You know, it’s just as well I’m pretty thick-skinned as I take less offense for it. Otherwise I might be feeling a little sensitive after all the abuse I’ve had to take so far.
I’ve submitted only a handful of essays to News24, and already I seem to be a target for some of the Emmett haters. Haters gonna be hatin’... It’s like the jealousy of my high school jocks friends who couldn’t believe the types of girls old Emmett used to draw. I always told them, ‘Don’t hate the player, hate the game.’
This week I was again accused of being some troll – ‘Bored American troll’ some fat Gaga fan called me. To add insult to my injury, I was also then accused of trying to sound like a South African.
So let’s set the record straight.
Why on earth would any first-world businessman/traveller try and sound like some third-world citizen? I’ve been to a few malls around town and let me tell you, it seems that South Africans are trying to sound and look American.
Seems the great American pop culture – as in the rest of the world - has gripped this little country too. I go to see a movie; American seems to be my only choice. I turn on my radio, it’s American tracks I’m listening to. Fashion designs – American. Cars I see on the roads here – Ford, Chevrolet, Chrysler and Dodge – American.
Every second person I see walking around has some Apple device; iPad, iPod or iPhone – American.
Hell the world’s biggest fast food brands dominate every town I’ve been to over here. McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and I even heard that Burger King is on its way. All American!
The local, smaller brands struggling to compete are probably the likes of SPUR, Steers and Wimpy. All three are built around a basic menu consisting of mostly burgers. That’s right, the good old American hamburger. And SPUR chose their theme from our country too; American Indians serving up mostly American food.
Even the ethnic black Africans seem to be casting off their traditions goat skins in favor of American clothes and trends. Seems our role models like Jay-Z, Usher, Chris Brown, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg... etc, are influencing the youngsters here so much that they’re starting to develop American accents. I’ve heard it with my own two ears. Who wants to sound like a goat herder anyway?
And after all this, I’m accused of trying to sound South African? I don’t think so.
If anything, this country is trying to be more American, even borrowing our ideas for business themes.
Then again, I suppose if you’re wanting to compete in the real world, then trying to emulate Team America, is the only way to go.
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