In France, people make a conscious decision to become waiters. That's their career. France makes sure they can provide their people with more than a minimum wage income because they want to support their people. Here, let's say you double major in English Literature and French Literature. "Oh, that's great. But what are you going to do? How are you going to make money?" people ask you. You're doubly useless!
Our motives here are all wrong. We go to school in hopes that we will make money after we graduate. We're all about success. It's all about the shortcut. There's a sense of pride in making cookies from scratch, but when you go to the store and see the cookie dough in the freezer aisle, you buy it anyway (at least this isn't true for me). There are countless best sellers with "5 ways to [fill in the blank]" in their titles. "5 Ways to Get out of Debt," "5 Ways to Make More Money," "5 Ways to Stay Healthy." Why can't we just take our time? Doesn't the process of learning take place over a period time? Or can you simply google five facts about European Swallows and call yourself learned?
I'm not sure which positive traits of mine I can ascribe to American society. My optimism? My ever-present smile? The negative traits are easier to blame on our society. I am driven by grades. I want an A! Let's say I just completed the most informative class of my college career, but I received a B. That B would consume my thoughts, not the fact that I had learned a lot in the class. I've always toyed with the idea of opening a bakery--after I become successful at whatever it is I will be successful at. We need a more supportive society. Why not pursue baking right now?
The answer is easy:
I'm not brave enough.
