Do American tourists in Europe only talk to other American tourists?
Aug 14th 2004, 9:05 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Do American tourists in Europe only talk to other American tourists?
I just spent a week a in Munich working, and liked it so much I spent
another week there. As I was paying myself for the second week, I stayed in
a hostel off the Goetheplatz. Now I know American tourists are everywhere in
Europe, but Munich seems to has the most. During my time at this Hostel I
only met one other person from the UK.
Ok back to my point. It seemed to me that most young Americans seem to seek
out other other young Americans and form their little groups...
During this week I met Canadians, Australians, Spaniards, Italians etc who
I had no problem with and who had no problem with me. But... not sure if
they were scared or shy.. most Americans would just say a polite hello and
and move on to their little group and talk amongst themselves.
What is it that makes Americans so insular???
another week there. As I was paying myself for the second week, I stayed in
a hostel off the Goetheplatz. Now I know American tourists are everywhere in
Europe, but Munich seems to has the most. During my time at this Hostel I
only met one other person from the UK.
Ok back to my point. It seemed to me that most young Americans seem to seek
out other other young Americans and form their little groups...
During this week I met Canadians, Australians, Spaniards, Italians etc who
I had no problem with and who had no problem with me. But... not sure if
they were scared or shy.. most Americans would just say a polite hello and
and move on to their little group and talk amongst themselves.
What is it that makes Americans so insular???
Aug 14th 2004, 10:29 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Do American tourists in Europe only talk to other American tourists?
"Thomas" <[email protected]> climbed onto an orange crate
and shouted:
>What is it that makes Americans so insular???
I don't know. It's probably the same thing that makes other people
generalize about "Americans."
--
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country
and our people, and neither do we." - GW Bush, 5 August 2004
and shouted:
>What is it that makes Americans so insular???
I don't know. It's probably the same thing that makes other people
generalize about "Americans."
--
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country
and our people, and neither do we." - GW Bush, 5 August 2004
Aug 14th 2004, 10:41 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Do American tourists in Europe only talk to other American tourists?
"Charles Hawtrey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Thomas" <[email protected]> climbed onto an orange crate
> and shouted:
> >What is it that makes Americans so insular???
> I don't know. It's probably the same thing that makes other people
> generalize about "Americans."
Come on now, Charles, your defensiveness is showing. Even overlooking that,
generalizations are not inappropriate, as a rule. Generalizing, and
categorizing is how humans deal with the world. You've got to know what's
ordinary, to know when and how to react to something that's not.
Americans, generally, are very insular. Because you don't like to hear it,
or because there are exceptions, does not make it a ludicrous statement.
As for why- it's because they have the "fact" that they are; the greatest
nation on earth, the truest democracy, the freest, and the most ingenious
people that ever walked the earth, drummed into their heads from the moment
they can speak. They have less exposure to other
societies/cultures/countries during their education than any other developed
nation and, as a result seek the comfortable when away fro home. On some
level, they explore the world to find how "not American" things are, to
reinforce their beliefs.
news:[email protected]...
> "Thomas" <[email protected]> climbed onto an orange crate
> and shouted:
> >What is it that makes Americans so insular???
> I don't know. It's probably the same thing that makes other people
> generalize about "Americans."
Come on now, Charles, your defensiveness is showing. Even overlooking that,
generalizations are not inappropriate, as a rule. Generalizing, and
categorizing is how humans deal with the world. You've got to know what's
ordinary, to know when and how to react to something that's not.
Americans, generally, are very insular. Because you don't like to hear it,
or because there are exceptions, does not make it a ludicrous statement.
As for why- it's because they have the "fact" that they are; the greatest
nation on earth, the truest democracy, the freest, and the most ingenious
people that ever walked the earth, drummed into their heads from the moment
they can speak. They have less exposure to other
societies/cultures/countries during their education than any other developed
nation and, as a result seek the comfortable when away fro home. On some
level, they explore the world to find how "not American" things are, to
reinforce their beliefs.
Aug 14th 2004, 10:42 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Do American tourists in Europe only talk to other American tourists?
that, too.
