Can I ask you a question?

The other night at dinner, Harry Potter (one of the Chinese university students with our group) asked me if he could ask me a question. Of course, my general response to this inquiry is, “You just did,” because I find it very ironic and quite hilarious. His question was, “Who do you like, Obama or Hilary?”

I was floored. Not only do I not have a strong opinion either direction, but the truth is that it doesn’t really matter, of course, because the democratic ticket has already been decided. But the thing that really shocked me was how interested Harry and Aussie Matt were in the topic. These two were more informed on the two American Democratic candidates than I will ever be. They had more background information than I could fathom, and each of them had their own opinion on the matter! I was so overwhelmed, in fact, that I couldn’t think straight enough to give an answer that resembled any bit of intellectual ability.

I told the boys that in the States it often becomes less of a “who do you like?” question and more of a “who’s the least bad?” inquiry. They were very intrigued and interested to hear my opinion, after all and like Harry mentioned, I am the one with the vote.

Then the culture difference between the boys began to shine through. Aussie Matt didn’t say he liked Obama. Instead, he talked about how he wrote off Hilary a long while back when she made an off-handed comment about Bosnia. He then conceded that, “Even McCain would be better!” I just nodded my head like I had a clue. In response, Harry made it clear that he felt Hilary was the best candidate for America because of her age and experience in adversity.

Retrospective thought process makes me realize how ignorant to the world I must be. I have no idea who the leaders of China and Australia are. I have no clue what the name of the Mexican President is that visited the Great Wall the other day. The controversy and conversation about the race for the President of the United States extends so far beyond our borders. This is an important, powerful matter for these two international students, and it opens up a whole new perspective on the matter for me, the voter!

XOXO