What are the worst things you've heard someone say about your culture or country here in the States?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

this isn't about me, it is about the arrogance displayed here with people thinking they are somehow better just because they know a little geography or a few cultural characteristics of a few countries. geez, unless you study this stuff, you can't know but a little since the world is so big.

also, as for europeans traveling, so what, the US has states that are bigger than countries in europe so they travel, whoopie, it is like going from DC to North Carolina. it is a way of life for them, because they are so close, because they are so small. also, to leave one's countries in europe, it is just a matter so driving, big whoop!

You really don't understand the point originally raised. That's alright.

[DEDixon 39]

It does matter actually, especially when considering quality of life and standard of living.

knowing geography and cultures outside of your own impacts quality of life and standard of living? when you said "it does matter" i am not sure which "it" you are talking about (sorry).

You really don't understand the point originally raised. That's alright.

the original? threads take many turns, this one among them, i picked my bone, now if you care, you can go back to figure out which it was.

[SunDrop 59]

I have to disagree about Europeans being more worldly because they get more vacation time and travel to a foreign country is easier. You only need to take one look at any of the more southern parts of Europe, especially on the Med, to see the endless sales boards outside restaurants offering "Bangers and Mash" or "Fish and Chips" to see that while we (meaning Brits) might travel abroad, we often fail to actually experience the culture of the country. What good is there in traveling if you're only there for the weather? I've had people ask me what on earth I'm going to do if "it doesn't work out?" ... Hmmm, come back maybe? Makes me feel like I'm being launched into orbit, ground control to Uncle Sam or something...

Having done the tourist thing in and around London with several different Americans, it is only fair to comment that there are plenty of Americans who make even their own cringe with embarrassment. Like the lady who held up the entire traffic around Parliament Square, camera in hand and yelling at her family to "get closer, that's right, squeeze in! Bobby, a little to the left. Chuck stop bunny-earing your sister!" while she took a shot of them in front of the Houses of Parliament. Or the gentleman who turned to my American friend, without realising she was American herself and asked "Why do you English people write which way everyone should look on the sidewalk crossings? Is it because you have trouble remembering you drive on the wrong side?" She calmly shrugged and replied, "Guess it's so we all don't get run over. They musta got sick of us suing them!" lol...

It's a fair point that ignorance, in the purest sense of the word, is inevitable when considering the size of the US. Just the way that each state is responsible for so many of it's own regulations, laws and systems of various kinds commands a more introverted perspective. If I get in my car and drive to my Grandma's village, at the other end of the country, I'd need the same amount of time it took us to drive from Chattanooga to Memphis. Driving from Tucson, AZ to San Diego, CA took the same time that it took us to drive from London to Bonn, Germany. And if I fly from Boston to Tucson, I've taken as long as it takes me to get across the Atlantic to the East coast in the first place. I don't believe it's fair to expect Americans to have a similar world perspective, considering. So much of what is happening politically in other European countries impacts the others, or indeed what happens in the US, that we look outwardly more for an idea of what our nation's future can expect. I stay up and watch the US elections, but can't say that I've met a born and raised USC who does the same with the British ones! In fact, I don't even know if they're televised in the States. And, right or wrong, I don't think it's strange that my 10 year old knows the name of the President but couldn't tell you who her Prime Minister is.

A lot of Europe looks at the US through very rose-tinted glasses and there is also a historical resentment against the US. Many of my grandparents' generation strongly resented "the US swooping in and saving the day, taking our women and then disappearing again" following WW2. These days we often are guilty of looking at your cheap gas and low sales taxes, cheaper housing and consumer choice with an ignorant envy. We don't see that many places don't have the transport infrastructure that affords us the luxury of not having to own a car or buy gas just to get to work, that cheaper housing means a more stagnant market, making it harder to sell when life forces you to move away and consumer choice comes with a barrage of really intrusive advertising in practically every form of entertainment. There are pros and cons to everything, wherever you are.

But I have a lot of affection for my best "ignorant" American memory. I was working for an American chain restaurant in central London, doing a midweek lunch shift. 2 American businessmen came in and nearing the end of their meal asked me, since they were only in town for a short conference, what the best site they could see to give them as full a story of English history as you can fit into one afternoon. I suggested the Tower of London, to their delight. One exclaimed, "Oh yeah! That's where they cut off heads of treasoners and stuff, right?" "Sure is," I replied. "And then they put them on stakes on some bridge, right?" "Yup, Tower Bridge," I replied. And his colleague is looking at me, a little surprised, and goes "REALLY?? Wow! What time does that happen?" and without batting an eye, I looked at my watch and go, "Well, it's 2.30 now.. if you hurry, you'll make it for the 3 o'clock display." He jumps up, throws down a couple of bills (the cost of lunch with a £30 tip) grabs his jacket and runs out the door yelling, "C'mon Mike.. we have to go! Keep the change! You've been really helpful!" His colleague just shrugged and goes, "Do keep the change, you earnt it for that joke. Never seen him move so fast!" lmao....

