Who would have thought that being American is something that you would be reminded about or really even have to think about on a daily basis. We sure did not think much about while we lived in the US. Here we think about it every single day, without even trying.
This weekend we were at McDonalds and there was a group of kids behind us. I heard one of them repeat twice, "I am American". I know that he was just joking with his friends, but I turned around and said with a smile, "Well, I am American. Please be thoughtful when you say things, as you never know who might be listening!" Complete and embarrassed silence followed at least for a few seconds!
The reminder is constant when we open our mouths and our accents scream that we are different. I often get comments about my accent when I am out shopping. If the accent does not do it then my debit card will since my card is not on the chip and pin system and it needs to be swiped everywhere I go. I have always been treated very kindly and I am very grateful for it. My boys find it a little more difficult, particularly my 13 year old. I am not sure if it is because he is more self conscious about it or if he just has some really thoughtless classmates in his year. I think that it is a little of both.
First, my 13 year old is really shy. After all these years of himself the center of attention. He HATES it.
When we first got here, we as a family would make "stuuuu-pid American jokes". That was fine because, well it was us making fun of ourselves. Somehow, one of my 13 year old's classmates started making the same comments to him. I told him to laugh it off. Really, we know that family and I do think that he was joking. I told him to call him a "stick up Brit" back. After time, it went away, but now my 13 year is feeling a bit self conscious. He feels that every time something bad about America comes up, that the same kid is giving him a dirty look. I told my son not to worry about it. It may be a case that he is just being too sensitive about the whole issue and I pointed out to him it is not like England has a rosy history!
My 13 year old is also bothered by the girls, many of them want to talk "American". One of the girls even asks him everyday "Is my American accent any better yet?". She does not seem to realize how rude it has become! When my son says anything that she does not agree with she says "-- is being horrible again", in a really loud voice. We have decided that she maybe lacking in proper manners.
My oldest son has been having a discussion in his Latin/French class. The kids said that all Americans are fat and lazy. I think that part of it has to be just to get a rise out of my son. But, I did point out to my son that at my husband's workplace, his co-workers do not work a 40+ hour week like their father. They work about 36 hours and leave early Friday afternoon! As for the fat part, well, what can I say. Even though my family is the anthesis of fat, it is a well known fact that the American waist-line is ever expanding. Our media screams it all the time. The UK media just released a study that said that by 2030 half of their own population will be obese and they are talking about instituting taxes on sugary drinks and snacks.
My youngest middle son has been having problems lately with a group of older boys, apparently year 6's. When they see him, they have taken to take the mick out of him for his accent. They say in a Texan accent "I live in American". We were having a bit if a giggle at their mispronunciation of how it should be "I live in America and I am American". I know that at least two of his friends have been helping him. One of his friends has been talking to him about things to do and another one of his friends had quite a row with them about it! From the sounds of it I may have to talk to the school about it. Although, when his older brothers found out who was doing it, from the discussion that ensured they would be willing to lend the older brother "help", um, yeah, I better just talk to the school...
This weekend we were at McDonalds and there was a group of kids behind us. I heard one of them repeat twice, "I am American". I know that he was just joking with his friends, but I turned around and said with a smile, "Well, I am American. Please be thoughtful when you say things, as you never know who might be listening!" Complete and embarrassed silence followed at least for a few seconds!
The reminder is constant when we open our mouths and our accents scream that we are different. I often get comments about my accent when I am out shopping. If the accent does not do it then my debit card will since my card is not on the chip and pin system and it needs to be swiped everywhere I go. I have always been treated very kindly and I am very grateful for it. My boys find it a little more difficult, particularly my 13 year old. I am not sure if it is because he is more self conscious about it or if he just has some really thoughtless classmates in his year. I think that it is a little of both.
First, my 13 year old is really shy. After all these years of himself the center of attention. He HATES it.
When we first got here, we as a family would make "stuuuu-pid American jokes". That was fine because, well it was us making fun of ourselves. Somehow, one of my 13 year old's classmates started making the same comments to him. I told him to laugh it off. Really, we know that family and I do think that he was joking. I told him to call him a "stick up Brit" back. After time, it went away, but now my 13 year is feeling a bit self conscious. He feels that every time something bad about America comes up, that the same kid is giving him a dirty look. I told my son not to worry about it. It may be a case that he is just being too sensitive about the whole issue and I pointed out to him it is not like England has a rosy history!
My 13 year old is also bothered by the girls, many of them want to talk "American". One of the girls even asks him everyday "Is my American accent any better yet?". She does not seem to realize how rude it has become! When my son says anything that she does not agree with she says "-- is being horrible again", in a really loud voice. We have decided that she maybe lacking in proper manners.
My oldest son has been having a discussion in his Latin/French class. The kids said that all Americans are fat and lazy. I think that part of it has to be just to get a rise out of my son. But, I did point out to my son that at my husband's workplace, his co-workers do not work a 40+ hour week like their father. They work about 36 hours and leave early Friday afternoon! As for the fat part, well, what can I say. Even though my family is the anthesis of fat, it is a well known fact that the American waist-line is ever expanding. Our media screams it all the time. The UK media just released a study that said that by 2030 half of their own population will be obese and they are talking about instituting taxes on sugary drinks and snacks.
My youngest middle son has been having problems lately with a group of older boys, apparently year 6's. When they see him, they have taken to take the mick out of him for his accent. They say in a Texan accent "I live in American". We were having a bit if a giggle at their mispronunciation of how it should be "I live in America and I am American". I know that at least two of his friends have been helping him. One of his friends has been talking to him about things to do and another one of his friends had quite a row with them about it! From the sounds of it I may have to talk to the school about it. Although, when his older brothers found out who was doing it, from the discussion that ensured they would be willing to lend the older brother "help", um, yeah, I better just talk to the school...
And I sure could say something, but it would come off as offensive to the Brits I'm sure, so I won't.
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