San Jose, Uncategorized USA: THE GOOD PARTS 26 May 2010

Things I love about the USA.

Well, I should caveat this. It should be more like things I love about California.. specifically San Francisco and San Jose area.

The food. Cannot reiterate enough how much I love American food. It’s actually cheaper compared to Western food in Shanghai (which is extraordinarily expensive) and the range of cuisines are awesome – excellent Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Mexican, Peruvian, the list goes on and on. And of course, the American cuisine itself – bring on the luscious juicy burgers, fabulous pizzas, and decadent desserts!! I am also addicted to Southern Fried Chicken, one of the best things ever. And of course, Cinnabon, the love of my life. I would likely be the size of a house if I lived in the States, because it’s simply not physically possible to stop eating.

Fried prawns, garlic fries and rootbeer at Lori’s Diner
in the airport before my flight back to Shanghai
The shopping. Way way way way way cheaper than in China. Which surprises most people when I tell them. Of course, clothes are cheaper if you want the sloppily made, crap kind. But if you want high quality, and Western brand names, it’s eye-poppingly more expensive. That’s why you often see Chinese tourists going bonkers at Louis Vuitton, Chanel, etc when they’re overseas 😛 Everything is so accessible in the USA, and it was a dream being able to actually purchase stuff I see in magazines, since it actually exists in the country. I simply ADORE Banana Republic! And virtually every store in every mall in the US. Thus I went a leeeetle psychotic buying stuff….. *ahem*…

SHOPPING!! It filled the whole bed and wouldn’t fit into my luggage… oops…
It also took a massive chunk outta my bank account but it was WORTH IT 🙂
The courtesy. It was like reverse culture shock. I was surprised and delighted with how polite people are. If they cut in front of you, even if they’re not that close, they go “Excuse me!” like it’s the most natural thing to say. Absolutely ZERO shoving and certainly no spitting at my feet. No littering, always smiling, and constantly a “thank you” if I hold the door for them after I walk through. I’ve missed simple civilities so much it made me want to cry.

Let’s Chat!

Let's Chat!

post pictures of your shopping! love to see what you got 🙂

i may of a few.. but errrr a bit lazy! 😛

post pictures of your shopping! love to see what you got 🙂

i may of a few.. but errrr a bit lazy! 😛

Great shopping!

Let’s see what in those shopping bags when you get a new cam. 🙂

Hehe I’m going to go bananas taking photos of everything i think 😛

Bev, I totally know what you mean about the reverse culture shock! I think I almost wept when I went back home to Aus & hear people do say thank you and excuse me etc.

Ahhhh Aussies are awesome too, always so polite and friendly 🙂 I really miss that too!

Awesome loot! The Man just came back from SFO too but no time to shop! Boo! I couldn’t go though…and so I’m going next trip!! wahahaha! He says I will shop myself silly and not wanna come back… we’ll see..

Oh boo on the no shopping but woohoo that you’re going soon, i’m envious!!

Let’s see what in those shopping bags when you get a new cam. 🙂

Hehe I’m going to go bananas taking photos of everything i think 😛

Bev, I totally know what you mean about the reverse culture shock! I think I almost wept when I went back home to Aus & hear people do say thank you and excuse me etc.

Ahhhh Aussies are awesome too, always so polite and friendly 🙂 I really miss that too!

Oh boo on the no shopping but woohoo that you’re going soon, i’m envious!!

I LOVE shopping in the States too 😀 Don’t worry – I shop a lot too each time and multiply that by a few trips a year :p
Food wise, mmm, I don’t know. I lose weight each time I go to the States. Perhaps I get too busy and land up not eating a lot! But in any case, I LOVE the States. Guess I’m biased too 😛

It’s the best country in the world for shopping imho 😉

I don’t understand how you lose weight. With the COPIOUS amounts of food and ZERO exercise, it’s kinda a shoe-in for me 😉

I agree with you about the clothes. I am from Canada but once or twice a year I go shop in the us and I can get brand for way cheaper than here!

Just wondering, when I comment on your journal I have to type a word form a pic (sort of an anti-spam thingy). Is it a setting you got or only because you didn’t add me as a friend?

