I can't believe it's already February, but I'm happy to see that despite my lack of activity here in 2011, many people have been continuing to visit this site and find useful pages and materials. Thank you all for stopping by and browsing!
This posting focuses on both a socio-cultural development and terms that are being used to describe Americans. Do Americans see themselves as wimps and sissies? How does the rest of the world see us? Are you familiar with these terms? The Wall Street Journal came out with this article last month, and it caught my attention. I definitely see changes in the attitudes of the current generation of Americans with their ability to see jobs as stopgaps, rather than lifetime careers, but I must admit that I don't view them as 'wusses.'
Having just viewed the peaceful 'forced' resignation of President Mubarak of Egypt, my family and I commented about how passive Americans are here at home, especially in the case of allowing our troops (including National Guardsmen) to be sent to invade Iraq years ago, despite a large number of us doubting the existence of WMDs (weaspons of mass destruction). I am not sure if our passivity is an outcome of 'wussiness' or 'wimpiness,' but we do seem to be able to tolerate or overlook many government actions, even on our own soil (e.g., recent airport security measures that can require passengers to have full body-scans or hands-on body searches touching 'private' parts), that look like the 'State' overstepping its boundaries or limits.
Whether you agree with the above characterizations of Americans or not, you've got a few more colorful English words to listen for. Be careful about how YOU use them. As with most informal language that has negative connotations, caution should always be exercised when trying to use it on native speakers.
1 comment:
Interesting questions, Evelyn, and a thought-provoking WSJ article. I don't know; every time I read an article that questions "Americans" I have to ask, "What exactly do you mean by 'Americans'?"
I mean, maybe the question to REALLY ask is, "Has urbanization created a society of wimps?" Because by the article's definition, I'm sure you could find more "wimpiness" among urban Japanese and urban Americans (or Swiss, or Germans, or Bengalis . . . ) than you could among those who still chop their own wood, grow their own veggies, and plow snow from their own driveways.
I battle with the notions of John Wayne-esque "manliness". I see my two nephews (ages 18 and 22) attempting to define themselves as "manly" and demeaning women and making their young male selves appear more shallow in the process.
I hope we'll get past these sexist labels some day.
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