10 things I wish were different in the USA

By Shashi

If only we could change some things, life would be a lot more easier.... isn't it true especially when you have to leave Indian shores for exotic lands? Here is Shashi Lakkaraju's list of 10 things that she wishes were different in the USA.

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#1 Better Public transportation

I wish public transportation was common in US, from the tourist perspective, it is often difficult to arrive here and start driving immediately. Many tourists have to rely on friends or family to take them around and show them places.

#2 No Daylight saving time

People living in most states and provinces of America (except Arizona, parts of Indiana and Peurto Rico), have to change their watches by an hour in April and October. In October you gain an hour and in April you lose an hour. I always find it a problem to adjust to this, while this change is conveniently done on a Saturday night at 2.00 AM, I still wish it were not there. Especially when calling India, you now have to remember that the time difference between the two countries is increased or decreased.

#3 Faster Green Card processing time

Any working Indian who has come to this country in the 90s will tell you how cumbersome it is to become a green card holder in US. Though new laws are being passed to change the situation, this process has affected many Indians, many have not been able to change their jobs, and some have been forced to return back to India after they have completed 6 years on their work visa. I wish the process was easier, faster, less confusing, less restrictive and less time consuming.

#4 No voltage difference

All electrical appliances work on 110 Volts in US, unlike India where the voltage is 220. As a result of this, the electrical devices in US do not work in India and vice versa. I wish this were not the case.

#5 More holidays and leave

America probably has the least number of holidays per annum. Every employee has about 15 days of leave per annum and another 6 public holidays, coming from India where there are far too many holidays, one feels the pinch.

#6 Nearer to India

I wish that India was geographically nearer to the US, it would have been a shorter journey and probably most of us could have gone home for a short visit, would it not be great to go on a long weekend to India? I am sure most Indians in the US would have loved that!

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#7 Restaurants were open at least till 10.30 PM

Most of the restaurants close by 9.00 ? 9.30 PM (except in big cities like New York), there is no scope of an unplanned "lets eat out to night", by the time you are really hungry its too late to go to a restaurant!

#8 More walking

I wish I could walk more in US. The lifestyle is very sedentary in US, one has to be very motivated to keep ones weight in check, in India it is common to walk, while the environment is not conducive to walking in US, in some parts the weather does not permit it, in most areas there are highways on which one cannot walk.

#9 Same system used for VCRs

Because of the difference in the standard used for reproduction of picture in US and India, the video tapes made in India cannot be watched without conversion using the American VCRs and vice versa. Often times personal videos like wedding recordings or other celebrations cannot be watched when recorded in one country and viewed in another. I wish this was not the case.

#10 No static in winters

In some of the northern states in US where the winter is severe, with the advent of the winter season comes the "static" season. When you touch anything metallic like your car door handle or the handle to open a door to enter the mall, there is a mild shock which throws you off. At times you feel this even when shaking hands with someone. I guess you tend to be on your nerves in the winter season! These minor shocks are pretty uncomfortable and when they repeat too often can be annoying.