I'd like to take this opportunity to express my views of Europeans. They can be nice people, but they do tend to equate Europe with the world.
1) Europeans are very proud of their history and strive to preserve it at all costs.
This is all well and good, but how many histories/cultures were destroyed by the Europeans in their quests to expand their empires? How many native populations suffered greatly because of European greed and barbarity? It seems that Europeans are adamant about saving their own ways of life, but aren't so adamant about saving other cultures. This, to me, is extremely sad, because much of what is considered to be European is really from outside Europe.
2) Europeans like to talk about things they've "discovered".
America is a wonderful example of this. There were people already living on this continent for 25,000 years prior to the barbaric European invasion and yet it never ceases to amaze me how often America is called "young" by our Euro cousins. Apparently, the land sprang up before them as their ships sailed over the Atlantic. On St. Patrick's Day, I watched a TV show in which an Irishman was relating the story of the Fairy Trees of Ireland. He went on and on about how old they were, as if America couldn't possibly have trees that old. Well we do. They are called Sequoias or Giant Redwoods and they most definitely are old. I dare say that the Irishman probably would have fainted if he had been told of them.
3) Europeans like to start wars and expect everyone to help fight them, but they aren't so good at helping others.
It's no secret that Europe is the cause of this planet's two biggest and worst wars. It's also no secret that Europe is, by a long shot, the bloodiest piece of real estate this planet has. More blood has been shed by, for and because of Europe than any other piece of land. The biggest threat to world peace and to America's peace has been and will always be Europe. More American blood has been shed because of wars we've fought with/against Europe than anyone else. No European had a problem with us helping out in the Balkans at the end of the last century. Europeans DID have a problem with us going into Iraq though. And yet both areas are predominantly Muslim and had a fanatical, murderous dictator who liked to kill his own people. The difference? Easy. The Balkans are in Europe. Iraq isn't.
4) Europeans see themselves as a force of good and a champion of peace.
Up until the end of WWII, Europeans had no problem with bloodshed. Europe's history is one horrific bloodbath after another. European empires were built on the backs and blood of less fortunate cultures. And yet, so many Europeans have forgotten this and try to portray Europe as this wonderfully peaceful continent. If Europeans are quick to preach peace, it's simply because they have lost their empires and their status as the world's only superpower. Had the Europeans not screwed up and forced two World Wars on this planet, resulting in the end of their tyrannous grasp on this planet, I have no doubt believing that there would be quite a few more wars fought on behalf of the Euros. Nothing makes people preach peace more than losing their power. And Europe has most definitely lost its power.
5) It makes Europeans uncomfortable to be reminded of all the land they've stolen in the past.
6) Europeans like to brag about how many foreign languages they speak.
Let's be realistic here. Europeans learn EUROPEAN languages. And they learn them so that they can talk to their fellow Europeans. It has nothing to do with a desire to talk to the rest of us. If Europeans really did like learning other people's languages and really did want to talk to the rest of us, then they'd be learning Chinese and Hindu.
Simply put. Learning two or three European languages doesn't make you worldly. It makes you European. :sorry:
7) Europeans have a problem with religion and feel that the rest of us should give it up because of this.
I can't tell you the number of forums I've been on in which Europeans will completely criticize religion and anyone who practices one. Apparently, because Europeans have proven (the Holocaust, The Troubles in Northern Ireland, Chechen rebels, etc.) that they have a problem handling religion, we all should give it up. I disagree with this. There is absolutely no reason for the rest of this planet to give up something simply because the Europeans have proven inept at handling it.
8) Europeans have huge double standards when it come to Europe versus the rest of us (especially America).
Should Europe meddle in the affairs of others, it is deemed constructive criticism or colonialism/civilizing the natives. Should America become involved in the affairs of others, it is deemed meddling/American imperialism/American hegemony. In short, Europe = Good, America = Bad.
9) Europeans see themselves as tolerant individuals and yet intolerance to newcomers is not only acceptable, it's encouraged.
We've all seen the terrible pictures of New Orleans after Hurrican Katrina. Europeans were quick to tut-tut over the poor conditions of poor black people in the American South. And yet, not more than two months later, Paris was lit up like a bonfire due to anger by its poor, black population towards its treatment by the French government. The French politicians' response? To tell the black people of Paris that they should shut up, because they never had it so good. Hell, one French politician even went so far as to call the rioters "scum". What were the consequences of this? He got elected as the new French President last year. I can only imagine the European/American reaction had a senior politician in the US called the poor black people of New Orleans 'scum'. The man/woman would have kissed his/her political career goodbye admist a huge storm of criticism from Europeans/Americans.
Also, America may very well have a black President this year. This has caused much debate in Europe. I fully believe American politics are more racially diverse than European ones and the thought of a black President/Prime Minister is something the Europeans see as being far off in time.
Also, there are huge debates in Europe over strictly controlling immigration. I wonder how many Euros understand that 1) with its declining birthrates, Europe needs immigrants if it wants to survive and 2) the reason so many immigrants are in Europe is because Europe was in their countries first.
10) Europeans see America as the biggest cause of climate change.
This simply isn't true. Climate change did not happen overnight and it wasn't caused by any one country. It can be argued that, if blame were to be placed about who has contributed most to global warming, then Europe would have to be declared the winner. Cars, airplanes, so much machinery from the Industrial Revolution were all created by Europeans. America was the first to stand up and say that Kyoto was useless unless China and India signed up to it. And guess what? We were right. It's only now that the Europeans are beginning to see that.
