I loved this. It’s only been five months since I left Seattle for Portugal. Had a chance to go back recently via Michigan and I decided I was not quite ready.
On the manner of dress, you are on point. I used to love traveling to Latin America for work where everyone seemed to know how to present themselves as suave and debonair.
I am semi-retired and have flown a lot to many places around the globe. Two constants-all airport food everywhere is below the standards and above the prices of any place off the airport.
One of the greatest commandments of travel are (and this applies to the stereotypical “ugly” American, who is much rarer today) -Thou shall not find things the way they are at home for that is why you left home!
I live just north of the border from Seattle. We Canadians now go to the grocery store wearing bedroom slippers and fleece pajamas. What happened to Dressing for Success? Forget it. Our focus is buying small avocados and tortilla chips!😩
If people bought fewer clothes and better planned their wardrobe they could dress better. Wearing slippers and cheap lounge wear out in public shows an incredible deterioration in our feelings of self worth and respect for our society. Years ago I read a comment. A person could buy clothes from Dior and look terrible in them, while another person shops at Walmart and looks well dressed for the occasion , even a casual event.
Airport food is expensive in the US. It is expensive in some other countries too. Outside the airport, I can find that meal for about 50 bucks. Skip the booze, and it’s about 25.
American airports are a rip-off. You are a hostage and you are paying a tax for the privilege of being in the airport. Rent is very high for the vendors, as well. Actually, eating in general has become a rip-off in America since covid. Even grocery stores have become overly pricey for many standard items. Still, if you want to eat like a Frenchman, for a good price, make your meals at home. Your fine cheeses and wines are here, although they are also going to become unaffordable, unfortunately! I went and stocked up on the some French wine while I could. Things just aren’t like they used to be. 😞
I was in Rome recently. Bought a coffee at the train station that was prepared with pride by a woman wearing a smart uniform and serving it with a real porcelain cup and saucer, complete with paper doily. It was excellent and very affordable.
I just had a grilled cheese and Kombucha in Rome for €46, almost fell over in shock. American prices!!! Who can afford it? Then I remember I am in the neighborhood where all the diplomats live.
I work with mostly women. Probably a 25 to 5 ratio. I am amazed, and dismayed at the false eyelashes. Not just the length, but also the colors! Pink’s & greens. I personally find nothing attractive about it, especially in a professional setting.
The cheese thing; I despise pizza from that place that uses a game piece with dots as its logo. I have no idea what the substance is they try to pass off as cheese! It reminds me of Elmer’s glue that has slightly firmed up!
Flip flops? Not for me! I would hate to be mistaken for a hobbit with these hairy steppers. And the price of eating out is astronomical. You can’t feed a family of four for under $100 anymore, and get a decent meal! With all that being said, please have a Margarita for me before you leave!
OH! This makes my heart sing. I actually love SeaTac (which is why we always make it our port of entry), even with the over-priced nachoes. Thanks for getting me.
Excellent list, Karen! Thank you. #4 and 9 were my favourite.
#4 🤣 🤣 🤣
#9 "No one discusses food while they’re eating it[...]to procure and enjoy." 😳
Meals are for sustenance and making memories. 🌻 🌞
Except for business meals, not discussing food (especially while eating it) is blasphemous. Almost all mainland Europeans (and their descendants in Canada🍁) discuss food during that meal, as well as during subsequent meals if the present meal is memorable.
I loved this. It’s only been five months since I left Seattle for Portugal. Had a chance to go back recently via Michigan and I decided I was not quite ready.
On the manner of dress, you are on point. I used to love traveling to Latin America for work where everyone seemed to know how to present themselves as suave and debonair.
A
I am semi-retired and have flown a lot to many places around the globe. Two constants-all airport food everywhere is below the standards and above the prices of any place off the airport.
One of the greatest commandments of travel are (and this applies to the stereotypical “ugly” American, who is much rarer today) -Thou shall not find things the way they are at home for that is why you left home!
Well . . .I now know why my relatives are so short. It is the French in them. They had something lose the French export too.
I live just north of the border from Seattle. We Canadians now go to the grocery store wearing bedroom slippers and fleece pajamas. What happened to Dressing for Success? Forget it. Our focus is buying small avocados and tortilla chips!😩
We can’t afford to dress well. Too many taxes to pay.
If people bought fewer clothes and better planned their wardrobe they could dress better. Wearing slippers and cheap lounge wear out in public shows an incredible deterioration in our feelings of self worth and respect for our society. Years ago I read a comment. A person could buy clothes from Dior and look terrible in them, while another person shops at Walmart and looks well dressed for the occasion , even a casual event.
You need left turn lanes.
Airport food is expensive in the US. It is expensive in some other countries too. Outside the airport, I can find that meal for about 50 bucks. Skip the booze, and it’s about 25.
If you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve or a Platinum Amex you can eat for free in the Club SEA lounge.
Indeed. Most lounges are pretty decent, including credit card and first class flyer options.
American airports are a rip-off. You are a hostage and you are paying a tax for the privilege of being in the airport. Rent is very high for the vendors, as well. Actually, eating in general has become a rip-off in America since covid. Even grocery stores have become overly pricey for many standard items. Still, if you want to eat like a Frenchman, for a good price, make your meals at home. Your fine cheeses and wines are here, although they are also going to become unaffordable, unfortunately! I went and stocked up on the some French wine while I could. Things just aren’t like they used to be. 😞
I was in Rome recently. Bought a coffee at the train station that was prepared with pride by a woman wearing a smart uniform and serving it with a real porcelain cup and saucer, complete with paper doily. It was excellent and very affordable.
I just had a grilled cheese and Kombucha in Rome for €46, almost fell over in shock. American prices!!! Who can afford it? Then I remember I am in the neighborhood where all the diplomats live.
Im am bowled over by the cost of nachos and margaritas - at the airport
I work with mostly women. Probably a 25 to 5 ratio. I am amazed, and dismayed at the false eyelashes. Not just the length, but also the colors! Pink’s & greens. I personally find nothing attractive about it, especially in a professional setting.
The cheese thing; I despise pizza from that place that uses a game piece with dots as its logo. I have no idea what the substance is they try to pass off as cheese! It reminds me of Elmer’s glue that has slightly firmed up!
Flip flops? Not for me! I would hate to be mistaken for a hobbit with these hairy steppers. And the price of eating out is astronomical. You can’t feed a family of four for under $100 anymore, and get a decent meal! With all that being said, please have a Margarita for me before you leave!
What is it with grown ass American men dressing like little boys?
Ha, I am a writer who works for the Seattle airport and found your article here charming and accurate.
OH! This makes my heart sing. I actually love SeaTac (which is why we always make it our port of entry), even with the over-priced nachoes. Thanks for getting me.
#9 is a small insight into why there are 21 verb tenses in French - you need this many to talk about past, present, and future meals :).
HA! Excellent observation, Monsieur.
Excellent list, Karen! Thank you. #4 and 9 were my favourite.
#4 🤣 🤣 🤣
#9 "No one discusses food while they’re eating it[...]to procure and enjoy." 😳
Meals are for sustenance and making memories. 🌻 🌞
Except for business meals, not discussing food (especially while eating it) is blasphemous. Almost all mainland Europeans (and their descendants in Canada🍁) discuss food during that meal, as well as during subsequent meals if the present meal is memorable.
LMFAO