Commonly called “America”, the United States is actually only a fraction of the Americas. However, this country is perhaps the most talked about nation on the planet. The reason being? The US is arguably the most powerful country in the world in terms of political power, cultural influence, military might and economic wealth. Need I say more?

During the last two years of traveling through Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, I have been introduced to US culture through its music, cinematography and even its food. It seems that no matter where I go in the world, US culture is present.

In July 2009, I entered the United States through Texas, which is the second biggest state of the fifty. Up until March 2010, I was able to cross thirty-three of them entirely by hitchhiking, my preferred method of world traveling. (In fact, hitchhiking has been my only method of traveling for the past 2 years). I had the opportunity to meet many people and understand more about the way of life from the citizens of this contemporaneous empire.

Saying that, as an empire, one could say that the country has its strengths and weaknesses; or in other words, a light side of its force and a dark side. Of course, not everything is so white and black. But let me express my point of view. The topic of this essay is one of a Frenchman in the country of Uncle Sam, nothing more, nothing less. I’m not bashing America, nor praising it. I only want to show Americans what their land is like from a foreign perspective while, at the same time, give those who’ve never been to the US a glimpse of what I witnessed.

The local and exported American culture

-Eating fast: “American fast-food”

“Fast-food” is a very popular way of eating in the United States. Whether it be McDonald's, Burger King, Subway, Wendy’s, Denny’s, KFC, Arby’s, Jack in the Box, Taco Bell, Friday's, Dunkin' Donuts or even the locally owned ones, the list goes on for ages. Today, all these corporations define the urban-landscape of every American city, town and in some cases, even villages. Fast food has now begun to spring up all over the planet and is morphing the landscape of other nations just like it has done back in its country of origin.

A main aspect of American fast-food is that patrons go to have a “happy-meal”. It’s not just about the food, it’s about having fun as well. On top of that, the food is cheap and the dishes are so big that you will leave satisfied and full. The sodas have unlimited, free-refills,meaning  you just need to pay for your first glass (which may be as big as one liter).

The major problem, however, is that the food, when eaten in excess, can be extremely harmful to your health. Eat at your own risk! If you want to better understand the health consequences of the fast food experiment, try eating nothing buy McDonald’s for a month and see what happens. Or, a better idea would be just to watch the film “Super Size Me.” Actually, the latter is safer and recommended by the author.

-Entertainment-Land

The United States has many huge industries, but one in particular stands out to me- the one of “Entertaining You”. The money spent in the industry of movies, music and other original forms of entertainment like Disney World is astronomical.

Most movies come from one area of Los Angeles, California named Hollywood. Ironically, Hollywood is only second in the world to India’s Bollywood in terms of movies produced per year. But while Bollywood beats its California rival in quantity, it might be safe to say that Hollywood dominates in quality…

The American “blockbuster” is a movie with a big budget. It’s often produced in the United States, but one that will be viewed in China, Paraguay or Mauritius Island.

Some big studios like 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers and Universal Studios are earning tens of millions of dollars in profit by producing movies. Many countries would kill to have one industry as profitable as this.

If there is a place that perfectly expresses the feeling of “show business”, it's Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is a city built in the middle of the desert in the state of Nevada. The reason for visiting Vegas is to be entertained by its casinos and shows. “Show business” is a very well chosen expression because the goal of this entertainment is to collect a maximum amount of money while keeping a large smile on your face. Basically, you pay for a good time. It seems like money can buy happiness here in the US. (That is until you lose all your cash on an unlucky role of the dice in Craps…). It should be of no wonder why Las Vegas is sometimes referred to as the “Grown up Disney World.” It’s almost as if the right to be entertained from cradle to the grave was written in the US Constitution.

Money seems to be something quite important in the United States. In the next section, we will try to understand which influences it has in the life of the citizens of this country.

