Exporting America

Just back from a long trip to New Zealand. Re-entry into US culture can be a bit of a shock.

Ways you can tell when you are in the USA

• "Delayed" appears on the screen after your flight number


• People are pushy and obnoxious


• Coffee is weak and puny


• But the milk shakes are actually thick and heavy


• And so are most of the people

However, on this my third trip to New Zealand. I've noticed

• that the people are increasingly rude and pushy around Auckland.


• the traffic is awful (Auckland adds 280 cars PER DAY! to the road system)


• there is more trash laying around than there was six years ago on my first trip


• the once excessively health conscious people are becoming thick and heavy


• the politics of New Zealand are increasingly screwed up

I'm so glad that we, in the US, can have such a powerful impact on the rest of the world. Soon, I can feel at home wherever I go.