It seems to me that nations have corporate sins; that is, that national cultures gravitate to some sins more than others.
If I had to identify the American culture with one sin it would be the deadly sin of gluttony.
If one travels anywhere in the world, and comes back to the States, what is most noticeable are these things.
One, the amount of food people eat daily.
Two, the amount of good people waste daily.
I was visiting two households lately where the freezers were full of outdated food-seriously outdated food.
The host in one told me he has to throw away food all the time as he buys too much, and then does not use it.
All the food he was throwing away was expensive meat and fish, mostly from Trader Joe's.
I was shocked.
25% of what Americans buy is thrown away. 40% of what we produce is not eaten.
http://organicconnectmag.com/america-wastes-nearly-half-its-food/#.UrY9CNJDuyY
The second shock is the amount of food people expect to have at one meal.
People also snack here. I wish all Americans would spend time in other countries and notice the dinners and such people eat.
Much, much less, even the middle classes eat less and restaurants serve smaller portions.
One gets use to eating less food and expecting less.
It is actually healthier.
That Americans eat all the time, and in such quantities, grieves me. And, there are many, many, more obese young people here.
Gluttony is over-indulgence and over-consumption of food and drink.
Gluttony is also taking too much pleasure, and spending too much time over food buying, or preparation.
There is an odd idea in the Midwest that to love is to feed-and to feed is to love. Men and boys are spoiled at home with food daily. I can see the difference here than in Europe, where excessive eating is not seen as a specific sign of love.
And, in some counties in England, wheelie bins are only emptied once every two weeks. Americans cannot imagine that.
Here is St. Thomas Aquinas on Gluttony: http://www.newadvent.org/summa/3148.htm
to be continued....