We ALL think that.
"Runge" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> They think europeans carry deadly germs
> "Thomas" <[email protected]> a écrit dans le message de
> news:[email protected]...
> > I just spent a week a in Munich working, and liked it so much I spent
> > another week there. As I was paying myself for the second week, I stayed
> in
> > a hostel off the Goetheplatz. Now I know American tourists are
everywhere
> in
> > Europe, but Munich seems to has the most. During my time at this Hostel
I
> > only met one other person from the UK.
> > Ok back to my point. It seemed to me that most young Americans seem to
> seek
> > out other other young Americans and form their little groups...
> > During this week I met Canadians, Australians, Spaniards, Italians etc
> who
> > I had no problem with and who had no problem with me. But... not sure if
> > they were scared or shy.. most Americans would just say a polite hello
and
> > and move on to their little group and talk amongst themselves.
> > What is it that makes Americans so insular???
> >
> >
We ALL think that.
"Runge" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> They think europeans carry deadly germs
> "Thomas" <[email protected]> a écrit dans le message de
> news:[email protected]...
> > I just spent a week a in Munich working, and liked it so much I spent
> > another week there. As I was paying myself for the second week, I stayed
> in
> > a hostel off the Goetheplatz. Now I know American tourists are
everywhere
> in
> > Europe, but Munich seems to has the most. During my time at this Hostel
I
> > only met one other person from the UK.
> > Ok back to my point. It seemed to me that most young Americans seem to
> seek
> > out other other young Americans and form their little groups...
> > During this week I met Canadians, Australians, Spaniards, Italians etc
> who
> > I had no problem with and who had no problem with me. But... not sure if
> > they were scared or shy.. most Americans would just say a polite hello
and
> > and move on to their little group and talk amongst themselves.
> > What is it that makes Americans so insular???
> >
> >
Aug 14th 2004, 10:44 am
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Do American tourists in Europe only talk to other American tourists?
"Thomas" <[email protected]> skrev i meddelandet
news:[email protected]...
> I just spent a week a in Munich working, and liked it so much I spent
> another week there. As I was paying myself for the second week, I stayed
in
> a hostel off the Goetheplatz. Now I know American tourists are everywhere
in
> Europe, but Munich seems to has the most. During my time at this Hostel I
> only met one other person from the UK.
> Ok back to my point. It seemed to me that most young Americans seem to
seek
> out other other young Americans and form their little groups...
> During this week I met Canadians, Australians, Spaniards, Italians etc
who
> I had no problem with and who had no problem with me. But... not sure if
> they were scared or shy.. most Americans would just say a polite hello and
> and move on to their little group and talk amongst themselves.
> What is it that makes Americans so insular???
Don't know. But as long they're travelling for pleasure and paying with
their own money I'll guess they're free to do whatever they like.
And that's for anyone travelling on vacation. Do whatever you like as long
as you don't disturb,harm anyone else or violating laws.
news:[email protected]...
> I just spent a week a in Munich working, and liked it so much I spent
> another week there. As I was paying myself for the second week, I stayed
in
> a hostel off the Goetheplatz. Now I know American tourists are everywhere
in
> Europe, but Munich seems to has the most. During my time at this Hostel I
> only met one other person from the UK.
> Ok back to my point. It seemed to me that most young Americans seem to
seek
> out other other young Americans and form their little groups...
> During this week I met Canadians, Australians, Spaniards, Italians etc
who
> I had no problem with and who had no problem with me. But... not sure if
> they were scared or shy.. most Americans would just say a polite hello and
> and move on to their little group and talk amongst themselves.
> What is it that makes Americans so insular???
Don't know. But as long they're travelling for pleasure and paying with
their own money I'll guess they're free to do whatever they like.
And that's for anyone travelling on vacation. Do whatever you like as long
as you don't disturb,harm anyone else or violating laws.
Aug 14th 2004, 10:44 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Do American tourists in Europe only talk to other American tourists?
