Things We've Learned in Vietnam

With each country I spend time in, I like to compile a list of the interesting differences between my American/home culture and the culture I'm visiting.  Here are some of the neat things we've learned in Vietnam (so far!):

1. Sidewalks are for parking or riding your motor bike, not for walking.

2. It's ok to drive on the wrong side of the street. Also, red lights are only a suggestion.

3. Vietnamese cows are just smarter than American cows.

4. It's ok to ride your motorcycle (or bicycle) right inside a house or business. Park in the living room or kitchen, no problem!

5. You can drink iced beverages from restaurants without trepidation. Well, mostly.

6. If you hang out in a park, university students will come over to practice English with you.

7. Vietnamese iced coffee is the best coffee EVER. Even the instant stuff is pretty good. We are soooooo addicted to Vietnamese coffee!

8. There are three prices for everything - the tourist price, the expat price, and the Vietnamese price. Your bargaining skills must be very sharp here.

9. If a driver honks at you, they are not being friendly or encouraging in any way. It means you better get the hell out of the way, pronto.

10. Even when it's 110 degrees with no air conditioning, Vietnamese women will wear sweatshirts, jackets, tights, and full face masks to keep their skin from tanning.

11. There are toothpicks at every restaurant table. But if you're going to use them, you MUST cover your mouth with your other hand. Even the homeless street people cover their mouths when picking their teeth.

12. You should burn sticks of incense anywhere and everywhere! Seriously, in potted plants, cracks in the sidewalk, inside or outside, in random dirt patches. It's delightful! Buddy and I are going on an incense lighting rampage throughout Houston after we move there.

13. Buddhist chanting is mesmerizing and intoxicating.

14. It's important to put sunscreen on ALL the places. The sun is good at finding any spots you missed, even under your shirt.

15. When they say "big supermarket," they are NOT fucking around. Big C Supermarket is actually a shopping mall with bazillions of people and security. If you want to go into the grocery area, you have to check your purse in at the guard station and be subject to security pat downs upon exit!

16. You know you've finally acclimated to the heat when it's 100 degrees outside and you proclaim "oh good, it's cooled down."

17. Lots and lots of Australians visit Vietnam. Lots!!!