The importance of work and the American Dream 

In most Third World countries, it seems that the population has a greater appreciation for the social side of life. In the United States, the priority is more towards stocking material goods. Materialism vs. Social Institutions- Let's break it down:

-Working life

To be honest, I would say that the average American is not scared of working. Some are even workaholics. This is why it should be of no surprise why so many immigrants come to live in the United States. They come to work and make money. In fact, this is not a new concept. Immigrants have been coming to this land to make money for centuries thus turning America into a nation of immigrants.

However, unlike many other nations I’ve visited, it’s possible here to realize your goals. Indeed, if you have a good idea and, more importantly, the motivation, it’s perfectly possible for you to accomplish your dreams of making it rich; hence the term “The American Dream.”

-Innovation

The American has no fear of trying, creating and innovating because the rewards are so grand. The country is like a huge supermarket where everything and anything can be sold. Probably for this reason, the biggest supermarket (and for that matter one of the planet’s most profitable companies) is American. It’s called Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart, just like fast food establishments, are spreading abroad and changing the landscapes of international cities.

Self-satisfaction

Many American citizens consider their home to be a “great country”. Numerous facts helped me understand that the country was loved. Let's take a look.

-The Stars and Stripes- nationalism or patriotism?

Patriotism is when one loves their country while nationalism is when one loves their country and has the negative views of others.

How many times have I seen the American flag in the United States? It’s everywhere! In front of houses, on caps, on T-shirts, on stickers, on the television, ect...

It is also possible to hear the American National Anthem or “God Bless America” at every sporting event or important moment for the country (which can be many). This is very different from my home country and many others I’ve been to.

This is patriotism.

-The limits of the international politics

Good things for the United States are maybe not so good for other countries. Yes, there are many assets, indeed. However, I don't think that the philosophy or system of one country is something that you can easily export to others.

I really found that the United States was not very open internationally. America turned to herself as if the country was the center of the world and has experienced periods of isolationism. Therefore, very few Americans know much about the world outside its own borders.

It is sometimes thought that if the United States were truly “great”, the rest of the world must be like it. In this view, it’s a daily fight to Americanize the world.

As you probably already know, World War II ended by two attacks from the United States against Japan. Both were nuclear. Two atomic bombs were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki the August 6th and 9th 1945, respectively, killing more than 300,000 people total.

In Nashville, Tennessee, a war memorial was built. On one of the monuments, it shows a picture of the infamous mushroom cloud with the letters “VICTORY” written across it. I, personally, am not sure that this fact needs to be such a high feeling of self-satisfaction. Sure, it is great that the US helped end the war and even defeated a force that took over my home country France. But, does the fact of evaporating 300,000 really need to be emphasized and accompanied with “victory”?

That is something to think about, especially when we see that the United Sates has been involved in many different wars during the post WWII period: Korea, Vietnam, Central America, Iraq, Afghanistan and many other smaller conflicts. In fact, in the five examples I listed here, all were in the name of “exporting” or preserving an American style of government based on the grounds of democracy and capitalism.

This is nationalism.

-The positives

On the other hand, the United States is also home to many positive international institutions.

Many projects, like fair trade, are helping some Third World countries integrate themselves into the international community.

For example, in Austin, Texas, I drank some coffee from the Caribbean island of Dominica. These are often independent projects helping the workers of the third world generate profit of their product. I guess that’s why the quotation on the coffee cup said, “Drink coffee, change the world.”

The example mentioned above is good American policy, it’s one independent of war and weapons of mass destruction.

Other examples include places such as the Rotary Club. The Rotary Club is an international organization that is trying to make a positive impact locally and internationally. The policies of the Rotary Club aim to create and to fund projects. These projects can range from building schools in Ecuador to building wells in Uganda.

The Peace Corps volunteers are American people doing community work in Third World countries. I had the chance to meet several of them on my way and must admit that I was impressed by the interactions that they had with the local population.

The power of the media

-Gangsters in Mexico and terrorists in Afghanistan

Because few Americans are interested about the rest of planet, the media can basically say whatever they want about the international community. Believe me, very often, they really say whatever they want!

