View Full Version : Who is more Arrogant? Americans or Europeans?
Divinus Arma
08-02-2005, 14:42
Who is more arrogant?
I am American and I think neither is arrogant.
I am American and I think both are arrogant.
I am American and I think Americans are arrogant and europeans aren't.
I am American and I think Europeans are arrogant and Americans aren't.
I am European and I think neither is arrogant.
I am European and I think both are arrogant.
I am European and I think Americans are arrogant and europeans aren't.
I am Eurpoean and I think Europeans are arrogant and Americans aren't.
Gah!
Edit: Removed senseless arab bash.
Proletariat
08-02-2005, 14:46
We're both pretty bad. If it was just cultural vainity, France takes the cake. But Americans are pretty culturally vain, too.
Franconicus
08-02-2005, 14:56
Hard to answer. On the one hand they are extremly self-confident ('God's own country', their selfchosen destination to lead the world...) on the other hand they sometimes are rediculous under-confident (all the weapons they carry all the time).
Every American I know is very friendly, not arrogant at all. But as nation they are arrogant.
Ser Clegane
08-02-2005, 14:57
EDIT: After some alterations and conferring with Divinus Arma, this thread is re-opened.
DA assured me that this is a serious question so I expect this one to stay civil (i.e., no US or EU bashing).
I will keep an eye on this one :stare:
Divinus Arma
08-02-2005, 15:39
As I was going to write before the confusion:
What is American culture?
But Americans are pretty culturally vain, too.
There are many many different sub-cultures in America, and are unshareed by the rest of the nation.
Right now we have an epidemic of urban gangland cultural influence spreading into fashion, music, and entertainment. On any given day in middle-class suburbia, you may find a 16 year old white boy driving his dad's car and blasting "pop a cap in 5-0, I'll pour out my fourty for my homies" from the speakers.
What is American culture now anyway? Mom, Apple pie, baseball, and muscle cars? Homeownership with little pink houses and a tiny lawn?
We have mexican laborists, asian super students, black doctors, and white trailer trash. We have southern rednecks who still fly the confederate flag, wall street brokers and businessmen, cowboys and cattle drivers.
Is the thanksgiving holiday America? What about christmas and independance day and labor day? Is it the flag or the shape of our borders?
The fact is, America is large and incredibly diverse. We have countless accents and dialects. There is ebonics and spanglish, southern and new jersey, beach babes who say "dude" and "like, totally, or radical".
Is it our eating habits? We have obese and anorexic, alcoholics and teetotals. We have atheists, christians, catholics, hindus, muslims, budhists, and jews.
So if you say the nation is arrogant, who do you mean? Is it "Laquisha" the urban mother on welfare or Bob the auto mechanic?
I will tell you this: we are divided and united all at once. I recongnize that Americans believe in their inherent goodness. Americans do not think they are better than Europe, but equals. We are very much equals, cut from the same cloth. It actually hurts to hear our brothers and sisters overseas call us arrogant. We all share the same vision for the world: peace, prospeity, and freedom. We believe in man's ability and right to self-govern.
Sjakihata
08-02-2005, 15:56
When I mean arrogant, it is of course the policy makers and those who vote for them.
Dismissing the UN without second thought is arrogant, since UN actually mean UNITED NATIONS, america being but one among a world, that is arrogant.
Don Corleone
08-02-2005, 16:37
Arrogance is a very difficult term to define.
Does prefering your own way of doing things mean that you view your way as superior? Not necessarily.
What makes 'America'? George W Bush? The average American? The most arrogant American? The average American overseas? The average American as portrayed on television?
This question isn't defined very well, but in the broad sense of which population as a distribution tends to be more arrogant, I'd say there's probably little difference.
Don't forget, many times arrogance is projected... if I hear a European saying "God, I'm glad our schools work the way they do", I might think "How arrogant of them to disrespect our schools" when they didn't mean it in that sense at all.
Proletariat
08-02-2005, 16:42
There are many many different sub-cultures in America, and are unshareed by the rest of the nation.
*snip*
What is American culture now anyway? Mom, Apple pie, baseball, and muscle cars? Homeownership with little pink houses and a tiny lawn?
We have mexican laborists, asian super students, black doctors, and white trailer trash. We have southern rednecks who still fly the confederate flag, wall street brokers and businessmen, cowboys and cattle drivers.
Is the thanksgiving holiday America? What about christmas and independance day and labor day? Is it the flag or the shape of our borders?
The fact is, America is large and incredibly diverse. We have countless accents and dialects. There is ebonics and spanglish, southern and new jersey, beach babes who say "dude" and "like, totally, or radical".
Is it our eating habits? We have obese and anorexic, alcoholics and teetotals. We have atheists, christians, catholics, hindus, muslims, budhists, and jews.
So if you say the nation is arrogant, who do you mean? Is it "Laquisha" the urban mother on welfare or Bob the auto mechanic?
Sure, we're a melting pot. But we still have a distinct culture. I only agree with you from the perspective of being an American who is on the inside looking out.
