Mxsmanic

mistissini writes:

    > That figures. :o)

Given my location, yes, it does.

Would it be logical for me to conclude, then, that there is no such
thing as a platypus?

    > I could tell you about the large forum sites I have shut down recently
    > because I made the moderators have nervous breakdowns.

That doesn't sound like something that a person free of hostility would
be willing or able to do.

    > I could list all the things I said about Buddhism, but that
    > would take hundreds of pages.

List the key points, then.

    > I'll just say I'm the type of guy who doesn't care what
    > others think.

I've surmised as much. That can be a problem when travelling in
unfamiliar places.

--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.

Petter

"Mxsmanic" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Petter writes:
    > > According to Norwegian laws it's racism to speak badly about other
    > > religions.
    > One of the problems in many parts of Europe is restricted freedom of
    > speech.
    > > And you are concerned about rasism in Europe?
    > I'm much more concerned about censorship than about racism in Europe.

True, but our friend from the US should be careful when he fear that other
people will treat him different because he is different. He is doing the
same thing himself.

Linda Hardy

"mistissini" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]. com...
    > > My impression is that you might encounter hostility in many different
    > > environments, since you seem to project it.
    > People with low self esteem may perceive my actions as "hostility".

You say you are a multiracial person, an American who's considering a trip
to Europe, I can understand that American's may feel a little uneasy being
abroad since 9/11, is this a factor in to what is worrying you about going
to Europe.

Linda

Miguel Cruz

mistissini <[email protected]> wrote:
    > "Mxsmanic" <[email protected]> wrote:
    >> No, they do not. The difference is very obvious, in fact. Americans
    >> can't go for more than a short time without mentioning race in one
    >> context or another; many Europeans never give it any thought at all.
    > Wasn't it you who said, "There are some Europeans who might notice or
    > comment if you have an unusual and obvious racial background (e.g.,
    > Chinese and American black or something).... and they may then be more
    > likely to comment on your ethnicity, if they perceive that to be the
    > source of your unattractiveness"?

That's frankness, not obsession.

Contrary in some ways to Mxsmanic's impression, my impression of the
American obsession with race (and clearly there is one) is that it manifests
itself in endless circumlocutions and studious avoidance of discussing race
in occasions where race is clearly the thing that ought to be discussed.

    >> The American obsession becomes quickly very tiring. They see race in
    >> everything, and racism under every rock and in every shadow.
    > If Europeans never think about race, how come far-right parties specifically
    > opposed to immigrants are rising in popularity throughout Europe?

They're as opposed to white Russians immigrating as to anyone else. It's not
about race with most of them. And the small number for whom it is about race
will find ample counterparts in the USA.

    >>> What about the deep-fried snickers bars they serve in Scotland?
    >> They are not typical of European foods (indeed, I wasn't even aware that
    >> such things existed--what is your source of information on Europe?).
    > New York Times travel section. It said that babies are given soda instead
    > of milk, and nutrition standards among working class Scottish are lower than
    > some third world countries.

Now you're just being silly. You're worried some Scottish mother is going to
wrap you in a blanket and force-feed you Mr. Pibb from a baby bottle?

miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu

Miguel Cruz

mistissini <[email protected]> wrote:
    > "Martin" <[email protected]> wrote:
    >> "Sjoerd" <[email protected]> wrote:
    >>> You should go to Norway. There are many other trolls there.
    >> Very witty Sjoerd!
    >> Yes, unfortunately it is clearly a troll.
    >> Not all Americans are like this one.
    > I've seen some countries where the people were able to come up with good
    > ideas, instead of the standard "troll" accusations.

If the troll accusations have become standard for you, you may want to check
the sign on your bridge.

miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu

Martin

"Petter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:Q9pRc.248$%[email protected]...
    > "Mxsmanic" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > Petter writes:
    > >
    > > > According to Norwegian laws it's racism to speak badly about other
    > > > religions.
    > >
    > > One of the problems in many parts of Europe is restricted freedom of
    > > speech.
    > >
    > > > And you are concerned about rasism in Europe?
    > >
    > > I'm much more concerned about censorship than about racism in
Europe.
    > True, but our friend from the US should be careful when he fear that
other
    > people will treat him different because he is different. He is doing
the
    > same thing himself.


You should fear him.

He is the mighty upsetter of Buddhist forum moderators! Ooh, scary!

Seriously though, he's obviously trolling. The more you respond to him
the more he feels he is getting a reaction, which gives him a (small)
hard on.

You don't want to do that surely?

Martin.

Miguel Cruz

mistissini <[email protected]> wrote:
    > From my previous exchanges, I'm getting the impression that options for
    > enjoying Europe are limited to a fairly narrow set of activities focused on
    > the past. If Europe is modern or cosmopolitan, I would be interested in
    > knowing about it.

Cities like Amsterdam, London, and Paris are more diverse than anywhere in
the US except New York and LA.

And in some places (London, some German cities, etc.) you'll find areas that
are more "modern" (in terms of innovative architecture, application of
technological solutions to consumer problems, and so on) than anything in
the USA. Remember that the USA is a notoriously slow adopter of new consumer
technologies (though American business are faster). So there's plenty modern
to see in Europe, where everyday folks take to innovations more readily.

Plenty of history too.

