Quote Originally Posted by Jock Scot View Post
Tim Little has answered for me,thanks Tim. Is that OK DWF11? Can I point out that I am not arrogant enough to think that my advice is spot on and that everyone, or, even anyone should follow my advice! Very far from it.
Jock,

It doesn't matter to me one way or the other...so if it's OK with you that's all that counts.

But the remark that "this is the USA" is so quintessentially American I wondered if you were a native Scot or an "implant."

We in America tend to be very jealous of our God-given and constitutionally guaranteed right to be obnoxious, self-righteous , anti-social and to flaunt the traditions and sensibilities of anyone and everyone ...especially if it is someone else's customs or traditions. Most folks on this forum are not like that, and I've never in my life said (that I can remember) "This is the USA." But I've heard it said often enough...just never from a native Scot.

I too felt that some of the more recent remarks about Americans were a bit overdrawn but there is an element of truth there, as well. Americans, like our British ancestors, do sometimes seem more enamored of other peoples cultures than our own.

On the other hand, if a culture, that comes under the assimilative eye of that segment of America, does not value its own traditions to the point where the only...or the most common...representation is in the most commercially acquisitive shops in "touristy" strips, we can hardly be faulted for getting it wrong.

Maybe that's why I think that an understanding of...and maybe even a respectful nod towards...those traditions and "rules"/conventions (whatever semantic sleight-of-hand pleases a person) is in order.

But "this is the USA"--not even a well reasoned dissertation, much less a disagreement, on a discussion forum of note such as this one, compels anyone to any behaviour that they don't owe allegiance to.