A mind is a terrible thing to waste

[Macman]

I always got confused about Vancouver. For some reason, I keep thinking it's a city like Kansas City, MO/KS, but no. It's a five hour drive between them.

Regards,
Rex.

No worries, Rex. I just learned something about Kansas City.
One Vancouver is on the Columbia River, and the other is on the Fraser River. And then there is Vancouver Island, where Victoria is, outside continental Canada . . .

[ali8780]

I don't want to stir up trouble, but I believe that the real problem has a lot more to do with our complacency than our geography. People depict Americans as bumbling idiots because we travel the world expecting people to bow down to our wishes. I've traveled much of the US and Europe and I can attest first-hand to the arrogance and ignorance of my fellow countrymen.

Stupidity and ignorance are everywhere. But we don't have an excuse for it here in the states, we live in a country where education can be had by all. But we're just too damned comfortable and isolated to give two cents about other cultures. The "plucked" person from China doesn't have access to the freedom of information and learning that we do. There's no parallel there.

[/rant]

Look, I understand that there are people in the US that act and feel this way, but it's the generalizations that bother me. Why is it never assumed that most of US citizens do care about other people of the world and want to be sensitive to their situations? Just because a handful of the more obnoxious ones travel around?

I don't consider myself a special circumstance, I grew up in a medium sized community in the middle of the rural US where I spent almost the entirety of my life and gained an average public school education. My mother was a Farmer's daughter and grew up in a town who's population could all gather together for a night under one building, and my Father was the son of a blue collar steel worker who never saw more than a radius of 30 miles around him for his whole life until recently, and yet I have never assumed that the US=world or that other cultures didn't matter. I've always tried to be sensitive to other people, especially while traveling in their countries--why is it so ridiculous to assume that there are more people like me out there?

[dfmacliam]

I guess it comes down to the saying of "ten percent" Ten percent of any one group, will make the whole group look bad.

[ChattanCat]

I always got confused about Vancouver. For some reason, I keep thinking it's a city like Kansas City, MO/KS, but no. It's a five hour drive between them.

Regards,
Rex.

Now how did I miss this KC reference.
I don't think I could reach the edge of the US in five hours. Geesh, we are in the middle of the US. It takes 1 day and 5 hours to get to Vancouver. We do have a Columbia... town and Missouri river.

No worries, Rex. I just learned something about Kansas City.
One Vancouver is on the Columbia River, and the other is on the Fraser River. And then there is Vancouver Island, where Victoria is, outside continental Canada . . .

?

[ali8780]

I guess it comes down to the saying of "ten percent" Ten percent of any one group, will make the whole group look bad.

Yes, I think this is exactly it. ....at least I hope so....

[BEEDEE]

..some one reported him for inapropriate apparel in a disney park. And it wasn't for his kilt. It was due to him wearing an All Blacks Rugby Tee. It read "All Blacks for the win for over 100 years." Or something along those lines. I was mortified for my own culture. He changed into a disney tee, but it still ruined his day at the parks.

)

My youngest son had a similar problem when he wore an All Blacks rugby jersey one day at college (NCSU). Walking across the brickyard he had an African American student in his face asking "What you trying to say, man?" Took him some time to explain that he was honoring his father's national Rugby team. Part of the problem was his interrogator didn't know what rugby was as well.

Brian

:ootd:

[slohairt]

My youngest son had a similar problem when he wore an All Blacks rugby jersey one day at college (NCSU). Walking across the brickyard he had an African American student in his face asking "What you trying to say, man?" Took him some time to explain that he was honoring his father's national Rugby team. Part of the problem was his interrogator didn't know what rugby was as well.

Brian

:ootd:

Didn't know what Rugby is? I don't even like sports and I know what Rugby is!

[escherblacksmith]

I have met a fair number of people and I think rather then 10 percent, it is 90%, of the people that are noticed.

Case in point, I was a movie theater, there were people talking being a general PITA. 2 or 3 out of 50-100. But, they were the only 2-3 noticed. So, they are the model for anytime I go out amongst the masses (washed or otherwise). Same is true for Americans abroad, for every loud, uncouth, bastard, there are 10 times that many who are not noticed because they aren't being a obnoxious buffoon.

And so it goes. (I do believe that England still holds the title of worst tourists from travel companies)

[kiltedsawyer]

Tis not local nor latitude,
So much effects the attitude.
'Tis more it seems one's education,
That builds in him appreciation,
And bids us all to understand,
Those beyond our native land.

As some may wander far away,
And others still may never stray,
'Tis knowing we are not alone,
Upon this earth we do not own,
Should humble all who here abide,
And empty hearts of foolish pride.

So when in Rome act like a Roman,
Without angst in your ab-DOH-men,
Endeavor well to congregate,
And seek then to assimilate,
All that can be taken in,
As brother, sister, kith, and kin.

[Friday]

Last summer, a woman stopped me on my way back from some local Highland Games. She complimented me on the kilt, then asked if I spoke English.

I hope you responded - No I was educated in America!