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America is really invested in being politically correct, right down to the "person on the street" level. (I can understand why a public person needs to be more restrained in this area). This is equated with being open and liberal, yet most liberal Americans really aren't. They tend to just hang around other liberals in their same socioeconomic/demographic niche and have a NIMBY (not in my back yard) attitude.
My observation from many trips to Europe, interacting with them, and hearing their opinions is that they are nowhere near as "politically correct." They stereotype effortlessly. They can size up what country others are from based on a quick study. I was on a high-speed train and someone from another country was arguing with the conductor about a fare evasion issue, and the lady seated in front of me makes a smart-ass, but probably accurate, assessment of how this "situation" is common with people hailing from that "other" area Yet, they have this world weary, seen it all, "live and let live" outlook on what is going on around them. Lately, there have been flare-ups of anger, particularly in places like Greece which is besieged by problems.
Do you agree with this observation about Europe and Europeans, that of being LESS "politically correct" and MORE tolerant at the same time, than the average American/Canadian, for example?
I agree with you. Most Americans take things a tad bit too seriously.
I grew up in the nineties and I remember that era being extremely political correct: if one had, back in that time, only dared to mention the link between for example immigrants and crime, one would have immediately been branded an inveterate racist. If one would have dared to say that their was a problem with the integration of muslims in Europe, one would have been castigated and shunned like a pariah.
I agree with this, mostly. I lived in the U.S. during the 1990s and yes it was more politically correct than it is now.
I think the main reason that many people are (or pretend to be) politically correct is that they don't want to risk having their potentially offensive opinions reported to their employers, thereby causing them to lose their jobs. If it wasn't for that, then nobody would care about political correctness. The whole thing is completely Orwellian.
I agree with this, mostly. I lived in the U.S. during the 1990s and yes it was more politically correct than it is now.
I think the main reason that many people are (or pretend to be) politically correct is that they don't want to risk having their potentially offensive opinions reported to their employers, thereby causing them to lose their jobs. If it wasn't for that, then nobody would care about political correctness. The whole thing is completely Orwellian.
That ... or their standing in a social circle. Great post. Among kids in LA, pre 1984 (since you mention Orwell), political correctness was nowhere to be found. And not even among the parents. The funny thing is that, differences were addressed with humor, and I'll bet the diverse factions of LA got along better in those years than they do today, when you have to walk on eggshells.
I agree with this, mostly. I lived in the U.S. during the 1990s and yes it was more politically correct than it is now.
I think the main reason that many people are (or pretend to be) politically correct is that they don't want to risk having their potentially offensive opinions reported to their employers, thereby causing them to lose their jobs. If it wasn't for that, then nobody would care about political correctness. The whole thing is completely Orwellian.
I remember a book coming out in the early/mid 90's called PC fairy tales, making fun of how nuts everyone was becoming with being PC. Very funny.
America is really invested in being politically correct, right down to the "person on the street" level. (I can understand why a public person needs to be more restrained in this area). This is equated with being open and liberal, yet most liberal Americans really aren't. They tend to just hang around other liberals in their same socioeconomic/demographic niche and have a NIMBY (not in my back yard) attitude.
My observation from many trips to Europe, interacting with them, and hearing their opinions is that they are nowhere near as "politically correct." They stereotype effortlessly. They can size up what country others are from based on a quick study. I was on a high-speed train and someone from another country was arguing with the conductor about a fare evasion issue, and the lady seated in front of me makes a smart-ass, but probably accurate, assessment of how this "situation" is common with people hailing from that "other" area Yet, they have this world weary, seen it all, "live and let live" outlook on what is going on around them. Lately, there have been flare-ups of anger, particularly in places like Greece which is besieged by problems.
Do you agree with this observation about Europe and Europeans, that of being LESS "politically correct" and MORE tolerant at the same time, than the average American/Canadian, for example?
