I had an experience yesterday that resurrected this pet peeve of mine...I will vent briefly:
I just think it is so funny when Americans travel to other countries only to return to the United States with a list of reasons of why their country is superior. It is incredibly arrogant to consider yourself an experienced world traveler if you seek opportunities that you mock. The purpose of travel is not to boost your nationalism or to reconfirm your choice of settlement, but to surround yourself in a different culture. You should be able to appreciate the way other cultures function, even if it is different from your own culture's norms. In fact, if you approach the situation with an open mind you might even learn from another culture. You never know what other parts of the world have to offer. The United States is a wonderful place, but we are not superior to other countries. We are different. So whoever reads this, do me a favor. Next time you travel to a foreign country, please take my advice. Rather than coming home with a list of reasons why you like the United States better, challenge yourself to come home with a list of things you like about the place you visited or a list of the things you learned.
After all, if you're looking for an experience that will make you a prideful American, save the money and head to your nearby McDonalds.
1.12.2009
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4 comments:
100% agreed. i don't know who you're thinking of this time, but i'm pretty sure you know who i'm thinking of when i read this post...
Where did you get to travel to so recently that resurrected this experience?
What if I've never left the United States? Does that give me permission to gloat about the good 'ole U.S. of A.?
I think so.
And that is why America (but just the middle part of North America...not the rest of the America stuff) is better than everyone else in every way...ever.
Lol... no I don't recall our group talking that way at the reunion. But then again, I was probably distracted by trying to keep Soren from destroying Rob's house! I DO recall Kristie's makeup deal, but then again, I think Soren came close to crying during the mass. I was sweating hard during that mass, because I could feel the potential hatred of the congregation resulting from my wailing son. Luckily it never came to that; and I wouldn't have blamed them for being angry. Someday I'll go back and actually enjoy that service. Mel and I want to go back to that little village. We really liked it there.
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