They think europeans carry deadly germs
"Thomas" <[email protected]> a écrit dans le message de
news:[email protected]...
> I just spent a week a in Munich working, and liked it so much I spent
> another week there. As I was paying myself for the second week, I stayed
in
> a hostel off the Goetheplatz. Now I know American tourists are everywhere
in
> Europe, but Munich seems to has the most. During my time at this Hostel I
> only met one other person from the UK.
> Ok back to my point. It seemed to me that most young Americans seem to
seek
> out other other young Americans and form their little groups...
> During this week I met Canadians, Australians, Spaniards, Italians etc
who
> I had no problem with and who had no problem with me. But... not sure if
> they were scared or shy.. most Americans would just say a polite hello and
> and move on to their little group and talk amongst themselves.
> What is it that makes Americans so insular???
"Thomas" <[email protected]> a écrit dans le message de
news:[email protected]...
> I just spent a week a in Munich working, and liked it so much I spent
> another week there. As I was paying myself for the second week, I stayed
in
> a hostel off the Goetheplatz. Now I know American tourists are everywhere
in
> Europe, but Munich seems to has the most. During my time at this Hostel I
> only met one other person from the UK.
> Ok back to my point. It seemed to me that most young Americans seem to
seek
> out other other young Americans and form their little groups...
> During this week I met Canadians, Australians, Spaniards, Italians etc
who
> I had no problem with and who had no problem with me. But... not sure if
> they were scared or shy.. most Americans would just say a polite hello and
> and move on to their little group and talk amongst themselves.
> What is it that makes Americans so insular???
Aug 14th 2004, 11:10 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Do American tourists in Europe only talk to other American tourists?
"Aramis" <[email protected]> climbed onto an orange crate and
shouted:
>"Charles Hawtrey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> "Thomas" <[email protected]> climbed onto an orange crate
>> and shouted:
>> >What is it that makes Americans so insular???
>> I don't know. It's probably the same thing that makes other people
>> generalize about "Americans."
>Come on now, Charles, your defensiveness is showing. Even overlooking that,
>generalizations are not inappropriate, as a rule. Generalizing, and
>categorizing is how humans deal with the world. You've got to know what's
>ordinary, to know when and how to react to something that's not.
I have to admit you've got a point. Generalization is a useful way of
categorizing people as well as things. It's helpful in organizing
one's understanding of the world to recognize that Americans are
insular, the French are arrogant and seldom bathe, Russians are surly
gangsters, the British are cold and aloof, and so on.
>Americans, generally, are very insular. Because you don't like to hear it,
>or because there are exceptions, does not make it a ludicrous statement.
You're absolutely right that Americans don't know much about
geography. On the other hand Europeans have the advantage that few
places in Europe are more than an afternoon's train ride from another
country. We are both cursed and blessed by being a large country that
is separated from most of the world by two oceans.
>As for why- it's because they have the "fact" that they are; the greatest
>nation on earth, the truest democracy, the freest, and the most ingenious
>people that ever walked the earth, drummed into their heads from the moment
>they can speak.
All of this being true, of course. <g,d&r>
--
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country
and our people, and neither do we." - GW Bush, 5 August 2004
shouted:
>"Charles Hawtrey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> "Thomas" <[email protected]> climbed onto an orange crate
>> and shouted:
>> >What is it that makes Americans so insular???
>> I don't know. It's probably the same thing that makes other people
>> generalize about "Americans."
>Come on now, Charles, your defensiveness is showing. Even overlooking that,
>generalizations are not inappropriate, as a rule. Generalizing, and
>categorizing is how humans deal with the world. You've got to know what's
>ordinary, to know when and how to react to something that's not.
I have to admit you've got a point. Generalization is a useful way of
categorizing people as well as things. It's helpful in organizing
one's understanding of the world to recognize that Americans are
insular, the French are arrogant and seldom bathe, Russians are surly
gangsters, the British are cold and aloof, and so on.
>Americans, generally, are very insular. Because you don't like to hear it,
>or because there are exceptions, does not make it a ludicrous statement.