If you want to complain about Europe, complain about the cost and the
weather. And the limited opening hours. And the monotonous food in most
places.

miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu

Petter

"mistissini" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]. com...
    > "Petter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:A0oRc.240$%[email protected]...
    > > > > > Are there parts of Europe where storekeepers might decide
    > > > > > to charge inflated "American prices" or whatever?
    > > > > Not generally. It doesn't help to bring chocolate or nylons,
either.
    > > > What is meant by the phrase "chocolate or nylons"?
    > > It seems like you think Europe (it's not a country, it's a continent) is
    > as
    > > poor as Bolivia. With a small peace of historical knowledge you would
know
    > > the phrase.
    > I guess that would be like "chewing gum" to Japanese. Everyone knows they
    > are not poor, but there is a generation of older Japanese that was given
gum
    > by US troops. It's not good to talk about "vaccination" in some countries
    > either. It's good to know the exact form of their complexes, as I have
    > never heard of most of them.

It's like glass pearls to the indians.
Sorry, I should known your unknowledge.

Petter

    > Seriously though, he's obviously trolling. The more you respond to him
    > the more he feels he is getting a reaction, which gives him a (small)
    > hard on.
    > You don't want to do that surely?
It's better with his small hard thingy behind his PC than out in the real
world (eg. Copenhagen) among small children.

Mxsmanic

Linda Hardy writes:

    > ... I can understand that American's may feel a little uneasy being
    > abroad since 9/11 ...

Why? The attacks of 9/11 were right in the United States.

--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.

Linda Hardy

"Mxsmanic" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Linda Hardy writes:
    > > ... I can understand that American's may feel a little uneasy being
    > > abroad since 9/11 ...
    > Why? The attacks of 9/11 were right in the United States.

Yes, but maybe Americans who are not your average white Americans may feel
uneasy being abroad, especially if they should encounter someone who is
Anti-American, so may feel threatened by this.

Linda

Tom Bellhouse

    > mistissini writes:
(snip)

    > > From my previous exchanges, I'm getting the impression that options
for
    > > enjoying Europe are limited to a fairly narrow set of activities
focused on
    > > the past.

Not so. Europe is full of contemporary people leading contemporary
lives. If you would enjoy seeing how others live, and in experiencing a
little of the flavor of that life, then go to Europe.

    > > If Europe is modern or cosmopolitan, I would be interested in
    > > knowing about it.

For me, it's the little differences that are fascinating. A field in
Europe doesn't look like an American field, and trees and flowers are
somewhat different. Compare European building techniques with those in
the US. Compare the attitude that shopkeepers show to their customers,
and vice versa. Go to a park, sit on a bench, relax, and soak it in.
Get out and walk in a city centrum and watch the people.
Go shopping. It's a European thing too, and the stores in larger cities
are very "cosmopolitan." Make an effort to see and appreciate the
cultural differences.

Don't be judgmental. I have found Europe to be "ahead" of the US in
some ways and "behind" in others. You'll see people doing things
diferently in other countries. First you may think, "Our way of doing
it in the States is better." Then you'll usually find out that there's
a very good reason they do things the way they do.

Be friendly. Talk to people, and you'll find a surprising number speak
English if you make the effort to use their languages even a little.
Spend a moment with a phrase book for the language of the country you
are visiting, and remember that "please" and "thank you" are as
important as "where is the toilet."

Do you have strong interests that you persue at home? Chances are
you'll find Europeans who share your passions, or shops that cater to
that interest. That might be your key to having a good time.

Expect people to be kind, courteous and good-hearted. Most are.

Have a good trip!

Tom

Donald Newcomb

"mistissini" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]. com...
    > I have an offer of a trip to Europe, but I'm wondering what to do. In my
    > case, I get bored easily of museums/churches/monuments. I do not drink,
and
    > I'm not into night clubs. I happen to be multiracial, and I'm afraid of
    > obnoxious comments from Europeans -- I've had bad experiences with
Europeans
    > in the USA. Also, how would I go about obtaining healthy cuisine?
    > Europeans may want to tell me a racist joke that I should just go to
    > McDonalds, but I never eat there.

Well, if you get bored by museums/churches/monuments and you don't drink.
maybe you can tell us what you actually like to do and we can help.
Otherwise we can only assume you just like to watch TV and play video games,
in which case it would be best for you to stay home. In general the cuisine
in most of Europe is much more healthy than what you find in the US.

--
Donald Newcomb
DRNewcomb (at) attglobal (dot) net

Tom Bellhouse

"mistissini" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]. com...

(SNIP)
    > I could tell you about the large forum sites I have shut down recently
    > because I made the moderators have nervous breakdowns.

I responded to your post earlier, and now I'm beginning to wish I
hadn't. Did you shut those sites down by asking questions, and then
ignoring or arguing with the answers others have given you?

    > I could list all the
    > things I said about Buddhism, but that would take hundreds of pages.
I'll
    > just say I'm the type of guy who doesn't care what others think.

That's obvious. You ask for information, and then you argue with the
suggestions others give you. You also appear to be something of a
religious bigot. Maybe you should stay in the US. We don't need any
additional bad PR.

Tom

Mxsmanic

Linda Hardy writes:

    > Yes, but maybe Americans who are not your average white Americans may feel
    > uneasy being abroad, especially if they should encounter someone who is
    > Anti-American, so may feel threatened by this.

If anything average "white" Americans would be the most logical targets
of hostility abroad, so why should anyone who does not resemble this
stereotype feel _more_ uneasy than those who do?

And why does race again enter the picture? Don't Americans ever think
of anything else?

--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.