What should a foreigner know about the US?
Oct 15th, 2015, 04:02 AM
#22
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Quite simply in my opinion, the greatest country in the world where the great experiment created a Constitution that provided the base for the United States to rise in power because of the liberties that ALL people have, and the OPPORTUNITY to pursue your personal happiness, and in doing so, unleashing unprecedented creativity, freedom and prosperity.
It also allows for each one of us to have our personal opinions, and speak freely. I certainly do not share some of the opinions of those above, but it doesnt matter because we can all say as we please. In the end....don't rattle our cage, because Americans in the end band together and will destroy our enemy when necessary.
As seen throughout decades, helped many countries in the world at great expense and blood, often without thanks or wanting anything in return. Like it or not we are a worldwide power, and I say thank God....because I believe the world would be far better off it were not for us standing up for liberty and good.
It also allows for each one of us to have our personal opinions, and speak freely. I certainly do not share some of the opinions of those above, but it doesnt matter because we can all say as we please. In the end....don't rattle our cage, because Americans in the end band together and will destroy our enemy when necessary.
As seen throughout decades, helped many countries in the world at great expense and blood, often without thanks or wanting anything in return. Like it or not we are a worldwide power, and I say thank God....because I believe the world would be far better off it were not for us standing up for liberty and good.
Oct 15th, 2015, 04:08 AM
#23
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Road rage, stay in the right lane unless going fast. We have a ton of toll roads. Research that before driving in the states. The rest stops are good bathroom stops. Tip everyone.
It is a huge country. Lousy train and public transportation. You almost have to drive or fly and take taxis or use uber.
If sick go to a doc in the box type place, not an er or hospital. Orlando has some very bad areas as do most other American cities. Know where you are and be aware. You don't get pick pocketed here, you get robbed with a gun.
Great National Parks and seashores. Most everything of historical importance in Washington DC is free. Even the Zoo.
It is a huge country. Lousy train and public transportation. You almost have to drive or fly and take taxis or use uber.
If sick go to a doc in the box type place, not an er or hospital. Orlando has some very bad areas as do most other American cities. Know where you are and be aware. You don't get pick pocketed here, you get robbed with a gun.
Great National Parks and seashores. Most everything of historical importance in Washington DC is free. Even the Zoo.
Oct 15th, 2015, 06:13 AM
#25
The best source of information regarding Turkey on Fodor's is a fellow named Otherchelebi. Today he wrote an introduction about Turkey briefly describing the history of modern Turkey including how the country evolved, education, and the religious and ethnic composition.>>
OC had a great advantage over you, IMD, because he did not face the level of contraction that you [and everyone else here] do, given that he is just about the only turkish poster on Fodors.
looks as if there are as many opinions as there are americans!
OC had a great advantage over you, IMD, because he did not face the level of contraction that you [and everyone else here] do, given that he is just about the only turkish poster on Fodors.
looks as if there are as many opinions as there are americans!
Oct 15th, 2015, 06:34 AM
#26
Annhig, you hit the nail on the head.
I was hoping to read
- why Americans eat and run
- why they love talking to tourists
- why there are so many kinds of churches and what's their popularity
- how do they feel about foreigners
- how do they feel about tourists
- how well do they know their neighbours
- how safe do they really feel
- what current topics are being discussed in their area
- why are the Kardashian's so popular?
- the influence of sport on their lives
- how do they view the world
- how do they view their military and do they have a problem with the large expense of it
I was hoping to read
- why Americans eat and run
- why they love talking to tourists
- why there are so many kinds of churches and what's their popularity
- how do they feel about foreigners
- how do they feel about tourists
- how well do they know their neighbours
- how safe do they really feel
- what current topics are being discussed in their area
- why are the Kardashian's so popular?
