Getting Used to Different

When I first moved to Boston last January, I was consumed with how different life was on the East Coast. I basically thought people on the East Coast did and said everything wrong.

• Why would you add "r" to the end of idea?
• Who calls pop ... soda?
• Why does everyone jaywalk in front of moving cars expecting the cars to stop?
• Do all checkers at the grocery store ignore their customers?
• Why do waiters give me water only after I place my order?
• Where is the salt and pepper on the tables at restaurants?
• Why do so many people throw their trash on the street without a care?
• What's with everyone feeling like they are entitled to more?
• How many times do I have to hear someone tell me they went to a really good university as if it's the best school in the U.S.?
• Do I always need to wear rainboots when it rains?
• Why do people swear so much more here?

Of course, those were only a few of the things I found weird and wrong on the East Coast during my first six months living in this "new world". Now having lived in Boston for almost a year, I have the following confessions to make.

• I am used to hearing the letter "r" added or removed from words. It's natural - who wouldn't say "Foward" in place of "Forward". Idea"r" still gets to me, but it doesn't sound weird anymore.
• I LOVE jay walking; it's much more effiecient than waiting for the crosswalk signal to give me the OK to go
• Why would checkers be extra nice to me like on the West Coast. It's not like they get tips.
• Not all people drink water like a fish as I do, so OK, I can wait for water or ask for it. I shouldn't expect it.
• Salt and pepper shouldn't be on the table when I'm eating out. Resturants in New England are keeping me healthier.
• People are entitled because they've been here the longest - seriously, it is called New England for a reason.
• I always tell everyone that the journalism program at my college was one of the best on the West Coast - I had to join in with the others and brag about my college.
• Yes, why wouldn't I wear rainboots. Seattlelites are crazy for not wearing them more often.
• Fuck is my new favorite word.

Hence, I have become an East Coaster  - I swear, I jaywalk, I say "suore" (my pronunciation of some words are changing) and I only say pop occasionaly now.

What have I learned? "Different" isn't wrong, it's simply a new way of doing things. I've basically learned that my "normal" way of living on the West Coast is not the "normal" on the East Coast and, you know what, I'm OK with it and have emabraced the "new normal" on the East Coast.

I'll end with a quote as usual. :)

Me: "I can get the pop for the party."
My Boss: blank stare
Me: blank stare back - What part of the sentence does she not understand?
My Boss: blank stare
Me: "Oh, I mean soda."
My Boss: "Who says pop?" hahaha