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Post by ExpatBackHome on Jul 29, 2018 12:28:57 GMT
My older DS is almost 14. We moved overseas when he was 6. My younger DS is 4 1/2. These are some conversations we’ve had in the last month:
We were out to eat, and my older DS was on his 3rd cup of water. He said to me, “at least refills are free here” I laughed and explained you don’t pay for water in restaurants in the US.
The kids went to Brusters for ice cream with the grandparents. My younger DS went on and on about the big cones and big ice cream. I told him it’s “American sized portions”. I’m pretty sure he thinks it’s the best thing ever.
I asked my younger DS if he wanted to go to Walmart with me, he asks “what’s Walmart?” We went, he loved it and wanted to buy everything. I don’t plan to take him back until next year, he tortured me.
He also experienced the indoor playground at Chick-fil-A. Eating/playing/eating/playing, who can beat that?
Last night we rode a small ferry from Norfolk, VA to Hampton, VA (6-7 minutes) and when he saw where we were going he asks “is that another country?” I explained it’s another city and that we aren’t leaving the country until we go home.
I was was explaining what “summer break” is to younger DS. He asked if he would go to school in Tanzania (we went for a week before the US). I told him there was no school and we have fun with our family. So he summed up summer break as “I don’t go to school, we spend time with our family, and go to other countries”
I almost forgot, we hear a lot of jet noise in Virginia Beach. I was outside and told my younger DS to look in the sky for the helicopter or something. I’m loooking and looking, then my father in law says “it’s a lawnmower” 🤣 I’ve already forgotten what a lawn mower sounds like. We have very little grass in Dubai.
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Post by jenjie on Jul 29, 2018 12:33:57 GMT
What a fun read! How long are you staying?
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Post by mikklynn on Jul 29, 2018 12:34:49 GMT
Your children are getting such wonderful experiences with your expat life!
Be sure to take them to Costco or Sam's if they are impressed with Walmart, lol.
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Jul 29, 2018 12:34:56 GMT
What a fun read! How long are you staying? 6 weeks, we’re almost half way through |
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rickmer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,123 
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Post by rickmer on Jul 29, 2018 12:36:23 GMT
my friend has two boys. they were born in abu dhabi and live in dubai now. they came back to canada once and said while looking out the windows in the car said "look at the funny camels mommy". they were cows.  |
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Jul 29, 2018 12:36:55 GMT
Your children are getting such wonderful experiences with your expat life! Be sure to take them to Costco or Sam's if they are impressed with Walmart, lol. My goal is to stay out of the stores, especially after he tried to convince me to buy a cupcake shaped piñata at Walmart 🤣 |
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Jul 29, 2018 12:39:58 GMT
I almost forgot, we hear a lot of jet noise in Virginia Beach. I was outside and told my younger DS to look in the sky for the helicopter or something. I’m looking and looking, then my father in law says “it’s a lawnmower” 🤣 I’ve already forgotten what a lawn mower sounds like. We have very little grass in Dubai.
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Post by jenjie on Jul 29, 2018 12:59:07 GMT
I almost forgot, we hear a lot of jet noise in Virginia Beach. I was outside and told my younger DS to look in the sky for the helicopter or something. I’m looking and looking, then my father in law says “it’s a lawnmower” 🤣 I’ve already forgotten what a lawn mower sounds like. We have very little grass in Dubai. LOL your FIL is probably enjoying watching you experience the USA all over again as much as you enjoy watching your kids. LOL at them wanting to buy EVERYTHING! Kids are kids. |
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eleezybeth
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Posts: 2,784
Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Jul 29, 2018 13:03:42 GMT
LOL! I love it.
When we moved to Germany DD was a tiny baby. When we came home she was 4. In Germany, we ate at few small little restaurants where we frequented often and they knew her. They pretty much saw us coming and would take the baby back to the kitchen or around the corner to where their kids were also playing. We come home. DD couldn't figure out at all why she had to stay at the table in Chili's. They sat us right by the kitchen and was ready to go find the kids. It was a nightmare and we didn't eat out for a long time because of it. She is far from being a 3rd culture kid but it is one of those sweet memories.
