Imagine you’re in London. It’s your home, and has been for a year. Your British friends ask you what you think of the place. You respond honestly - some positives, some negatives.
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Stop right there. I would not respond with any negatives - not in public for sure, and probably not at all. I learned this lesson when I was very young and moved around a lot. As a “recent” (5 years) transplant to Arizona, this topic still comes up a lot, and sure there are things that annoy me about the place - pollution, traffic, awful summers, etc. - but my typical response is, “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t love it.” And deep down that’s true and it’s all that matters. But let’s continue for for the sake of argument . . .
You know, expatriates are occasionally allowed to express their opinion about where they are. Have you ever been an expat? Have you met American expats in the UK - or indeed anywhere else? I have. Believe me, a lot of them have a lot of reasons to harbour critical opinion, and most of them aren’t afraid to express it - and that’s fine.
Kneejerk hostility to mild criticism by someone who doesn’t share your accent is something you share with the douchebag mentioned in the OP. Perhaps a childhood of mindless morning repetition of nationalistic platitudes has rotted your brains?
[QUOTE=Cisco]
Stop right there. I would not respond with any negatives - not in public for sure, and probably not at all. I learned this lesson when I was very young and moved around a lot. As a “recent” (5 years) transplant to Arizona, this topic still comes up a lot, and sure there are things that annoy me about the place - pollution, traffic, awful summers, etc. - but my typical response is, “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t love it.” And deep down that’s true and it’s all that matters. But let’s continue for for the sake of argument . . .
Yes, I really would.
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Well then you and I are very different. I believe in giving an honest answer to an honest question (and I don’t ‘love’ the USA, I am here for other reasons).
I do believe you owe me an apology for calling me a ‘limey pussy’.
[QUOTE=put down the sabre]
Sigh, why am I a wuss? Because I don’t like being called a ‘limey pussy’? Would it make you a wuss to not like being called a ‘Yank moron’? Would it make a Japanese a wuss to not like being called a ‘Jap pussy’?
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No you’re a wuss because you let some drunk bitch ruin your night.
[QUOTE=put down the sabre]
That was hyperbole - I went on to have a good time. But it certainly cast a sour mood over the evening, and gave me some anger.
[/QUOTE]
Well, you didn’t have to play with her. You could’ve mouthed off and shuffled on.
[QUOTE=mswas]
Well, you didn’t have to play with her. You could’ve mouthed off and shuffled on.
[/QUOTE]
True enough. But this whole thing probably only lasted a minute or two (we downed our drinks to make a quick exit to somewhere more hospitable).
I was also annoyed because the drink was to celebrate with friends who are graduating tomorrow. What we wanted was some good conversation about the past year (hence the topic, in part), and I was very annoyed that one of my final nights with these guys was ruined by the bitch. It takes a better man than me to just ignore someone sat right next to one who jumps down one’s throat, though.
[QUOTE=put down the sabre]
True enough. But this whole thing probably only lasted a minute or two (we downed our drinks to make a quick exit to somewhere more hospitable).
I was also annoyed because the drink was to celebrate with friends who are graduating tomorrow. What we wanted was some good conversation about the past year (hence the topic, in part), and I was very annoyed that one of my final nights with these guys was ruined by the bitch. It takes a better man than me to just ignore someone sat right next to one who jumps down one’s throat, though.
pdts
[/QUOTE]
That’s what I mean. You let a two minute blip in your night ruin it. You could’ve treated it like a commercial break with some really fucking annoying commercial, instead you let it ruin your night.
I would expect people in London, or elsewhere in the UK, would mind their own business like grown-ups.
Unless they were a drunk cunt looking for an argument. You get them everywhere.
[QUOTE=mswas]
Criticizing America is the most patriotic thing you can do. It’s in the first commandment! You go ahead and criticize all you want!
[/QUOTE] Cisco, I’d love to get your perspective on this.
As I understand it, critically analysing your country isn’t a right, it’s your responsibility.
