06-07-2002, 10:51 AM
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#12
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Guest
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Quote:
Originally posted by Moiraine:
I wouldn't say that other countries "hate" Americans, Caleb. [img]smile.gif[/img] Maybe it's more of an non understanding in differences in cultural attitudes ...
Here's an example of what I mean, from France. Culturally, when talking to someone, the people from Africa put a smaller physical distance than we Europeans do. It means that, if you are an European person not consciously aware of that fact, everytime you talk to an African, you will get the primitive and unconscious feeling that he is aggressing you, while it's just a matter of different cultural stances. Hence many Europeans feel insecure about immigration from Africa, and hence the Africans feel we Europeans are cold people. While if both were aware of that small fact, relations would greatly improve ...
You U.S. people tend to have in common a very independant attitude, basically saying "we don't need others, we can manage on our own". Now that's a deeply ingrained cultural attitude dating back from a time when such an attitude was necessary for survival. Considering that the people who made the trip to America back then already had a strong thread of independance and courage.
Now combine that stance with the fact that you are currently the most powerful nation in the world, since the collapse of the communist group ... and basically what the rest of the world unconsciously perceive is that you don't give a damn about what they, we, might think or do ... which is NOT what you mean, consciously.
That's why, IMHO, understanding other people's cultures and make that knowledge widely spread is the most important thing we have to manage. Understanding against ignorance, knowledge against fear and hate. Using our brains instead of our guts ... [img]smile.gif[/img]
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Sounds like a pretty fair and reasonable explanation to me Moiraine. A lot of things can get messed up because of differences in cultural communications. Language differences do NOT help either.
[ 06-07-2002, 10:52 AM: Message edited by: MagiK ]
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