Do the Spanish like Americans?
Oct 12th, 2007, 05:21 AM
#64
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Me too, girlonthego!
WHITE New Balance tennis shoes / trainers / sneakers (how many words ARE there?)
They are UK-made, worn on the Continent, while typing a comment on a US message board..
I hope this sends out a sign of common understanding ;-)
WHITE New Balance tennis shoes / trainers / sneakers (how many words ARE there?)
They are UK-made, worn on the Continent, while typing a comment on a US message board..
I hope this sends out a sign of common understanding ;-)
Oct 12th, 2007, 05:44 AM
#65
Peace.
I will be in your neck of the woods in June. (Germany?)We are traveling to Paris, then Munich, then around Austria. My inlaws are Austrian and we are going to be traveling around Austria with some cousins. I look forward to it! Of course, I am contemplating whether my New Balance white trainers would be a good item to pack. I know I can at least wear them comfortably in Germany!
Auf Wiedersen!
I will be in your neck of the woods in June. (Germany?)We are traveling to Paris, then Munich, then around Austria. My inlaws are Austrian and we are going to be traveling around Austria with some cousins. I look forward to it! Of course, I am contemplating whether my New Balance white trainers would be a good item to pack. I know I can at least wear them comfortably in Germany!
Auf Wiedersen!
Oct 12th, 2007, 06:17 AM
#67
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I find it fascinating that every so often this type of question surfaces here. It's a companion topic to "How can I blend in", or " How can I disguise that I'm an American". What is it with Americans that we have these insecurities?? I am not a psychologist so can't answer but quite frankly have no desire to know the answer. I bet Europeans do not spend a nanosecond asking "Do Americans like us???". They couldn't care less. Good for them, that's one thing we should emulate.
Oct 12th, 2007, 06:24 AM
#69
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Are you saying that the millions of persons around the globe who are proud of their nationalities, are all wrong?
It's more difficult to know where to go when we don't know how we did arrive here.
It's more difficult to know where to go when we don't know how we did arrive here.
Oct 12th, 2007, 06:33 AM
#70
what is so wrong with being proud of who you are? I mean, if you are irish, or german, or spanish, or african, etc.. what is wrong with being proud of it? Yes, you are born with your skin color and heritage, and you are told stories of your grandparent's hardships to become who they were so that you would have a better life. Pride in one's heritage or country is a good thing. Why make it negative.
As far as americans wanting to blend in, what's the big deal? Maybe they are trying to avoid being pickpocketed? I would think people would want to try and be a part of the place they are visiting. Learn some of the language, enjoy the food, maybe rent an apartment and shop for dinner with the locals? Everyone I know that goes to Europe or anywhere outside the US, likes to go and be a part of the culture and learn about their new place. That is what brings us all here to Fodors. We all want to go experience new places like locals, not like tourists.
Peace. I need to get out and exercise while I still have my white sneakers on. Otherwise, I will have no excuse for wearing these ugly, but comfortable shoes!
As far as americans wanting to blend in, what's the big deal? Maybe they are trying to avoid being pickpocketed?
I would think people would want to try and be a part of the place they are visiting. Learn some of the language, enjoy the food, maybe rent an apartment and shop for dinner with the locals? Everyone I know that goes to Europe or anywhere outside the US, likes to go and be a part of the culture and learn about their new place. That is what brings us all here to Fodors. We all want to go experience new places like locals, not like tourists. Peace. I need to get out and exercise while I still have my white sneakers on. Otherwise, I will have no excuse for wearing these ugly, but comfortable shoes!
Oct 12th, 2007, 06:34 AM
#71
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lobo_mau wrote: "Are you saying that the millions of persons around the globe who are proud of their nationalities, are all wrong?"
If altamiro doesn't want to say it, I will.
I am pleased to be Irish, but do not consider it an achievement, any more than I have achieved the colour of my eyes. It happened to me, and that is my good fortune.
More harm has come to the world as the consequence of national pride than has good.
I will concede that I generally identify more with my close neighbours than those more distant, and so would prefer Irish national teams to defeat their opponents. But if they win, I am not a better person, nor am I diminished if they lose (taking note of the Rugby World Cup, that is a good thing).
If altamiro doesn't want to say it, I will.
I am pleased to be Irish, but do not consider it an achievement, any more than I have achieved the colour of my eyes. It happened to me, and that is my good fortune.
