America, Land of opportunity! Where else but in America do we have such opportunity for an excellent education? The amazing intelligence of Americans was blatantly brought to light on Saturday, when my family decided to take a day trip to Washington, DC.
We arrived in Washington to find there are many helpful people who are willing to give directions. I am happy to be married to a man not afraid to ask. Much to our joy after several inquiries and several turns around many blocks, we were able to find parking. An even greater benefit was due to the Cherry Blossom Parade, we were able to park at event parking prices.
We parked in a large parking lot, affixed our parking stub in the appropriate place, donned our hats, sunglasses, sack lunches, cameras and we were off ... but in which direction? We were new to the city. How were we supposed to know where the capitol building was? Well, the three parking attendants live here; surely they would know. So we asked, "Which direction do we go to find the Capitol building?"
"I don't know" said the three attendants, who should know where it was.
Next, we passed a business man dressed to the hilt in suit and carrying an expensive attache case.
"Could you please direct us to the Capitol Building?" we inquired.
"I don't know where it is," he also responded.
A truck driver, a couple locking their car and a group of people who looked like they were waiting for a parade were too far away to ask.
Then we saw a woman with two small children. "I'm asking her. She looks like she knows where she is going." I ran across the parking lot and flagged her down. "Do you know where the Capitol building is?" I asked her in my perfect Yankee accent. "Oui." she said. You just go down that road for about 5 block and you will see the Capitol on your left." Her French accent was unmistakable. I spoke to her in French, asking her where she was from and telling her that I had lived in Toulouse, France for a year. She repeated her directions to the Capitol in French and said that she and her family lived just outside of Paris. I thanked her, again in French and we headed for the Capitol.
Isn't it interesting that so many Americans could not find their way around their own country, and the only person who could correctly direct us to our nation's capitol, was from France! In defence of France at a time when that nation is rather unpopular ... Viva la France!!!
That day was so much fun.
That was so funny! Isn't it interesting that when Americans go to France, they are rude and obnoxious. But when the French come to America, they are polite and helpful (and knowledgeable). And Americans still have nothing good to say about the French.