change of perception
I didn't even mention the biggest change, which is in my perspective of the world and, particularly, of American (aka Western) life.
Do we really need to be able to choose between 50 different brands/flavors/fat content/styles of yogurt? Yogurt. Come on. I'd be satisfied with plain vanilla Vinamilk yogurt again, with a little fruit thrown in. I can even see having a few varieties of fruit flavors, but it's overwhelming staring at the dairy section and the yogurts take up ten feet of shelf space.
And how can we possibly need that many choices in pretty much anything and everything, even water! Bottled water comes in small, medium, and large glass or plastic bottles. Flavored or not. Sparkling or flat. It was so much easier when there was just one, maybe two brands to choose from. And when 5 gallons of bottled water cost the equivalent of a dollar.
I find myself irritated with the seemingly American way of being self-absorbed. Last night, I was discussing with my mom the lunacy of Americans, particularly the worker who was jailed for spilling salt on a burger and the woman who tried to burn her neighbor's house down when she thought they'd stolen her keys (later found in her own pocket! People have way too much time on their hands.
And part of that falls into the other thing that drives me insane these days... the obsession of having newer, bigger, better. Doesn't matter if that jacket has hardly been worn, it's so last season! Our 4000 sq. ft. house? Just not big enough. There's a new iPod? Must have it now. -insert eyeroll here-
It's taking a pretty good tole on my patience to deal with listening to people's conversations about this fall's new lip color while I am struggling to find a way to send warm clothes to orphaned children. Or while women are being sold into prostitution. Or while any number of things are happening that are way more important, in my opinion.
I've tried not to get on my high-horse about it, but the kids and I spend a good portion of our two-hour daily commute discussing the lunacy of so many of our peers. And high school! Poor Stuart has to deal with the brunt of the "it's all about me and what I want" (with no thoughts for the future) attitudes of his classmates.
Yeah, I wasn't quite prepared to be quite so disappointed.
Labels: daily life, vent
10 Comments:
This is really funny that you mention these things, as it is this type of attitude - indeed these exact things plus many more - that have me irritated and disgusted on a daily basis. That salt story kills me! And you know how I feel about the animals... the fact that Britney on the Music award show is news, but the 700 gorillas left IN THE WORLD gets barely a back page mention (and rebels have taken over that area of the Congo and are killing them for NO REASON...does any one know or care??? argh!)
It will be interesting to see just how much more jaded I become toward "American Life" after my trip. This goes to show that more people really need to travel!!
See, babe... this is why you need to move abroad with me. C'mon! You know you want to. Let's go save some babies (human and animal) in Asia. Puh-lease!
Yeah, there are crazy people in America, I'll have to agree with you... but we're free, & I'll take freedom over anything.
We are all blessed to be born/raised here in America, & because we are blessed we/you can do what we want (i.e. help orphans in Viet Nam that don't have it so lucky.) Many blessed Americans DO help others in the world who weren't born into such "luxuries". Many that do help by donating to/supporting causes they find worthy to support may not broadcast/brag about it either. So there's a lot of helping that goes on here in America, that you may not be aware of. There are also many people that don't help as well -- but that's the whole concept of freedom. You can't force people to be charitable, and you can't judge everyone and assume all amercians are selfish because they like a new lip color or jacket. You don't know what they're doing behind closed doors to help others.
Here's a few quotes I love about America and freedom by Ezra Taft Benson
"America is a place of many great events. We seem to forget that the great objective of Communism is still world domination and control, which means the surrender of our freedom—your freedom—our sovereignty."
"America allowed freedom of speech and press such as was not known anywhere in the world when America was born. America, therefore, is not the product of man’s wisdom; it is the handiwork of divine providence."
I am very grateful and proud to be an American. Be thankful that you have all the freedoms & blessings here to help others & don't slam on America too hard. This is a good link to an article that sums up my feelings about America. It's written by a general authority, & if you feel open minded read it.
http://lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=50a661cb2b86b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
Here the link to the article on America & Freedoms. The previous post didn't post the link correctly.
http://lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=50a661cb2b86b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
Here the link to the article on America & Freedoms. The previous post didn't post the link correctly.
http://lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=50a661cb2b86b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
Gosh, I don't know how in the heck it posted twice.. sorry. All the links work if you open up the window to full screen. Also, I'm not trying to "get on my high horse" either or start an arguement with you, but I feel I just can't read/hear about how bad america is and not say anything to defend & support the country I love.
Yes you are correct about the excess we seem to have ( if you have the money ). We have these things because technology has improved beyond our wildest dreams ( and thank God because it brought many medical advances that have kept me and many others alive). As we advance or move toward the future we will have many more useless and many not so useless things to give us too many choices and the rest of the world is coming along right behind us.
The "Coates family" comment hit it right on the head though,WE HAVE OUR FREEDOM and our fore fathers and some of us have fought and served to keep it and even helped other countries make the choice of freedom.
Well I guess I got on my soap box too? Probably supprised some?
unc d
Great post and comments. I sometimes think the world has lost it's balance. There are many like you say that are just immersed in "stuff" and themselves, while others are thinking "if only this..." It goes around and around.
We can only do what we are able, though I fear it is becoming the American way to forget what we are capable of, what our precious freedom has given us sits dusty on a shelf for many.
Jenn said it great. It's people ignoring the fact that we *are* privileged in America. In many ways, not the least of which is money and freedom. My frustration stems from the overwhelming abundance of self-gratifying, self-congratulatory stuff.
My daughter was commenting how lucky she is to be able to have a bath nowadays. This simple privilege is unknown in many parts of the world. Showers are the standard; sponge baths are not uncommon. That she understood that she is the beneficiary of a modern society speaks volumes for what she has learned, in my opinion.
I don't dislike America, nor did I say anything unkind about it as a place. American definitely has its charms, but I am often irritated by how it is all taken for granted, with more often expected. Instead of being grateful for having a home of one's own, there are complaints that it isn't nice/big enough. Instead expressing gratitude, complaints are more common.
I'm incredibly grateful for all I have and I'll freely admit that I'm glad to have been born here. But it certainly doesn't mean that I have to enjoy the obsession with celebrity or the constant drive for more.
I look around, read the news and wonder how we got so narrow-sighted. Going abroad and talking with people from around the world certainly gave me another perspective on American culture. And while some may not agree that's fine. But Jenn said it best... things are out of balance.
Yes you are correct, this country seems ot have lost track of reality. They do go to excess in this country and the obesssion with "starcdom and sports figures" seems to really cloud the brain waves of way too many people in this country. The "got to have it" that Jen said is really a huge problem. I really get sad when I see the bulk of the children in this country that know only video games and fast food.Sad to say I have no magic answers after all these years.
unc d
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