Not Sure if I can Deal with the American Dream much longer
#91
Re: Not Sure if I can Deal with the American Dream much longer
#2- That gets on my nerves too. I remember when I first moved here someone told me they were 'Polish'. I asked him where he was born. He said something like, Scranton, NJ. I asked him when he lived in Poland. He told me he had never been there. He didn't even speak Polish. WTF? How can you claim to be that nationality without EVER having set foot in the country! Just weird and stupid IMO.
#92
Re: Not Sure if I can Deal with the American Dream much longer
In which case your still American, just having cultural heritage of country x,y or z and there's nothing wrong with that, but your not someone from country x,y or z...
#93
Re: Not Sure if I can Deal with the American Dream much longer
I have a good friend for instance, who would likely say she was Polish if asked within the right context. Is she literally from Poland? No. Does she have a keen interest in anything Polish? Absolutely. She has a very Polish last name, grew up in what's considered a Polish neighborhood in our hometown, eating Polish foods, and she has studied the language. To her credit, she went to Poland on her honeymoon. An odd destination perhaps, but important to her.
Last edited by Kaffy Mintcake; Jun 14th 2009 at 2:42 pm.
#94
Re: Not Sure if I can Deal with the American Dream much longer
I think most Americans would say "I'm English" or fill in the country. They don't literally mean they are from England, but rather of English descent. That doesn't mean they're not American either. It's simply the case of living in a country where everyone (who is not Native American) came from an immigrant background. Many traditions have been passed down (to varying extents) and family history is often studied closely. My father is proud that he can trace our family back to the 1400's in one case, and you may have heard me say that I've recently learned that part of our family came from Giggleswick.
I have a good friend for instance, who would likely say she was Polish if asked within the right context. Is she literally from Poland? No. Does she have a keen interest in anything Polish? Absolutely. She has a very Polish last name, grew up in what's considered a Polish neighborhood in our hometown, eating Polish foods, and she has studied the language. To her credit, she went to Poland on her honeymoon. An odd destination perhaps, but important to her.
I have a good friend for instance, who would likely say she was Polish if asked within the right context. Is she literally from Poland? No. Does she have a keen interest in anything Polish? Absolutely. She has a very Polish last name, grew up in what's considered a Polish neighborhood in our hometown, eating Polish foods, and she has studied the language. To her credit, she went to Poland on her honeymoon. An odd destination perhaps, but important to her.
One more thing - even if people in England are 'from' somewhere else (using the more literal interpretation), they would probably want to hide it because it is not socially 'acceptable' to be 'from' somewhere else ... I remember some relatives of mine were 'from' Ireland; I believe they came to England during the famine. This was a fact spoken of in hushed tones, as if they had leprosy or something.
#95
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2009
Location: Olathe, Kansas.
Posts: 44
Re: Not Sure if I can Deal with the American Dream much longer
Oh so interesting.... I'm married to an American lady, who is of Irish decent, they researched and written a book about their journey from Ireland to Kansas, yet they are Americans.....From Irish stock.....Can't people just leave it here. Every St Patricks day, I am laughing my a** off at how many "Irish" suddenly walk the streets....I'm from Irish stock myself, yet born and raised in England, I consider myself English, but with a affinity with Ireland. Yes, I do say I'm "from Irish stock" but I don't push it.
I just think most, if not all Americans hang on to their heritage because there is little else to peg your flag onto here.....Be proud of where you come from....
It's like saying "African/American" NO, they are American.... The same as Irish/American, your American.....Ditto the rest of them, unless your born in Poland, Italy, China, Russia..........YOUR AMERICAN! Accept it
I just think most, if not all Americans hang on to their heritage because there is little else to peg your flag onto here.....Be proud of where you come from....