More harm has come to the world as the consequence of national pride than has good.
I will concede that I generally identify more with my close neighbours than those more distant, and so would prefer Irish national teams to defeat their opponents. But if they win, I am not a better person, nor am I diminished if they lose (taking note of the Rugby World Cup, that is a good thing).
Oct 12th, 2007, 06:35 AM
#72
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>are all wrong?
It is not a category where "right" or "wrong" can apply - but it makes as much sense (to me) for you to be proud of your nationality as of the weather in your backyard, or of the fact that it is autumn/spring right now. I understand how one can be glad/like the fact of being the citizen of XYZ, but thatīs a bit different.
It is not a category where "right" or "wrong" can apply - but it makes as much sense (to me) for you to be proud of your nationality as of the weather in your backyard, or of the fact that it is autumn/spring right now. I understand how one can be glad/like the fact of being the citizen of XYZ, but thatīs a bit different.
Oct 12th, 2007, 06:36 AM
#74
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Conversely, are you saying that the millions of persons around the globe who are not proud of their nationalities are all wrong?
Maybe "proud" has different connotations from one side of the pond to another?
I'm no more proud to be English than I am to be right-handed or blue eyed. I just am. It's not something that elicits pride or shame but rather a neutral fact.
I like being English and I think, in general, we have worthwhile qualities but "proud" doesn't sum up these feelings.
Maybe "proud" has different connotations from one side of the pond to another?
I'm no more proud to be English than I am to be right-handed or blue eyed. I just am. It's not something that elicits pride or shame but rather a neutral fact.
I like being English and I think, in general, we have worthwhile qualities but "proud" doesn't sum up these feelings.
Oct 12th, 2007, 06:44 AM
#75
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>>What is it with Americans that we have these insecurities?? <<
I'm guessing that a lot of Americans have inherited family memories of having to leave Europe in unpleasant or bitter circumstances, to put it mildly. And/or maybe there's even some folk memory of striking out into the West when there was a real risk of the locals taking against you very seriously indeed...?
Whereas trouble has come to Europeans, like the weather.
I'm guessing that a lot of Americans have inherited family memories of having to leave Europe in unpleasant or bitter circumstances, to put it mildly. And/or maybe there's even some folk memory of striking out into the West when there was a real risk of the locals taking against you very seriously indeed...?
Whereas trouble has come to Europeans, like the weather.
Oct 12th, 2007, 06:44 AM
#76
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Today it's the National Day of Spain.
I am not proud of being Spanish..I am Spanish, and I feel lucky for not being born on a place where people dies of hunger or from illnesses that here you only need a couple of pills to feel better. I am what I am..proudness is not necessary for me. Doesn't add anything.
I am not proud of being Spanish..I am Spanish, and I feel lucky for not being born on a place where people dies of hunger or from illnesses that here you only need a couple of pills to feel better. I am what I am..proudness is not necessary for me. Doesn't add anything.
Oct 12th, 2007, 06:54 AM
#79
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If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars to be livin' here today,
'cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.
And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the USA.
From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA
Well, there's pride in every American heart,
and it's time to stand and say that
I'm proud to be an American where as least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the USA.
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars to be livin' here today,
'cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.
And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the USA.
From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA
Well, there's pride in every American heart,
and it's time to stand and say that
I'm proud to be an American where as least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the USA.
Oct 12th, 2007, 07:14 AM
#80
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Raydotman is correct, this is the wrong forum for expressing political sentiments.
I read Iberia in 1972 during our first trip to Spain which was a six month journey across the country. Michener and his minions are excellent researchers but the actual writing was stilifying. We were sitting in the locations which were vibrant, but his words made me sleepy.
We have not read it since. If I remember correctly he had little hope for the prospects of Juan Carlos, who as everyone knows was responsible in no small way for the progress of democracy in Spain.
For more engaging books about Spain try Robert Hughes's Barcelona and Penelope Casas Discovering Spain.
I read Iberia in 1972 during our first trip to Spain which was a six month journey across the country. Michener and his minions are excellent researchers but the actual writing was stilifying. We were sitting in the locations which were vibrant, but his words made me sleepy.
We have not read it since. If I remember correctly he had little hope for the prospects of Juan Carlos, who as everyone knows was responsible in no small way for the progress of democracy in Spain.
For more engaging books about Spain try Robert Hughes's Barcelona and Penelope Casas Discovering Spain.
