Welcome to July 4th, mates! It’s American Independence Day! A day so popular that not even Jeff Goldblum’s billowing chest hair could put a damper on that good old yankee spirit. As a proud Australian and for all of you non-Americans, I’ve put together a fairly accurate guide of what you need to do and what to expect on the most patriotic day of the year.
(This post has been brought to you in part by this post.)
1. (Peanut) Butter Your Muffin
I’m not even sure what PB & J really means, but I’ve heard through the grapevine (I.e. various American television shows) that this is the ultimate American snack. Just as Australians flock to a grilled cheese and Vegemite sandwich: If you wave this around hard enough, you will soon have a room filled with patriotic Americans. One might even say my PB & J brings all the girls to the yard, even.
Or, for the ultimate flavour (ed. note: flavor) experience, skip the bread all together and take the spread straight from the jar. This also works with cookie butter. (What is cookie butter? Who’s to say for sure.)
2. American apparel but not like the morally questionable clothing company
The first time I went to Disneyland, I was so in awe of everything that I nearly cried from excitement; but the first time I visited Target was more wonderful than even the prospect of having a picture with a sweaty man in a mouse suit. There were bright lights! It smelled like a sterile hospital! There was alcohol!
But more exciting than anything else, was the amount of American labeled regalia on offer: t-shirts, tank tops, hats, socks, bathers, flags. That shit was everywhere! Dressing from head to toe in blue, red and white should be as easy as apple pie.
3. Get slapped by a paddle
I’ve heard everything is Beta in a frat. (ed note: wow) We don’t get the typical college experience at home; that is, we have a severe lack of fraternity parties, plastic red cups, beer pong or anything else that was included in the American Pie trilogy (which we all know is an authentic study on the pubescent teens of the United States of America).
My only natural conclusion from films like Pitch Perfect, Road Trip, Clueless and High School Musical is that the pinnacle of life is joining a fraternity. Who doesn’t want mysterious initiation rituals and outrageous parties?!
4. Light shit on fire (safely)
Johnny Cash wrote a song about his burning ring of fire (which I’m sure warranted medical attention, rather than anything else). The point is, America love their flames. And loud noises. If it goes BANG, then you’re onto a winner.
So invite all your queer friends and that girl you have a crush on over to your house and start collecting fireworks, firecrackers, sparklers and matches; empty out the washing machine and use the drum to make a bonfire so you can feel the burn baby burn. I bet you could even get that girl to cuddle with you.
5. Throw a shrimp on the barbie
I was talking to a friend, when I mentioned I was a vegetarian. I’m being honest when I say that her first response was “Well, we even throw bell peppers on — so you’ll be okay!”
In addition to my chargrilled vegetables, there should be multitude of meat at your homo-patriotic celebration. Unless you’re a vegetarian, in which case you may want to practice saying, “I’ll be fine with my Tofurkey, thanks” aloud to yourself in the mirror for a while.
6. Read Autostraddle posts about America
We write about America a lot because we’ve had a lot of American writers and contributors over the years, including the entire editorial team and also most of our writers. Go read these and feel the American rushing over you:
- Stephanie Goldfarb of “America’s Best Cook” Will Make You A Steak: The Autostraddle Interview – “I burned the fuck out of my steak, called it “blackening spice…”
- 2013 American Music Awards: 10 Things I Am Reacting To – “Miley Cyrus singing ‘Wrecking Ball’ in a cat two-piece as a giant cat cries in the background.”
- Idol Worship: Zelda Fitzgerald, The First American Flapper – “Flappers were a clique you didn’t wanna fuck with: girls who drank, danced, socialized, slept around, wore short dresses – and all when it was not fashionable, or marketable, or easy.”
- 10 Most Unstoppable Women Ever – “Until you dig a hole, you plant a tree, you water it and make it survive, you haven’t done a thing. You are just talking.”
- 45 Recipes Good Enough To Grill For – “Grill on, friends and comrades.”
- Diana Taurasi Kisses Seimone Augustus During WNBA Conference Finals Game – “After the game, Augustus noted that Taurasi has always ‘…wanted some of my deliciousness’ and Taurasi insists they ‘…were just trying to make sweet love.’ This might be the best argument for you all to watch the WNBA that there’s ever been.”
7. Do a keg stand with a hot girl
Keg stands. Merica is all about the keg stands, as I understand it. I don’t understand how they work in conjunction with gravity, but if Elphaba can defy it, then so can you, brave beer queers.
In addition to shoving one up Newton’s, you will need to consume copious amounts of alcohol before, during and after the actual standing of the keg. Preferably tequila. Or whiskey.
8. July 5th hangover brunch
Denny’s.
9. Listen to some American music
You are so lucky that my pal Intern Grace (a real, live American!) and I have put together a fabulous playlist for you, chock-full of classic American feelings.
Hotel California
We Didn’t Start The Fire
The Way You Make Me Feel
Closer To Fine
America
I Want It That Way
Scream & Shout
Not Ready To Make Nice
Little Red Corvette
Heartless
Run the World (Girls)
American Girl
TKO
Respect
Are You That Somebody
Party In The U.S.A.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody
9 to 5
Tightrope (Feat. Big Boi)
Double Dutch Bus
Boyfriend
Surfin’ U.S.A.
Born In The U.S.A.
Oklahoma
Over It
La La Land
10. Lick an American’s face
As if you need an excuse.
BONUS 11. Have s’more
I’ve had s’mores exactly twice in my life, but I dream about those days on an almost weekly basis. Growing up, the ultimate American accomplishment was to taste a s’more; needless to say, it was difficult when you didn’t really know what a graham cracker was. Now that the myth of the cracker has lifted, I can safely say that I’m well and truly a half toasted yank. This is likely the most important item on this list.
All right, patriotic queerdos, let’s talk it out! What else should us non-Americans be doing to celebrate Independence Day? I hope it involves pretending I can only legally get married in 40% of my country!
