4 ms·

Are Singaporeans less selfish? Are Swedish people? Etc etc. I don't think selfishness or lack of empathy are responsible for the state of US healthcare. I'v

Are Singaporeans less selfish? Are Swedish people? Etc etc. I don't think selfishness or lack of empathy are responsible for the state of US healthcare. I've personally found Americans are very welcoming. Especially in the south.

mr_overalls 9y ago
Speaking as a Southerner, our friendliness is quite temporary, superficial, and cliquish. Many Southerners are friendly toward 1) visitors, and 2) people in their immediate social circle. When the scope broadens to people of different races, nationalities, or political/sexual orientations, the friendliness quickly fades. Growing up in a small Mississippi city in the 1980s & 90s, I saw a small but steady influx of transplants from other parts of the country who came to work our booming aluminum siding factory. They were all received warmly at first, and seemed bowled over by the attention. But as soon as they demonstrated their alien-ness by attending the wrong church (or being nonreligious), or heaven forbid, commenting on racial or political issues, the welcome mat was pulled back. They'd last a year or two at most, and then transfer somewhere else. And people would gossip about the funny Yankees after they left. "Andy's wife was a real loony-tunes," they'd say. "Told her Sunday school group she didn't believe abortion was wrong. And you know what they said about her husband. [whispering] That he was a pervert!" Sad, really.
chrisbennet 9y ago
I upvoted you because I think you are asking a good question. If Americans aren't more selfish than others with better functioning health care, it would support the view that our health system is what is what is suppressing our better natures. I agree to some extent but I when I see "I don't want my money going to $theOther" it's hard not to think that selfishness is part of the problem as well.
- sheepmullet 9y ago
  > "I don't want my money going to $theOther" it's hard not to think that selfishness is part of the problem as well. I think the selfishness is just expressed differently. Where do you think the massive taxes on cigarettes and alcohol in most first world countries comes from? The calls for taxes on fatty foods? Requirements for extra insurance to do certain extreme sports? It's the way they say we don't want to pay for your life choices.

mr_overalls 9y ago

Speaking as a Southerner, our friendliness is quite temporary, superficial, and cliquish. Many Southerners are friendly toward 1) visitors, and 2) people in their immediate social circle. When the scope broadens to people of different races, nationalities, or political/sexual orientations, the friendliness quickly fades. Growing up in a small Mississippi city in the 1980s & 90s, I saw a small but steady influx of transplants from other parts of the country who came to work our booming aluminum siding factory. They were all received warmly at first, and seemed bowled over by the attention. But as soon as they demonstrated their alien-ness by attending the wrong church (or being nonreligious), or heaven forbid, commenting on racial or political issues, the welcome mat was pulled back. They'd last a year or two at most, and then transfer somewhere else. And people would gossip about the funny Yankees after they left. "Andy's wife was a real loony-tunes," they'd say. "Told her Sunday school group she didn't believe abortion was wrong. And you know what they said about her husband. [whispering] That he was a pervert!" Sad, really.

chrisbennet 9y ago

I upvoted you because I think you are asking a good question. If Americans aren't more selfish than others with better functioning health care, it would support the view that our health system is what is what is suppressing our better natures. I agree to some extent but I when I see "I don't want my money going to $theOther" it's hard not to think that selfishness is part of the problem as well.

sheepmullet 9y ago
> "I don't want my money going to $theOther" it's hard not to think that selfishness is part of the problem as well. I think the selfishness is just expressed differently. Where do you think the massive taxes on cigarettes and alcohol in most first world countries comes from? The calls for taxes on fatty foods? Requirements for extra insurance to do certain extreme sports? It's the way they say we don't want to pay for your life choices.