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rfmcdonaldContinuing the theme of my previous post, I have to now admit that Americans confuse me. Many things about Americans confuse me, I have to admit, since seeming superficial similarities frequently paper over yawning gaps, but one thing in particular confuses and amuses me.
1. Living in Toronto, a very plugged-in world metropolis close to the American border, I get to know a fair number of Americans reasonably well.
2. With few exceptions, these Americans are urbane, well-educated, friendly people.
3. Also with fewer exceptions, once I begin talking to these Americans sooner rather than later the conversation veers towards their apologies for their ignorant and hostile countrymen and/or country.
As one might imagine, this chain of events seems rather opaque to me. Yes, my first-hand experience with Americans and in the United States is limited. Yes, there are certainly some high-profile Americans and American government policies which rankle Canadians. That said, I'd be lying if I said that there weren't equally ignorant Canadians. Certainly my American acquaintances' own personas aren't causing me offense.
Two possible explanations present themselves.
1. I'm not picking up on the sorts of events that should make me suspicious of the United States and Americans in general.
2. These apologies to foreigners reflect a fairly profound domestic division in the United States on relations with the wider world.
Me, I lean towards the second explanation. Should I?
1. Living in Toronto, a very plugged-in world metropolis close to the American border, I get to know a fair number of Americans reasonably well.
2. With few exceptions, these Americans are urbane, well-educated, friendly people.
3. Also with fewer exceptions, once I begin talking to these Americans sooner rather than later the conversation veers towards their apologies for their ignorant and hostile countrymen and/or country.
As one might imagine, this chain of events seems rather opaque to me. Yes, my first-hand experience with Americans and in the United States is limited. Yes, there are certainly some high-profile Americans and American government policies which rankle Canadians. That said, I'd be lying if I said that there weren't equally ignorant Canadians. Certainly my American acquaintances' own personas aren't causing me offense.
Two possible explanations present themselves.
1. I'm not picking up on the sorts of events that should make me suspicious of the United States and Americans in general.
2. These apologies to foreigners reflect a fairly profound domestic division in the United States on relations with the wider world.
Me, I lean towards the second explanation. Should I?
