Posted by john on August 12, 2002 at 06:59:45:
: really enjoyed reading your comments. here's a couple things i try to remind myself of as frequently as possible when faced with things in our society you mentioned.
: 1. people are people, regardless of what time in history they live, what type of culture they live in, or what age they are. the reason i say this is because throughout history, we find the same characteristics over and over in people. christ dealt with all the same issues in people at the time he was here, they were just called by different names and titles. (i think it's EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to be aware of that)
: 2. there is a whole world out there, and everyone doesn't live or think like an american. i am really speaking in broad generalities here, but, for example, most europeans live quite simply in comparison to the way we do. they pretty much take one day at a time, are not as inhibited as we are, and approach life with more balance with respect to work, vacation time, family time, etc. it's interesting to experience different cultures around the world. it gives good perspective on living life.
yes, I used to think the whole world was as superficial as this country, but after travelling some, I am convinced it is a rather American trait. Of course other places have their problems, but it seems they have bee ndeveloping their particualr cultures for many hunreds of years longer than us and have figured out how to live together less offensivley. I hold out hope that America will come up to speed eventually. However I don't expect it in my lifetime.
I almost posted at the end ofthe original post, that expatriotism would suit me well for several reasons. 1. is that as a foreigner, I am distanced from the society to some extent and that allows me to look on it without feeling embarrassed or like I have to fix it. 2. not understanding all of the language allows me to ignore what would otherwise make me cringe. 3. I am no longer immediately pressed by the problem. My personality is much more pleasant and my psychosomatic (stress induced)disorders disappear all together. I feel that I become a much better person, far less angry and volatile.
I didn't post it because it seemed to veer from the initial tone of the post and it is often viewed as offensive to demean the country while staying in it. Which is my second reason for not posting it, I am stuck here by factors outside my control, and there is no point whining about it.