- the influence of sport on their lives
- how do they view the world
- how do they view their military and do they have a problem with the large expense of it
Oct 15th, 2015, 06:36 AM
#27
Here's the link to the Turkish thread started by the highly respected and well-informed Otherchelebi.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-or-chaos.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-or-chaos.cfm
Oct 15th, 2015, 06:48 AM
#28
PS: No offence but the last thing a tourist wants to hear is an American boasting "we're the greatest nation on Earth." It rather ends any possibility of a stimulating and thought-provoking conversation.
Oct 15th, 2015, 07:08 AM
#29
"why Americans eat and run"
That's what happens when you get 30 minutes for lunch or want to eat dinner before a show. Food is more important to me, so I stopped working and seldom go to the theater.
"why they love talking to tourists" Because they want to talk about us!
- "how do they feel about foreigners" They sometimes dress oddly.
- "how do they feel about tourists" They talk too much and clog the streets.
"- why there are so many kinds of churches and what's their popularity" This probably has to do with extreme Protestantism. They believe themselves to be important enough to have a direct relationship with god, and they don't need any fancy clergy to correct their interpretations of scripture. Thus, they can pick the church which most closely adheres to their preconceptions and prejudices.
" how well do they know their neighbors" All too well in small towns.
- "what current topics are being discussed in their area" I live in a city and don't discuss things with my neighbors (if I happen to know who they are).
-" how safe do they really feel" I feel safe as anyone, I suppose. Crime and terrorism can erupt anywhere. Obviously the gun nuts feel differently.
"why are the Kardashian's so popular?" They hit the jackpot for fame and fortune while displaying no obvious merit. "Maybe there's a chance for me . . ."
"- the influence of sport on their lives" If you are referring to the various ball games so popular around the world, it ranges from zero for me to insane obsession for others.
"how do they view the world" Obviously this ranges from xenophobia to wishing for voluntary and permanent exile. In general, I'd guess the average American is not very curious about the world outside the borders. Only 1/3 of us hold passports.
"how do they view their military and do they have a problem with the large expense of it" Most think it our finest institution. I think it is too involved in foreign policy debates -- it usurped the State Department during the Bush years -- and that eventually it will bankrupt us. We don't read much history.
That's what happens when you get 30 minutes for lunch or want to eat dinner before a show. Food is more important to me, so I stopped working and seldom go to the theater.
"why they love talking to tourists" Because they want to talk about us!
- "how do they feel about foreigners" They sometimes dress oddly.
- "how do they feel about tourists" They talk too much and clog the streets.
"- why there are so many kinds of churches and what's their popularity" This probably has to do with extreme Protestantism. They believe themselves to be important enough to have a direct relationship with god, and they don't need any fancy clergy to correct their interpretations of scripture. Thus, they can pick the church which most closely adheres to their preconceptions and prejudices.
" how well do they know their neighbors" All too well in small towns.
- "what current topics are being discussed in their area" I live in a city and don't discuss things with my neighbors (if I happen to know who they are).
-" how safe do they really feel" I feel safe as anyone, I suppose. Crime and terrorism can erupt anywhere. Obviously the gun nuts feel differently.
"why are the Kardashian's so popular?" They hit the jackpot for fame and fortune while displaying no obvious merit. "Maybe there's a chance for me . . ."
"- the influence of sport on their lives" If you are referring to the various ball games so popular around the world, it ranges from zero for me to insane obsession for others.
"how do they view the world" Obviously this ranges from xenophobia to wishing for voluntary and permanent exile. In general, I'd guess the average American is not very curious about the world outside the borders. Only 1/3 of us hold passports.
"how do they view their military and do they have a problem with the large expense of it" Most think it our finest institution. I think it is too involved in foreign policy debates -- it usurped the State Department during the Bush years -- and that eventually it will bankrupt us. We don't read much history.
Oct 15th, 2015, 07:13 AM
#31
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Ann
OC is a friend but besides that he is quite generous with his time and knowledge. He now lives in a country where opinions can be be anything from troublesome to deadly. I am sure there are many disagree who with OC, but he has the courage to state his ideas at a time when the Erdoğan regime has become more and more repressive and violent against its own people.
