Respect: A Simple Word

[Mychael]

and the idea that Americans culture is somehow different and fostering of crappy behavior is insulting.

You're right that every culture has counter-cultures (and individual asses), but American culture in particular has some beliefs/traits that make us come off as asses when we're just carrying out business as usual. We don't purposefully act impatient, and we don't purposefully say things too bluntly, but we don't realize we're offending people, and some don't realize it's unintentional.

Just some examples--when we say a meeting's is at 12:00, it's generally expected that everyone be in the room before 12:00. Not everyone thinks that way (not even in America, tbh, but most of us do). At least where I work (which is an international department), when people get frustrated about that discrepancy, that's where a lot of our "impatient, demanding reputation" comes from.

Likewise, when people in the US speak, we say what we mean in the clearest possible way. Some other cultures don't--some cultures, getting your point across is almost an art of hiding it within clever, indirect terms.

It's a matter of perspective--to us, others are being lazy, too relaxed, or not to-the-point. To them, we're impatient, in a hurry, and clumsy. You can fling insults at each other all you want, but it doesn't change either culture, or the fact that this thread was completely unnecessary. People are going to (re)act just like they always do.

[Laeore]

No, you're a horrible person because you responded horribly. Instead of making a point you sarcastically insulted him. Not that I did much better, but at least I responded to someone who was only being sarcastically rude, and not someone trying to make the community better.

Do you always personally insult people while telling them their use of sarcasm was insulting?

[Sazhka]

lol ask any waitress, customer service employee or cashier and see what they say of the majority of us americans

[Tule]

Do you always personally insult people while telling them their use of sarcasm was insulting?

You probably should have pointed that out before I did. Do you always aggressively reply?

[Xenogias]

snip

I did read the whole thing. But how do you expect someone to react when you try to generalize at first and then say you know many Americans who aren't like what the rest of the world seems to think we are like? You cant have it both ways. The point I intended to make and did a terrible job of it is generalizations are silly regardless of who is making them. Using the word ignorant was out of line as well. I'm sorry if I was offensive that was not the intent. Truth be told there is a good amount of our culture and lack of REAL education of other cultures that I don't like. But you have to understand that I am proud to have been born and raised here and I will defend it. The same as I would expect anyone else to do with their country.

[Gramul]

lol ask any waitress, customer service employee or cashier and see what they say of the majority of us americans

I'd say the good outweigh the bad. But the few bad tend to be really bad. Usually a result of many small things going wrong and your minor mistake being the last of a great deal of straws.
Most people will be quiet and polite. Blending into the the ebb and flow of the day. Not daring to add any more complexity to their lives just as busy as our own.

While we're at it, most people from other countries are probably too busy to mind where you're from. But because they're part of the expected good, we don't pay them as much mind. We grow paranoid of the wrong and see it all around us, not bothering to enjoy the peace that's already there.

[Laeore]

It's a matter of perspective--to us, others are being lazy, too relaxed, or not to-the-point. To them, we're impatient, in a hurry, and clumsy. You can fling insults at each other all you want, but it doesn't change either culture, or the fact that this thread was completely unnecessary. People are going to (re)act just like they always do.

Well put. Culture is not absolute. It would benefit many to study cultural relativity to broaden perspectives.

[Laeore]

You probably should have pointed that out before I did. Do you always aggressively reply?

Where I come from its not aggressive, its direct. You should show a little tolerance!

[KiriA500]

You have to give respect to get respect. I'm not going to just be alright with someone acting like a huge turd "just 'cause."

Decency goes a long way.

[Anapingofness]

Thanks for the post OP.
It's refreshing to see a post that isn't QQing or raging about one thing or another.
It's even more refreshing that your post wasn't one in which you demonstrate just how low certain members or parts of the community can be. Truly, the numerous posts on harassment and people rage quitting is downright disheartening.
I've said it before, the community is what we make of it.
People should always treat each other with respect. You don't have to be best friends with everyone, you just need to be respectful.