Just my thoughts on Europeans. You really can be nice people, but you just need to lose the egos.
1) Europeans are very proud of their history and strive to preserve it at all costs.
This is all well and good, but how many histories/cultures were destroyed by the Europeans in their quests to expand their empires? How many native populations suffered greatly because of European greed and barbarity? It seems that Europeans are adamant about saving their own ways of life, but aren't so adamant about saving other cultures. This, to me, is extremely sad, because much of what is considered to be European is really from outside Europe.
2) Europeans like to talk about things they've "discovered".
America is a wonderful example of this. There were people already living on this continent for 25,000 years prior to the barbaric European invasion and yet it never ceases to amaze me how often America is called "young" by our Euro cousins. Apparently, the land sprang up before them as their ships sailed over the Atlantic. On St. Patrick's Day, I watched a TV show in which an Irishman was relating the story of the Fairy Trees of Ireland. He went on and on about how old they were, as if America couldn't possibly have trees that old. Well we do. They are called Sequoias or Giant Redwoods and they most definitely are old. I dare say that the Irishman probably would have fainted if he had been told of them.
3) Europeans like to start wars and expect everyone to help fight them, but they aren't so good at helping others.
It's no secret that Europe is the cause of this planet's two biggest and worst wars. It's also no secret that Europe is, by a long shot, the bloodiest piece of real estate this planet has. More blood has been shed by, for and because of Europe than any other piece of land. The biggest threat to world peace and to America's peace has been and will always be Europe. More American blood has been shed because of wars we've fought with/against Europe than anyone else. No European had a problem with us helping out in the Balkans at the end of the last century. Europeans DID have a problem with us going into Iraq though. And yet both areas are predominantly Muslim and had a fanatical, murderous dictator who liked to kill his own people. The difference? Easy. The Balkans are in Europe. Iraq isn't.
4) Europeans see themselves as a force of good and a champion of peace.
Up until the end of WWII, Europeans had no problem with bloodshed. Europe's history is one horrific bloodbath after another. European empires were built on the backs and blood of less fortunate cultures. And yet, so many Europeans have forgotten this and try to portray Europe as this wonderfully peaceful continent. If Europeans are quick to preach peace, it's simply because they have lost their empires and their status as the world's only superpower. Had the Europeans not screwed up and forced two World Wars on this planet, resulting in the end of their tyrannous grasp on this planet, I have no doubt believing that there would be quite a few more wars fought on behalf of the Euros. Nothing makes people preach peace more than losing their power. And Europe has most definitely lost its power.
5) It makes Europeans uncomfortable to be reminded of all the land they've stolen in the past.
6) Europeans like to brag about how many foreign languages they speak.
Let's be realistic here. Europeans learn EUROPEAN languages. And they learn them so that they can talk to their fellow Europeans. It has nothing to do with a desire to talk to the rest of us. If Europeans really did like learning other people's languages and really did want to talk to the rest of us, then they'd be learning Chinese and Hindu.
Simply put. Learning two or three European languages doesn't make you worldly. It makes you European. :sorry:
7) Europeans have a problem with religion and feel that the rest of us should give it up because of this.
I can't tell you the number of forums I've been on in which Europeans will completely criticize religion and anyone who practices one. Apparently, because Europeans have proven (the Holocaust, The Troubles in Northern Ireland, Chechen rebels, etc.) that they have a problem handling religion, we all should give it up. I disagree with this. There is absolutely no reason for the rest of this planet to give up something simply because the Europeans have proven inept at handling it.
8) Europeans have huge double standards when it come to Europe versus the rest of us (especially America).
Should Europe meddle in the affairs of others, it is deemed constructive criticism or colonialism/civilizing the natives. Should America become involved in the affairs of others, it is deemed meddling/American imperialism/American hegemony. In short, Europe = Good, America = Bad.
9) Europeans see themselves as tolerant individuals and yet intolerance to newcomers is not only acceptable, it's encouraged.
We've all seen the terrible pictures of New Orleans after Hurrican Katrina. Europeans were quick to tut-tut over the poor conditions of poor black people in the American South. And yet, not more than two months later, Paris was lit up like a bonfire due to anger by its poor, black population towards its treatment by the French government. The French politicians' response? To tell the black people of Paris that they should shut up, because they never had it so good. Hell, one French politician even went so far as to call the rioters "scum". What were the consequences of this? He got elected as the new French President last year. I can only imagine the European/American reaction had a senior politician in the US called the poor black people of New Orleans 'scum'. The man/woman would have kissed his/her political career goodbye admist a huge storm of criticism from Europeans/Americans.
Also, America may very well have a black President this year. This has caused much debate in Europe. I fully believe American politics are more racially diverse than European ones and the thought of a black President/Prime Minister is something the Europeans see as being far off in time.
Also, there are huge debates in Europe over strictly controlling immigration. I wonder how many Euros understand that 1) with its declining birthrates, Europe needs immigrants if it wants to survive and 2) the reason so many immigrants are in Europe is because Europe was in their countries first.
10) Europeans see America as the biggest cause of climate change.
This simply isn't true. Climate change did not happen overnight and it wasn't caused by any one country. It can be argued that, if blame were to be placed about who has contributed most to global warming, then Europe would have to be declared the winner. Cars, airplanes, so much machinery from the Industrial Revolution were all created by Europeans. America was the first to stand up and say that Kyoto was useless unless China and India signed up to it. And guess what? We were right. It's only now that the Europeans are beginning to see that.
Just my thoughts on Europeans. You really can be nice people, but you just need to lose the egos.