"I'm from Wisconsin."
I used to be able to say that, and people at least knew that it was one of those little-known states in the Midwest. And though I'm not much of a spectator sports fan, it is rather handy to be able to say the three magic words "Green Bay Packers" and make an instant friend. And then I moved across the pond.
People noted my strange accent and asked where I was from.
"Wisconsin."
"Wi-what?"
...
"Um, the United States."
"Oh really! Where in the United States?"
"Wisconsin."
*blank stare*
"It's, uh, in the middle. Near the top. Ever heard of Canada? Yeah, it's not too far away. Relatively speaking, you know."
That was at the beginning. Now I've got it figured out. I just say I'm from the US. If they ask further questions, I use the whole "Imagine my hand is the United States" trick…and I've figured out some other helpful triggers--"5 hours from Chicago. 4 hours from Minneapolis. Ever heard of Lake Michigan?"
It goes both ways. Now when I went back to the States and people wondered where I'd been for the last 7 months, I told them "Romania."
My O'Hare friend summed it up the best. "Urania? What's in Urania?"
I think next time I'll just say, "Europe." Maybe "Eastern Europe."
3 comments:
lol. Love it.
LOL! You have such a way with words.
Agreed on all counts, 'Chelle!
At least when people guess where Taiwan is, they think of real countries, like Thailand or Finland.
You're awesome, finally putting into words what all Wisconsinites abroad must feel. :)
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