I’ve recently been harassed for my national character, on this board, and I thought it might be nice to talk a little about that.

It is said that we are “boring” in Sweden. I can understand that. We don’t make a big production out of everything and you won’t find people shouting, “I’m number one!” It must also be true that displaying anger in public is one of the biggest “no-no’s” you can find in my country. I prefer it this way but it needn’t be universally accepted as “the right way”.

The difference between Sweden and the U.S. is profound, in that respect. The dissimilarity is like a slap in the face with a very wet (and very cold) washcloth. I secretly call the United States “the country of voluntary confrontation”, though now that I’ve told you it isn’t much of a secret any more :) . Americans seem to thrive on confrontation. It’s as though they think they’ll vanish into vapour if they don’t “tell someone off” - two or three times a month - and they are in true, exquisite ecstasy when they give a blow-by-blow account of it to their friends later on, with, “..and then I said, # ¤ * % !”

I visited a friend in the U.S. a couple of years ago. Jesus! She told someone off in one out of every five shops she went into! And then the sparks began to fly! Over nothing! If you were to yell at a shopkeeper in Sweden (I’ve seen it done by foreigners and drunks) the shopkeeper stands perfectly still, takes on an absolutely expressionless face, and stands there in complete silence until you either finally gain your composure, or walk off. Then he/she will focus on the next customer and ask, “Cash or charge?”

Yep. We’re boring all right. :)

Originally posted by Catch 3
I’ve recently been harassed for my national character, on this board, and I thought it might be nice to talk a little about that.

I have my theory about that, as I explain here - this led to the creation of the post "who are you" in Chat central.
We share very few information about who we are on this forum. That is why people tend to put so easily labels on other.
"Liberal" or "Conservative" being the most common labels available for american people (I also have my theory about this) ; but when one gives his nationality it's obvious he will be associated to the stereotypes about this nationality.
I guess the more you post and show your real personality and opinions, the more people will forget theses strereotypes, but there willa lawys be newcomers to label you according to the (few) information they may get at first sight.

This said - it's funny american people seem to label swedish ones as being "boring". I can't really find a stereotype about sweden in my mind, apart from the supposed beautiful and tall blond swedish girls (but I prefer brunettes).

You pat yourself on the back, as a Swede, for not telling people off and yet you posted a nasty, anti-American screed in another thread. You seem to not practice what you preach, catch3.

Originally posted by astrapol2
" ... but I prefer brunettes."
Me too! :)
I guess that's the magnetism of "out of the ordinary" sydrome.

Originally posted by Frogger
You pat yourself on the back, as a Swede, for not telling people off and yet you posted a nasty, anti-American screed in another thread. You seem to not practice what you preach, catch3.
I can “pat myself on the back” (though I doubt it’s anything to be proud of) for being far less subdued than my countrymen, and as far as posting anything “anti-American” you’re so far off your brain that I won’t even ask you where you got the idea. In any case, it's not "what I preach" at all. It's merely an observation of cultural characteristics. Furthermore, you don't seem to understand humorous, self-irony either but I suppose you've never laughed at yourself so the self-ironic criticism of myself must have gone wa-a-a-ay over your head!

You have a reading deficiency in that I never posted anything “anti-American” and I never “preached” anything about national character. Maybe you should take an evening class in reading comprehension, Froggy.

I will say this once more. I have read every single one of Catch 3's posts and I have yet to see him post anything anti-American. In fact, I've seen him step up to defend what he sees as unjustified attacks on America a few times.

Catch 3,
It seems for some people here, any criticism of anything that takes place in the USA by a foreigner is "anti-american".

hail bush

Originally posted by Napsterbater
I will say this once more. I have read every single one of Catch 3's posts and I have yet to see him post anything anti-American. In fact, I've seen him step up to defend what he sees as unjustified attacks on America a few times.
Thank you Napsterbater.
I am confident that the majority of members are as conscientious as you, but as few have actually spoken up it is a comfort to see that you are willing to say it “out loud”.

Originally posted by astrapol2
Catch 3,
It seems for some people here, any criticism of anything that takes place in the USA by a foreigner is "anti-american".
Astrapol 2.
In my mind it is a sign of weakness of individual, personal character and an “insecurity” - as our fellow contributor points out in his signature.

It is an interesting phenomenon that some take pure, general observation and turn it into personal (or overall national) criticism/threat. What is really nice about this particular forum is that the condition is more of an exception rather than the rule.

Originally posted by astrapol2
I have my theory ....... this led to the creation of the post "who are you" in Chat central.

Can't find it, Astra. :confused:

You're right, it seem to have disappeared, I didn't pay attention. It was created by another member after I said almost the same thing I wrote here - lack of personal information about people, far from anabling an easier communication, often leads to labelling other according to the few things you know about them.
So the "who are you" thread was a list of questions about one's life and favourite things.
I suppose it's been shut down when the "introduction" section was opened. Unfortunately it seems few people look at this section (I just did and discovered your job - it looks intersting.
I also sometimes tend to identify to Ross Geller, as a matter of fact)

I'm sure the thread wasn't removed deliberately Astra, it was likely lost in a database meltdown. The last one we had was in June and several weeks worth of posts were lost.

