Longtime Second Glance History readers no doubt remember what happens when Americans go abroad. (Reminder: They get accused of being German spies.) But what does the rest of the world think of Americans back home?
While the answer to that question is as varied as the people responding, the results of my unscientific, niche survey of 19th- and 20th-century New Zealand newspapers aren’t exactly flattering.
The passion for scandal in American society is probably greater than in any other civilised community. Mrs Candour would feel herself a novice in a New York drawing room. One of the favourite recreations of American ladies is the luncheon-party in honour of some special guest, who is expected to give the most private information about her friends and to listen to chaotic chatter against every reputation she holds dear.
Admittedly, I wouldn’t not enjoy that kind of a party. Americans like gossip as much as anyone, but we’re not the only ones. Right, Madame Palatine? And the entire populations of Norfolk and Ipswich?
An American gentleman who was recently visiting in England thought he would try an experiment to test the credulity of Englishmen in regard to the United States. So one day when he was with a number of fairly intelligent Englishmen he gravely told them that on various street corners of Chicago there are peculiar machines run by intricate clockwork on which is inscribed the legend: “Drop 10 silver dollars in the slot and get a divorce.” Half of his auditors believed the story, and the other half accepted it in its main features, but criticised certain details.
Notwithstanding the fact that London has for years been known as the “divorce capital of the world,” this anecdote says more about the English than Americans.
An amusing expression in America which may become common in Australia is “Two on ten.” It is the signal from one department store girl to another relative to the shopping kleptomaniac, and when translated reads, “Keep your two eyes on these coming ten fingers.”
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Disclaimer: The modern era is far from the first to grapple with rampant “fake news.” As I am neither a historian nor journalist, I make no claims about the accuracy or lack thereof of the above sources. I assert only that they make for a good story.
Welcome to Second Glance History! This blog seeks to uncover the people and the stories forgotten by history and give them another read through a modern lens. Join me every week as we examine the differences that divide and the common threads that connect the then to the now.
One can see, however, that there might be a connection between the gossip and divorces…
Good point! Come to think of it, the kleptomania might be related as well…