As a continuation fo some of the thoughts included in my last entry, I have included a few more details of this trip that have stuck out, particularly with regard to cultural differences. I mentioned before that Shaunna and I have had some hearty laughs about the differences between the US and the rest of the world. Sometimes we laugh at how obstinate and odd America is, and sometimes we laugh at how strange and bizarre we find everyone else. It's nothing snotty, just merriment, but it's given us plenty to talk about.

As everyone knows, the US is very different than most countries. Despite the political events (and how plenty of countries have turned against our goverment's policies), most of the average people on the streets around the world still greet Americans with a friendly smile and helping hand.

Here are some big differences I've noticed lately:

The Metric System vs the American System

This has always puzzled me, and I still don't understand. Why do we use the so-called "American system" of weights and measurements? It's not reliable. It doesn't make any sense. We use feet, yards, miles, inches, gallons and other made-up terms that don't really refer to any reasonable form of measurement. It's total crap, but it works because we all agree to use it.

The metric system, on the other hand, is based on equal units that can be multiplied to create larger equal units. I won't go into a basic lesson here, because most Americans have been taught the metric system in school... I think it was a one-day or two-day lesson that was quickly forgotten, because no one uses it in the states.

Motorbikes vs Cars

Everywhere in the US you see people driving cars and, particularly in Texas, large trucks. We drive them everywhere. In fact, Americans are so particularly lazy that we will hop in our over-sized gas-guzzlers to drive a few blocks away to the convenience store. I'm guilty of this myself, although I do it with a bit of shame. Why are we so addicted to our expensive, smoggy vehicles?

In Asia, people use motorbikes or scooters to get around. I've seen people driving from province to province on the back of a scooter carrying massive logs or coconuts or bags of groceries. It's insane! Some people own cars for longer trips, but when they need to get around for errands they hop on a two-wheel.

It occurred to me as I was zipping around Koh Lanta that it would make more sense if we used them, too.

First, they don't use much gas. I filled up my tank for a couple bucks, and I didn't put a dent on the fuel gauge even though I drove up and down the length of the island mutliple times.

Second, they're cheap to maintain and purchase. Insurance is cheap. Repairs are cheap.

I know there are probably tons of people who will defend their cars to the death. I have a car and I love it. But if I ever get the chance, I'm gonna buy a scooter. I live inside the main city limits... why mess with a car?

The Right Side vs the Left Side of the Road

This isn't a big deal, really... but who decided that the US would drive on the right side of the road? Almost everyone else drives on the left. Why?

Soccer vs Football

Here in Thailand I've seen people go apeshit over football (aka: soccer), but most people in the US passively ignore the sport. We go apeshit for American football, but the rest of the world only tunes in to the Superbowl. I'm not sure how or why we started calling our sport "football", but have you noticed that American football doesn't have very many feet contacting the ball unless it's a field goal or kickoff?

Male Bikinis vs Trunks

In my last entry, I was probably a little hard on the Euro men for proudly displaying their bodies in fancy little swimsuits and skimpy shorts. But it's certainly an odd behavior by American standards.

I've seen maybe one or two American men wear bikinis in the last couple of years. They were older (over 50) and ex-hippies - which means they probably would have preferred to be nude: the bikini was a mere social grace.

Everyone else wears trunks.

This aversion probably goes back to our Puritan roots, but American men don't get off to showing themselves too boldly. Chalk it up to homophobia or poor body image, but we stay pretty well-covered. Occasionally you may see a guy wearing some nut-huggers that are well-above the knee. But most guys play it safe with a mid-thigh or knee-high pair of trunks that are baggy and loose.

I admire the Euros for being so proud of their bodies that they'll wear a slingshot for a swimsuit (or to dinner in a public restaurant), but it's a cultural difference that will take me awhile to get used to. Call me prude.

Saving Face vs Loosing Your Cool

In Thailand, it is extremely disgraceful to loose your temper or get angry in public. Above all else, Thais try to keep a "cool heart" and save face. Ifsomeone looses their cool and embarrases another person by yelling or being rude, they are the guilty party regardless of what the other person is doing. If a Thai finds himself in a frustrating situation, he will most likely become very passive aggressive - all the while wearing a smile and being friendly.

Americans don't play that game. If someone irritates an American, they get loud, angry and sometimes insulting. It's a total difference in culture that has been fun for me to explore. I've found myself (more than once) getting hot around the collar at some Thai who was clearly being a sly jerk or just giving me piss-poor service. But by remaining calm and letting it slide, I've found it alot easier to deal.