No surprise that cultures are different from one continent to another. However, some of the national habits, holidays, or lifestyles can seem just a little weird when you’re not ready for it. You’d still expect to find something you can relate to when you’re an European travelling in the US. Aha, wrong expectation.
- New Years Eve Ball Drop:
New Yorkers start the year by staying in a crowd, in the cold, just to see a ball drop.
The first ball drop was launched in 1907 when a certain Adolph Ochs wanted a bigger celebration than just fireworks. Nowadays, the same ball descends 43m (141 feet) in about 60 seconds and marks the passage through the new year. The same kind of ball dropping is found in Washington, DC where is falls everyday to mark noon time. - Martin Luther King’s Day:
This holiday usually falls on the third Monday of January in order to celebrate Martin Luther King’s birthday (no waaaay? really?). Since it’s a federal holiday, it’s the whole country that celebrates it (compared to other state holidays). It’s also intended to remember the life and achievements of this great man and American civil rights leader. This being said, it is understood that the holiday mostly promotes equal civil rights for everyone, despite ethnicity or social background. - March Madness:
What is it exactly? Just a name for college basketball tournament season. The NCAA Division I Basketball games are broadcasted on CBS Sports and Turner Sports and obviously start in March..nothing too big as we’re used to in the US..just a huge name for a college basketball tournament. - Superbowl:
The Superbowl..the biggest celebrated event in the US I believe. Not only does everyone watch it, but even grocery stores have to get prepared ahead of time to get enough supplies. To put it in a nutshell, some will watch it because it’s the last football game between the two best US football teams. Others will watch the so-called biggest concert ever made, while others just want to have a laugh while watching the incredible commercials.PuppyMonkeyBaby
If it’s still unclear..the Superbowl is a commercial event, where sports meet food, beer and incredibly good advertisements. - Thanksgiving:
It used to be a celebration where everybody, literally everybody got together to share a nice meal and to be reminded what they were thankful for. Nowadays, it’s more like our European Christmas evening. Families get together around a big fat meal where Turkey is baked, mashed potatoes, wine and beer. - Black Friday:
A synonym for Black Friday would just be: shopping day on a holiday. On the paper though, it says that it’s a celebration the day after Thanksgiving and usually happens after the fourth Thursday of November. Otherwise it’s also just the beginning of the Christmas shopping when malls give incredible discounts. However, it’s true that discounts are made in nearly every shop but the real big deals are in the malls, a little further away from the city. So no, what we see on our European screens is not happening everywhere in the city. - 5 de Mayo:
No..we are not talking about Mayonnaise. May 5th is celebrated in the US and Mexico to commemorate Mexico’s win over France in 1861 (long long time ago). However, today it’s more a celebration of the Mexican culture. Don’t mix that day up with Mexico’s independence day, happening on September 16th. Parades, food stands (lots and lots of them) will crowd the city, parties will be thrown and the city will become one festival. Prepare your booty for that tacos and guacamole overindulgence.
- Growing cabbage in the middle of town:
Have you ever noticed that cabbage is actually growing in NYC? Who would buy it to use it in a salad? No one, but they still do. And it doesn’t look that bad..it’s just weird. I have tried to find a reason for this planting..but even after having asked people in the street and having done a lot of research, this will stay a myth. - Tipping, everywhere, everyone, all the time:
At some point, in the beginning of my American Adventures I thought that I should walk with my wallet open and let everyone help him/herself in it since tips are asked for everything.
Double your restaurant bill by adding taxes and 18% for tips. You don’t want to see that taxi driver’s attitude when leaving his car so give him more than just 18%. When uncertain, just leave a few pennies and everybody will be happy.
And don’t forget, WELCOME TO AMERICA.
Jotellsstories 