[Hells Kitchen]

Hey, i'll be moving to Chicago early next year on a fiance visa and i was just wondering what kind of cultural differences you guys experienced when you moved over? I read on another thread that the most important thing when moving is to prepare for the cultural differences and i was trying to figure out what they were and couldn't. I'm not talking about small things like not being able to buy your favourite food and stuff like that but big things that would take time to get used to. Any opinions especially from people who have actually settled there?

[Killer Wench]

First and foremost, pedestrians have the right of way when crossing at intersections and within designated pedestrian crossings. We also walk slower. When eating out, tipping is expected if you are at a sit-down restaurant and a server has provided service. Standard tipping is 15%. We also tip delivery drivers. Some people tip hair stylists, nail technicians, and just about anyone who is in the service industry.

[silja]

A lot is regional, and I am not sure on Chicago, only been there on city breaks. For me, the four big things were:
- Car culture. Even if something is in walking distance, people drive. If you are an adult and do not have a drivers license, it is assumed it has been taken away, not that you never had one.
- Gun culture. The amount of people who own guns is staggering, and it is easy to purchase one (depends on state, but usually just 3 day waiting period)/ You'd be surprised at the amount of people who always carry one (concealed carry, so you don't know until the subject comes up).
- Politics. It's odd having only two viable parties here, and the voting system is so different. Also, the place is sooo much more conservative than Europe, even in big cities. In Ireland, I was by far the most conservative of my group of friends. Here, I am considered a bit of a hippy.
- Religion. I doubt this would be the case in Chicago, at least center of the city, but here, everything revolves around churches. They are a main socialising point, people talk about "church family" (friends they made in church), every public event and sports event starts with a prayer, people will say "bless you" or "I will pray for you" all the time.

[avalon68]

I also find people here quite blunt - they have no problems asking the most personal of questions. I found it very off putting when I arrived here, but have just gotten used to it now. Work hours are much longer than home, and holidays much shorter - generally 10 days a year

[CyberJuice]

dont throw the C word around, usually i would use it as a descriptive word as in "look at that mad c**t over there" or something along those lines.. swearing is fine (around adults obviously) but it just seems that they will flip out or look at u funny if they hear the c word..

[christmas2012]

they dont like swearing in offices or that using fvck or anything like that,you say instead of fvcking you say freaking..etc,or damn sugar!

[M5]

The false greeting you get when you come into any shop wrecks my head!

One place in particular in Phoenix they have 2 people at the entrance to greet you as you come in. Big smiles all round. While your there they have people come up to you and ask if you need help. After that when you go to the checkout the person will ask if you found everything! The hilarious part is that they then search your bag, and check your receipt at the exit.

The absolute falseness is sicking after a while

[avalon68]

Originally Posted by M5

The false greeting you get when you come into any shop wrecks my head!

One place in particular in Phoenix they have 2 people at the entrance to greet you as you come in. Big smiles all round. While your there they have people come up to you and ask if you need help. After that when you go to the checkout the person will ask if you found everything! The hilarious part is that they then search your bag, and check your receipt at the exit.

The absolute falseness is sicking after a while

lol, I cant describe how much this bugs me sometimes! I feel like its an obstacle course - get in, get to item I want, get to register and get out.....bonus points for not making eye contact with any employees! On the flip side if you actually do want help with anything they wont rest until you get sorted - i was buying a camera one day and the guy let me try pretty much every camera in stock....try doing that in Ireland!

[InTheTrees]

Never ever ever compare the United States with any other country unless its favourably.

[InTheTrees]

Visitors to the USA complain about the superficial friendliness in shops and restaurants.

But I guess I've been here long enough that I would take it in a heatbeat over the sour faced surliness of irish shop assistants!

[InTheTrees]

The driving is maddening for a petrolhead like myself.

You can get a drivers licence in about 15 minutes in the US, and driving standards reflect this. Its like Bombay but in slow motion. They dont use turn signals, mirrors or any of the rules in their own "Drivers Handbook" because the only thing the cops ever seem to enforce is speeding.

And 1mph over the absurdly low speed limits (usually set artificially low just to generate more fines) and you're likely to be ticketed.

[InTheTrees]

The Police:

A friend once told me when I first moved here; treat them like a wild alsatian on a leash.

Never NEVER make sudden unpredictable moves. Reaching for ID for instance. (Always carry ID) If you're stopped in your car and your licence is not immediately to hand, explain to the officer that you're reaching for it. "its in the glovebox, officer, I'll get it".

Remember these guys are possibly facing a gun fight and death at every traffic stop they make so they dont appreciate humour, excuses or being a smartass.

And also No Sudden Movements.

[Hazys]

Originally Posted by InTheTrees

Visitors to the USA complain about the superficial friendliness in shops and restaurants.

But I guess I've been here long enough that I would take it in a heatbeat over the sour faced surliness of irish shop assistants!

Lol completely agree.

A smile (whether real or fake) is waaaay more welcoming than the most real frown. There have been times at home where i felt i was bugging the shop assistant by asking for help.

I always find in bars if its busy, back home a lot of bar tenders would almost throw a beer at you to get you to go away while in the US no matter how busy it gets the bar tenders are 100x more friendlier and willing to chat (even if you dont want them too).

I know they work for tips/commission, but the level of service 100X better than back home.

I think its unfair to say its all fake smiles and politeness from Americans because in general they are more upbeat and enthusastic in life compared to Irish people. A lot of people who work in retail and the service industry have pride in their jobs unlike back home, where a lot of people think that type of work is beneath them.

[lil_lisa]

To be honest, cultural acceptance is one thing I recognize in this country a lot, and possibly why so many people immigrate here. There are people from all kinds of cultures living together so everyone automatically has this open mindedness when it comes to other cultures. It's not strange to be the only english speaking person at a bar or the only person not using chopsticks at a sushi bar. Maybe that's just Southern California...

[FatherTed]

It also depends on where you are. I'm in Connecticut and unlike silja who is in Arkansas I think, I don't know anybody who carrys a gun around with them, also religion is much less of a factor here compared to down south with all the bible-belters. Also people in cities like New York do walk and a lot don't even own a car.

Try not to put America down otherwise you'll be branded an outcast. People generally are polite and hard working much more so than the average Irish person.