Kleeblatt
It is a shame that Americans cannot read your mind and answer the questions that are important to you. That is a great failing of our society.
And you chose to be intolerant of answers you do not like. The point was to allow people express their different views. I think that reflects on you rather than the diverse responses above. And no matter how repugnant you find it, as do many Americans, that is the...American way. And that subtlety has obviously eluded you.
Even the questions you posed would result in desperate responses.
OC is a friend but besides that he is quite generous with his time and knowledge. He now lives in a country where opinions can be be anything from troublesome to deadly. I am sure there are many disagree who with OC, but he has the courage to state his ideas at a time when the Erdoğan regime has become more and more repressive and violent against its own people.
Kleeblatt
It is a shame that Americans cannot read your mind and answer the questions that are important to you. That is a great failing of our society.
And you chose to be intolerant of answers you do not like. The point was to allow people express their different views. I think that reflects on you rather than the diverse responses above. And no matter how repugnant you find it, as do many Americans, that is the...American way. And that subtlety has obviously eluded you.
Even the questions you posed would result in desperate responses.
Oct 15th, 2015, 07:26 AM
#32
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I agree with almost all of Fra's observations.
I was born in NYC and have lived here all my live. I currently live an apartment building with Blacks, Hispanics, Chinese, Koreans, Sikhs, Israelis, Muslims, and other peoples who ethnicity is not as obvious by looks or language. I know many of many of my neighbors, more as nodding acquaintances than as friends.
I grew up in a neighborhood where all my friends were at best second generation Americans. It is the finest way to learn tolerance and appreciation of other people's cultures, ideas, cuisine, and history.
On the other hand there is great xenophobia in America.
I too disagree with "American Exceptionalism" as it a dangerous and illusive concept.
But if you dismiss what you do not like, you do not know it and do not know how to combat it. And you do not fully understand the country you are visiting or the country you are living in.
I was born in NYC and have lived here all my live. I currently live an apartment building with Blacks, Hispanics, Chinese, Koreans, Sikhs, Israelis, Muslims, and other peoples who ethnicity is not as obvious by looks or language. I know many of many of my neighbors, more as nodding acquaintances than as friends.
I grew up in a neighborhood where all my friends were at best second generation Americans. It is the finest way to learn tolerance and appreciation of other people's cultures, ideas, cuisine, and history.
On the other hand there is great xenophobia in America.
I too disagree with "American Exceptionalism" as it a dangerous and illusive concept.
But if you dismiss what you do not like, you do not know it and do not know how to combat it. And you do not fully understand the country you are visiting or the country you are living in.
Oct 15th, 2015, 07:32 AM
#33
IMDonehere,
Your above response is to me is insightful. I did not mean to show ignorance but to remind posters their responses are directed to people who are not Americans.
It will be interesting to see how this thread continues.
Your above response is to me is insightful. I did not mean to show ignorance but to remind posters their responses are directed to people who are not Americans.
It will be interesting to see how this thread continues.
Oct 15th, 2015, 08:08 AM
#34
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I appreciated your questions, kleeblatt, because as an American, I find it almost impossible to provide any sort of useful overview of my country. It's too big, and I'm too close.
I'm a first generation American, so I inherited an intense patriotism from my parents. But, like so many immigrants to the US, their politics ended up right of center, and mine, for whatever reason, have always leaned quite far left, so I grew up with first hand experience of the political divisions in our country.
That is merely to provide context for some of my answers!
- why Americans eat and run: We lack a unifying cuisine, and have no food culture or tradition. The good side of this is that we eagerly embrace other cuisines and innovations in cooking.
- why they love talking to tourists: We are a friendly people. Our continental isolation makes foreigners something of a novelty; or perhaps it's in our DNA to welcome foreigners, as we are a nation of immigrants. I know that my dad, who had a strong accent, was often asked "where are you from?', but never with suspicion or aggression, always with an open and friendly curiosity.
