As if being blonde, wearing lime green gym shorts, and carrying a brown leather satchel isn’t an obvious enough way to spot an American tourist, then chanting in public definitely is.
Upon arriving outside of the three story world famous Hofbrauhaus (for dinner), I immediately noticed that this was a place where Germans and tourists alike gathered for nightly entertainment.
Our group of forty began watching the three-person trapeze act that was gathering a crowd in the square. The redheaded woman, who was the main act, noticed we were Americans and welcomed us, telling us she, herself, was from North Carolina.
After hearing this, the entire group started chanting, “USA, USA”. The sound filled the air and many people turned their heads.
Having been about 100 feet away from the rest of the group, standing behind a German couple, I did not partake in this chant. I was too interested in getting to our table; my nose was filled with the smell of authentic German food (not the kind I get at Steinkellers on a weekly basis back at school).
As busy as I was dreaming about potatoes and sausage, I was momentarily distracted by this couple. I heard the man say, sarcastically, in German: “the Americans would be chanting for their own country in public” (something along these lines).
Filled with anger, I politely turned to him and said, “You know, I can understand you”.
The man dropped his jaw, raised his eyebrows, and filled his face with shock. He then proceeded to hurriedly walk away.
I learned that being an American in Europe can be easy to spot, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Great scene, Grace.
ReplyDeleteYour deft handling of USA patriotism shines through, both in straightforward description and an appropos ending.
And I guess I admire your patriotism.
Me, I am always embarrassed by American loudness, patriotism and failure to blend in. Maybe I need to loosen up...