My electric shower. Notice the breaker box under the showerhead. |
The first time that Spanish was a problem was when I met my family. In the U.S. I met foreign exchange students in high schools and colleges, but it is hard to understand how difficult it is for them. Having been in their position has really changed my perspective. I now know how hard life is in a different country. Everything is different, the way I take a shower is different, and even the way I lock the door when I leave the house is different. I think that the security here was the biggest difference that I noticed. I grew up on a farm, so there was no reason to lock the house or keep your car locked. Here it is different. I don't see car theft as being a big problem here, but everyone that has a car has it locked behind a steel or concrete wall. These walls might be the only reason that car theft is not a problem. My routine to get into the house is as follows: I open the front gate with one key: then open a steel pull down door with another key, and finally unlock the deadbolt with the third key. Our school doors aren’t even unlocked. This seems excessive to me because of where I am from, but it is completely normal here. It is different for me to be completely locked in the house. I understand locking everything when I leave, but it is hard for me to grasp the concept of locking myself into a house. It actually seems more dangerous.
However, I think my shower is even more dangerous. I have to first flip the breaker on the breaker box directly under the showerhead. Then, the 220V wires running to the showerhead heat the water as I use it! Finally, when I am done I have to turn the switch back off while I am standing in water. I’m curious how many people are electrocuted by these things. Simple daily tasks are harder here. It seems that life goes a little bit slower here, so there is time to unlock a few extra doors and flip a few extra switches. The old way still works, so why change it. These are just a few cultural differences I live with.
No comments:
Post a Comment