Cultural differences?

[Freyja]

No, I am not being obtuse....

If everyone there is comfortable with that, then fine.
As just stated, I could really not care any less.

I am saying, don't come on a primarily American chatboard, and expect everyone here to agree, and to ask us to justify our 'cultural differences'. Don't come post this stuff and expect everyone to say "ohhh how absolutely wonderful, a close-up woman's nipple on the front page for all to see!!!"

As I said, I have read enough 'prude and repressed American's' comments to see them coming. I post this because I have seen these comments on recent threads. No doubt about it.

Since when have I expected everyone to agree with me? I never have. You still don´t seem to get the whole point of this discussion, which was namely to discuss differences.

Seems like you can´t stand me making comments about Americans because I´m not an American. Is that rightly understood? My next assumption about you might just be about you being a racist.

 

[letterdavidman]

No, I am not being obtuse....

If everyone there is comfortable with that, then fine.
As just stated, I could really not care any less.

I am saying, don't come on a primarily American chatboard, and expect everyone here to agree, and to ask us to justify our 'cultural differences'. Don't come post this stuff and expect everyone to say "ohhh how absolutely wonderful, a close-up woman's nipple on the front page for all to see!!!"

And, if we don't, then the negative labels start flying.

As I said, I have read enough 'prude and repressed American's' comments to see them coming. I post this because I have seen these comments on recent threads. No doubt about it.

Again, you seem to be the only one crying foul in that regard. I think it's become an issue on this thread because you've pretty much single-handedly made it into one by dutifully "sounding the alarm" with every post.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Racist?????

Talk about namecalling and throwing around labels, very incorrect ones!


True, davidletterman, I have 'sounded the alarm'.
And, since, 'discussing our differences' has now resulted being called yet another incorrect and negative label, (add racist to the list I have already thrown together), I will now refrain from continuing in this 'discussion'.

 

[Freyja]

Racist?????

Talk about namecalling and throwing around labels, very incorrect ones!


True, davidletterman, I have 'sounded the alarm'.
And, since, 'discussing our differences' has now resulted being called yet another incorrect and negative label, (add racist to the list I have already surmised), I will now refrain from continuing in this 'discussion'.

Thank you!

 

[LuvDuke]

I am thinking that Republicans want the government to be less restrictive as far as most governmental regulation.

However, I think that it is fair to say that the Republicans are considered to be MORE restrictive in their own personal views on things like what is considered morally appropriate.

It all depends on the issue.

Personal views as to what is considered appropriate in two different cultures is what is currently being discussed here.

Again, I was using the word liberal in the general sense, not the political.

I'm about as liberal as they come, but I sure wouldn't "let it all hang out" if I was breastfeeding in public. And since I'm way beyond that point, I sure as hell wouldn't be showing my naked tata's off in public. I might traumatize someone.

 

[poohandwendy]

I am not sure I understand why anyone on a primarily American discussion board is not welcoming of discussion of our differences with other countries? Why is that so threatening?

 

[LuvDuke]

Exactly. An exposed nipple really tells us more about the people looking at it than it tells us about the nipple's owner.

Yanno, I've lived in several different countries and I've done quite a bit of travelling. I don't ever remember women with exposed breasts walking around a market in Europe. Nevermind the Middle East.

This idea that the rest of the world is so openmined and Americans are so repressed just hasn't panned in my experience. There's always this great myth that the rest of the world is so smart and Americans are so stupid. I've met just as many stupid *******s overseas as I have here. Stupidity is in the human genes.

And, no, a photo on the front page of the NYT such as the one in the Danish newspaper would not acceptable here. "Different strokes for different folks", "when in Rome ....., etc. So?

 

[LuvDuke]

I am not sure I understand why anyone on a primarily American discussion board is not welcoming of discussion of our differences with other countries? Why is that so threatening?

I don't think it's so much threatening as people feel they're being put on the defensive to explain their cultural differences.

