NationStates Jolt Archive

These thoughts were evoked by my sight of an ad I saw on a bus stop as I was cycling to college today. It showed a photo of Robbie Keane, Damien Duff and a few other Irish national team football players. The caption said "Stand up for the boys in green."

I thought how for many people in Europe supporting football is very much a patriotic thing. Then I thought that in America people are more militaristic and they equate the military with patriotism, and support it enthusiastically. In contrast, Europeans don't think that much about their nations' militaries, and support for them tends to be mild. I think that this is because all the patriotic energy is channelled into football. In modern Europe, nations play against each other on the pitch, rather than on the battlefield as of old!

So do I make sense?

Kind of but Norway is far more patriotic and supporting of the army than the US.

yeah. But in europe there are many countries living in close proximity to eachother so the sports teams play against other countries. American teams sometimes play against other countries, but most of our sports our national leagues against other americans.

Also, with our military we have something to be proud of. Germany can't say much for their military, it sucks compared to ours. So people are proud of what they are best at. And America is best at kicking ass on the battlefield.

Kind of but Norway is far more patriotic and supporting of the army than the US.
That's true; there are a couple of such anomalys.

yeah. But in europe there are many countries living in close proximity to eachother so the sports teams play against other countries. American teams sometimes play against other countries, but most of our sports our national leagues against other americans.

Also, with our military we have something to be proud of. Germany can't say much for their military, it sucks compared to ours. So people are proud of what they are best at. And America is best at kicking ass on the battlefield.

Afghanistan, Somalia, Vietnam etc there recent record is very good really.

"Think for a minute about flame-throwers. The Army has all the flame throwers. I'd say we're fucked if we have to go up against the Army, wouldn't you?"

-George Carlin

p.s. to swimmingpool: "anomolies". ;)

yeah. But in europe there are many countries living in close proximity to eachother so the sports teams play against other countries. American teams sometimes play against other countries, but most of our sports our national leagues against other americans.

Also, with our military we have something to be proud of. Germany can't say much for their military, it sucks compared to ours. So people are proud of what they are best at. And America is best at kicking ass on the battlefield.
Yor first point is completely correct, and your second is aiming in the right direction. I would elaborate that in the modern era, European countries have eschewed military prowess, because it has proven so destructive in the past.

yeah. But in europe there are many countries living in close proximity to eachother so the sports teams play against other countries. American teams sometimes play against other countries, but most of our sports our national leagues against other americans.

Also, with our military we have something to be proud of. Germany can't say much for their military, it sucks compared to ours. So people are proud of what they are best at. And America is best at kicking ass on the battlefield.

* His views do not represent the rest of the Americans on this forum*

I'm glad to see someone on the forums who was able to make such a good connection. I'd have to say that you're right 100%, thanx for that. Now I know that there are indeed some people outside my nation that can understand us.

(But don't get us wrong, football is patriotic for us too...just OUR type of football. And beer. And steak. And those twins....[inside joke])

I'm glad to see someone on the forums who was able to make such a good connection. I'd have to say that you're right 100%, thanx for that. Now I know that there are indeed some people outside my nation that can understand us.

(But don't get us wrong, football is patriotic for us too...just OUR type of football. And beer. And steak. And those twins....[inside joke])
I wouldn't go as far as to say that I "understand you", since I don't understand the zealotry of our football fans either!

PS.. no you don't get to be patriotic about your beer, because we have all the good beer. :D

These thoughts were evoked by my sight of an ad I saw on a bus stop as I was cycling to college today. It showed a photo of Robbie Keane, Damien Duff and a few other Irish national team football players. The caption said "Stand up for the boys in green."

I thought how for many people in Europe supporting football is very much a patriotic thing. Then I thought that in America people are more militaristic and they equate the military with patriotism, and support it enthusiastically. In contrast, Europeans don't think that much about their nations' militaries, and support for them tends to be mild. I think that this is because all the patriotic energy is channelled into football. In modern Europe, nations play against each other on the pitch, rather than on the battlefield as of old!

So do I make sense?

If that is the case for most of America, then I must be in the minority then, since I don't support the military any more than any other institution or profession.

If that is the case for most of America, then I must be in the minority then, since I don't support the military any more than any other institution or profession.
You must be. Most Americans seem to be more militaristic than Europeans.