Anti-Americanism (again)... (safe, train, travel, Europeans)

[SophieLL]

Wikipedia chauvinism seems to perfectly describe USA. You could this under USA entry and it will be the same:

Chauvinism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chauvinism, in its original and primary meaning, is an exaggerated, bellicose patriotism and a belief in national superiority and glory.[1] It is an eponym of a possibly fictional French soldier Nicolas Chauvin who was credited with many superhuman feats in the Napoleonic wars.
By extension, it has come to include an extreme and unreasoning partisanship on behalf of any group to which one belongs, especially when the partisanship includes malice and hatred towards rival groups.

In "Imperialism, Nationalism, Chauvinism", in The Review of Politics 7.4, (October 1945), p. 457, Hannah Arendt, the political theorist, describes the concept:
Chauvinism is an almost natural product of the national concept in so far as it springs directly from the old idea of the "national mission." ... [A] nation's mission might be interpreted precisely as bringing its light to other, less fortunate peoples that, for whatever reason, have miraculously been left by history without a national mission. As long as this concept did not develop into the ideology of chauvinism and remained in the rather vague realm of national or even nationalistic pride, it frequently resulted in a high sense of responsibility for the welfare of backward people.



Bringing light to the less fortunate, national mission, superiority: this all is exactly how americans read themselves. And this is so unfortunate, cause if you werent such narcisistic with a superiority complex, you probably be the most beloved nation in the world, for giving such wonderful works of art to all of us.

[Montguy]

Originally Posted by SophieLL

I love Americans (i mean people from USA)
Almost every american i have the pleasure of encounter and talk to in forums is either nice or very nice. I even made friends.
I have American friends (i lived there for a while) wich i see and they come visit or i go visit and they are the best.
I profoundly admire American TV. I think TV series (such as The Simpsons, Lost, Seinfeld, Curb your enthusiasm, South Park- to only name a few) are the best in the world and really show how clever and humorous this culture can be (i mean american culture).
I admire the country for its beauty and multicultiralism, its greatness and all the great artists that were born there and blessed the world with their art. Not only related to tv: also musicians, movie makers, writers, etcétera. I admire so many of them that i could be here forever if i started typing about it.

Clearly, i can very well separate US goverment and politics (wich i hated for a long time) from their individual citizens. I dont hate the country at all. I admire it, in a way.

HOWEVER, theres something very annoying about america and americans, and i think its related to this politics they have that made them hated around the world: they are insanely PATRIOTIC. To a degree that its kinda sick. They not only think they are the only nation in the world, they think they are the smartest, the ones that knows whats better for everyone else, they think their nation is the example and everyone should follow.

And I think USA international politics have to do with this: with the fact that almost every citizen thinks america is the best place in the world and, even when most of americans ignore everything about other countries, they sure know whats best for them. And this patriotism is incarnated in most US citizen. I know many countries and people from tons of countries and there isnt ONE that is as proud and PATRIOTIC to the extent of americans. And, that, my friend, is the root of the hate. If you could stop thinking that you are the best countries in the world, and start learning how the other countries are, maybe you will get less hate. And with you i mean the citizens. Its really easy to convince a patriotic country to stand by any crazy mission. Just like ahab and the whale. A-hab being the goverment, the whale being the circunstancial enemy and the US people being the ones in the boat.

And even the smartest american i talk to seem to be patriotic to a degree. In any case, the less patriotic american i know is a million times more patriotic than the most patriotic argentinians i know. And it sucks and it can be very frustrating specially when you have americans friends and you love americans but you just cant talk with them about certain things cause they turn irrational.

Sometimes i wonder how such a smart society can be so stupid in some things, like being all OPENLY PATRIOTIC and OPENLY saying how their coutnry is the best and openly showing they know nothing about the world outside US. That still shockes me.

Sophie, please do a little research on Canadian patriotism, and then tell me that Americans are the most "chauvinistic" in their patriotic/nationalistic behavior.

I'm not going to excuse Americans for their insular tendencies, nor will I deny that they can often be patronizing toward non-Americans; however, I fail to see any credibility in your assertion that Americans are somehow the worst in that regard. I myself have experienced several instances of patronization and mockery from foreigners (mostly Europeans) in my own country, which is something I would never do as a visitor to any part of the world.

As for Americans' patriotism, I will not condemn them for having a sense of country. I don't want to live in a nation where people place their national identity and self-interest second to the so-called "global community" and whatever destructive agenda (disarmament, carbon-capping, etc.) it wants to pursue. Honestly, I would love to see the U.S. return to its anti-interventionist tradition and focus more on its own labor force, agricultural productivity, energy development and independence, etc.

At any rate, I appreciate your comments.

[nzrugby]

Oh dear, the ignorance, The British Commonwealth ? no such thing, there is an organisation known as the Commonwealth of Nations headed by Her Majesty but it is certainly not the British Commonwealth.

True, the USA is not too welcome in the Commonwealth but what can one expect when one is a country made up of revolting colonials.

We should not patronise Americans ? why not ,they make such soft targets with their love of a book of fairy tales, firearms to grasp, and tales that some politician who is a touch dusky was Kenyan born.

Maybe the USA needs to grow up a bit and stop whining.

[Montguy]

Originally Posted by nzrugby

Oh dear, the ignorance, The British Commonwealth ? no such thing, there is an organisation known as the Commonwealth of Nations headed by Her Majesty but it is certainly not the British Commonwealth.

