Is "assimilation" good?
May 25th 2009, 10:53 pm
#32
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,403
Re: Is "assimilation" good?
That's not the point.
Firstly, as an example, it's possible to get by without problems in Holland or in Germany's more cosmopolitan cities speaking only English, while not restricting yourself to hanging out with Brits. So language is not a deciding factor.
Moreover, assimilation implies taking on cultural norms into your life. I'm not really interested in traditional American values. I don't like their sports. I think church is for idiots. Country music sucks. Am I assimilating? Absolutely not! Do I enjoy living in the US? Yes, of course, but it's not necessarily because of the culture (I moved here primarily for the skiing, climbing and academic research opportunities, all of which are considerably better than in the UK).
Firstly, as an example, it's possible to get by without problems in Holland or in Germany's more cosmopolitan cities speaking only English, while not restricting yourself to hanging out with Brits. So language is not a deciding factor.
Moreover, assimilation implies taking on cultural norms into your life. I'm not really interested in traditional American values. I don't like their sports. I think church is for idiots. Country music sucks. Am I assimilating? Absolutely not! Do I enjoy living in the US? Yes, of course, but it's not necessarily because of the culture (I moved here primarily for the skiing, climbing and academic research opportunities, all of which are considerably better than in the UK).
How do traditional American values differ from yours?????? I see no difference. Both Brits and Americans value family, morality, education, leadership, excelling. What is there not to adopt? Besides how can you adopt what you already have?
So, I associate with Americans, but have no interest in becoming a completely embedded member of their society. I'm happy to give what I give, and take what I take, and leave it at that. You could take me out of the US and plant me in New Zealand and I'd still be the same thing - an ex-pat Scot.
Last edited by Rete; May 25th 2009 at 10:56 pm.
May 25th 2009, 10:56 pm
#33
Last orders please...
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Way down deep in the middle of the Jungle..
Posts: 6,154
Re: Is "assimilation" good?
Have I been assimilated...No...do I go with the flow...yes..I am who I am, I still talk like all my friends and family back home (and swear at every opportunity) but I know that I have to change certain words when talking to the americans.
I don't think I could assimilate even if I wanted to, I'm too pig headed and stubborn and plus some of the ways of doing things here are just daft..(I'm mostly talking about the school's no child left behind policy)..
it would also mean having a lobotomy if I wanted to blend in with the PTA Piranhas and soccer moms..so I'd rather just do my own thing and get on with it..and of course I don't give two kahoots about the church thing and that itself makes them give me a wide berth..as they don't understand anybody who's not part of some church..
maybe its just where I am but thats about it in a nutshell..
I don't think I could assimilate even if I wanted to, I'm too pig headed and stubborn and plus some of the ways of doing things here are just daft..(I'm mostly talking about the school's no child left behind policy)..
it would also mean having a lobotomy if I wanted to blend in with the PTA Piranhas and soccer moms..so I'd rather just do my own thing and get on with it..and of course I don't give two kahoots about the church thing and that itself makes them give me a wide berth..as they don't understand anybody who's not part of some church..
maybe its just where I am but thats about it in a nutshell..
May 25th 2009, 10:58 pm
#34
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Toasty in Texas
Posts: 4,240
Re: Is "assimilation" good?
Enjoyed reading this thread...as for my opinion, well most of it has already been said. I don't feel that I'm American, but last time I was in London (Spring Break) I didn't feel British either. I certainly don't speak with an American accent (cos I'm crap at it) but I do use Americanisms (eg. I say "you're welcome" when someone says thank you) not really consciously but it's developed over time and it's easier for me to be understood if I use them. (especially with my kids friends!!)
I will be happy to become a US citizen when I can but consider myself British.
I cook food that I used to eat back in the UK sometimes, plus food that we wouldn't necessarily cook in the UK (mainly Mexican) My kids consider themselves American and when I come out with a "quaint" phrase my daughter roles her eyes and declares "Mom, you're so european"!! They're both happy to explain to friends that they were born in Britain but hold their hands on the hearts and belt out the Star Spangled Banner at Football games.
I will be happy to become a US citizen when I can but consider myself British.
I cook food that I used to eat back in the UK sometimes, plus food that we wouldn't necessarily cook in the UK (mainly Mexican) My kids consider themselves American and when I come out with a "quaint" phrase my daughter roles her eyes and declares "Mom, you're so european"!! They're both happy to explain to friends that they were born in Britain but hold their hands on the hearts and belt out the Star Spangled Banner at Football games.