You're absolutely right that Americans don't know much about
geography. On the other hand Europeans have the advantage that few
places in Europe are more than an afternoon's train ride from another
country. We are both cursed and blessed by being a large country that
is separated from most of the world by two oceans.
>As for why- it's because they have the "fact" that they are; the greatest
>nation on earth, the truest democracy, the freest, and the most ingenious
>people that ever walked the earth, drummed into their heads from the moment
>they can speak.
All of this being true, of course. <g,d&r>
--
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country
and our people, and neither do we." - GW Bush, 5 August 2004
Aug 14th 2004, 11:35 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Do American tourists in Europe only talk to other American tourists?
Thomas writes:
> Ok back to my point. It seemed to me that most young Americans seem to seek
> out other other young Americans and form their little groups...
True of all foreigners.
> What is it that makes Americans so insular???
Nothing. Most people are like that when abroad. What is it that makes
you notice Americans in particular? Think about it.
--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.
> Ok back to my point. It seemed to me that most young Americans seem to seek
> out other other young Americans and form their little groups...
True of all foreigners.
> What is it that makes Americans so insular???
Nothing. Most people are like that when abroad. What is it that makes
you notice Americans in particular? Think about it.
--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.
Aug 14th 2004, 11:36 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Do American tourists in Europe only talk to other American tourists?
Aramis writes:
> Come on now, Charles, your defensiveness is showing.
Actually, he's essentially correct.
> Even overlooking that, generalizations are not
> inappropriate, as a rule.
It would be illogical to state otherwise, wouldn't it? As a rule, that
is.
> Americans, generally, are very insular.
It isn't insularity that makes them associate with each other.
> On some level, they explore the world to find how "not American"
> things are, to reinforce their beliefs.
Thank goodness nobody else on the planet does that.
--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.
> Come on now, Charles, your defensiveness is showing.
Actually, he's essentially correct.
> Even overlooking that, generalizations are not
> inappropriate, as a rule.
It would be illogical to state otherwise, wouldn't it? As a rule, that
is.
> Americans, generally, are very insular.
It isn't insularity that makes them associate with each other.
> On some level, they explore the world to find how "not American"
> things are, to reinforce their beliefs.
Thank goodness nobody else on the planet does that.
--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.
Aug 14th 2004, 11:37 am
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Do American tourists in Europe only talk to other American tourists?
Runge writes:
> They think europeans carry deadly germs
What leads you to this conclusion?
--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.
> They think europeans carry deadly germs
What leads you to this conclusion?
--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.
Aug 14th 2004, 12:22 pm
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Do American tourists in Europe only talk to other American tourists?
On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 22:05:46 +0100, "Thomas" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Ok back to my point. It seemed to me that most young Americans seem to seek
>out other other young Americans and form their little groups...
>During this week I met Canadians, Australians, Spaniards, Italians etc who
>I had no problem with and who had no problem with me. But... not sure if
>they were scared or shy.. most Americans would just say a polite hello and
>and move on to their little group and talk amongst themselves.
>What is it that makes Americans so insular???
Matbe it's just the younger generation. When we're in Europe, the last thing we
want to see or hear is other Americans -- or chunnel Brits, who seem to be just
as loud and offensive these days (if not more so).
-- Larry (Welsh American)
wrote:
>Ok back to my point. It seemed to me that most young Americans seem to seek
>out other other young Americans and form their little groups...
>During this week I met Canadians, Australians, Spaniards, Italians etc who
>I had no problem with and who had no problem with me. But... not sure if
>they were scared or shy.. most Americans would just say a polite hello and
>and move on to their little group and talk amongst themselves.
>What is it that makes Americans so insular???
Matbe it's just the younger generation. When we're in Europe, the last thing we
want to see or hear is other Americans -- or chunnel Brits, who seem to be just
as loud and offensive these days (if not more so).
-- Larry (Welsh American)
Aug 14th 2004, 2:18 pm
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Do American tourists in Europe only talk to other American tourists?
>> It seemed to me that most young Americans seem to seek out other
>> young Americans and form their little groups...
