One Hundred Percent American

The article reflects on the misconceptions regarding American cultural identity.
Emphasizes that cultural borrowing and assimilation is reciprocal, not unilateral.

Americans often view the exchange of cultural practices and technology as a one-way street, where others adopt American customs.
Linton argues that this viewpoint disregards the numerous influences that have shaped American culture from diverse origins.

## Household Objects and Practices

Glass: Originally invented by ancient Egyptians.
Glazed Tiles: Used for flooring and wall decoration, introduced from the Near East.
Porcelain: Originated in China.
Enameling on Metal: A craft developed by Mediterranean artisans during the Bronze Age.
Bathtubs and Toilets: Based on designs from Persian and Asia Minor cultures.
Soap: Invented by the ancient Gauls.
Clothing and Personal Grooming
Pajamas: A garment of East Indian origin; suggests cultural amnesia regarding one's attire.
Close-fitting tailored garments: Derived from skin clothing of ancient nomads from the Asiatic steppes.
Buttons: Prototypes traceable to Europe from the end of the Stone Age.
Footwear: Stiff covering fashioned from techniques developed in ancient Egypt, patterned after Greek styles.
Shaving: A grooming ritual inferred from practices established by Scandinavian priests.
Clock: A medieval European invention that indicates time management.
Turkish Towels: Now part of the American bathroom experience.

The breakfast table presents a plethora of foreign influences:
Pottery vessels: Commonly referred to as "china," indicating Asian origin.
Fork and Spoon: The fork is a medieval Italian invention; the spoon is derived from Roman designs.
Coffee: Originates from an Abyssinian plant, introduced by Arabs; typically sweetened with sugar (discovered in India).
Cream: The milking technique hails from Asia Minor.
American Breakfast Components:
- Fruits: Orange (Mediterranean), cantaloupe (Persia), grapes (Asia Minor).
- Cereal: Made from grains cultivated in the Near East.
- Waffles: A Scandinavian innovation, served with butter (initially a Near-Eastern cosmetic).
- Eggs or Meat: Sourced from birds and animals domesticated in Southeastern Asia, prepared using Northern European methods of salting and smoking.

The American hurries to the train, which is an English invention.
Newspapers: Purchased with coins from ancient Lydia.
Cigarettes and Cigars: Inventions from Mexico and Brazil, respectively.
Reading Material: News printed using characters from ancient Semites, applying German processes onto materials from China.

As the American navigates their day, they subconsciously embody a hybrid of influences from various cultures while professing a singular American identity.
Personal Realization: This exploration invokes a broader reflection on the nature of Americanism, intertwined with acknowledgments of its diverse roots.