NationStates Jolt Archive

It seems that the bulk of the less-than-friendly atmosphere that currently exists between the US and Europe resides mostly on misconceptions. Do you agree? Does in this case apply the saying "You fear what you don´t know"? What are the most popular misconceptions about americans and europeans?

That bush is a sentiant being, with thoughts and emotions.

That all Europeans live in castles and have bad teeth and if you live in the UK that you know someone's daughter's friend who's currently living in London - regardless of where you yourself live.

That all Europeans live in castles and have bad teeth and if you live in the UK that you know someone's daughter's friend who's currently living in London - regardless of where you yourself live. My teeth are indeed not as good as they could be… and I'd love to live in a castle.

You know what Europeans tend to think of Americans. We tend to think of them as arrogant, moderately blind, quite ignorant, patronising, and complacent. Fairly similar to how we look at the French - just replace "complacent" with "racist". :)

That all Americans live in Texas, are called "Hank" or "Bubba", own at least two shotguns, wear large-rimmed hats and stilletto boots, and couldn't shoot the back of a barn door at three paces?

How about the obvious: Americans think that there actually are some things called "general European". Americans can't have misconceptions about "Europeans", because such a people does not exist. When Americans say "Europeans", they usually refer to the French.

In here, there is a misconception about the Americans that they're much like us, but less socialistic and richer. Wrong. Most Americans are Bush-supporting rednecks with all the associated "values". How Bush won the second time came as a real shock, because there was an idea that basically, most Americans are sensible people, and the neocons are just a badmouthed fringe element. Instead, they really represent the majority of Americans.

My teeth are indeed not as good as they could be… and I'd love to live in a castle.

You know what Europeans tend to think of Americans. We tend to think of them as arrogant, moderately blind, quite ignorant, patronising, and complacent. Fairly similar to how we look at the French - just replace "complacent" with "racist". :)

I sincerely do not understand why people hate the French.

I sincerely do not understand why people hate the French. Most of us in Britain don't hate the French, just find them annoying sometimes. They can honestly be quite arrogant and ethnocentric… laughing at people because they are English. Also, some people don't like weird things, and you don't get much weirder than the French. (love France, though)

How about the obvious: Americans think that there actually are some things called "general European". Americans can't have misconceptions about "Europeans", because such a people does not exist. When Americans say "Europeans", they usually refer to the French.

In here, there is a misconception about the Americans that they're much like us, but less socialistic and richer. Wrong. Most Americans are Bush-supporting rednecks with all the associated "values". How Bush won the second time came as a real shock, because there was an idea that basically, most Americans are sensible people, and the neocons are just a badmouthed fringe element. Instead, they really represent the majority of Americans.

This has actually only come about when the Chocolate Producing Nations (TM) branded together and said that France needs to counterbalance the US. Silly us, we wanted everyone in NATO to just be allies...

The idea that Bush is evil is basically anathema; it's like us saying that almost all Europeans are also racist bastards since none of you are integrating the Roma into your countires, and most of you stood by and did nothing during the Jewish deporations under the Nazis.
Oh, and you get too much vacation time.

I sincerely do not understand why people hate the French.

Lots of people like the French.

They also like to make Fun of the French. It's like one of those Love-Hate Relationships.

This has actually only come about when the Chocolate Producing Nations (TM) branded together and said that France needs to counterbalance the US. Silly us, we wanted everyone in NATO to just be allies...

The idea that Bush is evil is basically anathema; it's like us saying that almost all Europeans are also racist bastards since none of you are integrating the Roma into your countires, and most of you stood by and did nothing during the Jewish deporations under the Nazis.
Oh, and you get too much vacation time.
Heh. Anyone arguing that people get too much vacation time has clearly taken leave of their senses, possibly because they haven't taken leave of their work.

More seriously, 'Europe' in whatever form you define it needs repeated kickings about its treatment of the Roma.

So, yeah - many (a majority?) Europeans are racist, though not bastards, perhaps.

Most of us in Britain don't hate the French, just find them annoying sometimes. They can honestly be quite arrogant and ethnocentric… laughing at people because they are English. Also, some people don't like weird things, and you don't get much weirder than the French. (love France, though)

Quite, however, we are exceedingly arrogant in our dealings with Europe, and tend to be introspective in our outlook.

Lots of people like the French.

They also like to make Fun of the French. It's like one of those Love-Hate Relationships.

I consider myself a Francophile.