The information many Americans receive often ends with an exaggeration of the facts by continuously repeating negative information. For that reason, I met many American people who told me that Mexico was full of drug dealers, that I would surely get kidnapped in Colombia and that I wouldn't survive 5 minutes without a bomb exploding in Afghanistan.

Of course, this has not even been close to the truth of my experiences in Mexico, Colombia or Afghanistan.

-The fear to divide, the fear to rule

I was often shocked by the network of information from “Fox News.” A feeling of hate was coming from this channel when telling the “facts” of the day. This hate was often racial and against everyone who wasn'ta  White Anglo Saxon Protestant (WASP).

Last month, I was watching Glenn Beck on Fox News. Glenn Beck is a big shot on the network and he surely got there because he wasn't afraid to speak his mind. Glenn Beck was crying on the air. He was crying because he was scared for his country. More specifically, he was crying because Barack Obama was in power and changing the healthcare system. We have socialized healthcare in my country, and I garauntee, it's nothing to cry about; quite the opposite in fact.

Glenn Beck was also saying that Barack Obama wasn't in school anymore. He could now not benefit from the affirmative action policies that helped him in the past. Basically, he was saying that being black wouldn’t help him anymore.

-The right of owning a weapon

Owning a weapon is an important aspect of the United States. In some states, it is very easy to get one. In Texas, you’re even allowed to enter bars and restaurant with your gun on your belt.

But why is this needed? According to Fox News, the borders with Mexico are very dangerous and are full of dangerous drug dealers. People need to defend themselves. I guess that’s why the government built a wall… That same wall also keeps immigrants out, a contradiction since, as I already stated, the country was founded by immigrants.

Supersize me

In the United States, everything is massive. I really felt like an elf when I entered the country.

-The road system and its vehicles

American roads are simply excellent. It is possible to go everywhere with your “truck” (as a true American would say). It is funny because a truck would mean lorry in British English. However, the word is not so far from reality since the vehicles are absolutely enormous.

-Advertising

If there is consumerism, there is something to be consumed. To know what and how to consume, advertisements tell you.

In the US, I counted more than 15 advertisements in a movie on the television. During the Superbowl, which is the biggest single sporting event of the United States, I counted up to 37 advertisement breaks. The Superbowl is the American football championship game which is supposed to last 2 hours. However, for the actual game time, you can add another one hour or so of advertisements. And at 2 million dollars per 30 seconds of air time, you will understand the importance of advertising in the United States.

Get this! There is even a ranking of the best advertisements aired during the Superbowl! I even heard that non American football fans even watch the Superbowl just to view the commercials. Only in America…

The Culture of Me

-Vehicles and Stickers

The “truck” or “pick-up” or “car” is without doubt the number one entity which represents your standing in American society. Like the system of castes in India, where your social status can be recognized by your appearance, your car in the US can give an indication about your personal success and, in a certain way, your social situation.

It is also possible for the American to express his or herself by using “bumper stickers”. The stickers are delivering a message about the personality of the driver. I even saw one that said, “I Love My Wife.” Hey, I guess the man really loved his wife and wanted everyone to know it? Here are a few others you’ll find in the USA:

1) Speak English or get the Hell Out!
2) My Child is a Banner Roll Student (For your information- Banner Roll= Perfect score in school)
3) My Child Kicked your Banner Roll Student’s Ass
4) World’s Greatest Dad
5) Fuck You!
6) If you can read this then you’re too close to my car
7) Be Nice to America or We’ll Bring Democracy to your Country
8) Don’t Blame me, I Voted for the American
9) I LOVE AMERICA
10) God Bless the US!
11) Life Sucks, Then you Die
12) George Bush Sucks!
13) Barack Obama Sucks!
14) My wife is a Whore

The funny thing about this is some of these can actually be found on the same car!

-Sport and the importance of looking good

The US is a very original country when we talk about sport. “Soccer” (commonly called “football” in the rest of the world) is not the main sport. Instead, baseball, American football, basketball and hockey are much more important.

