Quote: (08-20-2013 06:44 PM)iknowexactly Wrote:
There are subtle things that we are probably only aware of subliminally, such what I saw as the pervasive mistrust there.
I never really realized how much the economy of 1st world countries depends on a basic level of trust between strangers. Of course there are pockets in ghettos where there is high crime, but ...
I've been the first to bitch about the narcissism of Americans, but after seeing the FSU alternative, I see there's a positive side to the pride of Americans.
Great post.
This is true. There is an implicit level of trust between individuals especially in Anglo-Saxon cultures. Where you just expect things to get done.
America is not the most successful capitalist country in history for nothing. Service is king in the USA. Not many places will happily give you a refund on an item you don't like and in some cases even a token gesture, e.g. a discount card or a free meal when your level of satisfaction is low.
Generally this will be done in a pleasant, respectful manner. We have it good and take these things for granted.
Furthermore, I think the basic level of trust is also to do with laws that are enforced by a police force with a low level of corruption. People can reasonably expect that breaking laws will result in punishment.
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First World countries are smarter than most other people in the world. That's why they're a lot richer. Invent vaccines, the internet, airplanes, telephones, the internal combustion engine, the light bulb, before you disagree. It has had negative sequelae-- obesity, bitchy girls-- but smart people understand: You get more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.
I think this all comes back to Maslow's Hierachy of Needs.
As previously mentioned we have many of our basic needs in the West met, e.g. security - policing of the state.
Therefore as a society we can afford to pursue other enterprises when we don't have to worry where our next meal is coming from etc.
The self-actualization traits are the cornerstone of the American economic juggernaut:
creativity, problem solving, lack of prejudice, acceptance of facts, innovation.
However I think that the higher points in the pyramid are met in the West to the detriment of others. The Love/Belonging - sexual intimacy, friendship and the family nucleus in the West are seriously compromised in the pursuit of riches.
How many times do you know of a guy who stabs his friend in the back? Just look at the rise of the White Knight culture, intervening in another man's affairs when its no business of your own.
Sexual intimacy with an American woman? Forget it. Or how about people who leave their parents to rot in a residential care home? In South America people don't let their grandmothers out of the house by herself!
The irony is that basic physiological needs on Maslow's Hierachy are all met in the West bar one and arguably one of the most important for men is
sex.
That's why the majority of men on here are going to places like the FSU,SEA, South America, etc.
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And all this has a feedback effect, at both ends of the immigration-emigration pathway ... My charming, long-legged 19 year old Ukrainian tutor left for Canada- and says she is never going back.
Later I saw her post on Facebook a meme they pass around there: "Will the last person to leave Ukraine please turn the lights off ?"
Another irony of the West is that despite all its benefits many of us want to leave (at least those on the Roosh V forum!). This is because we want to experience some excitement, some adventure, away from the comfortable, predictable existence we live in.
In contrast most immigrants can't wait to get here because they want more security and more predictability in their lives.