Free popcorn and other culture clashes

November 28, 2011

in Cincinnati: my hometown,Cultural differences,Stockholm,Travels

I’ve been back in the US a week now, but I’m still getting adjusted. Quite simply, I’m not used to all the customer service and causal friendliness. Free refills on drinks, waiters checking back at the table to see if I need anything else and chatting casually about the weather or the holidays or whatever. At the movies yesterday, there were even free popcorn refills. At lunch, the waiter brought me a cup of soup to try because my friend had one too. When I’m out walking in my parent’s neighborhood, just about everyone I pass either nods or says hello or comments in some way. Working in their yard on Saturday, passersby waved or said hi. It feels like home. But also because I’m just not used to all this attention and service in Stockholm, it also gets overwhelming. And that feels weird to me.

Tagged as: customer service in the US, customer service: differences between the US and Sweden

{ 3 comments }

1 Mark November 28, 2011 at 23:48: Sandra – great site and yes you are quite right as much as we often like to bash our own country for the most part it really is a very friendly place. Try this, next time you are in new york and you are on a subway or waiting in line next to one of those Stone faced New Yorkers say “Hi how are you” you will find they are as friendly as anyone!!!
2 Antropologa November 29, 2011 at 12:46: You are making me really miss the US!
3 Sandra December 1, 2011 at 03:36: I’m sorry Antropologa! I haven’t been to the US for almost a year and it’s good to be back.