Rainbows and Anti-American Sentiment

Well. Here we are again. I hope this finds you well! Here is a picture my classmate, the other American, took today during class (well, during a coffee break). I have seen more rainbows in the 7 weeks I've been here than I've seen during the rest of my 25 1/2 years.

So, the other day, two of my classmates admitted to me that they do not like Americans. Each of them said that they just don't like Americans in general, but find exceptions from time to time. I did not ask them if I was one of the exceptions. In any case, I was absolutely shocked. Now, I know that there is a lot of anti-American sentiment out there. However, I never expected anyone to tell me that they just plain, flat out do not like Americans. Each of them had different reasons (I asked), but it came down to our culture and our politics. One thought we are all sort of vacuous, vain and superficial, and the other was angry at our government for siding so heavily with Israel, and for sticking our noses in other countries' business in general. One of them said she thought it was ridiculous that we try to impose democracy on other countries when our democracy is so flawed, as is evidenced by the shady practices surrounding the last two presidential elections.
I've never been on the receiving end of straight-up dislike on the grounds of where I'm from. I've been misunderstood and teased for my Minnesotan accent in the past, but I've never felt outrightly disliked. It feels alienated and sort of irreparable. I feel that no matter what I do or say, these people will always experience me through a tainted filter, and it's an odd feeling. I've found myself policing my words and mannerisms more, and I have wondered how many other people have judged me negatively upon hearing my American accent.
I guess I should end this segment of this posting by saying that I've had some really good conversations with each of these people since we talked about this the other day, and I don't have any negative feelings about those two at all.

In brighter news, the exchange rate is getting better and better by the hour here! When I came over here, £1 was about $2. Now it's $1.55. Nice! The economic recession of the UK is benefitting me...sigh. I just puddle-jumped from one crappy economy to the next, but it's working out in my favor. I figure, if I can just keep trading currency back and forth as each economy expands and contracts, I might make some money off this deal! (...not really.)

Anyway, I'm heading out to see one of my classmates DJ some indie night tonight, then out with the girls from class for a night on the town tomorrow night. I hope you all have fun plans for the weekend too!
Miss you. xo