The Grey City of Aberdeen

Booming Metropolis of Aberdeen
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So I've been in Aberdeen now a week, and wow have I seen a lot of very different cultural norms here.  I've been doing the tourist thing here for the last week and seen alot of the city.  Also, I've met alot of Canadians here.  Apparently, we are in some kind of a heat wave...get ready... 20 degrees.  Wohoo it's a heat wave here, break out the short sleeved shirts.  I laugh every time I hear that this is the best weather they've had here. Here is a list of some of the differences that I've noticed here:

1.  Drinking --  The locals here get drunk early, around 11:00pm they are hammered and stumbling down the streets.  Also, they drink really fast and pound back the drinks.  The only reason that I can think of as to why they do this is because the bars use to close at 11pm and they had to get as many drinks in as they could before the bar closed.  After work at 5pm they go to their local pub and drink there with friends.

2.  Shopping --  Much better than in Toronto, but the stores close VERY early.  Most stores only stay open until 5pm, with Thursday being a late day when they close at 7pm.  There are only a handful of stores that are 24 hours and they are usually convenience stores.  Customer service is very different....they don't have it here.  If you order food in a restaurant, it takes FOREVER.  And, they don't even apologize for it taking so long.  If you go out to eat it takes usually an hour or more to have a 'fast' dinner.  In the shopping mall, the sales people do not bother you when you are shopping.  There are no greeters at the front of the store, and good luck in trying to get them to help you.  Also, sizing is different as well.  I think the sizes are more proportional to what the average body is suppose to be.  I'm still trying to figure it out.  Shoe sizes are different...I'm a size 6, which makes me feel better about my gargantuan feet.

3.  Movies --  I went to go see a movie and this was also very different believe it or not.  When you get your ticket they ask you where you want to sit.  On your ticket it has a row and seat number for you and you get an assigned seat.  (kind of like going to see a play)  The reason they do this is when the theater is full, everyone can get a seat.  Very strange.

I'll try to add to this page with more differences that I come across.  Should be interesting.  Plus, I'm not use to the accent yet, and apparently they are not use to mine.  (me, an accent...)  I've been trying to ask people all the different words that they have as well and will put them on here.

Keep you posted.