Apparently, I just live down the road from the bar that was the inspiration for Moe’s tavern in the Simpsons. I will check that out…
Can I talk to Mr. Freely?
When I arrived here, my attitude was the same as every European’s fresh off the boat―a feeling of calmly assumed cultural superiority. The same kind of feeling you have towards high school kids talking about poetry, or the new guy in your office droning on about workflow.
Picture the late morning sun over LA, lazily shining through the open front door of a single storey house. As it crosses the threshold, it passes waves of Tango music, floating out into the Easter Sunday.
“You write so infrequently”, I hear quite often. “I have too much to do,” I then reply. That is true, but there is of course more. Everyone likes to hear good news, or at least exciting ones.
One of the most frequently encountered prejudices against America in Germany is the superficiality: In America, nobody is really friendly, that is just superficial. Service in restaurants lasts only until the check is brought.
Europeans often make fun of the American tendency to see Europe in five days ( “If it is Tuesday, this must be Paris”). Of course you cannot fully appreciate the complexity and nuances of a country in such short a time, but in the meantime I know why one would still want to do it.
Language is one of the things you always take with you, no matter where, when, or what your baggage restrictions are. Our phonological system is hard to fool (or, as Christoph says “phonology always works”).
Yesterday, we had an earthquake drill. At 10:00am, we were supposed to “drop, cover, and hold on” (does “duck and cover” sound familiar). Since I am all for this kind of prevention, I participated.
I am happy to announce that the little spider living behind my left rearview mirror―despite a major car wash―continues to weave her net everyday.
In case you were worried…
As a friend said: “I only believe when Fox announces Obama as president”. Sen. McCain just acknowledged Obama’s victory in a fair and moving speech―and Fox confirmed it…
That’s it: America has a new president!