 

[Independent]

Racist?????

Talk about namecalling and throwing around labels, very incorrect ones!


True, davidletterman, I have 'sounded the alarm'.
And, since, 'discussing our differences' has now resulted being called yet another incorrect and negative label, (add racist to the list I have already thrown together), I will now refrain from continuing in this 'discussion'.

I am not understanding you here. You are the one that started with the labels. You started the prudish and repressed Americans comments.

The way I viewed the OP's first post was to discuss how different societies view a picture. She never said one viewpoint was worse than the other, just different. All we are discussing is that in one country, the picture is more acceptable than in another country. Is that something to get your panties in such a twist? My goodness. You are the one that keeps bringing up prudish and repressed Americans.

I for one, enjoy reading about and discussing the world's different viewpoints on something. When you understand how other people in this world think, it just might lead to tolerance.

This is a DISCUSSION board by the way.

OP - I have enjoyed this discussion and am always interested to see how people on the other side of the pond view the world.

 

[Independent]

I don't go on a Danish chatboard and say something like "Wow, this Danish woman gardens with her breast hanging out!!!" Like I was passing some kind of judgement and asking them to justify their "cultural differences".
.

Hmmm..she posted a Danish picture from a Danish magazine.

Your example would only be correct if the OP had posted a picture from an American magazine and said "look this American woman has her breasts hanging out."

There is a huge difference between discussing cultural differences and justifying cultural differences.

From what I can see, you are the only one who is trying to justify the cultural difference. I have gone back over this entire thread, and nowhere have I seen anybody passing judgement on how anybody thinks (except you.)

 

[ford family]

Oh, for crying out loud, GROW UP!

(How old are you? Eight?)

Great to see you frat boys sticking together.
Thought you were just awesome with Borat.

ford family

 

[Independent]

Yanno, I've lived in several different countries and I've done quite a bit of travelling. I don't ever remember women with exposed breasts walking around a market in Europe. Nevermind the Middle East.

I have never seen it in a European market either. The French Riviera is another story.

This idea that the rest of the world is so openmined and Americans are so repressed just hasn't panned in my experience. There's always this great myth that the rest of the world is so smart and Americans are so stupid. I've met just as many stupid *******s overseas as I have here. Stupidity is in the human genes.

Absolutely. European society is just as diverse as any other society. However, the general culture that I have experienced (and I have lived in Europe), is that the people there would have a more "whatever" attitude towards a picture of a breast intended to feed a baby vs. a breast that is obviously photographed in a sexual connotation. If the breast were presented in a sexual connotation, I think the Europeans would be just as up in arms if it graced the front page of a magazine.

And, no, a photo on the front page of the NYT such as the one in the Danish newspaper would not acceptable here. "Different strokes for different folks", "when in Rome ....., etc. So?

Bingo, exactly what I perceive this discussion is all about; the cultural differences between the societies. It is a just a cute baby in Denmark, but look at the reaction it has had here by some.

 

[Catananche]

This idea that the rest of the world is so openmined and Americans are so repressed just hasn't panned in my experience. There's always this great myth that the rest of the world is so smart and Americans are so stupid. I've met just as many stupid *******s overseas as I have here. Stupidity is in the human genes.

I don't think there is a widespread opinion that Americans are repressed, at least not that I'm aware of. But when it comes to sexuality there are some interesting contradictions: the big fuss over the Janet Jackson nip-slip, and yet some very, um, frank topics on "Sex and the City".

And I'm also bemused by the generalisation of "Europeans". Taking breastfeeding as an example, Ireland has a very low rate of breastfeeding (around 36%), and yet Scandinavia, with their reputation for being very open about sexuality, has an approx. 98% breastfeeding rate. Scotland has had very low rates, but that is increasing quite rapidly. About 95% of women in the area in which I work choose to breastfeed, although two miles down the road that drops to about 50%. And the attitudes about whether breasts are for feeding, or for play and display, or for both, also greatly differ.

