Ask a foreigner

[Freida]

Back on TARGET…

What’re your favourite holiday traditions in your country?

Gotta say it's Christmas!!

 

[No More]

Okay, not a ‘holiday’ tradition, but I really do love this British thing of -going to the pub- I haven’t found the same anywhere else. I mean I guess we do it on holidays as well so

 

[Freddyt]

going to the pub

I used to get lots English expressions at the 30 year job my boss was a London Lad who when growing up would help as a "roadie" to save the cover charge for seeing all the bands of his youth - like the who, Rolling Stones, etc.....

Plus we got plenty of expressions from him too. Doing mechanical work I think the one that broke me up the most the first time I heard it was "fits like a dick in a shirtsleeve".........

 

[Rose White]

Cried while watching a video of people cooking a giant paella in a small Spanish town and giving it away. Sharing is so precious and getting rarer in my country.

I listened to an interview with Noam Chomsky and he indicated that the U.S. is the most powerful nation to have ever existed and outlines in detail how it is also one of the biggest political bullies in the world.

I know there are many perspectives and maybe this is too flammable of a question so feel free to douse it. Also apologize in advance if this question is offensive to other Americans.

I am curious of people’s perspectives outside of U.S. Is there a significant amount of people where you live who have an opinion that America is the biggest bully in the world toward other nations ?

 

[Teasel]

I think so. Though I defo can't speak for the majority.

I'd prolly also say all the most powerful Civilisations through history can be seen as bullies.

 

[Deleted member 42984]

America is the biggest bully in the world toward other nations

Well, yes, USA is kinda known as "world police". But in a historical context, Europeans have been pretty nasty too (sorry for plundering you @Teasel, in the viking era ;))

 

[Deleted member 42984]

Your administration is not without sense tho @OliveJewel. Altho Putin invaded Ukraine, USA didn't counterattack. Wise. For the benefit of mankind.

 

[Teasel]

Europeans have been pretty nasty too

Yes 100%, British Empire for eg, absolutely awful

sorry for plundering you @Teasel, in the viking era ;))

 

[Rose White]

world police

Interesting that you equate bully with police. I’m aware that that’s a common and modern viewpoint but I personally do not hold that opinion at this time.

in a historical context, Europeans

Also, no need to discount or protect Americans by saying Europeans did it first. I just mean in current times.

Speaking of feeling insulted (and I am aware that I’m stepping on shaky ground so shut me down if needed) I was listening to a podcast about philosophy and psychology called “Why Theory” and they were discussing how words and concepts become offensive. And they said that what’s offensive is what goes against the dominant culture’s notions of success. Their example was how the R-word (not rape) is considered so offensive because people with intellectual disabilities can’t earn money and get married and consume at a level that is considered successful. And same thing with mocking people’s accents. It’s not offensive in America to mock English or European accents. This came up at school. A white student was using a stereotypical Asian accent and I told him that was offensive and he asked why it wasn’t offensive to speak in a British or French accent. And it made me think of that podcast. A non-white (or impoverished) accent is considered offensive to mimic, because it represents the people who are less prolific at succeeding in the dominant culture of America, if you count success as who holds the money.

It used to be totally acceptable to punch down with humor but not anymore (thankfully!). I’m guessing that there are similar rules of etiquette where you live? Okay to mock and laugh at the groups considered the most well off and offensive to laugh at the marginalized? I’m guessing that it’s very acceptable to mock and laugh at Americans where you live? Among the left wing here it is very acceptable to mock “patriots” (like the Jan 6th man with the painted face and buffalo horns—who is running for government office now, he has that much power). And among the right wing it is very acceptable to mock “the woke”. Both sides are powerful. Maybe you have a similar dynamic going on?

 

[Deleted member 42984]

I’m guessing that it’s very acceptable to mock and laugh at Americans where you live?

Depends on who you are. We have right-wings here too. Conservatives and liberals (liberals are considered right-wing here). But yes, I think the *general* view here is that in USA you have to pay for everything -- which is strange to us. But we do have business owners who mocks the left-wings etc.

Besides, I think it's partly human nature. Tribes always at war with each other. We have just learned to 'civilize' and sublimate our tribal wars out through sports. Or politics ;-) And we have developed etiquettes to (try and) maintain peace and harmony. But. Humans fail. All we can do is apologise and self-correct, I think, when it happens.

 

[Rose White]

Conservatives and liberals (liberals are considered right-wing here

Very interesting and confusing!

business owners who mocks the left-wings etc

Even more confusing that the business owners are the liberals! Maybe that’s the socialism? In America the business owners often are seen to have a conservative perspective.

partly human nature. Tribes always at war with each other

Maybe. It’s so much more polarized now though. I don’t think that the political parties in America used to be like tribes at war, they were different views working toward a common American ideology with a modicum of civility.

etiquettes to (try and) maintain peace and harmony. But. Humans fail. All we can do is apologise and self-correct, I think, when it happens

You make it sound so simple! A good way of doing things though!

 

[Deleted member 42984]

Even more confusing that the business owners are the liberals! Maybe that’s the socialism?

Yes, the socialdemocrats and the socialists are to the left, conservatives and liberals to the right, traditionally here. Liberalism is individual freedom, which includes the right to make businesses as you please (and vote for parties that don't want to tax the shit out of them lol).

It’s so much more polarized now though

Yeah, I've heard. When Biden won the election I started to fear civil war with you. But that was mostly based on Tr*mp's and his followers reaction to losing. I don't know the full story of course, as I'm not American.

You make it sound so simple!

Lol yeah, I know it isn't that simple. Just kinda like my philosophy.