Edit for typos

Edited March 6, 2010 by SunDrop

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Do you think most of Europe would have preferred to be under German rule?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

the original? threads take many turns, this one among them, i picked my bone, now if you care, you can go back to figure out which it was.

The original -

However, as they say: worldview comes from viewing the world. There's a lot of truth to that when you think about it. I sure wish Americans would travel the world more. We'd have a different quality of discussions in this country.

Aside from worldview, a bit of focus would apparently play favorable into having better discussions, too.

[Ali G. 37]

knowing geography and cultures outside of your own impacts quality of life and standard of living? when you said "it does matter" i am not sure which "it" you are talking about (sorry).

Who said travel or international exposure has anything to do with geography? Just in case you have not noticed, we are part of a global community now. The US is far from the center of the planet anymore. Anyone who thinks they can stay ethnocentric and ignore the rest of the world in 2010 is only fooling themselves.

Nevertheless, what a crazy notion of learning from others who do things better. I guess Australia not being bankrupt for example, in the world global recession, is not someone you would want to learn from right?

Edited March 6, 2010 by Booyah

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Who said travel or international exposure has anything to do with geography? Just in case you have not noticed, we are part of a global community now. The US is far from the center of the planet anymore. Anyone who thinks they can stay ethnocentric and ignore the rest of the world in 2010 is only fooling themselves.

Correct, Australia is the center of the planet.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Correct, Australia is the center of the planet universe.

fixed that for ya', spooky.

[DEDixon 39]

sorry guys, i can only remember back 2 posts at the most so as i post and post, i'm posting to the very most recent.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

fixed that for ya', spooky.

Oops! Thanks for catching my error.

[Ali G. 37]

Correct, Australia is the center of the planet.

Never said it was, I simply pointed out what they are recognized for as being world leaders in; something you clearly have a problem grasping. Actually, it's you who beats on daily about how awesome America is, with zero evidence of course, yet cannot stand when anyone else mentions something their country does better.

If you are so in love with you America, send you spouse back and marry some clown from Boston. I read a nice spouse the other day trying to run over her husband's ex, on her wedding day.

Edited March 6, 2010 by Booyah

[DEDixon 39]

If I get in my car and drive to my Grandma's village, at the other end of the country, I'd need the same amount of time it took us to drive from Chattanooga to Memphis. Driving from Tucson, AZ to San Diego, CA took the same time that it took us to drive from London to Bonn, Germany. And if I fly from Boston to Tucson, I've taken as long as it takes me to get across the Atlantic to the East coast in the first place. I don't believe it's fair to expect Americans to have a similar world perspective, considering.

all of what you said is right on... especially above.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Never said it was, I simply pointed out what they are recognized for as being world leaders in; something you clearly have a problem grasping. Actually, it's you who beats on daily about how awesome America is, with zero evidence of course, yet cannot stand when anyone else mentions something their country does better.

What are they world leaders in? What have they invented? What have they given to the world? They aren't even a major player in the world economy. Australia is more like a yacht club or country club. It the country disappeared tomorrow it would have no effect on the global economy or security. It's a nice place to live, that's it and that's fine.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Oops! Thanks for catching my error.

I'm working on my promotion.

[SunDrop 59]

Do you think most of Europe would have preferred to be under German rule?

If this Q was aimed at me, I actually believe that most Europeans are ignorant to the impact that WW2 had on the US, to put it very simply.

What in my post gave you the slightest idea that I was expressing anti-American sentiment of any kind? We seem to be discussing the 'whats' of world perception of America and not the 'whys' which frankly, if it isn't raised, makes the entire debate #######-fer-tat. Yes, we often witness an American "arrogance" about their country, but often times, this is more misinterpreted pride. My observation of Americans' sense of national identity goes very much with the more enthusiastic overt displays of support and kinship that they display for everything, from sports teams to professional achievement. Granted, not all Americans are like this, just as not all Germans are towel-reserving sunbed junkies and not all Brits are football hooligans. But I think it boils down to an underlying envy of what we perceive as being things that are 'better' in the States, as I described in my earlier post. So when Americans are being overly enthusiastic and inadvertently patronising, it gets translated as rubbing noses in it rather than simple "goooo team"ness and different social norms.