United States
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Topic: United States
Posted By: cyclysm748
Subject: United States
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 01:33
| I hope this thread thread does not start any angry feelings or anything, but since there are people from all around the world on here, What is the general feeling towards the US by your home countries? This may be a strange question, but I was just curious as to how people feel on the outside. |
Replies:
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 01:41
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a bunch of backward, puritan, money-obsessed, militaristic, reactionary corn-eaters who think the world revolves around them oh sorry, you wanted non-US citizens  |
Posted By: Vompatti
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 02:24
Hamburgers, yum!  I don't think they ever went to the Moon though. |
Posted By: Easy Livin
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 02:48
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Hmm, please bear in mind our rules for the site. Respect for all regardless of creed, etc. |
Posted By: Petrovsk Mizinski
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 03:23
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Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 03:47
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In the Netherlands we embrace anything that comes from the US without telling right from wrong. ------------- 
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Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 04:11
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Yes, I remember that from the Netherlands, where I lived most of my life. My experience is that Belgium, where I live for the past six years, does that less. There's also less news about the US in the newspapers and on the TV. There's not an explicit pro or contra attitude towards the US, I think. |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 04:48
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Firstly, I dont judge the people of any nation, by the actions of their government, as I would hope no one would judge me by the actions of mine. Governments dont represent their people, they represent themselves and their own business interests and connections.
With that in mind, I have to say, my one experience of the US (NY) was a fantastic one. America is a vast country, with states as different in character, culture and possibly climate as Britain is from Norway. I intend to explore the whole damn thing before I die, and I know it will be an incredible experience. That's my personal perspective. Sorry, I cant speak for my fellow Brits regarding what they actually think of the US. I think many Brits are inclined to think that our government just does Washingtons bidding, and there is probably some truth in that, but that does not in anyway affect my view of America as a nation, and its people. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 06:01
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I am Italian, and moved to the US about a year and a half ago in order to marry another member of this forum. So, I was not biased at least towards him... Unfortunately, I came here when the country was at its lowest, in the throes of a deep recession that still is not over (though it did not significantly impact either me or my husband). This means that people are very prone to the same 'the sky is falling' attitudes which I used to decry in my fellow Italians, laying the blame on everyone but themselves. If I have to be perfectly honest, what really makes me uncomfortable here is the lack of human compassion shown by many - like those who believe that healthcare is a privilege and not a human right, or the obsession with 'hard work' (and I had two VERY hard-working parents), as if there were not many equally important things in life. Coming from a country and a family where saving money has always been of paramount importance, the 'debt culture' of the US also shocked me somewhat. On the other hand, even if there is still a lot of racism and prejudice here, I really like living in a genuinely multicultural environment - something that in my native country is encountering the hostility of a large part of the population (we have an openly racist and xenophobic party as part of the government coalition). I don't know if I will ever really feel at home here, but in the past few years I hadn't felt very much at home in Italy either (too long to explain), so I can only hope things will get better and better with time. |
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 06:14
| People in France seem to keep feeling superiour to Americans and jokes appear on a regular basis, but harmless and lighthearted. Actually this is a hidden inferiority complex. On a conscious level, people still believe they have the greatest culture & everything, but practically they are very attentive at what the Americans say. Every time a French artist gets confirmation by success in the States there's a great public joy. Like when the indie band Phoenix got the Grammy, or when Charlotte Gainsbourg did an album with Beck. From what I know, though, there was a lot of tension several years ago when the American wars in the Middle East started, but I can't feel any of it now. |
Posted By: Toaster Mantis
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 10:27
I think of the United States as essentially a country founded by circus performers and used car salesmen. Whether this is a good or a bad thing depends entirely on the context of discussion. As for the rest of the world's fascination with American culture, I think just as much gets lost in translation as when it happens in the other direction. Cultures often imitate each other in ways that in the end don't resemble the "original" much. Oswald Spengler, a German historian/philosopher active between the two world wars, had a pretty nifty term for this: Pseudomorphosis. A good example of this would be the rather... odd... apparent Westernization of Japanese culture, or to pick from this site's field of interest movements like Krautrock and Zeuhl.  ------------- "The past is not some static being, it is not a previous present, nor a present that has passed away; the past has its own dynamic being which is constantly renewed and renewing." - Claire Colebrook |
Posted By: CPicard
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 15:08
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Split-minded. Thanks for jazz and heavy metal, but, please, bring back home Lynyrd Skynyrd and Mötley Crüe. Oh, and if you could do something against the fast-food stuff, it would be nice (my God, I just walked near a KFC and I was about to vaint because of the stench!). |
Posted By: Henry Plainview
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 18:06
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And for all the people complaining about America: at least we're not Greece!
