Reverse Culture Shock

After living in London for some time now, social behaviours that at first seemed quite strange have become my daily norm (I myself and the proud owner of 5 pairs of skinny pants).  So much so, that on visits back to the US some of my observations suggest I may be undergoing some social conditioning in London.  When this happens I think "whoa", pause to take notice, and reflect on the intricacies of what is the "social Norm".

Let's call this reverse culture shock.  Here are some examples I kept track of on this most recent trip to Chicago (all of which, when considering their opposite point out some of the initial shocks undergone when I moved to the UK)

• People drive - I literally stopped in the street after jumping the El and lugging my bag 6 blocks to remember what that was like, and everyone I knew had a car.

• The accent - oh yeah, they're American here.

• Belligerently standing on the left side of the escalator - a stunt known to result in homicidal thoughts to most Brits, and interestingly ex-pats as well after some time.

•  The size of the robins - holy cow they are huge!

•  Hispanics ... Awww yeah ... Salsa music howling from open car windows

•  On a related note ... Guys check you out ... and talk to you ... and honk ... and whistle ...

•  No skinny pants - I was looking.

•  Tube tops - searches in London were fruitless. Must have been 20 kinds in the PayHalf on Milwaukee.  Yessss.

•  Hipsters. The real ones. Everywhere, and invented in Logan Square.

•  Bottomless coffee. Bot-Tom-Less.  Now if we could only get England to adopt the bottomless Monmouth Latte.

•  What do you call that place where you go to the bathroom?  It's not the loo, as I have called it twice much to the confusion of others

•  Pretty people.  Not quite as easy to find in England.

•  Hearing this: "I'm sorry ma'am, the kitchen closes at 9". Huh?  I've been ridiculed for setting bookings earlier than that.

Social studies have always been a keen interest of mine, and this life experience not only has provided me with a window to observe many European cultures, but also a valuable chance to reflect back on where I come from and the things we do that make us unique as well. Fun!