To My Surprise (And Yours)!

Ireland, for most intents and purposes, is very similar to America. However, random and interesting things here occasionally show up that are very, very, different. I keep a running list of these on my phone and will be sprinkling in a "To My Surprise" segment here and there from now on.

Here goes...

1) Paper size. We all came over just assuming the whole world uses the same size of paper. Aren't copy machines universal? What about mail? But, readers, this assumption it blatantly wrong. Over here paper is bigger. I thought I could bring over a binder and dividers to save a buck or two only to realize that the paper hangs out of the top and the bottom, and the sides cover the divider tabs - useless I tell you! And the funny thing is, people here assumed that our paper would be the same size as well! I asked my music teacher about our assigned essay and if he would be a stickler on margins (because my computer is set up with the U.S. formatting). He laughed acting like it was such a silly question until I enlightened him on the paper paradox. He was stunned! And I thought my acceptance letter was on big paper just to be fancy... hah!

American paper size vs. Irish paper size. This also shows the hole punching as explained in #2.

Which brings me to my next mind-blowing discovery:

2) 3-Hole-Punch? NOT! Over here they punch their papers either twice or four times. The hole puncher I bought it tiny and portable because the larger pieces of paper only have two holes in the middle of them. And the binder I bought - it only has two rings! This creates a whole floppy-page-wonky-math-notes situation that I am learning to cope with. And luckily they do have those little donut shaped stickers for when the holes tear.

My handy dandy hole punch.

Which brings me to my last paper-related realization:

3) No two-pocket folders. I cannot find them anywhere and have been looking everywhere. I have found folders that have a single pocket and then the other side is a sort of cover but I have yet to encounter the normal two-pocket folders that abundantly grace the American school supply aisles in August every year. Instead, the Irish seem to prefer these portfolio-type things that button on the front. Button - like a pair of pants! I invested in one of these folders and I actually like it... however, someone could make a fortune bringing the two-pocket concept across the pond.

My buttoned folder.

Now to bedding:

4) No top sheet. Like, they exist here, but it appears to be highly irregular to use them. Even when I was at a fancy hotel on my class trip there was just a white fitted sheet and a white duvet cover. Nothing else. 

5) And a comforter is not in existence here either. Only duvets. I explained the concept of a comforter to an Irish person and they thought it was ridiculous. One important difference though is that the actual duvet (like the interior white part) can be purchased for relatively cheap compared to prices back home. When I redecorated my Kansas bedroom, duvets ran over $100 at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Here you can get a poor-quality but still warm and comfortable one at Penney's from around 10 euro. And a duvet cover can be purchased for the same price. You can also purchase very inexpensive pillows at Penney's for about 5 euro, but they are rather flat.

6) Power outlets. Yes, they are a different size and voltage but more interestingly is that most of them have switches on them. You plug in your cord but that doesn't mean it is receiving electricity. The electricity only comes when you flip the switch and this then transmits the current. I actually like this a lot because it seems to be another barrier for safety and fire prevention. I still unplug my appliances, but it is nice to deactivate the outlet in addition.

Left side, off. Right side, on.

 7) Vegetables are not a thing. I mean, they have vegetables, but don't call them that if you want to be a local. Call them "veg." "Fruit and veg." I don't fully get it but it is growing on me.

8) Wimpy dish soap. Now this could be largely attributed to our room's frugality thus cheap dish soap is making the rounds. But we have tried many-a-brand and they just do not cut through grease! This is even more frustrating because all of our dishes are washed by hand and we all cook with great regularity. Anyway, if a superior dish soap is discovered, an update will come later.

9) Raw chicken. You know when you buy a microwaveable dish at home or something you quickly cook in the oven and the chicken has been precooked to avoid salmonella issues? All of the chicken in those situations is raw here. I buy these delicious chicken nugget things from this nice grocery store but I am constantly paranoid that they will not be fully cooked and I will get infected. My solution, burn them a bit. This also makes the cook times for pre-made meals longer so I am getting used to not-so-instant gratification in the food sector.

10) No Target, or Walmart. Here in Cork, there are not any go-one-place-and-buy-everything stores. And I am really a Target kind of girl! This situation takes a bit more planning and time because if you need clothing - you go to this store, food - that store, shoes - the other one, and so on. At first a bit jostling, it is also nice. The market is divided and there is a chance for smaller chains and mom and pop shops to compete. If I don't find what I want at one grocery store, there are three others close that I can check. That being said, I will love running to Target when I get back home. But this way is working out.

So there they are - the first ten with many more to come. Slainte!