May 25th 2009, 11:05 pm
#35
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,903
Re: Is "assimilation" good?
Have I been assimilated...No...do I go with the flow...yes..I am who I am, I still talk like all my friends and family back home (and swear at every opportunity) but I know that I have to change certain words when talking to the americans.
I don't think I could assimilate even if I wanted to, I'm too pig headed and stubborn and plus some of the ways of doing things here are just daft..(I'm mostly talking about the school's no child left behind policy)..
it would also mean having a lobotomy if I wanted to blend in with the PTA Piranhas and soccer moms..so I'd rather just do my own thing and get on with it..and of course I don't give two kahoots about the church thing and that itself makes them give me a wide berth..as they don't understand anybody who's not part of some church..
maybe its just where I am but thats about it in a nutshell..
I don't think I could assimilate even if I wanted to, I'm too pig headed and stubborn and plus some of the ways of doing things here are just daft..(I'm mostly talking about the school's no child left behind policy)..
it would also mean having a lobotomy if I wanted to blend in with the PTA Piranhas and soccer moms..so I'd rather just do my own thing and get on with it..and of course I don't give two kahoots about the church thing and that itself makes them give me a wide berth..as they don't understand anybody who's not part of some church..
maybe its just where I am but thats about it in a nutshell..
May 25th 2009, 11:12 pm
#36
Dis-Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: In my house
Posts: 3,560
Re: Is "assimilation" good?
Personally, I'm proud to be a Brit living in America. I love many aspects of this country, and I'm happy for my children to be brought up as British Americans. But I don't intend to lose, change or modify anything of myself in order to assimilate. There's nothing of me or my personality that is unacceptable in this country, even though I may be seen as different and sometimes difficult.
How about the rest of you?
How about the rest of you?
May 25th 2009, 11:30 pm
#37
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,605
Re: Is "assimilation" good?
Jean Luc Picard didn't seem to think so...
May 25th 2009, 11:42 pm
#38
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2009
Location: on the horizon
Posts: 4,382
Re: Is "assimilation" good?
May 25th 2009, 11:50 pm
#39
Thinking about it
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Mid-West
Posts: 9,435
Re: Is "assimilation" good?
May 25th 2009, 11:53 pm
#40
Last orders please...
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Way down deep in the middle of the Jungle..
Posts: 6,154
Re: Is "assimilation" good?
..e.g. Can I borrow your lawnmower..even though I haven't spoken to you in about a year..
May 26th 2009, 12:05 am
#41
Just Joined
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3
Re: Is "assimilation" good?
yes very difficult position to be in
May 26th 2009, 12:08 am
#42
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7
Re: Is "assimilation" good?
I've been here since 1989 and through osmosis have unconsciously adopted a number of Americanisms such as "you're welcome" when thanked. I don't think about it at all. I do feel that I've slowly lost some of the Britishness I was hoping I would retain - when I came here I promised myself I would retain as many aspects of my culture, behaviour, etc as possible.
But now, my American-born kids are at the age (12 and 13) where they're becoming more conscious of my roots and their inherited roots. Social networking tools like Myspace and Twitter, not to mention Skype and other direct communication tools, has cause them to further embrace their roots and they're communicating more than ever before with their family in Wales.
In turn, that's excited a renewed passion in me to re-discover what I have lost.
So in summary, I suppose I'm regressing and enjoying the rediscovery for myself and the discovery for my kids
PS I suppose I might as well explore dual-citizenship...
But now, my American-born kids are at the age (12 and 13) where they're becoming more conscious of my roots and their inherited roots. Social networking tools like Myspace and Twitter, not to mention Skype and other direct communication tools, has cause them to further embrace their roots and they're communicating more than ever before with their family in Wales.
In turn, that's excited a renewed passion in me to re-discover what I have lost.
So in summary, I suppose I'm regressing and enjoying the rediscovery for myself and the discovery for my kids
PS I suppose I might as well explore dual-citizenship...
May 26th 2009, 12:25 am
#44
Arrogant ****
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 4,323
May 26th 2009, 12:27 am
#45
Arrogant ****
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 4,323
Re: Is "assimilation" good?
That's odd (the grunting, I mean). Around here, which isn't far in Texas terms, I'm always struck by how everyone says "you're welcome" when you say thank you. I also see it as an Americanism, in the way it's said and the reflex-reaction quality of the reply. I like it. In particular it makes kids sound very polite.