Collegiate sports are even sometimes more popular than some professional sports. It is even possible to study for free if you belong to a sports team of a university (remember some university annual fees that can reach up to 50,000 dollars).

Some Universities even have stadiums that welcome more than 100,000 spectators, like the one at the University of Michigan. To put this into perspective, the stadium in South Africa hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final holds nearly 95,000 spectators.

Sport is indeed important and is also used to keep good health. Of course, this is very paradoxical with the obesity percentage of the population, but the US is a country of contradictions.

Hitchhiking in the United States

Honestly, I really doubt I will hitchhike again in the United States. It’s extremely difficult to stop a vehicle for several reasons:

-A State of police

There are several laws created against hitchhiking and that's why it wasn't easy for me. These laws were also very complicated because they differed from one state to another. In some states, it is totally legal to hitchhike, like in Oregon. You can even walk along the Interstate with your thumb out without having any problems.

In some others states, like New Jersey, hitchhiking is totally forbidden on any kind of road. Of course, New Jersey is very urbanized, so it would be difficult to stop vehicles inside this megalopolis.

In Pennsylvania, “Do not pick up hitchhikers.” (This picture was taken close to a jail, where it was forbidden to add one more passenger to your vehicle. This day, three nice girls stopped for me, at the very same spot where I took this picture!). Like I said, America is a land of contradictions…
Nevertheless, I tried every time in every state I visited. Because of this, I have been stopped by the police 35 times in total for hitchhiking the United States. Sometimes, the police drove me as far off the road as possible just to give me more difficulties in returning to the same spot. Sometimes, the police helped me by bringing me further in the right direction, like what happened in Chicago, Illinois.

-The system of public transports

Very few people are using public transportation because it’s often inefficient. The Greyhound Bus Company is the main choice you have, but its quality doesn't seem to be as developed as the country.

Because of this, many Americans choose to use their own vehicles. (And with bumper stickers like the ones listed above, why the hell not?). I observed that the majority of drivers are using a vehicle completely empty of other people. There is definitely enough space for everyone to stop for a hitchhiker. So why did I need to wait so many hours on the road, watching all those empty cars passing in front of me?

-The culture of fear

This might answer my question. As I was telling you, fear is a very important phenomenon in the United States. The country has definitely changed a lot from the hippie days of the sixties and seventies.

Now, the situation of a hitchhiker is very bad. I was often mistaken as a thief, a murderer or a bum from time to time. Some drivers even asked me if I intended to kill them if they helped me!

Being perceived like this lead to some very surprising reactions from drivers. During my stay in the United States, I have been the victim of hundreds of insults, middle fingers, people trying to hit me with their car, vehicles stopping and leaving again when I was coming closer and even some crazy offers from some drivers.

-Another extreme: the kindness of some people

Thankfully, they were there. I can't name all of them, but I warmly thank them. Indeed, there are still a number of people who didn’t hesitate to help without fearing this stupid propaganda against the hitchhiker. Although they were a minority, they do exist.

Sometimes my drivers carried me further than their own destinations. Sometimes they invited me to restaurants. Sometimes, they invited me to stay at their place. This is this the America that I like and one that I want to remember.

Concluding Thoughts

 
Unfortunately, the United States didn’t welcome me as well as I had wished for. Yes, there are still people with good intentions, working for the right and other good things. However, many other people are orientated towards their own interests and not concerned about others. In my eyes, this is very selfish and greedy.

The interactions between Americans seem to be centralized on the dollar more than a social exchange. Yes, the American can be generous when we are talking about financial donations, but one has to ask themselves if the relentless pursuit of material goods goes hand in hand with their lack of social graciousness. It has to be very difficult to look out for others when you are busy looking out for yourself- which raises the question of priorities, what is and what should be a priority???

Check out more pics and stories from my two years hitchhiking the world at:  http://www.tour-du-monde-autostop.fr/