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I just returned from my trip and I really ran into a few differences that maybe I don't usually see on single day trips. I thought that I would mention a few, so that you can start to think of how things may appear to foreigners...
Finally, I have to say this about Home Depot's statement on having my email address stolen... "In all likelihood this will not impact you. But, as always, it’s important to be on guard against phishing scams..." Really, Home Depot? You are trusted with my email address and you don't seem to get it... I can't trust you if you don't value my data and my privacy at all.
- ID - Checking into the hotel, I was asked for ID and then they copied it. It's not something that is required around here, just payment. So I was surprised. I think I saw them doing it to people paying by credit as well. So much of our ID cannot be photocopied by law. Some of it, you can't even legally write down the number. When asked for ID they will look at it, confirm your identity and continue. (Not make a copy so that it can be stolen internally and used in ID theft! Yes... that's where my mind went.)
- Prepayment - We go to the gas station and we can pay at the pump or we can choose to pay inside. Only after 10PM are we required to prepay. While on vacation, I couldn't pay at the pump even if I wanted to, they don't accept foreign credit cards (they ask for ZIP code we don't have!) I had to go inside. They took money from me but didn't hand me a receipt... very disconcerting. (BTW, we have to put our card into the reader and leave it there, not pull it out.)
- Talking to Strangers - People saying good morning to people they don't know is a bit foreign. We only greet those who we know and often in the morning it's more of a nod than anything else. It's like "Do I know you?"
- Credit Cards - Okay, I'll be honest, I have been burnt by Home Depot less than 2 weeks ago, so I'm gun shy. But that being said, those swipe terminals differ from our EMV terminals. (And why do they keep on asking me for my phone number to pay? And restaurants freak us out! No... you may not walk off with my card so you can clone it in the back of the restaurant. (I have to point out to guests how we do it, because we bring a terminal to the table. You never let anyone touch your card.)
- Tipping - We tip. We know how to tip. But we saw a number of different tipping guidelines that weren't clear. When we have guests from countries that tip differently, we help by giving them guidelines for local tipping (restaurant/bar). Tipping isn't usual everywhere. We tip less because our minimum wage is already $10 an hour.
- Parking - Parking meters are different from place to place. We don't have colours on our sidewalks, it's all by the signs. And I will be the first to admit that people don't read them, even if they can. I had a guest just park and couldn't understand why he couldn't park where he parked... it was a free space. Signs be damned!
- Receipt Checking - Around here, the Cost Club does it, but it's part of their agreement. But Wally World checked our receipt the same way... weird. (Incidentally Wally World is so different than our Wally World and what's with the "gift cards, prepaid credits cards and money transfer services all over the place?)
- Privacy - So many people seem to want to violate our privacy. Can we have your email address, phone number and cell number. Really? I can't just buy things anonymously anymore? I have to go through a barrage of questions just to buy a shirt? Want a discount? Give us your phone number. Want a discount? Give us your email address. I often tell them that I don't have a phone (or email address.) All I have to say is that these companies clearly don't regard my privacy as being worth anything.... http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/home-depot-says-hackers-also-took-53-million-email-addresses-1.2826664
Finally, I have to say this about Home Depot's statement on having my email address stolen... "In all likelihood this will not impact you. But, as always, it’s important to be on guard against phishing scams..." Really, Home Depot? You are trusted with my email address and you don't seem to get it... I can't trust you if you don't value my data and my privacy at all.