Land of the Free, Home of the Brave

this is just an informative piece of writing of my observations here.

the american lifestyle is one whereby at an early age one has to start earning his own money to survive in the real world. usually the parents help by offering the labour opportunities. menial tasks like mowing the lawn, taking out the trash, setting the tables turn into paying jobs. the pay is naturally absurdly high when working at home like mowing the lawn for half an hour would get you us$15, which makes out to be us$30/hr(??!!) . which happens to sound crazy but thats really how things work around here.

by the time they turn 16 and up they go out of home to work doing jobs like baby-sitting, waittressing and stuff. the money usually goes towards their college education because the parents arn't expected to pay for their tertiary education. and it can really get expensive depending on which colleges they go to. they also strive to earn their basic amenities like a car, celphone, computer and blah. of course sometimes the parents help them out. in instances like birthdays and all its a really big thin in their culture because they get to demand practically the world(important birthdays are usually the 18th and 21st).

by the time all the kids hit teens, they're expected to pay for themselves. even during family outings. everyone goes dutch. so its like the younger kids get an allowance while the older have to go work for money and when they go out to eat everyone's gotta pay for their own dinner. and that's why they're very calculative about money. yet they absurdly spend the most money on the silliest things.

and thats why there is a very strong tipping culture here because alot of the waittresses are college students paying their way through and they rely on tips alot. the pay in the restaurants are miserable(usually us$3+) but they get to keep all the tips. and its a tradition thats been going on for a very long time liao which is why the patrons tip heavily too because they once went through the same pridicament. then again this really helps to improve service and the workers are really motivated when serving.

most move out by the time they graduate from high school(18yrs old) they tend to share an apartment with a few friends and since they usually have to move out of town to attend college(chances are that its in another state), they make their college state their new home. which is why americans tend to have family all over the country as compared to everyone and their cousin's cousins staying all nearby. the extended location doesn't bother them alot because its really easy to get around by car and its really easy to commute around in the country too(then again i've heard it being easier in europe).

the sibling rivalry in american culture is a rough one. the oldest sibling almost always bullies the younger ones to bits, if not will love the younger too much. which leads to alot of pent up hatred from the younger poor dude and the relationship is really sour in their teens to the extent that they openly shun each other and declare their hatred for each other. it is only in their late teens that they come to appreciate family and its resourcefulness and thereby make amends. by then the love starts to transcend and siblings become very close knit(provide the level of abuse from years gone wasn't too severe!)

apart from thet i think there're also alot of little things. alot of kids in camp still come from good families(two parents) but there's a significant number with multiple parents and step-siblings. so their families are really huge with lotsa extended family.

hmm, think that's about what i can think of now. will take note of more.