Most of us in Britain don't hate the French, just find them annoying sometimes. They can honestly be quite arrogant and ethnocentric… laughing at people because they are English. Also, some people don't like weird things, and you don't get much weirder than the French. (love France, though)

I really don't like the French, though. Bunch of garlic-eating, frog-abusing, selfish fascists...

I consider myself a Francophile.

Ewwwwwww. *points and stares*

Because many of us would prefer to

1) keep a larger portion of our paychecks than we currently do (get your filthy stinking hands offa my paycheck, government!) and

2) not die of unnatural causes (ie have some religious fanatic fly a jetliner through your office window and crash it into your desk),

Europeans think we are slobbering, ignorant barbarians.

Which we are, of course, but I think it's rather close minded that we are convicted on such scanty evidence.

Also, I noticed that because a (bare) majority of Americans do not want homosexuals to be able to marry (which is, after all, basicly a religious ceremony, an overwhelming majority of Americans of all political stripes would support civil unions), Europeans assume tha all Americans would herd all homosexuals into concentration camps the second the EU and the UN turns its collective backs.

We don't all own guns, especially those of us living in liberal dominated cesspools such as New York :mad:

And, speaking of misconceptions about New York, you CAN walk down the street without being mugged, raped, killed and eaten. You just can't do it if you're a tourist.

I, personally, don't like country music, am not married to my cousin, and am not named Billy Joe Bob. Although there's nothing wrong with it if you are.

I do hate the UN and activly undermine its authority at every opportunity, that much is true.

I do not want to burn abbortion clinic workers at the stake even if I disagree with them.

I do not spend 14 hours a day working, 9 hours a day watching TV, 11 hours a day playing golf, and 7 hours and 45 minutes a day plotting to oppress minorities and women and citizens of third world countries. Jeez, I have to sleep sometime.

My car is not the size of your house.

My boat is not the size of your train.

My house is not the size of your country.

But they're close.

Oh, and the part of me and my buddies at Halliburton starting a war and invading Iraq for the sweet, sweet oil is not entirely true. We also invaded because we need another country to launch sattelites from so we can watch MTV, Fox News, and the WB.

In here, there is a misconception about the Americans that they're much like us, but less socialistic and richer. Wrong. Most Americans are Bush-supporting rednecks with all the associated "values". How Bush won the second time came as a real shock, because there was an idea that basically, most Americans are sensible people, and the neocons are just a badmouthed fringe element. Instead, they really represent the majority of Americans.
Nope. They're just really good at pretending to represent the majority and demonizing the opposition. It’s the one way they resemble the Nazis.

Heh. Anyone arguing that people get too much vacation time has clearly taken leave of their senses, possibly because they haven't taken leave of their work.

More seriously, 'Europe' in whatever form you define it needs repeated kickings about its treatment of the Roma.

So, yeah - many (a majority?) Europeans are racist, though not bastards, perhaps.

I get 23 days off a year (plus 9 holidays). The average European, I'm sure (esp. the French and Germans) would be horrified at this; my cousins in Slovakia are.

As my uncle (Slovak, and god-bless him as the antithesis of political correctness) has always said, "the Roma is the black man of Europe".

With the falling off of the popularity of the Church in Europe, maybe there will be many bastards in the future. :D

I get 23 days off a year (plus 9 holidays). The average European, I'm sure (esp. the French and Germans) would be horrified at this; my cousins in Slovakia are.


Those 23 days include saturdays and sundays?

Those 23 days include saturdays and sundays?

Thankfully, no. Used to, back in the 80s. ;)

Mind you, before my 5 year working anniversay, I used to get only 17 days off a year, and 6 holidays...

Thankfully, no. Used to, back in the 80s. ;)

Mind you, before my 5 year working anniversay, I used to get only 17 days off a year, and 6 holidays...


"pokes at misconception"

In Portugal its 22 days if you have worked less than a year in an organization, and 25 if you have worked for over that period.

Im pretty sure the French have similar days of holidays.

How many hours do you work a day?

"pokes at misconception"

In Portugal its 22 days if you have worked less than a year in an organization, and 25 if you have worked for over that period.

Im pretty sure the French have similar days of holidays.

How many hours do you work a day?
Those vacation days dont include weekends.
What puzzles me more is that in Portugal, when you take a vacation, you get:
the salary for he month you´ve worked prior to the vacation month;
a money sum that equals your sallary, which serves as spending money for your vacation;
and when you return to work after yor vacations, you´re entitled to yet another paycheck.
As a european, i would say this goes a long way to lend some credibility to ´misconceptions about european productivity.

