Calling All Non-Americans!!!: America?
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I live in Australia but I have spent a month in America (I went to Vegas and California). Before I went I thought it was concrete and the people were rude and kinda stupid. When I was there I found that it wasn't quite as concrete as I expected but still much more than Australia, the people were actually really nice but god were most of them dumb and very loud. Also, Americans are insanely patriot, there are flags absolutly everywhere! Overall I think America's pretty ok but maybe some of the people should open their eyes and realise that they aren't the only country in the world. Sorry if any part of this has offended the Americans here.
I think mine is more "Well I guess some other places must be better, but I really don't see any problem at all with here" plus some faint notion of political weirdness off in the distance.Jabberwock xeno said:
And I thank you, despite common belief I really just wanted to know what people thought. You can bash or not bash according to preference.Kagim said:
And how many times do I have to say: If you don't like it, leave and don't post, no one wants to hear you whineskywalkerlion said:
Not trying to be a dick, it's just that this thread comes up every few days (especially so the last week or two). I don't mind getting picked on (as an American) it's just that it happens all the damned time. And the result is always the same. You won't get varying opinions on other same subject threads.Zaverexus said:
This one's a toughie, but here it goes.
I'm an American, lived here most of my life. I say 'most' because I spent time in the United States Navy and as such, visited Spain, Iceland, Japan, Bermuda, and Sicily. I've also met many people from other countries that moved here for a 'better life' or relatives or whatever, and I think I can encapsulate the argument this way:
If you know anything about American baseball outside the U.S., I believe the world looks at this country the same way all of us outside of New York look at the Yankees. They're the biggest on the block, they have the most money, the loudest players, and blowhards running things, but you either love a winner, or haters gotta hate.
Now don't get me wrong, we have PLENTY of morons here. Watch American Idol, Jersey Shore or any episode of the Jerry Springer Show and the sad but true evidence is there for all to see. However, I balk at the stereotype that we all act and think as well as Larry the Cable Guy. (Don't know him? Then watch this:http://comedians.jokes.com/larry-the-cable-guy/videos/larry-the-cable-guy---naked-death)
The whole healthcare debate is very big in this country right now, has been for years. I DO think that those that impugn us for not having it here might be missing something. It might work for smaller countries, but when you have so many here, a large % of them getting older, financially it's just not feasible atm. We also have a ton of restrictions that keep us from making insurance costs lower, but that's more a political issue.
And speaking of politics, I've seen a lot of 'I like Americans, but not the politics.' Well, join the club. We hate it too. The rhetoric has gotten so rough here that it's become more like a cold gang war, like the Crips vs. the Bloods. (If you don't know who they are, it's ok. Ask anyone from L.A., just keep your head down while you do)
Which brings me to guns. Everyone out there seems to think that we all have guns. I even saw a 'fact' posted here that 90% of us have guns! Sorry, but where the hell did THAT little nugget come from? I don't deny that we have the ability to buy guns, but all the regulations and pre-screenings we have to go thru make it nearly impossible. All gun laws are good for here are to keep good people in line. Those who break the law don't care, and you can find them anywhere in the world.
We are patriotic, yes. We are proud of that. Can we go too far? Sure. Oh, and we HATE being the world's police force. We don't want to, trust me. BUT, often times when there is some sort of catastrophe in some country somewhere the first question often heard is "Well, what is America's response? What does Obama have to say? Will Justin Bieber do a benefit concert for us? Look, Kanye West tweeted about us! Hooray!" and on and on and on. We're damned if we do, and damned if we don't. We either are a bunch of interfering dictators, or fat, lazy, uncaring assholes. Meh, I say.
The best way I think to view us is how we view ourselves: tough, hardworking people just trying to survive. Or my personal favorite, like the X-Men: "Trying to help and protect a world that hates and fears us."
If that's true, then I wanna be Wolverine.
I'm an American, lived here most of my life. I say 'most' because I spent time in the United States Navy and as such, visited Spain, Iceland, Japan, Bermuda, and Sicily. I've also met many people from other countries that moved here for a 'better life' or relatives or whatever, and I think I can encapsulate the argument this way:
If you know anything about American baseball outside the U.S., I believe the world looks at this country the same way all of us outside of New York look at the Yankees. They're the biggest on the block, they have the most money, the loudest players, and blowhards running things, but you either love a winner, or haters gotta hate.
