My Question of the Day for 09 February 2010 – UPDATED
My Question of the Day: Are Americans “snobs” when it comes to what they perceive as “the right” lifestyle and/or culture?
My 2 Cents: I don’t know if I’d called American “snobs” about what they perceive as “the right” lifestyle and/or culture, but I will say that we seem to think other countries should do things our way.
If the steering wheel is on the opposite side of a car than that to which we are accustomed, we say it’s on the “wrong side.”
Wherever many of us go outside the U.S., we expect that there’s somebody who speaks English, and we search out these people rather than attempt to learn another language.
Many of us think everybody wants to live in America because of our lifestyle and/or culture, which I don’t believe is true. I’d assert that others want to come to America for the educational and/or financial opportunities, but they don’t necessarily want to assimilate into the American lifestyle and/or culture. That’s why people can live here for over 40 years and never lose their accent or the customs of their birthplaces. That’s why we have communities within communities here. Not everyone buys into the “American Dream,” even if they do want to take advantage of the opportunities.
This, however, may not be exclusive to America. Maybe in other countries, they think about their lifestyle and/or culture just as many Americans. It could just be patriotism and pride, not conceit and arrogance.
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Take a few moments to check out the tweets from Twitter on this subject:
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nukirk That beliefs r not exclusively American. Look @ what we got: Our own English & measuring system that I’m still have trouble w/.
PROTECTED TWEETER Yes! I’ve noticed the people who are like that became citizens and were not born in America. Weird huh?..and it seems like they base this idea of Amerian culture on a particular race
JoshDamage idk if they are snobs but they certainly don’t appreciate living in a democracy
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The commentary doesn’t have to end!
Please feel free to continue to add your comments below.
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I think Americans mean well but I would have to say that in trying to do the “right” thing (as most Americans so define it) they come as snobs and close-minded. When I was traveling I noticed that some of my friends growing upset whenever a vendor didn't speak English as if all other countries have to assume our ways of life and linguistics. I also don't like the fact that American assumes we're the good guys and everyone else is the bad guy and that entering other countries and changing them up is our sacred duty. Basically, that is how I feel. Snobbish – not all but many Americans.
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LikeDislikeI think Americans are more closed minded than snobs. If something they didnt think of, or ever encountered than Americans percieve it as weird, not good enough, not quality. Its all about how you are raised. People get uncomfortable with unfamiliar things. And I would say yes we Americans are snobby. We believe we have the best everything ( altheletes, schools, hospitals, entertainers, movies, music, food) you name we think we are the best at it.
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LikeDislikeMost Americans are self-righteous and indignant when it comes to other cultures. We think that people of different origins are less intelligent than we are.
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LikeDislikeAmericans are screwed up when it comes to what they perceive as “the right” lifestyle and/or culture? Everybody has a different perspective…and everyone thinks that their way is the “better” way. Actually no way is the better way…whatever works best is what works best and should be left at that. But Americans are just screwed up.
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LikeDislikeYes, I believe that we are. However, this belief is not limited to Americans. Most cultures believe theirs is the best. Americans, seem to take this to the extreme, though. I can't believe how much some Americans are threatened by other languages, as though it's a great offense that someone dare speak another language than English.
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