- why there are so many kinds of churches and what's their popularity: I can't comment, I'm an atheist and find this a mystery myself.
- how do they feel about foreigners: Ambivalent, I'd say. Visitors are welcome. Immigrants provoke an incoherent response, as they seem always to be persecuted in the present but revered when they reside safely in the past. As a rule, Americans feel their country is the best on earth, and so view foreign countries through that prism.
- how do they feel about tourists: Welcoming. Americans love to play host.
- how well do they know their neighbours: I find us to be very neighborly, but the specifics vary from one region to another. In small towns they know each other very well indeed but can be somewhat closed off to newcomers. But there is a strong tradition of community feeling and neighborly togetherness in general here.
- how safe do they really feel: Very. The risk of getting shot is still vanishingly small, although media headlines are, of course, alarming. But we are also in denial about the heavy cost of our gun culture. It will sound paradoxical, but I believe we are failing to grapple with this issue precisely because we feel safe and largely impervious to its dangers.
- what current topics are being discussed in their area: The endless presidential campaign and debates, and Donald Trump, but only in ways so general as to avoid offense. Among friends and family, we are aghast at the lunacy of the Republican candidates.
- why are the Kardashian's so popular? They are and they aren't. I don't know anyone who cares about them. I believe reality TV is on the wane.
- the influence of sport on their lives: on mine, it's minimal. IME, most Americans care less about sports than the rest of the world cares about soccer.
- how do they view the world: how much time do you have?
- how do they view their military and do they have a problem with the large expense of it: The military has been exalted of late as the solver of thorny international problems, and we have learned at least one lesson from Vietnam, which is to treat veterans with respect. So at sporting events, there is always a salute to a specific service member and often a general Salute to Our Heroes. You see a lot of bumper stickers supporting the military and military families. "Thank you for your service" has become a cliche, but people in uniform still receive a lot of public thanks and handshakes and the like. I never hear the monetary cost discussed, although the human cost of injured and disabled soldiers is beginning to attract attention. IMO the cost of our recent wars has been hidden from the public. A teeny, tiny percentage of Americans actually serve, btw.
Sorry this is so long. If I had more time, it would be shorter.
I'm a first generation American, so I inherited an intense patriotism from my parents. But, like so many immigrants to the US, their politics ended up right of center, and mine, for whatever reason, have always leaned quite far left, so I grew up with first hand experience of the political divisions in our country.
That is merely to provide context for some of my answers!
- why Americans eat and run: We lack a unifying cuisine, and have no food culture or tradition. The good side of this is that we eagerly embrace other cuisines and innovations in cooking.
- why they love talking to tourists: We are a friendly people. Our continental isolation makes foreigners something of a novelty; or perhaps it's in our DNA to welcome foreigners, as we are a nation of immigrants. I know that my dad, who had a strong accent, was often asked "where are you from?', but never with suspicion or aggression, always with an open and friendly curiosity.
- why there are so many kinds of churches and what's their popularity: I can't comment, I'm an atheist and find this a mystery myself.
- how do they feel about foreigners: Ambivalent, I'd say. Visitors are welcome. Immigrants provoke an incoherent response, as they seem always to be persecuted in the present but revered when they reside safely in the past. As a rule, Americans feel their country is the best on earth, and so view foreign countries through that prism.
- how do they feel about tourists: Welcoming. Americans love to play host.
- how well do they know their neighbours: I find us to be very neighborly, but the specifics vary from one region to another. In small towns they know each other very well indeed but can be somewhat closed off to newcomers. But there is a strong tradition of community feeling and neighborly togetherness in general here.
- how safe do they really feel: Very. The risk of getting shot is still vanishingly small, although media headlines are, of course, alarming. But we are also in denial about the heavy cost of our gun culture. It will sound paradoxical, but I believe we are failing to grapple with this issue precisely because we feel safe and largely impervious to its dangers.
