If I had to describe America in one word, it would be EASY. Life is just designed to be easy and convenient, and one gets the sense that people are carrying on their daily lives without too much effort or struggle.
It seems everybody has a dishwasher. Tumble dryers are the norm, with Wrinkle Release settings to make ironing obsolete. Special cleaning gadgets make housework a breeze, like broom-sized battery-operated vacuum cleaners. Ziploc bags are everywhere, eliminating a lot of washing and storing of plastic containers. Hordes of storage space mean surfaces can be kept clear and easy to clean.
After Halloween we bought bucket loads of candy at ridiculously low clearance prices. We’ve found that certain things are very cheap here – seasonal décor, like Halloween and Christmas décor is extremely cheap, making it quite easy to get into the spirit. Home goods, like kitchen equipment, furniture and appliances are very cheap. Salon services like manicures can be found very cheaply. Good quality toys are also very reasonable and easy to find, whereas in Joburg we couldn’t find decent toys that would last, no matter how much we paid.
We went to Ikea to look for home furnishings. Some Americans are contemptuous of Ikea, but we loved it! The furniture is very European in design (Ikea is a Swedish company), and all the product names are Swedish. The products are all designed to make the most of space, while being environmentally friendly and stylish too. And all the big items come flat-packed for home assembly, which makes transporting them more eco-friendly, and also keeps prices down.
Food is expensive though. You can find well-priced food if you’re willing to look around and eat according to season, and there is a lot of competition between stores. Looking out for specials can save you quite a lot of money, and coupons are substantial. We shop for food every 2-3 days, and each time we save about $7 by shopping for specials and using loyalty cards. If I save $70 a month just by looking at the Sunday flyers, I’m willing to put in the effort!
The people are incredibly open and friendly. People will just strike up a conversation in the supermarket aisles. And Walmart is definitely a weirdo-magnet! It’s just like the People of Walmart website says it is! We never see weird people in Elk Grove, but in Walmart, every third person is a weirdo!
The kids have discovered applesauce, and munch through a pound a day. I suppose it’s better than chips or cakes…
I had a great internet shopping experience today. We decided to get a double stroller for the kids, so I looked it up on Craigslist, found one for $20 ($20!!!) and drove 4 minutes up the road to pick it up. I was thrilled – it was practically unused!
Next week we’re planning a trip to the Asian quarter to find Chinese supplies, and to San Francisco. Exciting times!
I love reading your view of America. It's so spot on, even while it isn't something I think of everyday. :)
ReplyDeleteAmanda (mommy to Landon & Kelsey)