[foxaylove]

The one word that comes to mind after hearing opinions about the on-going topic of America(ns) is "hypocrisy."

[Golden]

Another interesting thing is that when you guys travel to another country, you could never communicate with someone in their native language. Whereas majority of European people speak 2 or more languages fluently.

[shenzi]

Originally posted by ethan

Please tell me why I need to concern myself with what's going on in other countries. My knowledge of them would not affect my life, positively or negatively.

Oh goodness......

[ethan]

Originally posted by (Cole)

Because arrogance backed up by ignorance just makes stupidity.

Wow, that really did a whole lot for me.

I'm not pretending America is perfect. I know it isn't. I'm not being arrogant when I say I'm proud to live here and defending it.

Originally posted by Big Smoke

*facepalm*

There's a difference about being oblivious about a country, and flat out ignorance. You see -

You know what kid, Youre not worth the brainpower.

I'm honestly asking. I'm not trying to fight with you... you could totally turn my viewpoint around right now.

[Mr. Know It All]

Originally posted by (Cole)

I think there are lots of things wrong with nationalism, but it's okay that you don't.

It's nice that you think we should be proud of the country we come from, but I'm not proud.

Please, please, keep up your patriotism.

Nationalism has been a driving force not only in American history but that of really every successful nation—Britain, Germany, the Soviet Union, Spain, the Netherlands, etc. And, yes, some of those examples are "good" nations, and others are "bad".

[LP54]

Here is a map of the US and their states. Anywhere that is blue is generally more liberal while anything in red is more conservative.



The more conservative parts of the US even fly a flag that no one else does.

[Mr. Know It All]

Originally posted by foxaylove

The one word that comes to mind after hearing opinions about the on-going topic of America(ns) is "hypocrisy."

On part of the American speakers or non-Americans?

[Tropez]

Originally posted by (Cole)

I think there are lots of things wrong with nationalism, but it's okay that you don't.

It's nice that you think we should be proud of the country we come from, but I'm not proud.

Please, please, keep up your patriotism.

But all countries are patriotic. That is the back bone of every country. PLEASE tell me one country that isn't patriotic or doesn't have patriotic people.

[brpk]

Originally posted by jomarr

I love how the USA gets easy access to anything but that's about it. I'd rather live in Canada than live in that mess of a country.

+1 One day, sis.

[Auraeolux]

Originally posted by ethan

Please tell me why I need to concern myself with what's going on in other countries. My knowledge of them would not affect my life, positively or negatively.

you're about get a huge wakeup call because globalization will affect you and the rate that its growing always increases.


and you're statement is why us Americans get a bad rep.

[Mr. Know It All]

Originally posted by Golden

Another interesting thing is that when you guys travel to another country, you could never communicate with someone in their native language. Whereas majority of European people speak 2 or more languages fluently.

True, but Americans don't really have to. Europe is densely compacted with countless languages, and because the nations are both close and small, you encounter other languages more often and therefore need to be multi-lingual.

[(Cole)]

Originally posted by Mr. Know It All

Nationalism has been a driving force not only in American history but that of really every successful nation—Britain, Germany, the Soviet Union, Spain, the Netherlands, etc. And, yes, some of those examples are "good" nations, and others are "bad".

But I don't think any nation is known for its intense patriotism like the US is, except for maybe Nazi Germany, but that's a horrible example. So is the Soviet Union. Both of those nations failed miserably.

[Auraeolux]

Originally posted by Mr. Know It All

Nationalism has been a driving force not only in American history but that of really every successful nation—Britain, Germany, the Soviet Union, Spain, the Netherlands, etc. And, yes, some of those examples are "good" nations, and others are "bad".

Nationalism isn't regular pride, its overly excessive pride in one's country. Nationalism was also one of the main causes of ww1

[ethan]

Originally posted by Auraeolux

you're about get a huge wakeup call because globalization will affect you and the rate that its growing always increases.


and you're statement is why us Americans get a bad rep.

I'm seriously asking. Like, if someone could give me an answer, then maybe I'd care. People just calling me ignorant are doing nothing to help the problem they're complaining about.

[Tropez]

Originally posted by Golden

Another interesting thing is that when you guys travel to another country, you could never communicate with someone in their native language. Whereas majority of European people speak 2 or more languages fluently.

And what's usually that second language ENGLISH. If i'm not mistaken, its a problem in the UK where people don't speak another language, like the US. In fact many countries with English as the native language have problems speaking another language. And you know why? English is the lingua franca of the world (which is Latin for the world language). And even so, America has people that speak more than one language, Spanish and French are common ones in the more liberal parts of the country.

[Golden]

Originally posted by Mr. Know It All

True, but Americans don't really have to. Europe is densely compacted with countless languages, and because the nations are both close and small, you encounter other languages more often and therefore need to be multi-lingual.

Kind of true. I've never had to use French or German or Spanish, though. I just learn it at school. My teacher told me learning languages is vital and a must here because of economical reasons. I've only had to use English in real life to communicate, and that's only been with tourists, so far. And yeah, ofcourse on the internet.

[Mr. Know It All]

Originally posted by (Cole)

But I don't think any nation is known for its intense patriotism like the US is, except for maybe Nazi Germany, but that's a horrible example. So is the Soviet Union. Both of those nations failed miserably.

True. Either the US has it right or is in for some trouble, but that remains to be seen. However, it has worked for 400 years (much more than Nazi and Stalinist regimes), so something must be working.

[ethan]

Originally posted by LP54

The more conservative parts of the US even fly a flag that no one else does.

Some random people still do, but it's not officially used anymore

[Lambo.]

Originally posted by ethan

I'm seriously asking. Like, if someone could give me an answer, then maybe I'd care. People just calling me ignorant are doing nothing to help the problem.

Knowing what goes on in the world helps you be a well-rounded and informed individual. It lets you know what life is like in other countries and what other people are going through.

However, ignorance is bliss.

[foxaylove]

Originally posted by Golden

Another interesting thing is that when you guys travel to another country, you could never communicate with someone in their native language. Whereas majority of European people speak 2 or more languages fluently.

The convenience of boarding multiple countries at end with various languages, no? The states in USA border each other like European Countries border one another. We don't have the benefit of travelling 5-8 hours and possibly pass through 5 different languages along the way. The most prominent foreign languages are either French or Spanish.

French use to be a highly spoken language in my state (Louisiana), but now Spanish is slowing taking over due to the influx of latinos in the country.