airtwardo 7 #26 March 6, 2005 Quote1. Stability of govt type over a long period. England, Switzerland. 2. Homogenous gene pool. Japan, Iceland. 3. Single religion. Israel and some countries of the Middle East. 4. Wealth. When a segment of the economy grows rapidly, those people wish to spend their wealth as they wish and re-examine the rules. The best examples of stable cultural identity are unfortunately the poor and isolated countries. Wealth means trade with other countries and a comparison to their culture. If you live on a poor island nation in the Pacific with a small population, there is a better chance that people will agree on their core values. Quote Okay....I get it! Wealth is BAD... Living on a poor island nation in the Pacific with a small population is GOOD! Leaving anytime soon? ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bandanarama 0 #27 March 6, 2005 Let's see... If you ask someone from your region of the world where they are from, they will respond with "England". Oh wait, "Great Brittain"... Ooops, sorry, the "UK"... Why do "English" people respond that way? Can't you just narrow it down to one? Am I starting to sound like you by stereotyping people? Pretty silly questions, don't you think? About as silly as your questions... Don't you have something better to ask in a skydiving forum? Are you trying to be positive or negative by asking such a question? ___________________________________________________ One's destination is never a place, but rather a new way of looking at things. ~ Henry Miller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #28 March 6, 2005 Sadly, I am a carnivore and living on a small island would be difficult. Some islands in the Bahamas are great, but you really have to like seafood. Since I have grown to detest crowded city living, I now live a little farther out. My neighbors and I have similar, but not identical views, on things. We don't concern ourselves with what others are doing, as a rule. (Mean dogs and gunshots are the only items that arouse interest, actually.) The key to success for a society is getting along. Either you all agree on everything, or you agree on some key points and let the rest slide. Unfortunately, a lot of American society seems to be a constant battle for one group to control everything about the other groups. To me, a good society has same basic key values that are shared. The rest of the stuff is minor and makes for good individuality. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benforde 0 #29 March 6, 2005 QuoteI for one don't say "I'm American" because I travel out of the country quite a bit... and If you answer a querry as to where you're from with "America"...9 times out of 10 some smart ass will say ...South, Central, or North America...?! Me....I'm a United Statesian ! I'm 100% greencardian originating from Paris and London. (Just like bobsled) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GeordieSkydiver 0 #30 March 6, 2005 QuoteLet's see... If you ask someone from your region of the world where they are from, they will respond with "England". Oh wait, "Great Brittain"... Ooops, sorry, the "UK"... Those are all different things. I have never once heard anyone answer like that. It was a perfectly ok question she asked. I've often wondered the same myself. If you asked most people from around the world their nationality they would state the country of their birth. The poster just wondered why Americans feel the need to quote their ancestry. Don't make it into something it not, it's not a slur or a insult. Just a question.Lee _______________________________ In a world full of people, only some want to fly, is that not crazy? http://www.ukskydiver.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skysquiffy 0 #31 March 6, 2005 Well, in actuality, all those responses are correct for an English person. You do realize that there are several different countries in GB and UK? That's a political discussion though and not relevant to my question. I don't believe I stereotyped anyone. I've been in this country for many years and I've observed first hand that this is how MOST people respond. The question was prompted by the "get to know you" post. I didn't ask the question in Incidents or Safety and Training. Really, there was no offense intended, I'm sorry you took it that way. I'm not really sure why I elicited such a defensive reaction from you. My question was neutral. I passed no judgement or reason. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,026 #32 March 6, 2005 Quote1. Stability of govt type over a long period. England, Switzerland. 2. Homogenous gene pool. Japan, Iceland. 3. Single religion. Israel and some countries of the Middle East. 4. Wealth. When a segment of the economy grows rapidly, those people wish to spend their wealth as they wish and re-examine the rules. The best examples of stable cultural identity are unfortunately the poor and isolated countries. Wealth means trade with other countries and a comparison to their culture. If you live on a poor island nation in the Pacific with a small population, there is a better chance that people will agree on their core values. I don't think England, Switzerland, Japan or Iceland are particularly poor nations, or isolated given the ease of travel these days.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #33 March 6, 2005 Quote 3. Single religion. Israel and some countries of the Middle East. Quote Ahhh... Have you ever BEEN to Israel? Which 'single' religion do you mean?? ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