Now don't get me wrong, we have PLENTY of morons here. Watch American Idol, Jersey Shore or any episode of the Jerry Springer Show and the sad but true evidence is there for all to see. However, I balk at the stereotype that we all act and think as well as Larry the Cable Guy. (Don't know him? Then watch this:http://comedians.jokes.com/larry-the-cable-guy/videos/larry-the-cable-guy---naked-death)
The whole healthcare debate is very big in this country right now, has been for years. I DO think that those that impugn us for not having it here might be missing something. It might work for smaller countries, but when you have so many here, a large % of them getting older, financially it's just not feasible atm. We also have a ton of restrictions that keep us from making insurance costs lower, but that's more a political issue.
And speaking of politics, I've seen a lot of 'I like Americans, but not the politics.' Well, join the club. We hate it too. The rhetoric has gotten so rough here that it's become more like a cold gang war, like the Crips vs. the Bloods. (If you don't know who they are, it's ok. Ask anyone from L.A., just keep your head down while you do
)Which brings me to guns. Everyone out there seems to think that we all have guns. I even saw a 'fact' posted here that 90% of us have guns! Sorry, but where the hell did THAT little nugget come from? I don't deny that we have the ability to buy guns, but all the regulations and pre-screenings we have to go thru make it nearly impossible. All gun laws are good for here are to keep good people in line. Those who break the law don't care, and you can find them anywhere in the world.
We are patriotic, yes. We are proud of that. Can we go too far? Sure. Oh, and we HATE being the world's police force. We don't want to, trust me. BUT, often times when there is some sort of catastrophe in some country somewhere the first question often heard is "Well, what is America's response? What does Obama have to say? Will Justin Bieber do a benefit concert for us? Look, Kanye West tweeted about us! Hooray!" and on and on and on. We're damned if we do, and damned if we don't. We either are a bunch of interfering dictators, or fat, lazy, uncaring assholes. Meh, I say.
The best way I think to view us is how we view ourselves: tough, hardworking people just trying to survive. Or my personal favorite, like the X-Men: "Trying to help and protect a world that hates and fears us."
If that's true, then I wanna be Wolverine.
Really? You know what other people think of Americans according to this website and this forum? Americans must be so self-centered and insecure that we must seek others' opinion of our actions as to put a biweekly post about 'how we are doing'. As one American to another I'd like to say that you really need to learn how to read other forum posts and stop contributing the same shout that other insecure Americans are making.Zaverexus said:
For those of you non-Americans who read this, most Americans are not so insecure that we need your permission to act and say as we please, for risk of course that I should seem cavalier or arrogant. I apologize if I come off that way however, like you I am not ashamed by what my country has done, just individuals of such.
I can't speak for my country as a whole. Too many differing opinions. I can only say what I as a person think.
Your political system is fucked. As a country you rely on emotions and pathos to push your agendas, and despite being one of the most advanced countries in the world you cling to ideals that hark back to the 1700's. Almost your entire political debate is based on the question of "what would the Founding Fathers think", despite them living in a different age. You let rabid zealots dictate the discourse of your debates.
My biggest gripe, however, is the lack of involvement your people takes in government. Basically, your entire idea of politics is based on hearsay, rumors and prejudice. And only about half of your population votes. Half. Add to that that your view of the political spectrum is completely skewed (you think Obama is left-wing? Come on, he's a liberalist, not a socialist) and that your biggest media network is basically propaganda. And yet you're supposed to lead us.
I don't hate America. I think many of its people are wonderful human beings, and I think a lot of you would do well in a country less obsessed with money. It just pains me to see that Europe is being forced to follow along with a country whose ideal time period was during the slave-era, and whose foreign policies are bordering on xenophobia.
I'm from Denmark, by the way. As for the people QQing about "bashing America", you probably ought to not read these threads if it hurts your sensibilities that much.
Your political system is fucked. As a country you rely on emotions and pathos to push your agendas, and despite being one of the most advanced countries in the world you cling to ideals that hark back to the 1700's. Almost your entire political debate is based on the question of "what would the Founding Fathers think", despite them living in a different age. You let rabid zealots dictate the discourse of your debates.
My biggest gripe, however, is the lack of involvement your people takes in government. Basically, your entire idea of politics is based on hearsay, rumors and prejudice. And only about half of your population votes. Half. Add to that that your view of the political spectrum is completely skewed (you think Obama is left-wing? Come on, he's a liberalist, not a socialist) and that your biggest media network is basically propaganda. And yet you're supposed to lead us.