Too bad.
Maybe we should start a new one. I'll do it - simpler, this time, I'm a bit tired of long lists.

Thank you Napsterbater.
I am confident that the majority of members are as conscientious as you, but as few have actually spoken up it is a comfort to see that you are willing to say it “out loud”.

No problem. I have seen several times in my life one person getting singled out for unjustified abuse. There have been a few times where I have been the only one with either the character or the perception to raise objection. It is but a pleasure to do so on these boards, whereas in real life it often ends up in me getting lumped in.

Respect is something I think few Americans have any understanding of.

Originally posted by Catch 3
I can “pat myself on the back” (though I doubt it’s anything to be proud of) for being far less subdued than my countrymen, and as far as posting anything “anti-American” you’re so far off your brain that I won’t even ask you where you got the idea. In any case, it's not "what I preach" at all. It's merely an observation of cultural characteristics. Furthermore, you don't seem to understand humorous, self-irony either but I suppose you've never laughed at yourself so the self-ironic criticism of myself must have gone wa-a-a-ay over your head!

You have a reading deficiency in that I never posted anything “anti-American” and I never “preached” anything about national character. Maybe you should take an evening class in reading comprehension, Froggy.

When you post that Americans should be ashamed to fly the flag and that those who dissent are subjected to severe reprisals and call the country a shitty place to live I consider that to be anti-American posting.

I also find the condescending tone of your posts to be annoying. I am not your dear Froggy as you said in another thread and I do not need a course in reading comprehension. You, on the other hand could use a course in basic courtesy.

I also find the condescending tone of your posts to be annoying. I am not your dear Froggy as you said in another thread and I do not need a course in reading comprehension. You, on the other hand could use a course in basic courtesy.

ROFL! Don't like your own medicine, is it? You have said, "Dear Nappy," to me several times. LOL! And I would say you most desperately do need a course in reading comprehension. Aahahaha! Condescending? I've done run out of pot and kettle rehashes! And Catch has already explained his post in the other thread. Answer it there, if you want some courtesy, you should probably give it first.

There is no such thing as 'national charactar' ultimately.

If you were to visit North America a few hundred years ago, the beliefs and attitudes would be more akin to Afghanistan than the modern USA. Groups of people change over time and are largely formed by the part of history they occupy.

Originally posted by Frogger
When you post that Americans should be ashamed to fly the flag and that those who dissent are subjected to severe reprisals and call the country a shitty place to live I consider that to be anti-American posting.
Don’t be such a pea-brained adolescent, please.

Go to the encycolpedia and look up the expression “out of context” and “conjure” then read your above post - and then read mine again. I’ve highlighted the bits in your post that you need to check in case my suggestion seems too daunting a task for you.


Originally posted by Frogger
I also find the condescending tone of your posts to be annoying. I am not your dear Froggy .....
I’ll take that into serious consideration, Frogger.

Originally posted by Napsterbater
..... I have seen several times in my life one person getting singled out for unjustified abuse. There have been a few times where I have been the only one with either the character or the perception to raise objection. It is but a pleasure to do so on these boards, whereas in real life it often ends up in me getting lumped in.

Respect is something I think few Americans have any understanding of.
In that case you can understand my gratitude. :)

And you won’t get “lumped in” as long I’m here.
I'm taking names, people! :mad:

Originally posted by astrapol2
..... I wrote here - lack of personal information about people, far from anabling an easier communication, often leads to labelling other according to the few things you know about them.
So the "who are you" thread was a list of questions about one's life and favourite things.
Most people are looking for a “quick fix” to knowledge. That's normal. We all go through stages of awareness.

As children we rely on our parents to tell us about the world, and as young adults we expect our teachers to supplement that source. As full-grown adults however it is up to each and every one of us to seek out knowledge in the subjects that interest us - and let the rest be. Unfortunately, the people we are discussing never got beyond the second stage and consequently haven’t reached any level of wisdom. This means that they are inwardly frustrated and they see lack of knowledge in any subject as a sign of personal weakness simply because they feel inferior in the presence of “knowledgeable” people. The paradox is that truly knowledgeable people haven’t the slightest thought of superiority because they realize that no-one can know everything. But you can’t make these fools understand that. So what do they do? Do they ask questions or go out and learn/experience? Nope. They fake it!

They have limited experience in academic subjects so they rely on censored, national news, Hollywood film, and hearsay philosophy gleaned from billiard-hall, high school dropouts. They never make any progress in open-minded thinking and so they still believe in "spontaneous generation", that "hot water freezes faster" and they think that “drinking tea” is a sign of snobbery, all French are aloof, Germans chant “Eins! – Zwei! as they go about their work, Timbuktu has yet to have been discovered, and paying attention to English grammar and vocabulary makes one condescending.

