h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hola. I think the comparison to other cultures doesn't alwas has to result in terms of: They are not as good as we are! (or the oter way around). Personally I spent some time in the states, and I realised that Americans are quite different than Europeans . But this did not result in me sayind they are stupid (as long they do not hold elections). Most of my friends (other Europeans) reached similar conclutions. So why would differences create pride? I have to admitt that I' German and that I alwasy had problems understanding why other nations were so (outwordly) proud of their flag etc. . Why does a bird have to proud of the fact that it flys? It's just a quality, I can fly therefor I am a bird.
[I know bats are mamals and fly as well but there are alway exeptions to the rule]
so I guess that we Europeans have a somewhat common grasp of history and values, enough to consider us already a common socila group.

It's a fair point.
My comment about pride was based mainly on observation- I guess I'm used to nationalism in a British context, which seems to be quite a disturbing one sometimes I have to say, in which the sense of shared identity is accompanied by pride in the nation.
I suppose I should substitute the word pride for something a little less specific.
In any case, I agree with the spirit of what you're saying, it's just that this was originally written as an essay in which I had to appear unbiased and basically not TOO pro-European. I think we do have shared history and values as Europeans, but getting those recognised by all Europeans (esp. in the UK) is proving a little harder than it looks.