American Controversy
Feb 3rd, 2005, 02:53 PM
#22
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First, I have met many wonderful Americans in countries all over the world.
To Razzle Dazzle :
As a fellow Canadian I must say I am absolutely amazed at your contrasting Canada and the US by suggesting " my fellow Canucks, who are really Yankees in disguise; the only differences being that we have a Queen, semi-free healthcare, and a huge inferiority complex " This probably is not the forum to debate such issues but as a passionate Canadian I must say I take great offence at your very narrow view of our country. It's ironic that you fault Americans for their limited knowledge of the world and yet you display a shocking ignorance of your own country . I'll say no more.
To Razzle Dazzle :
As a fellow Canadian I must say I am absolutely amazed at your contrasting Canada and the US by suggesting " my fellow Canucks, who are really Yankees in disguise; the only differences being that we have a Queen, semi-free healthcare, and a huge inferiority complex " This probably is not the forum to debate such issues but as a passionate Canadian I must say I take great offence at your very narrow view of our country. It's ironic that you fault Americans for their limited knowledge of the world and yet you display a shocking ignorance of your own country . I'll say no more.
Feb 3rd, 2005, 04:08 PM
#23
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LFC just a quick reminder that NEW YORK city is not America.. America is actually an extreamly religious fundimentalist country. And as someone posted isolationolist as well. Im from the north east (BLUE STATES) and when I venture too the southern states I bring my passport, pocket translator, and malaria pills. I do stick with my comment that many Americans are fairly ignorant on world isues and easaly swaid or just put off by the insane carnival news media..
lol for some reason old southern folk really like too take tours too europe and you don't know how many times I've heard one say "wow looky there they have a Mcdonalds"
whats my point.. hmm not sure
razzle dazzle... I agree with ya all da way...
lol for some reason old southern folk really like too take tours too europe and you don't know how many times I've heard one say "wow looky there they have a Mcdonalds"
whats my point.. hmm not sure
razzle dazzle... I agree with ya all da way...
Feb 3rd, 2005, 09:57 PM
#25
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I too have been reading this post with much interest... This is after all Travel Talk and not Political Talk.
I think Logos didn't mean to start this huge discussion regarding Americans travel habits or lack thereof.
Just adding my two bits... Have noticed (since my kids were in college) that more and more college juniors and seniors are going abroad from 8 weeks to a year. My daughter spent a year in Bordeaux and my son will be spending 8 weeks in China this summer. Both of them were/are part of the Univ of Calif system (Davis and UCLA). My husband and I recommend it heartily... it opens one's eyes and ears to other cultures and ways of living. The year in France made my daughter realize what she loved about the U.S. and what she didn't like.
But it also showed her how there are small minded people all over the world in fact, there are RED states equivalents in every country!
We aren't that much different from each other regardless of where we're from and the only way we can promote any kind of understanding between cultures is to go out into the world, travel, talk to people and while there, try and adapt and stop telling yourself how different and nicer things are back home!
Sorry for the diatribe - just couldn't help myself.... by the way, can we all use some spell/grammar check?!!
I think Logos didn't mean to start this huge discussion regarding Americans travel habits or lack thereof.
Just adding my two bits... Have noticed (since my kids were in college) that more and more college juniors and seniors are going abroad from 8 weeks to a year. My daughter spent a year in Bordeaux and my son will be spending 8 weeks in China this summer. Both of them were/are part of the Univ of Calif system (Davis and UCLA). My husband and I recommend it heartily... it opens one's eyes and ears to other cultures and ways of living. The year in France made my daughter realize what she loved about the U.S. and what she didn't like.
But it also showed her how there are small minded people all over the world in fact, there are RED states equivalents in every country!
We aren't that much different from each other regardless of where we're from and the only way we can promote any kind of understanding between cultures is to go out into the world, travel, talk to people and while there, try and adapt and stop telling yourself how different and nicer things are back home!
Sorry for the diatribe - just couldn't help myself.... by the way, can we all use some spell/grammar check?!!
Feb 4th, 2005, 02:04 AM
#27
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DMary - RED states = republican?
Razzle - agree with all you say, except for your last comment re the USA giving more than anyone else to aid the Tsunami victims. For the sake of accuracy could you clarify whether you mean in total or per capita? If in total then that is hardly surprising given the population of the States - and yes I know India and China have a greater population.
I do not think it is per capita - please correct me if I am wrong. And while we are on the subject, it was three days or more before there was any reaction from the American Govt at all.