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Post by gryroagain on Jul 29, 2018 14:13:15 GMT
When we moved back to the US the first time, My younger daughter kept pointing out how many “waygookins” (Korean for not Korean person) there were Also the stores totally flummoxed them, way too many choices. |
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
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Post by Mystie on Jul 29, 2018 14:18:01 GMT
Wow, you are almost in my neighborhood! I live in Newport News. Hope you all have a great time rediscovering the US.
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milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,429
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
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Post by milocat on Jul 29, 2018 14:36:16 GMT
Oh funny! Come back with more please. You should ask your kids at the end of the trip some would you rather... and why? Or which is better questions.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jul 29, 2018 16:48:46 GMT
That was maybe my favorite part about moving back to the states from Seoul—the kids’ reaction. I can remember the first time we walked into Walmart. It was a smaller store and packed. DS (6) walked in with all the water toys, squirt guns, water balloons, fireworks, etc at the entrance. He just stopped and went Whoooooa... And they just couldn’t believe all the cartoons and kid shows on TV. And asked me why Barney was speaking English!
Personally, I enjoyed the parking. No angst that all the spaces would be full and I’d have to wait for a spot to open. And that my van fit in the spot!
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jul 29, 2018 17:04:55 GMT
More stories like this please! This is just fascinating!
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tuesdaysgone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,832
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Post by tuesdaysgone on Jul 29, 2018 17:09:53 GMT
What an awesome experience you are giving your kids. I loved your stories.
My British friend and his Polish wife visited the USA for the first time. I told them I'd take them anywhere they wanted to go in Georgia! She was dying to go visit a Walmart! She thought it was the best thing ever. She kept saying..."this is so American!" Sadly, she is right!
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Post by bc2ca on Jul 29, 2018 17:23:06 GMT
I love these stories.  Thanks for sharing. |
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Jul 29, 2018 18:16:01 GMT
Great stories. Would love to hear more.
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Jul 29, 2018 19:22:51 GMT
Wow, you are almost in my neighborhood! I live in Newport News. Hope you all have a great time rediscovering the US. We have missed rain so much but after our first week and a half here, the rain can stay away! Luckily we’re getting sunnier skies now 👍🏼 |
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jul 29, 2018 21:02:10 GMT
Where do you grocery shop? Do you go to a market or do you shop at a grocery store? Is meat good there? Do they sell bacon?
Do people ride camels? Do they have good or adequate infrastructure?
If you go to a shopping mall is the parking covered so the car doesn’t get up or 60C?
Can you buy clothes in your size easily?
Does food sell out at he grocery store sometimes?
Is the tap water good? Do you have fancy appliances? Do your kids go to private schools? Public? International?
Do you feel safe there all the time? Do people flaunt they money? Do people dress up like in Europe?
