It’s indeed quite the mix joingoist delusions of grandeur making the average American think they as individuals are superior to those from other countries whilst not actually having much in the way of values, breadth of knowledge, education or wisdom.
Reminds me how the other day I was watching a Documentary about the war in Afghanistan and at one point there was this American soldier (possibly a Lieutenant) trying to convince a bunch of locals including some elders of something or other and even I (who am Portuguese) could recognize that this guy in his mid/late 20s was totally missing the social clues and natural social structure of the place, for example and not giving the face-saving “respect” to the elders of that culture even if you’re in a position of strength - go to a place thinking you’re a superior person with a superior culture and superior ways and don’t be surprised if the locals seem to “respect” your strength in your face whilst giving you the run-around if they can get away with it and undermining you behind your back.
It’s indeed quite the mix joingoist delusions of grandeur making the average American think they as individuals are superior to those from other countries whilst not actually having much in the way of values, breadth of knowledge, education or wisdom.
Reminds me how the other day I was watching a Documentary about the war in Afghanistan and at one point there was this American soldier (possibly a Lieutenant) trying to convince a bunch of locals including some elders of something or other and even I (who am Portuguese) could recognize that this guy in his mid/late 20s was totally missing the social clues and natural social structure of the place, for example and not giving the face-saving “respect” to the elders of that culture even if you’re in a position of strength - go to a place thinking you’re a superior person with a superior culture and superior ways and don’t be surprised if the locals seem to “respect” your strength in your face whilst giving you the run-around if they can get away with it and undermining you behind your back.
I think an Antropologist said it something as “the barbarian is the one who belives in the existance of barbarism.”