I wonder if any of you consider yourselves citizens of the world, not just a citizen of one country. I'm not sure if I consider myself a citizen of the world yet. But I do enjoy living in Japan a lot, and there are many other countries in the world I would love in. There are some people who consider themselves citizens of the world, and I wonder if there are any on this site.
i like to think of myself as a citizen of the world too...but when you explain that to most people they look at you like you are a complete idiot, like they can only comprehend what they have been told and have no concept of any other idea of citizenship other than i'm from where i'm from and piss on the rest of the world....i'm like fuck that....if the rest of the world goes to shit, what do you think is going to happen here???? but even that goes over there heads....
Yeah, I consider myself citizen of the world and when I say it some people just go: "WTF are you saying?"
I've never really thought about it. I don't consider myself as Finnish, even tho that's what I technically am. I just think it's pretty pointless to label people into these categories of different nationalities. After all, we all humans living in one big world... Why should it matter so much which country you were born in? So yeah, I'd much rather be a citizen of the world, than a citizen of Finland for example.
Aye, I am not just a citizen of this country because countried devide instead of unite. I am a citizen of this physical plane.
i think that all hippies are citizens of the world patriotic hippy isn't real hippy NO BORDERS, NO NATIONS
The only time I have been asked for my citizenship is when coming across the border from Mexico or Canada (sadly I've never been anywhere else outside of the US). I always feel strange having to say I'm a US citizen. I did tell my husband that if Bush got re-elected that we were moving to a different country. I guess we're moving soon. Either that or to Hawaii since it is so beautiful over there and far from the mainland. Lots of hippies and nature there. Not so many Bush fans.
I don't consider myself a hippy, but DEFINITELY a citizen of the world....I am curious about other places, and have had fun blending in wherever I have gone in the world to this point. Not a very American idea I realize, but I don't feel seduced by strip malls and NFL football.
Just because you haven't travelled anywhere else besides your own country doesn't mean you can't appreciate other countries and their cultures.
Thats very true Zephyr, however many of the most nationalistic/xenophoblic Americans do not leave the country.....I think that was her point. I realize its different in Europe, as it is a more international scene and most people travel abroad for their holidays.
@babyfreak - it's no problem! like seamonster said, here in Europe people tend to travel abroad more often as it's easy and cheap.
My husband has thoroughly traveled my ass. I'd only been as far as the Texas-Louisiana border when he invited me to spend Xmas '01 with him in Norway. In this respect, I feel more like a world citizen. It's comforting to have been there, done that, etc. My husband is a cultured man. He is half Russian, half Chilean, Russian born and a citizen of Norway. He speaks 4 languages fluently. I'm just a girl from Texas who snagged a good one!!!
Good for you hippie vixen, I also married someone from europe, although she only speaks 3 languages fluently Last time I was at Heathrow airport I saw an American with a "Proud to be an American" shirt on, definitly not a world citizen, and certainly an embarrassment to our whole country.
personally, i want to throw up when i see an american flag sometimes. but the texas flag is a different story. *giggle*
i really like this thread, because you can look at it from so many different angles. babyfreak was talking about travel. i don't think she was just talking about seeing the leaning tower or the parthenon... it's more like experiencing the culture, in the fullest extent of the culture... participating in the culture where it thrives. i haven't done much travel outside of the us; i have a lot of ideas and desires, but i lack a lot of participation and experience. practice provides a greater understanding. there's also this philosopher hannah arendt, who talks about being a citizen of the world. i'm not too familiar with her, so hopefully i don't misrepresent any of her points. her claim was that people become citizens of the world through political discourse with others (not political as in we've all gotta rally together to bash bush or lobby before congress, but that these discussions must go beyond, "how 'bout them bears?"). we learn about our self through these discussions. she claims it is wrong to draw yourself inward... you can't discuss things with only those who share your views. it's a pretty wicked theory, all in all, though there are certain points i don't agree with. but eh, i figured i'd just offer it up.
quote: but the texas flag is a different story. *giggle* Really?! I think the Texas flag is like a worse version of the American one, as Texas represents all of the worst in America to me.
It's easier to see what nationalism is like when you find yourself on foreign soil. One of the biggest obstacle to communication always seemed to be that 'American' tag. Being lumped in with the stereotype. I'm glad to have been able to break past that through meaningful interaction and show through good livin' that we're not all bad. To me being a global citizen means doing my best to understand other cultures outside of the one I grew up in and not making the assumption that my way will always be right. It would be a great world if we were all actually global citizens and we could just say "I come from the America's" or "I come from Africa" and not have a whole host of bad ideologies surrounding us.
I don't like to tell people the name of the "town" or "state" I live in. When people ask where I'm from, I'd much rather tell them that I currently reside in the place beneath my feet.
