A few notable differences...

* Guys in Cambodia take their shirts off more than Taylor Lautner in Twilight
* It is normal for kids to be out past dusk even without street lights...it isn't time to come home till your mother yells your name
*Need something from the market but too busy to go yourself? Just hand over some money to your 7 year old...they can bike there to pick up whatever you need!
*No need for care instructions on clothes...your only option is to hand wash everything...and drying instructions? Yea right?! Hang them outside and hope it doesn't rain till they have dried.
*A child is never to young to start working in the fields, tending to the cows or managing the family shop while the parents are away...as long as the 5 year old can make change and remember what things cost, they can "man the fort" for a while
*Kids don't skip school...they are more than willing to skip out on time with friends though, if it means taking private lessons
*School is 6 days a week and uniforms are mandatory
*In the states no one thinks twice about someone jogging down the street...here, I can't go 1k without a moto stopping to see if I need a ride
*In the Khmer culture, family is everything. Little girls do not have dance recitals here, but if they did the dads would surely not miss a single one and mothers rise early each day to ensure clothes are clean and meals are made before it's time to leave for school
*Cambodian's don't believe in directness or confrontation. They often will answer a question with the answer they think you are looking for and if they have a problem with you, they are more than likely going to tell those around you before they tell you.
*Instead of asking the phrase "Hey, how are you?" in passing, they ask "Where are you going?" They also expect an answer...and anyone will ask you, even a complete stranger.
*It is not customary to tip here, but you would not imagine the type of service you get after doing so!
*The police would never think to charge someone with disturbing the piece...here it is socially acceptable to start banging drums and chanting into a load speaker at 4am
*Kids don't need tv, electronics or the new toy advertised during their favorite program to keep them entertained. As I sit here writing this in my notebook, my little niece is twisting the top of a flower stem to form a loop...she will now use this "wand" to blow bubbles with a bit of soapy water. You should see what these kids can do with dirt, vines and a little imagination!
*A cold glass of clean water is a luxury...not a given
*Dr. visits are not private- at least 3 other women, 2 nurses and a handful of other people will be in the room with you as you get your ANC check up- all of them talking, questioning and giving advice
*Diapers are not used- I will let you imagine the downfalls of this practice...needless to say I am glad black lights are not used here...so many germs!!!!!!!!!!!
*Left handed people are not common- when patients make a fuss about me writing with my left hand I like to switch to my right hand just for shock value...I figure it is nice to have at least one parlor trick up my sleeve