Comments on: Top 5 Things That Make Me American

By: Scarlett

Scarlett — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:13:02 +0000

I’m Canadian, but I had to say something about the peanut butter – I missed it like crazy when I was in Europe too! 9 months without peanut butter… I’m home in two days and for sure I’m gonna load up before I head to Asia, but I know in Hong Kong you can get peanut butter so I’m good
And as a Canadian, we can’t imagine calling you guys anything but American, even though the term would loosely mean it inculdes us as well…

By: A Wannabe Travelwriter

A Wannabe Travelwriter — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:59:40 +0000

You switched from Peets Coffee (my personal fav) to the Blue Bottle? As in Bombay Sapphire gin(another personal fav).

The difference being that I typically drink one in the A.M. and the other in the P.M. (but only as a guideline).

I have found I don’t have to differentiate between the U.S. vs. America as my home. I just say California, which usually results in a comment about our Governator.

Another unfortunate American–I mean U.S.–trait is talking too loud.

By: laurenquinn

laurenquinn — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:49:59 +0000

All true! You can really go on forever with this, once you get started… (I’ve recently switched from Peet’s to Blue Bottle, so I’m exempt from that one!)

By: John Klein

John Klein — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:45:29 +0000

Being on time and thinking everyone else should be on time is definitely an American thing.

Don’t forget the LUST for Peete’s coffee that many Americans can’t kick.

Americans also have really big shoes, too.

Cleanliness, neatness, orderliness – all American (I’ve traveled in India a lot,so…..)

By: laurenquinn

laurenquinn — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:50:32 +0000

Oh no you did not just compare peanut butter to Vegemite. Them’s fightin words, girlie…

By: Candice

Candice — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:05:37 +0000

When teaching nationalities, I try to open the children’s minds with the fact that we do not have a way to say “estadounidense” in English. An easier term to use, and also correct (thought it includes Canada) is to say that you’re “norte americano.” Also, I think we are to peanut butter as the Australians are to Vegemite. It’s disgusting stuff but I’ve met more than one who take it traveling for a taste of home.

By: Emily @ Maiden Voyage

Emily @ Maiden Voyage — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:51:45 +0000

How funny! I totally know what you mean. Never knew how American I was until I went to Europe. The one thing I keep noticing as a major difference is the looooooong meals they have over there. In Italy this summer, I marveled at how long people sat at tables and talked. Nobody was hurrying us out of there, trying to clean up tables, push us to buy more stuff — they let us just sit. Everyone just sat. The servers didn’t bring our bills; we had to ask them for it whenever we were ready. We Americans rush through everything (as you noted, walking is one of them!) — especially meals. We don’t savor food enough. We scarf it down on the go and move on to the next activity. They really value a long, leisurely meal. We have a lot to learn from them!

By: Marcus Strapp

Marcus Strapp — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:59:25 +0000

Peanut, butter! Yet another import from the good ole USofA as appealing as nuclear waste

I’m only kidding folks, my daughter (deep sigh) loves the retched stuff.

I once strolled, yes strolled, no power walking for me, through the theatre district in New York (I believe you call it Broadway?) when I happened upon one of your Skyscrapers (anything over 3 floors is a SkyScraper to a Cambridge UK dwelling lad). Draped down one side of the building was an enormous picture of a Teletubby.

My first thought was Oh No. My second was, hmm, call it fair trade.

Eh oh, Marcus Strapp

By: laurenquinn

laurenquinn — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:34:17 +0000

Peanut butter is spreadable, so you can put it on stuff. And it’s damn delicious. I dunno, there’s some kind of magic that happens when you grind up the peanut…

I totally got the confused reaction to “United States” in Morocco–blank look, long pause, then: “Oh, America!” California’s pretty good too. San Francisco’s even better!

I would love to hear a cab driver bust out in “California Love.”

By: peregrina feminina

peregrina feminina — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:25:43 +0000

I don’t get the peanut butter thing! Every time I travel, I come across Americans who are jonesing for peanut butter and can’t find it. What is the appeal? Why not just eat peanuts? I very rarely like peanut butter so I guess I’m not a true American

I noticed that when I try to be PC and say I’m from the United States, a lot of people are confused until I say that I’m from America. But I’ve noticed the best thing to say is, “I’m from California.” People love that around the world… a cab driver once broke out into “California Love” when I told him that.