A Cultural Cookie: Chocolate Chip & Being American

Flickr photo by TheDeliciousLife

I was just reading a blog post on Sassy Radish and was really struck by this passage.

"To me, as I was trying to assimilate into all things American, the chocolate chip cookie was the Holy Grail of American baking. No, not just baking – America itself. It was the secret passage to everything I was trying to learn; encapsulating that elusive cool I was after."

As an American, I find it fascinating to glimpse what others see as being truly American. Being born and raised in the United States, it's hard to see it sometimes. So much is part of everyday life and taken for granted.

I noticed my Americanness much more when I visited Paris. Sometimes I notice it here when talking with people who were born in other countries. I may hear the occasional,"Oh, you are such an American!" Which sometimes comes across as being accusatory almost. Maybe I should just take it as a compliment. Or maybe I shouldn't judge it at all.

I also find it fascinating reading blogs about the American expat experience, like Tracy in Norway, Michelle in Italy, and Holly in Germany.

Growing up, my mother always baked chocolate chip cookies from scratch. One time, I must have been around eight, I contemplated running away from home. I don't know why. But I do remember my mother baking chocolate chip cookies that day and deciding that things weren't so bad and maybe I'd stick around.

I saw the photo above and was drawn not only to the cookie, but to the title: Melodramatic Chocolate Chip Cookie.

Oh, the drama of a cookie! I like that. What are your memories of chocolate chip cookies? What do you perceive as being American?


Anali's First Amendment © 2006-2010. All rights reserved.
This Post’s Link
Like what you see? Subscribe to this blog by clicking here.