Sandhya Acharya explains how she adjusted to American culture.
When I first moved to America, there were several things I encountered for the first time that made me feel alien, like I wasn’t home.
Like the first time I ordered a cheeseburger expecting cheese in a burger, only to discover a beef patty hiding under the lettuce. Or realizing at the coffee shop that “For-here-or-to-go” was not a kind of latte, but yet another decision I had to make just to have a hot beverage.
I was overwhelmed with the generous sprinkling of sports metaphors in casual conversations and cringed at the mention of Super Bowl parties. But what unsettled me the most was when someone greeted me with a “Have a great day!” I never knew how to respond. It caught me off guard every time. Sometimes, I responded with a clumsy “Same to you!” that sounded more like I was parrying an insult, sometimes with a belated nod, or a grunt, or a grin, or nothing at all.
Over time, I learned, I adapted. This year marks 25 years in my adopted country. That’s longer than what I’ve spent in my birth country! I am happy to report that my skills have improved. Now, I boldly ask for a black-bean burger with a slice of pepper jack cheese and a side of avocado. My coffee order is a mocha with skim milk, no whipped cream, a single shot of espresso, extra hot, and to-go, please. I am marginally better at sports metaphors and even host Super Bowl parties (albeit for the guacamole)!