega WalMart, all 28 cashier lines were open and manned by a friendly person! Incredible. I love to joke around with check-out people, try to get them to tell me something personal or at least make them laugh. (unPC comment coming up!) Especially the fat girls. They are always so much fun to joke around with. I miss being able to do that here SOB. I also did an experiment and asked stock people where such and such was located. To a one, they personally walked me to where the item was! Customer service is still alive NOB.



* Siestas. Nobody understands them and nobody takes them. I sure missed that piece of SOB culture!



* Flowers. They were everywhere. Either on display for sale, in peoples' yard, planter boxes or just growing wild. I miss the variety of flowers. And the many colors.



* Vegetables. I sort of timed my visit to coincide with two things: the State Fair and the onslaught of harvest season. Tomatoes, zucchini, herbs, squash and corn were everywhere and I did partake in more than my share. I even ate freshly picked tomatoes in the driveway with a shaker of salt! Heaven dripping down my arm and chin.



* Temptations. Everywhere I went I was assaulted by one thing or another and enticed to spend my money. There is much to buy here in Mexico, but I think the folks NOB have it down to a science on how to tempt people in. Advertising, display of merchandise, 50% of marked price sales! I could have spent a lot more money if I didn't have such a strong sense of self control. I should have never walked down that snack item aisle though. I had to go back and get a basket!



That's it. Nothing major. Just a series of small things.