Sometimes I wish there were way less Americans on SW

Some Americans are exhausting.

Thank God the world is enormous, and America is only 350 million people and less then a 1/3 of that is republican, and probably maybe 1/2 of them are actually racists, homophobic, fascists, bigots and political idiots.

Still I wish less of them were on here. I wish more people from other countries were on SW.

Thank God America is small in comparison to the world. I'd hate it if the world was all like America

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samueltyler2 · 80-89, M

@Soph03 i was going to ignore this, but you need to explain how your comment relates to anything stated here.

I enjoy learning from people of other cultures and ethnic backgrounds. Rather than wishing for fewer people from the US, and we have no way of truly knowing what percentage of SW users are from the US, i would like to have more people from areas grossly under-represented, but many of those, who unfortunately are also socio-economically disadvantaged, and do not have the access to the technology required this are unlikely to appear here.

Soph03 · 18-21, F

@samueltyler2 I think it's the unwilligness to adapt to a new country when a little bit of research on a new language or cultural taboos could go a long way

samueltyler2 · 80-89, M

@Soph03 is this unique to the US? Look at the history of immigration problems worldwide. The US is not without blame, but, has been the world's melting pot for nearly 250 years. I agree as to languages, we, in the US, are not good at learning languages. On the other hand, the necessity is not there, whereas in Europe knowing at least 2 or 3 other than yours is necessary for commerce, that has not been a need historically in the US. As far as cultural norms or taboos, it depends on how they impact the rest of society. Yes, we all must learn to deal with those, as we interact, but sometimes they form major hurtles to care. Would you allow a child to bleed to death because their religion is opposed to therapeutical intervention of blood transfusion.

I assure you that US citizens stationed in another country try to learn the language and customs of that country, and to blend in. If that hasn't been your experience, I am sorry, but you probably just need to have more experience.

Soph03 · 18-21, F

@samueltyler2 it's definitely not unique to the USA and you shouldn't take it as a personal attack any more than you telling an Israeli person you feel unsafe constantly when in their country

samueltyler2 · 80-89, M

@Soph03 oh, is that what you are arguing about. First, i didn't tell an Israeli that I feel that way. I dontell anyone who asks, what my personal experience was. It was MY experience, and that is something you have to accept as my personal experience, it is not an arguable point. I did allow my children, and now my grandson, to travel there. They were and will be well.protectrd, and probably, hopefully, will not experience what i personally experienced. You are being insensitive to people's personal life experiences.

Soph03 · 18-21, F

@samueltyler2 this whole time you keep mentioning your experience which is exactly what the original commentor said about being too focused on 'me' instead of 'us' the argument is that Americans at large can be obnoxious and you keep bringing this back about yourself

samueltyler2 · 80-89, M

@Soph03 i don't like to argue silly things, particularly in a public forum. I suggest you re-read the initial post. It says nothing about Americans, i assume to OP meant that those of us living in the USA, being particularly self centered. I believe that it is what you wanted the poster to say. It was far more wide reaching about bigotry, racism, etc.

I also suggest you re-read aje another look at our previous chats. You said, upon returning home from a trip to another country, that your returned safely. I asked why, since only once in my life I felt that way. You asked what happened and I told you of my personal experiences as a "tourist" on Israel. I pointed out that unlike most tourists to Israel, I made the mistake of not joining a scheduled group. I pointed out that, as a result of this, I felt frightened after experiencing a bud being blown up less than 300 yards from where i was, having the rental car stopped by the Army to.bebsesrcjrd, because there was a report of terrorists in the area and they wanted to be sure our car had not been compromised by bomb. You then started off on my stereotyping all of Israel. I tried to explain them, and now, i was clarifying a particular event.

I am by no means perfect, far from it, but if I make a mistake I apologize for it. If I am wrong about a statement, I correct it.

Do you really stereotype all "Americans, at large," as obnoxious? I hope not, but it is what you have written.