4 Things I Still Find Strange With the U.S.

My stay in San Francisco has come to an end. I’m leaving the city in less than a week, and it feels strange, good, sad and weird all at once. I have learned quite a few things this semester, both at uni and from other situations. However, there are some things left that I still can’t wrap my head around.

  1. You start packing up before the lecture is finished. Why don’t you just wait those few seconds that’s left of the professor’s lecture, instead of shuffling books and papers in your backpack and rush to the door the second your class is over? The first time this happened I thought it was so rude (and I actually still think so), but as it happened in every class of mine, I understood that this was quite common among American students.
  2. You don’t include tax in the price shown. Seriously. Why don’t you just add those dollars to the price tag, so that I’m not confused every time I’m paying for something.
  3. You have way too many options. I get it, this is “the land of opportunities”. Still, for an indecisive person this has caused me a lot of stress and confusion. I mean, an entire aisle for different peanut butters? Is that really necessary?
  4. You are so nice to strangers. Okay, this is actually a very nice thing. I was prepared for American politeness and I assumed it would be a huge contrast to Norwegians, whom is known for being cold and not very talkative. But honestly, I underestimated this contrast. I have met SO many nice and open people while living here. During my first week I got several invitations for coffee with people I met on the bus, in the park or whatever. People who wanted to show me their city and spend some minutes with me. Also, when our car broke down in the middle of nowhere during a road trip, we met so many helpful people who eventually brought us and the car to our final destination. Thank you, Americans, for not being so afraid talking to strangers!

And with that – bye San Francisco and SF State! It has been a pleasure. 

Lovise Gangnes
loviseig@gmail.com
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