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zaneth · Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2004 8:26 pm Post subject: American Culture Refresher Course

Looks like I'm actually going to have a chance to visit the states. I feel like pretty soon, I won't be qualified to teach American studies, having missed what seem to have been the biggest events of my generation while I've been overseas (WTO riots in Seattle, 9/11, etc.)

So what should I do with my measly one month? How best to acquaint myself with the changes? What to see? What to read? What to bring back with me?

How would YOU design an American Culture Refresher Course?

Seth · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 575 Location: in exile

Llllllllet's get ready to ruuuumbllllllllllllle!!! Rolling Eyes

zaneth · Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2004 9:04 pm Post subject:

What? Wrestling? It's an idea. I think I have a cousin who's into that. Or were you thinking more along the lines of "Thrills, Spills, and Monster Trucks" I can't place the reference exactly (see what I mean?).

Maybe I should go see a baseball game. I think I have a friend who might be able to explain the rules to me. Maybe I never was qualified to teach American studies...

Seth · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 575 Location: in exile

actually, it was a reference to the big slap fight that a topic like this will inevitably cause in this forum.

As for American culture, it varies from region to region. It depends on if you want to study regional culture or just pop culture.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Browse the music stores and book stores to see what's current.
Read as many newspapers as you can. Don't focus only on national news. Read the editorials and the "social" or "local" sections, too, just to see what is on everyone's minds. Read Time magazine and Newsweek, perhaps USA Today.
Pay attention to what people are saying (friends and family). Since the election is coming, how do they perceive the candidates?
See what TV programming is like. I hear "reality TV" is big now.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

How long exactly have you been away? You know JFK and JR were both shot don't ya? Neil Armstrong went to the moon. Janet Jackson had her b**b flapping around at the Super Bowl (I'm sure you know about that one though). President _______ (insert any name) was lying again to justify a war.

zaneth · Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 6:18 am Post subject:

Only two years since I was there, but I didn't have any time for research then. Missing the WTO thing was when I was in India on an earlier trip.

I'd like to be able to do a road trip. Solo hitchhiking perhaps. I used to come across some interesting perspectives that way. And I had a friend who said you could learn anything you wanted by listening to small town AM radio as you drive across country. Maybe I'll go easy on myself, just borrow a car and pick up hitchhikers instead of being one.

It'll be so nice to be there alone. Last time was a short visit to introduce my wife to the folks. No time to get much in the way of perspective.

Bindair Dundat · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123

JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

Regarding Bindair Dundat's suggestions for re-intergrating into American culture:
1)Apply for a job.
Be prepared to pee in bottle to land that all-important retail job at Kwiki-mart.
2)Apply for a loan.
Payday loan shops are everywhere. No problem. Just nevermind the usurious rates.
3)Try to get warranty service on your washing machine.
Ignore this advice. You will be doing your wash at the laundromat. Afford something as extravagant as a washing machine? Hmmmmph!

frijolita · Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 35 Location: Madrid

Picking up hitchhikers or being a hitchhiker. EEK! Shocked

At least around the Northeast where I am in the States that is not very common. Actually in the States you tend to associate that with murderers or crazy people. You are taught to NEVER pick up a hitchhiker. Read the local papers to catch up on stuff. The Presidential election is huge right now. The Laci Petereson trial, Regan's death, soaring gas prices....

zaneth · Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 3:40 pm Post subject:

Oh yeah, I was taught never to hitchhike, too. And parts of the Northeast are difficult, with so many cities and little short interstate sections and turnoffs and off-ramps and such stuff.

James_T_Kirk · Joined: 20 Sep 2003 Posts: 357 Location: Ten Forward

As Glenski mentioned above, read the USA Today. All you need to do is read this sorry excuse of a newspaper once and you will be totally caught up on what you have missed (which, by the way, is absolutely nothing important for the most part). The main section will fill you in on the Iraq situation, soaring gas prices, the Kobe Bryant case, the upcoming election, etc. However, I hope you don't care very much about international news, because you won't find very much in this paper! The money section will get you up to speed on the economy and the sports section will get you up to speed on all the American sports (I hope you don't care about F1 racing, Euro 2004, etc., because you will find virtually no coverage of these events in the sports section!). Finally, you will get to the most important section of all: LIFE! The life section will give you the news that most Americans truly care about, like the latest celebrity to get engaged/married/go into rehab, which reality television couples are breaking up, and stories about the latest Hollywood blockbuster. Once you've finished the life section, you will likely want to jump on the first plane leaving the United States. However, since you have a month, I like your idea of hitting the road and traveling cross country.

Have a good time,
Kirk

JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

Nevermind F1 or Euro 2004. The German always wins the F1, the Italian comes in second. The Greek team won Euro 2004.
Also, don't waste any money supporting the large breweries. The lager doesn't have much to recommend itself except that it is usually cold. Be sure to have plenty of little American flags and tie plenty of yellow ribbons around oak trees. Support the troops. Donate to tele-evangelists. Attend prayer vigils. Get really large speakers with throbbing woofers so as to share with other Americans your taste in music. Remember to be fearful because terrorists are plotting to blow up shopping malls. And remember to thank the Almighty for being able to be in the country that He has truly blessed (wherever that is.)

frijolita · Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 35 Location: Madrid

Whew! Great to hear you knew that. Very Happy

I think everyone has a point. American culture can be very self-centered at times. You don't find much about what is going on around the world nor do a lot of people really care to really know. Only the big stuff is important here because there is no time for the little stuff. Oh yeah time...what is that? Can't stop and smell the roses here in my area. It is go, go, go... Heaven forbid you are late to something. I heard this quote somewhere once I thought it described the American work ethic pretty well. "In the US we live to work where the rest of the world work so they can live." Not all Americans agree with this quote.

JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

I almost forgot. Remember that there is absolutely nothing that cannot be improved by breading and deep frying.