I wanted to take a minute and address something that is not only incredibly narrow minded but also very hurtful. In fact, I left a pub in tears tonight. The band leader pointed out that I am American and the entire place booed. Perhaps I shouldn't take it so personally, but the anti-American sentiment I have run into, especially in Scotland, not only shocks me but also saddens me immensely.
I can't recall ever treating someone I have met personally from another country the way I have been treated by some of the people on my journeys. I don't care what country you are from, when you visit America and meet me and my friends we are always incredibly nice and welcoming.
The fact is, I don't always agree with the policies of the American government. Americans aren't one-sided and we are not all ignorant retards living in the back woods and shooting people on site. America is a country made up of wonderful people. It is a true melting pot, more than any other country in the world. I am proud to be American. Proud of my native American heritage, proud to be a 4th generation Montanan. Proud of where I come from and the opportunities I have had. I am proud to travel the world and hopefully show people that we are a multi-faceted country.
I will never claim to be Canadian. I will never hide who I am and where I come from. I will always defend what I believe in and, despite all of our problems, I love America.
Peace, love, and joy
Lara
I agree in part with what you are saying. I've met many individual americans who are fantastic. I've also met a number of "retards". Unfortunately, the political views if your country cast a blanket on all americans. The only thing I would argue you on is your melting pot comment. I've watched and read a whole lot of american media and they make a point to always identify the different races of those involved in any story. If it was truly a melting pot, race would not matter. In Canada we have people from everywhere and you just don't see race discussed. Its just not important.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHold your head up Lady. Be proud of our country and who YOU are.
ReplyDeleteWe also, as Americans, don't always agree with all our government's policies, the church's, or even each others', but as Americans we have the right to do so.
There is certainly hostility towards and disapproval of the government, culture, history, and/or people of the United States of America by foreigners, but that is brought upon by polarization and indignation of those who in mass, suffer from the bystander effect brought on from information overload.
If not US, then who?
Actually jG your point is the oft argued negative aspect of the assimilation driven Melting Pot. Since immigrants are pressured to blend in and adopt American culture, the division between races and cultures is constantly highlighted.
ReplyDeleteSo she's correct that the US is traditionally called a melting pot, however it's not exactly a positive term. The core aspect of assimilation in American society is leaving your culture behind and adopting the majority shared experience which many people feel hurts society through a loss of cultural diversity.
Frankly I don't even agree with the above traditional assessment anymore since we've become such a global culture the last 10-20yrs. IMO America is becoming more of a mosaic like Canada with the under 30 crowd leading the charge to be citizens of the world.
There are a ton of great things about the US, and some not so great, just like anywhere else. Punishing a solitary girl for the perceived actions of her government is straight up classless.
Sorry to hear about the negative experience Lara. Next time give them a double flip and down a pint quick, only thing some Scots taking the piss outta ya would understand.
Canada is the largest melting pot, hands down, look at the numbers
ReplyDeleteYou should claim your Canadian lady, save you a lot of problems, the reason the world does not really like Americans is because that country rapes everyone for everything, the day will come when the the citizens of the U.S pay for what the elite have done, sad bit true, I have love for the people of your country but you must realize the way in which you all live angers many who are less fortunate, that alone does not justify this international hatred, however, parlayed with the U.S's egregious behaviour, and frankly glutinous ways, it's only a matter of time
ReplyDeleteDW
ReplyDeleteTruth is the world is hypocritical. Other countries judge us for being racist due to our immigration laws, while their countries yell racist obscenities at black soccer players during the world cup. Racism is everywhere, 'judge not lest ye be judged' or 'people in glass houses..'.
Secondly, our country can not make up its mind... do we want to all be one big happy non-racially divided country ( Tripleup's mention of the melting pot, I see it both positive and negative) or do we want to reward traditions based on race and origin. Either way is fine with me, but for cripes sake, pick one and lets stand behind it. Schools teach that my kids should be blind to the color of skin because we are all the same, then they are taught during the holidays to embrace everyone's culture as individuals based on origin. Kids can not separate the two ideas at middle school or lower levels. This is how we are shaping future Americans.
Truth is there will never be like minded thinking in any country or civilization, that is why Democracy has the benefit of representing the people in government instead of the opinions of a handful.
