In the not too distant past when I went to visit my family, they would ask me to bring them some gifts from the United States. They all look forward to bragging about having something from America -- other than something that blew up their home. I love to bring gifts to my family and friends back home. I do not see them enough, so the longer my absence, the bigger the presents. Bringing gifts to my loved one makes me feel like a Palestinian Santa, and everybody wants something.
One of my brothers liked messing around with my stuff. One time, I had a gel for sport injuries that he thought was hair gel and used it to spike up his hair. He said it was OK until it started to itch and smell like horse semen. That was our little secret for some time. The point is everyone likes stuff, but when you ask them if they want something from the States, they would politely say no. Yet if you go home empty-handed, they will call you a cheapskate. So it's a safe rule to pay the fees for that extra bag and stuff it with goods and gifts. My dad likes three things: razors, cigars and premium honey -- he used to ask for baby aspirins.
Dad likes his cigars, mom likes perfumes and lotions, my sisters like cotton undershirts for their hubbies, and my brothers like shades and sneakers. I have observed that up to 2005, American-made products were abundant and there was something special about getting something from the United States. I know it used to mean a lot to me when I read "Made In The USA" on anything I bought, and the same goes for my family members. Something about that imprint reflects consumer confidence and trust in the durability of American-made goods.
But this label has become increasingly hard to find. Every time I go back, I carry less and less American-made goods in my suitcases. The space has been replaced with mostly Chinese-made goods and somehow the gift loses its prestige. I am sure they do a great job in China making all those goods for the world to enjoy at a low price, but my -- anywhere you look today, there are Chinese goods. So there is little point in carrying goods that they can buy themselves. I think about that when I see tourists from around the world strolling in American malls, only to find little that is actually American to take home with them. Even most souvenirs are made or printed in China. This would not be a tragedy, had the American industries moved to doing better things with their time as advocates of efficiency would have you believe. But the reality is that many Americans who used to be in these industries now sit jobless at home flipping through America's limitless TV channels -- if they can still afford the cable.
Sometimes, I wonder if Chinese-made goods are better in America than the ones they send to the Middle East. This time, I managed to find some perfumes and lotions that are made in the States, my mom's favorite chewing gum, chocolate bars, and "American" cotton underwear made in El Salvador. For my brother Mohammad, I struggled but found him a decent hair cream made in the U.S.. I will also be taking them some Tylenol -- a cure for all ills, according to my mother and her never-ending lady friends.
Even the suitcase brand reads American Tourister; it's not made in the United States, Canada or Mexico. My phone is made in China by way of Japan and the same goes for my tablet. What iconic American goods or food can I share with my family in Gaza? Last time, I tried beef jerky but they did not seem to appreciate it. I know I want my family to try a root beer float or a warm apple pie for example, but I have never seen root beer anywhere back home. Think about this, if I am coming back from Palestine, I would bring back olive oil and "Zaatar" -- a classic Palestinian mix of herbs, and most fellow Arabs would know this is Palestinian stuff. I know Americans take pride in Google, Apple and similar-minded companies that rule their respective domains; but as for consumer goods, less and less are being made here. What do you consider a unique all-American gift?