I certainly do not want to give the impression that the most educational thing my travelmates and I did on our European vacation was frequent houses of prostitution, but in a way, it sort of was.
Allow me to explain.
For my five other American companions and I, our trip was well rounded and completely fulfilling. During the day, we'd traverse the historic streets of Munich and Prague, scoping out statues, castles and landmarks, surveying the remaining bastions of Europe's riotous past. At night, like the true Badgers we are, we'd explore the contemporary cultural scenes of Germany and the Czech Republic, traversing beer gardens, pubs and dance clubs in search of first-hand experience within the sociological structure of Europe.
Although it may sound crass and immature, I found that the one type of establishment which provided us with the most cultural enrichment was undoubtedly that of the strip club.
Whereas we in the United States enjoy a certain degree of sexuality and risqu?? erotic undertones in our daily lives, those in Europe fully embrace what our society would deem \perverse"" and ""immoral."" Nothing illustrates this more succinctly than the wealth of strip clubs, erotic cabarets and houses of prostitution which dot the social landscape of Europe.
Now, I'm sure the more ""socially conservative"" of you (my parents, my family, future employers, etc) are completely appalled that a sometimes intelligent collegiate writer, who often espouses the virtue of responsible enjoyment, would devote time and energy to the subject of erotic night clubs-where prostitution is not only legal but highly encouraged.
I contend that there is no better place to experience educational culture shock than the night clubs of Prague or Munich or anywhere else in Europe. Although my moral, religious and ethical values prevented me from exchanging money for erotic stimulation, I was able to sit back and fully observe the cultural dynamics of the legalized ""flesh trade"" of Europe, and contrast with American societal norms and morays.
What exactly did these strip clubs and hookers teach me? The main lesson-America takes too much too seriously. Think about your day so far: how many things have already upset you? How many people have made you angry just by walking past you, or have dressed or talked in a way that boils your blood with annoyance? Our collective social blood pressure is rising exponentially each day, and it's time we all just relax and take a continental-sized spring break.
While I did not utilize the erotic night clubs for anything more than a place to enjoy a few drinks and a couple of laughs with my compatriots, such establishments taught me that it's time to scale back and enjoy life for what it really is.
Forget about the rules, regulations and requirements for awhile and live your life. We get 60 to 80 years if we're really lucky-why waste them by being another cog in the machine?
