Anonymous wrote:Used to good public transportation
used to security, missing a sense of danger when walking out at night
free soda refills? Does not drink soda
Used to family dinner time, eating at home (not restaurant type)
thrifty
Compared to their way of life, thinks the American man is chauvinistic
blunt
no shoes in the house
does not eat burgers or pizza
Do not offer Hersheys chocolate. One family had Hersheys kisses in the au pairs room when she arrived. She told the host mom that the chocolates were old and stale and that she should take them back to the store
Anonymous wrote:Our Austrian au pair (who was great--we loved her!) would often remark how she wasn't used to how friendly people were here compared to Austria. Particularly service in restaurants she found to be much friendlier.
I know she missed the meat from home and remarked that it wasn't as good here. And that she couldn't get the type of sausage she would normally often eat at home.
Anonymous wrote:I wonder if our DC area would be very underwhelming by comparison.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP here: thank you for sharing your experiences! This is exactly the kind input that I was looking for (i.e. the difference in roads). Our Au pair is from Vienna. Do you think that their experience would be different from that of someone from a more rural area? Also, I've never been to Vienna, but everything I've seen in photos looks so beautiful. I wonder if our DC area would be very underwhelming by comparison.
My experience is that these young adults are so accustomed to the beauty of their home, they don't even see it. Our APS have loved the choices available here. Loved that stores are open all the time. Loved thr inexpensive clothes and products, and simply love the availability of everything.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP here: thank you for sharing your experiences! This is exactly the kind input that I was looking for (i.e. the difference in roads). Our Au pair is from Vienna. Do you think that their experience would be different from that of someone from a more rural area? Also, I've never been to Vienna, but everything I've seen in photos looks so beautiful. I wonder if our DC area would be very underwhelming by comparison.
My experience is that these young adults are so accustomed to the beauty of their home, they don't even see it. Our APS have loved the choices available here. Loved that stores are open all the time. Loved thr inexpensive clothes and products, and simply love the availability of everything.
Anonymous wrote:OP here: thank you for sharing your experiences! This is exactly the kind input that I was looking for (i.e. the difference in roads). Our Au pair is from Vienna. Do you think that their experience would be different from that of someone from a more rural area? Also, I've never been to Vienna, but everything I've seen in photos looks so beautiful. I wonder if our DC area would be very underwhelming by comparison.