Well, I don't mean a FRIENDLY, RESPECTFUL discussion with Aussies can't take place.....
In my trips (mostly for business, sometimes for friendships) to Europe, I've grown very weary of the 'Anti-USA" game. It's usually done with a smile and clearly grows in boldness with the amount of alcohol involved, done AS IF IT'S FUNNY, usually ganging up on whatever Americans happen to be handy... It's a game for some Europeans (and I guess some Aussies, although I hadn't known that). Usually focused on our government but sometimes any aspect of American culture or life is fair game for this supposed funny game. I think some Europeans (especially under the influence of adult beverages) love to have a common enemy in order to make them feel closer to together ("the enemy of my enemy is my friend" approach...) but it often comes across as RUDE, disrespectful and usually ignorant. I do as all Americans do - try to smile and NOT to do them as they've done to us. But frankly, I can't wonder - as they make all their rude, ignorant comment - always thinking they are being FUNNY - how they are holding a phone designed and made in the USA, using a computer invented, designed in the USA, having just arrived on a plane designed and made in the USA, taking some meds developed and made in the USA, and in a country liberated in large part by the USA and rebuilt after the war largely by the USA. watching television invented in the USA. But I don't say anything.
I don't KNOW about Australia, but I know lots of Brits and have been the UK. They seem like good bloats. As educated and aware as any.... with a pretty sound democracy and as good of freedom of press as anywhere (that ain't saying much).... They are capable of determining their own destiny and governing their own selves. They don't need some FOREIGNER telling them how they should govern themselves or who they should elect. My respect for them forbids me from doing that. While I don't know many Aussies and have never been there (my loss, I'm sure) I strongly suspect the same is true for them. It's probably not true for North Koreans but I don't regard the UK or Australia to be the same as North Korea.
Understand my perspective???? Again, I know YOU meant only a very informal, friendly discussion....
- Josiah
I hear what you say about the anti- Americanism, too. I see enough of that online to not want to deal with it in real life. Unlike you, I've never been overseas, but I do appreciate the perspective of those like yourself who have traveled.