France has the biggest arab and muslim population in Europe. Naturally, The arab population has a culture which is historically anti-american. This influences a lot of idiot.
At the same time, France has the biggest jewish population in Europe. It certainly helps racism. No wonder we don't tolerate religion so much as you do elsewhere.
BTW : I have 45 days of vacation per year (not including week ends and holidays such as christmas of the national day (9 in total)).

I get 23 days off a year (plus 9 holidays). The average European, I'm sure (esp. the French and Germans) would be horrified at this; my cousins in Slovakia are.

As my uncle (Slovak, and god-bless him as the antithesis of political correctness) has always said, "the Roma is the black man of Europe".

With the falling off of the popularity of the Church in Europe, maybe there will be many bastards in the future. :D
Ha! on all counts.

Brits get a standard 20 days of paid holiday per year, plus 8 or 9 national/bank holidays. We're the worst-off in Europe in this regard, I think. The standard workdays count (you can tell I work in tax...) is ordinarily 233 or thereabouts. I believe it's 240 for the US?

Oh, and Brits are predisposed to bastardy. We've been ignoring the Church for centuries. ;)

France has the biggest arab and muslim population in Europe. Naturally, The arab population has a culture which is historically anti-american. This influences a lot of idiot.
At the same time, France has the biggest jewish population in Europe. It certainly helps racism. No wonder we don't tolerate religion so much as you do elsewhere.
BTW : I have 45 days of vacation per year (not including week ends and holidays such as christmas of the national day (9 in total)).
45? Plus national holidays? You lucky, lucky bastards...

I consider myself a Francophile.

Ah yes, Francisco Franco. The best that Europe had to offer. <wink>

45? Plus national holidays? You lucky, lucky bastards...
It's standard, but that's because I work 38 hours a week. I get what we call 'RTT' (I work more than the legal 35 hours, therefore I get more holidays).
Most people in France choose to work 38 or 39 hours a week as before and get the rest in vacations.
Legal days are only 27 if you work 35 hours a week.
But I believe France has the most holidays in Europe, or should I say the world.

I get 23 days off a year (plus 9 holidays). The average European, I'm sure (esp. the French and Germans) would be horrified at this; my cousins in Slovakia are.

As my uncle (Slovak, and god-bless him as the antithesis of political correctness) has always said, "the Roma is the black man of Europe".

With the falling off of the popularity of the Church in Europe, maybe there will be many bastards in the future. :D
I get 34 days off a year (plus public holidays, of which there are about 12 or so I guess, but some are at the weekends... actually, I don't know how many there are..).

I think the legal requirement is 25 days per year (excluding the public holidays).

Ha! on all counts.

Brits get a standard 20 days of paid holiday per year, plus 8 or 9 national/bank holidays. We're the worst-off in Europe in this regard, I think. The standard workdays count (you can tell I work in tax...) is ordinarily 233 or thereabouts. I believe it's 240 for the US?

Oh, and Brits are predisposed to bastardy. We've been ignoring the Church for centuries. ;)

Shuush! Dont tell them about the bastardy!

Hmmm... let me see. My vacation started ... July 23 and it'll end on October 4 or 5 or something. 75 days? Not including holidays (three to four weeks all together)... :D LOL and no, I'm not unemployed.... ;)

45? Plus national holidays? You lucky, lucky bastards...

It's almot unfair, and they have a reasonable economy :mad:

since my job is at a hospital, which is 24/7, technically i don't get any days off except for weekends. However, i accrue vacation pretty fast (because it includes sick time as well.) however, i've only been working here a year and 1 month, and i've taken about 25 days off. so i guess i'm kinda lucky when it comes to vacationing :P (however, if i get sick, i'm screwed).

oh, and what i find typical of europeans? that they think all american's are stupid :P when we're not.

Europeans can breathe through their nipples and shed their skin. Americans are born with a Colt revolver in their hand and a partial lobotomy.

Our economy is based on the exploitation of the third world, like most western country, so it doesn't matter that much how much we work, we still get dividends from Ivory coast, Algeria, congo and more.
And we have close to 10% unemployment, that means we could work even less if we were more organized (that isn't very french but it could pay back).