True, the USA is not too welcome in the Commonwealth but what can one expect when one is a country made up of revolting colonials.

We should not patronise Americans ? why not ,they make such soft targets with their love of a book of fairy tales, firearms to grasp, and tales that some politician who is a touch dusky was Kenyan born.

Maybe the USA needs to grow up a bit and stop whining.

Lets discuss ignorance, shall we?

Firstly, how is it that you can acknowledge the Commonweath as being headed by British royalty and then deny that it's an obviously British political entity in the same sentence? Oh wait, I know...it's because "Her Majesty" has only "ceremonial significance," right? LOLOLOLOL

"Revolting colonials"? So long as those of you on that pathetic island allow your government to be assoicated with the British Monarchy, consider yourselves the "revolting colonials."

"Fairy tales, guns," blah, blah, blah, thank you for showing your unsurprisingly rudimentary knowledge of American citizens, their religious beliefs and their supposedly passionate relationship with firearms. Yes, really, talk about fairy-tales...

For me to think of everyone I know, be them family, friends, or co-workers, only a small minority of them actually own a firearm and an even smaller minority of them could be considered religious. It's only too bad that you're far too simplistic to acknowledge your own beholdence to sensationalized fables.

Go watch some more TV.

[antma robel]

Strange...I don't feel that "hate" in Brazil. My country, of course, try the to play the "role of France" in the Americas, going against of some American Government interests in the world but, I don't think Brazilians hate the US or the American people. Brasilia is full of American mormons, walking everywhere hahahahahah

[Tom9]

Originally Posted by antma robel

Strange...I don't feel that "hate" in Brazil. My country, of course, try the to play the "role of France" in the Americas, going against of some American Government interests in the world but, I don't think Brazilians hate the US or the American people. Brasilia is full of American mormons, walking everywhere hahahahahah

Something else is interesting that has a connection to the above post. That is the city of Americana in the state of Sao Paulo where, after the US War Between the States ended some 10,000 Americans from the South immigrated to Brazil and their Brazilian descendants still live there today and are very aware of their ancestors"Southern heritage". The Brazilian government crisscrossed the South after the war, luring would-be immigrants with promises of subsidies and tax breaks from Brazilian Emperor Dom Pedro II, who was anxious to capitalize on their expertise in raising cotton.

These U.S. inmigrantes prospered, as their farms produced bountiful crops. Slowly, over the years, the Americans intermarried with Brazilians, leading to estimates that as many as 200,000 people in the region today can claim American ancestry. Pretty interesting don't you think.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by nzrugby

True, the USA is not too welcome in the Commonwealth but what can one expect when one is a country made up of revolting colonials.

LOL! But Commonwealth members are also made up of revolting colonials. The American colonies were probably the rudest in telling the home country to buzz off, historically.

I can't blame people for resenting a country that too often behaves as an international bully. The US has completely burnt up whatever moral capital it had created through the Martial Plan and other post-War aid in Europe, ancient history now.

Romania loves Americans, btw.

[baker Freesia]

My my, such bitterness towards the U. S. the nay sayer whom are against the U.S. - as for all its Citizens. Americans whine & are chauvinist, and what are you?? Why such ugliness for the American people as a whole?? Tell me, for the non Americans, is your country or the place where you live, such a paradise that there is no problem whatsoever and that you are so perfect?? Tell us all if you can. Is all well, ship shape in all form?? The politics & Governments of your land is perfect, for one and all????? Your native land where it is impossible to have any problems? Pity you if you dare believe this, no country is perfect, sorry to tell you. All nations & countries have problems of their own, take a look around you, places where you have not looked lately. You know very well the area of your land that is with doom & gloom whether it be with law breakers or be it politics or the Government, NOBODY is perfect, get it? Not even a whole nation or country, so get over it. Negative negative negative,,,,,,, Admit it, you know you can not go a whole entire year without watching at least one American episode on tv. OR watch an American film at the theater OR buy American clothes, jewelry, or some kind of American product = book, food, OR other item, so numerous to mention all. NOW,,,, tell me you can't stand American Citizens. Why don't you get your body on a plane and take a real trip to America & get to know some of the fine folks that live in America, come on, take that trip, afraid to prove to yourself any other way? Every land has it's problems,, it is not just in America it is in your own back yard as well!! May be hard for you to believe but it is so........ Now why don't you write to your Politicians & Government to try & convince them to help make this a better world for everyone to live in HARMONY. Try by not condemning the Americas for every little stinking problem of your land, get off your duff & do something about it.

[LindavG]

@ Montguy,

Have you ever actually been to Europe and talked to the people or is your opinion based on what you've experienced online?

People tend to be more extreme on the internet and I can't tell you how many times I've read anti-European posts on the internet coming from Americans such as yourself. It goes both ways and some of the criticism on your country is justified. Unlike you, I understand that I shouldn't generalize hundreds of millions of people based on what a few crazies write on the internet so I don't feel any resentment towards American people in general.

Don't you see the irony of your post? You complain about people being "anti-American" and your response is to be "anti-European". Why do you think this is any more acceptable? Europeans enjoy reading insults about their country/continent as much as you enjoy reading insults about yours. What are you trying to achieve?

I am not anti-American at all and I don't know anyone who is. I may criticize some aspects of the US but I will equally give it credit where it's due. Believe it or not but most people around the world don't give the US much thought and are certainly not invested enough to be anti-American.

[antma robel]

To hate some American Government acts and positions toward other countries is not the same as to hate Americans...