I've noticed a lot of things that are different here than what I'm accustomed to in the United States. We have all been told several times to leave our American standards behind, and I'm doing my best, but I think it's worth keeping them in mind for the purpose of cross-cultural examination.
1. Liability doesn't seem to be a problem here. I went for a walk yesterday with Photo Zoran, Stacy, Brad, Tom and Anna along a path that skirts the water, starting at the beach, and then looping back close to our apartments. It was at points very close to the water, and at other points several meters above the water with nothing between us and wet rocks other than a nasty fall. Did we see railings? No, because Europeans aren't stupid enough to blame everyone else for their mistakes. I asked Zoran if he'd ever heard of a non-American suing McDonald's for giving them hot coffee, and he said no.
Similarly, Ian, Brad, Stacy and I walked around the dock in the old part of the city, and if I were to slip in the rain, I'd go right into the bay. I don't even know if I'd be allowed to sue the pants off Croatia, but it would be expected at home.
2. Restaurants are not flexible and waitstaff do not behave subserviently. Two days ago I was trying to order a side dish of pasta to share with Don, we experience an exchange like this:
Leah-Don: Side order of Gnocchi please. Do you have pesto sauce?
Waiter: If you want sauce, you can order the main dish.
Leah-Don: We want a side order. Can we get sauce?
Waiter: If you want sauce, you can order the main dish.
Leah-Don: No sauce?
Waiter: Main dish.
In the US, the conversation would have gone like this:
Leah-Don: Side order of Gnocchi please. Do you have pesto sauce?
Waiter: Yes! Of course! We don't normally serve side dishes with a sauce, but we're willing to bend over backwards to meet your needs! In addition to pesto, we also have [option A], [option B] and [option C]! Which would you like?
Leah-Don: *overwhelmed by possibilities*
3. Hot chocolate != Hot cocoa. Hot cocoa is what I am used to (hot chocolate milk) and hot chocolate is hot pudding.
4. People get coffee in slow motion. When I grab coffee, it takes 15 minutes, including conversation, and then I have a cup to go. When locals grab coffee, it takes an hour, despite the two tablespoons of coffee that are served.
5. Sweatshirts DO NOT exist in Croatia. Everyone wears fancy clothes and has fancy hair and struts around in fancy boots. I feel like a n00b everywhere I go.