How about the obvious: Americans think that there actually are some things called "general European". Americans can't have misconceptions about "Europeans", because such a people does not exist. When Americans say "Europeans", they usually refer to the French.

In here, there is a misconception about the Americans that they're much like us, but less socialistic and richer. Wrong. Most Americans are Bush-supporting rednecks with all the associated "values". How Bush won the second time came as a real shock, because there was an idea that basically, most Americans are sensible people, and the neocons are just a badmouthed fringe element. Instead, they really represent the majority of Americans.

Sir, actually I would put forth that the single uncontentionable thing about George Bush is that he means well. He may have repeatedly screwed up and bumbled, but his intentions are good. Secondly, Americans by and large are sensible people. Follow the logic: "terrorists attacked us, so we're going to attack terrorists. George Bush is doing what he thinks is necessary to protect America. We'll vote for him." Also, the elections was not a foreign-policy only referendum. We had tax cuts and social programs and whatnot to consider as well. Secondly, note that it was a relatively close election in 2004--by no means a landslide. And as to the charge that we are ignorant rednecks, well--this thread is about ending misconceptions, not furthering them. Try visiting the USA before criticizing it.

Furthermore, despite your narrowminded views on the international political spectrum, neocon is an acceptable, legitimate, reasonable, and backable world view. As is liberalism, old-fashioned conservatism, environmentalism, and almost any other out there.

--Isgrimnur


P.S. By the way, how'd I do with the self-righteous tone? Did I get it right? :rolleyes:

I get 23 days off a year (plus 9 holidays). The average European, I'm sure (esp. the French and Germans) would be horrified at this; my cousins in Slovakia are.
In most places in Europe, workers get more holidays than Americans do.

Heh. Anyone arguing that people get too much vacation time has clearly taken leave of their senses, possibly because they haven't taken leave of their work.

More seriously, 'Europe' in whatever form you define it needs repeated kickings about its treatment of the Roma.

So, yeah - many (a majority?) Europeans are racist, though not bastards, perhaps.
We had a couple of Roma families here. In four (4) months, three got arrested for owning a gun, five got caught while shoplifting (making those five banned from all stores), and of the seven or so children old enough to be in school, three or so actually went there. One of them were in my class, and she skipped the last class every day (yes, every day) to go home and help her mother (didn´t tell the school though). There were also several arrests for possession of a controlled substance and breaking and entering. These are facts, so I do think that they in our community have only themselves to blame.
Btw, they´ve moved now, we´re not sure where though.

In most places in Europe, workers get more holidays than Americans do.
And Americans are lazy! How does that work?

Just kidding, not all Americans are lazy. I am :) . But not everyone.

One big misconception I hear a lot of is people who think just because you are American, you voted for Bush. If you look at the voting statistics, most educated people actually voted for Kerry. But then you look at education statistics. Need I say more?

What the hell is Roma that europians hate??

This has actually only come about when the Chocolate Producing Nations (TM) branded together and said that France needs to counterbalance the US. Silly us, we wanted everyone in NATO to just be allies...

The idea that Bush is evil is basically anathema; it's like us saying that almost all Europeans are also racist bastards since none of you are integrating the Roma into your countires, and most of you stood by and did nothing during the Jewish deporations under the Nazis.
Oh, and you get too much vacation time.
Oh can i just point out at this stage that teh entire of Europe had been at war for nearly 4 years before you guys showed up to combat the Nazi's! An American misconception is that everything good is theirs, and that we're completely forgotten. Anyone who has seen Saving Private Ryan will know that there are NO, and i repeat, NO British or French or any other European army men seen rushing onto the Normandy beaches in that movie! Unlikely thats true, just Hollywood making it seem as if the Yanks did EVERYTHING!

Follow the logic: "terrorists attacked us, so we're going to attack terrorists."


OK, first off, there are many things I love about America. Constitutionally protected rights, a general belief in individualism (so long as it's not being ruthlessly taken advantage of by big business) and a drive to succeed all strike me as good things. You also produce some of the best music, films and comdey in the world (and a LOT of the worst, but hey, at least you get to choose).

That said, there are a few things that terrify me about America, and that statement is one of them. Which terrorists are we attacking (I'm half Brit, half Aussie)? Starting a war to pursue individual people who aren't even from the countries being attacked makes no sense to me, especially when you haven't found them. Mainly we're just killing civillians who, if they weren't now shot or in tiny pieces, I'd probably like just as much as most Americans I've met.

