Bugs Bunny - American

Since becoming a white-collar worker I have had to wear a tie. Anybody who knows me will attest that I am uncomfortable in all but the most casual of attire. I go to church in shorts and a collared pullover, so much so that it's a joke among the elders. My pastor once did a short schtick on the top 10 differences between grown-up church and children's church (a gathering of kids 4 years old to 1st grade I teach during the sermon). One of them was that unlike Mr. Tim, Pastor Mike wears pants.

At first I dreaded this aspect of my job. I have a thick neck, and shirts that fit in the collar are usually proportioned to clothe a dirigible. Finding shirts that are attractive is time consuming and expensive, since apparently only thin people like to look good for a popular price.

Nevertheless, I now wear a tie four days a week, with Friday being casual day. Over time I have slowly abandoned pedestrian ties of pattern and color for those more in keeping with my nature. One of my favorites is a Bugs Bunny tie commemorating the USPS including the Warner Brothers' creation on a stamp.

This tie is very popular with my co-workers. It seems to brighten their day. I really like it too, not just for it's unusualness, but because Bugs is one of my favorite Americans.

When watching these cartoons as a child, I laughed myself silly over the slapstick, but then I didn't fully appreciated the amalgam of American characteristics embodied in Bugs. Bugs Bunny is the quintessential urban Yankee. He laughs easily, bursts with irony, and refuses to take much seriously. Marines have a saying that they are no greater friend, and no greater foe. In his way, Bugs Bunny captures this spirit, a spirit that is very American. Cross Bugs, and he'll hand you your head, or at least displace your bill.

Bugs is quick witted and tenacious. A rampaging bull may jack up his hiney and send him flying across the Spanish countryside, but Bugs is contemplating retaliation while still in-flight. Bugs reflects an ethos that getting even is for suckers. One must get one-up. Fearless, he can take a punch (or an anvil) and give as good as he gets.

I think it's this snappy, breezy confidence that I most love about the character. Americans have a cocky way that either infuriates or endears. Bugs, like most of America, has no interest in being all things to all people. Like us or lump us, we don't care. If Bugs were from Ontario, he would wring his gloved hands and try to come to terms with the root causes of Elmer Fudd's irrational hostility and desire to shoot him. The New Yorker Bugs assesses the situation, drops an anvil on Fudd's head and marches off playing a fife. What's not to love about a guy like that? I wear the tie that bears his countenance with smirking pride.

Tim McNabb