Written by Michael Huling
One of the most understood aspects of contemporary American discourse is the severe political polarization. As the two sides have drifted further and further apart in recent years, hostility and tribalism have also become salient issues. However, polarization is not limited to the political sphere, as there are cultural ramifications as well.
Much of this has to do with the vast differences in lifestyle across the country, which brings me to my discontent with the term “American culture.” This suggests that Americans are monolithic or homogenous in some meaningful way, but this just isn’t the case. If you traveled from the Deep South to the Northeastern United States, you wouldn’t just assume you’ve arrived in a new country—you’d probably think you were on a new planet. The cultural differences really are that pronounced.
In some cases, simply traveling from one part of a state to another reveals astonishing differences. If you drive from San Diego to Bakersfield to San Francisco and finish in Oroville, you’d be amazed that this is all one state. This isn’t an endorsement of splitting California into three or six states, although both proposals have their merits. The immense cultural diversity within and between states is fascinating—and a big part of what makes America so unique.
For all of the variation in culture and lifestyle across the nation, I think there are a couple of shared tendencies that virtually all subcultures in the United States embrace. Stubbornness and generosity appear throughout the cultural enclaves across the country, embodying another component of what America is all about. Our stubbornness manifests in our refusal to adopt the metric system, our reliance on iced beverages, free refills, tipping at restaurants, and so much more. Generally speaking, we do not shy away from the things that distinguish us, we embrace them.
Take San Diego, for instance. We’re deeply stubborn about several things—most notably our refusal to allow others to pass on the highway and our reflexive disdain for inauthentic Mexican food (Taco Bell notwithstanding). However, one would be remiss not to recognize the profound generosity of San Diegans. Our County features a vast array of charities and other volunteer organizations that exist to serve others. The military presence throughout San Diego also speaks to this willingness to serve—often at our own expense.
You may be wondering what all of this has to do with flip flops being worn with jeans. In a funny way, I think this attire pairing exemplifies the culture of San Diego. Besides the geographical proximity to endless beaches, flip flops are a hallmark of San Diego culture because of their comfort. When you live in a place with beautiful weather year-round that is seemingly never too hot or too cold, you develop a fondness for comfort. And what’s more comfortable than flip flops and jeans?
This demand for comfort exhibits some of that stubbornness I mentioned. In light of the unexpected criticism against the flip flops-jeans pairing, I think we could use a bit more generosity in respecting the comfort of others.
It’s that time of year again, folks.
I’d just like to remind my fellow men that flip flops and jeans is not an acceptable combo in any circumstances.
— David (@FourNaanJeremy) April 18, 2018
I understand that wearing flip flops with jeans isn’t for everyone. I’d certainly be caught off guard if I discovered it was also commonplace in certain areas of the country (I’m looking at you, Washington).
I’m tempted to conclude with a predictable “to each his own” line. But to match the classy sophistication of San Diego, I’ll rely on Plato’s more astute explanation provided in Republic, which argues that “justice is when everyone minds his own business, and refrains from meddling in others’ affairs.”
Let’s drop the self-righteous indignation against the flip flop-jeans look and adopt a renewed perspective that balances our cultural stubbornness and generosity—with a bit of Platonic justice mixed in.
Photo via Flickr
