Are Americans Just Terrible People?
Do Americans Get How Weirdly Twisted and Cruel Their Society Has Become?
I know, I know. The title probably makes you mad. Good. It’s a serious question. Let me tell you a little story, about my afternoon. It’s a story that I’ve seen happen more times than I can count. Then go ahead and judge me if you like for asking such a rude question — or maybe by then you might just be asking it yourself.
We’re spending the summer in the States. In one of America’s oldest towns. A quaint little place on the East Coast, with a little downtown street full of cafes and restaurants. It’s a liberal town, deep blue, generous in spirit, full of people who pride themselves on being good, decent, and humane.
Now, writers need cafes, and so I’m always on the lookout for one. Recently, I discovered that one of those cafes in particular has good vibes, and so I’ve begun to go there to write, and finish up songs I’m working on.
It was the late afternoon, about 5pm. My lovely wife asked me if I wanted to go to the cafe. Sure, I said. I had a little song to finish up, full of sunshine and summer vibes. Off we went. We’d forgotten it was near closing time, though, so we got our coffees, and instead of sitting down, we went outside to have our coffees.
