The Xenophobe's Guide to the Americans (Xenophobe's Guides) by Stephanie Faul

Author:Stephanie Faul
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9781908120014
Publisher: Oval Projects
Published: 2008-03-09T23:00:00+00:00

The wind-chill factor. Not satisfied by measuring ambient temperature with an obsolete system, Americans invented the wind-chill factor, which combines degrees Fahrenheit with air velocity to create a number that’s much more impressive. For example, when a temperature of 32°F combines with a 10-mile-an-hour wind, the wind-chill factor drops to 20°F, which sounds a lot colder and makes those who venture out in it feel hardy and adventurous. In summer what is called the ‘heat index’ takes over, combining temperature with humidity to prove that getting the central air-conditioning replaced last year really was worth the money.

Currency. American coins and dollar bills seem to have been specifically designed to confuse the natives of other nations. Coins include the penny, nickel, dime, quarter and dollar, not one of which is labelled with its actual cents’ value in numerals. Folding money is a motley shade of green with the head of a dead president on it. Thus a $10 note looks a lot like a $1 or a $100 note. The most common bill in general circulation is $20, known as a ‘Jackson’ after the president pictured. Larger-denomination bills are restricted in a deliberate move to make big cash transactions obvious and cumbersome. Though the currency has been redesigned to thwart counterfeiters, and faint shades of colour introduced, the bills are still basically green.

The confusion doesn’t affect the average American, who never pays cash anyway and uses a credit card for all purchases costlier than a Coke.

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