Team America: World Police
Being an American living in a European country has its up’s and down’s. Its pros and cons. Con #1 may have to be edited to say: there’s no Taco Bell. But seriously, my Norwegian adventure has forced me to come across this topic many times, and I received a question today that sparked a desire to blog about it. I recommended reading it if you are in now, or have been in a similar situation. Disclaimer should say it’s not really about the movie Team America: World Police. Even though that would have been more entertaining.
I got a question on formspring today that asked if I wish I were Canadian. Since it’s an anonymous question, I assumed that it was aimed towards the fact that I’m an American living in Europe, and maybe I get a lot of crap. My brother asked me the exact same thing when I first moved here.
The answer is, no, I do not wish I were from Canada, or any other country for that matter. I’m very proud to be an American (to be honest, probably a little bit prouder now that Barack Obama is president), and I really do love my home country, which I will get to visit in just 3 short weeks. However, that doesn’t mean that I haven’t encountered any negative connotations that come with my citizenship. It also doesn’t mean that I haven’t encountered any flattering curiosity and interest, either. I decided to compare and explore the two.
Con #1: People ALWAYS want to talk to me about politics. I’ve found that I used to love engaging political debates when I lived back home, particularly when I disagreed with what was going on ;) Now, though, it’s a different story. People look to me to know all the answers and what’s going on… I don’t! I don’t work for the President and seriously I need to read more news because usually people know what’s going on in America before me.
Pro #1: I think it’s awesome when people ask me little questions about America, especially from things they see in sitcoms and in pop culture. My friend recently asked me if every American always had canned/bottled soda and water in their fridge because of Friends. I thought this was particularly cool because I had ALWAYS been peeved by that, and it’s funny to see other people noticing such little details and wanting to know more about American life.
Con #2: When President Obama was given the Nobel Peace Prize. Good. Lord. People were constantly complaining to me that he didn’t deserve it. I thought he’d only faced this kind of criticisms in the States, I didn’t think it would come from the country that nominated him! Again, my argument is that I’m not on the board that decides who gets Peace Prize nominations. Sorry!
Pro #2: People LOVE America (mostly). They love the food, the movies, the TV, the traditions, the holidays, the accents, the culture in general (well, pop culture)
Con #3: People will HATE America, too. The politicians, the laws, the attitudes, the rednecks, the dominance. However, in my belief (although I could be biased) they tend to hate or focus on extreme stereotypes… And really, everyone hates those.
Pro #3 (edited because I saw I had one more Con than Pro, and I need to be more optimistic): We have Taco Bell. Check and mate, Norway. Also, seriously, where the f#%& is Starbucks?! Hate to tell you this, but kaffebrenneriet sucks! :P
I must say that living in Europe has given me an entirely new perspective on America and my patriotism. Ironically, I became more patriotic upon moving to Norway than I ever was living in America. I’m not saying I walk around wearing red, white and blue and carrying a flag, but when people ask me my opinion of my home country, I don’t hesitate to say “I love it!”. I think, also, since I am so homesick most of the time, I’m too sensitive to criticisms and even small jokes about the States and Americans; but I’m working on it ;)
I should also mention that I’m incredibly proud of living in Norway and I love this country and the people. Of course, I have my peeves (the biggest one, UDI, will have to come in an angrier, later post) but as a whole this country and it’s people have been incredible to me, and I’m so happy to be here now.
So what do I love about America? What do I hate? I love the food, the variety, the costs of things, the diversity, the size, the culture, the history, the President, and most of all, the fact that my whole family and my own history is there. Alexander and I plan on living in the States in the future because I miss it and he’s never had a chance to fully experience it.
I hate the stereotypes. This can sum up the racism, the small minds, the “uppity” attitudes, and the caveman politics (really, gay marriage is STILL illegal, and people STILL want to outlaw abortion? Really?!?! Ok, off my soapbox).
I miss my family (duh) I miss Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, Red Robin, Olive Garden, Dairy Queen, KFC (I swear I’m not fat yet) affording to go to the movies, driving my car (!!!!) and lots of other insignificant things I come across randomly. But when I leave Norway I’m sure I’ll have a list just as long (which, shortly after family and friends will come Kvikk Lunsj)
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