by Amy Arreola

Created on: October 23, 2007

Wow. After perusing the 20 articles within this topic, I must say that I am a bit disappointed by the seemingly binary nature of many: either Americans are indeed pompous, or they are most certainly not. Yes, one or two pointed out that as individuals we should be, well, individuals (an extremely American trait, by the way), and I was even told to leave the country the requisite number of times if I disagreed with being, "American."

I offer another perspective in hopes that someone, somewhere will think twice before offering up the same rehashed opinions.

First the fact that the debate's title is, "Are we too pompous to care what the world thinks of us," [sic] is in and of itself amusingly, "US-centric." After all, who in the world are, "we," and, "us"? Well, who else could it POSSIBLY be, right?

But I digress.

As a former expatriate, I can tell you that when I first moved abroad in 1997 I had not a clue as to what I was in for as an American living abroad. Not only were many people more aware of how my own government worked, but they also knew who the key players were for various issues, and one guy stunned me and several other American expatriates with his ability to name all 50 states and their capitals even when he was drunk. Let me tell you, I started following the news and even reading up on the details of government as if I was studying for that US History test from high school again.

By the time I had moved to another country (indeed, a new continent), I was a firm believer in the American Way even if I don't agree with the citizenry's ability to behave as cloistered nuns. In fact, by the time the 9/11 tragedy rolled around, I knew that although I would not be heading back to the US anytime soon (too full of Americans, and I wasn't ready for that yet), I knew in my heart that the US was like a big friendly Labrador that is wagging its tail in a room that is too small. It just wants everyone to like it, but it cannot help but destroy a few valuables here and there with its wagging tail. Oh, and there is no understanding of why when it is so friendly and affable that anyone could possibly be upset.

I have defended the American Way against angry Australians, Brits, Dutchmen, Germans, and even one particularly nasty Dane that was in the navy (the Danish navy, for all you Americans reading this) following 9/11 and the declared (illegal) war.

So, are Americans too pompous? Solipsistic? Selfish? I don't think so, I think it is merely a case of Americans living within a single nation that offers what on other continents is only offered by traveling throughout many nations, and in some cases over multiple continents. Americans are tied together by a national identity that also allows for differences across geography and lifestyle including the mockery and disdain that can come from those differences.

If we can tease one-another so successfully and not get angry, why can we not understand that other nations don't see us as the friendly Labrador but an ignorant Joe that needs to be reined in before more damage is done? With China as an emerging (?) super-power, the US will no longer stand alone as the world's giant. Global education is required so that as a people we are respectful of others' cultures and opinions, whilst being able to intelligently outline our own.

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