Seriously, every single day, I am appalled at what non-Americans seem to think. For example, let me share a portion of a conversation I had just last week.
(NOTE: I am going to disguise the person's sex as well as switch out the nationality because that person may read this, though I doubt it. I don't want to hurt its feelings, but I've been thinking about it and it's my blog. The most surprising thing is that this person is travelled and educated, though they have never visited the US.)
Person I Know: So what do you find most different about Norway from the US?
Me: (Not really focused, so I give some innocuous answer about the number of hours of daylight or other general topic.)
PIK: Really, that's it?
Me: Oh I don't know, there are loads of things that are different, but that is true of pretty much anywhere, but really it's all good.
PIK: What about the Coke bottles?
Me: (Confused) Excuse me?
PIK: You know---The Coke bottles, they are smaller here. Aren't they giant in America? You guys are so consumer-focused. Do you even drink all of it?
Me: Ohhhhh, you mean because we Americans like giant things and are so wasteful?
PIK: Yeah.
Me: Ohhhhh, well then, definitely. The Coke bottles here are so weird and small, but I don't care. I like to buy them anyway, take a sip, then throw it away, just because I can.
PIK: (Not looking in the slightest bit confused and clearly NOT getting what I hope is my polite sarcasm.) We were thinking about going to visit America. My partner's been there, and loves it, but I don't think I want to go.
Me: Oh really? There are so lovely and interesting places to visit. Let me know if and where you choose, I'd love to offer some suggestions if you need it.
PIK: Well, I have heard it's really cheap there.
Me: I guess it depends on where you go, but the dollar is pretty weak, so it may seem cheap, at least right now.
PIK: I really meant the food at the all you can eat buffets.
Me: What?
PIK: Well, aren't most of the American restaurants fast food and all-you-can-eat buffets, so they can eat giant portions.
(We go back and forth on this for a minute because I am just not sure I've heard correctly.)
Me: That's not where all or even most of the Americans eat all the time. At least not the ones I know. Maybe if you are old or live in Nebraska.
PIK: Well, that's what I have heard.
Me: Well, please don't believe it and let me know if you go.
PIK: Well, don't you have thoughts about where I am from?
Me: Sure, all you guys are blonde, wear wooden shoes, have windmills in your backyard, frequent hookers and are constantly high.
PIK: That's not true.
Me: Really?
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12 comments:
Lol. That person is Dutch...right? It's annoying when people are not aware of other countries' lifestyle. Or they always assume the stereotypical images that they see from media.
Take Canada for example, everybody thinks we live in igloos and travel in snowmobiles.
Aw, Elizabeth, I miss you. :)
Ha-ha! Good one E.
This person sounds like he/she learned about the US by watching "Fargo."
Hey-remember Ryan's Steakhouse buffet at UGA? Now THAT was good eatin'.
Hey Bluefish--No, that person is not Dutch, though if you substitute in three or four stereotypical thoughts about another European country, you could guess which one. I just randomly choose a country to keep that person anonymous. But yes, it is annoying to no end, especially when it comes from people who should know better.
Oh Wendy--I miss you, seriously, too.
Anne--No joke...There was also a Ryan's in Albany, Georgia and it would be the Big Night Out with my South Georgia grandparents. Good stuff! And the "make your own ice cream cone." Love it!
HA!
Hi Elizabeth! Where in the world is your friend getting his/her information about America? Has this person never seen "Sex and the City?" "Desperate Housewives?" "The OC?" Well, thinking about it, that would just encourage him/her to begin thinking that we're all whores as well as poor, wasteful, overeaters... It's amazing the conversations one can have about the U.S. with people who have never been there. You handled it beautifully. :-)
Hey Michele,
No joke, overall, I think I am just a little more disappointed that educated, cultured people can be small minded. It's just silly, really.
And frankly, I can't decide if I am annoyed that the stereotype is the wasteful, overeaters as opposed to the wasteful glamourous type. The former is just so..."tacky!"
Overall, I think while there are some regretful parts about being American...fanny packs and our current President, for instance...There are also some great parts about being American...the diversity that comes with there being 300 million of us and also the fact that whoever is the next president (cross all of our fingers) will have some amazing power to do great good.
So really, now that I think about it, maybe the better answer is not to point out the fallacy in the other people's views, but to be a better publicist myself.
In any case, sometimes it's a challenge! I'll bet you have these moments as well!
I've found my blood pressured has increased around certain people with odd views about America. In fact someone I knew once said they didn't enjoy Hawaii because..........wait for it..........there were too many Americans there. um yeah.
I figure the best I can do is to try and shatter the silly stereotypes. Ok well I better run because I've got work to do on my plan of opening a Golden Corral in Stavanger.
Seriously, that is so ridiculous, on toooo many levels.
Listen here, if you are opening an Golden Corral, sign me up, then let's open a store that only sells fanny packs, pants with elastic waistbands and hairspray.
I also spoke with Person I Know and had a very similar conversation. Person I Know is content with massive amounts of stereotypes. You will find this common in certain people. It's not the most educated viewpoint but you've already figured that one out. Love the thing about the coke bottles. Oh, and we SPLIT the coke between us... imagine that, two cokes in one bottle and at 1/4th the price! Gee willikers! :-)
Oh Erin--I know! I know! I know!
And really, no matter how many times I run in PIK or similar, I am always completely shocked.
It's not that I am so worldly, in any case...I make loads of mistakes based on common dodo-ness, but come on peoples....
This post cracked me up because it happens far too often! It's especially brilliant when the person - like your PIK - has never even been to the states. I have a cousin like that...hurr! Don't get me started!
Hope you're doing great :) I'm back in town and starting work on Tues so we'll have to get together in the not so distant future :)
Hey Cecilie!
I'm glad to hear from you and hope that all is well at the Miller House! Yes, let's visit soon!
:-)
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