Culturally Speaking - Body and Country

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
Culturally Speaking - Body and Country
5
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.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-29-2005
Mon, 11-20-2006 - 7:02pm

Not sure if "we" are getting healthier or fatter, but hopefully "we" don't become as rude and obnoxious as others.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 11-20-2006 - 7:11pm
That's dreadful-- and small minded of that (those) ladies!! How awful for you! Technically I'm not in the States either (in the Virgin Islands)-- but I think that mainland is trying to become healthier in general. Not to say all are following that lead, but it does seem to be more prevalent (articles in daily newspapers, news programs, etc...) these days.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
Tue, 11-21-2006 - 4:48am
Thanks for the replies. I can't honestly say that I am getting heathier for them or me - rather they are very motivating. I want to be thinner, so in a way their insults and arrogance are being turned into my positive. People have to pay a boot camp like instructor to yell at them and tell them how fat they are, I can just read the papers. Granted it's not me personally, but I am an american too. I may be able to insult them, but anyone else does and I get defensive, kinda like family.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 11-21-2006 - 6:15am
~reminds me of the comments about the "drunk" Irish!!!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Tue, 11-21-2006 - 11:17am

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