Unlikely thats true, just Hollywood making it seem as if the Yanks did EVERYTHING!

True. The Yanks ddn't do EVERYTHING, just the stuff that was needed for kicking Hitler in the Nuts. We left the speechifying and R&D to the Brits (thanks for radar and penicillin- we couldn't have won the war without you!), the whining and collaboration to the French, the banking services to the Swiss, and the Eastern front to the Russians.

It was a group effort, really. :)

True. The Yanks ddn't do EVERYTHING, just the stuff that was needed for kicking Hitler in the Nuts. We left the speechifying and R&D to the Brits (thanks for radar and penicillin- we couldn't have won the war without you!), the whining and collaboration to the French, the banking services to the Swiss, and the Eastern front to the Russians.

It was a group effort, really. :)
Radar and Penicillin, no problem mate! And i must say, well said....the best group effort in history!

Tho i have to ask, why did u guys have sucha massive problem with the Soviets??? I traveled to Soviet Russia many times, and i never had any bother, infact i loved the place! Why did the Americans hate the Communists?!?!

In most places in Europe, workers get more holidays than Americans do.


Bush wont let the american worker have as many vacation days than the european workers. This is because bush doesnt respect the rights of the workers, and wants his corperate cronies to make more money.

Radar and Penicillin, no problem mate! And i must say, well said....the best group effort in history!

Tho i have to ask, why did u guys have sucha massive problem with the Soviets??? I traveled to Soviet Russia many times, and i never had any bother, infact i loved the place! Why did the Americans hate the Communists?!?!

You mean besides the evil and the killing ad the gulags and the whole "trying to overthrow the Western World and replace it with a totalitarian
regime controlled by Moscow" thing?

Vodka. We wanted thesweet sweet vodka all to ourselves. Kind of like the reason we invaded Iraq, except that was oil, not vodka.

What the hell is Roma that europians hate?? Romanians. From Romania.

Bush wont let the american worker have as many vacation days than the european workers. This is because bush doesnt respect the rights of the workers, and wants his corperate cronies to make more money.

Bush has nothing to do with it. Individual companies set employee conditions, and if you don't get enough days off you go find another company.

Oh, and thats another impression I have of Europeans, reinforced by posts I read here: Europeans have a real difficult time distiguishing between "elective official" and "pharonic god-king". Probably te influence of the EU.

Bush doesn't control the weather. He does not cause the sun to rise and set. He cannot smite those who displease him on whim- he needs the approval of Congress and Mihael Moore.

He is a civil servant living in government housing, that is all.

Tho i have to ask, why did u guys have sucha massive problem with the Soviets??? I traveled to Soviet Russia many times, and i never had any bother, infact i loved the place! Why did the Americans hate the Communists?!?!

They tended to not integrate with America too well economically. Not a bad thing in itself (for them), but not a good thing to spread to other countries (the now-infamous Domino effect). Have to get your raw materials from somewhere!

Bush has nothing to do with it. Individual companies set employee conditions, and if you don't get enough days off you go find another company.

Oh, and thats another impression I have of Europeans, reinforced by posts I read here: Europeans have a real difficult time distiguishing between "elective official" and "pharonic god-king". Probably te influence of the EU.

Bush doesn't control the weather. He does not cause the sun to rise and set. He cannot smite those who displease him on whim- he needs the approval of Congress and Mihael Moore.

He is a civil servant living in government housing, that is all.

Yes, it is a little more complicated than Bush not wanting Americans to have holidays. Since about Nixon there's been a massive move away from social rights and welfare and towards private business, most expecially under Reagan, who's the closest thing the current Republican administration has to a god-head (except for God, of course). So no, George didn't walk in and and say "Call off Christmas", but Republican administrations have had a pretty big hand in setting the terms for workers and big business by filing fewer anti-trust suits, trying to break unions etc. etc.

And it's "elected official" and "crony of one or the other business consortiums" that always gives me the disambiguation trouble, and yes, that can also be a problem in the EU.

I sincerely do not understand why people hate the French.

that comes from having a cold war (with various invasions and wars as well) with the French for a few centuries and as we Brits conquered a quarter of the globe we taught the inhabitants to hate the French as well

also there women don't shave there armpits!

Eight Nuns:
I disagree with your outlook, but your post made me laugh.

A lot.

Out loud.

Bravo.

"Call off Christmas"- genius.