Your all idiots, there are ton of things great about America and Some not so great, wrong, more like there are some great things about America and a TON not so great, bam smashed,
ReplyDeleteCanada will get the same wrath as America because 90% of the country lives along the border, so when the big one drops there getting it too, bam smashed,
Over load of information, hey pal isn't the US the one with morons like Beck and O'Rielly, fox news and the sorts, your programs are really fair and balanced, not too mention like one guy, Murdoch, controls all media outles, sick sick people, bam smashed,
Hey lady you do what you do, have fun and be safe outhere, your one of the few who are having an ebjoyable expirience, because when it's all said and done life is short, and if you don't stop and look around once in a while, well it'll pass you by,
Peace to you all, because you guys typin away having a ball over in them Western parts are the few that get to have it
I am not sure what *bam smashed* is, but you should copyright it.
ReplyDeleteI feel ashamed that we live so rich in the U.S.A. while the rest of the world is so poor. Too bad we can not figure out what we are doing right and help your governments adapt and adopt. I am guessing it is socialism versus capitalism.
Lara, screw them. If they feel they need to boo you it is because they are: angry, envious, or oppressed - either way it is not your fault that you have released yourself from a doldrum life and living a dream. Detach yourself as you have from your everyday life - you are stronger than most and I find that exciting and hope I can do the same someday.
Bam, smashed.
It's called the IMF and WB, that is how you became so rich, if you don't know what those stand for then keep plotting along bud, bam...........smashed
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anonymous....(-:-)
ReplyDeleteI like how dumb the person who said ' we live so rich' are. USA is not even close to be the best country to live in. just look at your health insurance policy.. its horrible!! that is only one thing, among so many others. and yet the USA citizens claim to live in the best country in the world.. no wonder the were booing at you
ReplyDeleteI believe the problem lies in the US culture: Being humble isn't part of it, but telling the world how proud and great this nation is, that seems the mantra. As someone stated already:"'judge not lest ye be judged' or 'people in glass houses."
ReplyDeleteUS citizens should learn to be more humble and become part of a global community. Not through US-democratization, but by tolerating and acceptance of different viewpoints and cultures. As we can all witness now through the existing crisis, the US culture and systems are not the best. It is not the best and greatest nation, because there is no such thing.
It is good to be proud of achievements, but the consistent mentioning of US Americans being proud of their country only provokes other nations to also live their pride to the fullest. Whilst the US has definitely achieved plenty of progress for the improved life quality in our world, also other countries have contributed a lot. They are as great of a nation as the US is. Besides, the US has also left lots of damages in this world. The only reason for mentioning is that US Americans should be much more aware of the latter, acknowledge this in all humbleness and stop ignoring this in huge favor of overemphasizing the greatness of their nation. These are still signs of last century imperialism, which we obviously have to leave behind us as globalization has taken over borders.
I wish US Americans would start being proud of being a global citizen instead of a US citizen.
Finally, I may advice Lara to be less of an outright proud US American while you travel around. This does not mean that you or other US Americans have to hide your heritage. It simply means that you better listen to other countries, their culture, their historical relationship with the US, try to learn and understand instead of proudly announcing to the world that you are so proud and brag about all the greatness of your heritage. Be a well respected and tolerated representative of your country, not a proud winner of whatever you think you and the US actually won and what prize you represent.
Understand that your pride, right or wrong, should give you confidence, but should not be used to the outside as it will immediately lower other people's self-esteem at the least and provoke even prouder people to react in a way that has been expressed by the Scots.
I don't know the reason why they booed you, but I accept that the Scots are at least as proud of their heritage, which seems a bit more historical than yours, as US citizens. What goes around comes around.
I believe that you would be a much better representative of your country if you would listen and learn from the negative sentiments around the globe. I don't know how ugly the situation in the bar was, but one option could have been to stay strong as a proud person, may be if appropriate make fun out of the situation and yourself and express your humbleness. But as I mentioned in the beginning of my comment, being humble doesn't seem to be a strong part of the US culture. Being apologetic and acknowledging the mistakes the US has made would be part of it. Unfortunately, it seems as if being apologetic means being weak in the US.
I hope, that you, Lara, will open up to other cultures and become more broad-minded during your travels. This would make me as a non-US citizen proud of you as my fellow global and US citizen.
I believe the problem lies in the US culture: Being humble isn't part of it, but telling the world how proud and great this nation is, that seems the mantra. As someone stated already:"'judge not lest ye be judged' or 'people in glass houses."
ReplyDeleteUS citizens should learn to be more humble and become part of a global community. Not through US-democratization, but by tolerating and acceptance of different viewpoints and cultures. As we can all witness now through the existing crisis, the US culture and systems are not the best. It is not the best and greatest nation, because there is no such thing.
