US Culture – Fat, Fake & Full of themselves? (Photos of Westhaven, Connecticut)

American Stereotypes

Even though Americans may not know it, they cop a lot of criticism from around the world (mostly Europe I would say). I guess American’s would see it as jealousy or envy or a lot of other bullshit that mostly makes up defensive arguments. I do feel that it has a lot to do with misinterpreting behaviour, and making a shit load of assumptions about a people who have no consistent identity. There is this idea that Americans are big (not necessarily), fake (sort of I guess) and full of themselves (a little harder to explain). What is definitely true is that there are a shit load of American flags everywhere – something you’ll never see in Australia or England unless people are using it as a signal for us ethnics to get the fuck out their country. (These photos are of Westhaven, Connecticut – Freaken beautiful area by the way).

So we begin with fat. Yes, there are a LOT of big people in the US -  but not every second person you meet is a heffer. Deep friend food is definitely something that is part of the food culture in the US (I am not dissing it, I love fried food). I distinctly remember seeing two giant women, and their giant son, chowing down on the biggest lobster I have ever seen in my life. They were even wearing bibs as they ate, clearly preparing to splash food everywhere. If you don’t care how you look, and if you’re enjoying life, then fuck it – eat as much as you want. I have no beef with that. But seriously, when you’ve gotten to the point where you’re enhaling your food, perhaps fast food isn’t the best way to go.

In terms of being fake, I met a man from Switzerland who compared the US culture to their houses. On the outside, it’s all beautiful, but made to cover everything wrong with the inside. It’s a culture of constant smiling, and in France it would definitely be seen as insincere to constantly smile at people – but I do feel that it has to do with reassuring the person you’re talking to. Australians tend to smile a lot as well, and then they think French people are snobby and rude for not smiling. There is also this need to say “lets hang out some time” but nothing ever comes of it (which is something commonly said by Europeans who I’ve met who talk about the US).

I guess the last bit, “full of themselves”, is part of the positive culture of upbringing where their voices and opinions are constantly heard and acknowledged. I think children have a lot more independence in terms of what they can and cannot do, so they don’t mind talking to an adult as if they were on equal terms. I found this incredibly rude, I disliked the idea that children could address an adult directly, and cut in or even take part in an adult conversation. I also think students talk down to their teachers, rather than talk up to them. I will never get used to that, and perhaps it continues to adult hood. I lived with an American who complained that Asian Cultures focused too much on respecting elders.  Perhaps thats it …

I think a lot of the prejudice towards Americans comes from interpretation rather than actual reality of experience. Americans would say French are extremely rude, but I find them extremely polite. I don’t think I would get used to kids treating me like I was on the same level as they were, I am the teacher damn it. I want to say they’re all fat and full of shit, but they’re more similar to Australians than you would think. Though swearing seems to be an extreme faut pas, and smoking as well .. so wierd.