I read an article in the WSJ about how McDonald's is really popular in France. :P ------------- if you own a sodastream i hate you |
Petrovsk Mizinski wrote:Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 18:19
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Posted By: TheGazzardian
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 18:39
| Here in Canada, most people I know kind of look at the US with disdain, mostly because of Bush and fast food. My personal experience with people in the states hasn't really been overly negative; there are things about western culture I dislike, and they almost all exist in the states, but to pretend that they don't exist closer to home as well would be folly. |
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 18:53
True, but most of the clients look Asian or are tourists. |
Posted By: Henry Plainview
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 19:09
------------- if you own a sodastream i hate you |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 19:27
the food at McDonalds in Europe and Britain - the ones I went to in Paris, Rome, Frankfurt, London - was indeed better, often much better, than most McDonalds in the States.. and BTW the Romans I saw, the young ones, love McDonalds. That doesn't mean they don't also love Italian food, it's just a treat. |
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 19:42
That's interesting. KFC have the only western-type of fast food that I like. And I really like it! But I only eat at KFC like once a year, sometimes twice (not healthy). Last autumn I've been at a KFC on Oxford Street, London, and it was awful. Huge disappointment. |
Posted By: A Person
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 19:50
| I don't like KFC at all. I like Chicken Coop more, but mostly for their cod and fries, still horribly unhealthy though. |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 19:52
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I suspect as with most fastfood it's better in other countries-- but yeah KFC just doesn't have the charm it used to, for fast chicken it's Popeyes or nothing |
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 20:00
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In that case I recommend you guys the KFCs in Romania. All of them. The crispy strips are amazing. |
Posted By: KoS
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 20:07
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Posted By: LinusW
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 20:24
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I should start a thread asking how you all feel about Sweden.... |
Posted By: JLocke
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 20:25
This post wins. Seriously, too much fascination with us (whether it be a positive or negative fascination) seems to be very common, and frankly I don't think either is well-deserved. Some people look up to us for being the first 'free nation' of our kind, being culturally diverse, and generally welcoming to all. In some cases, that is flattering and correct, but I can already tell you from living in Japan briefly a few years ago, plenty of what people think is better about America than their country is actually worse. Then on the other side of things, you have haters who think we're ll a bunch of self-righteous, racist pigs who all agree with our military's presence in every other country, and that we all believe we have the right to 'rule the world', as it were. Couldn't be further from the truth. I can't name a single fellow American I know and respect who thinks we're better than anybody else. I think we might be more privileged in some respects, but geography has nothing to do with that.
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Posted By: KoS
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 20:27
and women. |
Posted By: stonebeard
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 00:00
Lots of good metal, lots of bad metal. Lot of wonky hipster pop music. Cold. Healthy. Happy. Yep, that's about it. ------------- http://soundcloud.com/drewagler" rel="nofollow - My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want! |
Posted By: KoS
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 00:36
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Just to rub it in http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7250038/Americans-are-most-attractive-people-in-the-world-poll-finds.html - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7250038/Americans-are-most-attractive-people-in-the-world-poll-finds.html
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Posted By: Petrovsk Mizinski
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 00:47
 
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Posted By: cyclysm748
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 01:03
Is a big mac really called a royale with cheese, as suggested by John Travolta in Pulp Fiction? And what are french fries called?