upndownshop 0 #34 March 6, 2005 Because I am a Texan!!! lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmetz 0 #35 March 6, 2005 Beginning hundreds of years ago, and continuing on today, when people immigrated to America they had to come from somewhere. And that place were they came from was more important than where they ended up. People lived, worked and associated with others from the same place with the same language, values and beliefs. Since there were and are so many different kind of people in America, to say that you are American seems very incomplete. You could line up 50 people, all of American nationality, and not one could have anything else in common with another. So when you ask someone what their nationality is, and it is American, we all want to specify in order to better identify ourselves. In my family tree, I can count at least four generations on every branch that were born in America, and most stayed in the same geographical region. So for me, it is pretty safe to say that my nationality is of course American; and my ethnicity and culture is from that particular region of America. So I guess if America were to close its borders, then wait a few hundred years for everyone to mix up and sort out all of our commonalities, then one could say they were American and have it understood without question. Like one who says they are Chinese, Russian, Fijian, or Egyptian, etc. Anyway, just my opinions._________________________________________ "If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GeordieSkydiver 0 #36 March 6, 2005 Excellent explanation.Lee _______________________________ In a world full of people, only some want to fly, is that not crazy? http://www.ukskydiver.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimbarry 0 #37 March 6, 2005 >Why don't Americans say they're American? We do, but depends on who's asking and why. You should broaden your question to find the answer. See... If I'm in Europe and someone asks my nationality, I interpret what they mean is to ask where I'm from, so say "American". But if I'm already in America, and a fellow American asks my nationality, I interpret what they "mean" is ancestral heritage, in which I'd say "mostly Irish". As some said above, in the US, due to it being a nation of legal immigrants (and some illegal ones too) that's a perfectly acceptable answer, even though I've never been to Ireland. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #38 March 6, 2005 QuoteWhy don't Americans say they're American? My normal answer when asked where I'm from it... Texas Another reason we don't normally say were Americans is we're from the United States of America. America is a large country and it's not just the United States, you've got many countries sharing the Americas. A Canadian could answer the question saying their "American" their in North America... Ask a Mexican national and they could say their from America, they're in Central America.. Make sense? "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Taffy 0 #39 March 6, 2005 And how many of them are still racist? The rest of the world still works in the same way, we're all a mixed up bunch. Home is where your heart is............... Sky Pikey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GeordieSkydiver 0 #40 March 6, 2005 No, the country they are from is Canada. Mexicans =Mexico North America is the continent. Nationality is what we are talking about, on my passport its says "British" regardless of my heritage. That was the original posters point.Lee _______________________________ In a world full of people, only some want to fly, is that not crazy? http://www.ukskydiver.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #41 March 6, 2005 QuoteNo, the country they are from is Canada. Mexicans =Mexico North America is the continent. Nationality is what we are talking about, on my passport its says "British" regardless of my heritage. That was the original posters point. Then I'm a United Statesian.. not an American. Doesn't matter to me really, I always answer Texas anyways. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #42 March 6, 2005 QuoteI've found that American's, when asked their nationality, will answer with some ancestry breakdown "I'm, 10% Italian, 30% Polish, 3% Icelandic, 7% Cherokee, 40% Welsh and 10% German". When I first came here, I thought how on earth are these people born in more than one country? Please explain, I still find this baffling. I've got a lot of stuff in family tree too, but I was born in England, so I'm English. well that all depends. if a fellow american asks me then we know we're american. Duh. So Ii will break it down into my roots. if someone asks me where Im from I say " NY originally" b/c thats where I was born. if I am in another country I say I am "american." which usually ensues in a huge political dabte about why I suck. which pisses me off. so I avoid those questions and conversations. althgouh, its funny how hypocritical people get why is it that when ever someone says they are american we get treated like shit? I have no care what your opinions are I am on vacatrion to enjoy myself. I do not respresent everything america does. hell alot of the time I don't agree with it, and sometimes I do. its a huge debate about politics everytime I go to another counrty. most of the time people are cool with it but I've learned to spot anti-U.S. people and in most cases can diffuse the conversation to something light. I dont like to get involved with my fellow americans when they get all high and mighty what in god's name would make THOSE people think I give a shit about their self image? if I asked a foreigner ( to the US) where they were form , my first insticnt is to talk to them and get to know alittle about THAT SINGLE PERSON not everyone who looks like him. I would guess if the Americans are in your country and say they are from a diff background then they may no tknow much about the world, the are trying to aviod the bullshit that follows, they are so used to being hom eand telling the breakdown that they automaticallygibve the response, and yes the last option is that they may be a dumbassMy photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bandanarama 0 #43 March 6, 2005 "You do realize that there are several different countries in GB and UK?" That was my point. You do realize there are several different countries in the Americas? Nationality can be interpreted in so many ways including many of the points people have brought up. Additionally it can include membership or citizenship... Are you American? Did you get your U.S. citizenship? If so, then ask yourself the same question. Why don't Americans say they're American? Why do multi citizens most of the time mention all of their cultural or national history? Perhaps a dual citizen from England would say they are English and American.... Which, I find perfectly agreeable... The Unites States of America is the largest melting pot in the world. You're obviously here for a reason. If you don't have a U.S. citizenship, I would suspect you try to get one in the future. Why not? The U.S. has the most freedom and opportunity out of any other country in the world. We also don't use the metric system either. Does it make it right or wrong? It's just unique or different. ___________________________________________________ One's destination is never a place, but rather a new way of looking at things. ~ Henry Miller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #44 March 6, 2005 Offtopic Quote We also don't use the metric system either. Does it make it right or wrong? It's just unique or different. I used to get so confused when I went to Canada. They use a mix of metric and (what is it called?) Back on topic... "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #45 March 6, 2005 i think its called standard if its not metric. (unless your in otnher country then its probably called the american standrad? i don't know)My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #46 March 6, 2005 Quotei think its called standard if its not metric. (unless your in otnher country then its probably called the american standrad? i don't know) Thank you "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GeordieSkydiver 0 #47 March 6, 2005 Imperial. Bananarama (?)This wasn't posted as a pseudo political debate. Nationality is very simple, its on your passport. If you have dual, then thats cool too. The orignal poster couldn't understand why Americans quoted their 'bloodlines' as not many other nations do this. It wasn't a slur, anti-USA or anything like that. It was a question, its been answered very well by some people and taken as a attack by others. I now understand, and I'm dumb as ditch water.Lee _______________________________ In a world full of people, only some want to fly, is that not crazy? http://www.ukskydiver.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #48 March 6, 2005 no problem. I figured after my last post poeple may think I was all excited and stuff. Im glad there were no flames yet. lol just my experience with travelingMy photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #49 March 6, 2005 QuoteIt was a question, its been answered very well by some people and taken as a attack by others. Seeing as it was a question from a non-us poster. Some posters in the states are tired of non-us citeziens bashing us for things our of our control. Granted we vote and normally support our goverment. But 99.9% of the things our voted in goverment does is 100% out of our control. So we take the brunt of the critism when overseas or even on our own streets. This tends to make being an american being defencive of the country we're from. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GeordieSkydiver 0 #50 March 6, 2005 She didn't bash though slappie, she asked. Least thats the way i read it.Lee _______________________________ In a world full of people, only some want to fly, is that not crazy? http://www.ukskydiver.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
