Isn't saying all Americans are uninterested in the outside world just like saying all Russians are evil and die early from alcoholism?
There's a Zen Buddhist term, mu, that means a number of things — among them, pointing out that a question, in its current form, cannot be answered. So, mu. I think it is to say that, just as most Americans are generally uninterested in the outside world, most Russians generally drink. "The greatest country in the world"? Come on. Just as well, there are plenty alcoholics here.
What's your hangover remedy? If you're going to cling to that opinion it's going to warp your perception of the people here. You're an outsider as most of us are North Americans. So if you offer opinions on our politics or culture, as most things here are geared towards that or at the least the experiences of us, then you need to preface your opinion that it's coming from an outsider who doesn't have the intuitive understanding of our culture and not get upset if you overextend the importance or relevance of opinions that should be tempered with understanding that you do not have the same cultural background
I think you've just proven my point. I don't need to have "intuitive understand of [your] culture" to provide my opinion. You may have been born in the USA, but I've been studying it a lot. Sure, I'm no expert... Are you? Don't wanna hear my opinion? That's fine. I'd like to hear yours, though. I hope you're not going to stereotype me as just another outsider hoping to hit the first base with your beloved country.you need to preface your opinion that it's coming from an outsider who doesn't have the intuitive understanding of our culture
fuck am I doing Okay, you know what? You win. I'm an outsider. I can't fathom what your country's going through 'cause I don't live there, I don't breathe there, I don't shit there, and the stuff I'm reading about it sure as shit ain't going to enlighten me 'cause you need intuition to grasp it... like I'm going to tell you about the state of Walmart or how to treat your troops returning from abroad or someshit. I've said I'm not an American a hundred times by now. You want me to say it any more? Alright, I'll mention it every time I reply to you about something concerning the US, 'cause I'm pretty sure the rest of Hubski already gets it. Don't even start about the validity of opinions. A modicum of thought is enough to consider that maybe our perspectives might be different.
I want you to not take it personally when you're told you're wrong and not expect to have the kind of knowledge of this country that you seem to think you have. You can have insight but as an outsider and your knowledge is indirectly acquired. We once had a long conversation that was basically me and others trying to explain that you don't understand freedom of speech here and you wouldn't back down from your misunderstanding of that right here. You need to be willing to back down like I do when I hear about Canada or New England instead of getting butthurt. You aren't going to find a more willing community to consider the experience of the world outside their own experience than hubski and your prejudice about the people in America and your perceived disrespect are causing your bad experience. And you know what? You're still upset that you feel someone is disrespecting you instead of giving you advice on how to approach people and get over your own arrogance
I apologize. I've given you a dose of disrespect that you didn't deserve, simply because your opinion was opposing mine. I was in a bad place, and with as clear a view of things as I do now, I wouldn't have hit "contribute" then. I still disagree with you on a lot that you brought up, during this conversation or your last reply, but I'm in no position to argue any of it with clarity right now. I just wanted to say that I made a mistake by being as dismissive and aggressive towards you and your words as I was.
Yes. I am an expert on my culture as much as you are on yours and no amount of studying makes up for immersion in a culture. I don't even offer my opinion on Canada in a way except as an outsider and we aren't even that different. I don't offer opinions on other parts of my own country unless I'm prepared to accept my outsider status. Where I'm from is different than New England and The West so I accept I don't know what it's like in those places