I've mostly noticed this in relation to the U.S. but I see it directed towards other European countries as well, and it's always a bit concerning. Like, I keep seeing people use the shortcomings of other countries to prop theirs up as flawless. The truly offputting part is that they tend to talk about the people and the country as one in the same. ie: the government is corrupt, so the people are stupid. As an American we get a lot of shit from Canada, but the undercurrent of extreme patriotism is more noticeable coming from places like the UK, France, Spain etc…

EDIT: since it might not be obvious why this concerns me, this kinda stuff sounds exactly like the way MAGA and Republicans talk about the US. there's also usually some questionable opinions on immigration once you scroll down these comment chains.


9 comments

  1. I do not recognize the situation as you are describing it, so I do not have an answer for you, but I just had to comment on this…

    > he undercurrent of extreme patriotism is more noticeable coming from places like the UK, France, Spain etc…

    As opposed to the US? You must be joking.

  3. Are you refering to our banter? I don’t really see many doing it for reasons other than fun. Ok, the balkans are a mess in that regard, but it is still, they do it very differently then what you are discribing.

  4. May I refer you to /r/ShitAmericansSay so you can see what your compatriots say about our countries on a daily basis.

    No France, Spain and the UK do not have more ‘extreme patriotism’ than the US does. It might just be that you’re noticing nasty comments directed at the US more than the reverse because you’re more invested in discussion about your country (which is natural).

  5. We’re tribal apes, after all. No amount of goodwill and effort will change that. You can’t educate away our taxon. You cannot take the ape out of the human.

    However, the grotesque “extreme-patriotism” we all know from the US is unheard of in Europe. Your claim is absurd.

  6. We do talk shit about our countries but we dont let foreigners to do that

    Specially the french or british /s

  7. The one thing that instantly gets Irish people fired up like this is when we’re lumped in with the British. A crash course in Irish history generally follows.

    That being said, we’re under no illusions our own country is infallible (quite the opposite in fact). It’s also a myth we hate British people – in fact they have privileged rights in Ireland only just below those of Irish citizens. We have gripes with the British establishment from time to time, but that doesn’t extend to individual British people.

  8. Because nationalism is based on myths and prejudice.

    All countries are remarkably similar for the most part, especially neighbouring countries tend to have on the global view about the same history that overshadow the neighbouring tensions and conflicts.

    There really isn’t any nationalism without a strong bend in truth to glorify your own country’s plight and place in history.

  9. I think you’re confusing snobbishness with patriotism. It’s basically European culture at this point to insult everyone exept for yourself. You’ll find more than enough hate to their own countries from the same people who criticized other countries.

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