> True of all foreigners.
>> What is it that makes Americans so insular???
> Nothing. Most people are like that when abroad. What is it that
> makes you notice Americans in particular? Think about it.
In Edinburgh it isn't the young Americans we notice, it's the young
Italians. They form much bigger groups than the Americans and all
come here at the same time, the second half of July. They are also
much better-looking than the Americans, virtually none of them obese,
and hence they get looked at more.
There are certain places (the Burger King at the west end of Princes
Street is one) which are known all over Italy as places to pick up
fellow-Italian totty when on your Scottish holiday. It's been like
that for a generation or so. As street entertainment it sure beats
anything the Americans have to offer (sweaty college students with
backpacks big enough to hold a hardback edition of the collected works
of Henry James standing outside Starbucks wondering where their hostel
is and taking the law of gravitation as a personal affront? not sexy).
========> Email to "j-c" at this site; email to "bogus" will bounce <========
Jack Campin: 11 Third Street, Newtongrange, Midlothian EH22 4PU; 0131 6604760
<http://www.purr.demon.co.uk/purrhome.html> food intolerance data & recipes,
Mac logic fonts, Scots traditional music files and CD-ROMs of Scottish music.
>> young Americans and form their little groups...
> True of all foreigners.
>> What is it that makes Americans so insular???
> Nothing. Most people are like that when abroad. What is it that
> makes you notice Americans in particular? Think about it.
In Edinburgh it isn't the young Americans we notice, it's the young
Italians. They form much bigger groups than the Americans and all
come here at the same time, the second half of July. They are also
much better-looking than the Americans, virtually none of them obese,
and hence they get looked at more.
There are certain places (the Burger King at the west end of Princes
Street is one) which are known all over Italy as places to pick up
fellow-Italian totty when on your Scottish holiday. It's been like
that for a generation or so. As street entertainment it sure beats
anything the Americans have to offer (sweaty college students with
backpacks big enough to hold a hardback edition of the collected works
of Henry James standing outside Starbucks wondering where their hostel
is and taking the law of gravitation as a personal affront? not sexy).
========> Email to "j-c" at this site; email to "bogus" will bounce <========
Jack Campin: 11 Third Street, Newtongrange, Midlothian EH22 4PU; 0131 6604760
<http://www.purr.demon.co.uk/purrhome.html> food intolerance data & recipes,
Mac logic fonts, Scots traditional music files and CD-ROMs of Scottish music.
Aug 14th 2004, 2:19 pm
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Do American tourists in Europe only talk to other American tourists?
Thomas wrote:
> I just spent a week a in Munich working, and liked it so much I spent another
> week there. As I was paying myself for the second week, I stayed in a hostel
> off the Goetheplatz. Now I know American tourists are everywhere in Europe,
> but Munich seems to has the most. During my time at this Hostel I only met one
> other person from the UK. Ok back to my point. It seemed to me that most young
> Americans seem to seek out other other young Americans and form their little
> groups...
> During this week I met Canadians, Australians, Spaniards, Italians etc who I
> had no problem with and who had no problem with me. But... not sure if they
> were scared or shy.. most Americans would just say a polite hello and and move
> on to their little group and talk amongst themselves.
> What is it that makes Americans so insular???
It must be something new. I have made three trips to Europe, the last in
May/01. I ran into Americans almost everywhere I went and found them very
friendly and outgoing.
> I just spent a week a in Munich working, and liked it so much I spent another
> week there. As I was paying myself for the second week, I stayed in a hostel
> off the Goetheplatz. Now I know American tourists are everywhere in Europe,
> but Munich seems to has the most. During my time at this Hostel I only met one
> other person from the UK. Ok back to my point. It seemed to me that most young
> Americans seem to seek out other other young Americans and form their little
> groups...
> During this week I met Canadians, Australians, Spaniards, Italians etc who I
> had no problem with and who had no problem with me. But... not sure if they
> were scared or shy.. most Americans would just say a polite hello and and move
> on to their little group and talk amongst themselves.
