That's a good post. I am not usually given to throwing savage accusations at America for its own sake, but when Americans crow about being the greatest, they deserve to be dragged off their pedestals and I'm prepared to be merciless on this thread to achieve that aim. The Scots do the same to us English in similar situations and we deserve no less. I know plenty of Scots among my own family and friends, and when English people are not asserting their superiority, then many Scots are willing to freely pay us some genuine compliments, as equals. When we go looking for compliments, then unsurprisingly the opposite happens.
Thank you, and like yourself I am reserving no particular bile for Americans, for whom - having enjoyed a certain amount of time in their society - I have a particular liking.
That there are braggarts amongst them should come as no surprise - those are to be found amongst the insecure in every society - and the phenomenon is more understandable in US society for a number of reasons.
The first being that it is the wealthiest and most influential society currently on earth - that can easily generate a sense of superiority amongst those who do not analyse the matter any further.
Then, given the fact that only 30% of Americans have ever held a passport (compared to 75% of Brits) and the attitude I encountered while there - encapsulated by a similar statement to this - "Why should I travel overseas when I can experience everything the world has to offer right here - if I want to see Chinese, I can go to San Francisco, if I want to experience Italy I can go to the Italian quarter of New York ..." a certain parochialness is to be expected.
But perhaps most significant, is the inbuilt propaganda system (not uncommon in other societies either,) which tells every American, from the time he/she can understand language, that everything American is
ipso facto inherently superior to everything emanating from any other society. From their form of governance, through their laws, to their cultural practices, even extending to their automobiles. It is a very strong willed and well informed child who is capable of resisting such indoctrination, and it is a great credit to Americans that so many do (as evinced by some who post here).
So I have both admiration and liking for the American people - the braggarts aside - as who can deny their friendliness, general good will, and enormous generosity - not necessarily at the governmental level, but Americans personally contribute at the per capita level more than any other nationality of which I know. I wish them every success.
And, LOL, as someone who is half Edinburgh Scots, and half southern English, I have to say that the Scots do tend to go overboard in their criticism of the English. I fear the Scots, a bit like the Americans, tend to believe their national mythology a smidge too much. People such as William Wallace were not quite the sainted hero he is depicted as, and in fact he achieved bugger all. Have a look at the flag which flies over Edinburgh castle if you want to see the eventual extent of his victories. :2razz: