AMERICAN stories

Today I went with my father to a store in the valley outside of Los Angeles. That is where my parents live. My father bought some swiss chard. The price said 1.29 per bunch. The checker run up 1.39. When my father said that he had charged ten cents too much, the checker went to check! This is what happened: "Sir, you are absolutely right, the price was ten cents less than what I was going to charge you for it, SO.....you get the swiss chard for free!"
THIS would not happen in Italy
THIS is what happens in America
I have been out of the States for so long that I find it yes, NICE, but also so exaggerated and actually sort of ridiculous. I understand keeping customers, and that the checker had made a mistake....but I can't understand the store needing to keep a customer over such a trivial mistake as this. Perhaps a little free something, but to give the product for free....only in America is something like this possible!!!

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie on November 30, 2009 at 4:25pm

Somehow people like to loudmouth their hostility, aggression, anger, and show off having qualities that we really should be ashamed to show! Another of your amazing stories, DK. This was a shock to me, even if it was for sports, everyday here on the news there is something (like four cops killed on Thanksgiving, just the other day...shot in the head). I am appauled at it all.

Permalink Reply by Stephanie on December 1, 2009 at 8:09am

Unreal America

When you are used to a simplier life, that which one lives generally in Europe, and you enter into a city like Los Angeles, you (or I in this case) am just about shocked to experience what others find normal: here are some of the things that jump out at me as being so different, when, to other Americans in this city, are totally normal.
Music in all buildings, even in the restrooms in restaurants
Huge sizes of drinks...with refills
All those special coupons, offers, free this and that, sales, buy one get one free, free samples, free wrapping paper
All that waiting on the phone for "chose your options!"
Turning right on a red light in California
Sales people asking how you are, and asking as if they were a good friend if they can help you....with a huge smile!!
Giant parking lots
Lots of space everywhere
Considerate driving
etc

This is my country, but after living in Italy most of my life, it seems so terribly odd to me, though fun....all these things and more.

Permalink Reply by Stephanie on December 2, 2009 at 9:49am

STUFF and more American Stuff
Just a few more hours
then back into European life
the small streets
the few products compared to the rows, and aisles, and boxes, and bags and rooms and stores and streets filled with stuff and more stuff of every size, color, style available. And if you don't see it, just ask...they probablly have it in the back room.

Permalink Reply by Stephanie on December 9, 2009 at 2:14am

Holiday Pause

When I think about Los Angeles, my town, my CITY where I spent a good part of my life before moving to Italy, and when I think about seeing Santa Claus just days after Thanksgiving.....I get goosebumps!
Really. What was Santa doing in the shopping mall right after Thanksgiving and what was the Christmas music all about, just a day or two after Thanksgiving!?
I don't know.
I don't understand.
He seemed to be saying "Buy this, and that, everyone. It is Christmas time!!! Don't forget, it is not the day after Thanksgiving, that is long and gone!! It is time to spend spend SPEND!!!"
So, coming back to Italy I see that lights, and shops, and music are all around here too. But I don't think they were up as soon as they were in the USA.
Maybe a few days later. And not to the extreme that they are in the States.
It makes me start to dislike the holidays. Actually, people often say that they don't like the holiday period.
So, my normal feelings start to get interupted by all this "party" time, all this "holiday time".
And I start to stop! And I get in a pause mode. I think. I wait. I don't know exactly what I am supposed to feel.....
I don't know. What about you?