OOPS! WHAT A SHAME!

Here are my embarrassing stories while staying in the U.S. :-) Some are from cultural difference, some are simply from my stupid nature. Anyway, here we go!

ATM Wants Bill In Envelope

Well, I put a 20 buck bill of mine into an ATM machine, without putting it in an envelope, as we always do in Japan! I still don't know if that deposit was properly processed. [In Japan ATM machines at banks take all kinds of Yen bills as they are, and process them fully automatically]

Failure at Written Test for Drivers' License

I heard the written test was basically straightforward and easier than that in Japan, so I went to the DMV without any preparation. Oh man, what do the colors of curbs mean? Yes, We absolutely need to study before taking the test.
Another point is that we might as well take it in English. Japanese version is horrible: Incorrect translations lead us to wrong answers.

Failure at Driving Test for Drivers' License

Again I heard it was easy for a Japanese driver to pass the driving test in the U.S., so I went to the DMV without preparation. Oh, man. The examiner finally scolded at me for my poor performance and declared an automatic failure! WHAT A SHAME!
Well, I think there are two reasons: one is that basically I'm poor at driving (I'm poor at sports in general), and the other is that the traffic rules are sometimes different between the U.S. and Japan. Anyway, here are the notes picked up from my scoring sheet. Hope this helps (somebody laugh :-)!

Never pull into the farther lane when making a turn. (At the exit of DMV to Showers Dr)
[Ha, ha, ha! Thank goodness, I did that at the very beginning of the test, without any hesitation. Oh yeah, that's right!]
Slow down at a blind intersection. (Ortega Ave. and Mora Dr.)
[Hey, I didn't notice it! A stop sign, please!]
Go right. (Ortega Ave.)
[Go left, in Japan. Well, I'm serious, because I looked back carefully when I backed up, but was pointed out not looking back, since I did look back through my LEFT SHOULDER as I used to do in Japan!!]
Never pull ahead into the crossroad, if on blue, to make a left turn! You must stay outside of it until it is safe. (Ortega Ave. and California St.)
[Oh, boy! In Japan we MUST pull ahead to the center of the crossroad, and then stop and wait there, so the straight traffic after you can go through. You will be honked, jeered, or hit or killed by the following car if you don't start on blue.
This is interesting in a way cuz, let's say, 4-way is completely new to me that I'm really careful about it, while the signals look almost the same so I never imagined there was a difference, like if we may or may not enter the crossroad on blue to make a big turn.]
When making a right turn, enter the bike lane no more than 200 feet before the crossroad, BUT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. (California St. and Rengstorff.Ave)
[I was stupid. The phrase "no more than xx feet" was so impressive I pulled right a bit later than I used to do in Japan. I was told that's too late and lost my points.]
Slow down to 15mph at a road construction site. (Rengstorff Ave.)
[Hmm the roads were so wide around here I felt there was enough room between the site and my car. ]
Don't ask the examiner. Be quiet.
[I did commentary driving, that is, to keep mumbling whatever I notice to recognize the situation, and was pointed out I lacked concentration. ]