America bashing at Esplanade Mall

[jae_jae]

I take it that many of the persons who have already posted to this topic are either baby-boomers, or are either over the age of 40. Your sentiment definitely shows it, and it reeks of smug cultural imperialism, in that Americans/westerners are allowed to accept such outright insults due to America's the west's superior cultural/societal status. This is largely due to issues/things that have taken place in the past, although persons from my generation, many of us tend to see things, and persons around the world, on more of an equal footing.

As a person under the age of 30, and who has lived in several of the world's major cities half of his life, I have to say that this t-shirt is not cool at all, it is lame, and that I completely agree with Gohmer. Persons who are saying "relax" seem a bit spineless and pathetic, although it seems that Thailand attracts many of these types of westerners.

What do you think a Thai would do if this t-shirt was displayed in an American shopping mall, with a Thai flag wrapped around the middle finger saying "_____ Thailand"? I know for a fact that several of my Thai friends who are my age, would feel ashamed of that t-shirt at Esplanade, and would also feel highly insulted.

[ipsut]

jae_jae you do not see t shirts anywhere in the world pointing a finger at Thailand in such a way for one reason. They have not tried to occupy the rest of the world, financially or physically, yet. That and the hypocritical arrogance of our politicians, tarnish our flag globally. Then of course there are the wars we regularly find our selves in, specifically the latest two.

[jae_jae]

jae_jae you do not see t shirts anywhere in the world pointing a finger at Thailand in such a way for one reason. They have not tried to occupy the rest of the world, financially or physically, yet. That and the hypocritical arrogance of our politicians, tarnish our flag globally. Then of course there are the wars we regularly find our selves in, specifically the latest two.

I'm referring to the act of stereotyping an entire people, not necessarily justification, but since you brought it up ...

Who exactly are "they"? I know that not all Americans tried to occupy other nations. I know that not all Americans tried to start wars in Afghanistan/Iraq. And I know that most of this "war mongering", etc, was instigated by persons not from my generation. If the t-shirt said "____ Bush", or something more specific, that would be a different issue.

I think juggernaut has a good point, in that many (perhaps baby-boomer?) Americans/westerners tend to justify insults to their countries/people in a type of self-loathing/"civilized and proper" manner, due to issues of the past. Sure, this t-shirt can just be seen as a joke (although I believe there are many Thais who wouldnt take it as a joke), every person has his or her morals/tastes, etc. This is just my taste I suppose, but it's a taste that, I believe, many persons from my generation tend to share, due to growing up within a more globalized world.

[ipsut]

jae_jae, Of course you are correct that not all Americans support war. I for example have been in the streets back home protesting them for a long time. You seem to be against sterotyping of others, yet seem to do so yourself when you refer to baby boomers being appologists for the ills of America. I feel that all of us, young or old back home ( I'm in Taiwan ) that remain silent as our govenment invades another country are resposible for the sterotyping of us by others. You said that our current wars were not instigated by "your" generation. True, but then they never are. They are started by old men ( fact,), which are then supported by the silence of most of those young that fight them. I sure do not loath my country, but do understand when others are not appreciative of our "help" such as when our govenment had an official meet with a red shirt leader a few days ago. I do not think the meeting had the approval of the Thai govenment.

[jae_jae]

jae_jae, Of course you are correct that not all Americans support war. I for example have been in the streets back home protesting them for a long time. You seem to be against sterotyping of others, yet seem to do so yourself when you refer to baby boomers being appologists for the ills of America.

Point taken, I was expecting this accusation. That's why "I take it that", "perhaps, "many", etc, etc, is stated before and after my statements referring to baby-boomers. Anyways, that's beside the point, I don't believe all baby-boomers are "war mongers", etc.

I understand your statements ...

[garyinthailand]

Never mind. I just want one of those t-shirts! And I'm American! But I'm in Hua Hin. Can anyone get a phone number? If there's enough demand, we can do a special run. Who's in?

[garyinthailand]

gohmer, was that the Esplanade Mall on Ratchadapisek Road, or the one in Nonthaburi (per Wikipedia)? I ask because I'll be in Nonthaburi this weekend for the Deep Purple concert and I'd really, really like to get one or more of those shirts. Thanks in advance!

[Voice]

Juggernaut wrote “If it had been an anti-China shirt, I bet you a billion that some Chinese bypasser would've ripped the shirt from the display in a fit of rage (typical commy style).

This kind of patriotism you mention I don’t think it good for any societies it could bring more war and destruction to humanity than what it worth. We would be on war path with everybody’s. We just have to learn to ignoring it sometime.

[Hard_done_by]

Yep. America has been in a steady decline ever since 1832, when Andrew Jackson was elected POTUS, instead of Henry Clay.

good morning zydeco,

is your avatar expressing sadness for Nim Chimpsky?

[charleskirk]

I don't believe how this has become a political debate over a simple tee shirt.
I am an American who served in Thailand during the VietNam conflict and while I am proud to have served my time in the military for my country it is appauling how some Americans act when overseas.
America is special in that we have attributes that are superior to what others have but that is for our country and to be respected in our country. These things are not shared by all other countries and each country has a soveriegn right to do things their way just as America has a right to do things our way in our country. Other countries have special attributes that Americans don't enjoy in America.
I don't believe we should expect other countries to be America any more than we expect America to fall in line with other countries. Each country is an independant soveriegnity so let's back off the country bashing and get back to the original issue which was an offensive tee shirt.
Did anyone bother to speak with the store owner and explain that the tee shirt was offensive and why. If so the owner would have probably have apologized for the offense and moved the shirt.
Also the "flipping off symbol of the middle finger" is not well known or understood in most countries by the common folk. I remember a friend in Germany when I was stationed there told me that you could "flip off" all the locals and most would think you were waving hello because the offensive gesture to them was pointing the index finger to your forehead and they had no clue about the "American middle finger flip off".
It is doubtful the shop owner has a clue about what the tee shirt means and if he/she does know probably has good reason to display it publically.
Let it go and get on with life. Enjoy Thailand and ignore the few that might dislike you.