So American

"We are being so American."

I’ve said it and I’ve heard it. It comes with so many negative connotations. Especially when you’re in Europe. Noisy Americans. Entitled Americans. Rich Americans.

It can feel like we aren’t supposed to be who we are. Fit in the mold. Try to blend in. Don’t bring attention to yourself. And don’t mess up.

But the pressure, it’s stifling. I used to work with Middle School students. And anyone knows when you’re in a group with them they are going to be loud, goofy, and make a scene. But I also loved it. They were just at the age when their personality was blooming and not yet afraid of what others would think. And I never wanted to hinder that.

We are on the bus ride home. Being “so American” laughing and loud. But the joy we had was contagious. The man next to our group slowly became part of us. Without speaking the same language he could see the joy and wanted to take part. Just being free to be who we are.

That’s how I want to live. I understand the need for cultural intelligence, but the goal is not to become more Italian and less American. The goal is not to hide or cover up who we are. Yes, we might be louder, yes we might look goofy, but we were having so much fun doing it that others wanted to join.

It feels like Peter Pan. When all of Europe is telling us to grow up. Stop being a kid,

stop being American. But I live in Neverland or I like to call it the True Kingdom. Where we are free to be ourselves. Free to be a kid again. Free to live in joy that makes onlookers want what we have.