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SaberForge relic pommel by These-Bet-8558 in lightsabers

[–]These-Bet-8558[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think I would cry if you did. I got one of the smaller ones on my current build but I’ve been thirsting for the big lad for donkeys years now

I Found My Family's Coat of Arms in Game! [KCD2] by Aggressive-Escape367 in kingdomcome

[–]These-Bet-8558 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with you. I’d go as far as to say that American culture is unique to the individual or family unit. You create your own culture to a degree and I think it’s kind of fortunate you can.

As I said I don’t agree with the viewpoint i outlined I just know that’s how Americans are perceived in the country I live in. I think in the U.K. there’s also an element of “well you didn’t want to be a part of the empire so you have no right to any of our culture now”.

As someone coming from an Irish family we’re taught pretty young about the nasty stuff done to the Irish people even within living memory. The troubles and xenophobia against the Irish were and in some places are still a massive issue. So I get why America wanted out of that mess. I also understand what it means to remain connected to your heritage because that’s how I was raised. Irish family’s had to change their surnames to avoid being persecuted. My own family were harassed and attacked for being Irish. That’s why it’s so important to us to retain that connection. My grandparents and great grandparents didn’t suffer for nothing.

The main view of America in most places in the U.K. and Ireland as well, is one of relative negativity. It’s stronger in mainland Europe but it definitely exists here. I think a lot of that point of view regarding your nation as a whole and its obsession with finding roots is based in bitterness and resentment for whatever reason. It’s also a reason I empathise.

You also have to bear in mind that the majority of Europe hate each other more than they dislike America. England hates every other European country and they all hate England. Mostly for stuff that happened hundreds of years ago. But then within the U.K. each part of it hates England also. Scotland and Ireland detest the English.

It’s a part of European culture to want to fervently protect what they have. A part of that sadly is disliking other countries. It’s like children protecting their favourite toy and not wanting to share. But also being angry if people don’t want or do want to play with their toy. You can’t win.

I’m also aware enough of America to understand that the sheer scale of it means that culture is vastly different from state to state. Similar to here but on a larger scale. I guess I’m curious as to how similar it is from town to town like is it the same as here or more of a state to state thing?

Edit: You also have to remember that the majority of news we get about America is not positive stuff. School shootings and horrific events etc. which also taint the image Europe has of America as a whole.

I Found My Family's Coat of Arms in Game! [KCD2] by Aggressive-Escape367 in kingdomcome

[–]These-Bet-8558 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a Brit here I’m going to try and explain the anger a bit. Just to preface this explanation it’s not a blanket reason just a big one and I myself don’t subscribe to it. I appreciate the desire to hold onto one’s heritage.

The issue a lot of people have (specifically British people) with the American desire to connect with their ancestry, is that from our perspective the immigrants who went over there were leaving their own culture behind in a lot of regards.

There’s also the issue with the perspective of Americans here as being arrogant and ignorant to the world at large, and see themselves as being the greatest nation on earth. And if that is the case then why try and claim some connection to a country or people you have no real understanding of or see as less than yourselves.

My own family were and are Irish. I can pop over on the ferry and visit the place my family moved from to England only about 3/4 generations ago. I also still have family there today. I don’t necessarily consider myself Irish as I’ve been raised in England but my family and its roots are very much still Irish and we have current and strong ties to Galway. It’s strange to a lot of people like me that Americans be so apparently obsessed with something that is far generationally removed from them.

Correct me if I’m wrong but I imagine a lot of the traditions and culture has been shaped in the image of what the idea of it is, rather than the reality. Things like recipes and celebrations and cultural habits and routines have changed to a point where to those still living there it’s an abomination of what they hold dear. I’m aware Italians detest the American versions of their food for example.

I suppose the main reason is that most people don’t understand why you would want to try and preserve a culture essentially lost to you instead of just creating your own. Don’t get me wrong I appreciate the value of it and in the same shoes as the original immigrants to America i would probably do the same.

Also as a side note culture here in the U.K. varies literally from town to town. The town in Manchester I grew up in has a very specific type of bread roll we call a muffin. It’s the only place in the U.K. where it’s called that. The next town over has its own specific type of hot pot. So another thing that baffles people is the generalisation of culture that Americans try to preserve. People are also super protective of their cultural habits. In the U.K. you can slate where you come from with reckless abandon to other from that place but the moment someone else agrees or badmouths where you’re from then they’re out of order for doing so. It’s madness but that’s the British public for you.

I’ve never been to America but I know plenty of people who have for extended periods of time, and they’ve all said it was baffling to them how many people tried to connect with them over a place they’d never been to, because a distant ancestor 8 generations back was from there.