I know the OP isn’t native American but do you do this? Do you examine America but not tell anyone? Or maybe only express your opinion when you’re at home?
The OP was asked a question, presumably their friends were interested in the answer, and was giving an honest response. Unless you’re going to pretend America is perfect you’ve got to expect some negative feedback.
You know, expatriates are occasionally allowed to express their opinion about where they are. Have you ever been an expat? Have you met American expats in the UK - or indeed anywhere else? I have. Believe me, a lot of them have a lot of reasons to harbour critical opinion, and most of them aren’t afraid to express it - and that’s fine.
Kneejerk hostility to mild criticism by someone who doesn’t share your accent is something you share with the douchebag mentioned in the OP. Perhaps a childhood of mindless morning repetition of nationalistic platitudes has rotted your brains?
[/QUOTE]
In a post accusing me of prejudgment, you exhibit prejudgment towards me. It’s like . . . art.
[QUOTE=Cisco]
In a post accusing me of prejudgment, you exhibit prejudgment towards me. It’s like . . . art.
[/QUOTE]
I don’t think he’s prejudging you… rather drawing some tentative conclusions on the basis of limited evidence.
Example: You’ve displayed kneejerk hostility to mild criticism in this thread. So jjimm concludes, reasonably, that you display kneejerk hostility to mild criticism.
[QUOTE=essell]
What a tiny hostile world you’ve lived in.
I would expect people in London, or elsewhere in the UK, would mind their own business like grown-ups.
Unless they were a drunk cunt looking for an argument. You get them everywhere.
[/quote]
Uhhh, ummm, thanks for proving my point.
What do you want from me? I critically analyze my country to death. “Real Patriots Ask Questions” from The Demon Haunted World is pretty much my favorite chapter of any book, ever. You don’t seem to understand what I’m saying here so I invite you - and jjimm - to re-read the thread before continuing to fart into it.
[QUOTE=mswas]
That’s what I mean. You let a two minute blip in your night ruin it. You could’ve treated it like a commercial break with some really fucking annoying commercial, instead you let it ruin your night.
[/QUOTE]
I shouldn’t keep saying that she ‘ruined’ it, that’s hyperbole. But your point is well taken.
Truth is, I’ve found America to be incredibly open and welcoming, this just set a jarring note against that.
[QUOTE=Cisco]
Uhhh, ummm, thanks for proving my point.
[/QUOTE]
Wait! Which is your point?
(1) The woman was right/justified to jump down my throat, because I shouldn’t have been talking like that.
(2) Perhaps regrettably, people who are likely to jump down throats are likely to be found everywhere, thus it might be more prudent to keep one’s opinions to oneself.
Earlier you seemed to be pushing the first, now you’re retreating to the second… which is it?
[QUOTE=Cisco]
In a post accusing me of prejudgment, you exhibit prejudgment towards me. It’s like . . . art.
[/QUOTE]
This would be a mavellously ironic parry, had I actually accused you of of prejudgement.
However, I didn’t: I accused you of knee-jerk hostility. Not really a necessary accusation, I’ll admit, as the evidence is in this thread in post #2 (and #5, and #8, etc.).
(Little hint for you too: the ‘prejudgement’ part of my post is hyperbolic overstatement for vaguely comedic effect.)
You had the right to criticize America. The woman had the right to criticize your opinion. You had the right to be pissed at her response. It’s hard to known how to balance things out when you want to be genuine and still have a good time. And then there are some people whose opinions I won’t allow to take up any space in my head. That woman sounds like one of those people. I like those who can argue a point and still have a good nature about it.
[QUOTE=put down the sabre]
Wait! Which is your point?
(1) The woman was right/justified to jump down my throat, because I shouldn’t have been talking like that.
(2) Perhaps regrettably, people who are likely to jump down throats are likely to be found everywhere, thus it might be more prudent to keep one’s opinions to oneself.
Earlier you seemed to be pushing the first, now you’re retreating to the second… which is it?
pdts
[/QUOTE]
It’s both. You’re both dipshits, as I said in post number 5.