I hadn’t traveled outside the country much growing up, and certainly not by myself, so being at Oxford this year is the first time I’ve really encountered American stereotypes being directed at me. It’s definitely been an amusing experience, although at times it’s been exhausting (there’s only so many times you can explain to people that not all Americans identify with Jersey Shore or love McDonalds). That being said, here are three of the most interesting responses I’ve gotten when people discovered that I’m American:
1.‘Merica Enthusiasm
Definitely the most innocuous of all the reactions, ‘merica enthusiasm normally entails a conversation about the existence of red solo cups (yes, they’re real and we use them), kegs, and fraternities. And also may involve cringe-worthy attempts by the foreign party to use American lingo. Be prepared for a lot of misplaced “bro’s”.
Information sources: The American Pie movies
2. Hardball with Chris Matthews
Normally this response is triggered by some off-hand comment about the political situation back home. Before you know what’s happened the conversation takes a dramatic turn into a full on political debate on issues that you never took much interest in while in the states. Suddenly you are the stand-in for President Obama and you are forced to justify American perspectives on everything from the illegal use of drones to the popularity of the Kardashians.
Information sources: Fox News
**Warning may induce unheard of feelings of patriotic fervor of the ‘Merica variety
3. Unhidden Disdain
This reaction normally accompanies behavior deemed particularly American (aka being loud in public places, being overly friendly/intimate with strangers, or generally being unaware or disrespectful of proper etiquette in foreign countries) and involves sharp looks, eye rolling, and comments about how “trashy” Americans are. It’s worth noting that this response is sometimes deserved when Americans perform particularly obnoxious violations of local social codes and rules of conduct, but it is also at times equally underserved and based on nasty stereotypes of Americans as stupid and uncultured.
Information sources: Keeping up with the Kardashians, the Real Housewives of New Jersey, Fox News