It’s a sad state of affairs but as I say, we’re lucky to be here where such idiocy is at a minimum.

Originally posted by Catch 3
[
I'm taking names, people! :mad:


Why?

Originally posted by Catch 3
"hot water freezes faster"

Actually… I always thought it does.
Are you sure this is not true ?

Napsterbater

My use of the name Nappy has not been in a condescending manner but a friendly one and you know it. Don't worry. It won't happen again.

catch 3

As for taking out of context such suggestions as, they should be ashamed to show their flag, and dissenters are the receipients of extreme negative treatment, I take the first sentiment to be anti-American and the second to be naive and the result of European propoganda.

Dissent has a long and protected history in the United States and unlike in many European countries it is not punishd. Recently Cindy Sheehan was in the news daily because of her dissent. Michael Moore has made his career on anti-government dissent. People are free to belong to the NAZI Party in this country and to distribute NAZI literature. Is this freedom guaranteed in Sweden? I know it isn't in Germany or Austria where you can be jailed simply for denying the holocaust.

I've never hears of anyone being jailed for revisionism or opinion crime in western Europe.
It true though that France has laws forbidding "incitation to racial hatred" that may be used to prosecute people - not for their opnions, but for incitating to harm other or discriminate them.
It' s true too that in Germany some laws prohibit the use of certain nazi symbols. In fact I find rather shocking that in Italy the image of Mussolini is currently used in souvenir shops !

astrapol 2

It is not only against the law to use certain NAZI symbols, it is a jailable offense to deny the holocaust in Germany.There is a man on trial in Austria

catch 3

Please explain how I took your saying the United States is a shitty place to live out of context. While you're at it, explain how I took the other things out of context.

Your first post regarding the United States was filled with negative comments. It seemed you could not find a single positive thing to say about the country. You then took umbrage at having your post called anti-American. Rather than showing how it was not anti-American you began insulting my intelligence. I can assure you, catch 3, I am at least as educated as you are and most likely much more educated. I don't need to look up context or conjure in an encyclopedia. I already know their meanings. Besides, they would be looked up in a dictionary anyway, not an encyclopedia.If you continue with your snide, condescending attitude I will just chalk you up as one of those posters who should simply be ignored.

My use of the name Nappy has not been in a condescending manner but a friendly one and you know it. Don't worry. It won't happen again.

It sounds quite patronizing. But, I'm not complaining. I just thought it was amusing when Catch decided to show you exactly what the form of address entails, you got quite huffy. Slim calls me napping masturbatur, I think it's a rather clumsy affectation, but I leave that up to the people reading it. Doesn't bother me a bit. It's not his fault he can't write creatively.

I'm afraid you have it all wrong again Frogger. Catch does not post condescendingly, well, any more condescendingly than I post. He is just not afraid to attack people online for things which he feels important to call attention to. Just like me. You should not be asking him to explain how your posts were taking his out of context. You should be re-reading his posts with the open mind you lacked when you first read them and judging with a fresh mind. If you are reasonably confident that you have not, than you are free to abuse him verbally over his lack of diligence to say what he means when he posts.

That said, I seriously doubt you could actually do the above, as I don't think you could find an open mind in a graveyard with a shovel, I will go back and do it, because such things interest me. Catch has not stated that Americans should be ashamed to fly the flag. He has said that he cheers on those Americans who do refuse to fly their flags, and that he himself would be ashamed to fly his flag. I don't fly an American flag, I think it is a disgusting display of nationalism for a private citizen to be doing so, but that doesn't mean I would take the rights away from all of America to do so.

Really, though, where this is out of context is where Catch was attempting to bring up the American occupation of another sovereign nation, and you chose to take that as an attack on American... pride?

As for America being a shitty place to live, I am going to guess that the motivation for that attack comes from Catch's first post, in which he gives a spirited anecdote displaying the differences between American and Swede culture from his own perspective in a humorous way, because I can't find a better fit. There is nothing there that need be considered an attack, and it should be quite clear to the observer that to take offense at that is just being overly defensive. Which is where his remarks in his second post on this thread come from

Actually… I always thought it does.
Are you sure this is not true ?

It takes more time to pull heat out of a hot object than it does to pull it out of a cold one. That said, it doesn't take long at all for hot cubes of water to drop back down to room temperature, so the difference is a matter of minutes. I'm not sure where that little folk tale came from, but I'm sure a quick google search would be fruitful. You might even find it on snopes.

http://www.physics.adelaide.edu.au/~dkoks/Faq/General/hot_water.html

I stand corrected...

Napsterbater

If I were to tell catch 3 that Sweden was a shitty country to live in and continue with, people should hide their Swedish flags in shame and people are afraid to speak out in Sweden because of the terrible repression of dissenters catch 3 would be fair in calling my post anti-Swedish. Why is it not fair for me to call his post anti-American when he said the above about the United States?

Might I recommend to you that course in reading comprehension again? Catch has said nothing of the kind. Did you read this out of my post?

Catch has not stated that Americans should be ashamed to fly the flag.

