American arrogance and other observations.

Submitted by Joseph (United States), Nov 18, 2005 at 14:30

I am an American, and I do respect my country, but after going to various European countries, I soon discovered what is wrong with America, and our society. Which there is much. Before I criticize, I must praise our holy motherland, or I will be arrested and sent to prison for my lack of patriotism. We are a generous country, we have donated to the tsunami, we have helped Europe in World War II, we have done good. Yet in the same breath, as thousands die in Africa, we stand by doing nothing. But again, in the same breath, is Europe doing much for Africa?

What angers me about being American is the growing level of close minds and arrogance. Europeans ARE smarter, they KNOW where countries are on the map, they KNOW different languages and cultures. We DON'T. When I was in Europe, watching the news (BBC) they covered EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERY COUNTRY. I learned a wide array of current events from various countries. Here, in America, we sure as hell have at least 6 24/7 cable news stations, but all they talk about is the same old trash and the celebrity crap that no one really cares about. I rarely hear about what's happening outside the borders of this country, except Iraq, that disastrous decision. Europeans have culture, they have history, and they respect it, even their youth. They care about what is going on the world and know that there is much more out there.

Now Europeans do have downfalls as well. The level of anti-Semitism is on the rise which is not good, BUT AGAIN, IN THE SAME BREATH...I still hear racist remarks here in America...

My other observations are the lifestyles of Europeans, which I truly admire. When people go out of their house in Europe, they DRESS WITH PURE CLASS. When walking down the streets of Germany, Italy, France and England I noticed that everyone LOOKED GREAT...and thin. Unlike hear where 40 year old women are 100 pounds overweight and in tight spandex. The food is simply the best and most NATURAL real thing. (like the people). The public transpiration system is AMAZING and very economical, as well as the cars. Now, I do love the classic American cars from the 60's and 70's that got 9 miles to the gallon, which in Europe there is none, but I'll be honest...I think Citroens and Peugeots are AWESOME. Gas is expensive there, because Europe doesn't invade Middle Eastern countries when they need oil, but with their cool economic cars, and great transpiration system, gas is not a necessity. The people were always very nice and respectful...EVEN IN FRANCE. Oh, and the European MTV actually SHOWS MUSIC VIDEOS, the radio stations have VARIETY (Michael Bolton to Guns N' Roses) PORN IS NOT A BIG DEAL unlike sexually repressed America, women can go to the beach topless, people smoke - it's not a big deal, and in Poland at least, EVERYONE WENT TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY and spent time with FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
I AM SAD HOWEVER, THAT EUROPE'S POPULATIONS IS DECREASING. DON'T YOU PEOPLE REALIZE WHAT YOU HAVE? PLEASE FOR THE FUTURE OF YOU COUNTRIES MAKE CHILDREN SO YOU HAVE FUTURE GENERATIONS!! DON'T DIE OUT!!
The European society is one of class, respect, culture, religion, family and pride of their country and history. Not only the adults, but the youth as well. The American society is one that is generous, and very FULL OF PRIDE, but we lack CLASS, CULTURE AND RESPECT, even respect for our own selves-those who are so overweight. America is a new county, so naturally we lack culture.
BUT YET AGAIN IN THE SAME BREATH...Unlike Europe, we have people from literally EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. That is what makes America. It does not make sense when one says, "I HATE AMERICA, or AMERICANS" because AMERICA is comprised of EVERYONE. Europeans, Asians, Middle Easterners, South Americans...the WORLD. When one says they hate AMERICA they essentially hate the world. I , AS AN AMERICAN, KNOW we have MANY PROBLEMS and are sadly getting MORE CLOSE MINDED BY THE MINUTE. But to all those outside of America: please don't hate us. I KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING IS WRONG AND I AM SORRY; we are still a young country...and have A LOT TO LEARN. It is not going to be easy either because unlike those in France who are all FRENCH or those in Italy who are all ITALIANS or my national country Poland who are...you guessed it ALL POLISH..we here in America do not have just ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE. It is naturally going to be hard to convince such a wide array of people to change or think outside the box. And that stereotype that all Americans are cowboys who watch NASCAR and talk with a southern accent and very CLOSE MINDED is false. THERE ARE GOOD PEOPLE OUT THERE. So please, all of you other countries, don't believe in stereotypes.

I love America. I love Europe. They are both great, and in all honestly, I think I would rather live in Europe than America; I'd feel safer and I just like the whole way of life over there better. But America is still a great country, young, and inexperienced, but learning a little more each day. And Europe, being much older and wiser, should once in a while, smack us around a few times and teach us a lesson or two. Don't be afraid to stand up against us, which you have, and hopefully will continue to do. Let us both open our minds and hearts and learn from each other.

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