It seems to me there is an in-your-face style of hyper self-assertion around these days.

I don't mean particularly American, I don't know enough about America to say that, and in any case I don't think it makes sense going in for generalisations about a continent-wide conglomeration of communities which vary a great deal. I wouldn't even make those kind of generalisations about the neighbourhood in which I live. (Which is a long way from America.)

But I run into it constantly - it shows itself in the way people drive, in the way they deal with any kind of delay, when shopping for example. And in the way they respond to any kind of perceived challenge. And it comes up here on the Mudcat often enough.

I've noticed that these days every time people in the media or in politics refer to the concept of turning the other cheek, it seems to be accompanied by an implied or a direct sneer. And yet the same speakers writers and politicians often would very likely claim some kind of adherence to "Christian values" - and you can't have a more core Christian value than turning the other cheek, at least as something to aspire to.