Razzle - agree with all you say, except for your last comment re the USA giving more than anyone else to aid the Tsunami victims. For the sake of accuracy could you clarify whether you mean in total or per capita? If in total then that is hardly surprising given the population of the States - and yes I know India and China have a greater population.
I do not think it is per capita - please correct me if I am wrong. And while we are on the subject, it was three days or more before there was any reaction from the American Govt at all.
Feb 4th, 2005, 07:04 AM
#28
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I am an American who has traveled all over the world. I have encountered closed minded travelers that are cautious towards Americans. Usually after a few beers, they reveal the fact that they have never meet any Americans. I am thankful that for some of them I have left a good impression. Meaning, they would make comments like, I didn't really like Americans that much etc, but I know that some are alright...
When I was in Thailand, I had an english guy take a swing at me cuz "he hated war, hated jews and hated yanks". This guys character should speak for himself. He was a door knob, I did him a favor by not kicking his ass that day. His day will come.
The point is people are afraid of what they don't know. Every culture has people in it that have undesireable characteristics. If you are a person that can easily identify negative qualities in a person, chances are you have those same qualities. So be cool, be chill and have a good time traveling.
When I was in Thailand, I had an english guy take a swing at me cuz "he hated war, hated jews and hated yanks". This guys character should speak for himself. He was a door knob, I did him a favor by not kicking his ass that day. His day will come.
The point is people are afraid of what they don't know. Every culture has people in it that have undesireable characteristics. If you are a person that can easily identify negative qualities in a person, chances are you have those same qualities. So be cool, be chill and have a good time traveling.
Feb 4th, 2005, 10:15 AM
#29
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Galiano: if you look at the very first sentence in my post, you will find the word "my perspective" which right away is a big disclaimer. I came to Canada when I was a small boy and spent all of my life living here, which gives me a right to a certain outlook. This is by no means the absolute truth or is intended to be read as the gospel. It was just an opinion.
Alice13: I went by the total figures, not the per capita amounts. While I agree that the US has a large population, it was somewhat disappointing to read about countries such as Sweden (a large percentage of the tsunami victims were Swedes) who gave comparatively little amounts of money, especially in light of their prosperity. I realize that Egypt is a poor country (I visited Egypt as a teen and saw the poverty first-hand), $100,000? Why, Sandra Bullock gave ten times that. The biggest surprise, however, came from China. While it may have taken the US government several days to respond, China's silence has been baffling. The government of a country with a population of 1.5 billion people, 9% GDP growth per annum, and a powerful modern army (which has the much-needed equipment) offered almost nothing beside a little financial help, all the while this disaster unfolded literally in its backyard! Tiny Singapore seems to have done more for the victims.
Anyway, this topic is distasteful; it reminds me of the "my daddy gave more than your daddy" talk that you hear in the playground. The point of my post was to show that each and every individual should be judged just like a company is judged by investors; on a case-by-case basis. To lambast all Americans because of Bush and Iraq is not the best way to go if we are to build an even quasi-civilized society. Each country has its rotten apples.
Alice13: I went by the total figures, not the per capita amounts. While I agree that the US has a large population, it was somewhat disappointing to read about countries such as Sweden (a large percentage of the tsunami victims were Swedes) who gave comparatively little amounts of money, especially in light of their prosperity. I realize that Egypt is a poor country (I visited Egypt as a teen and saw the poverty first-hand), $100,000? Why, Sandra Bullock gave ten times that. The biggest surprise, however, came from China. While it may have taken the US government several days to respond, China's silence has been baffling. The government of a country with a population of 1.5 billion people, 9% GDP growth per annum, and a powerful modern army (which has the much-needed equipment) offered almost nothing beside a little financial help, all the while this disaster unfolded literally in its backyard! Tiny Singapore seems to have done more for the victims.
Anyway, this topic is distasteful; it reminds me of the "my daddy gave more than your daddy" talk that you hear in the playground. The point of my post was to show that each and every individual should be judged just like a company is judged by investors; on a case-by-case basis. To lambast all Americans because of Bush and Iraq is not the best way to go if we are to build an even quasi-civilized society. Each country has its rotten apples.
Feb 7th, 2005, 05:12 AM
#30
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Dear. Orgy7
OK OK New York isn't America but you must agree that the World is America!!!!!
Jaysunm,
Don't take the English too seriously, it's part of our culture when abroad get drunk be offensive and fight with ANYONE!!!
OK OK New York isn't America but you must agree that the World is America!!!!!
Jaysunm,
Don't take the English too seriously, it's part of our culture when abroad get drunk be offensive and fight with ANYONE!!!
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