Wanted help: America - Help.com

Wow I know this must be exciting. The first time I went to Europe I was really excited. I don’t know about New York specifically, but I can tell you some things that were different for me when I went the other way around. Everything tastes different, even stuff you are used to. For example, popular brand sodas taste different. And unless NY is drastically different from here, if you order water it is not going to be carbonated unless you ask for it. I was really surprised that people drank “soda water” in the UK. Tipping is generally the same, 15% gratuity is standard for standard service, 10% if they were really bad, and 20% if they were awesome. Try to keep the change of currency straight in your head or people will cheat you. So many little idioms in speech may seem odd, even though you speak english, it’s not always the same everywhere you go, but I’m sure you’ve seen enough movies to understand the meaning. If you are going to NYC personal space should be similar, but if you are going to the country the bubble is a little bigger. Taxi drivers are crazy everywhere… I’m pretty sure that’s the same. I didn’t take any taxis in the UK, mostly the metro, but still… gosh so many little things that won’t affect you as much if your in the big apple just because they are used ot an influx of travelers. If you are a drinker, remember changes in altitude change your tolerance of the brew. You can drink more in higher altitudes, less in lower. I’ve never been to NYC for fun, but my brother in law lived there so we visited a few times. I wanted to see a broadway show but never got the opportunity, and though you are probably familiar with the bigger opera houses where you are from, it’s still a completely different and amazing experience, although my mom told me dress code is about the same. Normal traveling hazards apply, and you wouldn’t go amiss to get one of those pocket things you wear under your shirt that keeps your money- keeps pickpockets from taking all your stuff and whatnot. I hope that helps! Have a GREAT TRIP!!!

Sorry mate, I might live in America but New York is way different than where I live, may as well be a different country.

jh145912 wrote:
Wow I know this must be exciting. The first time I went to Europe I was really excited. I don’t know about New York specifically, but I can tell you some things that were different for me when I went the other way around. Everything tastes different, even stuff you are used to. For example, popular brand sodas taste different. And unless NY is drastically different from here, if you order water it is not going to be carbonated unless you ask for it. I was really surprised that people drank “soda water” in the UK. Tipping is generally the same, 15% gratuity is standard for standard service, 10% if they were really bad, and 20% if they were awesome. Try to keep the change of currency straight in your head or people will cheat you. So many little idioms in speech may seem odd, even though you speak english, it’s not always the same everywhere you go, but I’m sure you’ve seen enough movies to understand the meaning. If you are going to NYC personal space should be similar, but if you are going to the country the bubble is a little bigger. Taxi drivers are crazy everywhere… I’m pretty sure that’s the same. I didn’t take any taxis in the UK, mostly the metro, but still… gosh so many little things that won’t affect you as much if your in the big apple just because they are used ot an influx of travelers. If you are a drinker, remember changes in altitude change your tolerance of the brew. You can drink more in higher altitudes, less in lower. I’ve never been to NYC for fun, but my brother in law lived there so we visited a few times. I wanted to see a broadway show but never got the opportunity, and though you are probably familiar with the bigger opera houses where you are from, it’s still a completely different and amazing experience, although my mom told me dress code is about the same. Normal traveling hazards apply, and you wouldn’t go amiss to get one of those pocket things you wear under your shirt that keeps your money- keeps pickpockets from taking all your stuff and whatnot. I hope that helps! Have a GREAT TRIP!!!

Thanks, sounds good. Hell I’m Scottish so drinking, taxi’s and pick pockets aren’t a problem just don’t want to leave anyone left shortchanged for doing a good job. Man I’m really exited to go there.

Dr. Jackson wrote:
Sorry mate, I might live in America but New York is way different than where I live, may as well be a different country.

Anything would be great man.

Anonymous wrote:

Thanks, sounds good. Hell I’m Scottish so drinking, taxi’s and pick pockets aren’t a problem just don’t want to leave anyone left shortchanged for doing a good job. Man I’m really exited to go there.

lol! Well don’t forget about the water either. Scottish people still drink the carbonated water like the british do, yeah? It seemed to be everywhere in Europe. Very surprising. I thought you were only supposed to drink it when it had scotch in it… ooh you will have to eat all the typical “american” foods, although I didn’t see much difference between ours and yours… however NY pizza is its own special monster of goodness, and there will be forever rivalry between new york style pizza and chicago style, so maybe you should try both as an unbiased third party. I would say, of course, that you will have to go see times square and maybe take a picture there or something. Are you going alone, with friends, or with family? My chinese friends were really surprised that water and tea were not free here in restaraunts, although I can’t remember if they were free in the UK or not? All the food portions tend to be bigger where I live, although I don’t know if it is in NY? I live in the deep south, so watch the “man vs. food” tv show and it will all make sense. In fact I would recommend watching their episode on new york so you can check out the best eateries.

jh145912 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Thanks, sounds good. Hell I’m Scottish so drinking, taxi’s and pick pockets aren’t a problem just don’t want to leave anyone left shortchanged for doing a good job. Man I’m really exited to go there.

lol! Well don’t forget about the water either. Scottish people still drink the carbonated water like the british do, yeah? It seemed to be everywhere in Europe. Very surprising. I thought you were only supposed to drink it when it had scotch in it… ooh you will have to eat all the typical “american” foods, although I didn’t see much difference between ours and yours… however NY pizza is its own special monster of goodness, and there will be forever rivalry between new york style pizza and chicago style, so maybe you should try both as an unbiased third party. I would say, of course, that you will have to go see times square and maybe take a picture there or something. Are you going alone, with friends, or with family? My chinese friends were really surprised that water and tea were not free here in restaraunts, although I can’t remember if they were free in the UK or not? All the food portions tend to be bigger where I live, although I don’t know if it is in NY? I live in the deep south, so watch the “man vs. food” tv show and it will all make sense. In fact I would recommend watching their episode on new york so you can check out the best eateries.

Well, only problem with water is Scottish water is very pure so water from any other part of the world can mess with us. It’s a weakness but what you gonna do? I’m well aware of man vs food so I know what I’m getting into in that respect haha. I’m going with my bro so someone will have my back. Just making sure there’s not some huge faux pas ( like using the term faux pas ) so’s not to cause a scene cause I want this to go off without a hitch.

I’m pretty sure that those will be the same. You know, what’s rude there is rude here. You know, keep your clothes on, your hands to yourelf, and don’t call anyone names… normal stuff. I know where I live people hug a lot, especially in greeting, and I learned that’s inappropriate elsewhere (found that out the hard way, it was all very unfortunate.) I’m excited for you. Have you been many other places?