It is good to be proud of achievements, but the consistent mentioning of US Americans being proud of their country only provokes other nations to also live their pride to the fullest. Whilst the US has definitely achieved plenty of progress for the improved life quality in our world, also other countries have contributed a lot. Besides, the US has also left lots of damages in this world. The only reason for mentioning is that US Americans should be much more aware of the latter, acknowledge this in all humbleness and stop ignoring this in huge favor of overemphasizing the greatness of their nation. These are still signs of last century imperialism, which we obviously have to leave behind us as globalization has taken over borders.
I wish US Americans would start being proud of being a global citizen instead of a US citizen.
Finally, I may advice Lara to be less of an outright proud US American while you travel around. This does not mean that you or other US Americans have to hide your heritage. It simply means that you better listen to other countries, their culture, their historical relationship with the US, try to learn and understand instead of proudly announcing to the world that you are so proud and brag about all the greatness of your heritage. Be a well respected and tolerated representative of your country, not a proud winner of whatever you think you and the US actually won and what prize you represent.
ReplyDeleteUnderstand that your pride, right or wrong, should give you confidence, but should not be used to the outside as it will immediately lower other people's self-esteem at the least and provoke even prouder people to react in a way that has been expressed by the Scots.
I don't know the reason why they booed you, but I accept that the Scots are at least as proud of their heritage, which seems a bit more historical than yours, as US citizens. What goes around comes around.
I believe that you would be a much better representative of your country if you would listen and learn from the negative sentiments around the globe. I don't know how ugly the situation in the bar was, but one option could have been to stay strong as a proud person, may be if appropriate make fun out of the situation and yourself and express your humbleness. But as I mentioned in the beginning of my comment, being humble doesn't seem to be a strong part of the US culture. Being apologetic and acknowledging the mistakes the US has made would be part of it. Unfortunately, it seems as if being apologetic means being weak in the US.
I hope, that you, Lara, will open up to other cultures and become more broad-minded during your travels. This would make me as a non-US citizen proud of you as my fellow global and US citizen.
Global Citizen is sad and is at fault for grouping the individual into a collective so that it is easier for him to understand and then write long essays about. There are elitists in every country I guess.
ReplyDeleteBe proud of who you are and where you come from, not matter where. Respect all others and offer your love (even Global Citizen), even those that would spit in your face for being a certain color or born in a certain country. Not all of us think America is evil, just those who can't stand that you won't do what your told. I have lived through the rise and fall of communism and seen socialism overtake a proud country with the promises of equality only to find out that everyone becomes poor to fund the state. Every country has faults and bears blame for the global economy. But to walk around with hat in hand because you might offend someone because you are proud of who you are is the last resort of weak minds.
Come to my country and I will welcome you with open arms and a warm meal. :)
("understand your pride, right or wrong..." lol)
("Unfortunately, it seems as if being apologetic means being weak in the US" you should never have to apologize to any bully because of where you were born)
(" hope, that you, Lara, will open up to other cultures and become more broad-minded during your travels." to be broad minded means not being proud of where you are from and letting others tread on you for it I guess - lets not forget that she did nothing wrong but help support the local tavern lol)
global citizen is a bawbag (probly a sassanack)
ReplyDeletedon;t judge our country because of a handful of nuggets dear
yor welcome for a pint at mine anytime
Wow...alot of comments to address here. First of all, I am not living richly. I in fact gave up my career and life to travel and learn about other cultures. Secondly, I don't go around immediately waving an American flag and telling people how proud I am. Thirdly, if other countries are allowed to be proud of where they come from, then why aren't Americans? Most Americans are in fact only 3-4the generation Americans and have heritages from all over the world. That's what I am talking about when I say a melting pot. I said in my blog that I don't agree with all of the policies. However, I would like to stress again that I would never, in a million years, boo someone from another country in a bar for no reason. I wasn't drinking, I was standing in the corner watching. I have never claimed to be perfect in my way of thinking and I am taking this journey to better myself, not economically, but spiritually and mentally. Lastly, I love how the "anonymous" posters can really get behind what they are saying....
ReplyDeleteThe people booing you are wrong since they don't know you personally. That said, in the last ten years or so it has become embarassing to be an American because of our policies and the lackluster effort by the public to change them.
ReplyDeleteLara
ReplyDeleteI was genuinely shocked to read this. The Scots can be frosty to us English but open hostility is rare. I have never heard of Americans being a target, especially in somewhere like Inverness which, as gateway to the Highlands and Islands, depends a lot on tourism.
