I'd have much rather spoken with you intelligently about this in person in Phoenix, but missed my chance I guess. Trying to debate this on GFY is only going to bring out the worst in both sides.
Frankly I love most things about the USA. Everyone talks about how rude and ignorant they are, but in all the times I've been down there, I can think of 2 or 3 people that struck me as that. That's a pretty damn good ration. One thing my wife noticed that was kinda funny, was phoning the hotel front desk one day coming back from Phoenix and thanking them for something. Instead of getting a "Thank you" back, she got "Uh huh" instead. She told me, not really offended, just as an observation. I laughed. I hadn't noticed it before she pointed it out, but sure enough I noticed it a few times after that. That's not something I consider outright rude, just indifferent. But, I can also see how some people WOULD consider it rude. If that's where the consensus came from that American's are rude and ignorant, well, I wouldn't say you have much of a problem. As was pointed out elsewhere in this thread, there are idiots everywhere...yeah, in the USA too.
But I digress.
One thing that I used to loved unconditionally about the US was their patriotism. In Canada, you probably have to drive a dozen square blocks to find ONE private residence with our flag flying. I've driven down streets in the US where every second house has a flag. I love that. Your patriotism IS unwavering. Unfortunately, even when you're wrong. But, while I've always admired your patriotism, lately on GFY, and with your current administration, arrogance seems to come hand in hand with the love of your country. On GFY, which thankfully isn't entirely representative of the US people, getting an American to admit they made a mistake about ANYTHING is virtually impossible. Admitting mistakes is a sign of strength btw, NOT a sign of weakness (a concept not only eluding the American's of GFY mind you). Just because someone doesn't agree with everything America does or stands for, doesn't make them American bashers, but that's the first thing we hear...followed closely by, one of the following condescending remarks...
-You're just jealous of us all
-You're from (insert country here), you don't count
-You're not from the USA, so you don't understand and you never will
-You're a terrorist sympathizer or worse, a liberal
-You're foreign trash
-WE run the world economy
-We'd send over a couple of nukes and wipe you out
-Or of course the threats...meet me at an upcoming show and we'll see what you have to say (I'll tell my beliefs to anyone wanting to hear them and speak intelligently about them. I DID go straight up to 12clicks in Phoenix, who's twice my size btw, and told it just as I did when we "Debated" elsewhere. It was one of the better talks I've had with someone from this industry. Too short though. Notes-He lost the board debate but didn't threaten me.
)
I'm curious to know if your schools down there have bullying policies. In Canada, or at least where I'm from, when a kid is bullied, the school takes quick and decisive action. Hopefully that'll defuse the situation quickly. The recent tone of the US, but even moreso by some American's here on GFY, is of that of a bully. Of course that isn't going to go over well. It sure as hell doesn't go over well with GFY's American's, why should it go over well with anyone else?
With the size and world influence the USA has, NATURALLY not everyone is going to agree with everything you do. But the USA would come across much better if they appeared to listen what someone, hell ANYONE else has to say on any matter. Maybe, just maybe, they have a better idea.
Finally, as a loose analogy, talk to anyone in the service industry. Complaints are easy to come by. Praise, not so much. How many people here complain as soon as they don't get what they want? By the same token, how many people are quick to praise someone when they DO get what they want? I personally do both, but make MORE a point of making sure whoever's in charge knows when someone serving me has done a great job. That probably means as much to the server as a larger tip. Recognition. My point on that is, when you see people complaining about the USA on here, keep in mind how many people AREN'T complaining. I learned a long time ago, it's not always who's speaking (or in this case, posting in threads), but those who are conspicuously absent. Silence can speak volumes.
