As is the case with many visitors to another country, I had the opportunity to look at my own culture and citizens through the eyes of a foreigner. During my recent stay in Lyon, France I found myself in frequent conversations on the topic of American culture and lifestyle. Contrary to main stream media commentaries and urban legend, the French are more accepting of Americans than one would think. The French people I met were very receptive to American influence in art, music, and film. I found their obsession with our cowboy tradition a little strange, but I appreciated their interest and enthusiasm. One recurring theme in our conversations, however, was the Frenchman’s questions regarding our eating habits. Why do we eat so much, and, consequently, why are so many of us overweight?
Naturally, I wanted to defend my country, but first I needed to answer some questions of my own: if so many of us descended from Europeans, why are so many of us heavier than they? Is it McDonald’s? Television? Don’t other countries have these same things? What role does exercise play in this picture? As I immersed myself in the French culture, I first noticed that their meal portions are significantly smaller, and they consume less alcohol when out for an evening. My French teacher claimed it was exercise and she bragged to us about how she often swam and played tennis. After participating in both those activities with her, I quickly realized she probably did both sports no more than once a year. How, then, did she stay so fit and trim?
My search for the answer took me to Lyon’s best gym. I paid ten euro’s for a day pass, and to my total disbelief found the place practically empty. A later visit confirmed that I had not been there on a national holiday I wasn’t aware of. Part of the answer was right under my nose. I didn’t notice it until after my second week in Lyon and took off my shoes to care for my blistered feet. I had been walking everywhere. I loved walking around town. There was so much to do and see, and all the shops, eateries, entertainment, and living were intermixed and centrally located. Citizens enjoyed a bike share program and a very efficient bus system. Furthermore, the city offered roads for pedestrians where cars were prohibited. Their entire culture was built around being outside, and everyone was out enjoying the city; people watching, shopping, eating.
My French teacher lived 20 minutes from the city. I asked her how she found time for activity in her daily routine. She described a typical day in which she brought her nine year old son into town after work, first parking in a free garage. Sometimes they shopped or participated in sports, but more often, they just walked around town or along the river, the intention just to stay active and enjoy being around other people. On weekends, the city park offered her son a full day of activities. Even though he didn’t participate in organized sports, he was active and fit. Like other nine year olds, he loved spider Man and G.I. Joe, but video games and television did not play a large role in his activities. My teacher didn’t work out in a gym, she didn’t diet, and she didn’t put her son in organized sports. Yet, they were both in great health. Why? I mentioned earlier that the French tend to consume smaller portions, but that isn’t the only answer. The answer might be that they are offered multiple opportunities to stay active and fit. Even though my teacher had to drive to reach the city, she also had a good reason to go there. The city offered her an opera, several parks, a river with an extensive trail system, walkable areas, plenty of restaurants, a variety of entertainment and opportunity for personal interaction.
So how does the American dream relate to all of this? Americans love the idea of a home, a yard, and a two car garage. So do I. But we went drastically wrong somewhere along the line. First, we drove our communities farther and farther away from out cities. We built our homes too far away from our social centers and developed our communities in ways that discouraged walking. We make it impossible to use any mode of transportation other than the personal automobile. We find ourselves commuting one to three hours a day to get into work. Once at home again, shopping, dining, and the public park can only be reached by car. Walking in the neighborhood consists of endless small loops around the same houses. Television and video games took over because there was nothing else to do. In addition, the suburbs are isolating. People are clamoring to rejoin the rest of society. We love Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter because we seek interaction with others. I don’t think we are lazy or have bad genes; I think we just aren’t provided a better alternative. Our true nature desires activity and human interaction just like our European counterparts, and we need places to gather and central hubs where we can work, eat, and play. It is time for America to rethink the way we create our American dream. It might hurt to admit it, but perhaps we can learn something from the French after all.
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