Surviving in the Strange Place

            I have been in the U.S. almost a year and a half. It is not a long or short period, but it has certainly changed my life and even my body physically that made me fatter. I love the U.S. It not only gives me a good education, but also affects my thoughts. The U.S. is one of the freest countries in this world. Everyone keeps mixing their own cultures in U.S. Since I came to the U.S. I have experienced variety cultures. However, they were too strange to shock my mind. Especially the differences of restaurant cultures between the U.S. and Macau are challenges for me.

            Americans love food, but it is not common to see famous restaurants in local neighborhoods. Macau’s population density is the highest in the world. Therefore, when I went outside to have a meal in Macau, I could easily find a restaurant. I could even have more than ten options. However, Chicago’s density is far lower than Macau’s density. Some restaurants don’t choose to locate downtown Chicago because of the expensive rent. They usually locate at countryside or other small towns. In order to taste particular restaurants, I have to buy a car to drive far away from Chicago. Moreover, I used to spend an hour to have a meal. Comparing with nowadays, It takes me more time to eat a meal. Although there are many kinds of delicious restaurants and delicious, it is inefficient in this busy life.

            In addition to the location factor, tipping culture is another part of U.S. culture that has affected my working attitude, and it is a surviving way for me. In the U.S. After dinner, people have to give tips to the servers. In Macau, however, tip is included. It reminds me of my first day in chicago, my family was eating dinner in Chinatown. After dinner, we paid the bill without a tip, and tried to leave the restaurant. Suddenly, the servers stopped us and asked me for the tip. Everyone in the restaurant was looking at us. It was the most embarrassing moment I had ever had of my life. Another reason tipping culture has affected me is because I work at a Chinese restaurant now. The amount of income I get is directly related to the tips customers give me. The amount of tips is directly related to service quality. Thus, I learned how to have a positive attitude to serve customers, and it also influences me to have a positive attitude with everything.

            Finally, even though I have a car and a job, the most important thing is to satisfy my stomach without fried food. McDonald’s, KFC and Popeyes, there are thousands of fried food restaurants in the U.S. It is hard to avoid eating fast food in the U.S. Some people can eat fried food as their daily meal but not me. According to traditional Chinese culture, Chinese people can classify food into two categories, hot and cool. Fried food is in the hot category. Eating too much hot food can make people sick. I used to drink a couple of herbal teas that could cool down my body, but I cannot do it anymore in the U.S. Then the difference reminds me to change my eating habits. When I am confused about where to eat, I look at restaurants on yelp. Nevertheless, I could not satisfy my stomach anymore in the U.S.

            I am in a new environment with a new life. I want to adapt to the U.S. even though I have faced different problems, such as a restaurant culture. I have to drive a car for a meal. I have to give tips for a meal. I have to do a research for a meal. I have already spent year and a half exploring the culture, and I would spend another year and a half exploring more cultures. I accept the culture as I love the U.S. It is a challenge but not the end. It has just let me to be a more cautious person, but I know it won’t be easy.