Growing up in New York City in the 1950s was an exciting experience. One of the world’s Most Sophisicated Cities, right? As you probably surmise, when I left in 1965, I had a lot to learn about all the rest of the universe that surrounded the City. The saucy sophisticate had a lot to learn on the twisted streets of Boston and in the countryside of Maine. In Maine, I was introduced to how to make hard cider, and in Maryland, friends introduced me to the proper way to eat crabs freshly harvested from Chesapeake Bay.
So much for the know-it-all, I’ve been busily absorbing ever since. One lesson is that ask and you shall receive is a great way to start.
I eventually became an applied anthropologist with a consuming interest in the varied cultures to be found in the United States. Many Americans smugly assume there is only one. What an intellectually deprived attitude. The place is literally rife with an incredible diversity of all kinds. And yes, there can be unity in diversity; besides, sameness is so dull!
As some of you may know, I am also a woodcarver. One year working for the Smithsonian, I worked with a stone carver who used pneumatic tools, an engraver who made elaborate work on steel, and a woodcarver who also carved styrofoam with serrated-edged knives. From each person, I came away with a bit more knowledge that influenced my perspective on the work. It was definitely an ask and you shall receive situation.
What skill would I like to learn? I don’t know, put me down among the craftspeople, let me wander, and before too long, I’ll be hip deep in something. Curiosity is the central part of it. The rest is listening and doing.
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I’ve been thinking about the question of curiosity a lot today, stimulated by the woman in the hospital who didn’t imagine there would be mountain lions in CA. I’ve thought about all the great journeys I’ve taken thanks to curiosity.
It’s the key concept behind “going to see the elephant” – what wonders will we see and learn?
Exactly. It’s the one thing I’ve been surprised to discover not everyone has.
A friend of mine who, as a girl, moved to Florida in the 70s, talked about how US immigrants are expected to “get with the program”, the blue jeans, MacDonalds, and all things American. Yet you’re right: there is a vast diversity in cultures here in North America.
I grew up among the “English poor” (I call them). We had every advantage of being born here, schooled here, but remain poor because of the “easy-going, share-and-share-alike, live for a good time” mindset. Trailer trash, I think you call them. I could well identify with the people in JD Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy.
Immigrants, like the Haitians we met in Montreal, come lacking the essential skills and experience, but their mindset is Middle class and they’ll eventually rise to that level.
As a couple we joined a Mennonite church and there’s a huge difference, partly in culture, largely in mindset. Clean, devoted to order, take care of your stuff. Definitely Middle class.
Then there are the upper class folks, such as you mention in your “Clubby” blog post.
So I’m kind of an amateur anthropologist myself. 🙂
It can pay to observe and to participate.
Since I enjoy traveling, I have often asked myself why I never learned to fly a plane