From the Big Mac, to WW2, Independence, Right to Bear Arms, Hollywood, Freedom, Wal-Mart, Big Cars, being the most Right Wing population in the world that's mainstream, etc. There are many defining American concepts and intangibles and I can see how we can be percieved as vain or even distinct. Not more than anyone else, but still.
Just because we're diverse doesn't mean we don't have a pretty strong culture. (Not that I think you were disputing this.)
Don Corleone
08-02-2005, 18:39
Hmmm... interesting results. I'm starting to see a trend here...
Byzantine Prince
08-02-2005, 18:43
What aboot* us Canadian folk? Are we suposed to stay out of this? Do we belong nowhere? :embarassed:
*Yes that was intentional. ~;)
Strike For The South
08-02-2005, 18:47
Why are we talking about this we all know its the Aussies ~;)
Honstely Allot of pepole feel national pride and dont like other nations simply because of that (ie France America) but if you were to meet a single person from that country chances are you'd like them
Don Corleone
08-02-2005, 18:52
You're not talking about arrogance SFTS, you're talking about willful ignorance & bigotry, something that I'm afraid is a universally available trait.
Gawain of Orkeny
08-02-2005, 19:12
If you really want to know whos more arrogant just look at the other poll here (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=51771&page=3) .
Louis VI the Fat
08-02-2005, 19:28
As in the other poll, I don't feel the need to vote anonymously. I voted:
'I am European and I think Europeans are arrogant and Americans aren't. '
Seems I'm still the only one who voted this. Complacent, ignorant, blissfully oblivious of the fact that some parts of the outside world have telephones and electricity too - yes, that you can accuse many Americans of.
But arrogant in the strictest sense of the word, no. That term seems better reserved to describe your average European.
Americans are willing to learn, they're interested in other people they meet, they adapt. Europeans are far more arrogant, both in a nationalistic sense and in a person-to-person sense.
Don Corleone
08-02-2005, 19:32
As in the other poll, I don't feel the need to vote anonymously. I voted:
'I am European and I think Europeans are arrogant and Americans aren't. '
Seems I'm still the only one who voted this. Complacent, ignorant, blissfully oblivious of the fact that some parts of the outside world have telephones and electricity too - yes, that you can accuse many Americans of.
But arrogant in the strictest sense of the word, no. That term seems better reserved to describe your average European.
Americans are willing to learn, they're interested in other people they meet, they adapt. Europeans are far more arrogant, both in a nationalistic sense and in a person-to-person sense.
You just voted that way because you saw the hypocricy afoot in the way this poll was going ~;) Besides, you're French. It's easy for you to allow for arrogance, it's a virtue over there ~D Just kiddin, I've been saving up a payback I've had for you for a couple of days now and that seemed the perfect spot to toss it in. :duel:
Louis VI the Fat
08-02-2005, 20:20
Besides, you're French. It's easy for you to allow for arrogance, it's a virtue over there ~D As a little kid I was really kind, shy and modest.
Then the teachers at school beat that out of me. They were paid by the state to turn me into this nasty, arrogant chauvinistic pig. ~:handball:
Don Corleone
08-02-2005, 20:21
I always wondered how you French wind up the way you are. ~D So that scene in Amile' where the boy gets tossed in the trash can is really part of an official discipline proceeding, eh? ~:confused:
Louis VI the Fat
08-02-2005, 20:24
So that scene in Amile' where the boy gets tossed in the trash can is really part of an official discipline proceeding, eh? ~:confused:~:mecry: :bigcry:
Samurai Waki
08-02-2005, 21:54
In the Caymans there is a large population of both Americans and Europeans (namely British/Australian), Once you get past the politics you can just about sit down with virtually anyone and have a good conversation, all of us aren't that different. On a Political scale, both America and Europe are arrogant.
Devastatin Dave
08-02-2005, 21:55
We're both arrogant because we rule this ####ing planet and everyone knows it!!! Yea Baby!!! ~:cheers:
Papewaio
08-02-2005, 22:05
For the purposes of this poll I assumed that Aussies are not Europeans... real estate mantra... location, location, location... we are the Bum Print of the South Pacific just west of the Semi-colon of the South Pacific.
So I voted Gah!
Gawain of Orkeny
08-02-2005, 22:12
On a Political scale, both America and Europe are arrogant.
Its like asking who is more arrogant conservatives or liberals. The problem comes that when you try to justify your position you come off as well how can I say it? ...........Arrogant. ~;)
Devastatin Dave
08-02-2005, 22:13
Its like asking who is more arrogant conservatives or liberals. The problem comes that when you try to justify your position you come off as well how can I say it? ...........Arrogant. ~;)
Not when you're as modest as I am about my greatness... ~D
PanzerJaeger
08-02-2005, 22:25
Europeans in general treat American tourists worse than Americans treat European tourists. I dont even know if thats arrogance though.. more likely just dislike.
Moderately on-topic article I came across:
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/77868922-0228-11da-9481-00000e2511c8.html
Of course the Aussies are tops...
Can't really see the point of the thread....
Divinus Arma
08-03-2005, 00:35
Can't really see the point of the thread....
