I got this idea from Jackie. I felt that since she shared the many things she's noticed about Italy/Europe, I thought I would share about the country I live in. So here's my ten observations (I've made them into an easy-to-read, even-numbered, short list, just like Americans like.)
1. Americans eat larger portions for their meals than they should.
2. Americans typically do not eat a three-course meal. Of course this has been just my experience on the West Coast as well as in New England regions.
3. There are more opportunities for financial and economic success in America. This is a reflection of a capitalist society - everyone gets the chance to succeed/perform to his/her abilities.
4. A lot of American food/drink has corn in it. Try looking on the ingredients portion: for drinks - "high fructose corn syrup", for food "vegetable oil - contains corn and/or soybean..." (For more info on this, check out the documentary "King Corn")
5. Americans tend to complain (sometimes justifiably).
6. The US is the fattest country in the world... that means there are fat people here... unnaturally fat.
7. I've only found Root Beer in America.
8. I've only found In N' Out in America.
9. Hence, I've found that that combination only works in America.
10. Americans are unfortunately less-satisfied with life than most people in Cuba.
p.s. There are two words in Russian "жить" and "существовать" which mean "to live" and "to exist", respectively. Many opinions of immigrants, visitors, tourists, etc. (to which I would agree) state that the people in America "exist"; they do not "live".
7 comments:
6. The US is the fattest country in the world... that means there are fat people here... unnaturally fat.
-Un-naturally. I think that this is what Americans don't realize. It's un-natural to be like that. It's their own problem of eating ALL THE TIME. America does eat a lot. A lot more than Europeans. The un-healthy food doesn't help.
10. American's are unfortunately less-satisfied with life than most people in Cuba.
-What a sad country we are.
I noticed that the majority of your comments were about food. I think it's interesting because I noticed a lot of food differences too!
1. "Americans". Not "American's."
2. Jaclyn was right to notice that most of your observations are about food. There must be something psychological about this. Hungry childhood? Too much Michael Moore (and his movies)?
3. I don't think Americans do "just existing" instead of "living" more than any other country in the world. Did you really noticed more "living" people in other countries you have been to?
1. This isn't a blog focused on grammatical/punctuational perfection, but good point, since I do not have anything else to make up for my lack of entertainment (i.e. videos, pictures, etc.).
2. I wrote this post before I ever watched any Michael Moore movies. I assume you're referring to his film, "Sicko", which is the only Moore work I've ever seen. That movie spoke more about healthcare and sickness than it did about food. Actually I can't recall him talking about food at all in that film. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Also, think of the possible ways this society revolves around food, besides the obvious human necessity for it.
3. I mentioned in my introductory paragraph that these were "my observations", so yes I do believe my statement and I have noticed differences in the ways people live. I suppose it's all a matter of what one looks for in life. "What you look for, you will find" to quote Rob Bell. If satisfaction in life equals earning the most money, then you can find that here. If it equals developing quality relationships, one can also find that here. Just as one can find that in, say, Thailand.
Well hey at least we have the whole root beer thing going for us! :)
I do agree with the “living”/ “existing” observation! Through missions work and travels I have found this to be true as well! I wish more people could experience true living the way God intended! Not just for Americans, but for all of those who miss out on life’s beauty!
P.S.-
I think the whole food thing is a cover up for emptiness and unsatisfaction!.... but man I will admit I love me some chocolate cake ;)
Maybe the immigrants just have a different idea of what it means to "live" than we do. A lot of the immigrants I know are really into the whole American Dream, house/car/boat thing. But I enjoy living my life without the stress of all that. Just a thought.
They had root beer in the Philippines when I was there. No one there likes they stuff. They all say it tastes like toothpaste.
In my opinion, if you don't like root beer, then you're not capable of living. Just existing. ;)
Haha good call on the root beer, Chris!
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