- what current topics are being discussed in their area: The endless presidential campaign and debates, and Donald Trump, but only in ways so general as to avoid offense. Among friends and family, we are aghast at the lunacy of the Republican candidates.
- why are the Kardashian's so popular? They are and they aren't. I don't know anyone who cares about them. I believe reality TV is on the wane.
- the influence of sport on their lives: on mine, it's minimal. IME, most Americans care less about sports than the rest of the world cares about soccer.
- how do they view the world: how much time do you have?
- how do they view their military and do they have a problem with the large expense of it: The military has been exalted of late as the solver of thorny international problems, and we have learned at least one lesson from Vietnam, which is to treat veterans with respect. So at sporting events, there is always a salute to a specific service member and often a general Salute to Our Heroes. You see a lot of bumper stickers supporting the military and military families. "Thank you for your service" has become a cliche, but people in uniform still receive a lot of public thanks and handshakes and the like. I never hear the monetary cost discussed, although the human cost of injured and disabled soldiers is beginning to attract attention. IMO the cost of our recent wars has been hidden from the public. A teeny, tiny percentage of Americans actually serve, btw.
Sorry this is so long. If I had more time, it would be shorter.
Oct 15th, 2015, 08:38 AM
#35
But if you dismiss what you do not like, you do not know it and do not know how to combat it. And you do not fully understand the country you are visiting or the country you are living in.>>
IMD - can we ever truly understand a country we are visiting? The more I visit countries that I know well [France, Germany, Italy] the more I realise that I don't and can't fully understand them.
I think that you need to live in a country for a substantial time and to speak the language fluently to do that.
IMD - can we ever truly understand a country we are visiting? The more I visit countries that I know well [France, Germany, Italy] the more I realise that I don't and can't fully understand them.
I think that you need to live in a country for a substantial time and to speak the language fluently to do that.
Oct 15th, 2015, 08:54 AM
#36
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These views may or may not be mine, but they are what I observe:
->
We eat to live, not live to eat.
->
We are proud of our city/state/country and want find out how visitors like it.
- >
There is a decline of membership in organized religion, so that may soon be a myth.
- >
We like them, but want them to enter the country legally.
->
We like them and want them to spend lots of money.
>
Some we don't know well enough; some we know too well.
>
Very safe
>
How to afford municipal projects with a declining tax base.
->
Who?
>
Little-to-none
>
Our community is our "world".
>
We support the military and the cost of it.
->
We eat to live, not live to eat.
->
We are proud of our city/state/country and want find out how visitors like it.
- >
There is a decline of membership in organized religion, so that may soon be a myth.
- >
We like them, but want them to enter the country legally.
->
We like them and want them to spend lots of money.
>
Some we don't know well enough; some we know too well.
>
Very safe
>
How to afford municipal projects with a declining tax base.
->
Who?
>
Little-to-none
>
Our community is our "world".
>
We support the military and the cost of it.
Oct 15th, 2015, 09:23 AM
#37
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IMD - can we ever truly understand a country we are visiting? The more I visit countries that I know well [France, Germany, Italy] the more I realise that I don't and can't fully understand them.
I think that you need to live in a country for a substantial time and to speak the language fluently to do that.
______________
It is true.
But I do not fully understand America. You do not know how many times I shake my head at the actions of fellow countrymen. I am sure it is the same in the UK.
We have spent considerable time in Spain and we are in weekly communication with friends and relatives. The changes in last 40 years have been seismic. What you know today, may not be true in the near or distant future. But then it becomes part of the historical record.
Before we visit a country we try to read the better literature, know some of the history and culture, and a little of the language. Each moves us closer to knowing more.
I think that you need to live in a country for a substantial time and to speak the language fluently to do that.
______________
It is true.
But I do not fully understand America. You do not know how many times I shake my head at the actions of fellow countrymen. I am sure it is the same in the UK.
We have spent considerable time in Spain and we are in weekly communication with friends and relatives. The changes in last 40 years have been seismic. What you know today, may not be true in the near or distant future. But then it becomes part of the historical record.
