Written By: Limat Takale (’27)
Americans are weird. From their weird ways of measuring things to their habit of smiling at strangers, engaging in small talk, acting entitled, and not putting taxes on price tags—plus the confusing array of coins—there is a lot that is different here. Like the way they measure things here—why can’t they just use the metric system or Celsius like the rest of the world? And the coins—why do they have so many? Why are dimes smaller than pennies and nickels? Why are the bathroom stall doors so short, and why are there gaps between them? Why are taxes not included in the price? Americans are just weird. Adapting to a new culture is never easy. I knew that I was going to struggle with many things when I came here, but greeting people was not one of them. Back in Ethiopia, saying hello is a big deal. It is not just a quick thing. It is a whole ritual, showing respect and connection.But here in America, greetings are so casual. They say, “How are you?” but they do not really mean it. It is just a way of saying hello. It is like they do not care about really talking to you. In Ethiopia, when you ask, “How are you?” you mean it. You are ready to have a real conversation, to connect. And you have to know that you have at least 20 minutes free before you ask someone how they are doing because they might want to share everything that is going on in their life. Ethiopians go through the whole family tree—they ask about your day, your mom, your dad, your siblings, and even about a distant cousin you have never met in your life.It is weird how different it is here. Saying hello should mean something, shouldn’t it? It is a small thing, but it shows a significant difference in how we communicate. It makes me miss home, where greetings are more than just words—they are a way of showing you care.Americans are weird, from the way they interact with each other to the way they handle everyday things. It has taken some getting used to, that is for sure. But hey, maybe one day I will get the hang of it and be as weird as the Americans, or maybe I will make the Americans around me less weird. ★
