Immigrants Explain

[Thomas Promise]

Immigrants Explain What Shocked Them About American Culture. It was my major experience of culture shock—which can feel like a hurtful reminder that you're not "home" anymore.

 

http://www.vice.com/read/immigrants-explain-what-shocked-them-about-american-culture?utm_source=vicefbusads

[Allon]

The part about braces hits home with me. My wife had teeth that were really crowded because of her small mouth. We were watching TV and a commercial came on that showed the white, straight teeth that brushing only with Acme tooth paste would do.

 

She was in tears. I asked what is wrong. She said she had always dreamed of having straight teeth. And Americans all have such nice teeth. I watched her eat right after and she reminded me of how a cow bites slowly and rolls everything around rather than biting down and chewing. It must have hurt her a lot.

 

That was it. I dragged her around to dental appointments that removed 7 nasty teeth from her mouth, despite her protests. We got an estimate how much and how long and I did not even hesitate. She was shocked when I forked over the dough for Invisalign braces, the kind that you can barely see.

 

It was 3 years about. Before she would cover her mouth when she smiled so you could not see her ugly teeth.

 

Now, you cannot wipe the smile off her face. And I have a friend for life.