The Scots can be a dour bunch - who wouldn't with that weather - but they also have a wry sense of humour and, usually a warmth of welcome.
The only long-shot explanation I can come up with is that it was some idiotic spill-over from the hostility to Donald Trump's golf course plan, to destroy a beautiful bit of coastline, just along from Aberdeen. But that's a very long-shot explanation.
I'm pretty confident that as you head off in your search for Nessie, you'll find lots of warm friendly Scots.
Failing that, my English cousin lives near Banff, along the coast from Inverness, near where Local Hero was made and she will give you a very warm welcome and introduce you to some lovely Scots - just let me know and I will arrange it.
You will not experience the same discrimination down here in London - we are rude to everyone, regardless of where they come from ;-)
Gary
I am not quite sure about what you mean and intend to express with your comment about "anonymous" posters can really get behind what they are saying....", but I am more than happy to direct you and others to my website where I put a link to your blog with my comment. Visit www.zenpinion.com and be welcome in Japan for further discussion, exchange of good and bad stories and support of your global travel.
ReplyDeletemy2cents -:)
I think George Bush's inner circle and their ilk did much to squander the 'capital' of the reputation of the USA. The hatred and narrow-mindedness of the hard right is muddying the waters of the USA brand, too. Hatred and intolerance have become so publicized around the world that people are beginning to react in kind. I'm sorry you were exposed to that wave of anger. I don't know if you can separate it from a reaction to you, yourself. If there is one thing you can take away from you about this nasty experience, it is an awareness of how minorities are often made to feel in any part of the world. And now, you are going to continue to make the world a better place, aren't you.
ReplyDeleteI once posted a positive comment about a video of some nice old people with my username, Next day, a hate-filled homophobic message about "flowerboy" appeared in my mailbox. (I'm a sexegenarian grandmother.) Since then, I hide behind 'anonymous' unapologetically. Please don't judge all 'anonymous' posters harshly. And by the way, I'm proud of you, choosing to take some time out to expand your world. Better times ahead, Lara.
ReplyDeleteI only judge the ones that say things like all Americans should die harshly. Carry on with anonymous if you aren't evil :-) And thank you all for taking the time out of your day to read my thoughts, it means a lot to me. Sometimes it can get awfully lonely traveling solo, but I feel connected to everyone through this blog.
ReplyDeleteGlobal Citizen's first post was anonymous, his second post had no link, just the name Global Citizen. Not until he attacked anonymous commenters did he actually include any link to who he was. LOL!
ReplyDeleteIt troubles my heart to see someone use the word zen in such a non-zen forum as your blog.
ReplyDeleteBetter than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.
Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.
Both quotes by Buddha
My comment about zen was referring to Global Citizen. Sorry for any confusion.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as if any criticism of the US in general is regarded as non-patriotic and "attacking" the US. I can't read any sign of attack in Global Citizen's comment whatsoever, but a reasonable (at least from my point fo view) criticism with the attempt to find some explanation for it. There is also no attack on Lara on a personal level, but some advice he/she tries to give her. Fair enough.
ReplyDelete....true melting pot, more than any other country in the world....
ReplyDeleteThat would be Canada not the States... it is this lack of knowledge and self centered egotism that makes others hate on you. Simple.
That is too bad, I went to London about a year ago and the people could not have been nicer...
ReplyDelete@Lara Thank you for taking the time and posting also on zenpinion.com. I am saddened by your rather aggressive response to my comment, which I hoped would be understood as a thoughtful comment, right or wrong, and taken as a fair contribution in the search for an answer why the Scots might have booed you as a US American. I was hoping for a more meaningful and balanced discussion on your blog or our board, but I refuse to continue to be part of a discussion that is based on personal attacks and attacks on posters who prefer to stay anonymous. Those personal attacks are clearly a sign of ignorance and immaturity and there would be no point in accepting it by continuing. I don't think you did it on your blog, but there are some readers calling for it.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, what I don't understand in your reaction is the following, to me irrational, argument: On one hand you claim you would only be judgmental against the "ones that say things like all Americans should die harshly", you also don't want to be judged claiming we don't know you, but then you judge other people including myself based on the same lack of information you just used to defend yourself. It is hypocritical. "Pot calling the kettle black?"
