Before leaving on my trip, I had a couple of friends (jokingly and not) say to me, “You should tell people you are from Canada.”

WHAT?!
Why would I do that?  I want people to meet me, like me, then think ‘You know . . .those Americans really are pretty great.’

I have to say, this is fairly true!  When first meeting people, the question I get asked most is  “Where are you from.”  It can be a bit abrupt at times!  “Hello! Where are you from?”  My response changes depending on my mood.  It can be anything from “United States. Pennsylvania. Philadelphia. Hershey. California. San Diego.”

Without fail, if my answer is California there is a starry look that comes to a person’s eye.  What is it about California? I think it’s a couple of reasons. First- people are able to immediately identify it on the map. Second, there is a certain appeal that comes with the state.  Hollywood!  Glitz! Celebrities! Glamour!

Another thing that apparently comes to people’s mind (usually my cab drivers!) is a famous celebrity turned governor.  A typical interaction goes something like this:

Cab driver:  Hi.  Where are you from?
Me: Hey there.  California.
Cab driver: Ohhh California.  Arnold Schwarzenegger!! (said in the exact voice you are thinking right now and typically accompanied by a flexing of muscles.)
Me: Uhhh yeah. . .Arnold Schwarzenegger.  *awkward smile*

This whole thing took me so off guard the first couple of times it happened,  but honestly it became a weekly occurrence.  To the point where the interaction was more like:

Cab driver: Hi. Where are you from?
Me: Hey there. California.
Cab Driver: Ohhh California.
Me: 3. . 2. . 1. .
Cab Driver: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Me: Yup. Exactly. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

So that’s it.  People really do love Americans.  Trust me they do!  We are generally a friendly, smiley group.  We are great tippers (and this is not common place in many other countries.) AND, for the love of all that’s good,  we have Arnold Schwarzenegger.