I’ve been back in the US for roughly a week and a half now, and the re-entry has been pretty smooth for the most part. There have been a few tricky things, however.
The currency – After three years with the Euro (and that wonderful €2 coin,) I’ve been having a difficult time readjusting back to the Dollar. Especially the coins. The paper money is confusing though- with the Euro, every denomination is a different size and color. All of the paper money here is the same size and color, whether it’s a $1 or a $100. I’ve already flubbed at least one cash transaction. Speaking of which….
The credit card usage – I went out to lunch with three of my co-workers, and when it was time to pay, I looked around the table- each of my colleagues had a credit card out for their check, and I had cash out for mine. I simply forgot how prevalent credit card usage is here, and how little Americans use cash for many things. That will take a while to remember.
The deodorant – I forgot that some of my regular use products simply aren’t sold in the United States. My deodorant is a perfect example of this. During my time in Germany, I’ve become fond of a Nivea solid stick which is simply not sold in the US. I’m going to have to choose a new deo when my current stick runs out.
The dishwasher – After three years of hand washing all my dishes, it’s utter bliss to be able to just put them in a machine again. This one isn’t a problem readjusting, it’s just something I wanted to take note of.
The paycheck – In Germany, I got paid once per month. Here, it’s twice a month. Having a significantly shorter time between paychecks makes me feel a little bit like time is passing more quickly.
The elevators – Whenever I get into a lift in Germany, the ground floor is either EG or the numeral zero. The first floor is up one flight of stairs. Floor two is what an American would call the third floor. Fast forward to this weekend, in an elevator- on two or three separate occasions, we reached the floor marked 1 and I stayed in the elevator thinking I still had one more floor to go.
The sugars – I need to find a new caffeine delivery system, I think. Three years in Germany where the Cola is made with real sugar has spoiled me. I seem to have lost my tolerance to high fructose corn syrup – any time I drink a normal US Coke product here, I have terrible heartburn. This is especially frustrating because these amazing Coke machines are all over the place here, and the flavor mixing is fantastic. (Rasberry Coke, anyone?) Mexican Coke (made with cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup) is available here, but it’s comparatively expensive.
The drink ice – Ice isn’t common in drinks in Germany, so I forgot about the behavior of a cup filled more than halfway with ice- when I tilted the cup forward to drink, the ice shifted position and caused a splash. This in turn caused a mini tidal wave in the glass, which then proceeded to wet my pants. Amelie was terribly amused.
The measurements – It’s going to take me a little while to stop thinking in terms of kilometers and Celsius. All I know for sure is it’s freaking hot outside and sub-arctic in my office.
The air conditioning – In Germany, I had no air conditioning in my home or my office. I thought I would enjoy returning to the land of AC, especially since the temperatures have been in the 90s much of the time since my return, but I was wrong. Americans don’t use AC sparingly, they crank it. In Germany, it’s been around 50F and I consider that almost t-shirt weather. In my office, I have to wear a hoodie. Every restaurant I’ve been to is freezing, almost literally. It’s astonishing that I feel far colder in Florida than I ever did in Germany.
The shopping – I thought the weirdest thing here would be the Sunday grocery shopping, but the thing that is hitting me more strangely is the ability to walk into the grocery store to get pain killers and basic medical needs. After three years with that only being in an Apotheke, having aspirin at the gas station is just weird.
Expats, what differences have you noticed between your homeland and your current home?
Whimsy. Tacos. The DMV. 
The only place in Germany that seems to have air con is the train… and I regularly freeze on my daily commute!
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A few of the buses in Regensburg had a tiny bit of AC. And some stores did. Mostly, not at all. And I was never as cold there as here.
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You may find some of the products you miss from Germany here: http://www.germandeli.com/Home/Deodorants/
Although these can seem expensive, with the difference in the currency value and importing costs, it is not bad. We enjoy getting our regular “fix” from these folks.
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That’s a great site! Thanks for the pointer!
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Raspberry coke!? Yes Please! And for the record, I am INCREDIBLY jealous of you having a dishwasher again! Im looking forward to going home for Christmas, just so I can use the dishwasher and the DRYER again! Ahhh soft towels….
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I’ve only seen those super-mixer drink stations in two cities, Ft. Lauderdale and London. They’re really amazing though.
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Sounds like repatriation is chugging along. I’ve never seen a mix your own flavor machine but that sounds amazing. Raspberry Coke would be a dream come true in my book.
So jealous of your dishwasher. So very, very, jealous.
That’s funny that you’ve adjusted to the German deo… that’s one of the few things that I just can’t substitute. Pretty much every package that comes from my parents includes at least 4 sticks of Secret. Hopefully you can find a replacement!
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When I run out of deo, I’m going to have to buy one of the old spice scents that’s so common here. I think I may have used that before I moved to Germany, so it will be like my armpits are coming home.
The flavor machine is amazing- I’ve seen it in both Ft. Lauderdale and London. I really should have taken a photograph of the third screen, where you choose the flavor- rasberry is just one of about a half dozen options. It’s quite amazing.
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Ok, I had to comment only because I’m laughing at “my armpits are coming home.” I rarely laugh out loud. Could one of your German pals send you Nivea deodorant?
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Heh, thanks! I could, but it’s really not worth the trouble. Old Spice “aqua reef” has a comparably fresh and pleasant scent to Nivea’s “fresh active.” Deo adaptation isn’t so bad.
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When I was in Europe, no matter what CC I tried it was always slow if it worked at all. Cash seemed to work best. Could be why they use cash more in Germany?
Ah 0 based elevator counting, funny!
I barely drink Coke or soda anymore but admit when I do, it’s really good. I’m just glad I don’t have the urge any longer.
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How do you get your caffeine?
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I ALWAYS complain about the AC when I’m home, particularly in the car, and my mom gets so annoyed saying I’m just not used to it anymore. It is excessive. And that Coke machine looks awesome, interesting that you really feel the difference.
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I wish I’d had the presence of mind to take a photo of the third screen, where you can mix in the lime or rasberry or other flavors. It’s really brilliant.
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HATE THE AC! My sister has it cranked when we go home. Ridiculously hot outside, ridiculously cold inside. Wish there was an in between button we could find.
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Dishwashers are awesome until you have to clean them out!
With your deodorant stick, I had the same with washing detergent. I have NO idea what was what, and spent at least 20 mins in the shop deciding which one to choose. I’ve still not found a good softener with a scent that lasts while you wear it.
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I like that the first thing you mention is the money: whenever I’m back in the UK I just can’t adjust to how big and flappy the notes are. And the thing about the lifts (elevators)… do you miss everyone saying hello when you get in? 😀 (4 and a half years and counting and I’m still trying to get used to that.)
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My random comments: Those soda machines are all over the DC area nowadays. I’m with you dishwasher love! And getting used to different currency definitely takes time. Latvia joined the euro in January, but when I visited in May I kept calling it the ‘lats’, and I wasn’t the only one.
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