How come veterans have about 50 days recognising them in thr US but in Britain we have fuck all?
(Rememberance day doesn't count)
Likewise, those of us Americans who work in industries that have branches overseas...we struggle with how Europeans (we ignore the UK in this statement) take six weeks off every summer. We can't get them to do anything during those times
Our holidays have pretty well been in place since forever with vary little variation, so we're brought up with that being the standard without question. As to the veteran aspect of it
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It's probably because the two countries exhibit fundamentally different attitudes to guns; which therefore goes on to inform the perception of those people for whom a gun is a tool of their trade.
In the UK, Civilians tend to look down on the Military (even the RAF look down on the Navy, and the Navy look down on the Army ..... [SELECT * FROM jokes WHERE punchline LIKE "%we don't piss on our hands%"]) whereas in the USA, anyone who has been on so much as a live-ammo training exercise is revered like some sort of celebrity.
I was going to disagree with the opening statement about guns as I think our American culture is raised with reverence of the military regardless of one's views on guns. Though, as I think more, you may have a solid point that our prevalence of guns, and the use of them to command respect, may have a subliminal effect. Though, the overall respect for veterans, IME, comes from both gun lovers and those who dislike guns overall. It comes more from appreciation that these people chose to give themselves to the force that protects us all. This is where all the parade and accolades for veterans really surfaces, appreciation for serving the public - same as for firefighters and police. We have a growing body of Americans who despise police, and a good part of them despise the military - again, mostly as an overarching image though attacks are taken out on the individuals in uniform. I can appreciate someone disagreeing with the concept of military, but to to actively attach those who protect and serve you reeks of lunacy, IMO. Time will tell how that shakes out.
But I think more than 'guns' is what you and a_w alluded to, that a military career for you lot is a last resort occupation and generally looked down upon. For us, we taught a history growing up that spans the American Revolution, two world wars and a fistful of other 'conflicts' where American might has prevailed (please, pay no attention to the ones where we lost...we don't admit defeat, we simply stopped engaging). History teaches us that American might has always prevailed, for the good of our country and our interests which are right and just. With that, one develops a reverence of the military - folks willing to put their life on the line to protect the rest of us. I'm one of those who have immense respect for our military - in a large part because they volunteered to do what I would only do if forced to, honestly. Add to that my grandfather was career military, my father served 4 yrs, and half my aunts and uncles also served to some degree.
Going into the military to be the hero, however, is not how most of us view the motivation...or at least I don't. I know a lot of guys who couldn't figure out what to do with their lives and enlisted in part to have food and a roof, and some just to have a place to 'belong', but a lot simply to learn discipline and a trade that would make them employable after they served. There is a lot of different reasons to serve, some desperation, some intentional planning, some natural attraction to that way of life. Regardless of the individual's motivation, the fact that they military utilized them to protect the rest of us, that they volunteered to do whatever was asked of them, that is where the respect comes from (at least for me).
Admittedly, an evidenced in my choice of words thus far, Americans raise our children with a slanted view of the military. Success, bravery, righteousness - these are the attributes generally taught. Reality says there are incompetents as well, those who couldn't do anything else with their lives. And there is as much, or more, shady shit done as we find in the business world...but in military situations, people can die.
I need to pause at this point. But I do greatly appreciate the feedback, anything more on this (military) topic, or general awareness of the difference of cultures is greatly enjoyed on my part. I live to have perspectives shared and discussions to educate one another. Cheers!
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It sounds, though, like I'm only getting UK answers. Do we have active members from the European mainland?
Let me try a different question for everyone. Without stating where YOU live, what would you tell a tourist like myself about Australia, New Zealand, or the other areas this forum serves? Good cities, food, things to see, things to avoid. What do you like, or dislike about your area, your country, whatever you'd be willing to share