Culturally Speaking - Body and Country
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| Mon, 11-20-2006 - 5:04pm |
As some of you may or may not know, I am an american living in england. Its been great, except for the fact that I am always having to hear about how americans are fat. True story, I was at work and a collegue loudly tells a story about how she "told her travel agent that all he had to do to get she and her four slimmies was to pretend he had just booked one fat american instead." I was mortified to say the least, I am the only american in the office, or rather was since I left here in September. I am worried and am rightly so, that I will be sized up when meeting people (pun intended). I am not in the states, but can someone tell me, are americans getting healthier? I feel an enormous pressure to present the good american, and that includes getting fit. I am embarrassed that I am 24pds over weight (that is if my calculations are even right!).
After being told that I was considered the fat girl two years ago, granted its not the case now, I am a bit crazed when it comes to eating and how others see me. Guess I am a bit hypersensitive about how others see me, cuz I did not really think I was that bad...then again the image we see if not always the true reflection.


Not sure if "we" are getting healthier or fatter, but hopefully "we" don't become as rude and obnoxious as others.
Every long journey begins with one step!
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Well honestly, I can't believe how acceptable it has become to say things like that. Unfortunately, the media and politics play such a huge role in defining cultural stereotypes, that I don't think that comments like the drunk irish, or bad asian drivers, or fat americans is going to disappear anytime soon.
All we can do is speak up when we feel offended. I'm not american, but I am North American (Canada) and I do think that we live in a