Representative of the USA

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I re-read a few of my emails from when I lived in Paris in 2004 – just before Bush was re-elected. There were many emails surrounding the topic of Bush, since the French were so adamantly against him being in office, but this entry reminded me of a sort of duty that I, and other expats, have to represent America (if I may be so bold.). (Thank you, Charlie, for keeping them all safe.) I came across this particular entry:

I had a guy at a party Friday night ask me if it was true that Americans thought that we were the only country that existed.  I explained that for many people that is true, that Americans can be very egocentric, etc.  He said that he had a very bad taste in his mouth from Americans because they didn’t seem to know about anything, and that he heard this and that about us, and how can that be possible if we are such a dominant country in the world.

I tried to explain that many Americans have never been outside of the country, but we’re also not as fortunate to have many other countries surrounding us as in Europe.  We continued talking about the differences, and he was a little surprised at my knowledge of his culture and history.  He brought up the fact that Americans helped the French at the end of WWII, and that is a big reason he doesn’t understand our lack of compassion in the world at this point of time.

He asked me why I would want to come to France to study if I was already located in the most powerful country in the world.  I could only say that I didn’t really know, but there was something wonderful I felt when thinking about France and its people, and that’s why I was here to find out why I wanted to be here.

I was very humbled by the way he asked me questions and was really concerned about learning why he would hear such things about Americans.  It just made me think how important it is when going to another country to represent  your country well.  Had I been rude or loud and ignored what he had to say without listening, he would have continued to think that no wonder Americans have the reputation they have.

As the conversation was coming to an end, he looked at me and said…”You have saved a French man from thinking ill of your country.  I will now think differently about Americans.”  I felt at the time like I was in some amazing back to school special on different cultures mingling.

I ask myself this often. Do I have a duty to represent our country well, or is that too big of a task to put on myself? In the end, people are going to think what they think about me, and perhaps I can only be the best person I can be. That bodes the same for living life even if I were in the USA, doesn’t it?

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  • http://newdaynewlesson.wordpress.com/ Susie

    This is a really good topic. I have dual citizenship. I am an American living in Israel for almost 20 years.

    I find myself in Israel defending Americans (actually I find myself having to explain often how it is that I left AMERICA for Israel)

    I also find so many misconceptions about what people all over the world think about what is Israel is all about and what is going on here. It does not help that the news is often very one sided against Israel. (again another topic for another day-feel free to email me if you have any questions)

    So yes-I think we always have to live our life the best way so that we are a good reflection of our country.

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  • http://intensedebate.com/people/smittnbybritain smittnbybritain

    YES!!! is the answer.

  • http://brilliantbritain.blogspot.com/ Maureen

    This is an excellent idea for a post! I don't know if I would consider it my duty to represent my home country well, but I am always aware of how others perceive the USA and I try to present a balanced view when I'm asked for my view about life in America or about current events in the USA.

    Thinking about it, I guess I do feel a kind of responsibility for making sure foreigners don't believe everything they hear in the news about Amercans. It really bothers me that a lot of news reports here seem to be skewed to present an anti-American view so I think it's important for people to hear the other side to the story!

    And I feel ashamed when I am out and about and I see or hear an American being loud or rude and obnoxious. I find myself cringing because it's the sort of behavior that has almost become the stereotype of an American abroad. So, yes it would be good if Americans remember they are representative of the USA and their behavior will be noticed by the locals and possbily influence their opinion of all Americans.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/meglopes TheLadyWhoLunches

      Definitely re: news (although sometimes it can be refreshing to hear what really goes on because I always felt we were getting fed propaganda on Fox and other news stations in the USA. I never felt like I heard the whole story about Iraq, etc.). I just wish we could get the balance right in England and the US!

      Such a well written response. I've broached this topic with other English, and they feel that way when they go abroad and see how the English act overseas. Why do we feel we can be arrogant in other people's countries? Shouldn't we be humbled by the fact that we're in another culture, and therefore try to act according to that culture?

      • http://3bedroombungalow.blogspot.com Kat

        I get REALLY annoyed when I go on the Times or the Telegraph's websites and read all the nasty comments about Americans. It is really disgusting.

  • Satakieli

    I agree with kat, although I’m not American myself. I didn’t really truly understand how diverse America is until I lived there, now I feel like I understand why a lot of Americans don’t travel outside of the u.s. I mean, I lived in England for 21 years and have in no way seen the whole country, the uk is a mere fraction of the size of the us and has only a fraction of the diversity.

    That said, when abroad I think any person has the duty to properly represent their country, all of us are guilty of not doing that properly at some time… Brits in Greece is probably a good example of bad behaviour abroad.

    Sorry if this is all over the place, typing on my iPhone!

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/meglopes TheLadyWhoLunches

      Definitely not all over the place! I felt it was really coherent!
      Oh, and see my response above about the Brits in Greece thing! :)

  • http://3bedroombungalow.blogspot.com Kat

    I think you have hit on one of my biggest pet peeves. I don't know how many times I have heard something along the lines of "most Americans don't have a passport". While this is true, America is also 20 times bigger than any country in Europe except Russia. Americans can travel inside our own country without ever seeing anything twice. We can go skiing in Colorado, go to the Beach in Florida and everything else in between. We also didn't need a passport to go to Canada, Mexico or the Bahamas until recently.

    Yes, as Americans we should be good representatives of our country, but we also need to put what an American really is into context and not let the world judge us as individuals off of what they see on television.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/meglopes TheLadyWhoLunches

      I completely agree. It wasn't something I had thought about until I lived in Europe, but it is an excuse I use a lot now. I never thought I would find myself defending Americans either, but give us a break – New York is 3,000 miles away from LA!
      I've driven across America 5 times, and I still haven't even skimmed the surface of our beautiful country.

  • http://3bedroombungalow.blogspot.com Kat

    I think you have hit on one of my biggest pet peeves. I don't know how many times I have heard something along the lines of "most Americans don't have a passport". While this is true, America is also 20 times bigger than any country in Europe except Russia. Americans can travel inside our own country without ever seeing anything twice. We can go skiing in Colorado, go to the Beach in Florida and everything else in between. We also didn't need a passport to go to Canada, Mexico or the Bahamas until recently.

    Yes, as Americans we should be good representatives of our country, but we also need to put what an American really is into context and not let the world judge us as individuals off of what they see on television.