You ready to move to the States?

[MaydayDas 1]

You know, I was thinking, so many of us we have to follow the love one and move into the States. but are we ready? what do we know about the life there, what it is different there? let's learn together about this land called America.

just share with us what you know, a link, everything.........

why i ask you that? because i got a little scared i have to give away my metric system and learn another one. lol

[mawilson 2,133]

because i got a little scared i have to give away my metric system

Don't worry -- we don't really want your metric system so you don't have to give it away

[fozzie 41]

No more maximum working week or minimum number of vacation days a year.

[Michaela_Hassan 1]

no more Autobahn!!!

[MaydayDas 1]

no more Autobahn!!!

Oh yea, for sure I am going to miss the Autobahn too.....

[Heracles 417]

You know, I was thinking, so many of us we have to follow the love one and move into the States. but are we ready? what do we know about the life there, what it is different there? let's learn together about this land called America.

just share with us what you know, a link, everything.........

why i ask you that? because i got a little scared i have to give away my metric system and learn another one. lol

It really depends on which part / city of the US you move to..

[MaydayDas 1]

You know, I was thinking, so many of us we have to follow the love one and move into the States. but are we ready? what do we know about the life there, what it is different there? let's learn together about this land called America.

just share with us what you know, a link, everything.........

why i ask you that? because i got a little scared i have to give away my metric system and learn another one. lol

It really depends on which part / city of the US you move to..

Maryland / Aberdeen Proving Ground

[Heracles 417]

You know, I was thinking, so many of us we have to follow the love one and move into the States. but are we ready? what do we know about the life there, what it is different there? let's learn together about this land called America.

just share with us what you know, a link, everything.........

why i ask you that? because i got a little scared i have to give away my metric system and learn another one. lol

It really depends on which part / city of the US you move to..

Maryland / Aberdeen Proving Ground

Is that some sort of Military base?

[MaydayDas 1]

Is that some sort of Military base?

yes

[Mags 112]

####### chocolate....

[Chiroman 0]

No one here recycles, it drives me batty!

[sereia 0]

####### chocolate....

no way! if you count brands like hersheys, okay...(which i still find edible anyway. lol)

but there are lots of good brands here in america as good or better than any european kind. including switzerland, austria, belgium, france, etc. there's a small chocolatier here in nyc that has chocolate i think is BETTER than any i had in europe. also there are many chocolatiers from europe who have branches here as well. michel cluizel, la maison du chocolate, etc.....

you just need to look for them.

thats what is amazing and wonderful about america... you can get almost anything if you have the patience to look for it.

Chiroman said: No one here recycles, it drives me batty!

what! recycling is the LAW in many places. in california, we're even provided with separate trash cans to make sure its done properly. here in NY there is separate places for everything in my building as well....

Edited March 9, 2007 by abdounjen

[Otto 83]

Speaking from Germany to America just jotted down some things that might be helpful to keep in mind.

Food

* Don't need to bring bags with you to the grocery store.

* Make a list of things you love to eat/cook with - may not be available here. You will miss some things.

* Bread is much different (for the most part)

* Shopping carts don't require 1Euro to use

* Cheeses are much different (mostly swiss and chedar)

People

* While there is not an 'ampt' (government office/dept.) for everything, we're still not as 'free' as you would think

* Even if you've lived here your entire life - some Americans are hard to understand.

* Some people will try to take advantage of you if they think they can.

* If you're a soccer fan - Get Cable - (ask for Fox Soccer channel)

Driving/Cars

* Parking is usually free - like grocery stores, malls, etc (I know, not everywhere, but mostly)

* People do not get out of the left lane

* People drive incredibly huge cars

* Gas is cheaper and is by the gallon, not liter (4 liters/gallon)

* Radar detectors are legal in most states

* Car inspections are no where near as tough

* Drivers License doesn't cost nearly as much

Money

* Credit/Checking Cards accepted almost everywhere - cash/geld not required to have on hand

* Telephones are usually flat rate for local

* Prices usually do not include tax - you'll need to add it to know what the actual cost is.

* Most bills (utilities, etc) are monthly

* Renting a home/apartment is done with a contract - usually 6 or 12 months

Miscl.

* Things are open on Sunday

* TV has little nudity/foul-language, but lots of violence (pay tv not included)

* Beds (usually) are higher/taller off the ground

* Toilets are smaller (so I've been told)

Working

* Applying for a job does not require your life's history

* Not uncommon to work 45+ hours per week

* No government insurance - it's on you/your employer (excluding Medicare)

* Pay Day/Salary is usually paid weekly or every two weeks..monthly is not typical

Thats about it for now.. just my experience..does not apply to everyone am sure.

[DeadPoolX 9]

####### chocolate....

Okay, that's not entirely true. If you're just buying grocery store chocolate, of course it's going to be #######. Look for the fine chocolate brands that are spread out across the country. See's Candy and Ghirardelli Chocolate Company (both founded in the United States) are just two examples. Stay away from Hershey and Russel Stover or whatever other cheap store brands if you want good chocolate.

No one here recycles, it drives me batty!

That really depends where you live. In my city, there are recycling programs. How much people recycle... well, that's a different story entirely. However, there are programs to do it.

[Ban Hammer 12,840]

Speaking from Germany to America just jotted down some things that might be helpful to keep in mind.

Food

* Don't need to bring bags with you to the grocery store.

* Make a list of things you love to eat/cook with - may not be available here. You will miss some things.

* Bread is much different (for the most part)

* Shopping carts don't require 1Euro to use

* Cheeses are much different (mostly swiss and chedar)

People

* While there is not an 'ampt' (government office/dept.) for everything, we're still not as 'free' as you would think

* Even if you've lived here your entire life - some Americans are hard to understand.

* Some people will try to take advantage of you if they think they can.

* If you're a soccer fan - Get Cable - (ask for Fox Soccer channel)

Driving/Cars

* Parking is usually free - like grocery stores, malls, etc (I know, not everywhere, but mostly)

* People do not get out of the left lane

* People drive incredibly huge cars

* Gas is cheaper and is by the gallon, not liter (4 liters/gallon)

* Radar detectors are legal in most states

* Car inspections are no where near as tough

* Drivers License doesn't cost nearly as much

Money

* Credit/Checking Cards accepted almost everywhere - cash/geld not required to have on hand

* Telephones are usually flat rate for local

* Prices usually do not include tax - you'll need to add it to know what the actual cost is.

* Most bills (utilities, etc) are monthly

* Renting a home/apartment is done with a contract - usually 6 or 12 months

Miscl.

* Things are open on Sunday

* TV has little nudity/foul-language, but lots of violence (pay tv not included)

* Beds (usually) are higher/taller off the ground

* Toilets are smaller (so I've been told)

Working

* Applying for a job does not require your life's history

* Not uncommon to work 45+ hours per week

* No government insurance - it's on you/your employer (excluding Medicare)

* Pay Day/Salary is usually paid weekly or every two weeks..monthly is not typical

Thats about it for now.. just my experience..does not apply to everyone am sure.

lots of good ones on this list. i miss the german bread. and speed limits i do wish we'd have more recycling and that wal-mart and other stores would require a quarter to use a cart!

i also miss the german leash laws. too many dogs running loose in my area.