[gilleshk]

Originally Posted by XI_YAN

why does the term 'ugly american' exist and no similar phrase exist about other nationals - who I admit can also exhibit obnoxious behaviour but . . .

You do realize what is often said about HK people right? How about chinese? Do they all spit in the street? Are all of them rude and loud? Are all French arrogant? Do the British all have stiff upper lips? Are indians smelly? Are Aussies all drunkards?

Stupid stereotypes are often applied because of a minority of very visible people. People notice the 1% "ugly americans" but they never notice the 99% nice ones because nice people often go unnoticed. The math applies to most stupid stereotypes...it's easy to notice someone that stands out.

[hullexile]

Originally Posted by gilleshk

So what does that make of american communists or socialists? Just stop putting everyone in the same basket... it's simply put...stupid

We are all individuals with strength and weaknesses that come from family, education, background and simply ourselves.

You can blame someone for being a certain way. You can disagree with the politics of a country but to say that 300 million people are all the same is ludicrous and plain dumb.

If someone is a thief or a jerk, does it mean his whole family is the same? That should sound crazy... apply that to a whole nation, that's how some of you sound...

Sorry gilleshk, was just quoting academic research. From all the evidence the AVERAGE American is individualistic. However, there is a large variation within any culture so you will find very individualistic people in collectivist cultures and some collectivist people in individualistic cultures. OK so they are generalisations and so we should not stereotype based on that, however for cross cultural understanding they are useful and a good understanding of the cultural differences should be obtained by anyone managing cross-culturally.

By the way I have known some very individualistic communists and socialists so don't stereotype on political beliefs

[gilleshk]

Individualistic communist is somewhat of an oxymoron... I would say that these people you know have serious identity issues or they are hypocrit.

The essence of communism is to supercede the needs/rights of the community over the ones of the individual. You can argue that it's not what happens but it's not a stereotype, it's the definition of the word

[hullexile]

Originally Posted by gilleshk

Individualistic communist is somewhat of an oxymoron... I would say that these people you know have serious identity issues or they are hypocrit.

The essence of communism is to supercede the needs/rights of the community over the ones of the individual. You can argue that it's not what happens but it's not a stereotype, it's the definition of the word

Well all I can say is that, as an ex-communist, of all the hundreds I met in the UK (also defined as individualistic of course) I can only think of one who had a strong collectivist attitude (and that still did not stop him living in a very large and expensive house). It may be the definition of the word but not the people (at least in individualistic cultures). Of course they could all have had identity issues but I doubt it.

[gilleshk]

Well being a communist should be defined by actions and not by where one live or is born.

It's a philosophy and therefore a choice kind of like religion. Of course, you may have to pretend to be a communist in certain countries in order to advance but it remains a choice. How closely you adhere to the philosophy is up to the individual.

Islam prohibits the drinking of alcohol yet many muslim drink. It's not a stereotype to say that muslims don't or shouldn't drink, it's a part of the religion and one may choose to paint those who are drinking as untrue to their faith

Your nationality or your ethnicity isn't a choice.

[krypton]

Is one of those topics where the answer is both yes and no. What we need to do is look at both sides of the coin and not be extremist in either direction.

I stand for not putting everyone from a country into the same basket but people there are generalizations. Before you have a personal experience you go by them. And yes being from a country does not define your personality but it does effect you in some ways. The environment and belief system you grow up in effect you to a large extent.

[xxxlionxxx]

Well, so let's drink then?

[Pekkerhead]

Originally Posted by Boris

Sounds like Redwriter -- R.I.P. ---- now he can't post he must be finding other avenues to vent.

LOL, yes, until he started posting again as PerryCo. And then got banned again. I will keep my eyes open for his next incarnation.

[elle]

Originally Posted by gilleshk

Well being a communist should be defined by actions and not by where one live or is born.

It's a philosophy and therefore a choice kind of like religion. Of course, you may have to pretend to be a communist in certain countries in order to advance but it remains a choice. How closely you adhere to the philosophy is up to the individual.

Islam prohibits the drinking of alcohol yet many muslim drink. It's not a stereotype to say that muslims don't or shouldn't drink, it's a part of the religion and one may choose to paint those who are drinking as untrue to their faith

Your nationality or your ethnicity isn't a choice.

Gilleshk - While I agree with you on a number of points you make, I beg to differ about people being a communist by choice. That might have been the case in the western world. Where I come from (East Germany) you were born into that system and were systematically brain washed to become one - we were actually living "The Animal Farm". Only exposure to other information sources - which were available only in certain areas of the country like Berlin and the areas bordering West Germany - made you start to think otherwise. I remember that I came home crying from Kindergarten one day believing that my grand mother was the class enemy because she lived in West Berlin.
North Korea is a very good example - those people are not communists by choice.

[gilleshk]

Originally Posted by krypton

Is one of those topics where the answer is both yes and no. What we need to do is look at both sides of the coin and not be extremist in either direction.

I stand for not putting everyone from a country into the same basket but people there are generalizations. Before you have a personal experience you go by them. And yes being from a country does not define your personality but it does effect you in some ways. The environment and belief system you grow up in effect you to a large extent.

Where you are born may affect your values and your outlook on life but not so much your personality. Far more important than your nationality or ethnicity, your education, family, friends and sometimes religion shape who you are.