What about this paragraph?

As for America being a shitty place to live, I am going to guess that the motivation for that attack comes from Catch's first post, in which he gives a spirited anecdote displaying the differences between American and Swede culture from his own perspective in a humorous way, because I can't find a better fit. There is nothing there that need be considered an attack, and it should be quite clear to the observer that to take offense at that is just being overly defensive.

Go back to that school you love so much.

And really, Frogger, "anti-Swedish"? Only Americans care about such things. Isn't that right Catch?

Catch lost all credibility with this statement from the Pearl Harbor thread:


The Americans broke the standard warfare rules themselves when they refused to wear uniforms against the British.




And it's all been downhill since then.

Will the torrent of idiots never cease?

Dear God, it's almost like you people will go six hundred miles out of your way to get offended.

Originally posted by rendova
Catch lost all credibility with this statement from the Pearl Harbor thread:


The Americans broke the standard warfare rules themselves when they refused to wear uniforms against the British.




And it's all been downhill since then. That one bothered me too. Then there was this:Originally posted by Catch 3
The U.S. on the other hand, could always get by without the equivalent import necessities and it is, therefore, more difficult for an average American citizen to appreciate Japan's precarious position ...Made me wonder. Then this:Originally posted by Catch 3
Yes, a bit optimistic, it's true. But at least South African blacks have their voices heard and their intentions are good, earnest, and they want to live as equals - whereas the American situation is far different; deep in racial resentment with hardly any reconciliatory mood between the races. Black Americans are in a social cul-de-sac and the only way out seems to be one-sided racial pride - and violence.

It looks as though South Africa is striving for integration and the Americans are moving closer and closer to deeper segregation. Bothered me alot. And then this:Originally posted by slim
Find one of the good guys in the U.S. Army ....
Originally posted by Catch 3
There are none. I pity them for their pathetic social background, jobless-ness, poverty, dense-headed ignorance due to grave media censorship, and misplaced patriotism. Yes, I pity them, feel sorry for them, and sympathise with their situation - but they are nothing but poor misguided misfits from a society that will not give them a fair chance to make good in civilian life. "Heroes"? Not even close: They are simply unfortunates forced into the wrong place at the wrong time. Removed all doubt.

a left winger couldnt spot anti americanism if it fell out of the sky landed on their faces and wiggled. someone would have to actually come out and say " I hate america"for them to spot anti americanism.

a left winger couldnt spot anti americanism if it fell out of the sky landed on their faces and wiggled.

That would be a neat trick. As it is though, I'm done trying to reason with you people. You guys want to conversate rationally about issues, feel more than free to join in one of our discussions. And when you get shut down hard for being stupid, because you obviously cannot approach such matters without getting offended, feel free to point fingers and whine about anti-Americanism. Not like I can stop you, anyway... Maybe it isn't America we hate, maybe it's stupid Americans like you.

Napsterbater

Perhaps it was for the best that you dropped out of college because it certainly wasn't doing you any good. You have absolutely no ability to read for meaning and are interested only in posting what you have already admitted are confrontational posts.

A person says that Americans should be ashamed to show the flag, Americans are afraid to speak out because of the repression in this country and that America is a shitty place to live and you post a bunch of stupid crap saying we are seeing anti-Americanism where none exist. You then proceed to insult those who disagree with you.

When you post statements like the following, "Maybe it isn't America we hate, maybe it's stupid Americans like you.", you enter into the realm of flaming. Rather than talking to the issue you have descended into name calling.

You've complained about this before, Frogger, and it will get you as far now as it did before. I do not suffer fools gladly. I make the attempt to be reasonable, but since it is obviously wasted on somebody who wouldn't know subtlety from a shit sandwich I have to dirty my hands to get through to you people. I'm sorry you don't like being insulted. But at the same time, I get sick and tired of hearing the same old bullshit from people who cannot stand to have their nationalistic fantasies questioned.

And I will complain about it again when you engage in such doltish behavior. You are acting like a troll. If you want to discuss the issue, fine. If you want to call people who disagree with you stupid I will begin ignoring your posts. You claim that you attempt to be reasonable. That is bs. You don't make even the slightest attempt to be reasonable. You insult people.

You must suffer fools gladly, Napsterbater because you are acting like one of the biggest fools in Allforums. The fact that people see things differently than you does not mean they are stupid and your thinking it does shows just how foolish you are.

I've heard less crying in a Hugh Grant movie, Frogger. You go on complaining about what you feel is trollish behavior. And please begin ignoring my posts if you can't stand a little abuse. I would be extremely happy if we could discuss issues without some moron bitching every time someone posts anything remotely critical of the United States. But I cannot, so I have to take measures to ensure that the vocal minority of bitchy whiners doesn't overtake a thread with their pure distilled idiocy. But I guess I am just such a great fool because I just won't sit back and watch as new and interesting posters get jeered off the boards by a fucking peanut gallery who can't bother to contribute positively to a conversation.

