Personal Narrative: Adjusting While Experiencing

Adjusting while Experiencing America is a country composed of different people and diverse cultures. Therefore, there is a good deal of ways of life or cultural phenomena for newcomers to adjust to. Before moving here, I was a little bit optimistic because I have been to some European , Asian and Oceanian counties and saw many different cultures there, so I thought that I might be somewhat prepared for changes. However, when I really stepped my foot on this country, I noticed that I have quite a long way to go before getting used to things such as holidays, tips and people’s names. First of all, it takes time to get familiar with the meaning and background of American holidays and then begin learning to enjoy them. During the first year of my stay in America, I found with surprise that Americans are so lucky to have so many holidays. Sometimes, they may have 2 or 3 …show more content…
In America, it is so natural to give and accept tips. Tips are seen being given everywhere, for instance, in restaurant, hotel, airport and taxi. People are used to giving and receiving tips because that is part of their traditional culture. Whereas, back in my country, there is no such kind of tradition or habit of tipping someone for service. For example, if you give tips to someone publicly to show your appreciation, you may risk getting into an awkward situation because people don’t know what to do. Sometimes, they may feel very embarrassed or being belittled. But here everyone follows the tipping rules in a natural way. Well, as the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. In my earlier days here, whenever eating in restaurants or staying in hotels, I would remind myself of keeping the tipping rules. Obviously, I did carry out the rules carefully but not naturally. Today, being fully aware of the cultural part of tipping rules, I can apply them following the American