You can find foreign customs in the U.S.

I hope some of you were able to travel during the summer break. Maybe I would know what you were up to if I had a Facebook.

Although I took summer classes, I was still lucky enough to slip away and experience a culture unlike my own, and if I had a Facebook and we were friends, you could see the five pictures I took on my cell phone since I forgot my good camera.

I must admit, however, I should have been a bit more prepared by reading up on common greetings before my journey. I guess I just didn't think it would be all that necessary.

I stayed in a little motel off the beaten path. Not only did I want to avoid resorts, but this particular area didn't have one anyway. I'd gotten lost, so I called for directions, and although I believe the man was speaking English, I couldn't understand a word, so I stopped at the market to inquire. This also got me nowhere.

I then aimlessly drove around until I found it. The motel was as expected; it matched up to the photos guests had posted online. The proprietors were very accommodating, even calling to wake me for breakfast when I had slept in. But one afternoon when I called to see if it were at all possible for me to use an iron, the exchange was quite foreign.

I'm not all that familiar with the typical Indian greetings, and I suppose our initial meeting was obstructed by the front desk, so I did my best to follow his lead.

He extended his hand, a familiar tradition, which I happily met, this turned into a hug which is about as warm as Americans get, it then turned into a kiss on the cheek, thereafter evolving into a European greeting by including the other cheek which over the years I have become accustomed to, but then it strayed from anything I had previously encountered and went to a kiss on the lips, followed by a profuse thanking on his part.

"Oh my, that was a very friendly iron delivery," I smiled and said while looking at the iron, in order to avoid making eye contact.

"Do you need an ironing board?" He eagerly asked.

"No, I don't think so. I can just use a towel," I said, now straight-faced, trying my best to act as if kissing people on the lips in such a situation is not at all abnormal.

"I'll get you an ironing board," he said as he quickly left.

And apparently an ironing board is much more significant because not only did that come with a kiss, skipping the initial and I suppose only introductory, handshake/hug/cheek kissing, but he followed it by saying "I love you."

If that's what comes with an iron and an ironing board, God only knows what happens if someone carries your bags or gives you a ride.

While I'm all for embracing other cultures, it does make me a little hesitant to travel anywhere more foreign.

That was just in The Berkshires of Massachusetts.