After having a lengthy discussion about perceptions of Americans with an international student who had just arrived from France, I got to thinking about how his view of Americans could be so skewed.
My first thought was that he had a bad experience on his flight to the U.S. — maybe rowdy teenagers traveled with him. But the student in question showed no visible signs of fatigue.
His fascination with American television shows and music was clear. He hinted that he expected to run into Gossip Girls wearing “Traveling Pants” who live in 90210 and abide by three rules only: gym, tan, laundry.
It finally made sense. This new student, along with many of his French peers (and possibly the rest of the world) viewed Americans as superficial beings who only strive to have a good time and not contribute positively to society.
With the proliferation of filth on every channel, television connoisseurs do not have many choices when it comes to wholesome entertainment. Even religious programs seem preachy while, unfortunately, Sesame Street does not cut it anymore, especially after Katy Perry’s revealing wardrobe incident last year.
Have the days where American teens (and the rest of the public) are valuable assets to a productive society run out? I think not.
While the whole CW network catalog and MTV “reality” shows cast a negative light on our generation of Americans, it shows that we also have a sense of humor and we know how to laugh at our flaws — take that, Europe.
These shows portray what life could be like if our only problems were running out of tanning lotion or having to take the Cadillac Escalade because the Ferrari is getting detailed.
It is a fantasy life lived by beautiful people. We Americans understand this; it is time the rest of the world gets on board.
If every American were to live as portrayed by television’s hottest shows, nobody would be productive and America would not stay a superpower — but we would have the most bronze bodies and cleanest clothes.
The student anticipated the ABC Family show “Greek” would be realistic at the University. While the show was enjoyable, I would hardly want to live on a campus where there is not so much diversity in the student population. One of the best aspects of this University is how it is not a Greek-dominated establishment.
Though society may be predisposed to live superficially, by making lovable characters live the hyperbolic life on-screen, Americans can see how living like them can be destructive to our already-fragile image abroad.
 
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Contact Kittu Pannu at [email protected]