Believe it or not, I don’t have much say in American foreign policy. Nor do I expect ever to have any real effect shaping the future of American culture and society. And, it may come as a shock to you, but on a Saturday night when I’m at a party that has absolutely nothing to do with the United States of America, the last thing I want to do is engage in an unsolicited, out of the blue conversation about how insular American society is. Just because I happen to have an American accent doesn’t mean I’m a star spangled punching bag seeking to be bored and alienated by a crank with too few social skills.
I’m just one of a few hundred million folks who happen to have been born in the USA. For the most part, I’m proud of that fact. Obviously, I have my own opinions about stuff happening over there, but I’m just one person with my own perspective. And last night my perspective actually was honed in on good food and drink and making friendly conversation rather than being cornered into a mouldy, stereotype-driven political lecture just for the sake of someone else’s pathetic catharsis.
I learned a long time ago that the best way to put a damper on a party is to start talking about politics. And a great way to make someone feel unwelcome is to single that person out based on something superficial that sets him or her apart from everyone else.
Congratulations to the old fart I got stuck sitting next to last night. Your +1 made a dash to the other end of the rather large room as soon as he heard your self admitted “tirade” commence against my country of origin. I left an otherwise fun event early just to get the hell away from you.
Old fart, I’ve lived abroad quite awhile. I love my life in London. I don’t work for the United States government. Your boring and uncouth actions eclipsed the reason I went out last night: to have fun, meet nice people, learn about somewhere I’d never been and try a new cuisine. Who’s the insular shit who got in the way of that?
Chill the fuck out when you meet strangers in convivial social settings. You and I were invited by the same set of people to last night’s party and, thus, possibly share similar views and interests. Also, if the way Americans behave is such a fucking obsession for you, next time you meet one it might be a good idea to listen to what that person has to say and to respond with meaningful questions rather than tear into that person with a lecture on what troubles you most about American society. Boring!
