would you call yourself American?Or would you say," I'm of (lets say) German decent"?Would you proudly proclaim your American citizenship?Why would you leave this country anyway?Would you fly the American flag on the 4th of July?Would you still celebrate Thanksgiving?
Would you completely assimilate to that country's culture?
2006-08-08 17:31:56 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
Good answers ,ppl.
2006-08-08 17:41:03 · update #1
Touche, Pancha; I don't see the imposter loving crowd here from the bigot hate anti club.
2006-08-08 20:18:00 · answer #1 · answered by LaContessa 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I have lived overseas for a total of six years. During that time I proudly proclaimed myself an American. I left the country because the business opportunites in my line of work demanded it. It is not proper to fly the American Flag over a foreign country unless you have just completed a successful invasion. No, I did not celebrate Thanksgiving.
As for completely assimilating into the other cultures - no. I did what I could and tried to get as much experience as possible, but if you don't grow up with it it is difficult to adopt completely. I did learn a few things while I was in Europe though; 1. Their beer is WAY better than ours! 2. We should rethink the idea of forcing women to wear tops at the beach. 3. Small cars are ok.
2006-08-08 17:44:41 · answer #2 · answered by szydkids 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am an American in India. Living in a new country means you have to adapt your lifestyle, but not who you are. No, I didn't hang out a flag for the 4th of July, but I did celebrate Christmas by getting my soon-to-be husband a gift. Thanksgiving was a little hard, as turkey is not an easily obtainable item in India and the bird flu scare was in full force, anyway. It doesn't mean that I'm not American. I am. I didn't give up my citizenship when I left the US. I merely traveled to meet an online friend, who is now my husband.
2006-08-08 17:40:29 · answer #3 · answered by Gigi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's a good question. I'm middle eastern but have been in the united states since I was a few months old. I went back to visit very recently. And even though I speak the language, and am very familiar with the society and cultural standards, I was still "American". And I let people know that i'm from america. It's really strange, actually. Growing up in america I always thought I was extremely foreighn because of my heritage. But after the trip back to the middle east, I realize how true bred american I really am.
and HECK YES I would celebrate Thanksgiving. My favorite gathering of food of the year.
2006-08-08 17:37:44 · answer #4 · answered by happyfarah88 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i am 3rd generation American, meaning i was born here and so was my mami and so was her mami.
my passport says united states of America under nationality. when i travel and i am asked what nationality i am, i say American, because i am.
being a Latina does not matter, my complexion does not matter, because no matter where i live and work, i am still an American, no matter what people i am descended from.
i would learn the language of whatever country i went to work in, so i can find work and be able to work with other people.
people leave this country for many reasons, American companies are closing their businesses and creating jobs overseas for less money, so where are Americans now supposed to work? i would learn about the culture and participate in anything that i liked, but completely assimilate and change who i am? no, not for anyone...
and i am a latina with a very varied and mixed background---
2006-08-08 18:38:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am an American and i would call myself an American. i would proudly claim this if asked but would not throw it in any ones face. I would not leave this country unless it came with the job and only then I would not stay any longer than i had to. I would not flaunt my countries flag in a way that was meant to demean my host country. I have mixed feelings about thanksgiving anyway. But i would defiantly call my family in the states. would i completely assimilate no....
2006-08-08 17:53:27 · answer #6 · answered by joeandhisguitar 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
no. i don't see why i should shun my previous heritage and adopt the one of my new country. i would try to assimilate; that is, i'd try to be a productive member of that society and be respectful of their customs.
i would claim my american heritage. i don't know about proudly, though. i guess just if someone asked me.
i wouldn't fly the flag on the 4th. i don't do that now. but i think it'd be disrespectful to my new country.
i would still celebrate thanksgiving if i had someone to celebrate with. but i'd also try to adopt the holidays of my new country. maybe they have their own version of thanksgiving.
i'd leave this country if i felt i could no longer live with the economic divide, the lack of affordable health care, and/or the corruption of gov't. i'd try to start anew in a country that maybe takes those things more seriously.
2006-08-08 17:43:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would do both. First I would show respect for their culture and customs by blending in. Second I would keep my customs intact and show them what is to be an American as oppose to what they see on TV. You judge a culture on the people you meet and how they conduct themselves. I have no problem saying I am proud to be an American. I also have no problem with people who immigrant to the US and who still practice their customs or traditions. This country was founded on expression of freedom. Yes I would leave this country just to see what it is like to live abroad, but I would always return to live in the US because it is the best.
2006-08-08 17:41:18 · answer #8 · answered by ALBPACE 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
am not an American but I left my country to settle down in the other country (not America either). Yes, I respect local way of life, their traditions, their culture, etc. and it's very different from mine. I think, it's normal. but of course, I can't assimilate completely, neither I am trying to. I am what I am. I can't forget my background, my traditions, my culture, religion... and I suppose, nobody is expecting that from me. I am not hiding my nationality and I do celebrate some of my country's holidays. I am very much in peace with myself and people around me.
2006-08-08 17:43:19 · answer #9 · answered by Lana 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I went to a different country, frankly, my first choices would be places where they speak English already. However, if I were going somewhere where I didn't speak the language, I would buy tapes and take a course and learn it as best I could before I got there. I would try to watch local TV most of the time, to practice the language.
I would consider myself American if I didn't apply for their citizenship, and I can't imagine giving mine up, to tell you the truth. However, I would try to fit into their country, not try to make it accomodate me.
That is how I handle it when I travel, and I would only put in more effort if I were emigrating.
2006-08-08 17:37:36 · answer #10 · answered by DAR 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You have to respect it, however it would be a good idea to be yourself. We are all human and thats the bottom line. My point is that if you like some of the things that the other country does, then conform if you want to, but if you don't thats fine too. It's up to you what you want to do. I'm sure that there are things that I like in other countries compared to the USA
2006-08-08 17:37:50 · answer #11 · answered by james w 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