customs/things that may seem strange in Puerto Rico (living in, cost)

[Busch Boy]

One interesting thing about PR is the mixture of SI and US customary units. For example, highways state speed limits in miles, but many homes have kilometers in their addresses. Also, gas stations sell by the liter and temperature is given in Celsius on the news.

[Trucker7]

Actually, most Puertorricans will use Farenheit for weather and Celcius for body temperature. The rest is true, speed is MPH while distance is KM. Gas is sold by the liter, while bread and meat is sold by the pound. Height is measured in feet and inches, while your house is measured in squared meters (M²). Go figure!!!

[Sandhillian]

Strangers in restaurants will say "Buen provecho" to you when they are leaving. I think this is really sweet.

You see unattended horses all over town. I think they rent them for rides (without saddles).

[Sandhillian]

Car parades with unbelievably large and loud speakers and lots of cars with horns honking.

[motormaker]

I think it's cool when they do the "wrinkle the nose" thing when they don't have a clue what you are talking about.

[Quisala]

I also think it's sweet when they say "buen provecho". I miss it there.

[WIHS2006]

Children in grade schools must purchase "bookbags" which are like suitcases on wheels and lug their books back and forth each day rather than keeping them in a desk at school.

Errm this is normal nationwide, especially past the elementary school level.

I thought it was really strange how the coffins in cemeteries were above the ground. I've never seen that before.

They also do this in New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana due to the very high water level.

Police cars and ambulances routinely travel with their lights flashing. You don't have to stop unless they have a siren on.

Ive always wondered why they do this. It must cost them a fortune in overhead light bars as those things do wear out overtime ... and from what I understand it also wears out the vehicle batteries. Whats the inside scoop as to why they do this? In general, Puerto Rico's law enforcement agencies seem to be very poorly run and they have a good ways to go to improve their reputation in the US law enforcement community.

[Sandhillian]

I have never seen these "book bags" used in grade schools outside of PR. In most schools in the states older kids use back packs but younger kids keep their books in desks.

[Sandhillian]

Like other places outside the states food in grocery stores is sold in tiny containers which contributes to a higher cost for groceries.

Oranges are eaten by peeling and cutting the top off. Then people suck the contents.

[Sandhillian]

Cars can not be titled in joint tenancy. If you are married they must be in either the husband or the wife's name.

Whenever you have to pay a fee for a document or license you have to buy "stamps" at another place and bring them back and have them affixed to the document as proof of payment.