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Posted By: Garion81
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 01:47
no. this:  ------------- 
"What are you going to do when that damn thing rusts?" |
Posted By: halabalushindigus
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 01:58
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From my experience working with Koreans and Japanese, is that they seem to appreciate America. The opportunities the economy provides. as far as restaurants go
personally, i don't think America will be around in 150 years ------------- assume the power 1586/14.3 |
Posted By: Vompatti
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 02:01
| ^ I don't think any country will be around in 150 years. |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 02:04
------------- What? |
Posted By: Qboyy007
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 02:08
The idea that the United States is more racist then our European cousins is an absolute myth. ------------- Hay Budday |
Posted By: KoS
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 02:10
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Yeah, just look Australia. Sorry, had to make that joke.
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Posted By: Petrovsk Mizinski
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 02:29
Eh even if you weren't joking I wouldn't take offense to it, it's true. This country is racist as f**k, even though they have you believe it isn't. It always has been and probably will be for a long time. Other Aussies can come in and defend Australia, but speaking as an Australian myself there is a lot of stuff about this country that doesn't make me proud to be an Australian -------------
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Posted By: Chris S
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 02:49
Many NZ people show disdain to USA, perhaps an inferiority complex. Mind you the Bush administration did not help at times. I went to USA and was so proud to work and live there. Considering the economy in 2009 I found people to be confident, upbeat, positive. The work ethic was scary though ( not that I have ever shunned hard work) but whew talk about long hours!!! I have had to return to NZ for personal reasons and to be fair NZ people seem more positive about USA with Obama at the helm. I actually get pissed off when people who have never been to the States start running it down. I ask my folks what was one of their proudest moments in life and believe it or not they said it was becoming a US citizen. Fine endorsement for a fine country ------------- ...As I venture through the slipstream, between the viaducts in your dreams...[/COLOR] |
Posted By: halabalushindigus
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 02:55
------------- assume the power 1586/14.3 |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 02:58
that's a strange thing to say, I'm not even sure I know what it means.. not be around? You expect North America to sink into the ocean or something? To be absorbed by a joint Mexican/Canadian coup? Wiped out by a stray Russian nuke accidently left behind on Cuba? 150 is not a very long time, and since most countries have been around much longer, I don't quite see it..but hey, whatever, I guess it's easier do be fatalistic |
Posted By: halabalushindigus
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 03:09
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no sinking of the oceans, but a major sell out of the terrain-ownership. For example, California has already been sold to the Europeans. I think. Of course this you say is laughable and maybe it is but I think that property is valueable and from what I understand the Japanese, for example, have done regarding their automobile and ship production, to German and other markets make it inevitable for property ownership. And America, lets face it, is broke. So thats what I mean by America not being around.when it will be completley owned by Japanese or Russian Markets or trade, Middle East money for example will be exploded on that day the bible refers too. The Attack on the Dome of the Rock. So after THAT mishap there will be ,ahh..let's say..great division ------------- assume the power 1586/14.3 |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 03:16
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myeahhh, maybe, but that's just one of hundreds of different possibilities - some of which are misinformed - that could be applied to any place at any time.. no one "owns" the US except the good citizens building on a proud tradition of native genocide and misappropriation |
Posted By: halabalushindigus
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 03:26
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also when you do a bad thing, there's voodoo. And I think The US Administartion or Government has done some bad things which may result in some sort of karma which it definetly has coming to them. So somewhere in there i just see, perhaps a newer America. But I definetly see something happening to The USA within that time frame ------------- assume the power 1586/14.3 |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 03:33
