Drift Reality

When I was a student at Georgetown, I remember how much I dug going to Old Glory, having a Bloody Mary and delicious ribs. Strangely, I never realized that the place was an “American-only” bar and only served “American” products.

I love this country as much as the next person, but the concept of an “American-only” bar seems a bit wierd to me. Especially when you consider that one of the things that makes this country great is the fact that it encompasses such a wide array of cultures, religions, and races. The them “All-American” is cool, but does that mean that you have to discount everything foreign? Where do you cross the line? I mean, right now I’m wearing American clothes that were all manufactured in South America and I’m typing on an American computer, of which the various components are manufactured primarily in Japan.

Last week, a friend of mine accompanied me to Old Glory for dinner. We sidled up to the bar and my friend asked for a Bass Ale only to be told by the bartender that they only served “American” products in the bar. He then inquired why Guiness was on tap, to which the bartender responded, “Because it is brewed in the US. It is American beer.”

Feeling a bit saucy, I asked him, “Well, if Nike shoes are manufactured in Mexico, does that make them Mexican shoes?” After staring blankly like an idiot for a few moments, he slowly responded that, “Yes,” Nike shoes “were Mexican shoes. Everyone knows that.” Then he quickly scurried to the other side of the bar. My friend shouted after him, “Can we get some French Fries,” to which he responded, “We don’t have French Fries. Only Freedom fries.” We looked at one another and for a moment I wondered if we, a Korean/Iranian American and an Iranian American and were allowed to be in this “American only ” bar.

We laughed and then looked at the liquor bar and found it stacked with imports. It was then that I realized that Old Glory is still a cool place even if the bartender their is a complete dumbass. The food is decent and they have a cool outdoor patio even if they do serve you beer in these lame little pee cups that make you think you’re at a frat party.

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