Before we visit a country we try to read the better literature, know some of the history and culture, and a little of the language. Each moves us closer to knowing more.
Oct 15th, 2015, 09:30 AM
#38
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Thank you Kleeblatt. We are contradictory people. When politicians call for unity, there are few examples in our history that are exemplary. Even after the empathy and sympathy of 9/11, the reactions of how to handle the future were very, very different.
The war in which Americans suffered the most casualties-was our Civil War.
_____
The popularity of the Kardashians demonstrates, to me, a severe dissatisfaction with people's own lives. To have an emotional investment in vapid, shallow characters is quite frightening.
The war in which Americans suffered the most casualties-was our Civil War.
_____
The popularity of the Kardashians demonstrates, to me, a severe dissatisfaction with people's own lives. To have an emotional investment in vapid, shallow characters is quite frightening.
Oct 15th, 2015, 09:32 AM
#39
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One key to understanding is to realize the vast differenes in differnt parts of the country - state by state, city by city and even neighborhood by neighborhood.
I am third generation american (heritage is Irish, Czech and German, catholic and protestant) and since I live in NY my experience in ethnicites and relgions is incredibly diverse - similar to imdonehere.
But other people in other parts of the country may never have traveled more then 50 or 100 miles from home or met anyone of another race or religion. One of my suitemates in college came from a minute town in PA and was very naive about the rest of the world - which led her to feel discrimination to anyone unlike her. The trouble was, she was so naive that she didn't realize that some of her comments were hateful - and she was directing them to people of the groups involved. This was a state university in NY, with many students from NYC, and a broad range of religions and ethnicities.
So a couple of us had to take her aside and inform her that not only were her comments (remarks about catholics, jews, hispanics and african american) totally inapproriate - but that she was insulting seveal of her own roommates. She has never before met anyone (as incredible as it seems) who was not anglo saxon protestant. And of the 6 in our suite she was the only one such. three of us were catholic, two were jewish and when one dropped out in our second semester our new roommate was chinese.
Sadly a lot of american live similar very circumscribed lives - and believe a lot of misinformation of people from other religious, ethnic or national groups.
So what I think of as american - and the vest of america - is this massive diversity. But there are still a lot of people who fear people who aren't them - often because they have never many any.
I am third generation american (heritage is Irish, Czech and German, catholic and protestant) and since I live in NY my experience in ethnicites and relgions is incredibly diverse - similar to imdonehere.
But other people in other parts of the country may never have traveled more then 50 or 100 miles from home or met anyone of another race or religion. One of my suitemates in college came from a minute town in PA and was very naive about the rest of the world - which led her to feel discrimination to anyone unlike her. The trouble was, she was so naive that she didn't realize that some of her comments were hateful - and she was directing them to people of the groups involved. This was a state university in NY, with many students from NYC, and a broad range of religions and ethnicities.
So a couple of us had to take her aside and inform her that not only were her comments (remarks about catholics, jews, hispanics and african american) totally inapproriate - but that she was insulting seveal of her own roommates. She has never before met anyone (as incredible as it seems) who was not anglo saxon protestant. And of the 6 in our suite she was the only one such. three of us were catholic, two were jewish and when one dropped out in our second semester our new roommate was chinese.
Sadly a lot of american live similar very circumscribed lives - and believe a lot of misinformation of people from other religious, ethnic or national groups.
So what I think of as american - and the vest of america - is this massive diversity. But there are still a lot of people who fear people who aren't them - often because they have never many any.
Oct 15th, 2015, 10:13 AM
#40
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I think the idea that only a big city is diverse in America is hogwash. I have lived all over this country, and there are recent immigrants in small towns throughout the midwest and south, not to mention the border states, of course. Most speak Spanish, but there Hmong and Somalis and you name it. Believe me, things have changed since you were in college! It would be difficult--not impossible, but difficult!-- to find a place in America so isolated as to have no knowledge of people who are not "like them".
