1. Greetings (verbal)
When you meet someone you know, be it the bus driver, you friends, etc... say "Hi. How are you? (pause) Good".
It's interesting to know that it's about the same as we use to say as "Hi!" or "Good morning/afternoon/evening". Believe me on this because I tried saying "Hi, I'm not okay. How about you?", and most of the time, they will reply "...good".
2. Greetings (action)
American = Firm hand shake
Mexican/South American = Kiss at the cheek on one side, your right cheek, if I'm not mistaken
French = Kiss at the cheek on both sides
Japanese = Just say hi. Remember not to do a kiss on the cheeks! especially in front of their wives!!! :D
3. Tips
15% tips. You only need to give it when you go to a restaurant, taxis, delivery, etc. You don't have to give it when you go to McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, Bookstores. Although it is sort of recommended that you do give a bit of your change to the person at the counter at the food court. Otherwise they'll just give you a weird stare.
4. Shopping for cheap designer clothings
If you like things like DKNY, Tommy Hilfinger, etc... (not that I really care about designer goods). Shop at Filene's Basement at Downtown Crossing. For shoes, the people here seem to like DSW and Aldo. They do seem to have good discoutns at times. If you really wanna get something at a discount, but not via eBay, check out www.overstock.com for nearly everything.
5. Stores equivalent to 7-Eleven
Walgreens. I can't help it. I've been doing most of my last minute/lazy 'shopping' at Walgreens. It helps when it's just downstairs from my apartment. hehehehhe
6. Stores equivalent to Watson
They don't have Watson or even Guardian here. They have CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens instead.
7. Gift cards.
Just look at Itunes, you have gift cards for iTunes music/games/video. Same thing here, they seem to have gift cards for nearly everything here. Right from TGIF, iTunes, callcards to airplane tickets. It's sort of equivalent to our angpow system just that it's catered more towards the specific store.
that's it for now...
need to sleep and study. That's all I feel like I ever do here.....
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3 comments:
Hi Delina, how are you? Have been reading you experiences for the past month or so. I can see that you are have lots of fun and lots of new experiences. Anyway I am writing wish you a very Happy WHITE Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year may you wish come true. Need to cut it short, need to get back to work.
hai..Have a wonderfull christmas with the joy of new year. Time is flying.
hi henry,
yes, I am having a big adventure and learning at an accelerating pace. It feels like a roller-coaster ride.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May all your plans come to fruition within this year or the next.
:)
hi Leo.
Time is flying and I'm learning to be "in" it and cheerish every moment as much as I can. Happy New Year and miss ya.
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