so you live, work and train in the US....

[RadioNate]

Uhhh, when exactly did I say I expect people to feel differently for their own than I do for mine?

Now who is coloring things?

I do think we are the best in absolutely everything, and I'm pretty sure the rest of the world feels the same about their own country of origin. But it's an opinion, no more and no less. Sort of how I feel about my kids. To say I believe the rest of the world would ever or should ever agree crosses the line into delusional, which I am not. I fully expect others to feel the same about wherever they come from and that neither irritates me nor concerns me. So answer me this, why shouldn't I be allowed to feel this way about the US? I find it infinitely intriguing why my opinion seems to be so provocative. I mean why does anyone care at all?

BTW, the games were great last night.

GO US!

Um no they don't. People in all countries realize that their people excel at somethings and do not in other thing. I don't think any one (but you) believes that their people are THE BEST AT EVERYTHING they do by virtue of the chance birth in that country. You thinking we are superior just because of where we live is disheartening to say that least.

It is provocative because it is extremely ethnocentric (which isn't a compliment) and embodies the "ugly American" stereotype.

 

[bavaria]

The way I grew up was to be proud of my heritage but the fact that a grew up in a wonderful nation didn't make me better than another person. I realized I was incredibly fortunate to have food, clothing and shelter which so many children in this world do without. This humility and appreciation runs deeper than any boasting or insensitive remark another person can make.

I am grateful that my parents taught me to see good in other people and nations instead of just focusing on myself. In this global world it is a valuable skill that I wish more Americans shared.

What is really unforunate is that the poster isn't the only one here who seems to view things in absolutes. On the 'American culture' thread there are posters who seem to believe that some things are exclusive to America, and do not occur in other parts of the world.

That assumption and the refusal to acknowledge that other cultures or nations also have those positive aspects is unfortunately one of the things which can put one in a bad light.

Having pride is a positive thing. Being arrogant and dismissive of others is a very different thing indeed.

 

[Planogirl]

Having pride is a positive thing. Being arrogant and dismissive of others is a very different thing indeed.

You said it all so well here! American (or any) arrogance is pretty ugly.

 

[bavaria]

You said it all so well here! American (or any) arrogance is pretty ugly.

I am very hesitant to even respond to those posts, but I believe that someone needs to, and I am glad that many people are, regardless of nationality.

But if the tables were turned, and if we subsituted another country for 'America' and copied those same posts, I am very certain that whoever said them would be held to task by other posters (as they should be)

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Um no they don't. People in all countries realize that their people excel at somethings and do not in other thing. I don't think any one (but you) believes that their people are THE BEST AT EVERYTHING they do by virtue of the chance birth in that country. You thinking we are superior just because of where we live is disheartening to say that least.

It is provocative because it is extremely ethnocentric (which isn't a compliment) and embodies the "ugly American" stereotype.

True!

I remember...i think '96 summer olympics...

There was an athlete that *I think* was his countries ONLY Olympian that year. The guy learned how to swim for the Olympics.

He was the last one who finished--but by golly he did. And he was the pride of his country.

Being in the Olympics isn't always about being the best.

And I could easily argue that that country got it more than many countries with "elite" athletes.

 

[LuvOrlando]

You guys just crack me up. Nothing quite like members of DIS for making mountains out of molehills.

GO USA!

Sorry if that is upsetting to some of you.

 

[bavaria]

Honestly it isn't upsetting me, because I believe as I have said several times that the posts are made for entertainment value, or perhaps with an intent to provoke people to respond. The responses have been respectful, even if they are in disagreement with the sentiments.

 

[declansdad]

You guys just crack me up. Nothing quite like members of DIS for making mountains out of molehills.

GO USA!

Sorry if that is upsetting to some of you.

You don't seem to get it.

GO CANADA!

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

...GO CANADA!

Go, Alabama! Roll Tide!!!

 

[PaulaSB12]

You don't seem to get it.

GO CANADA!

GO UNITED KINGDOM

 

[Jennasis]

GO UNITED KINGDOM

Go Netherlands!




