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"Strange. My family in Germany is very much a part of their community." There are over 500 people in Europe. Only 80 million of those are from Germany. Neither

by Rod 18y ago

"Strange. My family in Germany is very much a part of their community." There are over 500 people in Europe. Only 80 million of those are from Germany. Neither is Germany a good representative of Europe, nor are most Germans exactly role models. Your over-generalization would be offending to many people. Since my skin is too thick, I found it amusing instead. I don't doubt that there are advantages in being part of the community. I understand it's part of the American culture. Though I try to fit in and be a good guest in this beautiful "land of the free", this "be part of your community" thing borders "psychological coercion" on my book.

pistoriusp 18y ago
I certainly didn't mean to offend, I was simply speaking of my own experience. And, you are the one who generalised yourself as been "European." If you didn't want to be placed in to the common pot of the 47 other countries in Europe then perhaps you should have specified your own country? Germany has the 2nd highest population of 82 million and is a country of which I am a citizen. That makes me a European, and a member of the EU. Does this mean my own experience and own opinion are less valid than yours because you're from a different country? My skin is not as thick. But this is probably because you've offended me directly.
- Rod 18y ago
  I didn't mean to offend anyone, and I apologize if I have. Germany is not a representative of Europe, but this is not Germany's fault. No country alone represents all the immense diversity one can find in Europe. Nonetheless, there are still some common traits across Europe, which we could call "common values". Contributing to one's community does not seem to be one of such "common values", and though it's interesting to think why that is, the truth is that even a superficial treatise on it would fill a few tens of PhD theses.
- deleted 18y ago
  [deleted]

by Rod 18y ago

pistoriusp 18y ago

I certainly didn't mean to offend, I was simply speaking of my own experience. And, you are the one who generalised yourself as been "European." If you didn't want to be placed in to the common pot of the 47 other countries in Europe then perhaps you should have specified your own country? Germany has the 2nd highest population of 82 million and is a country of which I am a citizen. That makes me a European, and a member of the EU. Does this mean my own experience and own opinion are less valid than yours because you're from a different country? My skin is not as thick. But this is probably because you've offended me directly.

Rod 18y ago
I didn't mean to offend anyone, and I apologize if I have. Germany is not a representative of Europe, but this is not Germany's fault. No country alone represents all the immense diversity one can find in Europe. Nonetheless, there are still some common traits across Europe, which we could call "common values". Contributing to one's community does not seem to be one of such "common values", and though it's interesting to think why that is, the truth is that even a superficial treatise on it would fill a few tens of PhD theses.
deleted 18y ago
[deleted]