Cry for me baby. ~D
The problem comes that when you try to justify your position you come off as well how can I say it? ...........Arrogant.
Well put.
Americans are willing to learn, they're interested in other people they meet, they adapt. Europeans are far more arrogant, both in a nationalistic sense and in a person-to-person sense.
I like you already. I've never met a Frenchman who could see the arrogance in France. You betray the Stereotype on every level.
Europeans in general treat American tourists worse than Americans treat European tourists. I dont even know if thats arrogance though.. more likely just dislike.
I have heard this. My wife has been to Europe twice, most of it in France. She says that the french will treat tourists like crap unless the tourist speaks french. Luckily she does.
It is the exact opposite in America. If you do not speak English and you need help, Americans will bend over backward to help you find what you need. Unless of course you are hispanic. In that case, most Americans I know will run away from you becasue they think they are about to be robbed, carjacked, or solicitied for a handout.
Why are we talking about this we all know its the Aussies ~;)
Aww... You're just saying that because we are, per capita, the greatest sporting nation on earth.
I mean that as humbly as possible.
~;)
Byzantine Prince
08-03-2005, 05:03
What's with all the lame *Who is more dumb/arrogant* threads?
What hapened to the .org I used to love that had only threads bashing religion and debates about abortion? :cry:
Divinus Arma
08-03-2005, 06:34
BP, maybe you are not aware of this, but there is a bit of a sibling rivalry between Europe and America.
These have actually both been very intelligent and responsible threads.
swirly_the_toilet_fish
08-03-2005, 06:58
I don't know where to stand on this particular issue, especially considering I am an American feeling "trapped" or isolated in my own country. As a country we do push our point across in the manner "either we go my way or you don't come along" attitude. As individuals we've been all but severed from our government and have little influence left over a corrupt shell.
Yes as a people we are quick to embrace and adapt to the best each culture has to offer. Yet, we are completely intolerant of the Hispanic populace largely because most refuse to speak/learn American english.
All I know (being only 20) is that the US largely disregards anyone who disagrees with them (of course, those in power) and still does not care about its people who have no healthcare, the impoverished, and economic dependancy.
However, it seems many EU nations have become timid over the last fifty years and rarely if ever look to the possibility of armed engagements as a solution, though I do not support marching into a damn country which is doing nothing to anyone else. Preemptive my ass.
This is definitely a problem which will not be answered for a long, long time.
Divinus Arma
08-04-2005, 00:59
Yet, we are completely intolerant of the Hispanic populace largely because most refuse to speak/learn American english.
Actually, we are intolerant becasue we have MILLIONS of illegal immigrants detroying our publi education system, destroying our health care system, clogging our roads, overwhelming our police services, and milking the economy for welfare and food stamps while claiming they have no income (which they have plenty of and pay no taxes on).
Stage one: An illegal immigrant moves to this country and takes a starting job as a maid or farm worker. They move into a clown house filled with other illegals. When they need health care, they go to the emergency room. They drive in packs of five with "pass around cars" that they sell to each other for vitually nothing in order to reregister the car without needing insurance. If they get into an auto accident, the victim party will be unable to get what is entitled to them becasue the illegal has no money and no insurance.
Stage Two: The illegal has put down roots. He finds a wife and together they move into a house or apartment with several other young families. At this point, each has already or will soon begin to move to the next stage job: be it landscaping, janitorial services, haircutting, food service, manufacturing, or construction, etc. The two individuals have a child together in their very early twenties. This child is an American citizen. They make a claim to the government for welfare becasue the American citizen child is entitled to welfare and food stamps if he is below the poverty line. And he will be below the poverty line no matter what because the illegals will say so and their is nothing to prove them wrong. The child will go through american public school and will be taught english to the great burden on our poorly paid teachers.
Stage three: Then the family will have a second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth child. At some point, they will move to their own rented house or apartment in a terrible neighborhood. The house will be rented to them by a sympathetic mexican or an unscrupulous landlord. Some of the older children will join gangs and commit terrible acts of violence. All the while, the family is recieving welfare, food stamps, free education, and free health care. The family is impossible to uproot, the community is ridden with crime and attracts new illegal immigrants.
This is why Americans are intolerant of hispanics and rightly so. My friend works for an unscrupulous barber who hired an illegal immigrant. The illegal immigrant makes 5k a month which she does not pay taxes on and recieves 1200 a month in welfare and additional money in food stamps.
Azi Tohak
08-04-2005, 02:32
This is why Americans are intolerant of hispanics and rightly so. My friend works for an unscrupulous barber who hired an illegal immigrant. The illegal immigrant makes 5k a month which she does not pay taxes on and recieves 1200 a month in welfare and additional money in food stamps.
Psst... Call INS! I do everytime I can get proof.
Azi
Taffy_is_a_Taff
08-04-2005, 02:38
Azi,
You sound like my girlfriend.
Also, whenever she gets hastle from Arabs or Mexicans she threatens to call the INS: you'd be amazed at how they back off (hmmm, wonder if those guys may have been illegal...).
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