Man Canada is awesome too and loads of stores ship there, you’re lucky!

Hmm no idea about that anti-span thing, but I just added ya back, so hopefully it goes away 🙂

Yeah it’s nice that most US stores ship here.

Thanks for the add, we’ll see if it fixes the problem! 😉

it does! yay!

i too was surprised with the courtesy and manners in the states. any time i said thank you to someone, they always responded with ‘you’re welcome!’ it’s such a little thing but it was nice.

i’d like to see what’s in all of these bags.. mostly the chanel bag!

All the small little niceties seriously are wonderful, esp when you don’t get it for awhile and suddenly experience it again!

Hehe I may blog a few but not all, a bit embarrassing.. and I only can when I get my new camera, doh!

lol I need to go to California then, because people were not that courteous back home where I lived in Michigan.

Actually funnily enough someone was explaining to me the differences in courtesy in US states.. and how CA people and NY people were polar opposites, haha! NY folk are more like Shanghai folk, apparently 😉

I hope these hauls help to minimise the pain of losing your camera.

Now, can we please have a close up and zoom straight into that Chanel paper bag, pretty please?

Heh it does help.. would prefer to have the loot AND the camera, though 😉

No pics of the Chanel bag I bought.. cos no camera yet 🙁

It’s the best country in the world for shopping imho 😉

I don’t understand how you lose weight. With the COPIOUS amounts of food and ZERO exercise, it’s kinda a shoe-in for me 😉

It’s the best country in the world for shopping imho 😉

I don’t understand how you lose weight. With the COPIOUS amounts of food and ZERO exercise, it’s kinda a shoe-in for me 😉

Totally agree how great it is to live in a civilized world. I was not very pleased when I first moved here – shocked at how high the taxes were but now I think it is so worthwhile because I can’t imagine living anywhere else. The shopping is truly fantastic and deals are everywhere if you know where to look. The food is definitely super yummy, I love southern fried chicken too!

I’m so amazed the USA has such awesome bargains for food and shopping, way way better than in China!!

Oooooh what’s in the bags??

A crapload of shopping.. haha!

Did you finally cave in to a Chanel bag? :p

LOL yes 😛 But not the 2.55… still can’t bring myself to like it!

I agree with you about the clothes. I am from Canada but once or twice a year I go shop in the us and I can get brand for way cheaper than here!

Just wondering, when I comment on your journal I have to type a word form a pic (sort of an anti-spam thingy). Is it a setting you got or only because you didn’t add me as a friend?

I agree with you about the clothes. I am from Canada but once or twice a year I go shop in the us and I can get brand for way cheaper than here!

Just wondering, when I comment on your journal I have to type a word form a pic (sort of an anti-spam thingy). Is it a setting you got or only because you didn’t add me as a friend?

Man Canada is awesome too and loads of stores ship there, you’re lucky!

Hmm no idea about that anti-span thing, but I just added ya back, so hopefully it goes away 🙂

Yeah it’s nice that most US stores ship here.

Thanks for the add, we’ll see if it fixes the problem! 😉

it does! yay!

Yeah it’s nice that most US stores ship here.

Thanks for the add, we’ll see if it fixes the problem! 😉

Man Canada is awesome too and loads of stores ship there, you’re lucky!

Hmm no idea about that anti-span thing, but I just added ya back, so hopefully it goes away 🙂

omg your shopping!!! hahha. i understand though… i usually bring an empty suitcase to the US so that i have enough room for everything 😛

Haha you have a great idea, I totally shouldl’ve done that!!

I must agree with you that our shopping and food is awesome, yes that’s why americans are fat… Cause we know how to eat! :p I cannot imagine you at the L.A. County Fair, I think you’d eat yourself into an ambulance. Haha

Awesome shoppin haul!

Next time you’re in So. Cali you must try The Grand Luxe (@ the beverly center) and Tommy Burger.

Also, have you ever been to Las Vegas? Think of Cali food and shoppin condensed into a couple miles.. It still boggles my mind!

Heheh well I don’t blame em, the food is too good 😉 I’ve never been to Vegas.. cos when I’m in the area I can’t seem to get out of LA cos there’s so much to do there!!