I’ll never forget my first trip abroad as an alleged adult. I was baffled by the European way of doing things. Why, for instance, were there massive garbage receptacles with 4 giant holes on every corner? Doesn’t anyone NEED the privacy of their own car in Europe, or is public transportation good enough? Why was everyone so thin when there was a gorgeous bakery every five feet? Must every public place emit the pungent aroma of body sweat and stale smoke? How could a culture possibly take karaoke so seriously? And, for the love of God, why was fabulous wine so cheap?
By departure time, I had learned to appreciate these cultural norms with enough enthusiasm to scare off your average American. A miraculous thing had happened to my brain; it was wrenched open with a crow bar so that I questioned everything about my upbringing. It happened despite the fact I had had a remarkably cultured childhood compared to your average JOE.
But it was years more of teaching, traveling, and studying cultural geography before I came to REALLY grasp the differences between the American way of thinking & the old world way. I finally got it.
The U.S. is very young; a teenager, one could say. It’s a country in the throws of economical temper tantrums & hormonal war fare. It turns up the music when criticized, rather than listens to the sage advice of those who have gone there before it. Its metabolism is voracious as it gobbles up every crumb of food, space, or resource possible. Slamming doors in the face of spirited opposition and falling victim to the self-centered, ego-driven phase of adolescence are its specialties.
On the other hand, not being jaded is a brilliant thing. Fresh idealism and the golden DREAMS of opportunity never fade, since anything is possible in this land. Venturing into uncharted territory is a beauty mark of the nation’s bravery. Technological wizardry and a zeal for workaholism help keep the country in the top ranks of the world. America’s melting pot status is enviable, and its ability to come together for a cause, regardless of its regional divisions and gargantuan size, can be astounding.
Make no mistake! The U.S. is my beloved home and I would defend it to the death. But we have much to learn. Putting aside fear and accepting the values of others could only serve the country and the WORLD well.
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About Heather Webb
Heather’s historical novels have received national starred reviews, been featured in print media including the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, and have been chosen as a Goodreads Top Pick in 2015. To date, her books have sold in a dozen countries. She enjoys helping other writers and may often be found tweeting helpful links, writing craft articles, or speaking about the industry and her love of books at conferences and retreats. For more information, see her AUTHOR page.
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I never thought of the US in that light, but oh how accurate it IS!
Brilliant comparison of the US to a teenager! Made me laugh. So true, So true. And don’t forget the very bad case of acne, which shows up as anaerobic dead zones in Long Island Sound and the likes of Love Canal.
So true! Not pretty, but true. Also gives us hope that with the years, we’ll wise up and mature and get nearer where we’re supposed to be.
It’s funny. I was having a similiar conversation just the other day with a friend from Cameroon. He and I talked about the culture of Cameroon and then he asked me about American culture. I struggled to find an answer for him, even though I’ve spent my entire life in the oldest part of the country. To us, 1776 seems like forever ago, but in the grand scheme of the world, we’re still young. We have still have much to learn and far to go. But eventually, every teenager grows older and wiser.
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I love to make that comparison with my students. “France is about 5 times as old as the US, so compare yourself to somebody 5 times as old as you.” For some, it helps them understand the cultural divide. For others, well, there’s just no convincing them that good ole ‘Murica could ever been anything less than perfect! 🙂
Great blog! I like how everything is well written. I will be back to check for new posts. Thanks!!
nice 🙂
Great blog! A pleasure to read.