Originally posted by forgetmenot

Originally posted by roughycannon
I don't think this thread is necessarily as I think like me we don't have problems with Americans just the gun laws there...

With all due respect, you don't have any actual problems with gun control as you don't live here.

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Hey op, I think that relations are just fine. Some people from the UK don't like our gun laws; and that's fine. There's no real problem, people are just reacting to a tragedy and some of them are bound to decide for themselves what the "real" problem is and how they would "fix" it. You have nothing to apologize for, even if you were hopping up and down screaming for gun control.

edit on 3-1-2013 by forgetmenot because: (no reason given)

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It really blew my brain the last "happening". Then I thought about it and questioned why it hurt so much that some kids got blown away far away in another place. I realised then that your country is part of who we are in the U.K now. Over here there is a huge American influence. I realised that I really did care.

If I visited the U.S I would accept it the way it is. It is like meeting a new partner in a relationship; we should not want to change the one we fall in love with. We have to take them as we find them.

A lot of people preach doom and gloom about the U.S. I don't think that. You are still a young country and I believe you are learning very fast and will continually evolve in your culture.

You have so many great writers who have brought to light the dawn of a very individual civilization.

edit on 3-1-2013 by Revolution9 because: (no reason given)

Originally posted by tovenar

There is another thread that was comparing gun violence in various countries. While reading it, I noticed the off-hand, dispassionate manner in which violence in Mexico was discussed. The violence there is many times what is in the US.

But several non-US posters dispensed with the statistics in a perfunctory tone, so they could focus on everything "wrong" with the United States.

If Americans seem too big for their britches sometimes, I think it's also true that others (Europeans) often encourage it, by focusing on the US so hyper-critically.

It would be more convincing, when you tell us that we are not the center of the universe, if you yourselves believed it a bit more.

One of the things that has amazed me about the English was the level of low-level violence in what Americans would call "ok neighborhoods." I stayed with friends in their apartment, where there were several bars or pubs on the same street. [Most US cities have laws restricting bars from operating in residential neighborhoods]. The noise of drunks shouting profanity and fighting in the street was unbelievable, and went on for hours. Likewise the police, who seemed as loud and unruly as the drunks they were trying to control. I wondered if I was particularly sensitive to the noise, but my hosts said no, everyone hates how loud it is, but what can be done? Different cultures accept different degrees and sorts of violence.

Originally posted by MaMaa
Honestly I don't usually notice what country someone is from unless they state as much. Admittedly I don't exactly have the nicest of feelings for a lot of British folks as I find a lot of them to be brash, rude and lacking in manners.

Originally posted by Revolution9

Originally posted by MaMaa

Originally posted by Revolution9
Thank you. What a lovely description. Colorado! There's a place!

I have been feeling like a leper here just lately. May be that is my own fault a bit.

Yes, some people in Britain are quite course and rude. I think you are kind of more sensitive and gentle in your social interactions (mostly). I like that a lot. I can deal with that.

Well you are just about as special as every other living soul upon planet earth. I am just a small time music maker and artist. I am a bit of a crazy thinker and like thinking laterally very much.

Thank you. Peace to you, your partner, all your children and your Zoo, too

I'm sorry you feel like a leper. I think people just get too emotional about things and someone else having a different opinion often is no different than telling someone they are wrong in their fundamental beliefs. I once heard that man will give up everything all in the name of being 'right'. People don't really know how to communicate very well without insulting someone else's beliefs in general though.

Thank you for the compliment, I do try to be kind, sensitive and well.. gentle went away after having four boys. LOL A crazy thinking music maker sounds like my kind!! We are a music family as well! Three play viola (hubby & two boys), one cello and the youngest is learning the guitar!

Peace to you as well! <3 Look forward to getting to know you a bit better.

Haha! See, that is just what I am saying about Americans. If you read what you just wrote then you will see why I say you are open, sensitive (and very bright, too).

Well probably I would irritate you, lol. I am a bit dedicated to frankness and honesty right now, as many people are. Even if it hurts it is always best to be honest. That way we are really all watching out for each other and we stop each other becoming clowns.

You're cool! Thanks. In the U.K we can be a bit reserved. It hurts sometimes and there is so much isolation in U.K society right now. I wish we would open up a bit as it is really damaging us here in the U.K.

Originally posted by michael1983l
I find the American culture of "have a nice day" and "how are you" at every turn to be sickening,.......

