by Madeleine KandoEuropeans like to make fun of Americans, calling them naïve, crude, unsophisticated. They don't have the finesse, the cultural history or the sense of style that Europeans pride themselves on. I know, I was (and maybe still am a little bit) one of those snobs.
True, there are times when the taste for vulgarity of a Jerry Springer show or the glitz and glamour of the current political conventions with the confetti, the blaring music, the thousands of cheering, flag waving fans turns me off. A little less Americana would be fine by me.
But here I am, looking at a picture of President Obama being hugged and then lifted up in the air like an oversized baby by a Florida pizza shop owner the size of a tank. Obama! The President of the United States, the most powerful man in the world, allows himself to be manhandled like the guy next door. Can you imagine the French President allowing this kind of physical embarrassment? Can you see the Prime-Minister of Holland suffer this kind of familiarity and lack of dignity?
That is the American way, and I love it. It more than makes up for all the vulgarity, the so-called crudeness of this country. It is a symbol of what Americans are all about, you, me, the President, we are all equal. We all deserve the same chances, the same treatment, the same respect or lack thereof.
In an article in the Dutch newspaper 'De Volkskrant' entitled: 'If only Europe had politicians that dared to dream like Obama', the author describes the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, calling it a well-rehearsed 'fashion show' (which it is). But behind the glitz and the staged performances, there is the shameless pride of being American, the idea that you can improve your future by hard work and ambition. That is what Obama's speech was all about. That too, Europeans find 'cliché', not genuine. It is not sophisticated enough, to be proud of your country, to feel that you can influence the future by your actions, by your vote, by what you dream...
She is right, Europeans could use a bit more of the American 'naivete', the American sense of hope, even in a time of adversity. European cynicism might be a safer way of looking at the world: the less you expect of the future, the less disappointment you will feel. Americans haven't reached that stage yet, thank God. They still hope, they still trust in their future and their leaders. They still have big hearts, and are not afraid of showing affection.
The pizza shop owner said that he was "just overcome with excitement" — which led to the hug. Who knows, if Europeans would hug each other more, maybe their politics would improve as well. leave comment here
6 comments:
I remember visiting Paul's friends in Holland many years ago. They had a wonderful canal house with a library that had a moving ladder.
I love Europe and I love Europeans. I lived in Spain for a year during the Franco era and have travelled extensively all over Europe.
I digress, sort of. On the occasion of visiting Paul's friends, one of them seemed to enjoy challenging me on factual information. I think we were talking about WWII. It became obvious to me that Paul's friend was far more interested in demonstrating his superior knowledge as opposed to relating. So, I asked him a question. I think it was what was Hitler's birthday. He didn't know off the top of his head. But, he had a book somewhere in his library and he began feverishly moving the ladder back and forth across the floor, not willing to just concede that he didn't know the date, as if it really mattered.
I think this illustrates to some degree the difference between the American and European paradigm which to some degree is the need to demonstrate intellectual superiority even when there's no challege to it. Having grown up in the sixties in San Francisco many of us were far more interested in ontology (the science of being) above conceptualization of life which robs one of one's direct experience of being alive.
Madeline, let this be a first. I agree with most of what you said! I disagree with the Dutch comment - Dreams of Obama will take away the very essence that you salute. The President has had fewer press contacts of any of his predecessors (W. Bush was not much better). He is distant from both democrats and republicans in congress. But as for the rest of it - I agree.
Mindalaya: Interesting anecdote. Maybe knowledge can be gotten in a safer way than with a moving ladder... Europeans have an advantage when it comes to knowing facts about WW2. Ask them what Lincoln's birthday is and they'll probably draw a blank.
Jonathan: I think the author of the article referred to Obama's general 'optimism' towards the future, not any specific 'dream'.
This is a well though article - even the responses are great - thanks
Thanks for your response, Madeline. Unfortunately the guy with the need to be right was from Australia--his lovely wife, Dutch.
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