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well we are a progressive culture, there's no doubt, and to our credit mostly ..thing is, there's always bad stuff happening and always has been, here there and everywhere (if you'll forgive the Paul quote). America's karma - and I tend to think there's something to the whole karmatic thing, not in a 'voodoo' way but in a very simple, scientific way - is no worse than anyone elses; Britain? Give me a break. Russia? Pssh. Japan? Germany? Spain? Yeah I don't think so. We all have baggage and all have to face up to it. |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 07:34
Same here as regards Italy, even if - as I said in my previous post - there are a lot of things I don't agree with here in the US. As to the rest of Europe, it was in today's news that an openly xenophobic party got a truckload of votes in the Dutch elections, and unfortunately it's not the only one to be so successful. In many ways, it's the media's fault (at least it is in Italy), since they seem to enjoy throwing fuel on the fire of people's ingrained fear and distrust of those who are different. On the other hand, no country in Europe would ever dream of passing a law according to which anyone who enters their borders is to be considered an intending immigrant. This situation is hurting the USA as a tourist destination - and the economy would hugely benefit from boosting the tourist industry. Every time I travelled here before moving for good, I was afraid I could be turned away for some reason or the other (since border authorities have unlimited powers in this sense). It has happened to a lot of white Europeans with good financial standing - a guy from Rome was even thrown in jail for a week, and he had done absolutely nothing wrong. |
Posted By: mystic fred
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 09:03
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Of course we love our US cousins, after all many are descended from UK citizens, and we love their rock'nroll, but two things are becoming irksome and could wobble our "special relationship"..
1.why are sponsors like McDonalds, Coca Cola and (now US owned) Cadburys muscling in on our Olympic Games ? a lot of people here are very irate about this, and having junk food sponsors undermines the intergrity of the games - we should have our own British junk food sponsors!
 2. why is Obama not backing us on the Falklands issue?
 enough for now
 . -------------  Prog Archives Tour Van 
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Posted By: Alberto Muñoz
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 09:15
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I like US a lot, specially the north part.
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Posted By: Atkingani
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 10:30
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I like to make an analogy between USA and ProgArchives...
Many people say they're getting weak, they're not the same, they live on glories of the past, bla bla bla, but in the end of the day, with their heads on the pillows all of them know which are the really great. ------------- Guigo ~~~~~~ |
Posted By: CPicard
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 14:45
Let me tell you about Sweden, only country where the clouds are interesting... Big Brother says it's the place to go. Maybe I shouldn't make fun of a country in which two of my aunts are born and living. |
Posted By: refugee
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 14:48
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[QUOTE=Henry Plainview] And for all the people complaining about America: at least we're not Greece! Why this resentment against Greece? Have I missed some important news, or is it personal? ------------- He say nothing is quite what it seems; I say nothing is nothing (Peter Hammill) |
Posted By: CPicard
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 14:59
| Greece is not to be complained about, since the country has been swindled by a bunch of economical vultures (on the other way, the Greek people is complaining about their government and I can understand them). |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 15:05
The flaming cheese.  Opa!  ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: refugee
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 15:32
I, as a Norwegian living in Greece, think that corruption is the biggest problem in this country. I absolutely prefer Papandreou to to Karamanlis, but he is not doing enough to fight it. That much said, many Greeks prefer corruption to taxes … ------------- He say nothing is quite what it seems; I say nothing is nothing (Peter Hammill) |
Posted By: refugee
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 15:33
Saganaki! Haloumi! ------------- He say nothing is quite what it seems; I say nothing is nothing (Peter Hammill) |
Posted By: Atkingani
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 15:42
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Let's have in mind that we may not confuse governments with nations and/or people. Thanks!
------------- Guigo ~~~~~~ |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 21:48
oh hell yeah; everyone can opt to start the day with a full trad. English breakfast, lunch on fish&chips, snack on Stilton and Cheddar, and have roasted marrow and Yorkshire pudding for sup.. now that's eating |
Posted By: Henry Plainview
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 23:45
------------- if you own a sodastream i hate you |