Blog Post 4

I'm have to admit that I am very surprised with how comfortable I feel in Grantham. Before I arrived I know that some where in my mind(subconscious) I thought I was going to stick out like a sore thumb. This isn't the case at all because unless you are really behaving out of the ordinary (bizarre, or very loud) no one in the town takes much notice of you. I'm used to this because Cincinnati isn't an overly friendly city but maybe I have imagined "Merry ol' England" as being more open. The fact that the town is so socially conservative works in my favor because I can wonder around aimlessly without the fear of injury, scorn or humiliation, (It's very liberating!!)
Pleasant surprises thus far, have included observing extremely well behaved dogs. The dogs here are very manner able and carry an "air" about them selves almost as if they are little humans. They understand personal space, discipline, verbal restrain and I have yet to see any dog poop or urinating in public (I'm sure they do but where do they go??). I have also had wonderful interactions with many local cashiers because they are interested in knowing where I am from, why I am here and what do I think about England so far.
I am also surprised in which the English communicate simple pleasantries. I went to the Reception to purchase stamps the other day and after I made my purchase I said thank you and the receptionist repeated "Thank you". I didn't think about it too much until again today I replied thank you to the cashier at the drug store and I received a thank you in return. This made me laugh to myself because I am so used to hearing your welcome after thank you. Is this just an American thing?
American dogs/owners accept their pets need to be curious and are very unapologetic when their dog invades your personal space. I have never owned a pet and so I don't really understand the way in which dogs are trained but I do know that what ever the dog owners are doing in England is far superior than the so-called "training" Americans dogs are receiving. When I arrive home I believe I will be laughing hystercially (in my mind) when ever I hear some one give an American dog the compliment, "He is so well behaved". I will have to hold my mouth or turn away before I burst into laughter!!

Unpleasant surprise includes the lack of diversity in this area (I know that London will definitely have a larger minority population versus Grantham). Today Tasha and I went into town to purchase a few hair and beauty products. We were eager to get out on our own alone and shop!! Now I wanted a moisture base leave in conditioner so we went store to store to try find the "ethnic hair products" (Walgreen's, Kroger's, and CVS back home usually devote a tiny section of shelf space to ethnic hair care products). We began to search store after store as if we were on the quest for the "Holy Grail". By chance when we had given up and began to exit our last store we were stopped by a young lady named Iseresa who was interested in knowing where were from. She was very stylish, warm and friendly. She was able to lead Tasha and myself in the right direction to complete our task to obtain our "Holy Grail". Isreara confirmed that their isn't much diversity in Grantham and the only way to obtain ethnic hair products is Nottingham. Now I along with my noble squire (Tasha) must tally forth into the land of Nottingham in order to fulfill my exalted destiny!! (Hair Moisturizer!!!).
I am not all used to having to drive to another city/town for hair moisturizer. Seriously, in Cincinnati there are hair stores all over the city and in each drug store or supper market they have something to offer. In order to process this I thought about the population demographics and so far I have only seen six minorities since I have been here, with this being said, I understand that stores only offers products their constituents demand. Therefore, their must not be enough minorities in the area to have made ethnic hair products a demand for the retailers to allow some shelf space for specialty products. Another way to analyze the situation is to view that there is a demand and the store owners are fully aware of the situation but the store owners are blandly ignoring the minorities hair needs. (I am just trying to present a well balanced argument folks, so please bare with me).
I have learned through these surprises not to accept the malarkey excuses dog owners give in the States when their dog has charged at you like a raging bull or growls at you trying to intimidate you. I heard so many different excuses, such as, "He's not used to strangers, or she is very protective of me and my favorite excuse dog owners give (when their dogs walks over and starts to lick you ) "She is just so friendly/likes you" , yeah right. Many criticize the American educational system as far as not being able to produce students that can compete in the 21st century job market but I want to call attention to injustice at dog training schools and "home schooled" dogs . They are being "jipped"from a proper /formal education in which they could fulfill their full potential and because of this they are not welcomed in more places.
I also have learned that the next time I travel I need to specifically pack hair moisturizer and any other specialty products that I am used to and it's foolish of me to assume that when I travel abroad that my expectations of what a grocery/drug store should sell is the "norm" else where. I believe its alright to have standards in which we all live by but when you impose them on others you can come across as arrogant, unsympathetic and rude. I must continue my quest, this I swear by the our Lady, that I shall not rest or indulge in any pleasantries until I find "the moisturizer"!!