The Stereotypical ol’ American

Being an American in France these past 3 weeks has been awesome! After chatting with some of my French friends about this blog, they felt that it was only fair to speak on the stereotypes of Americans as well. I couldn’t agree more:

• We love Ketchup. I had lunch with a couple of Greeks, and a guy from Belgium in Euromed’s restaurant one afternoon. Imagine a fairly long pause as I walked away to grab a handful of ketchup packets and return to my seat. More awkardness as I stare at them, and they stare at me, as I open the first packet and squeeze a think line on one French fry. This was the dialog that followed:

Him: “Do you plan on eating all your French fries like that?”

Me: “Um…yes. Is there something wrong?”

Him: “We all knew that Americans like French ketchup but….wow”

Me: “Ohhh yeah. About that…um, I don’t know. Maybe it’s a fast food thing? You know we love fast food!”

All: [burst of laughter that broke the previous awkward 5 minute stare as I ate my fries]

• (contd) Now clearly all Americans don’t consume the same amount of ketchup I do. This is all part of the generalization. However, I just happened to be the one to come to Euromed, have lunch with a couple of expectant folks, and prove the stereotype to be overwhemingly true. Sorry guys…I didn’t know!
• American girls gone wild! The second stereotype that I really don’t find funny is the fact that American girls have a reputation of being “easy and sleazy” as one friend put it. Just know that since this is the world wide concensous based on maybe 5 American girls that ventured out into the world with no morals, you will be tested by a few. At that point, I’d give the guy that good ol american bird finger (Really not nice, or lady like, I know, but this is the worst stereotype of them all). This may not be what’s conservative, safe, and acceptable to speak about but its truth, honest, and really what’s out there – thus every American girl with a fresh out the consulate passport should know this.
• Americans are self-centered and self-focused. Always. As a Liberian/African-American I know there is something deeply rooted in American history that makes us yearn for self everything. I think every country has this aspect of their culture. Yes, it’s very prevalent in America, I believe, but the US is not the only one. Mind you, I also think that all Americans are touched by this little plague in some way – whether you just got to the US or you were born here. Friends of mine back home make this same argument and exclude themselves like they stand on the outskirts of American culture, but they’ve been touched by it too whether or not they’d like to admit. It’s so deeply rooted in our culture that it spills over in our mannerisms, demeanor, language, and thus other people too. One of my friends here had an interesting perspective on this as a American that grew up in both Mexico City and Texas. First, in more words or less, she said that the US seems to live in it’s own microcosm with all the “others” looking in. One example she gave was how Americans answer the question, “Where are you from”. My first week here I said “The United States” but my friends would probe and ask where in the US, so then I would say “I go to school in Washington, DC, but my parents live 30 minutes away in Maryland, blah, blah, blah”. Then the hysteria would follow as “Ahhhh, Washington, DC…The White House!” – yeah forget Maryland. Thus, I quickly learned to just say Washington, DC to cut to the chase. Her point was to say that when I first meet someone, why should I have this assumption that they know all about DC, like it’s common sense? Why should they? And further, what makes you think you can assume they do? I agree with her wholeheartedly. However, the paradox presents itself below when I found out how much my friends here really do know about the US. Moreover, she also pointed out this slight worldwide miscommunication: The Americas is composed of North America and South America. Thus, it’s more politically correct to say “I’m North American” than to say “I’m American”. But even then, North American doesn’t sound that genius either – so saying “I’m from the United States” is better. To sum this argument she put it very plainly that “The United States is not the Americas”. This is truth…
• We’re not worldly citizens even though we surely live in it. I was a bit alarmed (to be honest) by how much others knew about the US, and I mean everything. From politics (i.e. upon meeting one of my French friends here I was dubbed “Obama girl”) to American fashion, my international colleagues were well versed in everything about the US. Me on the other hand…*now I consider myself a pretty worldly person, ok* but my knowledge was lacking a bit. I found myself recalling info from my AP World History class in high school (thanks Ms.Ringo, it did come in handy) to converse with my colleagues when talking about historical aspects of their countries. Good thing I keep up with current news now…cough, cough.
• Americans have no sense of Geography. Now…my Americans, let’s conduct a small assessment. Without looking at a map can you locate Lebanon, Greece, Madagascar, or France? Better yet…can you locate Montana, Ohio, Colorado, or Massachusetts? If you can’t then you fit the stereotype. Me, you ask? I’ve gotten really cozy with a map of the world in our communal kitchen at my residence and downloaded a couple of widgets for the Mac to familiarize myself with the countries I don’t know much about (Mac users, try the World View widget). Don’t get me wrong, I can locate the above mentioned places. But it’s never been that important to me before I came here.
• Fast Food gobblers. My Bison in DC, you guys know how much we value that dear ol’ McDonalds on Georgia Avenue. How I miss it so! So much so, that I had a craving to try the yellow arches here in france. A couple observations: 1)It’s too healthy for my taste  2)The buns aren’t big enough  3)The ketchup is stale (probably because no one in France ever asks for it…they prefer mayonnaise! My personal compromise? Ketchup and Mayo!)  4) You can order a beer with your meal 5)It’s expensive; I paid €6,50 for my meal. After conversion, that’s a whopping $9.18 for a Big Mac?!  6)On top of that, my Big Mac was small  7)No dollar menu if you just wanted to pop some fries in between classes. France should consider a “Euro Menu” — Because of these reasons, I don’t think I’ll be visiting another McDonalds here. I’m feeling a little seperation anxiety just typing that, but this is a good thing! Thanks France! (By the way if you like KFC, there are as many locations as the McDs here…and just as many billboards with buckets of chicken)
• African Americans live in the hood. Not only is this stereotypical thought in the US. But is it abroad as well. One inebriated night at Alotra, it all came out and I was the only one that could correct the situation. So I did. And it proved to be one of  the best and most honest conversations I’ve ever had about culture. Sometimes you are the only one in a group of people to represent your culture. All you can really do is hope to be a good representative of your subculture, the larger culture you are a part of, and be yourself at the same time. Nonetheless, one thing I do love about being here is that everyone expects you to be different from the next. So although there are so many differences, I’ve never felt so embraced and accepted for the culture I represent.

