The most surprising thing for me are the obvious differences that exist regarding the socialization of children - my brother in law's two boys have NEVER done five seconds of housework in their lives, and they are adept at watching me, their older uncle, struggle with multiple bags of groceries when I return from a shopping excursion to 'Big C' or 'Tops'. Never have I heard an offer of help, and now accept that as an unfortunate reality of their upbringing. On the other hand, women growing up in Thailand are fully expected to help out in every possible way and are scolded if they refuse.
This has created a race of arrogant, lazy, and childish boys and dutiful, but frustrated, young women, who long to break the shackles of their slavish existences.
I'm also surprised by how cold it gets up here in the north.