It's like saying "African/American" NO, they are American.... The same as Irish/American, your American.....Ditto the rest of them, unless your born in Poland, Italy, China, Russia..........YOUR AMERICAN! Accept it
#96
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 38
Re: Not Sure if I can Deal with the American Dream much longer
I totally understand your frustrations LOL. Just be yourself and don't change for anyone. I had to laugh today, I was at Seaworld with my kids and I made a joke with a chappy sat next to me and he just didn't get it. My kids were laughing like crazy as it's a running joke in our family that whenever I speak to an american, even after nearly 5 years here, they still don't get my humor or even understand me. Hell, I don't care, I'm off home in October with my family for good.yesssssssss!
I wish you luck, Florida peeps are a challenge for sure. brain dead vegetables
I wish you luck, Florida peeps are a challenge for sure. brain dead vegetables
#97
Re: Not Sure if I can Deal with the American Dream much longer
Totally. I hate it when these neanderthals don't instantly understand and appreciate humour that's specific to my family and culture. I was born in a country that's produced some of the wittiest men and women the world has ever seen, so naturally I too am blessed with a brilliant sense of humour. So it can't be that my jokes are simply not funny, as that's not physically possible. It's just these idiots who don't get it.
#99
Ivegotta Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 900
Re: Not Sure if I can Deal with the American Dream much longer
Try 23. It really sucks!
#100
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,583
Re: Not Sure if I can Deal with the American Dream much longer
Oh so interesting.... I'm married to an American lady, who is of Irish decent, they researched and written a book about their journey from Ireland to Kansas, yet they are Americans.....From Irish stock.....Can't people just leave it here. Every St Patricks day, I am laughing my a** off at how many "Irish" suddenly walk the streets....I'm from Irish stock myself, yet born and raised in England, I consider myself English, but with a affinity with Ireland. Yes, I do say I'm "from Irish stock" but I don't push it.
I just think most, if not all Americans hang on to their heritage because there is little else to peg your flag onto here.....Be proud of where you come from....
It's like saying "African/American" NO, they are American.... The same as Irish/American, your American.....Ditto the rest of them, unless your born in Poland, Italy, China, Russia..........YOUR AMERICAN! Accept it
I just think most, if not all Americans hang on to their heritage because there is little else to peg your flag onto here.....Be proud of where you come from....
It's like saying "African/American" NO, they are American.... The same as Irish/American, your American.....Ditto the rest of them, unless your born in Poland, Italy, China, Russia..........YOUR AMERICAN! Accept it
Kaffy explained it very well.
Anyway as far as who has to except what, you're the one that needs to accept it, because that's the way it is here.
Last edited by surly; Jun 15th 2009 at 6:32 am.
#101
Re: Not Sure if I can Deal with the American Dream much longer
#2- That gets on my nerves too. I remember when I first moved here someone told me they were 'Polish'. I asked him where he was born. He said something like, Scranton, NJ. I asked him when he lived in Poland. He told me he had never been there. He didn't even speak Polish. WTF? How can you claim to be that nationality without EVER having set foot in the country! Just weird and stupid IMO.
#102
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2009
Location: Olathe, Kansas.
Posts: 44
Re: Not Sure if I can Deal with the American Dream much longer
Just get over it people......I do except the way it is here, I live here and abide by the laws of this land........It's almost comical, the way some "Americans" believe that hanging on to some distant ancestral home land is the key to a great life....Make your own, as they did back in the day!
#103
Re: Not Sure if I can Deal with the American Dream much longer
Just get over it people......I do except the way it is here, I live here and abide by the laws of this land........It's almost comical, the way some "Americans" believe that hanging on to some distant ancestral home land is the key to a great life....Make your own, as they did back in the day!
It's like identifying myself as curly haired, or brown eyed (which obviously DO make up the key to a great life btw). Just part of who they feel they are.
#104
Re: Not Sure if I can Deal with the American Dream much longer
I think you still misunderstand.. how did you make the leap from cultural identification to 'the key to a great life'?
It's like identifying myself as curly haired, or brown eyed (which obviously DO make up the key to a great life btw). Just part of who they feel they are.
It's like identifying myself as curly haired, or brown eyed (which obviously DO make up the key to a great life btw). Just part of who they feel they are.
#105
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2009
Location: Olathe, Kansas.
Posts: 44
Re: Not Sure if I can Deal with the American Dream much longer
10-4