I think the controversy of my last blog, entitled American myths dispelled, has lost me some of my most avid readers!! I got so many complaints! It seems that people LIKE stereotypes and get upset when they are demolished, even if it is by robust evidence (what more do you need than me actually sitting in America and commenting on it??!). Anyway, at the risk of losing my integrity, I will now conceed some American stereotypes that are perhaps true...
- On the whole, Americans are more obese than Brits. According to my Canadian-born Epidemiology friend who practially beheaded me after I stated with clearly too much confidence that this was not the case. My research was based on "eyeballing the local population", which I conceed is not the most robust form of research, but one that I am very fond of.
- Americans L O V E sugar like nothing else. Proof? It is in EVERYTHING. I have just had my first American hot chocolate and, I'll tell you something for free, I didnt think it was possible to get so much sugar into liquid form. Flip. I confess I like it, though. I am definitely awake and wired and ready for anything (thank you, once again, Dunkin Donuts)!
- America is big (it is true).
- In the South, Americans drive BIG TRUCKS. But I havent seen any, so really I am not saying this with much conviction. I am just trying to keep you all happy.
- Americans celebrate Thanksgiving! This I can verify. I was there and I ate an American born turkey with all the trimmings. It was lovely - I went up to the wilds of New York state near Lake Ontario and watched Thanksgiving TV and visited an American cowboy shop... here is a photo to prove it..
 |
| Yes, these are crocodile skin cowboy boots! Sadly, in my current student state, I couldnt afford the $280 to buy some. My biggest regret so far. |
- Christmas in the US of A is a big fat deal! Particularly in their exterior house decorations! Wowzers. Here's an example:
The one on the right is pretty standard - quite conservative really! There are a lot of huge inflatable garden ornaments as well - also at Halloween! Inflatable snowmen and even an inflatable nativity scene were observed (by me) but I sadly do not have any photographic evidence!!
- I had an initially light-hearted discussion with some friends about guns. I laughingly said to them, "I was told you could buy guns in Walmart here! Haha! Imagine!". They answered cooly, "Well, hold your horses there, young lady. You can. Walmart has a hunting section." Ok, fine. Then I said, laughingly, "Would you believe it, when I first came here, I was careful not to walk on people's property on my way into lectures in case I got shot for trespassing! Haha!" They answered in their blunt American way, "Well in some parts of America, they would fire their gun to scare you off their land." OK. So Americans and guns is not a myth. Here's a picture to prove it:
 |
| Guns in Walmart!! |
- Policemen here do eat donuts. Proof? Here you go:
 |
| My local officer |
That's it for now! I will obviously be keeping my eyes peeled for any other fantastic stereotypes realised! And will obviously pass it on to you asap for your enjoyment!
To finish with, here's a quick update on me....
I had a lovely time at home for Christmas, but the jet lag was rubbish! I am just about over it after returning to the US on 4th January. So I am just easing back in gently... eating donuts and drinking a lot of coffee while I slowly get my head round my assignments and reading for this upcoming busy semester!!
Hope to be in touch soon once the adventures re-commence! :o)
No comments:
Post a Comment