As If We Knew Each Other

I love the familiarity that Americans try to create with all and sundry. Within seconds of a first meeting, we are 'buddies'. First names flow like between good friends. US politicians are not known to bother with formality, and President Bush just refers to 'Tony" (Mr. Blair) and now 'Gordon' (Mr. Brown) and 'Nicolas' (President Sarkozy) and 'Angela' (Chancellor Merkel). Americans are not burdened by the rules of 'the old country' so do not fall over when they meet certain dignitaries, for example, such as will soon be the case with former Senator John Warner, who will have bestowed on him the title of 'honorary of the Knight Commander Most Excellent Order of the British Empire' (KBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. He should NOT be referred to as 'Sir John', as this is an honorary title not a real one. Whatever else is done, he should not be referred to 'Sir Warner'; that kind of appellation would apply if he had been ennobled, and become Lord Warner of Virginia, let's say. It's a bit complicated, but pretty clear, really. But none of this will bother most Americans, who will still refer to 'John', though I suspect that the novelty of the knighthood may lead to a few uttered "Sir John".

The presidency does not hold the same awe for Americans as does the monarchy for the English. So, Americans feel fine referring to the president as POTUS (president of the United States of America). Indeed, it goes further to cover the first family. So, Michelle Obama is often referred to as FLOTUS (first lady of the United States of America, who is now like a flowering lotus of the USA). I have not seen it used but I would like to popularise two additional acronyms. FICUS, for first children of the United States. Then, as from April, if news reports are right, FIDUS, first dog of the United States. Michelle's mother does not lend herself easily to acronymization, but FOGUS might work, first and only grandmother of the United States.

The new president is creating a lovely familiarity in the way that he deals with people. There he was in Congress on Tuesday evening, ahead of his speech, giving man hugs (they look like regular hugs, but because men are involved it seems that we need the adjective), and whispering invitations to the White House (for those who could hear or lip read). Michelle too (see, I have already dropped her full name), who hugs and kisses everyone she meets at formal occasions just as if they are visiting in her own real home.

People feel so at ease with the current first couple that it is not uncommon now to see a lot of touching of these often distant individuals, as could be seen by at least one female politician giving the POTUS a back rub as he entered Congress the other evening and was stopped for a few words with a politician. Too sweet!

This kind of public 'love in' will no doubt bring forward invidious comparisons with the current president and his predecessors, but it should not. Each person is different and the level of comfort in social settings in not prescribed. However, I personally like the warm, fuzzy, feeling that POTUS is giving at least some of us.