Police Corruption On The East Side

[waynel]

How did you know they were "Ugly Americans?" Did you ask them? Perhaps they were English speaking Canadians who sound just like Americans. And when you say Americans, which America? Central Americans, South Americans, North Americans. I'm sorry, but I just want scream when I see someone use that worn-out phrase. Even if these people were from the U.S. couldn't you just say "beligerent people"? Do you also use the phrase "Ugly Mexicans"? Please, if you are ashamed of your countrymen and want to disparage them, at least think up something original. One last thought...by pointing out that someone else was "ugly" aren't you being somewhat "ugly" yourself.

 

[driftin' by]

How did you know they were "Ugly Americans?" Did you ask them? Perhaps they were English speaking Canadians who sound just like Americans. And when you say Americans, which America? Central Americans, South Americans, North Americans. I'm sorry, but I just want scream when I see someone use that worn-out phrase. Even if these people were from the U.S. couldn't you just say "belligerent people"? Do you also use the phrase "Ugly Mexicans"? Please, if you are ashamed of your countrymen and want to disparage them, at least think up something original. One last thought...by pointing out that someone else was "ugly" aren't you being somewhat "ugly" yourself.

NancyLynn didn't infer that the "Ugly Americans" were US citizens... You made that assumption! Perhaps she generalized the people as Americans because she wasn't sure if they were from the States, Canada, Belize or any other English speaking country in the Americas?!?! It's not beyond exception to consider the drunk, belligerent and disrespectful behavior of any nationality on foreign soil as "Ugly" even if it's your own countrymen. I'm sure that at one time or another we've all been "Ugly" and are ashamed of it. YMMV.

 

[Christi]

Do you also use the phrase "Ugly Mexicans"? Please, if you are ashamed of your countrymen and want to disparage them, at least think up something original.

Actually, Mexicans are also Americans. Canadians are Americans. People from South America are Americans. On one hand you ask for clarification and in the next sentence you are accusing her of "disparaging" her countrymen in an unoriginal way. So as josh said, YOU made the assumption that she was "disparaging" her countrymen.

But while we're on the topic...yes, I witness "ugly Americans" from the US every single day out on the streets here and it does embarrass me to be an "American" sometimes with the way they act! If someone is disrespecting the culture and/or a local, or otherwise being obnoxious and belligerent...whether they be from Canada, South America, Mexico, Europe or the United States...then the label fits and is appropriate!

 

[DandyDon]

Ooops...! :lol:

Waynel, I think most divers at least try to act like gracious guests in other countries, well I do try, and I bet you do. My overall averages may not be the best, but I don't think I have ever been asked to leave or not come back - that I can think of off hand. Perhaps you're right that the term is bantered around too much, but now and then we all see tourists can make us embarrassed to be one.

Hope you have a great NYE! I'm overpacking for Exuma with 19 hours until wheels up - if the last CO CRJ makes it into Lubbock tonight without problems. ilot: Mine didn't go for my last trip, to Coz in August, and I had a lot of fun getting there, then more escaping H.Dean....! :11:

 

[DivingPrincessE]

Actually, Mexicans are also Americans. Canadians are Americans. People from South America are Americans. On one hand you ask for clarification and in the next sentence you are accusing her of "disparaging" her countrymen in an unoriginal way. So as josh said, YOU made the assumption that she was "disparaging" her countrymen.

But while we're on the topic...yes, I witness "ugly Americans" from the US every single day and it does embarrass me to be an "American" sometimes with the way they act! If someone is disrespecting the culture and/or a local, or otherwise being obnoxious and belligerent...whether they be from Canada, South America, Mexico or the United States...then the label fits and is appropriate!

Do Mexicans refer to themselves as "Americans" do Candadians refer to themselves as "American"?? No they refer to themselves as Mexican and Canadian (or whatever the Spanish translation of Mexican is) We are the United States of America...American! What else should we call ourselves? United Statians??? So the song "Proud to be an American" do you think the song writers meant to include Mexico too? I don't think so. I think it's pretty safe to assume the poster thought the "ugly americans" were people from the U.S.

 

[Christi]

Do Mexicans refer to themselves as "Americans" do Candadians refer to themselves as "American"?? No they refer to themselves as Mexican and Canadian (or whatever the Spanish translation of Mexican is) We are the United States of America...American! What else should we call ourselves? United Statians??? So the song "Proud to be an American" do you think the song writers meant to include Mexico too? I don't think so. I think it's pretty safe to assume the poster thought the "ugly americans" were people from the U.S.

Actually, yes as a matter of fact...many Mexicans refer to themselves as Americans. It was here, seven years ago when I moved here that I was corrected and actually realized that those from the United States ARE NOT the only "Americans" in this world.

Before you attack me, you should read Wayne's post in it's entirety again. HE posted:

"And when you say Americans, which America? Central Americans, South Americans, North Americans."

He then turned around in the very next sentence and accused Nancy of "disparaging" her countrymen. Quite a contradiction if I've ever seen one.

 

[Moodiejeff]

Read this link - to get a better understanding where the term comes from (if you didn't already know). ...and another

Perhaps this quote from the book will shed even more light on the subject... sounds a bit familiar huh?

"For some reason, the people I meet in my country are not the same as the ones I knew in the United States. A mysterious change seems to come over Americans when they go to a foreign land. They isolate themselves socially. They live pretentiously. They're loud and ostentatious. Perhaps they're frightened and defensive, or maybe they're not properly trained and make mistakes out of ignorance."

 

[tedtim]

.... Perhaps they were English speaking Canadians who sound just like Americans...

Take a deep breath! Relax.

Sorry, but I don't know any of my fellow Canadians who sound just like Americans. No insult intended, but we have barbs thrown our way because of the manner we speak English. Of course, the barbs have also been thrown in the other direction too.

Step back and think if you have ever, and I mean ever, used a similar term - ugly whatever - when describing someone from another part of the world. If you have not, then you are a far better person than I can ever hope to be.

 

[BDA]

All police are corrupt everywhere, whether it's Mexico or the USA. It's a given.

As a serving cop, I find that extremely offensive.

 

[Christi]

Ooops...! :lol:

Waynel, I think most divers at least try to act like gracious guests in other countries,

This is the key Don As I said which some people seem to want to read over...is that the "ugly" label fits anyone that is disrespecting the local culture regardless of where they are from. I can't pretend to speak for Nancy, but that is also how I took her post before Wayne got so bent out of shape and decided to pick her post apart.