.... that is how your society programmes you to do so. In other words it just makes you all seem false. I'd much rather like to know where I stand with an honest approach, but like I said that is all down to our differences in culture, the Brits are GREAT moaners so.........

Originally posted by michael1983l

Originally posted by MaMaa
Honestly I don't usually notice what country someone is from unless they state as much. Admittedly I don't exactly have the nicest of feelings for a lot of British folks as I find a lot of them to be brash, rude and lacking in manners.

I wasn't going to get involved in this debate but you put a carrot onto the end of a stick that I just could not ignore. The statement you have made actually works both ways and for what it is worth I believe it to be down to a difference in cultures. But however, I would much prefer someone to be brash and rude to me if that is what they think of me rather than what you get out in the states and yes I have been to the states. I find the American culture of "have a nice day" and "how are you" at every turn to be sickening, it is rare that those speaking this way to you actually have any genuine interest or belief in what they said at all and it appears to come out like a pre programmed statement that is said by everyone just as something you feel you need to say because that is how your society programmes you to do so. In other words it just makes you all seem false. I'd much rather like to know where I stand with an honest approach, but like I said that is all down to our differences in culture, the Brits are GREAT moaners so.........

Originally posted by tovenar

Originally posted by michael1983l
I find the American culture of "have a nice day" and "how are you" at every turn to be sickening,.......

.... that is how your society programmes you to do so. In other words it just makes you all seem false. I'd much rather like to know where I stand with an honest approach, but like I said that is all down to our differences in culture, the Brits are GREAT moaners so.........

I grew up in the Southern U.S. Many Yankees (Americans who play ice-hockey) agree with your viewpoint precisely.

The tone of "have a nice day" is more genuine than you might give credit for being. I know that's hard to believe.

Refusal to greet each other that way (in the Ole South), is usually an indication that someone has murder on his mind. Seriously. When people won't play their assigned social roles, it is a signal that their hostility is more powerful than their manners, and you may be in for a difficult encounter with the locals.

I believe the pleasantries are a tradition that comes from rural and isolated areas, where you might not see your neighbors for weeks at a time, but you want to show that you aren't angry with them. Urban life is basically anonymous, while rural living means that you already have some connection to everyone you encounter, even if you cannot name the connection at first. So the pleasantries signal that you are not angry with the other person, you aren't here to sue them or move the boundary marker between your respective properties, etc.

Originally posted by michael1983l

Originally posted by MaMaa
Honestly I don't usually notice what country someone is from unless they state as much. Admittedly I don't exactly have the nicest of feelings for a lot of British folks as I find a lot of them to be brash, rude and lacking in manners.

I wasn't going to get involved in this debate but you put a carrot onto the end of a stick that I just could not ignore. The statement you have made actually works both ways and for what it is worth I believe it to be down to a difference in cultures. But however, I would much prefer someone to be brash and rude to me if that is what they think of me rather than what you get out in the states and yes I have been to the states. I find the American culture of "have a nice day" and "how are you" at every turn to be sickening, it is rare that those speaking this way to you actually have any genuine interest or belief in what they said at all and it appears to come out like a pre programmed statement that is said by everyone just as something you feel you need to say because that is how your society programmes you to do so. In other words it just makes you all seem false. I'd much rather like to know where I stand with an honest approach, but like I said that is all down to our differences in culture, the Brits are GREAT moaners so.........

Originally posted by Revolution9


Wow! Very beautiful words there.

Dear Advantage. If you only knew how many tears I have cried for The Native American People. If you only knew the influence you have had on me. The great Shaman "Fool's Crow", books like "Touch The Earth" and Dee Brown's huge book about the atrocities are just some of the work carved deeply upon my soul. I have a huge Wolf tattoo on my chest in memory of all the fallen warriors of your people.

When I read Dee Brown's history of all that happened I just kept crying every day for a good week. So many tears.

I have supported Survival International for many years who speak up for Indigenous people.

I am really deeply honoured to have you write here on my little thread.

For the modern white American settlers I have just as much respect. You know we did not do all that. Our generation can resolve the past if we are prepared to forgive.

A lot of my family on one side died before I was born and are forever unknown to me. I am half Jewish and they were wiped out and dispersed back in WW11.

Guess who came to the rescue back then? It was the U.S soldiers. Since the U.S and Israel have become inseperable allies. Wonderful I say and I respect it hugely.

I will keep up with what you write here. I just wish I had a real Native American friend! I'd be blessed wouldn't I! You know it!