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Post by ExpatBackHome on Jul 19, 2021 14:08:37 GMT
Things we’ve learned and things we find strange:
- I paid almost $8 for Cheerios in Dubai regularly. Cereal is so cheap here. And the variety of the same cereal is crazy.
- while in Target, both kids have asked me a price in dirhams (UAE currency) to figure out if they wanted to spend their money on it🤣🤣
- the 16 year old went to Target to buy 3 bottles of coke (20 oz), parchment paper and brown sugar. When he got to the parchment paper aisle, he had to call and aim the camera at the rolls for me to direct him. He said there were just so many choices he found it overwhelming. Then when he came home he told me the Cokes were $5.99 each 😳😳. He didn’t know you can’t take them out of the pack to buy singles. Where we’ve lived, you mostly buy singles everywhere. And since he has no price point in USD, he thought it seemed high but wasn’t sure.
- both my husband and I have noticed the number of older workers here that should be enjoying themselves and not driving for Uber or working in a restaurant. We haven’t seen that for the last 10 years. One Uber driver was very chatty and told us he couldn’t make it on social security. Another Uber driver stops work after a certain number of hours so he can still get unemployment.
- the bread we’ve gotten seems like it never molds 😱 In Dubai, I’d replace every 3 days. Also, my husband tried one brand and said bread should not be sweet. I now have 2 loaves rising on the counter 😆
- Yesterday we saw 2 drivers giving each other the middle finger. The kids weren’t with us but I’m sure the 7 year old will have some questions once he sees this kind of thing. In Dubai, it’s against the law and you would be fined and/or jailed if caught!
- we are still getting used to all of the unmasked people. At the stores, I would say around 50% are masked. But at the mall, it was super crowded and we ran in, got what we needed and ran out.
- When looking to buy a vehicle, we’ve had very few options because of the chip shortage. Apparently it’s the worst time to buy. We went to the Lexus dealership and they had about 8 new vehicles on the lot. Then Tesla is projecting an October delivery date.
- then we went to La-Z- Boy to buy a couch, picked out the one we wanted. Shipping in 4-7 months due to the chip shortage 😮 that’s a long time to be sitting on the floor!
- and it’s the worst time to find a rental. Very few houses to rent and the price is more than than what we’d pay to buy. We are still in the temporary, extended stay apartment for 2 more weeks. We signed a lease last week.
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Post by pjaye on Jul 19, 2021 14:14:15 GMT
Have you moved back to the USA for good?
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Post by dewryce on Jul 19, 2021 14:14:22 GMT
Hard time to come back, for sure! In the beginning, when a lot of manufacturers needed to switch production to their most popular items to keep up with demand, some said they were probably going to slim down their lines. I wonder if that’s happened. I thought probably so when I was stocking up on frozen fruits and veggies last night, but your son’s shopping experience indicates otherwise  What’s a chip? When you mentioned it with cars I assumed it was an electronic part, but then you mentioned it with furniture as well. |
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jul 19, 2021 14:17:00 GMT
Welcome home! That repatriation culture shock can be a doozy! I laughed when I read your comments on cereal, because that was my same reaction when we came back. So.many.choices! Good luck with settling in. I hope it all goes smoothly and your things on order arrive sooner than expected!
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Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,647 
Location: Kansas City -ish
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Post by Anita on Jul 19, 2021 14:17:57 GMT
It's culture shock, I'm sure. Welcome back!
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Post by disneypal on Jul 19, 2021 14:18:19 GMT
I guess it will take some getting use to  That is so funny about the cereal because my family and I often discuss how expensive we think cereal is (but at least it isn't $8). I do remember when I was a kid that the cereal section wasn't near as big as it is now - there are soooo many to choose from. The bread here is full of preservatives, which is why it last so long. I have often heard that people from other countries find our loaf bread too sweet but I don't have anything to compare it to (other than fresh baked bread which is so much better but doesn't last long) |
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Jul 19, 2021 14:22:32 GMT
Have you moved back to the USA for good? Yes, when we moved 10 years ago, we thought we were moving to India for 2 years, enjoy the adventure and move back home. We were lucky it lasted 10 years and 3 countries 😃 |
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Jul 19, 2021 14:23:54 GMT
Hard time to come back, for sure! In the beginning, when a lot of manufacturers needed to switch production to their most popular items to keep up with demand, some said they were probably going to slim down their lines. I wonder if that’s happened. I thought probably so when I was stocking up on frozen fruits and veggies last night, but your son’s shopping experience indicates otherwise What’s a chip? When you mentioned it with cars I assumed it was an electronic part, but then you mentioned it with furniture as well. Yes, the computer chips. I know it’s sound crazy but the recliners now have motorized buttons to recline 😁 |
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Post by smasonnc on Jul 19, 2021 14:24:03 GMT
The level of anger here was shocking when we moved home from Hong Kong. It's been awhile so we didn't have a lot of the problems you're encountering, but the hostility was stressful and has only gotten worse. Welcome home!