The fact that people see things differently than me does not make them stupid. The fact that they bitch excessively to the Stone Age and back (even Fred Flintstone can hear you!) to protect their precious patriotism does.

Catch 3: People are harassing me for what they perceive as anti-Americanism. Let's chat a little about that.
Astrapol: I have some thoughts about that:
Frogger: You anti-American asshole!
Astra and Napster: Ummm, no he isn't.
sedan: Yes he is! See! *long list of potentially anti-American, but actually insightful posts by Catch*
Napster: Not! Here's why I don't think so: *napsterbater bullshit goes here*
Bunch of idiots: Anti-American asshole!
Napster: Fucking idiots! Did you read what I wrote?
Frogger: Napster's a troll!

Originally posted by astrapol2
Actually… I always thought it does.
Given the difference in water temperatures between already cold (or room's temp) and "hot", I'll quote a science professor I once had when the subject came up. In despair, he thrust his open palms out to the classroom and said .... "How!!!!?"

Temperature increases/decreases by increment, right? I mean ... it doesn't skip a degree or two because it's in a hurry.:@@:

Originally posted by Frogger

catch 3

As for taking out of context such suggestions as, they should be ashamed to show their flag, and dissenters are the receipients of extreme negative treatment, I take the first sentiment to be anti-American and the second to be naive and the result of European propoganda.

Dissent has a long and protected history in the United States and unlike in many European countries it is not punishd. Recently Cindy Sheehan was in the news daily because of her dissent. Michael Moore has made his career on anti-government dissent. People are free to belong to the NAZI Party in this country and to distribute NAZI literature. Is this freedom guaranteed in Sweden? I know it isn't in Germany or Austria where you can be jailed simply for denying the holocaust.




" ... they should be ashamed to show their flag ... " and " ... dissenters are the receipients of extreme negative treatment ... " Jesus wept! More "out of context" and "conjure". Didn't you consult the encyclopedia as I suggested?

And the second part of your post was just your lips flapping - saying nothing at all. They’re only quivering because you can’t find the “off” button.

I think your intelligence has been “taxed out” on this thread. Have a nice cup of tea (and a good rest) and come back when you have something sensible to tell us.

Originally posted by Frogger


catch 3

Please explain how I took your saying the United States is a shitty place to live out of context.

I don't need to look up context or conjure in an encyclopedia. I already know their meanings.
It is clear that you DO NOT know the meanings because your first quote (in my above verbatim of your post) is straight forward conjure. This is certainly my fault as I asked you to look up two different notions at the same time and it must have confused you.
Wake up! :slap:

Originally posted by Napsterbater
" .......... I don't think you could find an open mind in a graveyard with a shovel ..........





Perhaps that'll crack it open?
:lolhit: :D :D :D

Originally posted by Frogger
Napsterbater

If I were to tell catch 3 that Sweden was a shitty country to live in and continue with, people should hide their Swedish flags in shame and people are afraid to speak out in Sweden because of the terrible repression of dissenters catch 3 would be fair in calling my post anti-Swedish. Why is it not fair for me to call his post anti-American when he said the above about the United States?
Again with the "shitty country" already ... Haven't you woken from that nightmare of yours' yet? Reality awaits anyone who gets out of bed, opens their eyes, and opens their ears. It then isn't necessary to fabricate stories to boost your credibility, though in your case it'll first be necessary to initiate one.

When my country attacks another one - or when my fellow citizens are afraid to speak out in protest of our own government then you can be sure I'll be ashamed of our flag. But until then, I'll continue to protest against my government on the relatively minor problems of my country.

Originally posted by rendova
Catch lost all credibility with this statement from the Pearl Harbor thread:

The Americans broke the standard warfare rules themselves when they refused to wear uniforms against the British.

And it's all been downhill since then.
More of the same tripe, Rendova?

Originally posted by Napsterbater
Will the torrent of idiots never cease?
No. Next question. :)



Originally posted by Napsterbater

Dear God, it's almost like you people will go six hundred miles out of your way to get offended.
I really does look that way, doesn't it.

Originally posted by sedan
That one bothered me too. Then there was this: Made me wonder. Then this Bothered me alot. And then this:

You're an exceptionally bothered individual.
You must go absolutely berserk when you get a parking ticket. :rant:

Originally posted by Napsterbater
You've complained about this before, Frogger ..... I make the attempt to be reasonable, but since it is obviously wasted on somebody who wouldn't know subtlety from a shit sandwich ...
"Obviously wasted". That's about the size of it alright.

Originally posted by Frogger
"I will begin ignoring your .." (Napsterbater) "..posts."
Can I be a volunteer for some of the same treatment, please!

Originally posted by Catch 3
More of the same tripe, Rendova?

Snitch3,
With all due respect, "sir", this appears to me to be the sorry whine of a beaten "man."

Yep, your "lordship", more "tripe". And expect more of the same when you try to pass off abysmally ignorant and ridiculous statements about American history and the American military as "fact".

