My surprises at Harlaxton and how they affected me

Several things have surprised me so far during my stay and touring of Harlaxton, Grantham, and Stratford. My number one surprise so far has been the politeness of all the people and the simplicity of the communication here. I feel I reacted to the differences quite well because I am the type to treat people the way I want to be treated and everyone so far at least in the locations I have visited are very respectful and are easy to engage in conversation with. An unpleasant surprise which I kind of expected is that you may not have a free refill on your drink. In Stratford I had asked one of the bar tenders if I may have a refill on the soda I was drinking and he looked at me like I was crazy, and this made me rather uncomfortable because I had to tell him I didn't actually want another drink I wanted a water instead. I suppose I deal with novelty here relatively the same as if I would deal with it in the states, which is in the most respectful manor possible. I have learned that I am in fact more willing and less lazy than I imagined I was and would be. I am very excited to get up in the morning and go try something new which is not something that is easily accomplished without lots of time and money in the united states.