[Understanding the Taboo of Death in American Culture]-[AEE 845: One Taboo Topic that Americans Avoid]

All Ears English Podcast · B1 · 2017-11-16

📋 Summary

The American Discomfort with Mortality

In this episode of the All Ears English podcast, hosts Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan delve into a topic often considered a "taboo" in American society: death. While acknowledging that the subject can be a "downer," they seek to explore why Americans frequently shy away from the reality of mortality. The discussion is sparked by a listener from China, who expressed surprise at the popularity of housing near cemeteries in North America—a concept that feels inherently uncomfortable or even "freaky" to many, including the hosts themselves.

The Cultural "Rise of the Self"

To provide a professional perspective, Lindsay cites Lawrence Samuel, a PhD who noted in Psychology Today that "the rise of the self has made it increasingly difficult to acknowledge the fact that our individual selves will no longer exist." This cultural shift has rendered death and dying "almost unmentionable words" in polite American conversation. The hosts agree that American culture places a high value on "youth," "beauty," and "energy," categories that naturally exclude the processes of aging and death. Consequently, these topics are often pushed aside, leading to a cultural avoidance that affects everything from estate planning to how people interact with grieving friends.

Avoidance and Contradictions

One of the key points raised is the procrastination surrounding practical end-of-life matters, such as writing a will. Michelle notes that even within families, discussing the details of a will is often viewed as a "taboo" or a source of "weirdness." This highlights a broader trend where Americans prefer to maintain a sense of privacy rather than confront the inevitable.

Interestingly, the hosts point out a cultural contradiction: while Americans are uncomfortable discussing the reality of death, they are simultaneously "obsessed with crime shows." They compare this phenomenon to the feeling of "peeking through your fingers" while watching a horror movie—a way of engaging with death from a safe, detached distance without having to face its personal reality.

Euphemisms and Evolving Perspectives

Language plays a significant role in how Americans navigate this discomfort. Instead of using the blunt term "died," people often opt for softer euphemisms like "passed" or "passed away" to make the situation sound "less intense." Phrases like "kick the bucket" are used for humorous contexts, while the term "late" (e.g., "my late uncle") is reserved for more formal settings.

Ultimately, the hosts emphasize that American attitudes toward death are not monolithic. They acknowledge that subcultures—such as those in New Orleans or various religious communities—may have more celebratory or open traditions regarding death. However, as a general cultural observation, the takeaway remains that death is a subject wrapped in hesitation and awkwardness. The podcast encourages listeners to observe these cultural nuances and to recognize that while some topics may be "uncomfortable," exploring them can offer a deeper understanding of the values that drive American society.

🎯Key Sentences

I'm doing well today.

You guys can correct us if we are wrong.

Geez, big topic, huh.

It won't be too much of a downer.

I guess my great aunt, someone I never knew.

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📝Key Phrases

come to one's attention

have nothing to do with

dig into

make someone tick

procrastinate on

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📖 Transcript

This is an All Ears English podcast, episode 845, one taboo topic that Americans avoid.

Welcome to the All Ears English podcast, downloaded more than 50 million times.

We believe in connection, not perfection.

With your American hosts Lindsay McMahon, the English adventurer, and Michelle Kaplan, the New York radio girl, coming to you from Boston and New York City, USA.

And to get your transcripts delivered by email every week, go to allearsenglishcom.

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