i’m afraid of americans
the tourist season is in full swing, and to be honest, it always embarrasses me just a little. i know that, having an accent, i’m always somewhat notable once i open my mouth. but i’ve worked hard to fit in and make a life here – and while during the rest of the year i’m less likely to be mistaken for a tourist, when the weather starts to warm and the hoardes arrive, i cringe at the thought of being associated with so many of the crass americans flooding the capital city. during the rest of the year, i don’t feel self-conscious about who i am, or where i’m from, or how i sound. it’s when the stereotypically loud, fat, obnoxious, smug americans start clogging the pavements with their rubbernecking and gawking and incessant picture-taking, that i want nothing more than to be invisible.
that sounds horribly, incredibly snotty – as if i imagine myself somehow superior. i know i’m not. i don’t feel that way. and i know there are plenty of respectful, polite americans who holiday in europe.
but like any sore thumb, it’s the ones that i see standing out in the crowd that make me wish i was from a different country.
thank god for the horrible exchange rate this summer.
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(and just because i love this kick-ass version)
david bowie and nin – i’m afraid of americans
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Comment by Nicole
24.04.2007 @ 07:30 am
I know exactly what you mean. . .
For work we film funny videos for meetings we do. . . I wrote the one for the all hands this year. An American comes over and no one can understand her because she speaks American- so they teach her English. I had to play the American and I do it all wide eyed and excited.