posted October 10, 2014 11:23 PM            

I'm curious: how do you feel about your nationality? Or race?

posted October 11, 2014 02:46 AM            

For the most part, I see cultural values as shackles, although I don’t reject all of them. They sure affect my life in some ways (for example, the ties I have with my parents).

Some people reacted negatively when they found out that I’m not “loyal” to my nation. To them, if one doesn’t feel overwhelming love for one’s home country and people, there must be something wrong.

posted October 11, 2014 08:55 AM            

Let's see, where do I begin? Since I was a teenager, I haven't felt "at home" in America. Before I left to study in England in 1997, my self-identity was all wrapped up in being a naturalist, and what I wanted most was to live an off-grid, self-sustaining life. I had serious, gnawing angst about the environment I was in...I was embarrassed about American culture and couldn't wait to get away to Europe, thinking everything would be better there.

Except it wasn't, not for me.

I lived with 15 people from several different countries (England, Greece, France, Ghana) in a large flat, and that's when I had this awful realization that it wasn't America I hated...it was modern civilization in its entirety. I just couldn't get away. And if anything, my new acquaintances' polite enthusiasm for America just irritated me worse than ever. I was like, "But can't you see how bad it is? Am I really so alone in this?"

Though, one thing about that experience was funny: I always thought of myself as somewhat mellow and reserved (I'm a Capricorn after all) but compared to the Europeans I seemed downright boisterous. (With the exception of the Greeks who were louder than me.) Really I don't think Americans even realize how overbearing and loud we are until we spend time with people from other countries. Sometimes me just saying "HI!" in a chipper tone of voice would make my roommates wince. And I was the quietest of the three Americans in the flat.

Anyway, Europe really dashed my hopes of escaping what I thought was just an American issue...it turned out to be what I supposed was more like a global issue...a critical lack of coherence and meaning. A world-wide obliviousness to the landfills and the dangers of consumer culture.

Over time I've inured myself to living in America like a regular person but made some drastic changes that make me feel like I'm a stranger. My values don't line up with the values of most of the people I meet, and sometimes I am outright astonished by the unwaivering support that my own friends give to the military or the Republican Party or psychiatry and its tenents, or the school system...all these establishments that I regard as crazy and don't want to touch with a ten-foot pole.

posted October 11, 2014 09:22 AM            

One of my best friends is Bavarian: born, raised, and still living in Germany. She and I have talked at length about how we are perceived for our respective nationalities...

I was amazed to learn that Germans are still hated in some places, and she and her husband actually pretend to be Canadian sometimes, as they travel around the world. My friend speaks perfect English, more with an American accent, but she banks on the fact that most people can't tell the difference.

posted October 11, 2014 02:20 PM            

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Originally posted by FireMoon:
I feel ashamed of my race and nationality. And unworthy of the privileges I was born with.... Tbh.

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posted October 11, 2014 03:43 PM            

Me personally, I have no interest in it whatsoever I almost never drink except maybe wine at dinner parties Ireland as a country is really odd... Everything moves at a snails pace, from transport to bureaucracy, getting things done is often fraking impossible (guess its all those Monday morning hangovers right?), however its also hilarious at how everyone is so laid back about almost everything!

I don't know if that's just the fluoride in the water or just something that has manifested in our culture since the nationals ran the English out of Dublin back in the days of Pearse and Collins, which is perhaps the only time in Ireland's history where the country (At least here in the South) had a unified sense of purpose. WAR!... [Shakes Head]

Despite everything, I love this country as a place to live, Its very much a unique little Island and as a child growing up here Id say boarded on the down right magical! I had the luxury of spending my youth amongst the ancient ruins of Norman castles, even older monasteries and truly lost in time hill forts, and ancient Celtic burial grounds. So as a kid living in what's know as “The Boyne Valley” one finds yourself surrounded by the best aspects of Ireland!

Had I grown up in Inner City Dublin, would I even care about such things? Id doubtless not even have visited them except maybe on school trips and perhaps then my interest would have been no more than a passing.. “Oh cool” point of view.

As for the Irish accent... ahh mine is surely lacking in thickness. If I told people I was American they wouldn't even blink, however I adore some of the thicker Irish accents more for their humor than anything else, I don't find any of them “sexy”, except maybe the really posh Dublin Southsiders but the personalities of such people is often alittle lacks for my tastes

Nobody... Nobody except maybe the Scott's can swear quite like the Irish, Id almost die laughing at the Inner City Dublin kids exchanging insults on a Bus ride home from college!

