Americans are generally very straightforward, open-minded, friendly and interested, which is what I really like about them. But OMG they can really ask questions where I’m just thinking: “Where have you been your whole life?” A lot of them haven’t even been out of the borders of the country, so actually it doesn’t surprise me. Of course they can travel around USA their whole life and still not see it all, and USA is also different from state to state, so they still see change – but it’s still the same country, the same government, the same people. And that is all they know. A lot of them live in their own little bubble, and don’t know what’s going on outside their country – and it’s a shame. Even though USA is a big country, the still only get to see a fraction of what the world is like. I don’t want to generalize, but after being asked questions like the ones below, I can’t help thinking like this – Jamie Oliver has tried to change the Americans’ eating habits; I would instead kick them in the butt and send them out, no matter where, just out. Travel, explore, taste and meet new people.
Examples from conversations with Americans – from me and others:
American:”So did you speak English before you came here?”
Isn’t English an International language? ;-) I could understand his question if I had been from Zimbabwe or somewhere like that, but Denmark, come one.
American 1: “So do you speak English as a native language in Norway?”
American 2: “No they speak Russian”
Eh, no. I just wonder who told him that?
Drunk American:“Do you know what poor means?”
Me: “Yes”
Drunk American:“It’s like when people don’t have any money and…”
Me: “I know what it means!”
Okay, she was young and very drunk, but this was definitely not the only of her sentences I couldn’t help laughing about. She also began explaining the word “passion” even though I told her at least 5 times I knew what I meant.
American: ”So do you speak any languages besides English and Dutch?”
Danish, not Dutch… Tiiiiny difference.
American: “Is Denmark a city here?”
I have no words…
American: “You have the cutest accent, where are you from?”
Oscar: “Sweden”
American: “Is it nearby?”
Oskar: (sighs) “… yeah it’s just down the street”
Besides that some people think Denmark or Norway is the capital of Sweden, that it always snows in Denmark (no, we are not a part of Antarctica), and that we have polar bears around… But you can't really do anything else than laugh about it - but absolutely not when in the moment they ask, cause they won't understand why you laugh.
Besides that I've had a really good weekend. Friday we shortly went to the beach plus enjoying a frappuccino at starbucks. I later found out that Mel Gibson had been in the same starbuks this friday - unfortunately not when I was there :-) Saturday my hostmom had her birthday party, so the house was full of appetizers and people. Sundag's weather was againg exceptional. Christina and I went to the gym to work out and tan by the pool. We had lunch and the pier whereafter I met Rebecca and Erik to get youghurtland companied by the beach and the sunset. Besides that i watched Denmark play the final in the European Championships this morning (handball) - and denmark WON! I am so proud to be a Dane :-)
Hey. Just talked to your mom (know her through a business meeting) and she told me about your blog. We spoke about the value of traveling with children/young people and getting to know the world outside your own boundaries.
ReplyDeleteYou are SO right in your observations. On the other hand - how much did you REALLY know about the US before moving there?
I lived in the UK for a couple of years. Amazing that only 2 out of 5 young people could place Denmark on the map - for Christ sake - we raped and pillaged them a while back! Know your history and geography.
Enjoy your stay. LA is such a cool place! If you get the chance - do visit San Fransisco!
All best
Jens
In general Americans don't know a lot about Europe. They see themselves as the greatest country ever :) All's about the government propaganda. I know well what stereotype means - I lived for a while in Holland and everyone there was convinced, I have to be a Swede, cause I'm blond. Very strange.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the answers both of you! Nice to know that someone feel the same. I did know a great deal about the US before, but of course I have learned a lot more coming here myself. But I think it's a matter of education - in History classes in DK we learn a lot about America, about all of the world actually, and i'm not so sure they do here. And the same with geography. So how are they supposed to know?
ReplyDeleteJens: I visited San Francisco this December, it was great! I wrote a blog about that too.
CavAllano: Yes, the blond thing is very common - here they just at least expect you to be Scandinavian if you are blond. Since I have dark hair and dark eyes they never expect me to be Scandinavian ;-)