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

[Ali G. 37]

The worst thing people have said about my country is: America is still number 1.

I mean, how ignorant can one be?

[mawilson 2,133]

The worst I've heard so far was here on VJ when someone said PHILIPPINAS (no exception) were cash cows who sucked the money out of their partners.

Filipinas are anything but cash cows. Their partners are, however.

[Revenesque 2]

USC Hubby to me: "Wow, you have palm trees in Vancouver?!"

Me: "Disappointed that Canada isn't a frozen tundra?"

Canadian to hubby: "What's your ethnic background?"

Hubby: "I'm African American."

Canadian: "What part of Jamaica are you from?"

While in Taiwan, Taiwanese tourguide to hubby: "Do you play basketball?"

Hubby: "Not really. I prefer tennis."

Tourguide: "Do you dance?"

Me: "LOL, nah--he's got two left feet!"

Tourguide: "Oh, do you rap?"

Hubby: "No, I hate rap."

Perplexed, tourguide: "You don't play basketball, you don't dance, you don't rap--what DO you do?"

Hubby: "I work for the US Dept of Commerce."

In Taiwan, a Taiwanese girl on the train wanted our autographs because she was convinced we were American celebrities.

[mRx 16]

In Taiwan

I was shocked when I saw the airport bathrooms in Taipei; they had two-ply toilet paper! Only airport I've ever been in that stocked two-ply.

[jundp 191]

It doesn't help that you spent Superbowl week going "Who Dat" on VJ threads (You sort of earn the stereotype when you do that, right?)

Congrats on the Saints win, again, btw.

Oh but I'm proud of that stereotype, Scandal!

It's the rather unflattering ones regarding education, number of teeth in mouth, and/or familial relationships being too close....

absolutely the same here! Also the question 'How come your English is so good?' Or 'Where's your funny German accent?'

I generally don't like people saying that someone is a bad person just because of their culture etc. ('Sauerkraut? Ewww you're gross!').

ahh and Washington State... geez yeah! I love Washington and it makes me wonder why no one ever thinks of the state first rather than DC...?

Why haven't you met up with me or Aubrey and her husband?!?!

[Gemmie 142]

Is that really so bad? London is about the only place in England many Americans have heard of. And besides, England is tiny Smaller than Louisiana.

Oh I know, it's just that there are so many towns in the South West (with many different accents) so asking how far the South West is from London makes me chuckle. There are a good few counties (equivalent of states) down there and it could be anywhere from 1-5 hours.

Then again, distance is different to Americans as everything is so much bigger. My friend has asked my husband if Boston is anywhere near the Olympic Peninsula rain forest, and when he replied that it's the other side of the country, she asked if he could drive her there one day. He told her she would need about 8 hours on a plane.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I was shocked when I saw the airport bathrooms in Taipei; they had two-ply toilet paper! Only airport I've ever been in that stocked two-ply.

You sure remember the important stuff.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

a couple more

1. People don't seem to know Taiwan and Thailand are different places. One is an island and one has islands.

2. I have an Icelandic BIL and people often ask what language they speak there. It's not a totally dumbass question but they usually are surprised to hear they have their own language.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I hear an Australian douchebag preach how much better it is in Australia and yet he lives here, What an idiot. If you don't like it, get your faggot a$$ out.

[Y&E 12]

Reminded of some British girls I talked to in Vietnam. I noted how run down a temple was and they said "Americans expect everything to look new and have a McDonald's in front." I asked them if the British really let their historic buildings crumble into ruins.

All of the Euros on my bus were too cheap to spend a dollar to see the Ka Sahn battlefield.

So, you're the American who believed that Auckland was connected to Sydney by a bridge, right?

I suspect that you were outnumbered on that tour bus x : 1 as Europeans are much better known for their travel skills and interest in travelling than Americans. BTW - did you notice that I said it wasn't just Americans who make silly comments / assumptions? And since Starbucks is now no longer in the Forbidden City in Beijing it's hardly surprising that I didn't hear a single American accent when I was there last month.

[scandal 951]

I hear an Australian douchebag preach how much better it is in Australia and yet he lives here, What an idiot. If you don't like it, get your faggot a$$ out.

I've been to Australia. It's a lovely place. The Blue Mountains are stunning, and Sydney is a rockin' town. I'm not surprised that it attracts only the very best class of people as immigrants.

[mRx 16]

I'm not surprised that it attracts only the very best class of people as immigrants.

Were the immigration officials still wearing this?

[Calypso 464]

I've been to Australia. It's a lovely place. The Blue Mountains are stunning, and Sydney is a rockin' town. I'm not surprised that it attracts only the very best class of people as immigrants.

NatGeo says that there are a lot of pagans in Sydney and they go skyclad. Neopaganism is the fastest growing religion in Australia. Moreover, some non-pagans in Sydney practice negotiated infidelity.

[scandal 951]

NatGeo says that there are a lot of pagans in Sydney and they go skyclad. Neopaganism is the fastest growing religion in Australia. Moreover, some non-pagans in Sydney practice negotiated infidelity.

That's a terrific religion. It's based on the belief in a unifying deity that absolves you for every transgression of the flesh, and encourages you to try some more. One Hail Mary followed by two shots of tequila.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

One Hail Mary followed by two shots of tequila.

Hail Mary.

Now where's that tequila?