Posted by verne on November 6, 2005, at 22:44:16
In reply to Re: Sorry Dinah, posted by alexandra_k on November 6, 2005, at 22:12:25
Alexandra,
How did the meditating go? Hope all's well.
You've been working hard on this rephrasing without any feedback so I thought I'd give you my perspective.
You wrote, "personally - I don't think that is fair. Thats what frightens me about american individualism. That attitude. I don't think that is acceptable."
There may be nothing wrong with saying "american individualism" if there's no negative judgement attached. The rub may be in suggesting that it isn't "fair" or "acceptable" and "frightening".
I think when we talk in terms of national "traits" we find ourselves on thin ice. One nationality may be known for thriftiness, another for arrogance, yet another for being too emotional. Come to think of it, most national traits are negative, and best left unrepeated, lest we insult people of that particular national persuasion.
Perhaps, I'm missing something. Babblespeak isn't my native tongue.
Verne
poster:verne
thread:574039
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20050924/msgs/576218.html