Wayward Pilgrim: A Special Report

“America is like an unfaithful lover who promised us more than we got.” (Unknown)

Having just spent a week or so livin' it up in the United States of America, it seemed appropriate to talk a bit about the place. Of course this isn't going to be a 'dear diary' kinda post – that's not what this blog, ahem, 'online magazine', is all about – maybe think of this more as a report from a foreign correspondent....?

I didn't do anything overly exciting while in the US, I'll confess. Didn't see any famous sights; didn't do anything touristy; didn't do much of anything, really. Just lazed about, drank booze, and goofed around. Actually, come to think of it, I did a lot – insomuch as I spent my time doing what Americans do. I had what you might call a 'cultural experience'. And I think this improved my perspective of the US and maybe also how Americans perceive themselves (as well as the rest of the world). After all, it (almost) goes without saying that most people haven't ever been to the US; but this doesn't stop them from poo poo-ing it and the people who live there. So it seems kinda pompous and unfair to criticize when judging from a far-off ivory tower; basing everything on 2nd hand sources (like MTV and FOX News). This cuts both ways, though, since most Americans haven't travelled abroad themselves (and, for a lot of 'em, aren't interested in ever doing so) and most of them have no reservations when it comes to judging or mouthing off any far away land.

Patriotism is one of the first things any outlander is gonna notice about this place. There are US flags everywhere. But this isn't, really, so unique when you think about it. A lot of places, especially touristy type places, have a lot of national flags hanging around. After all, they're real common in New Zealand (for instance). As are other similar signs of national identity and pride. I guess the thing that makes them stand out in the US is that they're so much bigger. But that can't be problematic – everything is the US is bigger. Bigger stores, bigger products, bigger people. It's only fitting that the flags should be bigger too.

This 'bigger equals better' mentality seems to reflect the sense of entitlement that's common to a lot of Americans. And it sounds like a lot of people – hippies, specifically – pick out capitalism as the root problem for it. But I dunno if that's right. I dunno if the problem is so much with capitalism or, rather, consumerism (something else a lot of hippies often moan about). I think consumerism and capitalism need to be distinguished: you could, in theory, see the same consumerist problem in a socialist/communist/whatever state but for the fact that such states just aren't successful enough to have enough stuff for consumerism to take hold. Capitalism is just, historically, more 'successful'... but I digress... and this is largely guess work on my part… Alex probably knows better about this sort of stuff than I. In the end patriotism in the US is probably a bad thing... I guess. (I mean, if you read and bought into Alex's boo-hiss blog post on that sort of thing.) But it certainly ain't something you can single out the US for.

If you've seen any American focused movie – especially one focused on high school or college – you might have reckoned that their society is somewhat stratified by class. But, really, it goes beyond that. The class system is, it seems once you get on soil, so deeply entrenched that it's more of a caste system: movement from one group to another, and even fraternization between groups, is surprisingly uncommon. I can only speculate on why this is… so I will. The "American Values" seems to be pertinent here. For example, the self-interested pursuit of one's own financial wealth; this seems to segregated people according to the kind of means they have to pursue that end.

Another "American Value" is freedom. Freedom, freedom, freedom. But when you get down to it, it's the kind of freedom that's like "Sure, it's your God given freedom do to that, but it's my God given freedom to kick your ass if ya do it, punk." I mean, ya, they got the freedom to be different, express different views, and whatever, but they're largely inhibited by social constraints. It's easy to say that the gay or the emo kid has the right to walk around as she sees fit. But the threat of getting a beer bottle chucked at the back of your head while out and about is a huge deterrent. So is the threat of being sued. Something else Americans love to do… but that's a whole other story.

I could also ramble here about their love of guns. But that's been done to death already by others. And, really, it's understandable. Guns are fun. I hate to say it, but when you got one in your paws it's exciting. Even if you're crazy and don't get all warm and fuzzy inside by holding a nice and shiny firearm, the US is a militaristic society. And that's another thing they think is valuable; whether or not that's a good thing is a different question. Nevertheless I certainly reckon it's tied to why the average American is a fan of the firearm.

In the end, then, I reckon Americans just don't see what the hubbub is all about – 'if you don't like it, piss off' might be the way to describe their take of how they're perceived. Maybe this is a remnant of the pre-Pearl Harbour isolationist USA. Or maybe it's something else I just can't figure out. And don't me wrong. I ain't “Anti-American” or whatever. This post shouldn't be taken that way. I know lots of Americans. And I'm friends with plenty of 'em. I've kinda rambled here, but I'll say that's okay; it's an American kinda thing to do I guess. If you don't like it, sue me. Or, better yet, fuck off. (Which, I guess, kinda an American thing to say.) I could say more, but I think that’s enough for now. I fear that wasn't as clear as it needed to be. It's just my spur-of-the-moment thoughts on the subject. I could be wrong. After all, what do I know.