Syracusa, the problem with definitions is that they do not hold true for all people within that supposed "definition." There are unique individuals in this board as well as in your neighborhood. You are one of the unique persons as well.
Blue collar workers (say middle class) versus white collar workers ("professionals") do not tend to conglomerate. People conglomerate; unique individuals. People may hold certain types of jobs within an area, but are you "defined" by your job? Does your area define you? Is that truely what matters to you?
You seperate and classify things based on an external (which you describe as "superficialness" or the "glazed-eye" look) which is based on a feeling that you have when people talk with you.
Please realize that I'm not trying to speak against you or your opinions about your reality... what I am trying to say here, is that those people talking with you probably are also making some external judgements about you. Maybe you're meeting people that you cannot find any common ground with... maybe not.
But I can tell you that true conversations get beyond the externals. It's beyond Americanism or any culture. My friends cross nationalities and job classifications; my "friends" are various people, both rich and poor.
America is not a culture that originated with Americans -- unless you are a Native American Indian, none of our ancestors came from this country originally. Most of America's art, literature, etc. originated from other lands. Americans love the freedoms that this country allows, and you critise that with your words. Yes there are negative aspects to living in this country... would you rather live elsewhere?
If you think every single person is the "enemy" (out to get you or to critise you) then you know, that is what you will find. By grouping people and limiting people, you may limit yourself.
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