Considering employment in the US

I've been rather adamant about wanting to find a job in the EU after graduation, but I'm finding myself becoming more agitated with the flow of traffic here.

Yes yes, I acknowledge that one could cite the US as having a somewhat Communist bent to its rules of the game. Washington DC does not allow beverages into its metro system. We curse the FIBs (F*$%ing Illinois Bast$%ds) on the highway because they have no concept of slow lane is right, fast lane is left.

But here, as I've lamented before, there's just no rhyme or reason I've found for the pedestrian movement.

For instance, I would love designated lanes for entry into, use of, and exit of the metros. Descending and ascending, there could be a far right lane for those who are unfortunate to have to beg spare change. Next lane over would be older persons carting their groceries or families with baby strollers. Middle lane is the middle, ambling drunk or just moseying through traffic to the metro. Inner left lane, would be those who are usually trying to weave and duck through with purpose. Then, far left lane is reserved for those on a mission and running, late for the TGV out of town.

Well, I'd have to restructure this for coming and going flow on the same stairs though. So, first two lanes on either side are for change-seekers and cart-carriers. The middle lane would be for those who are weaving and dodging around those who are meandering and drunk-walking. That would be a slight improvement at least.

Sidewalks would have to be a territory of elbows. Those chatting for good times would kindly ease to the inner side to allow for those moving to pass. Instead of the usual: person chatting is standing in the middle of the sidewalk, taking up the precious space within a surrounding construction scaffolding, while another person walking through needs to step into traffic and doggie doo in the gutter of the street to get around.

I've found myself in this precarious position and have said, "Pardon" with slight irritation and am still stared at like I'm the one who can't navigate my own way. True that, for I just haven't come to comprehend the secret rules of the game. If someone could inform me, I'd be much obliged. Instead, I do a bicycle-rider's over-shoulder check to see if I'm about to step in front of a car (which I notice most people don't do - self-centered? living dangerously? confidence? awesome life insurance?) and then I dance around poopie and get back on the sidewalk.

Yes, I love living here. Don't get me wrong. Yes, I'm blatantly ignorant to the system. Yes, people here live on a healthier life pace of sipping coffees, talking for long hours with friends in cafes, riding a metro line that might break down for 15 minutes (which requires the long-distance trains to build in a refund and petition process if you miss you train), and gyms are foreign. Running is a strange pastime. Rushing is rare. Life is short and to be lived fully. I love all this. But when it comes to me getting somewhere, walking for sport or purpose, I'm dumb-founded.

Obviously, with all the thought and contemplation on this issue, I still have no idea why they do it and why I don't get it. It's not just the French, I think it's actually extended to Europeans. I can't "teach" people do it differently. I'm trying to understand and learn. And, I have NOTHING. No idea why or how. I did try to chalk it up to the awesome social security policies, which could create an all-for-me attitude. I've read about the French independence, but I find it more of a distrust of others instead of the American interdependence independence.

Anyway, this small, insignificant, surmountable cultural difference does make me wonder for some reason if I wouldn't be better off back in the USA. And this leads me to wonder if a lot of us do this. Migrate and then return for those simple facts: knowing "home," understanding the culture fully. We enjoy others fully but are still interested to go back with new knowledge and appreciation for other places and people with a longing to just... well, flow with the river. Right side slower, left side faster.