Europe is not one culture, neither is America. Or would anyone disagree?

A few years ago that photo from the OP would never have appeared in newspapers here, although bare breasts were (and still are, I think) on page 3 of many popular tabloid papers. But I think that photo could now be used in the quality broadsheets, in the appropriate context, without causing a significant stir. Times change, and the ones who tut at women feeding their babies in public are in the minority (and an increasingly fuddy-duddy appearing minority).

 

[nut4disney]

Absolutely. European society is just as diverse as any other society. However, the general culture that I have experienced (and I have lived in Europe), is that the people there would have a more "whatever" attitude towards a picture of a breast intended to feed a baby vs. a breast that is obviously photographed in a sexual connotation. If the breast were presented in a sexual connotation, I think the Europeans would be just as up in arms if it graced the front page of a magazine.

And context is everything. For example, Catholics in the USA might not even blink if they saw that picture in an issue of Catholic Parent Magazine. On the other hand, if it showed up in the Jesuit Journal of Higher Education, I think the Catholic community would be going "EEK!"

 

[ZPT1022]

We haven't had a baby, thank you very much. I have two kids by way of DH's first marriage (and his first wife didn't breastfeed). And that is all I need. But thanks for making that assumption. And if you read on you will find out WHY I feel that way and why other feel that way, too.

Wow, unprovoked and unneccessary attack. If ANYONE was going to be insulted, it should've been the person who I quoted. I never said anything about anyone's kids or lack thereof or family situations. I was merely pointing out that just because someone doesn't always see breasts as sexual, does not mean that they are FRIGID and that their spouse is GAY. I could really give a crap less why you choose or choose not to have kids, that was so NOT what my post was about. And if you go back and re-read, it wasn't even directed at you.

 

[poohandwendy]

I don't think it's so much threatening as people feel they're being put on the defensive to explain their cultural differences.

LOL, no one is forced to post on this or any other thread.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Wow, unprovoked and unneccessary attack. If ANYONE was going to be insulted, it should've been the person who I quoted. I never said anything about anyone's kids or lack thereof or family situations. I was merely pointing out that just because someone doesn't always see breasts as sexual, does not mean that they are FRIGID and that their spouse is GAY. I could really give a crap less why you choose or choose not to have kids, that was so NOT what my post was about. And if you go back and re-read, it wasn't even directed at you.

sorry - Zpt - but I took your post the opposite of what you intended as well....guess it doesn't come across clear ....it seemed as if you were supporting the person you quoted...

 

[Fitswimmer]

I don't think there is a widespread opinion that Americans are repressed, at least not that I'm aware of. But when it comes to sexuality there are some interesting contradictions: the big fuss over the Janet Jackson nip-slip, and yet some very, um, frank topics on "Sex and the City".

If I choose to watch the Super Bowl, I expect to see a football game and a halftime show that is appropriate for a general audience. I don't expect to see a dance routine that would have been more appropriate for the Bada Bing. When I turn on the Sopranos or Sex in the City, I know I'm going see some half naked dancers, violence and some pretty frank language. I wouldn't watch those shows with the same audience. I don't really think the reaction is contradictory at all.

 

[Hercules10]

Yoikes...16 pages over one bewb.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Breastfeeding has nothing to do with how appropriate one feels that it is to display what is shown in that picture.

I do not buy it when somebody uses breastfeeding as a reason or excuse to make a public display. Several posters here have given examples of this. It really does nothing to help their argument.

Again, there is a huge difference between actually breastfeeding with a bit of discretion, and the display of this picture on the front page of the media. Do not assume that everyone who does not feel that this picture on the front page is appropropriate is a Conservative, Prude, Repressed, 20 year behind, anti-breastfeeding, person.

It is always funny to me when someone speaks of their right to nurse in public--people think it is for some public display. The only thing on my mind is to feed my hungry baby.

The pic in question is in another country where they do not have a problem with showing a pic of a bewb.