On Being American.
There are few who would call me patriotic. I am one of the first to criticize and grumble about our current government and President. I have never considered myself a proud American and laugh at the flags recently plastered on cars. But being an American abroad has brought out a different side of me.
As a child, it is ok to grumble about your sister or mother. As a husband it is ok to complain about your wife from time to time. It is ok to notice the faults in your friends.Parent's often are much harder on their own children. The commonality is an obvious love. A love based on comfort and connection. On history and understanding.
This has become my relationship with America. This area of the world is not uber-friendly towards Americans. Kiwi's love Canadians and they see little difference with the country whose queen they still print on their bills. Australia is like a big brother across the Tasman sea. But you mention you are American, and faces drop. Smiles turn to frowns and you can actually see the brains twitching and a joke forming across the brow and lips.
Fair enough. The majority of the world has good reason to see America as the ignorant bully that she often is. But I am becoming sensitive. It is ok for me to make fun of my people, but that is because they are my people. I love their quirks, their sometimes obnoxious loud laughter and good humored enthusiasm. Sure we have our share of rude tourists, but no more than kiwi's or germans or italians. I work in the most multicultural place I ever have. Each day I talk to people from every continent and race. The common denominator is that we are the same. We like to eat and laugh. We don't like to be ripped off. We get grumpy if it is raining but we drink more hot chocolate when it is. We love our families. We think Milford Sound is beautiful.
When people tell me I am not like most Americans, I am still not sure how to take it. But I know this; that I am proud of my family and friends at home. I am amazed by their capacity to love and think and learn about the world. That is the version of America that I know and love. Does this make me patriotic?
There are few who would call me patriotic. I am one of the first to criticize and grumble about our current government and President. I have never considered myself a proud American and laugh at the flags recently plastered on cars. But being an American abroad has brought out a different side of me.
As a child, it is ok to grumble about your sister or mother. As a husband it is ok to complain about your wife from time to time. It is ok to notice the faults in your friends.Parent's often are much harder on their own children. The commonality is an obvious love. A love based on comfort and connection. On history and understanding.
This has become my relationship with America. This area of the world is not uber-friendly towards Americans. Kiwi's love Canadians and they see little difference with the country whose queen they still print on their bills. Australia is like a big brother across the Tasman sea. But you mention you are American, and faces drop. Smiles turn to frowns and you can actually see the brains twitching and a joke forming across the brow and lips.
Fair enough. The majority of the world has good reason to see America as the ignorant bully that she often is. But I am becoming sensitive. It is ok for me to make fun of my people, but that is because they are my people. I love their quirks, their sometimes obnoxious loud laughter and good humored enthusiasm. Sure we have our share of rude tourists, but no more than kiwi's or germans or italians. I work in the most multicultural place I ever have. Each day I talk to people from every continent and race. The common denominator is that we are the same. We like to eat and laugh. We don't like to be ripped off. We get grumpy if it is raining but we drink more hot chocolate when it is. We love our families. We think Milford Sound is beautiful.
When people tell me I am not like most Americans, I am still not sure how to take it. But I know this; that I am proud of my family and friends at home. I am amazed by their capacity to love and think and learn about the world. That is the version of America that I know and love. Does this make me patriotic?
posted by Karen at 1:10 AM
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