All is all, don’t feel bad if you fit some of these stereotypes because, first of all, you are American. Secondly, all stereotypes have some basis of truth although they are generalizations…you just may be that percentage that it was based off of. It’s really ok…haha!

Also, I’ve decided to buy 4 items to remind myself of a couple things before this experience is all over. 1)A Liberian flag 2)An American flag  3) A French flag  4)A map of the world signed by all of my friends here. The plan is to not return to the US with the same perspective and to remember everything my experience has taught me thus far. I think those 4 things will do because #1 & #2 have made me the creature of culture I’ve begun to analyze in #3…. and lastly, #4 has opened my eyes to things larger than HU, larger than East Coast, and larger than the US.

Arrival in Marseille France!

Hello All,

It has been exactly one week since I arrived and have been getting acquainted with the beautiful city that is Marseille! I love the atmosphere of Southern France and relish in the fresh spirit that roams this city! It is cold, yes, but warm is many ways other than the physical – I have had the opportunity to befriend people from all walks of life including France (bien sûr!), USA, Australia, Chile, Greece, Germany, Norway, Argentina, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Brasil, Morocco, Belarus, Spain, and much more. This has been the “warmest” part of experience thus far.

This semester, I will be attending Euromed Management School of Business in Marseille, France until May. Although a devoted student of my beloved Howard University, I was elated to find that I chosen to participate in the School of Business’ first exchange program with Euromed as a result of their first international partnership. During the orientation program, I found that Euromed is one the top ten bschools in France and the only school to focus so heavily on social responsibility and sustainable development. Moreover, the city Euromed is situated in has many proud first’s as well! It is the oldest city in France and harbors the country’s largest commercial port as well. Also, Marseille is known for the humble beginnings of French hip hop artists right here in it’s bay!

When I applied for this program, I never felt that I had enough information to prep myself before my arrival. I was left with google and my Mac to configure a cultural image of Marseille, it’s people, and a school that I now call “my university” too. To date, I have found that most of my assumptions are false (as most written stereotypes are). However, I have found a few to be true as well. To my French friends in Interact and Euromed…please comment if I have missed the mark:

• French people drink a lot of coffee – literally. Americans, you know how we proudly claim our “starbucks nation” title, chugging down frappucinos all day? It’s no competition to the French. Although, my Greek friends (one in particular!) disagree on the likeness of its taste, the French win the award for caffiene chugging. Need a visual? Imagine, coffee vending machine dispensers…I saw that on my way to class today on the Vaufreges Campus. I wish I had my camera then, that one will go down in the books!
• Nothing starts on time. Time is valued in French culture. However, it is totally acceptable for teachers and students to take their time. If this was my freshman year, I would be in heaven – I was never on time to anything! However, I’ve been burned enough at Howard University to be extremely embarrassed if I’m late. Of course, this varies by professor here at Euromed. Thus, to avoid “awkward” slips that your American-ness will make you feel, walk in fast, sit, and say “Pardon Madame/Monsieur”. Also, don’t ever think that is acceptable for you to leave after 15 minutes if you professor is still absent. You wait, period. If she’s still not there, you ask? Then I haven’t the slightest clue!
• Lastly, 9 out of 10 French people ALWAYS mean what they say and are direct. Case in point, today I answered a question in the way I thought it was proposed in my Intercultural Management class. My professor straight up told me that ” Zat was not zee questionne”. Full stop. And then awkward pause! It ended up that the question was not worded correctly, however, it was quite scary how direct she was. I almost slithered my way down into my chair until I remembered that it wasn’t a big deal! At home, I am almost sure that my professor would say that and then go on to clarify information and then rationalize with me or the class to find the answer. This was not the case. haha!

Moreover, as an American, getting used to Squat Toilets and the French eduational system will take you some time. The latter? You can deal. But the former? It has proven to be extremely tough for me. Not to mention there are no other types of toilets on my floor. So we all squat…it’s quite comical, but then again, I get frustrated every morning! (I will leave this to another post! Trust me, you will want to read all about it!)

I intend to update this blog with a lot of funny, academic, and social aspects of my experience here to peak your interest about this old city and Euromed Management. If I wrote about academics all semester, you may never understand the true value of an international experience. And as I wrote in a letter to my Dean at Howard’s School of Business and the Director of the Honors program:

“So far this has been the best experience of my life! Nothing beats the intercultural and global perspective I have already gained being here for a mere week. I hope that the school of business at Howard soon implements a compolsury international study component - if not for everyone, then at least for international business majors. This is the only component that Howard business students may lack in order to be the most competitive students in the entire world as our current skills rival that of many European students”

However, this competitive edge can also be obtained in the cultural idiosyncracies you learn about your German, Australian, or Canadian friends in social interactions – which is also a large part of your experience abroad.

Read my blog and become interested in what Euromed Management, Euromed student life, and friends from all over the world can offer you.

For School of Business Sophomores, If you would like to have more information on something more specific, don’t hestitate to comment or send me an email (nbestman@gmail.com) as I would be more than happy to help you prepare for your journey to France and Euromed Management next year!

Bonsoir & Bonne Annee,

| nb |