The perils of the powerful

Today after a staff meeting, I was making small talk with a relatively new colleague from Poland. I mentioned something about the US, and he asked me if I'd worked there. I told him that I am an American and that I worked there for 4 years before starting my current job.

Apparently, that was his cue to go off about American consumerism, our zero percent savings rate, short-term planning by companies that only think about the next financial quarter results, etc.

So, of course, that was my cue to say, "Excuse me. I have to make a phone call." Having lived in Europe for a combined total of several years, I am used to these sorts of eruptions. Experience has taught me that if I don't ditch the conversation right away, I could be stuck for half an hour. And then I get tempted to make childish remarks like, "Well, I've got the cool blue passport with the eagle, and you don't!"

You know, it would never even enter into my head to start lecturing this colleague about things that are wrong with Poland. If I did want to discuss a societal problem there, I would introduce the topic politely with something like, "So I don't know if this is true, but I've read that..." and then ask him for his opinion on the matter.

I guess this is one of the downsides to America's cultural dominance. Foreigners are exposed to so many of our movies, TV shows, etc. that they feel like they know us intimately - an extended stay living and working in the US would be a huge reality check.

I can also understand where they would be frustrated that America has so much influence over international affairs.

So when people start giving me these lectures, I try to be sympathetic and not take it personally. After all, I've got the cool blue passport with the eagle. And they don't.