Cheerio!

This word might be the best word in the English language.

Why don't American's use a word like this? In Hawaiian there's "aloha", Italians have "ciao" and Brit's have "cheerio".

I never realized what an amazing word this was until we moved here. Why is it so amazing you ask? Because you can use it to mean anything! ... hello... goodbye... thank you... you're welcome... [awkward pause]... just say Cheerio! and all is fixed. The possibilities are endless.

A few other things we've had to get used to:

1) Cars have the right away - meaning pedestrians do not. If you don't stop for a car, they will run you over.

2) Going up the pub or restaurant counter to order food and drinks - there aren't really waitresses or waiters. If you walk into a pub and sit down at a table, you will be waiting there all night. You go up and place your order at all pubs and even some restaurants which leads me to my next point...

3) Not tipping - you don't tip when you go up to order. If someone does serve you, you tip only 10%. Talk about a "change"!

4) Buying rounds for everyone - you don't just order yourself a pint, you order everyone you are with one as well. Before you go get another, you ask "does anyone need a drink?" and everyone else does the same thing. The idea being that it all evens out in the end. This can get you into trouble... with both your wallet and your alcohol intake. But at least you'll never be without a pint in your hand!

Cheerio and Happy Halloween!!