Napsterbater--
You refer to me as an "idiot", amongst other statements. This from a poster who has frequently stated on these boards that you deliberately misrepresent yourself on line. This appears to me to be the description of a troll. Or something else........it has been most instructional talking with you.

You refer to me as an "idiot", amongst other statements. This from a poster who has frequently stated on these boards that you deliberately misrepresent yourself on line. This appears to me to be the description of a troll. Or something else........it has been most instructional talking with you.

:rolleyes:

Catch 3, I understand your enthusiasm, but could you limit your posts to two or three to one thread at one time? Flooding threads is not good netiquette.

Originally posted by Catch 3
You're an exceptionally bothered individual.Why yes, I am. But since I don't mind being bothered, and you are exceptionally bothersome, it works out rather well.

Originally posted by Napsterbater
Catch 3, I understand your enthusiasm, but could you limit your posts to two or three to one thread at one time? Flooding threads is not good netiquette. He does have time-zones to contend with, and is probably working or sleeping when most of us are posting. He should post what he wants when he can.

Catch 3
Don't lose your time trying to answer every post. Let it go…
This is a much more serious issue :

http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/General/hot_water.html

rendova

You are right, both Napsterbater and catch3 are acting the part of internet trolls. While Napsterbater can sometimes be overbearing he is usually not this bad. I guess his manhood has gotten turgid because he has an appreciative audiance in catch 3 who simply seems to be a nasty little piece of Swedish excrement.

I have read enough of catch 3's posts to know that he is not worth the effort of a reply in the future. He seems to be nothing more than an angry young child who has picked up a few insulting phrases along the way.

If Napsterbater continues in the vein he has been using in this thread, insulting people and calling them stupid I will treat him the same way I treat other internet trolls. I will simply ignore his posts until he begins posting in a more adult manner.

People can disagree but there is no need to be disagreeable while doing so.

I'm sorry Frogger, but you just don't know what a troll is. Spend a few more years on the internet, and maybe you could understand. Maybe I like to say a few fucks here and there when I'm arguing. Big fucking deal.

I can be agreeable from here to fucking Rome, and I have here, but I don't take too kindly to when people ignore all my efforts and go out of their way to act stupid. Maybe you should go back and read this thread again and find out just who is attacking who here.

Originally posted by Napsterbater
You guys want to conversate rationally about issues....
"Conversate"??? What are you, black?

Originally posted by Napsterbater
I just won't sit back and watch as new and interesting posters get jeered off the boards by a fucking peanut gallery who can't bother to contribute positively to a conversation.
And what exactly would be a "positive" contribution to this conversation? Oh, wait - America sucks!!! Yeah, that's it...:rolleyes:

You know it, mah neee'gro!

And what exactly would be a "positive" contribution to this conversation? Oh, wait - America sucks!!! Yeah, that's it...

Ignorance really does become you, Prea.

Originally posted by Napsterbater
Ignorance really does become you, Prea.
Please explain how.

Do you need a recap of what's transpired here?

Please explain how.

What good would it do?

Do you need a recap of what's transpired here?

Oh please do.

GENERAL CONSENSUS: Bad netiquette.

Yes, well I’m on CET time and when I sign on in the morning there’re 2 or sometimes even 3 pages of replies to read - on a single thread.

I confine myself to 2 or 3 threads as it is because I’m only on the Internet at work and I have lots to do. I think that I post much less than the other members but because no one is around when I’m here, there are consequently no posts wedging themselves between mine - the result being a whole string of replies by me alone. I know it looks bad (seeing all of my posts clumped together) but I don’t know what to do about it other than post even less than I have been doing.

The only other alternative is to consolidate all the posts by every contributor and then make only one reply to each of them but that takes more cutting, pasting and concentration than I can afford on most days.

I suppose I’ll just have to reply less.

Originally posted by Catch 3
It is said that we are “boring” in Sweden. I can understand that. We don’t make a big production out of everything and you won’t find people shouting, “I’m number one!”
The implication being that we do. You know, just as I left my house the other day, my polish neighbor greeted me with a "Hi Justin!" and I responded by promptly telling him "WE'RE NUMBER 1! EAT IT, FUCKER!!!". God, I love telling people off...
Originally posted by Catch 3
It must also be true that displaying anger in public is one of the biggest “no-no’s” you can find in my country. I prefer it this way but it needn’t be universally accepted as “the right way”.
Thank you for the magnanimous gesture.

Originally posted by Catch 3
The difference between Sweden and the U.S. is profound......The dissimilarity is like a slap in the face with a very wet (and very cold) washcloth.
Yes, it certainly is...

