
Margo’s Fourth of July is a bit low-key. She celebrates with her handsome husband, Jacques (though I’m still not sure what he does for work), her stepchildren, and their daughter. They have some patriotic decorations, party favors, and fries, plus what Margo jokingly calls “posh dogs” – a fancy version of hot dogs, since you can’t find real American ones here. Attempts to buy decent hot dogs usually result in something more like sausage. It’s odd, but every London supermarket has an “American” section filled with sugary cereal, Pop-Tarts, Nerds, and these huge, unappetizing hot dogs in jars filled with liquid – they look like museum exhibits! Still, Margo’s right: the most American thing about the party is the abundance of ice in everyone’s drinks. Whenever I have guests, I offer them water “American style” – meaning with plenty of ice – to show some national pride.