Would we be more peaceful if we travelled more? Do Americans dislike meeting different cultures??

Question

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/columnists/story/0,,1824906,00.html

Answer 1

Yeah, I think we would! In my experience Americans are so used to the blah colors of the "melting pot" that when people don't blend in as "American" we distrust and avoid them.

I mean, if we'd spend six months in Europe living in cheap student hostels and talking to people in a dozen different countries with a hundred different cultures, we might hesitate before making racist or national slurs. And we'd probably be more open to individuals of other cultures.

I do say probably tho, there's plenty of well-heeled, well-traveled bigots out there.

Answer 2

There does seem to be a common conception and I have some person experience that Americans do not do well when abroad.

I think Landon Donovan is a perfect example. Germany tried to get him to play more then once in their more competitive-higher skilled German soccer league and he always had to go back home, he couldn't hack it so he played in a lower team then where he would have been playing.. and in the World Cup what was that crap about how the USA team had to stay on a US military base so they could be around other Americans.. Every other team was in a hotels mingling around in the cities except the Americans who are hiding on a US military base.. truth be known it made them sound like sissies...

Answer 3

Traveling isnt the answer or problem. Its lack of cultural understanding and unbringing. It exists even within the US between different regions and states and cities. People like to be proud of thier homes and some take that to the extreme and ignorant view that they are the "best". If we learn as a child that others have other views and beliefs and theres nothing wrong with that you will be more understanding of peoples views. If you grow up with people teaching you to hate someone else for whatever reaso, you're most likely gonna be ignorant.

Answer 4

YES we do....

I never traveled outside the country because I felt, why go outside, we have so many places to visit in this country, plus it is expensive!

But since I got married, my husband isn't from here, we have traveled to other countries....All I can say is wow. I have really learned to appreciate other cultures and people. I have learned so much about them and also about myself and my country....I think it would be a wonderful lessen on how the rest of the world lives, which is very different from ours, not better or worse, but certainly different and in a good way....I certainly encourage Americans to go and visit other countries, you will be surprised by what you learn!

Answer 5

I personally love going overseas....getting to see other cultures and people....most of the ones I have met in Europe are friendly and thank the US for freeing them from the Nazi's or the Soviets. But the youth in most of these countries is where the anomosity comes from as they don't know what it used to be like there.....I have also been all over Asia too, and get a similar response from people....we are not as hated as everyone thinks we are.

Answer 6

The people who dislike other people and cultures usually stay home and go to places of public entertainment where they can associate with people like themselves. Roaming around Mexico and Europe changed my whole perspective and made me a world citizen. I highly recommend cheap, backpack travel for young US citizens. When you go first class you mostly meet the smug and arrogant types that the rest of world thinks we are like. Its a darn shame.

Answer 7

Why do you assume many human beings dislike the non violent faith of Islam? assume a lot? it isn't any longer the non violent human beings we concern, it is the extremists and regrettably now a days it truly is amazingly not easy to inform the adaptation until eventually some thing blows up.

Answer 8

Travelling is good for the nations because different cultures will intermingle and it provides improvements for those who are not exposed to modernization and technology.

Answer 9

America is very egocentric. We think that we are a more dominant nation, and I think that this does make us less open to explore other cultures and other communities/nations. We have this need to fix everyone and everything that does not work, worship, and think like we do.

Answer 10

I would be a lot more peaceful if I could travel.