Your women are, by and large, good looking and ours are fat. Are you sure that washcloth isn't frozen?
Originally posted by Catch 3
Americans seem to thrive on confrontation.
Yeah, we're radically different from other human beings in that we'll eat our neighbor's young just to piss them off. Oh Yeah! Look out, it's fightin' time!
Originally posted by Catch 3
It’s as though they think they’ll vanish into vapour if they don’t “tell someone off” - two or three times a month - and they are in true, exquisite ecstasy when they give a blow-by-blow account of it to their friends later on, with, “..and then I said, # ¤ * % !”
Well, between wrestle mania, cops, guns, and westerns, we look forward to acting like Charles Bronson whenever we can.
Originally posted by Catch 3
I visited a friend in the U.S. a couple of years ago. Jesus! She told someone off in one out of every five shops she went into!
Find some new friends.
Originally posted by Catch 3
And then the sparks began to fly! Over nothing! If you were to yell at a shopkeeper in Sweden (I’ve seen it done by foreigners and drunks) the shopkeeper stands perfectly still, takes on an absolutely expressionless face, and stands there in complete silence until you either finally gain your composure, or walk off.
Well, that only makes sense...

Swedes are super-human, dignified, and "above" acting like assholes. Clearly, you've got us beaten dead-to-rights.
Originally posted by Catch 3
Then he/she will focus on the next customer and ask, “Cash or charge?”

Yep. We’re boring all right. :)
Boring, but better.......we get it. ;)

Don't worry about it, Catch. Reply as much as you want.

Thank you Prea, for at least making an effort to argue.

Hello here...
anyone with enough sense of humor to cope with criticism...
Hellooooo ?
http://www.burdigala.org/zettau/media/1/marche_seul.jpg

Not me. I have way too much fun escalating the verbal violence to levels people are unable to keep up with to be bothered with trying to lighten the mood. Especially when I'm right. Hell, it's fun even when I'm wrong.

Originally posted by Napsterbater
Not me. I have way too much fun escalating the verbal violence to levels people are unable to keep up with to be bothered with trying to lighten the mood. Especially when I'm right. Hell, it's fun even when I'm wrong.


Which is why I consider you an internet troll, and now, a self admitted internet troll.

*shrugs* I don't even care anymore.

Originally posted by astrapol2
Hello here...
anyone with enough sense of humor to cope with criticism...
Hellooooo ?
Making rude generalizations in the hopes that someone will pose a "valid" argument refuting a slew of nasty insinuations will probably only serve to get you yelled at (especially when they're directed at Americans, on an American board). Let's take a good look at what Catch3's real "criticisms" are all about, shall we?

*Americans go around yelling, "we're No. 1" all the time. (Clearly, he hasn't been on Allforums long, but I digress...)

*We're angry in public all the time.

*We take pride in telling people off.

*We thrive on confrontation.

*(In regards to another thread) There are none (Good guys in the US military, that is). I pity them for their pathetic social background, jobless-ness, poverty, dense-headed ignorance due to grave media censorship, and misplaced patriotism. Yes, I pity them, feel sorry for them, and sympathise with their situation (and I'm sure that, collectively, they'll appreciate your condescending, yet faux compassion, but whatever...) - they are nothing but poor misguided misfits from a society that will not give them a fair chance to make good in civilian life.

If these statements aren't designed to rile Americans, then I'm sure you wouldn't take offense to the generalization that all French people are viewed as cheese eating, wine swelling, indecisive, surrender monkeys.

"Hello here...
anyone with enough sense of humor to cope with criticism...
Hellooooo ?" :rolleyes:

Originally posted by Napsterbater
*shrugs* I don't even care anymore.
Coming from a self-ascribed "Ignorant Asshole Bum", why am I not surprised?

*Americans go around yelling, "we're No. 1" all the time. (Clearly, he hasn't been on Allforums long, but I digress...)

*We're angry in public all the time.

*We take pride in telling people off.

*We thrive on confrontation.

I see excessive nationalism, road rage, and unnecessary confrontation quite frequently. Whoops, I guess I'm anti-American!

Originally posted by Napsterbater
I see excessive nationalism, road rage, and unnecessary confrontation quite frequently.
With the exception of excessive nationalism, I'm inclined to agree with you, Nap.

However, let me ask you a serious question: do you think your shit smells sweeter than most? Because if not, then what's the problem with viewing this as a simple matter of cultural perspective? When I was in France, I was blown away by how pushy the people were (once again, my perspective). For example, driving in Paris was an exercise in maintaining composure and sanity (not that American drivers are good - far from it; on whole, I think we're the worst drivers on the face of the planet, but I digress......again). My point is simple; you'll hear more car horns in Paris than you will in NYC. These people (while traveling with the right-of-way) would honk their horns at someone who was simply looking to merge while completely STOPPED at a stop sign. When I was conversing with my brother in public (and this was far from uncommon), a man rudely pushed his way between us because being socially courteous would've entailed taking three extra steps to avoid being a dick, but you don't see me going to French discussion boards to point it out, do you? And you don't see me venturing to Scandinavian boards to point out how their shitty, vapid personalities go hand-in-hand with their cuisine because I'd consider doing so fucking rude. If you want to bring up issues such as American rudeness, nastiness, or general stupidity, then have the decency to do it with a little respect and tact. Despite what you think about Americans, we're not inherently bad people, nor are we all John Wayne types who pack heat and fistfight. This whole notion is insulting, and I for one, am tired of enduring a one-sided, ceaseless diatribe from people who hate our guts under the thinly veiled guise of lightly "criticizing" us in a "fun and harmless" fashion. It's all underhanded bullshit. It reminds me of the Aunt everybody has (but nobody likes) who makes the yearly, obligatory visit to your home around Christmas while greeting you with a slew of backhanded compliments. "Boy, have you gained weight, but, well.....it looks good on you.....really"..."WOW, that's a nice shirt, of course, I'd never let my husband wear it"...etc. Yeah, that's always a fucking pleasure; a real learning experience, if you will....
Originally posted by Napsterbater
Whoops, I guess I'm anti-American!
I think you can safely say that. Honestly, what do you really like about this country, Napsterbater?

