Good topic, Z.
>>> Do the American's on here consider themselves patriotic and how do they display this? How do they view the Europeans attitudes toward patriotism?
Aside from your initial post and the first three or four respondents, I haven’t read any of the others’ comments. So, what I’m about to say has prolly already been said. A problem immediately comes up when trying to come to a consensus of what it is to be American. The fact is that there are so many dang varieties. What is or might be “American” for one American might be (often is) viewed as “un-American” by another American.
As it is with foreigners, Americans, too, can also fall into the mistake of making broad, sweeping generalizations about what it is to be American. Our beloved president has recently set the tone in this regard, asserting that all must have the same view of certain topics of discussion or else risk being viewed as lacking in patriotism—you’re with “us” or against “us”.
That being said, I’d say that the average American is pretty patriotic. Personally, I think that’s because – for one – Americans are generally short-sighted, not as educated, and not as given to thinking for themselves. We also tend to get our news from sources that don’t require serious reflection. When it comes to news and our view of the world, it’s true that the “MTV Generation” label fits. When the president or some celebrity gets on TV, a considerable number simply adopts the stated view.
I think it’s also important to remember the age of our country compared to others. The world can like it or not and admit it or not, but advancing from what amounted to a wilderness 2 centuries ago to what is now the unchallenged world power is nothing short of miraculous. This achievement has brought with it a certain hubris—a pride of self and the belief that we are somehow better than the rest. Of course the fact that none of us now living actually had much to do with earlier achievements is not given much thought. Since we consider ourselves one big happy family—a Melting Pot, as it were—the achievements of this or that one is considered “our” achievement and, vicariously, “my” achievement.
Given the aforementioned hubris and this ability to take credit for the work, will, and ingenuity of others, it’s not surprising that many Americans chafe when someone of a “lesser” nation actually deigns to disagree or find fault with “my” country. Since we (generally) haven’t given the matter much thought; since we’ve relied on news sources that have skipped only the surface of an issue in order to advance an agenda; since “we” have accomplished so much in so short an amount of time, how DARE someone from another country have the nerve to stand up and disagree with us?