I like their pretty orange outfits.

 

[crashbb]

GO UNITED KINGDOM

Maybe you can answer a question for me? I noticed that the athletes came in under "Great Britain". However, the team seems to include athletes from Northern Ireland (unless there are none). So, shouldn't it be the United Kingdom team?

Do your athletes compete as "Great Britain" but really include athletes from the "UK"? Or do the Northern Irish athletes compete on their own team? I know that England, Scotland, and Wales compete as one team.

 

[locolala]

Go Russia

 

[Planogirl]

Go Netherlands!




I like their pretty orange outfits.

They're nice people too.

And Go Norway! Mostly just because.

 

[Aristomommy]

GO all the countires who have no chance in a medaling in ANY event but send their athletes on this wonderful experience in the name of the Olympic spirit!!! I will root for you!!!

 

[christiane]

I say, Go Everyone!

It's amazing to see the athletic capabilities of the human race. I don't really care what country an athlete is from, I will applaud anything that wows me. And that happens on a daily basis when I watch the Olympics.

I have triple citizenship but my husband & children are Canadian so I do cheer a little louder for Canada. It's deafening in here right now as Canada just won their first hockey game. Hockey rules in this house!

 

[bavaria]

Well, Germany may at the moment be at the top of the medal count, but that doesn't mean much to me.

I will throw out GO INDIA since part of my heart is always in that amazing country, and because I find it heartening that 'non-traditionally Nordic' countries send athletes to compete at the Games.

So GO INDIA and GO EVERYONE!

 

[FireDancer]

Maybe you can answer a question for me? I noticed that the athletes came in under "Great Britain". However, the team seems to include athletes from Northern Ireland (unless there are none). So, shouldn't it be the United Kingdom team?

Do your athletes compete as "Great Britain" but really include athletes from the "UK"? Or do the Northern Irish athletes compete on their own team? I know that England, Scotland, and Wales compete as one team.

Here is a simplified way to look at it:

England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland = four countries that together make up the United Kingdom, a unitary state.

Great Britain is the island on which England, Scotland, and Wales sit.

It isn't uncommon for people to use "Great Britain" when they actually mean "The United Kingdom". I know some people think England and the U.K. are the same. It is like saying American to refer to someone from the United States. We know what you mean but technically someone from Chile is as much an American as I am, they are from one of the American Continents.

In some sporting events each country competes separately, like the World Cup. England will be in the 2010 World Cup while N. Ireland, Scotland, and Wales failed to qualify. In some events they compete as a collective, like the Olympics.

There are also some islands involved but for the sake of simplicity I have left them out of the equation.

 

[crashbb]

Here is a simplified way to look at it:

England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland = four countries that together make up the United Kingdom, a unitary state.

Great Britain is the island on which England, Scotland, and Wales sit.

It isn't uncommon for people to use "Great Britain" when they actually mean "The United Kingdom". I know some people think England and the U.K. are the same. It is like saying American to refer to someone from the United States. We know what you mean but technically someone from Chile is as much an American as I am, they are from one of the American Continents.

In some sporting events each country competes separately, like the World Cup. England will be in the 2010 World Cup while N. Ireland, Scotland, and Wales failed to qualify. In some events they compete as a collective, like the Olympics.

There are also some islands involved but for the sake of simplicity I have left them out of the equation.

I didn't ask about the difference between the UK and Great Britain. I know the difference.

I asked how they were competing at the Olympics. There was a Great Britain team, but no team from Northern Ireland, so I was confused. It looks like the Olympics uses the term "Great Britain" but means "United Kingdom".

Oh - and most Scottish and Welsh people I know consider Scotland, Wales, and England separate countries (which they are). Thus, to call them English is like calling a Canadian an American. Not like calling an American an American, and comparing it to someone in Chile. The country of "England" does not encompass Scotland or Wales (as the continent of "America" encompasses Chile).

 

[Deb in IA]

Hey, lillygator, Lindsay Vonn lives and trains mostly in Austria.

Should she be skiing for Austria instead of the US???