Comments on: Does American culture have an elevator speech?

By: Sheila

Sheila — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:39:37 +0000

Thanks Caitlin – well, no accounting for taste….

Thanks Dee – I’m so glad you liked it and that it spoke to your own experiences!

By: Dee Andrews

Dee Andrews — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 23:46:51 +0000

An amazing article! Really insightful and perhaps hitting a spot with me because I am a recent expat and now going through “re-entry.”

I agree completely that one must get away for awhile before some of this resonates. I hope that is one of the things my children learn from traveling and living abroad, not only understanding and accepting other cultures but their own.

On a lighter note, one of the things we missed the most was “American” food: yes, hamburgers, but mostly Chinese, Thai, sushi, Italian, Mexican… It was funny for us to realize how we defined American food by access to food from around the world.

By: Caitlin

Caitlin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:17:21 +0000

I think you picked good things to represent the US. I can’t believe they thought it was “too heavy”. It’s not like you just had pictures of the Columbine shootings or anything.

By: Sheila

Sheila — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:00:23 +0000

Thanks, Pam, I’m always particularly happy when you like a post!

Thanks Sherry – you’re right – I do like choices, but once I make one (like, oh, favorite laundry detergent) I do wish I didn’t have to wade through 38 brands of soap on four shelves to find the one I prefer. Then again, I wouldn’t want to decrease the options available, in case someone else hasn’t already found their perfect detergent.

By: Sherry Ott

Sherry Ott — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:16:42 +0000

Great piece and analysis of the American culture. I totally agree with you that in order to really appreciate it and understand what makes us unique is to spend time outside of it…not just in Europe…but really out side of it…in really different cultures. I just arrived back in America after being gone again for 1 1/2 years in Asia and I’ve been bombarded with the re-entry culture shock once again.
I agree with all of the areas that you highlighted and would add one more to weave into those thoughts…America is about choices. Go to any super market and you’ll understand what I mean. We have more choice and exercise that choice more than any other country I’ve been to. Sometimes it’s completely overwhelming, but we love our right to choose!