Ode to the US of A

In many ways I have a lot of respect for my new home. In fact, the majority of my posts have delighted in the differences of my new country, but there are simply some things the US does better and I miss them dearly during daily Danish life.

+ 1 USA: Customer Service. In the US there is the expression "The customer comes first" or "The customer is always right." This goes for any situation that puts you at the service of someone else and most people or places exceed your expectations. If not at first, with a little encouragement they will appease your request.

-1 DK: In Denmark the employee is first. There are no exceptions or special requests because of any inconvenience on your end. They play by the rules. In restaurants they leave you alone to enjoy your meal rather than checking to see if everything is alright. That is fine when you want to have a nice leisurely dinner, but not if you're on a schedule, or need more water.

+2 USA: Street Courtesy. In any town in America if someone runs into you on the street or bumps into you in a store there is usually an immediate reaction or response. An "I'm sorry" or "Excuse me." It wasn't intended, it was a mistake, the store/street is crowded, etc., etc.

-2 DK: In Denmark it's like a game of chicken on the street. The one who looks the most determined gets the right of way. There are no qualms about bumping into you. Sometimes I actually think they find joy in forcing their way through an impossible gap between you and the person next to you in a crowd. I miss manners.

+3 USA: Doggie Doo. In the US you rarely see piles of poo laying in the middle of the sidewalk without the owner immediately picking up after him or her. Some dog owners may leave it in the grass, but never in the middle of the sidewalk. It's either a known responsibility or there are signs reminding you it is your duty to pick up the doo.

-3 DK: Yep, you guessed it. In Denmark there are piles of poo laying in the sidewalk just waiting for pedestrians to step in and carry throughout the city and back into their homes. It's disgusting. I am now used to looking down at all times to dodge the doo.

Dear USA, may you always treat the customer first, instill manners, and pick up after your pets.