Language

I still feel funny saying:

cell phone rather than mobile
pants rather than trousers
vacuum (cleaner) rather than hoover
garbage rather than rubbish
garbage can rather than bin
canned rather than tinned
restroom rather than toilet or loo
line rather than queue
ad-ver-TIZE-ment rather than ad-VERT-is-ment or advert

Yet somehow in my conversations, I THINK the British word or pronunciation but SAY it in American. There are some awkward moments, though when I will ask someone where the toilet is, or if I can use their toilet. It does sound a bit crude to the American ear. :)

A little evening shopping

It still feels a little strange that I can plan to go shopping after dinner...after 7pm for that matter! and expect the shops to be open! :)

Date Day

No, Americans are not required to own guns, nor do ALL Americans even own guns.

You will find that in the large cities it might be illegal to even carry a gun (though there is such a high crime rate in the cities involving guns). When you get to the more rural parts you will be more likely to find a gun in many households. They may be there for either hunting or for the protection of the family. Some call it a virtue to have a gun, or even a SIN if the head of the family does not own a gun (because he is not protecting his family).





One thing Josh was looking forward to was shooting. Simply shooting his gun at a target (he does want to go hunting, too). He asked that we could do this for one of our date days. Ok, I gave in.





It turned out to be a lovely day when we went to the property of a family friend. Josh did most of the shooting.

Because my arms are too whimpy I had to use a monopod. My arms still got tired!

My target.

I think Josh got it out of his system.

Creamer

I missed flavoured coffee creamer while in Scotland, but only for the first several months. After working at Starbucks a while I scoffed at flavouring my coffee and didn't think I would ever really find the need for it.

The last time I was grocery shopping (now that I have my VERY OWN fridge that I can fill up all by myself!!) I came across these creamers. I stood there thinking, wondering if I should get some. I was planning to just get some heavy cream because that is what I used in Scotland, but the prices drove me over to the creamer/half and half section. My eyes fell on a limited edition flavour called pumpkin pie spice. Being nearly Thanksgiving and being deprived of all things pumpkin while in Scotland, I couldn't resist.

I made my coffee strong(er than normal) and added extra creamer. Yum! Ok, I wont scoff any more. :)

You might be a repat* if...

when crossing the road, you look right, start to step out, then feel hands pulling you back to the curb because a car is coming from the other direction.

people look at you funny when you call the vacuum 'hoover', the trash container 'rubbish bin', the trunk 'boot', and the shopping cart 'trolley'.

you get annoyed that they don't serve tea and coffee after church.

you put cream on your pudding/dessert.

you have to explain to people that they do speak english in Scotland.

you say things like 'wee' 'gobsmacked' 'aye' and 'fab'

you nearly keel over when looking at the cost of owning a mobile/cell phone.

you are overwhelmed with joy to have a closet.

coworkers think you are odd because you bring a birthday cake to work for your "own" birthday.

your hairdresser looks at you strange when you ask her to trim your fringe.

eating a delicious breakfast at a restaurant is an exciting and wonderful experience.

you are suprised that there is enough food leftover to take home from the restaurant.

you freak out that the guy driving the car isnt holding on to the wheel and is eating... only to realize he isnt the driver.

you are convinced the world needs more roundabouts!!!!! Keep the traffic flowing people.

you walk into a store to ask for something and sit there completely stumped as to what they call it there as you can only remember the British word for it. You end up gesturing and drawing a picture until they finally guess it and you say "Yes! That's what I meant."

You are asked if you are from England.

you enjoy doing laundry again.

you get to rediscover one stop shopping.

you find tinned pumpkin at the grocery store and hoard it.

you look up the grocery stores online to see how much delivery is.

the cashier is annoyed with you because you are staring into your change purse trying to figure out how to make 70 cents in change.

you keep reaching for a quarter in your change purse thinking it is a 2p coin.

you are tired of constantly explaining to the cashier that you have your own bags...then they just stand there and stare at you in amazement while you pack your own bags.

Thank you to my friend at americanexpats.co.uk who helped me come up with some of these. ;)

*a repat is someone who has returned to their 'home' country after living in another country. Someone who has repatriated.