I don't hate America. I think many of its people are wonderful human beings, and I think a lot of you would do well in a country less obsessed with money. It just pains me to see that Europe is being forced to follow along with a country whose ideal time period was during the slave-era, and whose foreign policies are bordering on xenophobia.
I'm from Denmark, by the way. As for the people QQing about "bashing America", you probably ought to not read these threads if it hurts your sensibilities that much.
As a voting American, you have no idea how much yelling I do at my representatives(sometimes literally). Unfortunately, I am but one man. They would like to tote me out in uniform, calling me a patriot, but I have a tendency to speak my mind, instead of what they want me to say.Jarl said:
I think they're looking at some mash up of slavery, the 1950's and the 1980's. All of them are in the past, and they need to stay there. Sometimes there were some good ideas back then(you can tell because they were overturned in the 80's), but they just need to go realize that the past is over with, now catch up to the rest of the world.
I haven't actually met anyone from Denmark in anything other than online forums.
For the most part, without news of a place Americans generally don't know much about it, aside from comedian jokes. I haven't heard any jokes about Denmark, so I don't know a lot about it. Come to think of it, I don't even remember your AFN commercial spot.
Hey Non-Taiwanese! What do you think about Taiwan?
NOTE: I'm not from Taiwan. I'm just pissed off that everything always has to be about America.
SHIT! Let's talk about Pitcairn Islands! Or Uruguay!
... wait... you're serious aren't you? :O
NOTE: I'm not from Taiwan. I'm just pissed off that everything always has to be about America.
SHIT! Let's talk about Pitcairn Islands! Or Uruguay!
LOL Good one!Fappy said:
... wait... you're serious aren't you? :O
Romanian here.
Honestly I have nothing against your country...
I do find it weird at times. I remember Bush coming around some years back and suddenly every sewer was sealed and we got I don't know how many bodyguards around. Which is odd since our president is frequently seen shopping and eating out without any escort. I understand why....it just felt so odd for me. Then again Romanians are lazy regarding assassinations.
Also...weird lawsuits. They happen everywhere, just...there are a lot more there. Why is that?
Other than that, I've met many Americans and stereotypes of Americans and dislike the whole bashing thing. Mostly because it's very hard to transmit an accurate description to other countries. Mine has the same problem so I get it. I actually like the place...there are some of the most interesting cities in the world there (I may be biased as I have a slight obsession with New Orleans) and it's so culturally diverse.
Honestly I have nothing against your country...
I do find it weird at times. I remember Bush coming around some years back and suddenly every sewer was sealed and we got I don't know how many bodyguards around. Which is odd since our president is frequently seen shopping and eating out without any escort. I understand why....it just felt so odd for me. Then again Romanians are lazy regarding assassinations.
Also...weird lawsuits. They happen everywhere, just...there are a lot more there. Why is that?
Other than that, I've met many Americans and stereotypes of Americans and dislike the whole bashing thing. Mostly because it's very hard to transmit an accurate description to other countries. Mine has the same problem so I get it. I actually like the place...there are some of the most interesting cities in the world there (I may be biased as I have a slight obsession with New Orleans) and it's so culturally diverse.
I'm from Canada and I think the average American is the same as the average Canadian. They are usually well intentioned but not always well informed. I think the Americans have the greatest piece of political doctrine ever and that it's largely waste on a society that's been highjacked by the political and religious right. I think the potential for America to be the greatest political country of all time lies within their reach if only the right would stop their constant brainwashing. I think corporations hold a death grip over the populace.
Unfortunately I live in Atlanta, one of the most culturally-void major cities in the US. Considering we are such a massive transportation hub (and we have people originating from all over the country living here) you would think there it would be rich with culture. Unfortunately the combination of it having a primarily commuting population and the "sketchiness" associated with the inner-city areas has led to a population of people who pilgrimage to the city for business and leave before they get mugged. I miss New York sometimesdarth.pixie said:
Australia here.
Personally I havbe nothing against America. However you do seem to come of as a big arrogant and overly patriotic.
Personally I havbe nothing against America. However you do seem to come of as a big arrogant and overly patriotic.
You guys do have some awesome plum wine though.darth.pixie said:
I have the mentality of a Canadian? Neat. I'm sure most of you have heard this joke. "How can you tell if a politician is lying. They're moving their mouth". I really wish that wasn't almost a statement of fact nowadays. I have a strong distrust of corporations, I have a stronger distrust of the police force, and I have an even stronger distrust of the people in charge. The more in charge you are, the more distrust I have in your organization(with a couple getting extra heapings of distrust for Scientology).dagens24 said: