To Any Americans Who Might Be Reading This
Posted by | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on 28-02-2003
One of the nice things about actually living in Europe is that I now have the first-hand experience that enables me to put to rest those myths of European cultural or intellectual supremacy. I know some of us Americans harbor this fear that our claim to fame is “just” material success and that our European cousins are much more refined, respectable and, of course, culturally superior.
Believe me, folks, it’s pure bosh. Are you embarrassed about American popular culture? Don’t be. The idea that our popular culture is somehow “below” what I see here is completely ludicrous. Maybe it’s true that we somehow “started it”, but believe me they’ve gleefully taken it from us and run with it. (Think “RTL”, German friends!)
This is not Euro-bashing. I’m simply setting the record straight. European cultural supremacy is a myth and should be acknowledged as such. I’ve only lived here since 2000, so perhaps there was a time when it was not a myth and I just wasn’t here to see the truth. But be advised that it is a myth now.
Another myth: “Germans have no sense of humor.” That’s not true. Even with my weak German I howl at some of the comedy skit shows that I see on German television. They have a great sense of humor! It could be that they have only recently found it, but believe me they have it.