Calling All Non-Americans!!!: America?
- Thread starter Zaverexus
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How dares you bash amurica! We be the bestest cuntry in the world! Lol, nah. I'm always interested in the world's view of our country. I like it here, but it doesn't surprise me that many foreigners don't like it. We have a piss poor image. And most to all of it is probably true. Whatever. We suck, but I like living here. 
Country: Canada
I think the US (no, not America, the US. America is North and South America, two continents, not a country) is a great country. A lot of things everyone loves come from there and honestly we (and everyone else) rip on it too much. But... I have met several people from there that just blinded me with their stupidity. I don't think it was the country's fault but god damn were they retarded. Most of the people I've met were perfectly normal, though.
I think the US (no, not America, the US. America is North and South America, two continents, not a country) is a great country. A lot of things everyone loves come from there and honestly we (and everyone else) rip on it too much. But... I have met several people from there that just blinded me with their stupidity. I don't think it was the country's fault but god damn were they retarded. Most of the people I've met were perfectly normal, though.
It means if you met us most of us are warm, friendly, considerate and helpful.thaluikhain said:
When we vote for a politician they don't tell us "We will present a predatory stance towards others and their natural resources." But then again we have a limited palette of options. Italy has like 26 viable parties. We have 2. 6 or so if you really want to get creative but in reality it's 2. Furthermore we are not responsible for the hate-engine that US politics is, where candidates will tout a conservative politician's gay daughter or use the non-Caucasian status of an opponent to cast dangerous suspicions about his allegiance.
The majority of people in America are actually quite reasonable even though we do have our share of total idiots and it's not really uncommon for a total stranger to offer you aid, even if they don't vote. I was on my way to the polls the day of the election to recall Grey Davis, I voted against the recall (and lost as the Governator later came to office) but before I could I stopped for directions and my car died. Well the guy (an office building's gardener) gave me directions and let me charge the battery. As I was about to go he asked if I was voting against the recall, I said yes and he said "Oh well that's good, I would too but I'm not voting." Not a bad person, even if he didn't vote. A lot of people are lazy yeah, or perhaps have lost faith in the system but I hope you can see how that might work.
Meet some Americans, see how you feel about them personally. Some politician had said that when you meet someone personally, face to face, and spend some time with them, it's impossible not to find something you like about them. And it's true. If you met some Americans and you didn't like them, meet better ones.
Well if you go trying to sell them your altruistic view of capitalism you can expect them to debate you. That said as an american, I share your stance on our aversion to socialistic progression. The word "socialist" is used as a slur here. No doubt because a lot of very rich people saw something that made a very great deal of sense and would cost them a very great deal of money and so made strides to defame and curtail it as it spread across Europe. To great success it would seem. I wish you the best of luck on your trip and as a practical matter I apologize in advance for all the questions you will receive about kangaroos, koalas, boomerangs, didgeridoos, your "accent" and Mad Max. People may also quiz you on Paul Hogan and Steve Irwin. I apologize again, in advance.TU4AR said:
You're a good person for making a stand like that. I appreciate what you did. That said I thank everyone who has had something nice or in the least considered to say. For those of you who didn't I can only say, I'm sorry you feel that way, but it's not like I don't understand.Kagim said:
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.
