When Indonesians hear that I'm from Kansas, two things pop into their mind. No, they don't thing about the yellow brick road and Wildcats football/Royals baseball/Chiefs football. Instead they think of cowboys and cigarettes. "Kansas" brand cigarettes are one of the most popular here, and their advertisements are similar to Marlboro's - cowboys riding horses across the open plains as the sun sets in the background, ruining the fresh, clean air with a smoking cigarette hanging out of their mouth.
When Indonesians hear that I own cattle and had childhood dreams of being a cowboy, their idyllic image of Kansas is further confirmed. I do, however, try to point them straight by explaining that we have no Kansas-brand cigarettes in Kansas, nor do we grow much if any tobacco. Their quizzical look reveals feelings of betrayal that Kansas is not as picturesque as they had first imagined. Not wanting to disappoint, I quickly explain that two of my uncles are cowboys and my dad wears cowboy boots and has used a lasso. The smile returns -Kansas isn't much different than they had first imagined.
When Indonesians hear that I'm from Kansas, two things pop into their mind. No, they don't thing about the yellow brick road and Wildcats football/Royals baseball/Chiefs football. Instead they think of cowboys and cigarettes. "Kansas" brand cigarettes are one of the most popular here, and their advertisements are similar to Marlboro's - cowboys riding horses across the open plains as the sun sets in the background, ruining the fresh, clean air with a smoking cigarette hanging out of their mouth.
When Indonesians hear that I own cattle and had childhood dreams of being a cowboy, their idyllic image of Kansas is further confirmed. I do, however, try to point them straight by explaining that we have no Kansas-brand cigarettes in Kansas, nor do we grow much if any tobacco. Their quizzical look reveals feelings of betrayal that Kansas is not as picturesque as they had first imagined. Not wanting to disappoint, I quickly explain that two of my uncles are cowboys and my dad wears cowboy boots and has used a lasso. The smile returns -Kansas isn't much different than they had first imagined.