I anticipated being freaked out in America and started a list a while back of things that I thought would do it, but I am surprised at how many of the things that are getting to me are really small. It’s more societal, systemic. Speed. Seriousness. Work. Cleanliness.
It’s going to be a mentally complicated trip for me. I am trying to take it in stride and stay focused, but it’s pretty intense. Things freaking me out so far: • People • Talking • Schedules • Unimportant Words • Appearances over Content • Media • Massive Amounts of Disposable Stuff • Quality Disposable Stuff • Worries about American Politics/Economy • My Head Feeling Full After A Two Hour Conversation with An American • Understanding Everyone’s Conversations • Americans Talking Really Fast • International Airports Wanting Me To Pay for Wireless • Wanting to Speak Mongolian a Lot • Beautiful Bathrooms • Pizza Hut Pizza • So Many White People • So Many People Made Up All Pretty • People Too Busy To Smile Back • People Not Enjoying Work • Free Toilet Paper • Sinks with Soap and Paper Towels • Punctuality • Shrimp and Fruit Smoothies at Pizza Hut (Ate Here Twice) • Americans Only Knowing How To Speaking English • Americans Doing The Same Disrespectful Ignorant Stuff People Have Done To Me Like Silly Sign Language and Talking Louder Instead of Slower, Sigh, I Will Never Do That • Obesity • How Important Smiles Are • Getting Tired of Talking • Getting Tired of Listening • How Much I Enjoy Silence • Starbucks Still Being Way Expensive • People Sitting Alone • Serious Employees • A Life Is Good Store • Little Privacy • Lots of People • Catchy Business Logos and Phrases • Blonde Haired People • Listening to “A Long Way Home” • The Fact That It’s Only Been 24 Hours • “Yanaa” (Wow in Mongolian) •
