Of course you had visions about certain things in the United States.. granted. After all, that’s why we travel, to get the real dope on what exactly is going on in different parts of the world.
Well, this is just a compilation of what you must not assume.. All thanks to my often-embarrassing experiences here:
MYTH 1: Americans are dumb. We’re way superior in IQ.
CORRECTION: Americans are NOT dumb. They are highly analytical, articulate and very expressive. Could that be the reason why we find them to be our bosses at some level? Think about it.
MYTH 2: People here are laid back and easy going.
CORRECTION: Well, they may seem so. But I have never met more driven people. Many of them have solid goals and most make it happen.. the opportunities here are endless for someone who is inspired and takes initiative.
MYTH 3 : Life is good! Food, water, electricity – unlimited! Internet all the time!
CORRECTION : America has been screamed at too many times to count, for being the biggest consumer in the world. While the Asians suffer oppressive heat and long power cuts in silence, all the homes here are air-conditioned and lights are left on even when people are away. Where one white light would do, there are 5 incandescent bulbs. It’s not a happy situation.
Yep, you can have all the hot showers you want. Just remember that your parents are still using the geyser to heat even 1 bucket of water.
True, you can be on the internet searching for people, businesses or even porn. Just remember that you will stop speaking to anyone in reality because you will be spending most of your time typing out ‘LOL’ instead of actually laughing out loud.
MYTH 4: White men! White women! WooooooW!
CORRECTION: Yes. It’s good to mix up and see different cultures. I will also add (shyly) that Russian men are the hottest I have encountered so far. *blush* 
That said, it’s better to keep your feet on the ground. Don’t go overboard. Remember what I said about ogling? Well, you get the point. Enjoy, learn and take in all the wonderful things new cultures can offer. Treat everybody the same and people will respect you for your fairness.
MYTH 5: Car, babes and money! Life is good!
CORRECTION : Even if you could afford the car, gas will dry your pockets worse than a raindrop in a desert. Babes, well, they won’t exactly be dancing around you, honey. Money, you’d be lucky to save some for the next semester. Sigh.. student times are quite lean, actually.
Wokay, while you’re reeling under this one, I would appreciate if my colleagues can come up with more. After all, we take the heavy burden of ‘educating’, no? 
Filed under: Life
MYTH 6: If Ur A Vegetarian Ur Doomed!!
well atleast thats what most of us think as u pack-up ur bag with tonnes of indian stuff… well guess what…u cudn’t get healthier “veggie” food than the variety of salads, wraps etc on offer. i absolutely love it
http://tinkerthinkerme.blogspot.com
MYTH 6: If Ur A Vegetarian Ur Doomed!!
well atleast thats what most of us think as we pack our bag with tonnes of indian stuff… well guess what…u cudn’t get healthier “veggie” food than the variety of salads, wraps etc on offer. i absolutely love it
http://tinkerthinkerme.blogspot.com
I agree completely.. The next post is all about eating, all courtesy caloriecount.com!! I gained enough experience through that!
absolutely true about the dumb thing!! all these myths can be attributed to rajshree productions stupid movies!! damn them!!
LOL… nice blog. you’re absolutely shattering the hopes and dreams of students in India, who fantasize about american women, sleek sports cars and tons of money!
about being a vegetarian here, I think we have more choice than a few salads… surely there’s the good ol’ veggie burger and fries? what about taco bell’s bean burrito? all hail the bean burrito! LOL. salads are good. so is home cooked food. learn to love them if you want to come to the US and still not bloat up in a few months.
Myths 1 and 2 are certainly valid about almost anyone in USA. If Americans were so called “dumb”, it would have been us to hire them all and make them sacrifice something called as a “born and brought up” life and leave their country for “bills.
If Americans were laid back, we wouldn’t have found at least one person (in his 40s/50s) working in your aisle, and slogging his a** off over a software engineering course he/she is pursuing after office at his local community college. And the person talks about it with such enthusiasm that we never thought exists!
Harsh and simple truth, nothing wrong in it, clerkship at all intelligence levels is nurtured inside most Indians since childhood. We could solve 200 IIM problems in 2 minutes, but can’t build our own house or plant our own garden with own hands. The whole approach between the culture differs, so the reason to be here and learn that aspect a bit.
Quite an epiphany for a first year…wait for time to slide and all will seem better..
Wow! You should have the blog retitled “Returning Indians” what say
@ppb: I kinda like Rajshri movies! They’re total crap and take my mind off routine life to go to la-la land! ha ha!
@Ashwin: I agree.. there’s loads for vegetarians once we decide to forego the salt and spices and chew cud!
.. I do that now and am fitter than before!
@pilon: yeah, some things are better learned when experienced.
@Bharath : All settled, sir! That’s why this blog.
@Racheeta: Where does it say that?! ha ha!
@ lee
i dont mind LA LA land but they show uday chopra romancing white chicks with consummate ease!! that is intolerable
Hmm… i am reading this as a complete third party! i am not a student in US, nor do i intend to be one as of now atleast! But its quite interesting to see the floats of messages! [:)] Lemme put it this way… its not about US or UK, u wud have strange experiences anywhere u go! U maybe more uncomfortable in some absolutely unliveable so called metros/ mini metros in India but its just this comfy feeling that its ur country and u can hop back on to ur folks…. which also may not be true actually! But staying on ur own outside tht comfy zone and creating one for urself makes u wht u will be in days to come! And this is coming from experience of a baby princess of a family discovering a world outside her world. Wish u all become something u all r proud of at the end of the day! i know it sounds elder sisterly, and my brother absolutely cringes at something like this…. but keep it going guyz! These r signs of thinking individuals and believe me Indians are the best at it… [:)]
Nice one!!
Another myth is about the so-called ‘freedom’ people dream they will get in the US. Well yeah..you do get freedom..but a reality check about the responsibilities is more important. You get credit cards, but you need to use them wisely, you can stay out as late as you want and no one keeps a check….but you gotta worry about your safety….you do get to stay in nice 2BHK apartments, but you gotta pay the bills…..living on your own is not as dreamy and easy as people think it would be!
@ deepa : I totally agree with you.. going out of our comfy zone and trying to create one for ourself is one of the biggest tasks.. but then, why create a comfort zone for yourself at all? Man has to be forever at it, that’s when he get the max out of life, ain’t it?
Thanks for dropping by! Do keep visiting and giving elder sister comments on this aunty’s blog!
@ Manasee : I know!! Credit card payments are so mluch more flexible back home.. and we could get off the rent hook by staying with parents! LOL!
Some compromises simply have to be made, what say!