> What is it that makes Americans so insular???
It must be something new. I have made three trips to Europe, the last in
May/01. I ran into Americans almost everywhere I went and found them very
friendly and outgoing.
Aug 14th 2004, 3:12 pm
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Do American tourists in Europe only talk to other American tourists?
Thomas wrote:
> I just spent a week a in Munich working, and liked it so much I spent
> another week there. As I was paying myself for the second week, I stayed in
> a hostel off the Goetheplatz. Now I know American tourists are everywhere in
> Europe, but Munich seems to has the most. During my time at this Hostel I
> only met one other person from the UK.
> Ok back to my point. It seemed to me that most young Americans seem to seek
> out other other young Americans and form their little groups...
> During this week I met Canadians, Australians, Spaniards, Italians etc who
> I had no problem with and who had no problem with me. But... not sure if
> they were scared or shy.. most Americans would just say a polite hello and
> and move on to their little group and talk amongst themselves.
> What is it that makes Americans so insular???
I'm curious - what age group are you talking about? I know older
Americans seem to be that way - the main reason why only my FIRST trip
to Europe was with a tour group! When one is with a group of
fellow-countrymen, it is too easy to rely only upon one's native tongue.
(That also appeared to be true for the Chinese tour group who stayed at
the same Vienna hotel I did, last Christmas.) IMO one misses the
"flavour" of a country, if one doesn't at least TRY to speak a few words
of the language.
(Although that doesn't address lack of interaction with other
English-speaking tourists, does it?)
> I just spent a week a in Munich working, and liked it so much I spent
> another week there. As I was paying myself for the second week, I stayed in
> a hostel off the Goetheplatz. Now I know American tourists are everywhere in
> Europe, but Munich seems to has the most. During my time at this Hostel I
> only met one other person from the UK.
> Ok back to my point. It seemed to me that most young Americans seem to seek
> out other other young Americans and form their little groups...
> During this week I met Canadians, Australians, Spaniards, Italians etc who
> I had no problem with and who had no problem with me. But... not sure if
> they were scared or shy.. most Americans would just say a polite hello and
> and move on to their little group and talk amongst themselves.
> What is it that makes Americans so insular???
I'm curious - what age group are you talking about? I know older
Americans seem to be that way - the main reason why only my FIRST trip
to Europe was with a tour group! When one is with a group of
fellow-countrymen, it is too easy to rely only upon one's native tongue.
(That also appeared to be true for the Chinese tour group who stayed at
the same Vienna hotel I did, last Christmas.) IMO one misses the
"flavour" of a country, if one doesn't at least TRY to speak a few words
of the language.
(Although that doesn't address lack of interaction with other
English-speaking tourists, does it?)
Aug 14th 2004, 3:14 pm
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Do American tourists in Europe only talk to other American tourists?
Aramis wrote:
>
> Americans, generally, are very insular. Because you don't like to hear it,
> or because there are exceptions, does not make it a ludicrous statement.
>
> As for why- it's because they have the "fact" that they are; the greatest
> nation on earth, the truest democracy, the freest, and the most ingenious
> people that ever walked the earth, drummed into their heads from the moment
> they can speak. They have less exposure to other
> societies/cultures/countries during their education than any other developed
> nation and, as a result seek the comfortable when away fro home. On some
> level, they explore the world to find how "not American" things are, to
> reinforce their beliefs.
There's an uncomfortable degree of truth in what you say!
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Americans, generally, are very insular. Because you don't like to hear it,
> or because there are exceptions, does not make it a ludicrous statement.
>
> As for why- it's because they have the "fact" that they are; the greatest
> nation on earth, the truest democracy, the freest, and the most ingenious
> people that ever walked the earth, drummed into their heads from the moment
> they can speak. They have less exposure to other
> societies/cultures/countries during their education than any other developed
> nation and, as a result seek the comfortable when away fro home. On some
> level, they explore the world to find how "not American" things are, to
> reinforce their beliefs.
There's an uncomfortable degree of truth in what you say!
>
>
>
>
>
>