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Post by smasonnc on Jul 29, 2018 22:19:14 GMT
We lived in Hong Kong and our daughter graduated from high school there. She had a picture of her car on her Facebook page and the kids were all amazed that she knew how to drive. Most of them don't know how to make a bed or do wash because their helpers do it, but they know how to book their own international flights and go by themselves. They go to Thailand for spring break like kids here go to Myrtle Beach. Being an expat is a crazy experience. Your family is very lucky.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jul 29, 2018 22:28:05 GMT
We lived in Hong Kong and our daughter graduated from high school there. She had a picture of her car on her Facebook page and the kids were all amazed that she knew how to drive. Most of them don't know how to make a bed or do wash because their helpers do it, but they know how to book their own international flights and go by themselves. They go to Thailand for spring break like kids here go to Myrtle Beach. Being an expat is a crazy experience. Your family is very lucky. Yup. We moved to Las Vegas from Seoul. When the kids were studying Chinese New Year, DS (1st grade) came home just amazed that no one in his class had ever been to China. It was as common as going to Vegas for the weekend here. When DD was in Kindergarten (about a year later--we were living in Alabama at the time), the kindergarteners went on a field trip to a Chinese buffet. The other kids were all eating pizza and chicken nuggets while DD was eating noodles, clams, and squid. It was normal for her and she was excited because she hadn't eaten at a buffet like that before. All the chaperones were taking photos of her using chopsticks. |
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Post by smasonnc on Jul 29, 2018 22:41:45 GMT
My daughter had a knock on her dorm room door in college and when she answered it, there was a group of people standing there with a bowl of spaghetti and some chopsticks. They were having a scavenger hunt and they didn't have anybody who could eat the spaghetti with the chopsticks. BTW, she's the only "gweilo" in the Greater China Scholars program at Notre Dame. She gets some odd looks at meetings. I get asked if I speak Japanese ALL. THE. TIME.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 10, 2024 14:50:59 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2018 23:29:36 GMT
My older DS is almost 14. We moved overseas when he was 6. My younger DS is 4 1/2. These are some conversations we’ve had in the last month: We were out to eat, and my older DS was on his 3rd cup of water. He said to me, “at least refills are free here” I laughed and explained you don’t pay for water in restaurants in the US. The kids went to Brusters for ice cream with the grandparents. My younger DS went on and on about the big cones and big ice cream. I told him it’s “American sized portions”. I’m pretty sure he thinks it’s the best thing ever. I asked my younger DS if he wanted to go to Walmart with me, he asks “what’s Walmart?” We went, he loved it and wanted to buy everything. I don’t plan to take him back until next year, he tortured me. He also experienced the indoor playground at Chick-fil-A. Eating/playing/eating/playing, who can beat that? Last night we rode a small ferry from Norfolk, VA to Hampton, VA (6-7 minutes) and when he saw where we were going he asks “is that another country?” I explained it’s another city and that we aren’t leaving the country until we go home. I was was explaining what “summer break” is to younger DS. He asked if he would go to school in Tanzania (we went for a week before the US). I told him there was no school and we have fun with our family. So he summed up summer break as “I don’t go to school, we spend time with our family, and go to other countries” I almost forgot, we hear a lot of jet noise in Virginia Beach. I was outside and told my younger DS to look in the sky for the helicopter or something. I’m loooking and looking, then my father in law says “it’s a lawnmower” 🤣 I’ve already forgotten what a lawn mower sounds like. We have very little grass in Dubai. Love your stories! I hope you are keeping a journal about these experiences. We moved our's to Italy when the youngest was 8 and returned when he was 11. I wasn't prepared for how much he had forgotten about living in the US and how much trouble he had with English (immersion school) after we returned even though we mostly spoke English at home. It may have been accents though. His dad had a strong Texas drawl. Mine was a mix of Oklahoma/Texas and we moved to upstate NY. Poor kid was confused by nearly everyone that spoke to him. |
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Post by Horse scrap on Jul 30, 2018 0:54:22 GMT
Mmlove hearing these great stories!
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Jul 30, 2018 1:39:25 GMT
Where do you grocery shop? Do you go to a market or do you shop at a grocery store? Is meat good there? Do they sell bacon?
I shop at Carrefour and similiar places. They sell bacon at a few places in a sectioned off part of the grocery store for non Muslims. I will say that both DS’s ordered 3 orders of bacon each when we visited their grandfather’s restaurant.
Do people ride camels? Do they have good or adequate infrastructure?
Only tourists from what I can tell. I did go to a camel race last spring. They have very modern infrastructure
If you go to a shopping mall is the parking covered so the car doesn’t get up or 60C?
Not all parking is covered. Malls are, most other places aren’t
Can you buy clothes in your size easily?
Yes, I’m US size 8 or medium and I can buy clothes. The problem is most clothes are what you would find everywhere else and not too conservative
Does food sell out at he grocery store sometimes?
Nothing out of the ordinary
Is the tap water good? Do you have fancy appliances? Do your kids go to private schools? Public? International?
We don’t drink the tap water, we have a water cooler. Regular appliances. They go to an international school. Only locals can attend the local schools.
Do you feel safe there all the time? Do people flaunt they money? Do people dress up like in Europe?