I think the reason why America is more "politically correct" than Europe, is because America ( like the Soviet Union before) has an agenda that European countries don't. When you combine people from all over the world under one dominant culture and try to make it work ( plus to make it work in such manner that it would be a shiny example to the rest of the world, to be a major trend-setter and the hub of the world's economy,) then you are under a lot of pressure to make it work, or at least to make it look like it works. And if it really doesn't, then the square pegs start being pushed in the round holes, and political correctness comes in place.
European countries being old nations without any such agenda to rule the world "roll with the punches," so they can afford to be politically incorrect. However take Germany for example, but not as Germany as a nation but Germany as an idea of a Third Reich. Oh boy, do we have an issue with "political correctness" all of a sudden ( to put it mildly) or what?
Or say take Russia not as a nation, but as a centerpiece of the Soviet Union of Socialist Republics.
Now we are talking about the "political correctness" big time yet again. Obviously Soviet agenda was different from American agenda, but the fact remains; the square pegs are still being pushed in the round holes and people have to say what they HAVE to say, instead of what they really think.
PS. As for the difference between American and European tolerance - I am not sure what exactly you were talking about, in what context.
That ... or their standing in a social circle. Great post. Among kids in LA, pre 1984 (since you mention Orwell), political correctness was nowhere to be found. And not even among the parents. The funny thing is that, differences were addressed with humor, and I'll bet the diverse factions of LA got along better in those years than they do today, when you have to walk on eggshells.
Oh but back in those days America was still playing a positive role in the world, counter-balancing the Soviet Union, and not pushing for the ultimate world dominance as the "most deserving" nation.
That's why domestic social and economic problems were much easier accepted and there was no need for political correctness yet.
Americans yap, yap, yap, yap, yap constantly about race/color/ethnicity.
Perhaps I am just lucky, but it is a world of difference. And it is refreshing.
You're right, but it depends on the context. If one talks about it because they find the diversity interesting, and even humorous, but tolerate it, then it's ok. When it's about "Gee, I wish we were 100% Anglo-Saxon and off the Mayflower," then I have a problem with that.
My viewpoint, as an Italian-American, is that the different regions of Italy all talk smack about each other, but it's often in a humorous manner, and people of the country aren't treated poorly, at least nowadays, when they travel to vacation or do business within Italy. In fact, most comics in Italy mimic the Neapolitan and Sicilian accent and way of addressing things in their routines, and nobody plays the PC card on that. Also, because it's "poorer" and rougher around the edges, most comics in Italy hail from the south of the country, and are better able to poke fun at things.
I don't know what country(ies) in "Europe" you are referring to, but in the UK not being politically correct might be a criminal offense. It's actually criminal to say anything remotely racist in the UK. So you must not be talking about the UK, then
Yes, strangely enough in the UK it's somehow gone the other way.
I'm talking about Belgium (at least the Flemish part, Wallonia has a stronger tendency towards PC) and there's been quite a lot of (often fierce) debates on multiculturalism, Islam, immigrants, criminality, where harsh words were not exactly spared. In the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany these debates have been taken place as well. In France, you have the "infamous" Charlie Hebdo regularly making fun of Islam/ Muhammad...
I've lived in Europe and traveled there rather extensively, and I'm unsure that--apart from the Scandinavians--Europeans are particularly tolerant. That being said, neither are Americans. I'd call it a wash.
I think Canadians, however, tend to be more tolerant than Americans, but the two aren't really comparable due to vast differences in population, history, and simple demographics.
I agree with you that Americans are (overly, I'd say) politically correct; many Europeans get a laugh from this aspect of American culture.
We are crazy about politicall correctness understood as an attempt not to offend anybody. It's like tiptoing on a mine field.
I remember some time ago CNN was showing some Blacks rioting in Europe and the CNN comentator said something about "we can seemany African-Americans protesting"...
I still wonder how these African-Americans end up on street of Paris in such massiv numbers
I know that she was trying to be politically correct however there is no politically correct name for a Black French. They are not American, for sure. They are not African as many were born in France. They are not African-Americans but she just could not utter the name Black on the air...
We are crazy here in America. We see African-Americanse rioting in Paris. LOL
Oh but back in those days America was still playing a positive role in the world,
Are you trying to say that America plays a negative role in the world now????
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