1. People know I'm not from Europe because I say "ummmmmm...."
Its isn't that they don't think before they speak, they just throw out a very loud and abrupt "AHHHHHH" |
| Alvin from summer camp |
2. Americans treat their children like they can break
I am sure it is because they can, but the amount of things we do not let children do because it is unsafe is amazing. Apparently even though children break, they also can be fixed. But regardless, my heart stops about 50 times a day.3. Americans have to be the worse drivers ever
This is not an observation based off of how civilized and great the driving over in Europe is. In fact, it is exactly the opposite. On the surface european drivers are CRAZY, especially if you compare their "lack" of driving skills with the much more reserved and controlled style of the americans. But facts don't lie. I have seen two accidents the entire time I have been overseas, and one of them was only a fender bender. A bad traffic accident will be on national news for days. There is no such thing as alternate routes, because they are not needed. I don't actually know how Americans ever get into traffic accidents. When I figure this out I will let everyone know.
4. Trains- We are missing out
We need more trains. Perhaps when oil fails us I will petition the president to ban air travel and invest in large networks of train travel throughout the states. It is amazing. The types of scenery that can be seen, the lack of pollution it puts out, and the people you get a chance to meet have made it my favorite way to go anywhere. It does take a little longer then driving, and a lot longer then air travel, but the journey is part of the fun, right?
5. We rule the coffee market
So far, the only thing I have missed that is specifically American is our coffee culture. The types of coffee, the variety, the flavors, the ice...America has turned coffee into a culture in the same way that the Irish have turned Guinness into a culture. It is part of who we are, and it is a part that I am proud of and hope to share with the world someday.
6. Our only culture is pop culture
I have found that each country has their own culture and traditions that have stood the test of time. Turkey has delight, Switzerland has Lederhosen, Australia has vegimite, and China has the fireworks. In thinking about what America has contributed to the world, aside from McDonalds, I started thinking about our culture. Due to the nature of our country, and the fact that we are such a melting pot, we do not have a long lasting traditional culture that people think of when they think of the USA. But we do have pop culture. Those of us from the states know that Hollywood is not America, and that there is much more to the country then "Call me maybe" but you would be hard pressed to convince rural french people of that.7. We work way to hard for no reason
Americans work an obscene amount of hours, and I can't quite figure out why. Admittedly we have more money to have more stuff (see number 9) but we are constantly exhausted and do life at such a fast pace it is hard to appreciate it. We also need to take more vacation time. I think a month being considered a short amount of time owed is a wonderful way of running a company.8. Gum/candy/soda/junk food/ect. If it is bad for you, we're probably best at it.
If it is not CocaCola, Fanta, or Sprite, you can only find it in America. American gum is the best gum you will ever have in the world to the point that people have asked us to send them back gum from the states when we get home. We probably don't have the best chocolate, but every other kind of candy that we make in the states is of a much higher quality then any you will find elsewhere (except maybe the UK and Ireland). I have been told that if it is not chocolate, it is hard-stale-tasting-taffy-like "lollies." Yummy.
9. We have so much stuff
Everyone has to invest in something, and Americans like to invest in stuff, and in houses to put all our stuff, and in cars and, and storage sheds, and property. There is a reason why "Hoarders" is an american TV show.
