Wow... the twists and turns that can take place in an RFF thread in a mere 8 hours!
Roger,
You, or more correctly Frances, first made the generalization that Americans are more likely to take offense than Europeans - I tried to point out, via another generalization, that an anecdotal analysis by one person is of no more value than that of another when considered in the larger context.
And please read again, I did not "call Europeans" anything. I was illustrating by example that different conclusions can and will be drawn to account for a single fact or effect (in this example: Americans are the nationality most offended). Self bias helps dictate whether we conclude that they are too thin skinned, or whether they are being insulted by more rude counterparts, or something altogether different. This self bias may be a result of conditioning by our cultural norms and rules, or by the bias passed along by the particular media one is exposed to, or the desire to be supportive of one's spouse, etc., etc. So you can't always chalk up a persons negative reaction to rude or borderline comments as simply their being thin-skinned or "touchy"; a thoughtful person will consider their contribution to the situation, accept ownership and adjust.
I know that continuing to debate the situation will not result in a conversion of one us to the other's side - in this discussion. But at least we can put our positions forth fairly constructively.
Though I admit if I truly were a bit more thin-skinned I might take exception to being the only member you don't address as "Dear" !
