Norway and Interesting Stereotypes

We met a couple Norwegians the other night and it was fascinating trading assumptions about one another’s home country. When they asked me what came to mind when I thought of Norway I said things like blonde hair, snow, and Reindeer. The girl I was talking to laughed in agreement. She seemed a bit annoyed, however, that people who think of Europe immediately look toward England, France, or Italy but never Norway. Then I asked her what came to mind when she thought of America: “Beer, partying, Barack Obama.” Beer and partying sounds like a sound international reputation to be associated with right?...maybe when you’re on Spring Break 2K9 Cancun, but perhaps our rep needs some shaping up…I’ll try my best.

Throughout my travels both this summer and last I have found that everyone NOT living in the U.S. is extremely concerned with our elections. Last summer while in Greece I can remember talking to several Europeans who immediately began hounding me about politics… while I subtly changed the subject (I just wasn’t in the mood) it really stuck with me how much people care about and follow our nation’s every move.

The same thing has happened here in China. Whether it be a few Norwegians we met one night or my newly moved-in Chinese roommate, they know a lot about U.S. politics. It’s a bit of an eye opener for me. I’ve never been big into the political scene but meeting so many people who AREN’T American but know seemingly more about politics than I do encourages me to learn everything there is to know.