When I have traveled abroad I've always been well received when my nationality became known, even in the Uk which I was most concerned about. I lived with many different people from all over the world and while In Ireland they always fraking complain about how like I said early... Nothing gets done! Its the land of perpetual tea breaks and bad weather... But I love it

As I get older and maybe even should I start a family I intend on moving further west to where things REALLY slow down even more... Ahh Ireland, it truly is the fabled “Tir na nog”!

posted October 11, 2014 04:21 PM            

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Originally posted by 12muddy:
Some people reacted negatively when they found out that I’m not “loyal” to my nation. To them, if one doesn’t feel overwhelming love for one’s home country and people, there must be something wrong.

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posted October 11, 2014 06:39 PM            

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Originally posted by aquaguy91:
Alot of people who have never been here have the idea that southern people are overwhelmingly racist and phomophobic.

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At first I thought that said phonophobic. I wondered if it meant "fear of sounds." And I was like....no, I never thought Southerners were afraid of sounds!

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Whatever AG, let the haters hate, you are from the state that gave the world Elvis Presley. All we can do from now on is say thank you.

posted October 11, 2014 07:43 PM            

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Originally posted by Faith:
I'm from New Jersey, the most ridiculed state after Arkansas.

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My family is from New Jersey!!!! See, I knew I liked you for a reason (and more too).

posted October 11, 2014 08:07 PM            

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Originally posted by aquaguy91:
Snooki want smoosh smoosh.

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I swear this is true, as I live and breathe.

I grew up listening to my mom talk about her cousin Snooki who lived down the shore.

Now....

Just imagine being me when that show came out??

Like....this cannot happen. My life...cannot go in this direction.

posted October 11, 2014 08:09 PM            

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Originally posted by aquaguy91:
Snooki want smoosh smoosh.

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posted October 11, 2014 08:11 PM            

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Originally posted by BellaFenice:
My family is from New Jersey!!!! See, I knew I liked you for a reason (and more too).

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We're probably cousins.

No seriously.

posted October 11, 2014 08:41 PM            

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Originally posted by Faith:
My redneck friends look at me like I have two heads when I make any kind of remark against our country. I remember once we were talking to our kids about the 4th of July, and my friend kept instructing them that this is the "land of the free" and I kept trying not to roll my eyes while offering some contrary opinions...usually I am polite and act like more of a conformist, but I just couldn't help it.

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I know some who believe the South should rise again (and refer to the Civil War as "War of Northern Aggression") but are also exceedingly patriotic in some ways to the nation they want to secede from. I can have fun getting their brains to switch tracks on that...but I wouldn't recommend it to any who don't know the people really well as they can take it very serious (to the point that it might become dangerous). Heck, it could be only my Scorpio Jupiter allowed me to get away with that, along with learning to pick up subtle cues on when I needed to back off and knowing the people I did that to pretty well.

ETA: Ah, see you're from NJ.

Thought I'd share one of the jokes I heard growing up in Texas. Why did the North get the Yankees (that would include you, Faith ) and California get the gays?

posted October 11, 2014 09:15 PM            

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Originally posted by Faith:
Oh and is that from the South Park show?? Drats, I never saw it. Yet.

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posted October 11, 2014 09:27 PM            

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Originally posted by PixieJane:
I know some who believe the South should rise again (and refer to the Civil War as "War of Northern Aggression") but are also exceedingly patriotic in some ways to the nation they want to secede from. I can have fun getting their brains to switch tracks on that...but I wouldn't recommend it to any who don't know the people really well as they can take it very serious (to the point that it might become dangerous).

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That's hilarious

Good thing I'm nowhere near aquaguy physically as I post this:
Bill Cosby on Prejudice @ 4:25

*tiptoes away*

quote:

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Originally posted by PixieJane:
Thought I'd share one of the jokes I heard growing up in Texas. Why did the North get the Yankees (that would include you, Faith ) and California get the gays?

California got to choose first.

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Awww...LOL, I don't think of myself as a yankee no matter what anyone says. But I love California...'would move there in a split second if I had the chance.

I've been outside of NJ for more than half my life now and it seriously is culture shock going back to my home town. It's so friggin busy-- crazy drivers-- nosey people wanting to talk to me at Dunkin Donuts. Like, these are "my people" and I love 'em but I am soooo glad I left.

posted October 11, 2014 09:40 PM            

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Originally posted by aquaguy91:
Yes. Snooki raped Cartman, it was great. Lol

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South Park is crazy.

ETA: Hope you aren't offended by the Bill Cosby rant...I was just kidding with it.