you don't have to get so defensive, nobody is attacking you or America. It's just a fact that europeans dislike americans, for the reasons you mentioned or for some others. You should learn to accept and ignore this fact and not to hop on the fence like this every time you encounter this. Why? Because it's useless, you won't prove anybody anything. All they see is an offended in his patriotic feelings american who only proves their opinion by overreacting in this way.
I don't actually care if people attack 'America' per se, because most substantive critiques are things that I personally agree with. What I dislike is people making vast generalizations about the people of the United States or the idea that anyone generally "dislikes" Americans, or any nationality for that matter. Also, that people will read in their own stereotypes into my reaction isn't a surprise, but I'm not sure how it changes the issue even remotely.
i couldn't agree more. It's troubles me greatly that Europe follows America's example in so many ways. I can only hope it won't become United States of Europe in the end.
You and me both.
Why??? Most people like some nations more and the others less. Nothing discriminating about that, just some personal preferences. In most cases it doesn't result in any personal hate towards any certain people of those nations you happen to encounter in your life. Again, it strikes me that americans are the only ones who get so offended and get so defensive every time. Other nations have learned to live with that and even to laugh about it. Some humility wouldn't hurt, but i guess the blown up american patriotism won't have that.
Uh, firstly, as I was just saying, I don't really consider myself to be a particularly patriotic person. I do, however, dislike massive generalizations about the people with whom I was educated with, who make up my family and are my friends. I'm not a flag-waving 'patriot,' and I certainly don't have this stereotypical flag-waving attitude. I do, however, find it frustrating that it's entirely OK to take shots at people with whom you will never have any real contact with or know anything about.
By the way, Americans are *not* the only people who get upset when people insult their national origin. I have encountered
many different people who have expressed having similar feelings including having an Iranian professor just recently say something to this extent in class: "I was part of the revolution and left the country given the results, I am highly critical of Iran but if someone criticizes Iran for one reason or another I still defend Iran and say 'While you were wearing deerskin we were doing algebra!'" I think this kind of response is actually quite common. Maybe the only reason you notice it from Americans is because you spend too much time complaining about the USA.
Or maybe you are reading your own bias into these reactions (that all Americans are hyper-patriotic)it certainly seems you're reading it into my reaction.
It was a shock to me some years ago to discover that Polish really hate russians. I had absolutely no idea, until i came here in NL. When i just got to know my bf, he had a good friend who was polish. When my bf told him that his new gf (me) was russian, the guy didn't want to ever meet me at all anymore! I was shocked and couldn't understand why. I mean, wtf! The guy never even met me, and he had absolutely no desire to ever do so just because i was russian! I wonder how *you* would react...
Since that time i learned that Poles and almost all former communist eastern european countries carry this hate towards Russia. I think vast majority of russians don't even know that, and see those nations more like their dear Slavic brothers. After the initial shock i learned to accept that. This hostility is so stupid and absolutely uncalled for but i don't think there's anything one can do about these irrational feelings.
I would've told my significant other to tell the guy he was being a fucking moron. Whether or not it happens it's not
justified. I can see
why Poles might feel that way in historical context, but I don't think it actually justifies the behavior on the personal level. In fact, I think it's utterly ridiculous and that people who behave in such a manner should be ashamed of themselves. We are not the crimes of our fathers or even our countrymen. People may feel justified disliking the United States because of political reasons, but I didn't make those decisions. I voted repeatedly for different candidates and participated in protests and the democratic process to try to stop these things. So how, then, am I to be personally held responsible for this because of where I'm born and because of the culture I was reared in? It's silly and you see that.
But I do believe that speaking out against the stupidity is important. Naming it for others is just as important as for the person who is spouting the attitude.
oh yes you do that, and i, together with all other american hating europeans, will keep calling americans names and refuse meeting them and have any contact with them. Wait, next time i might even punch them in the face for being so american.
/sarcasm
Well that was dickish and condescending.
Actually, people have been straight up rude to me or aggressive about the USA when I meet them. I tend to not even bring up my nationality anymore because it means 2 hours of discussions about American politics and while I like American politics and think it's important, I'm sick of having to defend myself for things I'm not responsible for from people with only a cursory knowledge of the context.
It's as pointless to fight ignorance as it is to fight stupidity. If you prefer to get on the fence like that every time go ahead, i'm not so quixotic and won't waste my time and breath proving somebody's irrational hostility for my nation is irrational and really unnecessary.
I guess I have an inability to not call 'bullshit' when I see it.