Most of us in Britain don't hate the French, just find them annoying sometimes. They can honestly be quite arrogant and ethnocentric… laughing at people because they are English. Also, some people don't like weird things, and you don't get much weirder than the French. (love France, though)

it probably goes back to the fact that france was very nearly coquered by Britain

Eight Nuns:
I disagree with your outlook, but your post made me laugh.

A lot.

Out loud.

Bravo.

"Call off Christmas"- genius.

Thankyou, I'll be here all week. Or until the cricket starts, anyway.

<snipage>

also there<france> women don't shave there armpits!

here's a question,if all the fancy hair removal stuff comes from france(ive heard this from a female friend) then why dont any of the french women use them?

it probably goes back to the fact that france was very nearly coquered by Britain

nope its because they were across the channel (its actually from before the Celts! probly just after the English channel was made meaning just after the ice age)

nope its because they were across the channel (its actually from before the Celts! probly just after the English channel was made meaning just after the ice age)


no its because France is our closest threat ( it being just across the chanel)
And so there is a contested rivalry, they are the closest foreigners we know

here's a question,if all the fancy hair removal stuff comes from france(ive heard this from a female friend) then why dont any of the french women use them?

(shrugs) maybe it's a big plan to make them survive the next ice age whilst all our women freeze to death :eek:

or maybe its just popular in mainland Europe (remember east German women!)

"pokes at misconception"

In Portugal its 22 days if you have worked less than a year in an organization, and 25 if you have worked for over that period.

Im pretty sure the French have similar days of holidays.

How many hours do you work a day?

But it's not 25 days forever, right? And you guys get crazy paternity leave and stuff, no? How many holidays?

I average 46-50 hours a week (start at 7.30, eat a half hour lunch at my desk, go home whenever, but only rarely at 4...) Every day is different, so it varies as to the exact time. I don't get overtime, though.

no its because France is our closest threat ( it being just across the chanel)
And so there is a contested rivalry, they are the closest foreigners we know
what I was saying :rolleyes: (good job we always brutally oppressed everyone else on our island or we would have loads of enemy's and a lack of jokes about the Welsh)

What the hell is Roma that europians hate??

Basically, they are the blacks of Europe. If Europe was 1950 Mississippi.

what I was saying :rolleyes: (good job we always brutally oppressed everyone else on our island or we would have loads of enemy's and a lack of jokes about the Welsh)

brutally oppressed?....*Shrugs* damn new post event leftist thinking...dear dear..the modern generation... the only good thing to come out of wales is prostitutse and rugby players etc

Oh can i just point out at this stage that teh entire of Europe had been at war for nearly 4 years before you guys showed up to combat the Nazi's! An American misconception is that everything good is theirs, and that we're completely forgotten. Anyone who has seen Saving Private Ryan will know that there are NO, and i repeat, NO British or French or any other European army men seen rushing onto the Normandy beaches in that movie! Unlikely thats true, just Hollywood making it seem as if the Yanks did EVERYTHING!

First, 1941-1939 =2. Thank you for proving that the alleged European superiority in education is a myth. :rolleyes:

Second, yes, you are correct. Hollywood is America centrist, what with being in America and all.
I for one was very put out that there wasn't a SINGLE American in "Enemy at the Gates"! Can you imagine, the didn't show the amazing American contributions at Stalingrad?!? :D
(That's a joke. The reason why there didn't show any other nations landing was because it was at the AMERICAN beach, and small in scope. You want to see an all-allied version? Go watch "The Longest Day". The French/Poles/British etc were NOT in Saving Private Ryan, since they were not integral to THAT one movie's plot.)

Since when have europians hated romanians :confused: ?, I've never met anyone who hates or dislikes them for any reason, they are generally nice people.

Bush wont let the american worker have as many vacation days than the european workers. This is because bush doesnt respect the rights of the workers, and wants his corperate cronies to make more money.

Aha. So the reason why I've had less vacation days than the average European since I entered the workforce in 1995 is the current President... Right. :rolleyes:

Since when have europians hated romanians :confused: ?, I've never met anyone who hates or dislikes them for any reason, they are generally nice people.

..yes it does seem a little odd...the last time i thought about romania was...well...months ago....let alone in a negative light..in fact..i dont think i ever have...the Welsh have always been the but of my jokes..or the irish

Since when have europians hated romanians :confused: ?, I've never met anyone who hates or dislikes them for any reason, they are generally nice people.

