Two weeks ago I boarded a flight from Dulles International Airport in D.C. and headed to Heathrow International Airport in London. I was slightly scared, super excited, and extremely eager to land. My first flight over the Atlantic ocean was pleasant— British Airways provided two meals and a plethora of jovial flight attendants asking "coffee or tea, miss?" Before I knew it we touched down, and my tour of Europe began.
England is much like an antiquated, socially conscious United States. History floods every street— "King Henry VIII slept in this castle, Queen Elizabeth dines here regularly!" The people were extremely polite (an English woman bought my mother and I a cab at some point, but that's a story for another time). I was amazed at the cleanliness of every street and the cordiality of every person I encountered. After spending a summer in New York City, I'd (sadly) become used to littered streets and pushy salesmen. I turned to my mother and said, "You know, it's as if they care about how their city looks." Londoners take immense pride in their city, therefore they take care of it. The city government creates tons of jobs in city upkeep and tourism; men in neon vests picking up litter and local tour guides who are certified in the city's history come to mind. Also, the English (though very prim and proper) have a relaxed, egalitarian respect for one another. Some may say chivalry is dead, but I witnessed a young, 20-something Englishman stop mid-commute to help an elderly woman carry her things. I heard people apologize for bumping into someone else, and complete strangers started friendly conversations with me. It was like a new world; many Americans have forgotten the meaning of respect, I'm afraid.
Paris, France was slightly different in the area of politeness, but the Parisian lifestyle is definitely a more relaxed, economically and environmentally conscious one. Parisians don't use air conditioning, nor do they attempt to drive many places. They believe in conserving energy and resources. (Side note: London was very conscious of this as well, the city government posting tons of PSAs about pollution and conservation throughout the city). Parisians walk, ride their bicycle or take public transport EVERYWHERE. Not that people in America don't use public transport (the NYC MTA, for example, is famous for its many subway trains and bus services) but Parisians hardly drive. In fact, most Europeans have this attitude. Upon telling a local that most fifteen year olds in America are awarded their own car, they were mortified. "Your children have their own car?" Yes. "So, your family has more than ONE car?" Yes. "..." I never realized how excessive American life seemed to other cultures until that conversation. Sure, I knew America was the land of over-abundance, but I never realized that WE are the weird ones, in the grand scheme of things.
From Paris I took a train to Barcelona, which was one of the loveliest cities I've ever visited. The stand out feature of Barcelona was the average citizens diet. In La Boquaria, the HUGE open-air market in the center of La Rambla (Barcelona's most famous street), fresh fruit, vegetables, and locally farmed beef and poultry products were abundant. In fact, it was all the market sold. Only one booth in the entire marketplace (which spans about a city block) was serving candy. The other booths were dedicated to fruits, veggies, and meat products. Smoothie stands were all around the market, each advertising fruity concoctions with only three or four ingredients in them. I also realized upon visiting a local gas station that Barcelona's convenience stores don't stock sweets and candies. Potato chips, bottled water and small essential items were on the shelves, but only a few candy selections laid on a single shelf. In American convenience stores, as we all know, there are candies, cakes, slushies and soda on-the-go at any hour, day or night. Do you see what I'm getting at here?
My trip to Europe ended in Rome, in which I met some extremely humble, kind people. In fact, some of the rudest people I encountered in ANY European city were American tourists. American tourists enter foreign countries and expect everyone to speak English, and cater to American standards. This is an extreme double standard, considering the fact that Americans expect all foreigners entering "their" country to speak the language, understand the customs, etc. I legitimately witnessed a group of American tourists laugh at an Italian speaker (in ITALY) when their English wasn't very good. I was appalled. I also saw many Americans turn up their noses to local foods that were offered to them and waste the majority of their evening meals. American teenagers were bringing food from other restaurants into these local dives, after refusing to eat what they had initially been served. The servers and cooks at these European restaurants did not appreciate their behavior, and their impression of American tourists was definitely not a pleasant one.
I could go on and on with examples of the contrast between the USA and these European nations, but I think you get the picture. America is viewed overseas as the land of the spoiled and home of the apathetic. Most Europeans can speak two (or more) languages fluently. Most Americans only speak one. Most Europeans drive smaller cars, live in modest houses, and waste less food than the average American. America has become one of the most dangerously obese nations in the entire world. American children have fallen behind and the American workers are being out-matched in the global economy. This breaks my heart, because I love my country. I grew up believing that America is the greatest country on earth, and in recent years I have watched it morph and change into something else. I don't know if it's my age, coming into adulthood and all, but Americans (particularly young ones) seem so apathetic these days. After visiting four different European countries in a two week period, I understood how America gained its poor reputation overseas. We are the land of over-indulgence, and we have forgotten the meaning of respect as a society. We place little value on education (especially our public and higher education institutions) and we suffer for that. We waste resources (almost unconsciously), burn too many fossil fuels, and justify it all in the name of Lady Liberty.
America, I love you, and I would not want to live anywhere else... But maybe it's time to look outside your own four walls, and step your game up.
