It's been a while since I last posted. In the past 3 weeks I went to Europe. While I was there I interacted with the citizens. In Austria I had quite a culture shock. I didn't know they were allowed to smoke and drink at 16. Nor did I know that so many people hated Americans mainly because of Bush. Being a student ambassador I stayed with a host family and every person I met had a thing against Bush. On every wall in Rome there is graffiti saying "F*** Bush". In Austria some random stranger came up to me and say "F*** you. F*** americans and F*** Bush". I found out he was a Turkish muslim a few minutes later, if that means anything. It's hard trying to promote peace when you encounter people like that. Yet, earlier that week we attended a lecture from a Holocaust survivor. I asked him why the swatstika (sp), which was originally a symbol of peace, was used on the Nazi flag. He couldn't really answer my question but he said that my question was good and I was quite proud of myself. He became really emotional when my friend asked why other people are trying to deny that the Holocaust actually happened and turn it into a myth. The next day we went to Mauthausen, a concentration camp. Trips like these only widen your perspective on life. Next year I might be going to Australia or the UK, not sure yet. I'm just glad I went because it helped me realize that I should be proud of where I come from and help change the stereotypes against Americans.
Anyhow, it's good to be back to a place where English isn't a foreign language.
Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
Hitler used (perverted?) the original symbol - it meant luck, initially. Unfortunately, it has been so linked and stained with the Nazi movement it will never have another connotation.
As to the stereotyping - can we really expect Europeans to act any differently?
We were pretty hostile to all things French for a while - Europeans don't have the corner on boorish behavior.
-Trevor
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Welcome back, Mae!
Sounds like a very educational trip.
Posted by Suneun (Member # 3247) on :
Glad to see you back Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Yes, Mae! Welcome home! Tell us more about your adventures. It's good to have you back.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Nice to see you again!
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Welcome back. Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Good to see you Mae! So what did you say in response to the guy who said "F*** you. F*** americans and F*** Bush"?
Posted by Tammy (Member # 4119) on :
Hey sweetie! Welcome back!
quote: In Austria some random stranger came up to me and say "F*** you. F*** americans and F*** Bush".
How in the world did he know you were an American? Were you wearing a shirt with a flag or something similar on it? Were you talking loud enough for him to pick up on an accent?
I bet that unnerved you a bit. It would have bothered me.
It's nice to know that we're all lumped together as one dumb clump of scum.
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Hey sweetie! Welcome back!