31 October, 2007 | Leave a Comment
When I think about things I miss in American life, holidays are right at the top of my list. I know everyone says that American holidays are crass and commercial and perhaps they are. But you know what? They’re also fun.
American holidays come with lots of holiday-themed candy and decorations and greeting cards and television specials that are played each year. In comparison, most holidays here are kinda sad and boring; most of them are just generic “bank holidays” that mean nothing. I love having Halloween and Thanksgiving to look forward to in the autumn, with the miniature candy for sale in the stores, the pumpkins everywhere. It’s weird not to have that. I miss it.
Yes, Halloween exists here to some degree. If you believe the media, Halloween is taking over the country and trying to destroy the British way of life. I’ve seen no evidence of that. I didn’t see one jack-o-lantern or pumpkin today. There are not even any Halloween-related shows on television tonight — no slasher flicks, no Halloween, no It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Nothing. I had to teach late tonight, so by the time I got home, everyone was just studying and working as if it’s a regular night. There was one sad girl sitting in reception dressed like an alien, trying to scare people. That was it.
It’s times like this that I’m reminded I live in a foreign country. It’s not that foreign here compared to living in France, but it’s still a foreign country, with people who don’t share the same cultural experiences as I do. I don’t get homesick very often, but tonight I feel rather blue.
Anglofille said @ 10:40 pm | american abroad |
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I thought Halloween was celebrated quite a bit in Great Britain! Just shows what I know.
The holiday made a rather strange incursion into French culture about ten years ago — I just blogged about it yesterday — but is apparently fading. I am glad my daughters were able to enjoy it, though.
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I feel ya’. I missed it too.
