Freak Out List
I anticipated being freaked out in America and started a list a while back of things that I thought would do it, but I am surprised at how many of the things that are getting to me are really small. It’s more societal, systemic. Speed. Seriousness. Work. Cleanliness.
It’s going to be a mentally complicated trip for me. I am trying to take it in stride and stay focused, but it’s pretty intense. Things freaking me out so far:
- People
- Talking
- Schedules
- Unimportant Words
- Appearances over Content
- Media
- Massive Amounts of Disposable Stuff
- Quality Disposable Stuff
- Worries about American Politics/Economy
- My Head Feeling Full After A Two Hour Conversation with An American
- Understanding Everyone’s Conversations
- Americans Talking Really Fast
- International Airports Wanting Me To Pay for Wireless
- Wanting to Speak Mongolian a Lot
- Beautiful Bathrooms
- Pizza Hut Pizza
- So Many White People
- So Many People Made Up All Pretty
- People Too Busy To Smile Back
- People Not Enjoying Work
- Free Toilet Paper
- Sinks with Soap and Paper Towels
- Punctuality
- Shrimp and Fruit Smoothies at Pizza Hut (Ate Here Twice)
- Americans Only Knowing How To Speak English
- Americans Doing The Same Disrespectful Ignorant Stuff People Have Done To Me Like Silly Sign Language and Talking Louder Instead of Slower, Sigh, I Will Never Do That
- Obesity
- How Important Smiles Are
- Getting Tired of Talking
- Getting Tired of Listening
- How Much I Enjoy Silence
- Starbucks Still Being Way Expensive
- People Sitting Alone
- Serious Employees
- A Life Is Good Store
- Little Privacy
- Lots of People
- Catchy Business Logos and Phrases
- Blonde Haired People
- Listening to “A Long Way Home”
- The Fact That It’s Only Been 24 Hours
- “Yanaa” (Wow in Mongolian)