>>(Want some more "USA seen through eyes of an European"? Just ask :)
>
>Hi Dragan. I would be interested in your thoughts and ideas about North America since it is still a fresh experience for you.
>
>Having just returned from Hungary, Italy, Czech and Austria, I found:
>- lots of smokers
>- thin people
>- well dressed
>- a strange combination of being culturally singular yet very multilingual
>- fast drivers
>- no bargins or sales
>- absence of "chit-chat" with strangers (shop clerks, etc...)

Actually Evan, I think that the strangers chit-chat is a West coast thing. When I was in Calgary or BC (More on the island than the mainland) that total strangers would talk to one another. This happened to me a few times last year in a week's span. Actually, it happened when my friend and I were leaving an A&W (breakfast place of choice when on vacation!) and this elderly couple just started chit-chatting with us for about 5 minutes as I was emptying my tray.

Same thing happened in quite a few shops and stores. Most shocking (to me anyways) was that even the attractive ladies chit chatted with us (not that I mind!) which would never happen around here unless you look like Ricky Martin or boozed them up beforehand!

Just my 0.02$ worth

Hugo