Imported

 If I learned anything in Anthro 101 it would be that during field experience people are going to treat you like an attraction until your peculiarity wears off. Well, I also learned that Barbies are modeled after an erotic doll, but right now that's not important.

The routine seems to go like this: You come into another culture and by your very definition you are foreign and out of place. I felt just like a piece of furniture that was ruining the feng shui of a room. Only instead of being a misplaced lamp, I was a misplaced lamp that would bump into everything and not being able to explain itself. Soon your language skills start warming up and people tell you all the great things they think about you and your country. Great school system, so many choices, people are so proud to be Americans, and by the way, there's a McDonald's in the next town if you need it. After comes a period of getting to know one another, and then, just like any good relationship the rose-colored glasses come off and the dukes come up.

Before I had come to Germany, there was a very large school shooting in which a student took the lives of nine children, three teachers, three civilians, and finally himself. Within my first month here, there was a trial for his father who did not have his weapons--which in Germany are very expensive and strictly regulated--stored properly. One morning, reading the paper I noticed that a quote in the article said something along the lines of, 'These sorts of tragedies are supposed to happen in the United States, not Germany' and that these ideas 'have been imported from the states.' I had never been so ashamed of where I came from.

I know these are blanket allegations and stereotypes. Intelligent people dismiss them anyways, but still. The stereotype that all Americans are "fat and lazy" (fette und faule Menschen)-direct quote from my host brother- I can live with. They live with the stereotype that they all drink constantly and have garden gnomes. Julian is able to correct the kids in his class when they say things like that, but talking to him at dinner last week he asked me if it's true that we sell guns in our supermarkets. (In which case, Wal-Mart does, but I am well beyond being surprised by that store anymore.) 
So to all you exchange students, travelers, or anyone interacting with another culture, let's improve our image a bit, okay? Americans are proud of their culture, or so I've been told, so make something to be proud about. Because, honestly, with stuff like this floating around, we have some work to do.

PS Don't forget about Earth Hour! Today, take one hour and unplug. No computer, lights, television, or electricity use. So just go flip the breaker off and take a walk or play a board game with the rest of the world as we save some energy. (Says the girl typing on her lap top. I know, I know. I'm going right now..)
Bis bald.