"Bitching about Americans" ? Is this the new way how Americans call criticism of the US? Isn't it just confirming what I was suggesting in my blog? Instead of taking a humble position and try to understand, learn and practice tolerance, you prefer to feel being attacked and immediately start to defend yourself. I believe, it is a very common behavior of US Americans, the stereotype that I recognized aside from others. But not just US Americans. Of course everyone wants to and tends to defend themselves when they feel they have been or are under attack. The point is that there hasn't been any attack, but criticism. I don't think that the criticism has been personal, may be the given advice was too much for you to take. I don't know the answer for that, but I am interested to understand and learn what made you react on that escalated level of aggression.
On another note, I believe there is one general issue with the US culture. Children who are raised in the US learn early on to be proud of their nation. Nothing wrong with it so far, except that it is almost indoctrinated. However, the main point of criticism I have with that and not just with the US is that pride, especially overemphasized pride has been historically a cause for wars, battles, fights, duels etc.
My personal impression and experience is that many US Americans are very proud of their nation. No issue with that whatsoever. There are other nations and their people out there, who are as proud as US Americans. BUT, when it comes to dealing with each other on a global level, too much pride on one side does provoke other proud reaction on the other. That is the nature of pride. Lucky us we have sports where this overdosis of pride can be steamed off. If we did not have competitive sports, there would be other means necessary to give people the opportunity to steam off.
I have never met an Indian who wasn't generally humble (with some minor exceptions), but still very proud of their country. When their team plays cricket, the whole nation seems to support it. However, there is no provoking, overemphasized pride, especially not after the match. Afterwards they are back to real life, their usual humbleness. They don't celebrate the defeat of their opponent, they are simply happy about a good match or sometimes not so good match, but won't rubb it in.
I honestly believe that these days being proud of your nation is something we need to turn into being proud of our world without disrespecting history, without forgetting in which culture we were born into, without forgetting tradition with emphasize on acceptance and tolerance of others. Hmm, sounds almost too idealistic...
I may add some quotes regarding pride and hope that some of you read them and start reconsidering your own application of pride:
ReplyDelete"It is a beggar's pride that he is not a thief" ~ Japanese Proverb
"Pride is seldom delicate, it will please itself with very mean advantages; and envy feels not its own happiness, but when it may be compared with the misery of others" ~ Samuel Johnson
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." ~ Khalil Gibran
"Pride is an admission of weakness; it secretly fears all competition and dreads all rivals." ~ Fulton J. Sheen
"Pride breakfasted with plenty, dined with poverty, and supped with infamy." ~ Benjamin Franklin
"The infinitely little have a pride infinitely great." ~ Voltaire
"Pride the first peer and president of hell." ~ Daniel Defoe
"In general, pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes." ~ John Ruskin
"Pride and conceit were the original sins of man." ~ Alain Rene Lesage
"Pride slays thanksgiving, but an humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grow. A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves." ~ Henry Ward Beecher
Dave - it was a joke - obv.
ReplyDeleteHey @globalcitizen, get off my back. Again, you have no clue about me, my history, or anything relevant. All I was trying to get across is that I am proud to be an American. Does it mean I don't respect other cultures? Of course not. I'm sure that you have a certain aspect of pride in you for where-ever it is you come from. And I might add, that I am traveling the world to actually learn about other cultures, not sitting at my computer judging other people and telling them they are narrow-minded. You certainly aren't very zen-like.
ReplyDeleteAlso, go ahead and criticize the US as much as you want, I certainly do on certain issues, but when people attack a solo-traveler for where they are from, I have to take issue with that.
ReplyDeleteLara - I love the passion! The one thing to remember is that I really don't think that the booing was ever intended to be directed at you, an individual American. Of course, I can't say for sure because I was not there and you were. I just know that I have been many places and have seen the same response from crowds. Whether it be at a comedy show, concert etc. What I have always taken away is that the booing is a reaction towards the US as a country and not any one individual. Its unfortunate but over the last 5-10 years the US has done a number of things on a global level that have been difficult to support. As a result, people have become unhappy. Add to it the latest impact - the global economic meltdown and I think people are just upset with the US overall. I'd imagine you are an amazing person. Just from reading your blog and what you are doing now I'd love to have a beer and talk with you. Even if you are an American : ) (that was a joke lol). So, I just hope you don't take the boo's personally because from my experience when I have seen that happen, it has never been about the person but rather the country. And as good as the US is in many things, they have done a number of things recently (aka last 5-10 years) that are difficult to support. I don't think from reading your responses on this board you would disagree with that.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your next blog post. Its fun to see what you are doing.
PS - Just so you know, I am a Canadian with an family full of Americans.