Get Out of the Cubicle
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Happy Cinco de Mayo
Americans have been called many things in their day, but unfortunately “cultured” is not one of them. In Europe we are accused of being ill tempered and belligerent. In Latin America we are imperialists. Even in the Middle East some go as far as to call us The Great Satan. Well I say that is ridiculous. I don’t even own a pitchfork!
Despite what our European and Latin American counterparts may say, the fact of the matter is that Americans are amongst the most cultured, socially aware people in the world. In addition to celebrating our own national holidays, we Americans are so culturally sensitive that we also observe the national holidays of other countries! Don’t believe me? Take a look at the five most celebrated non-American holidays observed nation-wide.
1) St. Patrick’s Day – Held in honor of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, every year on March 17th school children wear green and a sober adult is hard to find. From Boston’s parade to Hoboken’s field day, March 17th has become synonymous with being Irish. It also serves as a keen reminder to all observers that maybe leprechauns do exist. Either that or Jameson is one hell of a drink.
2) Mardi Gras – Literally meaning “Fat Tuesday,” Mardi Gras has become a staple of Carnival Season in New Orleans. Though originally a religious celebration held just before the penitential season of Lent, today Mardi Gras is more renowned for its lavish costumes and multicolor beads than anything else. And where better to celebrate Mardi Gras than the most famous Carnival Party of all – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ok, so it’s a bit of a stretch to call Mardi Gras a Brazilian holiday, but for the purposes of my argument agree to disagree.
3) 4/20 – Jamaican Heritage Day. Bob Marley permeates the airwaves and college students nationwide pretend to be Rastafarian for the day. Especially in Boulder, Colorado.
4) Greek Independence Day – Though observed by comparatively few, March 25th is to Greeks what 4th of July, Christmas, My Birthday, and New Years Eve is to Americans. It’s a day celebrated with Ouzo, Gyros, and photos of that actress from the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. It’s been said that you’ve never really lived until you spend a March 25th in Astoria, Queens.
5) Cinco de Mayo – Alas we come to the day that inspired this post. Cinco de Mayo (or May 5th, for those of you too lazy to take out the pocket dictionary) is a holiday that commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Crazy enough, it is also the day that Corona was first marketed and sold as a light Mexican beer. Coincidence? I think not. On this day, Americans nationwide crack a six-pack at the office and eat at Chipotle to honor the Mexican army’s courageous victory some 140 years ago.
As you can see, there are two conclusions one can draw from this. First off, we as Americans are more cultured than we are given credit for. Second, we never miss an opportunity to day-drink. So the next time some yuppie Euro tries to tell you that Americans lack cultural awareness, remind them that we are a nation of immigrants and we are proud of collective heritage! So America, relax, kick back, and salud! Happy Cinco de Mayo.
