I think we do. Well, I don’t take us seriously; but I think most Americans do, based on what I’ve read and observed.
Americans seem not to be able to accept criticism. They fly their flags, and if anyone tells them that their own country is superior in one respect or another to the U.S., people get bent out of shape. How many times have you heard, ‘Oh, you’re just jealous of our success!’ I’m getting extremely tired of seeing Old Glory plastered all over everything, too.
Don’t get me wrong. I love this country – much of it, anyway. I love the deserts of the Southwest, the tall forests of the Pacific Northwest, the long beaches, the mountains, and any number of other natural wonders you can name. I like many of the same things in other countries as well. On the whole, I think Americans are some of the most gregarious people around.
But take even a good-natured jab at the Good Ol’ U.S. of A., and we can become hostile. Why can’t we be the butt of the jokes and laugh about it. Some of the best humour is self-depreciating. Let a ‘furriner’ make a joke though, and whammo!
Being from SoCal, I’m pretty laid back. (Not to say that all Californians are laid back, but I fit the stereotype.) I laugh at myself all the time. I laugh at the U.S.A. I laugh at the Human Condition in general. I tell people they can only believe about half of what I say, and I’m joking about the other half. But many people can’t seem to laugh at themselves; and by extension, they can’t laugh at their country. Me? If someone jokes about the U.S., California, or me personally, I’ll join in the laugh. I’m not God (another good source of humour), after all… yet.
It just seems to me that we take ourselves entirely too seriously. What do you think?
I’m not sure if we “as a people” take ourselves too seriously, but I think we’re perceived as doing so. I’m not sure if there’s a distinction there or not.
Maybe. But having lived in both Canada and Europe (well the UK anyway) I have to snort when people from said countries blither on about racism in the US.
A lot of it, I think, is just the ordinary human reaction to “outside” jabs. I can make fun of my little brother all I want, but if someone else does it, wham!–because that person is not a member of the family. That dynamic shows up everywhere, for everything, not just Americans meeting folks from other countries. Self-deprecating humor is great–but jabs from non-Americans aren’t self-deprecating.
Then, Americans often feel that they’re disliked just for being American. So they get overly defensive. There’s a whole set of assumptions that go with being American, and it’s no fun feeling judged before you even get to say hello. It does not contribute to a friendly, humorous atmosphere.
At any rate, I can’t say that I feel we are an especially humorless society, or that I am incredibly defensive about my nationality.
About flags: if you have the automatic reaction that flag-flying must only come from jingoism, then it will likely annoy you. But I don’t know that it does come from that. I like flags, they’re cheery and nice and they look good flying in the breeze on a sunny day. Some countries aren’t in the habit, and others are. I used to live in Denmark, and flags are used for happy occasions like birthday cakes and summer days and, heck, let’s string 'em on the Christmas tree. If you think Americans use a lot of flags, then you should try going to Denmark in the summer.
Which reminds me: I need to start collecting different countries’ flags to display on the proper days. Does anyone know of a site where I can buy flags for cheap?
This is another of those questions that, to me, boils down to…wow, American’s are human too! Who’da thunk it?? Having traveled to other countries gives one some perspective. People get touchy when an ‘outsider’ attacks their turf (be it their country, they state, their family…even their dog). Oh, WE can certainly make fun of America, point out all its myriad faults, etc. But let someone else do it and it gets our back up. Guess what? The same thing happens in other nations (states, families, etc) as well. Try going into Paris sometime as an American and criticizing something about the city or about the French people. Should be good for a few laughs (especially if you speak French but make your complaints in English as if you didn’t).
I don’t think the majority of American’s take themselves too seriously…no more so than most other countries, whether they be large or small.
If you enjoy reading, French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy has an essay piece in this month’s Atlantic Monthly. He re-examines America through the eyes of a Frenchman - closely following De Tocqueville’s footprints from last century.
His most interesting opinion / observation: When you strip away all the cliche’s, American’s nationalism & patriotism - as evidenced by the large number of flags ones sees everywhere - are the result of an inferiority complex not found in Continental Europe.
Yes, Americans take themselves too seriously. And there’s also some deep-seated insecurity mixed in as well.
Any nation where a portion of the folks are seriously considering a law to ban burning the national flag – because they can’t deal with the criticism in the act – has some major psychological problems.
I don’t know, man. Americans are often seen by outsiders as loud and boorish. Volume and boorishness are often symptoms of insecurity.
An old ‘friend’ of mine is the loudest, most boorish, most pretentious, most obnoxious, most vainglorious person I know. Down deep, he’s rather insecure.
No one likes foreigners criticising their country… that is universal. A joke by an insider is offensive only when someone from outside says it.
The problems with americans I think is lack of self criticism. Americans seem less able to criticize or view their own country in a negative light. Way too much propaganda or patriotism… while I see other countries people being quite critical of themselves.
The thing is, that if we exercise our Freedom to Disagree, we’re called ‘anti-American’, ‘traitor’, etc. Geez, people; lighten up! Some places you can’t even ride a Japanese motorcycle without being insulted.
Pffftt. You pompous Eastsiders. Always going on about your sunrises. The only time you guys ever see it is when your dragging your flabby drunken asses home from the bar. East sucks.
