Now, before you jump on the bandwagon, and want me strung up, skinned, and burned like a witch, hear me out.

All Forums is awesome for debate, and the discussion of topics, most of the time. And while I highly respect the intelligence that many members here possess, I do have one thing to note that some members may be unaware of, or not noticing (seeming as the non-american population here is fairly... well... limited).

I've seen it happen a few times now, and the first couple times I generally ignored it... but now it's just getting ridiculous. Just because someone does not live in the United States, does not automatically make what they say on the topic uninformed, biased, anti-american, or wrong. Just because their opinion on a topic differs, the first reaction shouldn't be "Oh, it's just because they're [insert nationality here], they don't get it".

To be quite honest, the aura in All Forums is one that definitely doesn't attract people from different countries, as the all too common mood is "It isn't American, therefore it's [insert negative opinion here]".

While granted, the viewpoint is different, that should be valued in an opinion, instead of hacking the person down for it. If All Forums is truly about DEBATE, then don't dismiss whatever is said with the all-too-easy "They just don't get it", "They're not American, they wouldn't know", or what I find really appalling, attacking a person based on their nationality.

Aside from that one little issue, a big kudos out to all the active members of All Forums (aside from the morons who post money-making schemes) for continuing to provide very definite opinions, and attempting to stay away from hacking someone down on a personal level for their stance on a subject. Not many boards which focus on debate have members who are able to step up to the plate and leave the childish name-calling behind, but All Forums has quite a few that can.


The Non-American, but not Anti-American,
- Age

I agree 100%. I like hearing other viewpoints even if I don't agree with them. I hope you and astrapol will stick around.

I've not heard anyone discredit anyone's opinions simply because of their nationality, but whatever...

Well said, Age.
The problem on Internet forums is that we know very little about the people we debate with. So we tend to make our mind about them with the few information we get : in this case, nationality is a very strong label since it is usually associated with lots of stereotypes. But it could also be their signature, their avatar or whatever piece of information we get about them. Then we have a mental image of them which may differ a lot from their real personality ! It's only human, I guess, and it is better than debating with total abstract beings, but we should be aware of it.
Did you notice that most people do not put any personal information in their profile ? I guess it makes us feel less vulnerable to keep our real personality hidden from the other. But then it lets them project their own prejudice.

Look, we don't have to put any personal information at all if we don't want to. Labeling those who hide their identity over the internet as prejudicial is by itself prejudicial. So what if a certain poster does not want to give his real name, age, and city of residence? Does that, in any way, detract from his opinion or make his argument less potent? We should respect other opinions regardless of what and how much information we put up about ourselves.

Besides, prejudice works both ways.


"Upward and Onward"

Of course ! I was not intending to give lessons to anyone. I included myself in the process I describe.

Good post Age, I believe what is happening is that people from other country's are giving there opinion about America which inturn causes tempers to flare. Just my 2 cents why it may seem someone is getting attacked.

Originally posted by DaveTooner
I've not heard anyone discredit anyone's opinions simply because of their nationality, but whatever...

Lol....

What's so funny about that Leper? Let's hear it.

Coming from you, that statement is rather ironic. It would be outright hilarious if Trav said it, but I digress.

I have heard you many times saying how Europeans are this, and astrapol is a that, blah-dee-da. I'd do a search for it, but I'll let Leper have the honor.

Bah, I'm not going to waste my time with Dave's deliberate or otherwise obnoxious obliviousness. It's enough that 7 of the 8 posters here take it for granted that European-bashing is a problem with some of the posters on this site.

hey, they dont have to say where they are from, if they didnt specify we would still think they are whacked liberal sheep. Is never enough for the liberals for someone to not like or disagree with another person soley for their beliefs, it always has to be about nationality, color, sexuality or something like that.

Originally posted by Leper
Bah, I'm not going to waste my time with Dave's deliberate or otherwise obnoxious obliviousness. It's enough that 7 of the 8 posters here take it for granted that European-bashing is a problem with some of the posters on this site. Good lord. Now we have the internet police telling us to be politically correct on "euro-bashing". Go quantify some human lives and let people do as they will. Lmao.

