Sorry...apparently only my title was posted before?

The most interesting point that stuck with me during our discussion on Thursday was how we, Americans, tend to be selfish about globalization. We want to progress, but we expect many countries to retain their traditional identity. When we travel, I guess we want to see the country as we imagine it. I have never really left the country (…I don’t think spring break in Cabo really counts for traveling…), but I want to study abroad in Europe and I can imagine myself being disappointed if my expectations of a country were not met. That is a completely unrealistic expectation. So now I’m trying to figure out why I think that way, and I think it is how the United States developed differently than any other country. We are considered the “Melting Pot,” but in reality every country is a melting pot. Our melting just occurred in a shorter period of time….basically 300 years. The European countries had thousands of years in which new people came into their country, assimilate, and transform the society into what we view as their traditional identity. They have been globalizing forever, but it just occurred at a slower pace so we don’t really see the immediate effect. My opinions are very “touristy,” but it is because I am not looking at globalization objectively. I think in short term effects, not long term outcomes….and I believe that is a cultural deficiency.