Expat Expectations

Today in the Sunday China Post was an article interviewing expats who have returned to their land of origin.  The article explored their reactions to going home, their illusions and disillusions.  This got me thinking what do I feel when I go home. Now remember for me in many ways I have two homes.  So at times there is a lot going on in my brain comparison wise.  Now on my most recent trip home to the land I am domicile in, which is the US I noticed the following: On my part there was a lack of tolerance.  I had lost the plot a couple times.  When we arrived in San Jose after a 15 hour flight (we changed planes in Tokyo) I was livid when I found out our room would not be ready until 3pm.  I looked at the clock it was 11AM – and I had one child at my knees telling me he was hungry and could he eat the cookies and I had another raring to be out of his stroller and run.  So my nerves were a bit frayed and I wasn’t very kind to the young lass who suggested I take my boys to the big arches for a snack, while I waited for the room.  I suggested in the nicest way they find me a room soon before my husband turned up from collecting the rental. Now a couple of years ago when I first went to the US to live I am sure the whole situation would have been handled differently there would have been an empathy on part of the assistant.  There would have been a scurrying to find a room and a compensation of some kind for the lack of availability.  I don’t know if the US changed or I changed.  Was I known expecting that service be service like it always was before I left?  I have long been of the opinion that the US invented service, and could give pointers to a few Sydney hotels and restaurants.