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Jul 19, 2021 14:26:19 GMT
I guess it will take some getting use to That is so funny about the cereal because my family and I often discuss how expensive we think cereal is (but at least it isn't $8). I do remember when I was a kid that the cereal section wasn't near as big as it is now - there are soooo many to choose from. The bread here is full of preservatives, which is why it last so long. I have often heard that people from other countries find our loaf bread too sweet but I don't have anything to compare it to (other than fresh baked bread which is so much better but doesn't last long) Before moving, we ate the bread here just fine with no complaints. But now I’m not keen on eating bread that doesn’t mold 🤣 |
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Jul 19, 2021 14:30:24 GMT
The level of anger here was shocking when we moved home from Hong Kong. It's been awhile so we didn't have a lot of the problems you're encountering, but the hostility was stressful and has only gotten worse. Welcome home! Exactly! I’m used to honking horns but that’s it. There are aggressive drivers in Dubai though, mostly riding your tail if you aren’t going fast enough. But the two drivers yesterday, one tried to get over, the other blocked her and then the middle fingers. I feel that I need to teach my older son not to look at anyone while we are driving and stay out of any conflict. (Luckily he isn’t driving yet) |
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Post by gryroagain on Jul 19, 2021 14:35:55 GMT
My daughter moved back last year and still is flummoxed a lot of the time.
I found myself crying in Walmart over the sheer variety of cat litter and it was just too much.
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Post by birukitty on Jul 19, 2021 14:42:39 GMT
I understand completely about the bread in the USA. When we first moved from Germany to the USA back in 1965 my German mother was so shocked about the difference in the bread here. Back then all you could get in the stores was Wonder bread and the like, for her it was practically inedible. She used to call it "shitty American white bread". Nowadays at least there are a lot of different options. If you have a Whole Foods near you there are some wonderful options in their bakery. Those loaves don't last a week, in fact we put them in the freezer and just lightly toast a slice or two at a time when we need them. But you might not need that since you can bake bread |
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Post by ~summer~ on Jul 19, 2021 14:46:04 GMT
For better bread - buy the bread in paper bags - it’s much better. Plus it doesn’t mold, it will just dry out.
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Post by hookturnian on Jul 19, 2021 14:47:09 GMT
I've been back to South Africa a few times since migrating. You expect culture shock when you travel to a new or unfamiliar country, but it's so unsettling to have that feeling in your own country. It's strange to see your country through 'foreign' eyes. I found myself asking my family if certain things I was seeing were 'normal'.
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Post by dewryce on Jul 19, 2021 14:49:28 GMT
I understand completely about the bread in the USA. When we first moved from Germany to the USA back in 1965 my German mother was so shocked about the difference in the bread here. Back then all you could get in the stores was Wonder bread and the like, for her it was practically inedible. She used to call it "shitty American white bread". Nowadays at least there are a lot of different options. If you have a Whole Foods near you there are some wonderful options in their bakery. Those loaves don't last a week, in fact we put them in the freezer and just lightly toast a slice or two at a time when we need them. But you might not need that since you can bake bread The loaves from the HEB (regional grocery) are really good too. My favorites are the sourdough and rosemary. |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jul 19, 2021 14:49:56 GMT
Welcome home!!