I feel safer in Dubai than I do here. Fancy cars are big there. Lots of them on the roads. Locals are covered, expats usually dress conservatively (shoulders and knees covered), tourists dress in anything. When I go to the gym, I wear shorts (2 inches above knee) and a shirt.
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Post by smasonnc on Jul 30, 2018 17:32:15 GMT
My favorite cross-culture experience was trying to explain to fellow expats in HK, one of whom was French, "'Ou eez theez Kim Kardashian?" "She is an actress?" "No" "A singer?" "No. She has a large backside and a crazy family" "And for that she eez famous?" <<<Shows a photo>>> "Ah, oui. I see she has done also the t*ts." It was great living in a land where we heard nothing about the Kardashians.  |
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by Mystie on Jul 30, 2018 17:38:09 GMT
Wow, you are almost in my neighborhood! I live in Newport News. Hope you all have a great time rediscovering the US. We have missed rain so much but after our first week and a half here, the rain can stay away! Luckily we’re getting sunnier skies now 👍🏼 I know!!! We have had an insane amount of rain this summer...all my out-of-town guests have been disgruntled about it. |
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carhoch
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Post by carhoch on Jul 30, 2018 17:46:48 GMT
Went we move to the Alabama from Switzerland my youngest was two at a time and a couple of years later we went to grand Teton national Park and he ask me mom what’s that white stuff on the ground ,it was snow Of course 😁I thought it was hilarious a little Swiss citizen not knowing what snow was but I remember telling the story to my father who in a very serious tone told me that it was time for me to bring my children back to Switzerland .
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Post by workingclassdog on Jul 30, 2018 19:02:26 GMT
Back in the 80s I took my stepmom (who is from England) shopping at a Walmart type store.. Walmart has some stores called Sam's Town (I think.. I can't remember exactly) but it was like a Walmart but on steroids. She thought she had died and gone to heaven... I never had been to one and I was pretty impressed. The only thing other than being SO big and comparing it to.. kinda like Walmart and Sam's combined. I don't even think she was married yet to my dad.. so we were still trying to figure out the language thing.. like carts/buggies/trolleys.. lol... it was a fun shopping day with her. Edited to add: I had to look this up.. at first I thought I must have been crazy.. I couldn't find it.but I did!!... it was called Hypermart USA en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypermart_USA#Kansas_City,_Missouri Kansas City, Missouri The Kansas City, Missouri location opened on February 20, 1990. Located in just northeast of Bannister Mall in the Benjamin Plaza development, the South Kansas City store was the last Hypermart USA to open. It was the largest of the four Hypermart stores at 256,637 sq ft. Described as Walmart's "mall without walls," the Kansas City Hypermart included a number of restaurants and specialty outlets in addition to the combination grocery and general merchandise discount store.[7] Food court with seating for 200 people, with quick service restaurants including Taco Johns, Corn Dog 7, V's Pasta Parlor, Torre's Pizzera, Oasis (ice cream, shakes, and frozen yogurt), Subway, and McDonald's. United Missouri City Bank Hypermart Pharmacy Aladdin's Castle arcade Cost Cutters, family hair salon Family Vision Center Travel Center Ltd. Hearing Today Laboratory ShoeSmith 1-Hour Photo-Mart American Studios, Inc, portrait studio HyperSound and Video In May 2000, Walmart announced it would spend $4.9 million to convert the Kansas City Hypermart USA to a Walmart Supercenter. Walmart indicated that it was converting its last remaining Hypermart, because the stores were too big and too inconvenient for customers. Walmart explained that the effort offer everything under one roof was more of a European style of retail, and it was overwhelming to the American shopper. Kansas City Councilman Chuck Eddy claimed that there were other reasons for the failure of the Kansas City Hypermart. Eddy cited a high volume of complaints from residents about the store, including time-consuming lines at checkout counters, trash and runaway carts in the parking lot, dirty restrooms, and overall messy conditions and poor management. (it goes on.. but yeah, it was big...) |
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jul 30, 2018 20:32:29 GMT
Sounds like a fun trip!
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