It's not like we invented circumcision, for example, or are the only country where it's the norm. And when I think of hiking I'm about as likely to think of lederhosen and the Alps as the Cumberland Trail; most of the regular hikers I know are Scandinavian, in fact. And nature parks NEED bathrooms; just 'cos you went to McDonalds yesterday doesn't mean you need to leave it on the ground at Yosemite today.
In the US, circumcision is almost the default. It's not in Europe. There are some religions that ask for it, but that's not the basis for circumcision in the US. One of the arguments I've heard used was that it's more appealing visually.
I can't speak to that; they're all equally unappealing to me visually. Circumcision is pretty much the default here, though not only here; this is the first I've heard of anything like a major controversy about it. I know it's tossed about (so to speak) in some circles but except among the "anything traditional scars an infant for life111" groups I don't hear a lot of debate. To me it's not even as hot a topic as blood transfusions; refusal to circumcise is far less likely to cause death, and an issue for about the same (negligible) portion of our populace. The consensus seems to be that it does at least slightly reduce the risk of infection and other disease, so it continues to serve a purpose (probably the purpose for which it was first devised. ) Meanwhile, America is far from the only country where circumcision is standard, and, while I haven't done the research, because I really don't care that much, I suspect Europe is more the exception there than we are.
As for hiking, I'm sure there are other nations where people hike, but the concept of hiking, at least for me, is linked to the US. I think it's different from trekking in the Alps. As for bathrooms, I think you overestimate the amount of bathrooms in nature parks in Europe.
It's the "for me" and "in Europe" parts that I was thinking of when I made the comment. Maybe you don't consider Alpine hiking to be hiking, but it is; much of the standard equipment for hiking was developed there before the US even existed. I'm taking no position on the number of bathrooms in European nature parks (in fact, until about an hour ago I'm pretty sure I'd never even considered the question) I'm just saying that I think nature parks in general are better off with them than without because I think they reduce the human impact on natural areas.
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Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.
Love still can't be coerced.
Please Don't Eat the Newbies!
LoL. Be well, RAFOlk.
This message last edited by Joel on 06/10/2010 at 06:51:45 AM
/of sorts. Culture in general. And more specifically, American culture.
04/10/2010 07:32:29 PM
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The foreigner POV
04/10/2010 08:17:24 PM
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I think of how the Rockies and Appalachians were created by MGB and Chuck Norris wrestling. *NM*
05/10/2010 12:57:31 AM
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How about traditional American values?
05/10/2010 01:43:07 AM
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isn't that a bit misleading?
05/10/2010 07:52:18 AM
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yes but we have more of it
05/10/2010 02:50:53 PM
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05/10/2010 03:10:18 PM
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Do you know why it is rude to ask someone if they are from Texas?
05/10/2010 05:53:19 PM
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Word (concept) association with "American culture"
05/10/2010 09:57:07 AM
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i think those are pretty indicative word associations. *NM*
05/10/2010 03:08:08 PM
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Some of that may be more European than American culture.
06/10/2010 04:20:16 AM
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every other animal leaves it on the ground.
06/10/2010 04:50:00 AM
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Yeah, but even the "bigger is better" thing isn't purely American; we just took to an extreme.
06/10/2010 05:06:27 AM
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really, the part that most people go to at the Canyon isn't really a "nature park"
06/10/2010 05:33:48 AM
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My whole point there was that most US nature parks are tourist attractions.
06/10/2010 06:37:00 AM
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Nothing's purely anything, but you guys've got the The World's Biggest [everything] over there.
06/10/2010 07:14:55 AM
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with your medical training you really want to advocate leaving it on the ground? *NM*
06/10/2010 09:30:57 PM
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But circumcision is a hot topic in the US
06/10/2010 05:42:25 AM
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It is?
06/10/2010 06:51:31 AM
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You're wrong about the default for circumcision the world over
06/10/2010 07:44:40 AM
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That surprises me, but alright.
06/10/2010 10:00:14 AM
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It is indeed only prevalent among Jews and Muslims - and the old British empire.
06/10/2010 10:38:07 AM
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I've actually never heard it discussed except for two/three times on the wotmania/rafo boards.
06/10/2010 10:16:50 PM
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You make a good point about tipping
06/10/2010 09:58:10 AM
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I disagree - surely tipping is much more internationally widespread than some others in that list.
06/10/2010 10:43:32 AM
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Right!
05/10/2010 09:42:20 PM
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A Scandinavian fond of Creole and Cajun food? I thought my grandmother was the only one...
05/10/2010 10:30:57 PM
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You mean. . . there are people out there who don't love Creole and Cajun food?
06/10/2010 06:48:21 PM
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