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Jul 19, 2021 14:52:48 GMT
I understand completely about the bread in the USA. When we first moved from Germany to the USA back in 1965 my German mother was so shocked about the difference in the bread here. Back then all you could get in the stores was Wonder bread and the like, for her it was practically inedible. She used to call it "shitty American white bread". Nowadays at least there are a lot of different options. If you have a Whole Foods near you there are some wonderful options in their bakery. Those loaves don't last a week, in fact we put them in the freezer and just lightly toast a slice or two at a time when we need them. But you might not need that since you can bake bread Thanks for the tip, I’ve seen Whole Foods around I just have to find out if there’s one near our new place when we move. |
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Jul 19, 2021 14:54:21 GMT
I've been back to South Africa a few times since migrating. You expect culture shock when you travel to a new or unfamiliar country, but it's so unsettling to have that feeling in your own country. It's strange to see your country through 'foreign' eyes. I found myself asking my family if certain things I was seeing were 'normal'. For me, I’m able to appreciate some things more because of it but on the other hand, it’s easier to see the negative things also. |
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Post by hookturnian on Jul 19, 2021 14:57:41 GMT
I've been back to South Africa a few times since migrating. You expect culture shock when you travel to a new or unfamiliar country, but it's so unsettling to have that feeling in your own country. It's strange to see your country through 'foreign' eyes. I found myself asking my family if certain things I was seeing were 'normal'. For me, I’m able to appreciate some things more because of it but on the other hand, it’s easier to see the negative things also. That's been my experience too. |
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Post by Alexxussss on Jul 19, 2021 15:03:39 GMT
Welcome back! I love hearing about your experiences.
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sassyangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,456
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Post by sassyangel on Jul 19, 2021 15:22:59 GMT
Awww. The singles are refrigerated in fridges at the checkout at Target, to spare your poor son next time.
I well and truly understand the culture shock this country can induce. The incredible amount of choice can definitely be overwhelming. I empathize with that.
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,144
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Post by iowgirl on Jul 19, 2021 15:40:56 GMT
Yes, the computer chips. I know it’s sound crazy but the recliners now have motorized buttons to recline 😁 If you could only imagine how long it took to find a Lazy Boy recliner that did not have 'technology'. DH replaced his 30 year old leather recliner last year, and it took a good long search to find one that fit his tall frame, was not 'electric' and was a Lazy Boy brand. But we have it. He's in his mid 50's, and with his track record of keeping furniture, I'm pretty sure this is the last one we will ever purchase!  |
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Post by workingclassdog on Jul 19, 2021 15:45:22 GMT
The bread here is full of preservatives, which is why it last so long. I have often heard that people from other countries find our loaf bread too sweet but I don't have anything to compare it to (other than fresh baked bread which is so much better but doesn't last long) I think it has to do with where you live as well... I can have a loaf of bread easily for over a week. Just your regular old white bread. I'm in Colorado where it is very dry. My sister is in Florida and 3 days maybe 4 is the max for her. |
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julie5
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by julie5 on Jul 19, 2021 15:51:26 GMT
Wow! Thank you for sharing your perspective. People like my husband seriously don’t appreciate how easy it is to get things here in the us. We have several rental properties and have recently raised our rates to stay with the market. We sold 2 older homes to buy a newer property for high end clients that will draw double the amount we were making on the older homes. Our renters were so mad-because we charged them so little. $700 for a 1100 sq fr 3/2. My husband was upset that we made them mad but it’s business.
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Post by librarylady on Jul 19, 2021 15:53:07 GMT
We NEVER purchase white bread. It is awful. Whole wheat or multi grain is much better in texture and flavor.
What part of US is your new home?
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Post by malibou on Jul 19, 2021 15:53:53 GMT
Hard time to come back, for sure! In the beginning, when a lot of manufacturers needed to switch production to their most popular items to keep up with demand, some said they were probably going to slim down their lines. I wonder if that’s happened. I thought probably so when I was stocking up on frozen fruits and veggies last night, but your son’s shopping experience indicates otherwise What’s a chip? When you mentioned it with cars I assumed it was an electronic part, but then you mentioned it with furniture as well. Yes, the computer chips. I know it’s sound crazy but the recliners now have motorized buttons to recline 😁 There is also a huge foam shortage. Seems Texas is the state for foam production, and that hideous weather they had recently is causing a shortage. You may be sitting on the floor for awhile. 😉 |
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Jul 19, 2021 15:57:22 GMT
What state did you move to? Welcome back.
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Post by christine58 on Jul 19, 2021 16:00:07 GMT
Yes, the computer chips. I know it’s sound crazy but the recliners now have motorized buttons to recline Try some small local stores instead of the big box. I have friends that had better luck at them for furniture and appliances. Try a local bakery or even a Wegmans if you are near one. Bread is fresh and not full of preservatives. |
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Jul 19, 2021 16:19:52 GMT
We NEVER purchase white bread. It is awful. Whole wheat or multi grain is much better in texture and flavor. What part of US is your new home? In Dubai, we loved the baguette and the Multiseed bread. Here we are trying out different ones to find what we like. We’re in New Jersey now. |
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