American Stereotypes
- Thread starter GhostOfDixie
- Start date
- Status
Interesting article this from the BBC correspondent living there for the past three years, like I've said, I like the USAers a lot, good people. You can't get enough of them on this planet. And compared to the Brits, so so optimistic, makes a change from our rampant cynicism.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/9294890.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/9294890.stm
neonleon
Player Valuation: £35m
Great post.
neonleon
Player Valuation: £35m
Stop suckin up to the septics laa.
Nordecke
Player Valuation: £35m
Interesting article.
Rook
Player Valuation: £80m
Speaking of racoon stew. When I lived in WV I always thought the state got a bad rap. While they have a decent percentage of rednecks at least they are poor and nice. I used to go to homes all over the state when I was a research assistant. One 90 year old dude when in the back liked me so much he went into the barn and killed and skinned a rabbit for me while I was talking with his wife (i just couldn't refuse). For sheer numbers of rednecks you cant beat Virginia, central PA, anywhere in Ill about 50miles south of Chicago and southeast Ohio.
Unfortunately for WV, the South doesn't really accept them (they were a free state and Georgia doesn't recongize them because the state was created in the middle of a war - something the constitution apparently forbids -- plus they for the most part until the past couple of years remained democrats after segreation ended). So in order to be accepted by the south they do some of the most rednecky things in history.
For example a group of people in the state capitol recently passed a bill saying that if you run over an animal they you can take it home and eat it. This caused the many of news anchors in other cities to cackle, and only reinforced to other states that we were all redneck road kill eatin' MFers (we are but that's beside the point). Now I'm all eating roadkill, but you know just let it slide people.
johnnydawg68
Chairperson, People's Front of Saint Domingo
One thing else I've found about meeting people from other countries -whether here or in their own countries - is that if you show even the slightest interest in them or make the slightest effort to be interested in their ways, they will be incredibly nice to you. Same goes here.
When I went to France in high school I was prepared for all of the worst stereotypes of France to be true (they're rude, hate Americans, etc). What I ACTUALLY found was that the moment I started to speak French (as imperfect as it was at 16 years old), and tried to speak to them in their own language, the veneer of ice melted and most of them broke out in perfectly passable English and were extremely courteous. That taught me a very valuable lesson.
I always laugh at people who make generalizations about entire countries and cultures though. Lots of Americans love to make fun of the French (as do the English). When I ask them how many times they've been, they usually say "none". Then I just look at them. They get the hint pretty quickly. Same goes for the English who say things like "Americans are...". In the first place there are about 310 million of us and I can tell you for a fact there is no way to finish that sentence accurately.
But it's always hard for me to try and describe what we're like as a people because the country is so damn big. Which is why I'm always interested in people from abroad describing their experiences. I think the overwhelming number of foreigners are like the guy in the BBC article. American culture is so widespread that you THINK you know what it's like here until you get here.
Personally, I can't wait to travel abroad more when my money situation improves. I love seeing other countries, and not just at a resort. I am interested in how people live and what they're REALLY like. Of course being on here, I have no idea what the English are like, because so many of you are from Liverpool, not England.
When I went to France in high school I was prepared for all of the worst stereotypes of France to be true (they're rude, hate Americans, etc). What I ACTUALLY found was that the moment I started to speak French (as imperfect as it was at 16 years old), and tried to speak to them in their own language, the veneer of ice melted and most of them broke out in perfectly passable English and were extremely courteous. That taught me a very valuable lesson.
I always laugh at people who make generalizations about entire countries and cultures though. Lots of Americans love to make fun of the French (as do the English). When I ask them how many times they've been, they usually say "none". Then I just look at them. They get the hint pretty quickly. Same goes for the English who say things like "Americans are...". In the first place there are about 310 million of us and I can tell you for a fact there is no way to finish that sentence accurately.
But it's always hard for me to try and describe what we're like as a people because the country is so damn big. Which is why I'm always interested in people from abroad describing their experiences. I think the overwhelming number of foreigners are like the guy in the BBC article. American culture is so widespread that you THINK you know what it's like here until you get here.
Personally, I can't wait to travel abroad more when my money situation improves. I love seeing other countries, and not just at a resort. I am interested in how people live and what they're REALLY like. Of course being on here, I have no idea what the English are like, because so many of you are from Liverpool, not England.
Good points J-dawg. I always rate it on the genuine hospitality shown to me when I visit someone's country.
The top three for me are the Greece, the USA and Cuba.
Plenty of people will find it different. Some places are not so great to visit as the people are generally cocks, people might think that of Scotland so I'm not one to comment.
The top three for me are the Greece, the USA and Cuba.
Plenty of people will find it different. Some places are not so great to visit as the people are generally cocks, people might think that of Scotland so I'm not one to comment.
Who doesn't?
One thing else I've found about meeting people from other countries -whether here or in their own countries - is that if you show even the slightest interest in them or make the slightest effort to be interested in their ways, they will be incredibly nice to you. Same goes here.
When I went to France in high school I was prepared for all of the worst stereotypes of France to be true (they're rude, hate Americans, etc). What I ACTUALLY found was that the moment I started to speak French (as imperfect as it was at 16 years old), and tried to speak to them in their own language, the veneer of ice melted and most of them broke out in perfectly passable English and were extremely courteous. That taught me a very valuable lesson.
I always laugh at people who make generalizations about entire countries and cultures though. Lots of Americans love to make fun of the French (as do the English). When I ask them how many times they've been, they usually say "none". Then I just look at them. They get the hint pretty quickly. Same goes for the English who say things like "Americans are...". In the first place there are about 310 million of us and I can tell you for a fact there is no way to finish that sentence accurately.
But it's always hard for me to try and describe what we're like as a people because the country is so damn big. Which is why I'm always interested in people from abroad describing their experiences. I think the overwhelming number of foreigners are like the guy in the BBC article. American culture is so widespread that you THINK you know what it's like here until you get here.
Personally, I can't wait to travel abroad more when my money situation improves. I love seeing other countries, and not just at a resort. I am interested in how people live and what they're REALLY like. Of course being on here, I have no idea what the English are like, because so many of you are from Liverpool, not England.
Did you try yelling really loudly at the French in a threatening manner? I find that when you do that, they tend to drop their rifles, then their brie (in that order) and surrender quite nicely.
johnnydawg68
Chairperson, People's Front of Saint Domingo
No self respecting Frenchman drops his brie under any circumstance Chig.
- Status
Welcome
Join Grand Old Team to get involved in the Everton discussion. Signing up is quick, easy, and completely free.
Shop