Originally posted by Travh20
Is never enough for the liberals for someone to not like or disagree with another person soley for their beliefs, it always has to be about nationality, color, sexuality or something like that.

Maybe you should read twice your signature before pretending you do not judge people according to their nationality.

I dont like the french becausee when I was in Paris they lied to me, tried to rob my friend, turned us out in the street, took advantage of us, mocked us and tried to manipulate us all within the space a 4 days. Maybe you should stop assuming I have no experience in life.

Originally posted by Travh20
I dont like the french becausee when I was in Paris they lied to me, tried to rob my friend, turned us out in the street, took advantage of us, mocked us and tried to manipulate us all within the space a 4 days.

They ? You mean all the French ? 60 million people lied to you, tried to rob you and mocked you in the streets ?

I do not know what you've been through exactly in Paris, when and under which circumstances. Obviously something very unpleasant. Probably the kind of thing that gives you a bad image of a country. I can understand that - I know that french people are not always very nice to foreigners, especially in touristic places like Paris. On that point we have much to learn from the american (and from many other people).
But you have to admit one can't base his whole image of a country and of the people who live there on a four day experience.

Originally posted by astrapol2
They ? You mean all the French ? 60 million people lied to you, tried to rob you and mocked you in the streets ?

I do not know what you've been through exactly in Paris, when and under which circumstances. Obviously something very unpleasant. Probably the kind of thing that gives you a bad image of a country. I can understand that - I know that french people are not always very nice to foreigners, especially in touristic places like Paris. On that point we have much to learn from the american (and from many other people).
But you have to admit one can't base his whole image of a country and of the people who live there on a four day experience.
I agree. If so, one could get an image that due to a 4 day visit to rural Florida, everyone in the U.S. is a fundamentalist Christian redneck.

OK, you all are on such a high level no normal person can possibly be right about anything, your on such a high road you cant see the ground.

Originally posted by BorgHunter
I agree. If so, one could get an image that due to a 4 day visit to rural Florida, everyone in the U.S. is a fundamentalist Christian redneck.

Boy, if I lived in Florida I would be HIGHLY offended by that.

Originally posted by Travh20
OK, you all are on such a high level no normal person can possibly be right about anything, your on such a high road you cant see the ground.

Proving your own points, I see

wtf??

You do not seem to appear tolerant of others except those like yourself...

Originally posted by Mopoloton
Boy, if I lived in Florida I would be HIGHLY offended by that.
I live in Florida. :D

Originally posted by Mopoloton:
"Boy, if I lived in Florida I would be HIGHLY offended by that. " said one dumbass coward from SC

It's funny but i was thinking that if Mop boy lived in Florida, most Floridian's would be HIGHLY OFFENDED by that.

Who pulled your talk chain?

Well if I lived in Florida I'ld be fishing

Okay, can we get back on topic please?

I am a member on a couple of forums, all of which are run by Americans. I can't understand what the problem is? They have always been really accommodating to me and even though I can't follow the politics, we can always find some common ground. I can't say that I have any problems with the people here either.

As an Aussie, we always laugh about the fact that most of you Americans can not understand our love of Vegemite. Are we the only ones in the world who love the stuff?????????:D :D

Apparently so.

What is Vegemite ? Some kind of explosive made of vegetables ?

I don't think anyone would have ever heard of vegamite if it hadn't been for Men at Work.

Some Viet Nam veterans who took R & R to Sydney also learned of it. Not my favorite stuff, to be sure.

We also can't understand what you are saying half the time... and it seems like everything imported from Astralia has to deal with crocodiles, returns to the thrower causing great injury, or is a crustation burnt to a crisp outdoors...

Whatever happened to Yahoo Serious?

boomerang accident... He made another movie and exploded. It was a sad sight... Hair everywhere...

Originally posted by aVaTaR
We also can't understand what you are saying half the time... and it seems like everything imported from Astralia has to deal with crocodiles, returns to the thrower causing great injury, or is a crustation burnt to a crisp outdoors...



hahaahahahaha................

We really aren't that hard to understand you know. I can assure you that we are a normal as you probably are. Maybe you should pop over for a visit............:D :D

I had a great time in Australia, all 3 times I visited. Fine place to party!