Cultural exchange

How do you explain Americanisms to people who aren’t from around here? Tonight in class we were talking about where Twinkies come from, and someone mentioned that they’d had a Twinkie/Cool Whip cake, and we remarked that it was a “white trash” food if one ever existed. A girl in the class from Iran (who has only been in this country for a few months) industriously wrote down “white trash” on an index card and then asked what it was.

How do you explain something like that? I started to explain, then stopped. Then again. And again. What is the definition of “white trash”? The group could come up with characteristics, but no definitions that would appease her curiosity. What I finally said was: “White trash” is a slang term for a group of people who are too lazy to succeed in life, and instead take the easy way out (eating Twinkies instead of healthier options was the example given). They may not be stupid, but they come across that way because they are uneducated and prone to fighting.” She looked at me, absorbing my words, and replied, “Oh yes, we have those people. We call them “easy-mindeds.” They believe whatever told, but are too lazy to ever do anything but watch television and complain.”

I love it. Next time I see a barefoot woman screaming at her 4 kids in Wal*Mart while buying Misty 100’s and dark tanning oil, I’ll automatically think, “easy-minded.”  Ahh, the beauty of cultural exchange.

PUotD: Oh gawd, the cankles. The swollen preggo cankles have attacked! I’m officially off high heels unless it’s a special occasion. Or I may just paint my legs gray and tell people that I received a calf/foot transplant from Mrs. Jumbo. (Warning: photo may be too graphic for sensitive readers. Note the strap marks from the high heels I wore for about 12 hours today. No more of that for a while.)

Comments

[RushWife]

OHHHH, I remember those days :-( My sister said I had Fred Flintstone feet and that's what they were called from then on. Tell Dave that they need to be rubbed nightly...'cause they do! On the bright side, your toes look fabulous! :-)