What are you doing in Europe?? Hawaii is a great place during the entire year! :)
The World Cup is indeed a good answer to the multi-kulti ideology - peacefully united in diversity. Nobody gives up his identity but respects the pride of the others as a matter of course. The World Cup in Germany has made this feeling understandable even for the Germans, who have often enough had problems to stand behind their nation and its symbols. Germany is a normal nation, at last. No need to feel shame when your own anthem is played, but it´s a reason to rise your voice and join the choir.
Gotta love it. While I was too excited to watch the quarter final against Argentina at one of the large screens in an inner city, I will join the masses and be at such a place on Tuesday when we play Italy.
America isn´t a nation that likes crowds. And where would you go? Most inner cities aren´t charming with their modern office towers and almost no pedestrians-only zones. You´d feel lost there. So, the average American puts its US flag with no less pride at his house and cheers the victory of his team with a few invited friends. I couldn´t imagine to see him dancing/partying on the streets with strangers. That may happen in Italian neighbourhoods or so, but not in the averge town/suburb.
What are you doing in Europe?? Hawaii is a great place during the entire year!
I'm not knocking Hawaii and have loved living there, but it is small and limiting.
I was born in Germany and came to America as a kid. Kind of catching up on my roots, visiting relatives in Munchen (my birthplace) and Antwerp.
You make a good point about Americans celebrating in more private ways. But we have been capable of politically directed 'million man' marches.
And we do have stadiums which fans do not leave singing in harmony. I was overwhelmed by the crowd in Berlin stadium after Germany beat Argentina. Really exhilarating, and I was so happy for my Vaterland.
Thanks for your reply, and I do hope the Gemutlichkeit continues. It really is fantastic that Deutschland is feeling the pride to fly the flag.