Europe, the USA, and Transatlantis
Stuck in the middle
Gentle Reader,
Much has been made of the differences between Europe and the United States. Critics of the former will say that it has been frozen in amber for hundreds of years, resting on the laurels of a rich history whilst stagnating economically. Critics of the US will say it is an unequal society, and full of gun-totin’ rednecks.
Both have their points. The usual arguments are usually trotted out by each side, the Americans saying they are richer, more culturally hegemonic, whilst our old world friends will respond by waxing lyrical about public transport, social welfare, and cultural heritage.
The present writer can’t claim to be an expert on this topic, having only visited the home of the brave and the land of the free just once, enough perhaps for a taster, but I know that discerning readers of this column will of course be able to appreciate the great people from both land masses.
As an Irishman living on native soil, however, I feel a sort of dissonance – where do we fit in? Obviously we are not American, but being described as ‘European’ has always felt out of place, since the term evokes an association with continental Europe, with Romance languages, high fashion, and the weather and cultural trappings of the Mediterranean.
Situated on the western tip of Europe, we look over at our Yankee cousins across the Atlantic and we turn our heads, looking beyond Britain, to see the ‘real’ Europeans on the continent.
Not satisfied with being geographically stuck in the middle, we also are a bit of a cultural mishmash of the two, borrowing as we do both old world and more new world and anglophone ideals, respectively. The fact that we speak English, I suppose, will always turn our heads across the Atlantic.
When I was in Italy, there was an American and a Swiss girl in my language class. Pottering around on a day trip, I found myself being engaged as a sort of interpreter between the two, even though the Swiss girl spoke perfect English. When Alexa, the American girl spoke, the Swiss girl just had no idea what the heck she was on about, culturally. Yours truly had to explain.
It brought me in mind of this idea of Ireland as a bridge between continental Europe and the US as, being in the Anglosphere, we are embroiled in their social mores and shenanigans. Are we a halfway point, a sort of magical Transatlantis? Which way should we lean?
Whither, Ireland?
Economically, we look to America, a country which invests substantially here in big tech, but deep down there is something within us which, while not truly European, remains very old world, very much steeped in a high-context cultural tradition, something which, ultimately, is ‘just’ Irish.
Being ‘just Irish’ is fine, but as a small country, you always have to lean into something bigger, to derive safety from coalition, and that will always be our challenge. Hopefully, we can get the best of both worlds.
Regardless, I am not sure that I will never fully understand Americans. They love having a ‘guy’ for everything. One of them recently told me about that he has a ‘flatwork guy.’ Needless to say, I didn’t ask him what the hell that meant.
But there is one thing I do understand about the US – almost anyone can become American. It’s a set of values, steeped not in what has been, but in a sort of perpetual frontierism, an openness in the way of talking and of living. I know of Irish people who truly ‘became’ American, not just in their speech, but in outlook, in their entire modus vivendi.
However, it does not seem to work in reverse. You can’t ‘become’ Irish, or if you can, it’s very difficult. We seem to be too much of a nod and a wink society, an island of unseen influences, of mysterious processes and backstairs intrigues. This has worked to both our favour and detriment, and those who come from far-off shores might take a generation or two to get the lie of this hidden land.
Thanks for reading, no matter where you are. Subscribe to get my articles straight to your inbox.
Affiliates:
My friend Paul Millerd runs the Pathless Path Community, a cozy online space where we support each other to find ways to live and work in the most authentic way possible.
I also recommend the Supernote e-ink device, which I use for reading, writing, and annotating documents. This affiliate link is only valid for EU customers.
"Regardless, I am not sure that I will never fully understand Americans. They love having a ‘guy’ for everything. One of them recently told me about that he has a ‘flatwork guy.’ Needless to say, I didn’t ask him what the hell that meant."
this made me chuckle out loud. too true :)
As an American, I could see how Irish culture may be more subtle and covert while American culture may be more obvious and overt. Regardless, I suspect understanding either could take a lifetime.