Roma are gypsies. (Not to be confused with Romans or Romanians)

Roma are gypsies. (Not to be confused with Romans or Romanians)

oh....gypsies....travellers..roma gypsies etc.. i think the um..main thing is that many govt officials and locals and so forth do not like the idea of people parking their caravans on pupblic property and selling drugs to their children...

oh....gypsies....travellers..roma gypsies etc.. i think the um..main thing is that many govt officials and locals and so forth do not like the idea of people parking their caravans on pupblic property and selling drugs to their children...

Ah. So implied racism is okay in Europe, just not in the US. I see.

Ah. So implied racism is okay in Europe, just not in the US. I see.


:p oh come on dont take me seriously..no one else does :D
I think the main reason is because it doesnt fit the norm of society..personaly i have no problem with travelers, then again i havnt met one in years..

It seems that the bulk of the less-than-friendly atmosphere that currently exists between the US and Europe resides mostly on misconceptions. Do you agree? Does in this case apply the saying "You fear what you don´t know"? What are the most popular misconceptions about americans and europeans?
everyone got along before the lowest forms of life in the universe hijacked the American Govt

everyone got along before the lowest forms of life in the universe hijacked the American Govt
And its never been this bad--ever before in times before the Monster

:p oh come on dont take me seriously..no one else does :D
I think the main reason is because it doesnt fit the norm of society..personaly i have no problem with travelers, then again i havnt met one in years..

Oh, shut up Baldrick. :D

But it's not 25 days forever, right? And you guys get crazy paternity leave and stuff, no? How many holidays?

I average 46-50 hours a week (start at 7.30, eat a half hour lunch at my desk, go home whenever, but only rarely at 4...) Every day is different, so it varies as to the exact time. I don't get overtime, though.
You should sue your boss. If you do overtime, he should pay overtime, shouldn't he?

I think you don't want to know about paternity in France. You would just get crazy and call us lazy people as we are (in some cases you count them in years). Also if I told you at which age you can retire with social funds, you wouldn't believe me. With 3 children it can be before 40 (my mother retired at 37). Work is a bad word in France. People protest all the time because our government is wanting us to WORK! That's totalitarian! Dictator Chirac is telling us that we should work more! That man is out of his mind. Please please, come to liberate us, assassinate him. This man should be treated in the hague and executed as a criminal against humanity.

You should sue your boss. If you do overtime, he should pay overtime, shouldn't he?

I think you don't want to know about paternity in France. You would just get crazy and call us lazy people as we are (in some cases you count them in years). Also if I told you at which age you can retire with social funds, you wouldn't believe me. With 3 children it can be before 40 (my mother retired at 37). Work is a bad word in France. People protest all the time because our government is wanting us to WORK! That's totalitarian! Dictator Chirac is telling us that we should work more! That man is out of his mind. Please please, come to liberate us, assassinate him. This man should be treated in the hague and executed as a criminal against humanity.

Nope, I'm a salaried employee. I don't get overtime. In theory, I can leave in less than 40 hours if the job was ever done, but we all know that'll never happen... :(

You have *GOT* to be kidding me. I won't recieve retirement benefits until 2040 (if they still exist). I'm 32 now.

For the rest: thanks. ;)

And Americans are lazy! How does that work?

Just kidding, not all Americans are lazy. I am :) . But not everyone.

One big misconception I hear a lot of is people who think just because you are American, you voted for Bush. If you look at the voting statistics, most educated people actually voted for Kerry. But then you look at education statistics. Need I say more?
I don't think Americans are lazy. I think they work so hard, that all they can do other times is slouch in front of the TV!

Most Americans who voted did vote for Bush.

Also, your education is awful (even if the universities themselves are good). In my country about half of school (high school) leavers go on to college/university. In Finland it is at 60%. In America, to my knowledge it is around 15%.

Romanians. From Romania.
No, the Roma are the gypsies.

But it's not 25 days forever, right? And you guys get crazy paternity leave and stuff, no? How many holidays?

I average 46-50 hours a week (start at 7.30, eat a half hour lunch at my desk, go home whenever, but only rarely at 4...) Every day is different, so it varies as to the exact time. I don't get overtime, though.
What's your job?

Basically, they are the blacks of Europe. If Europe was 1950 Mississippi.
It's not that bad. You don't hear about mass lynchings or anything like that.