That's what I thought.

Originally posted by Napsterbater
I see excessive nationalism, road rage, and unnecessary confrontation quite frequently. Whoops, I guess I'm anti-American!

And because road rage, nationalism, and the occasional fistfight or revelry in violent sports happens no where else, Americans must be some sort of freakish breed of human being.

But I must run, my neighbor needs help putting up his Canadian flag, my Italian friend just rear-ended that bus full of nuns, and there is a soccer game on soon where Guatemalan fans will wail on each other with crowbars. Busy, busy, busy...

Because if not, then what's the problem with viewing this as a simple matter of cultural perspective?

No problem at all. It's when people start getting whiny and protective of their country that communications breaks down. Ever hear the joke about the reporter who found a broken, mangled American body on the road and, 10 paces up, another broken, mangled body, this time Iraqi?

The reporter asks the American, "What happened?" "Well, I was standing here on guard, when I saw that Iraqi over there. He yelled out, "Your leader is a stupid, arrogant prick!" I then yelled out, "Your leader is a stupid, arrogant prick!"" He falls silent.

The reporter then asks, "Well, what happened next?"

"We were standing there shaking hands when the truck hit us."

Which is why I consider you an internet troll, and now, a self admitted internet troll.

I find it amusing how quickly words of praise turn into words of hatred, when one isn't being true to oneself. Whether random people on the internet say they like me or not has little bearing on what I decide to do or say. I act as myself, and I let the chips fall as they may. Did you really think you could buy me that cheaply with a few sugary words, Frogger?

I think you can safely say that. Honestly, what do you really like about this country, Napsterbater?

I suppose such a lack makes me a bad person.

I don't like this country enough to be patriotic. But, I don't believe in patriotism. I don't consider my country as part of my identity. I believe I can be just as comfortable living in France, Sweden, or even Russia as I am here. A theory I will soon test out, when I start to travel the world. My identity rests solely in the back of my head. I have not stayed in one place long enough to grow roots. As a restless traveler (I'm moving cross country again in two weeks!) I cannot say with certainty that any place I've lived at was any better than any other, and I have no reason to think that about the US even though I have yet to leave it.

But, to answer your question, I like that Americans, if they care to, (most don't) are capable of becoming much more than their backgrounds. That, if they want, they can leave everything they have ever known behind, and reach for the stars. Had I been born in another country, I doubt I could have become the person I am today. Americans, more than any other people, are capable of becoming world citizens.

Catch 3,Christsake post something anti-American,and live a little,everybody else in the world does,apart from that your English is better than my Swedish,well done.

Catch 3 has been banned from AllForums, something you need to watch out for if you don't start posting stuff that validates the American grossly over-inflated ego.

Catch 3 has been banned from AllForums, something you need to watch out for if you don't start posting stuff that validates the American grossly over-inflated ego.

But we have you here to validate the grossly over-inflated American ego!

That's the only reason I haven't been banned!

I don't believe in banning for any but the most egrigeous reasons. I don't know why catch3 was banned but since it is not my site I don't have much say over the matter. I hope he was banned for a good reason and not simply because he was an anti-American dolt. Hell, were that the case we would lose Nappy, Freethinker and Quartertonape.

He pissed off Vile, who then issued a "warning," followed by a ban when Catch refused to kowtow. The issue had its own thread created around it where a few of the other posters raised legitimate questions and the mods, instead of holding themselves accountable, did a little dance over the dead husk of Catch's account and pissed on it. It was rather disgusting.

Since I don't know the sequence of events I will not comment on the banning other than to say I am against banning in all but the most extreme cases.

Isnt one of the corner stones of America,'Freedom of speech'.Whether you like whats being said or not.Im sure catch is an adult and didnt loose any sleep over it.Who knows,maybe this is the way America is heading?

Paul, if you're interested, here's how it all went down:

http://www.allforums.net/showthread.php?t=16647&page=4

Thanks Sedan,I can see that the original post seemed to get lost,and very personal attacks became the order of the day,had a quick flick thru Rendovas www.pages on Sweden during the war,seems to be black and white,I think I would concede a point with anyone,before it got to that stage.Im interested in the process of how and who decides on banning someone,cause I aint seen any censorship so far..