Are American's too Arrogant and Prideful?

[horizon_mj1]

Don't get me wrong, I love my country as much as the next person, but I can not help but think how the majority of the populous of the United States of America spend way too much money and resources into vanity. Children are being brought up in a society in which implants the idea of excessive sexuality and body image to the point of being detrimental. We never allow a chance not to mention that we are the world's most powerful nation, yet the arrogance in them words alone proves otherwise. We choose to concentrate more on how an individual looks instead of what is on the inside; while doing this we also forgo the fundamental need for education. (A bit off topic here, but...) Is it not sad to know that a person who may very well have the answers sought by Science, may never have a chance to answer them just because knowledge was withheld due to life situation. Back on to the subject of arrogance and pride; when traveling internationally, you will rarely hear someone state. "you can't do that I am American", as if it should mean something under laws of another nation. Just curious how other people see this; your po would be appreciated.

 

[Skwim]

Don't get me wrong, I love my country as much as the next person, but I can not help but think how the majority of the populous of the United States of America spend way too much money and resources into vanity.

Like what, make up, fashions, and cool cars?

Children are being brought up in a society in which implants the idea of excessive sexuality and body image to the point of being detrimental.

I think we need some concrete examples here.

We never allow a chance not to mention that we are the world's most powerful nation, yet the arrogance in them words alone proves otherwise.

Why would arrogance necessarily negate power?

We choose to concentrate more on how an individual looks instead of what is on the inside; while doing this we also forgo the fundamental need for education. (A bit off topic here, but...)

I don't see the connection between the two. Care to explain?

Is it not sad to know that a person who may very well have the answers sought by Science, may never have a chance to answer them just because knowledge was withheld due to life situation.

Sure. But are there any examples of this happening?

Back on to the subject of arrogance and pride; when traveling internationally, you will rarely hear someone state. "you can't do that I am American", as if it should mean something under laws of another nation.

Why do you expect to hear such a remark?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Yes they are.

Just like everybody else around the world.

 

[Valjean]

I don't know, Kilgore. The level of jingoism we see in America seems unmatched elsewhere in the world. Other nationalities see themselves more as members of a community, not as besieged kings-of-the-hill.

The curious thing is, most Americans don't seem to be aware that they're not number one any more on any index of well being or prosperity. We're the bullies with the biggest club -- period.

 

[Skwim]

I don't know, Kilgore. The level of jingoism we see in America seems unmatched elsewhere in the world. Other nationalities see themselves more as members of a community, not as besieged kings-of-the-hill.

Considering their position of power this is a very appropriate view. They aren't kings-of-the-hill.

The curious thing is, most Americans don't seem to be aware that they're not number one any more on any index of well being or prosperity. We're the bullies with the biggest club -- period.

And you can bet that a lot of countries are glad we are that club.

 

[Valjean]

And you can bet that a lot of countries are glad we are that club.

Americans create the very threats they purport to counter. They make the world a dangerous place

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Meh, in my experience, how prideful or arrogant someone is has nothing to do with their nationality. It may sometimes express differently, but I've seen an even mix of arrogant people from around the world.

 

[blackout]

Our consumer wealth is built/supported on the backs of the underpaid overworked
living in conditions we could not handle for even a day.
(ie,the impoverished living in third world countries)

Our affordable "stuff" is very ... very... important to us. :yes:

It certainly isn't something we should be proud of.

 

[ChristineES]

Why on earth would Americans be more prone to being arrogant than anyone else in the free world?
People are people, even Americans.

 

[blackout]

Who doesn't shop at the Great Wall(ofChina)Mart?

 

[horizon_mj1]

Like what, make up, fashions, and cool cars?

Yes you may have fashion and cool cars, but is the ability to sell them with using sex possible? (I know not all advertisers use sex to sell, but most do)

I think we need some concrete examples here.

Shaving commercials for example. Since when does a woman disrobing have absolutely anything to do with shaving? Do the advertisers believe people are naive enough to believe that if they use their product this will happen? America is way to obsessed with self indigences, which to me I see as a weakness.

Why would arrogance necessarily negate power?

If you are too busy trying to blow smoke up your own ***, you lose touch with facts at hand; you become too busy thinking how easy it is to do things because you are so great, then pertinent facts are negated. (NOT ALWAYS, but yes at times; once is too many times)

I don't see the connection between the two. Care to explain?

When kids go to school more worried about what they are going to wear as opposed to if they have their homework done, they are learning this behavior somewhere.

Sure. But are there any examples of this happening?

Did you ever see the movie "Good Will Hunting"?

Why do you expect to hear such a remark?

I am not sure of the exact situation, but yes while internationally traveling, I did hear someone state "they cannot do that to me, I'm an American"; this was based on experience as well as medial portrayal (its been done on the big screen as well as in documentaries).

 

[horizon_mj1]

Yes they are.

Just like everybody else around the world.

So true, yet so sad.

 

[horizon_mj1]

Our consumer wealth is built/supported on the backs of the underpaid overworked
living in conditions we could not handle for even a day.
(ie,the impoverished living in third world countries)

Our affordable "stuff" is very ... very... important to us. :yes:

It certainly isn't something we should be proud of.

True. Imagine if for one minute people realized the detrimental conditions their greed creates for others and do something about it (I know I am nothing but a dreamer)

 

[horizon_mj1]

Why on earth would Americans be more prone to being arrogant than anyone else in the free world?
People are people, even Americans.

I take it you either do not travel or have no interest in other countries or both. They are more prone to arrogance because the false reality of arrogance being confidence reigns in America, that is why. You can not replicate one for the other, yet in the land of the "free" it seems to be how it's done.

 

[dust1n]

I don't know.. I've probably only met about 1/8,000,000 of them.

 

[Skwim]

Americans create the very threats they purport to counter. They make the world a dangerous place

Yeah, Okay!

 

[Revoltingest]

Which Americans?

 

[ChristineES]

I take it you either do not travel or have no interest in other countries or both. They are more prone to arrogance because the false reality of arrogance being confidence reigns in America, that is why. You can not replicate one for the other, yet in the land of the "free" it seems to be how it's done.

You've got to be kidding! I was stationed in Italy back in the 80s and in a lot of ways some Americans have it much better than they did (I liked Italy, it was a great place). I am just saying that in my family, we are not rich. We had to borrow money to buy food this week from my husband's father. We drive a 11 year old car. We have very slow dial up modem (which is better than some places that have no internet at all). And we live in California. And we are NOT alone at all, there are poor people all over this great country of ours, and since you are an American, you ought to know that. :thud:

 

[Storm]

Short answer: yes.

You didn't state your case very well, though. In particular:

Children are being brought up in a society in which implants the idea of excessive sexuality and body image to the point of being detrimental.

This has nothing to do with American arrogance.

We never allow a chance not to mention that we are the world's most powerful nation, yet the arrogance in them words alone proves otherwise.

No, it doesn't. We are the most powerful nation. That doesn't make us the "best" by any standard other than force, but it's just facts.

 

[ChristineES]

And I'd like to say that just because someone loves the country they live in, doesn't mean they are arrogant. I would venture to say that most everyone loves the country they live in and were born in, just because it is "home".