This does not necessarily have to do with coming to America (it could be any country). It’s those awkward moments of confusion when you aren't familiar with the customs/practices in new place/land. It’s also called the freshy or fob experience.
Can you recall one you have experienced or one that someone you know has experienced?
I’ll start it off…
- (1) Over 35 years ago my uncle went to America for schooling; at the time my aunt bought him deodorant, he rolled it onto his chin and headed off to work. He realized he made an error in application when one of his co-workers asked if it was snowing outside.
(2) My mother was also an international student back then and her Somali classmates used denture adhesive (glue) as toothpaste. They might have wanted to forget [fixodent]. They also thought cat food was gourmet tuna. She had to be the one to break it to them.