When you say "America," what do you actually mean? Before I came here, I thought of skyscrapers, hamburgers, and the Hollywood hills. But now, when I say "America," I mean the smiles (fake or real, it doesn't matter), the politeness, the pizzerias, the one-story plywood houses, and people without complexes.

I was at the store today observing people... and the products. So many canned goods, rows of refrigerators packed with semi-finished products, bags of "XXXXX" chips... I noticed how everyone is so proper—it's nauseating! Just imagine: it's pouring rain, puddles are knee-deep, you're running to your car with a shopping cart, loading your bags as fast as you can (getting soaked because the rain is like a wall), and then... you carefully take the cart and return it to the cart corral, then hurry back to your car (even though your underwear is already soaked).

I saw how they prepare salads in the deli... you won't believe it... salads!))) For example: they need to fill a box with sliced tomatoes (yes, there are special compartments for pre-cut vegetables and fruit. Apparently for those who are just too lazy to move... by the way, cheese is also sold pre-grated). So, they cut and cut... the box is full. But there are still plenty of untouched vegetables left on the cutting board. Yet, they all go into the trash! Every last crumb! I assume this is done so the employee doesn't get the urge to cheat and take some home. Western management really doesn't allow for any ingenuity, resourcefulness, or cunning!

Oh! I remembered... some guys in New York told me:

"We were walking around downtown NY at night, hungry and cold. Near some buffet or cafe, the kitchen staff were just dumping trays of food into the trash. We ran up shouting: 'Are you crazy?! Give it to us, you cursed capitalists!' But they stood their ground and wouldn't give it up. Either buy it at the regular price, or we throw it away... and they actually threw it away!! Can someone explain this to me!))