Photo: Vogue China 2008
I’ve been an expat for quite a while now. To begin with, it was pretty difficult to get off the ground. I had to find a place to stay, I had to apply for credit cards for someone with no credit, meet new people so I wouldn’t be lonely, and so much more. But I made it through the harder times and am glad I didn’t give up becaue a lot of funny moments have come from it!
Fun post moment:
Here are some of my experiences as an expat that I still go through living in New York after all these years…
The most common things strangers say to me:
“It sounds so much better when you say it!”
“oh my God you sound so proper”***
“Say that again”
In a sandwich deli ordering a sandwich:
Me: “Can you put some butter on the bread please?”
Server: “Mustard?”
Me: “No – butter”
Server: “Mustard?”
Me: ‘BUTTER!”
Server: “Mustard?”
Most common question I’m asked in America:
“So what’s better? London or New York?”
In a diner ordering an omelette:
Me: “I’ll have an egg white omelette with tomatoes, onions and mushrooms”
Waitress: “Cheese?”
(Did I say cheese?)
The daily fight with my MAC desktop:
I write Favourite it autocorrects to Favorite
I write Jewellery it autocorrects to Jewelry
The list goes on and on and the same corrections hit to my iPhone – Arrrrghhhh!
Things I have to be very careful saying in America:
Fag = Means a cigarette to Brits but means something else here
Fanny = ok to say in the States but be careful if you say it in England
Terms I wrestle with changing or keeping the same on WDUGT:
Jumper = sweater
Trainers = sneakers
Pavement = sidewalk
Plimsolls = simple trainer like shoes (like Keds)
Jacket = blazer
Fringe = bangs
Trousers = pants
Again – the list is way longer than the above
. . .
***See my Snapchat (Karenbritchick) from last night to hear me rambling although I don’t think I sound proper at all.
Please add to the list if you’re an expat or simply don’t live in your country of origin!