It's Me, Sara Louise

When I saw Megan at Suitcase and Stilettos post a list of things she prefers about life in the U.S. compared to Norway, I thought, huh, that’s a good idea, and then when my friend Rachel at Rachel’s Rantings in Rio de Janeiro, also did it, I was like, well if the other expats are doing it…
(so yeah, I guess if they jumped off a bridge I might too because I’m totally being a follower).

So without further ado, I give you Ten Things I Like Better About the U.S.A. (and don’t worry you Francophiles… I’ll do a list where France kicks the US’s butt too).

1. Tex-Mex (duh). I’m pretty sure that this would be on most expat’s lists (if they like Mexican food anyway) but if you’re from like, Texas, or California or something… it’s way worse. Sometimes I think my stomach and taste buds feel heartbroken. It’s a sad feeling (this was also number 1 on Megan’s and Rachel’s lists as well, because yeah, that’s how much we miss it).

2. Drive through banks, drive through pharmacies, drive through everything. It’s not lazy kids, it’s convenient.

3. Customer service. Not to generalize an entire population of people that work in the ‘customer service’ industry, but for the must part, what you have heard about France is true. Come to think of it, they really shouldn’t even call it the customer service department over here, it should be called like the, ‘I really don’t give a cr*p about you and this is a colossal waste of your time‘ department.

4. Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, Walmart, and Target. I spend a lot of my vacation time back in the States here. We’re buddies.

5. American grocery stores. It should be noted that France does indeed also have some large grocery stores but it’s just not the same… no place like home, you know?

6. Sticking to the shopping theme… stores that are open at insane hours. I’m an early bird, and I like getting stuff done early, so being able to go to Walmart at like 6:30am is hella convenient. Plus, do you have any idea how cool it is to basically have an entire Super Walmart to yourself? Well it’s really cool. Kind of like that movie with Jennifer Connelly in it that nobody saw but me.

7. Big fat movie theatres. Last time I was back home in Texas, I got to visit this new monstrosity down the road from my Mom’s house. Sure it’s a blight on the landscape, but it does make for some super duper luxurious film viewing.

8. Extra large fountain drinks. I love pulling up to a gas station in Texas and running in for a H U G E  root beer or Dr Pepper with loads of crushed ice (I’m all about the crushed ice). And since I’m talking about extra large drinks, I just want to give a shout out to Sonic’s 44oz Cherry Limeade… miss ya Boo.

9. American television. Sure I watch television in French, but it’s kind of sucky. And it’s not the French part, I don’t have a problem with the French part, that helps me learn the language, I like the French part. I’m talking about the actual programming. Put it this way, since moving to France, I now watch Walker Texas Ranger and One Tree Hill (or Les Frères Scott as it is called) two shows that I NEVER would have watched back in the States, or even in Dublin for that matter. And don’t even get me started on those Spectaculars (Spectacles) that are on some Saturday nights and holidays. They’re spectacular alright… spectacularly sucky.

10. Bacon. Bacon. Bacon. And not that weird baconaisse or bacon milkshakes or any of that malarkey, just good old fashioned bacon. I can find something similar to bacon here, it’s similar enough to make a BLT, but it’s not full on bacon. It’s like bacon light or something. It’s not the same, it’s just not the same (as a tear slowly trickles down my cheek…)