Culture Shock

When my bill came in the Honolulu airport I chuckled at my own awkward discomfort.

1st: everywhere else (without exception) I've been for the last 7 months runs a credit card at the table not at a POS station.

2nd: suggested tip starting at 18% is a lot of extra money on top of an already-grossly overpriced $20 salad. The US tipping culture is absurd. Service Industry workers should get paid more fairly and less arbitrarily.

3rd: Holiday Decorations! The US does seasonal decorations with much more enthusiasm than most other places.

I'm sure that the differences will disappear as I get back into the swing of 'Merican life, but they feel jarring today.Read more