[Eric]

You didn't want an American response, but you're getting one. It doesn't 'seem' like you are stereotyping Americans, you ARE stereotyping us. We are not all ignorant of geography/cultures, but at the same time I don't feel it necessary to earn a degree in Canadian culture before visiting there. I've met numerous people visiting the United States (from Japan, France, Germany, Mexico) and they seem to lack certain 'basic' knowledge about America. I've even heard a story similar to yours about Germans who wanted to drive to Colorado for the weekend, not realizing it was a two-day drive from Indiana one way. Should I assume that everyone from (pick a country) is mind-blowingly ignorant? Your message demonstrates a high degree of prejudice against Americans. I wonder if you even know any.

P.S. I would never sew a Canadian flag onto anything. I like being an American, and if someone doesn't like it, that's their problem.

User Detail :  

Name : Eric, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Atheist, Age : 33, City : Indianapolis, State : IN Country : United States, Occupation : Engineer/Sculptor, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Eric]

It sounds like Sean has an intense hatred for Italians. If someone had used the same terminology for any other ethnic group (black, Latino, Asian, whatever), Sean would be outraged. He needs to think a little about what he's saying, and the monitors of Y? Forum should respond to postings like his. My response to the original question is that I don't think it has to do with being Italian, but more to do with insular communities that aren't accustomed to different people and therefore fear them and make assumptions about their behavior. I see this in rural communities in the United States and in other countries such as Japan.

Director's note: From time to time, Y? posts submissions that push or exceed its standards for non-confrontational dialogue, in order to ensure that a broad sampling of opinions, no matter how bluntly worded or potentially divisive, is provided its users.

User Detail :  

Name : Eric, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Atheist, Age : 33, City : Indianapolis, State : IN Country : United States, Occupation : Engineer/Sculptor, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

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