Today was a good day. I felt like our team at work is really growing and I'm starting to make friends and the workload is easing. All very exciting. We went to the bar after work (the bar is in the building and on the ground floor so it is very convenient for after work socializing.
Anywho I've previously been too busy to socialize so I always missed out on the work social life. Today was different which was great. Of course the topic of all of the conversations was 'Oh you're American.' And then as always we go into a conversation about England vs. America depending on how far the other person is willing to go. Well today I came across a gay black man (who I love for those two reasons.) Anywho this very animated fella proceeded to tell me that Americans have horrible dress sense. Which I had to agree because I really feel the Europeans have an amazing sense of fashion. However he proceeded to say that he felt Americans always wear 'baggy clothes.' At that point I really regretted putting on my fat jeans this morning that are really baggy and are way too long on the leg. I made a reference to my embarrassment in an effort to lighten up the situation. Then he proceeded to say that Europeans had a sense of elegance that most Americans do not have. At that point I agreed as well (again he's a gay black man and I didn't want to cross him.) We then all laughed after I agreed. However when everyone's defenses were down (this is where I like to attack) I proceeded to say what's great about Americans is that we are all very comfortable in our skin so we don't feel like we have to be 'elegant' or pretentious or please other people. Therefore our physical appearance isn't as important as our inner appearance. The moment was priceless because at that moment they realized I was insulting them...just like they insulted me and for the very first time we were all at level playing field. After a few chuckles and laughs, I got a 'touche' and I hope from this point forward we will keep playing at the same level.
From the midwestern girl with Love,
-R
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