But i'm (insert nationality here)

[JustADude]

hehe, i doubt you'd ask about internet existing in europe though
i mean, even if ya don't know the capitals of each country in europe, you'd be able to figure out that the world wide web, actually is world wide

Yep. Like I said, stupid question. It likely stemmed from that lack of cultural information, though. His first association with Newfoundland was probably the stereotypes associated with icebound rural areas, rather than the metropolitan zones... Similar, really, to how the first thing most people seem to think of when presented with the South Korea is small villages and jungle, completely forgetting downtown Seoul.

Because of that association, and a failure to filter it through logic before it reached his mouth, you got a totally moronic question.

[Hemily]

I seem to be doing this a lot lately, but, Hemily, remember that the United States of America is very nearly 3x the size of the entire continent of Europe. We learn about other countries in school, but a good chunk of it falls out our ears the next day because it's just not relevant to our daily lives.

Yes, that was a damn stupid question, but cultural isolation is a fact of life when you're dealing with a country where you can drive for 1000 miles (1600km) and barely make it 1/3rd of the way across.

hehe, i doubt you'd ask about internet existing in europe though
i mean, even if ya don't know the capitals of each country in europe, you'd be able to figure out that the world wide web, actually is world wide

[JustADude]

most American tourists here have been nice, a bit odd... but pretty nice, so the typical demanding ones ain't that typical really

but traveling as a tourist TO America, i've heard is a bit strange XD

i mean... being asked by an American, with a straight face, looking into your eyes, and meaning this completely honestly "do y'all got Internet in Norway?"

kinda makes ya scratch your head, and wonder if they learn anything about the world outside of the US at their schools.

I seem to be doing this a lot lately, but, Hemily, remember that the United States of America is very nearly 3x the size of the entire continent of Europe. We learn about other countries in school, but a good chunk of it falls out our ears the next day because it's just not relevant to our daily lives.

Yes, that was a damn stupid question, but cultural isolation is a fact of life when you're dealing with a country where you can drive for 1000 miles (1600km) and barely make it 1/3rd of the way across.

[Gurndigarn]

I don't know why you only seem to come in these two flavours. I guess there are more moderate ones, they just don't stand out. But yeah, Americans do seem to be either the 'typical tourist' type or just really great people, nothing in between.

It's because the moderates go to Canada, Mexico, Mediterranean cruises, or just stay within the US. I mean, they're moderate. They want vacation, but not too much.

[One-Fang]

Here in NZ, if you work a stat you get 1.5 time plus a day off in lieu. So you get 2.5 total, really.

[Kogo Shuko]

most American tourists here have been nice, a bit odd... but pretty nice, so the typical demanding ones ain't that typical really

but traveling as a tourist TO America, i've heard is a bit strange XD

i mean... being asked by an American, with a straight face, looking into your eyes, and meaning this completely honestly "do y'all got Internet in Norway?"

kinda makes ya scratch your head, and wonder if they learn anything about the world outside of the US at their schools.

I kid you not. I was once explaining to an American that we have milk in plastic bags (as well as plastic jugs and cartons) and even showed her pictures of it. She then proceeded to ask, "Do you keep it in the fridge?"

I had a nice reply, "No, I keep it outside in the snow bank, next to my igloo.

[Hemily]

most American tourists here have been nice, a bit odd... but pretty nice, so the typical demanding ones ain't that typical really

but traveling as a tourist TO America, i've heard is a bit strange XD

i mean... being asked by an American, with a straight face, looking into your eyes, and meaning this completely honestly "do y'all got Internet in Norway?"

kinda makes ya scratch your head, and wonder if they learn anything about the world outside of the US at their schools.

[Kogo Shuko]

Perhaps it depends on the country.

When my brother worked at Wal-Mart (in Canada), he got paid time and a half to work a stat.

When I worked Canada Day last year, Tim Hortons HAD to give me an extra day off for it, otherwise they would have to pay me more.

Tis the whole point of a statutory holiday, no?

[Samaliel]

Around here, you have a bonus if you work over hours, on sundays and holidays, and at night.

At some jobs, if you work overhours on a sunday night, you can get up to 3 times your hourly wage.

[Primer]

If it's a NATIONAL holiday, and you LIVE in the nation, then the holiday DOES apply to you. It's a stat. If you work on that day, legally you should be getting at least time and a half, or is it double time? (unless they give you an extra day off).

Nope, legally, you get minimum wage, unless it's over 40 hours for the week, then it's time and a half, unless you're exempt salary, then you're screwed.

[Kogo Shuko]

If it's a NATIONAL holiday, and you LIVE in the nation, then the holiday DOES apply to you. It's a stat. If you work on that day, legally you should be getting at least time and a half, or is it double time? (unless they give you an extra day off).

As for the American thing... I used to see a lot of Americans. I lived right on the border, so we'd get a lot in at Tim Hortons. And I always found them to be the most rude people.

[Samaliel]

On a somewhat related note, if any of you American fellows want to drop by this side of the pond, keep in mind that our Blowing Stuff Up and Barbecue Day is ten days after yours.

[GingerBiscuit]

Ah yes. I find the differences between countries amazing and fascinating. I reserve the right to be confused if something doesn't work the way I'mused to it working- but after that initial confusion I'm going to love the fact it's different. AFter all, that's why I go on holiday.... It's cause it's DIFFERENT.

[One-Fang]

For what its worth I'm sorry for the idiots that ruin things for those of us that have manners.

New Zealand is a beautiful country, attracting many tourists and working holidayers from all over the world. In my experiences, Americans come in two flavours.

1 - Typical brash, camera-weilding, rather obnoxious souls who are stunned things aren't exactly the same as home and complain bitterly about it (if you liked home so much why are you here?). The ones that give the rest of you the bad name.

2 - Salt of the earth, friendly, cope-with-anything, willing to DO anything, outgoing and fun people. These Yanks are friendly to EVERYONE and have an awesome time doing absolutely anything.

I don't know why you only seem to come in these two flavours. I guess there are more moderate ones, they just don't stand out. But yeah, Americans do seem to be either the 'typical tourist' type or just really great people, nothing in between.

It is my firm hope that the second type outnumber the first. Surveys have not been done. I remain firm in the conviction that it must be true, because if it's not ... I weep.

[marasbaras]

Living in the rural Philippines, I sometimes see some of the worst we have to offer. It's sad. These jerks seem to think that just because the people working are poor that the Americans have the right to be SCs.