Part 1: Humans in Houston
I can’t comment on the whole of the USA yet as I haven’t been there… but here’s what I have noticed about Houston, Texas. My experience, through my eyes.
#1 – The people are great.
After a flight delay I landed safely in Houston. I was tired and looked for the first available cab. The driver sat in the wrong side of the cab, he was forced to, there was something wrong with his car – the steering wheel was on the left hand side, then he proceeded to drive me to my hotel on the wrong side of the road. I’ve tried telling a few American’s that they’re doing it all wrong, but they continue to drive on the right hand side of the road, regardless of my advice.
I found it slightly entertaining that I was required to explain to my driver how Arnold Schwarzenegger’s home country Austria is not the same as Australia, and that in fact it resided on a different continent. *giggles* Regardless of this he introduced me to the level of service I could expect whilst staying in Houston, which has been nothing short of excellent.
I had expected a lot of fake personality from those working to earn their tips, but I’m happy to report I have only experienced a lot of kind, chatty and receptive people who offer you a warm and friendly place to land, whether it’s a chat in a taxi cab, a waitress in a restaurant or a cleaner in a hotel. I can’t get from my hotel room to the Breakfast Lounge in the morning without receiving big smiles from all of the staff. Let alone, the complete strangers such as other American guests who will walk past me, smile and say “How you doing, girl?”
Having a stranger say hello gives me a nice warm fuzzy feeling inside. I’m not sure what it’s like where you live, but in Perth, we’ve kinda lost that loving feeling. So I’m adding this as lesson number 1. Do me a favour and try it, say “G’day’ to a stranger, ask them how they’re going. They’ll probably smile, hell… maybe you’ll be just the pick up they needed. 
So far the language barrier hasn’t been too bad. “How you going ” sometimes get’s lost in translation. The american’s start wondering why I’m asking about their transportation methods. The only other problem I’ve encountered is that like most Aussies I am unable to pronounce the letter ‘R’ it tends to sounds like a lazy ‘ah’. The only way I can help the American’s understand me is by practising my Pirating ways… ‘Arrrgh’
So, the good news is, regardless of our differences in language, I like the Houston people. They make me feel welcome! Shopping has been a positive experience too, but that’s a whole other blog post soon to come!
I’m so glad you’re having a good experience. I like the sound of ‘how you doing girl’. It sounds mighty friendly. It sure does make me feel nice when a stranger is friendly, and it makes you feel good when you can bring a smile to a stranger. I must remember that more often.
Thanks for sharing that Don, I can’t wait to hear more.
xxxx
That’s funny, because I remember when I visited Australia that everyone was SO FRIENDLY, and I’d wished the States had some of more of that here.
And I’ll send you back home with a big box of letter R’s for you to use in words whenever you want.
Glad your enjoying yourself Don. I always thought Australians were quite friendly. On our trip up the cape, every car we passed waved at us, it is just what you do up there, you wave to everyone. It was also a nice feeling to be able to help the man and his motorbike out of the mud. Ronan felt very sad for him and kept asking if he had any family. He didnt like that the man travelled alone. I also felt good about giving the mobile phone back to the crash victims…the kids wanted to keep it, as it was a good phone, but once they saw family pics on there, even they wanted to return it to the owners. Seeing peoples faces in pics gave the phone an identity, and they said it would feel like stealing if we kept it.
Karma gave some back to me today when the lady from the coles checkout came running out to my car with my toilet paper that i had forgotten to put in my trolley…lol….not the first time thats happened…in fact ive left my whole shopping trolley behind before…i know you understand mum…everyone else is thinking, how do you forget a trolley? Luckily i remembered about half an hour later when i was making a coffee and had no milk in the fridge, i thought to myself…i just bought milk! Raced back to coles and there was my trolley waiting for me. I dont know what the lady behind the counter thought of me. It got worse though. When i got home with my groceries, the mailman was at my door with a parcel, so i went straight up to sign for it. I was so eager to see what had arrived from ebay that i went straight inside to open it. It only tok me another 15mins to remember that i had groceries in the back of my car! I think i have early alzhiemers….but its fun…lol
Glad you’re home safe Mell! Yep, I remember driving through QLD, NT & WA desert and everyone would wave… It’s like an acknowledgement that you’re together in solitude, sharing the same experience.
Ok Don, so I took your advice… I said hello and “how u doing?” to a complete stranger and OMG, he followed me home, he is eating my food, and worst of all he is using my toothbrush… Was I meant to say it in such a seductive voice? Please be more specific next time with your instructions or I may end up with a full blown Bed and Breakfast sideline business and we know it’s not good to mix business with pleasure! Lol.
Ps, u bring out the ridiculous in me and I love u for it, xx.