Going through these boards as one does, I notice on quite a number of occasions that when the inhabitants of one country wish to mock those of another, they choose a theme which leads to everyone being tarred with the same brush. When Americans want to mock the British, they might bring up subjects like personal hygiene, and the state of the nation’s dental health. It’s as if to say that ALL Brits have poor teeth, but of course while this is simply not the case, there are underlying reasons why this theme is used, and I will try to explain these now.
My parents were born before WW2, and have been able to tell me of the food and fuel shortages that existed during and after the war, and of the rationing that was needed to ensure that the country did not run out of supplies. Housing in post-war Britain was in a poor state. In some cities like London, Coventry and Liverpool, whole neighbourhoods were destroyed by German bombs, and people had to be re-housed, and so modern houses were built by councils and let to tenants while the old houses were bulldozed. But in the years leading up to WW2 and for some years afterwards, many people lived in small terraced houses. Historically, such terraced houses were built by factory owners in the Industrial Revolution (1760-1820) to accommodate their factory workers. When I was a nipper in the 1950s/60s, there were plenty of houses like that to be found in my home town of Leicester. There was no plumbing to speak of in those houses. There was no bathroom. There would be a tin bath in which folks might have a bath once a week in front of the fire, using water that had been boiled in kettles over that fire. There would be an outside toilet, but that would be shared with the neighbours living in one of the adjoining houses. So it’s small wonder that cleaning one’s teeth with an Oral B 35 toothbrush and Crest toothpaste with fluoride was not very high on the list of things to do, especially as the only running water could be found at the kitchen sink – a single cold tap (faucet) supplying cold water. Dentistry was not accessible for many families, and I always remember that we had a dentist come round the school because of this. Some kids’ teeth were in an appalling state, and it was then that I realised how privileged I was to have grown up with hot and cold running water. Another development since those dark days was the introduction of fluoride into the water supply. At a concentration of around 1˝ parts per million, it was found to reduce caries – particularly in children. Yet more progress came in the form of school milk in the post war years. Each child got a bottle containing one third of an imperial pint of milk (6.66oz) every day, which increased the levels of calcium and helped bones and teeth. Again, I was lucky in having a mother who ensured that we got plenty of milk at home.
Attitudes toward dental care have been slow to catch up. Some might think that it’s *poofy* to use a toothbrush and/or dental floss, but then they pay a price. It becomes clear to me that the American derision towards Britain’s dental problems (coming from guys like Lazs and AKdejavu) is directed at these unfortunates who have yet to take dental care seriously. However, it is wrong for such mockery to be made with impunity, which suggests that the perpetrators see their own country through rose spectacles. And that is understandable, given that many Americans have never left their own shores and have no concept of life in European “pissant” countries, as Lazs would call them.
When I first moved to America, in the late 1970s, one of the first things I noticed was a preponderance of overweight people. This is by no means to say that ”all Americans are fat”, as that would be patently untrue, just as it is equally untrue to say that ”all Britons stink and have bad teeth”. I did note however, that the excesses that I saw in America far exceeded anything I ever saw at home. My ex-wife was from Chicago (Old Irving Park district – Irving/Pulaski for those who know it) and we used to visit every year. On our first day, we would walk up to Six Corners (Irving/Cicero/Milwaukee) by which time I would have spotted three or four people who were not just *a little on the large side*, but were hugely, massively overweight – 100% overweight. And I was fascinated by this, and why we should see this in the US but hardly ever here at home. I was eager to analyse the eating and exercise habits, and this is what I found.
Food!!! Food is cheap in the US, compared with the cost of food in “pissant” countries. Not only is food cheap, but food is readily available. At all times. 24/7. The Golden Nugget diner at the top of the road never closed, not even on Christmas. But not only is food cheap, not only is it available, but the portions are huge! Steak and Eggs – for breakfast! Do you want one egg or three? Up/over/scrambled – you choose. Toast, jelly, “English Muffin”... I’d never heard of English Muffin – until I went to America! Omelettes (made with three LARGE eggs) with cheese for breakfast. Potatoes cooked in oil. Pancakes dripping with maple syrup and/or whipped cream. Sausage, hash browns... all good stuff, but oh! the waistline. Then there are those promotional deals. On Monday night – dine with us and have the $7.99 prime rib dinner (12oz of meat) and you get a slice (by which they mean a portion cut at right angles) of strawberry cheesecake afterwards free of charge, or “gratis”, as they are fond of saying in America. It must have been in these years that I started noticing what people were eating, and comparing that with their body mass. I was able to figure out the things to avoid.
One girl who joined the organisation I was working at in 1979 had a trim figure and was quite attractive. OK, I fancied her. But she joined a team of middle aged women who would sit in the cafe at break time, gorging on sweet rolls – whatever the hell those are. (I’m not a sugar eater) It was so sad to see this girl lose her figure, because after three months she was as fat as the rest of them. The kids always seemed to have a polystyrene (Styrofoam) container in one hand, whose contents they sucked with a straw. Other kids would have their hand in a brightly coloured bag containing one form of junk snack or another.
The other downfall of some Americans is the car. Here in Britain, cars have become more available – hence more traffic – but the parking situation has not improved! We are accustomed to walking a few hundred yards or half a mile to go and eat, so we get more exercise. In America, you just pull into the parking lot at Burger King/Dennys/Dunkin Donuts, and roll from the car into the restaurant. I went to a Dunkin Donuts outlet once. I wanted a SINGLE (ie *one*) donut, and a cup of coffee. The server offered me a box of one DOZEN!!! (better price). I thought she was joking, but it transpired that some people do indeed consume a dozen donuts in one sitting. Why are American Police officers so fond of Dunkin Donuts? Even Americans themselves joke about this. I heard on a radio station once: Q. What test do Police drivers have to undergo? A. They have to be put in a traffic jam and beat the clock to find the nearest Dunkin Donuts!
I spent a few months working for a firm based in Denver a few years ago. All my team were accommodated at the Denver West Marriott hotel. It was an excellent hotel and the staff were great. But the dinner menu never changed. For most of us, it was difficult to avoid red meat and french fries, which seemed to be de rigeur in that area, as the alternative offerings were not very imaginative. At least in the western states like CA and AZ, you can order a sandwich, and substitute fresh fruit in place of french fries. But oh, the breakfasts. I had to be quite firm in avoiding all fat at breakfast time, so melon, juice and coffee was what I had. Even so, we all ended up putting on weight in the time we were there.
We have had our dental health problems because of austerity which persisted into the post war years. It seems like America has had an obesity problem for completely the opposite reason. It’s the land of plenty! Food is so readily available, and cheap. 24 hour restaurants, 24 hour grocery stores. It is a culture! In New York, folks go to dinner at one restaurant, and dessert at another. In the supermarkets and restaurants, there is so much choice – but it comes with a price, and that price for many has been obesity with all the problems that go with it.
I’m hoping to have enlightened a few people here. For those Americans who mock the state of British dental health (and you are indeed a minority) I have this to say: Do not think that you can mock the traits of a “pissant” country like ours with impunity! Or, to paraphrase a certain biblical passage, first remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will be able to see to remove the speck of sawdust from mine.
