tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435777.post112524330058527974..comments2023-12-25T12:57:29.431+02:00Comments on Mel's Diner: Forever Amerikanidamelusinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096116965055620488noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435777.post-9919413203316003412007-04-22T14:15:00.000+03:002007-04-22T14:15:00.000+03:00Hi Mel, although I've been mistaken for Greek on r...Hi Mel, although I've been mistaken for Greek on rare occasions, my northern CA accent -- in which I'm told I elongate my vowels -- gives me away, even when speaking Greek. Heck, I didn't even know I had an accent.<BR/><BR/>At the Mayor's Office, nomarxeia and eforia, they call me the Amerikanida; they don't even use my name. And they feel so comfortable with me that there's no hesitation in pointing out I've "taken a kilo" after a recent trip to the homeland. The other thing I get is 'California girl,' which was how I was known years ago on an island in which I was the only one with that distinction. Some people don't know where Nashville is, but almost everyone has heard of California.<BR/><BR/>All in all, I think it's good to revel in being unique and know that people notice you for that. A Greek girl I knew in the village was known as the "pou_@n@," which only made me more grateful for Amerikanida.CaliforniaKathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02604689834411117226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435777.post-1164943815698954262006-12-01T05:30:00.000+02:002006-12-01T05:30:00.000+02:00I just stumbled across your blog and I totally lov...I just stumbled across your blog and I totally love it! But to tell you the truth, even if you did blend in, there would still be problems! I can pass for Greek most of the time (even though I'm Irish-American, weird!) and although I've been studying Greek and can understand a lot, I'm nowhere near fluent. This past summer I went to less touristy island with my boyfriend. To make things easier, in every restaurant my boyfriend would order for me and answer any questions for me that required more than a nod. I think the entire island thought that I was either mute or in an extremely controlling relationship! When they heard us speaking English, they would laugh and apologize, but then I would feel stupid for being the Amerikanida!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435777.post-1125677800772414092005-09-02T19:16:00.000+03:002005-09-02T19:16:00.000+03:00Thanks for the kind comment Niko!Maybe someday you...Thanks for the kind comment Niko!<BR/><BR/>Maybe someday you can make it back to Greece without the threat of a Greek virgin being held over your head. =)melusinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04096116965055620488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435777.post-1125618278636552152005-09-02T02:44:00.000+03:002005-09-02T02:44:00.000+03:00I've just recently found your blog, and really hav...I've just recently found your blog, and really have enjoyed reading it. It makes me nostolgic for home, but I know the minute I land they'll try to marry off to a greek virgin (I don't think my partner would like that too much)<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you to the AmerikanidaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435777.post-1125317216698221662005-08-29T15:06:00.000+03:002005-08-29T15:06:00.000+03:00Integration is definitely a more realistic goal. I...Integration is definitely a more realistic goal. It is not as if every other country in the world is perfect, it is just that the decisions of the U.S. have much more of a global impact than say, Greece. <BR/><BR/>But I am still proud to be American, I have a pool of great family and friends to prove how great America can be. In the end, though, I don't think America is the big end-all, be-all most other countries seem to think it is.melusinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04096116965055620488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435777.post-1125267001569628382005-08-29T01:10:00.000+03:002005-08-29T01:10:00.000+03:00It could be worse...you could be Canadian, like me...It could be worse...you could be Canadian, like me and called the Amerikanida. LOL It's amazing how one presidency has relegated your nationality to a slur. I don't really mind it that much because when I lived in the US, I met some really great people and thoroughly enjoyed living and working in the US. I always tell people if being American is SO bad, why are there always huge lineups outside the American embassy for visas any given day of the week. It's just very easy these days for anyone to jump on the stereotype bandwagon and condemn an entire population of 280 million people for the actions and policies of a few. Next year, there'll probably be a new 'whipping boy' and you guys will be off the hook. That's why I don't bother with assimilation. Integration is a much more realistic goal for me.The SeaWitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11157875952893208383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435777.post-1125249954128090162005-08-28T20:25:00.000+03:002005-08-28T20:25:00.000+03:00Great post. You so perfectly summed up that feelin...Great post. You so perfectly summed up that feeling of belonging but not quite belonging...<BR/><BR/>(And I share your I don't represent Dubya pain - I considered printing myself up a T Shirt or a sign to wear around during the last elections --"YES, I voted, I voted, I promise you, I voted." I had people offering to do my housework, whatever, if it freed me up to get that ballot out on time....It was the only time I've ever seen Spaniards nag....)Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17896523881052681809noreply@blogger.com