Aha. So the reason why I've had less vacation days than the average European since I entered the workforce in 1995 is the current President... Right. :rolleyes:
Ignore him. From his other contributions he is plainly a troll that makes MKULTRA look like Niccolo Medici.

Oh, shut up Baldrick. :D
yay!!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/images/2005/01/31/tony_robinson_private_baldrick_150_150x180.jpg

What's your job?

It's not that bad. You don't hear about mass lynchings or anything like that.

Ignore him. From his other contributions he is plainly a troll that makes MKULTRA look like Niccolo Medici.

Let's just say that after working for going on 10 years in IT for a fortune-10 firm, one's skill set gets very... specialized.

Oh?
http://www.errc.org/cikk.php?cikk=1824
http://www.errc.org/cikk.php?cikk=1858
...so who will be the Roma's MLK?

Yeah, I know... but I hate leaving an idiot spouting nonsense. ;)

That all Americans live in Texas, are called "Hank" or "Bubba", own at least two shotguns, wear large-rimmed hats and stilletto boots, and couldn't shoot the back of a barn door at three paces?
They don't? :D ;)

They don't? :D ;)


I think they do, and I'm from Illinois!

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/7362/eurovsamerica0tz.jpg



*shudders*

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/7362/eurovsamerica0tz.jpg



*shudders*

:D
I knew that pic existed, but I couldn't find it anywhere

The thing is the view europeans have of americans have been continually polluted by Hollywood...for instance, when i was 14 i saw "Deliverance"., and for a period of time i thought all Cajuns were gun-wielding sadic sodomites.

And i wouldnt blame the average american for thinking that most european youths spend their time discussing Sartre and existencialism while travelling Europe around in Interrail...i mean, when do they get time to do some work?

Common misconception: America is comprised only of the United States. How do you think thta makes Mexico, Canada and all of south America feel?

What's worse is that the misconception is shard with the US population.

Common misconception - europeans belive they have a right to interfere in our internal affairs, via the UN or other venue. Please cease and desist. This same misconception is also found in Asia, and Down Under.

I get 23 days off a year (plus 9 holidays). The average European, I'm sure (esp. the French and Germans) would be horrified at this; my cousins in Slovakia are.


I only wish I got that amount of time off a year. o_o


As my uncle (Slovak, and god-bless him as the antithesis of political correctness) has always said, "the Roma is the black man of Europe".

With the falling off of the popularity of the Church in Europe, maybe there will be many bastards in the future. :D

Well, I have no problems with people living in caravans. I also have no problem with you setting up a camp on land you've bought.

What I have a problem with is the way any other land owner has to apply for such things as planning permission, and has to pay council tax, whereas if you live in a caravan you can wail about your "human rights" and bulldoze such laws aside. What's good for the goose is good for the gander - if planning permission and council tax were abolished for everyone, I wouldn't have a problem.

I also have a problem with some of the travellers who have come around this area - roma or not - and intimidated people, strewn rubbish all over the place and ripped people off building dodgy driveways and tiling. I don't care where you live or what you live in, but I do care about how you behave while you're here.

If anything, that's probably where the vast majority of opposition to "gypsies" comes from.

It seems that the bulk of the less-than-friendly atmosphere that currently exists between the US and Europe resides mostly on misconceptions. Do you agree? Does in this case apply the saying "You fear what you don´t know"? What are the most popular misconceptions about americans and europeans?I hear that Europeans like to drink a form of beer that is made from grapes instead of grain, which they call "wine." Surely this must be myth.

Common misconception - europeans belive they have a right to interfere in our internal affairs, via the UN or other venue. Please cease and desist. This same misconception is also found in Asia, and Down Under.Whereas we Americans have the right to dictate that we Europeans need to integrate Turkey into the EU?
(For those that find the sentence confusing: I have dual citizenship)

Common misconception - europeans belive they have a right to interfere in our internal affairs, via the UN or other venue. Please cease and desist. This same misconception is also found in Asia, and Down Under.
Common misonception - the US believe they have the right to interfere in other countrie's internal affairs, via the CIA, World Bank, UN or other venue. Please, cease and desist.

I hear that Europeans like to drink a form of beer that is made from grapes instead of grain, which they call "wine." Surely this must be myth.
No, actually we Europeans excell both at drinking and making the stuff...Americans have actually grown so fond of the evil brew that they started copying and producing many european wines...or is california bordeaux a myth?

Alright, in an effort to include Canadians in the American misconceptions pot:
They have the misconception that it's called a "tuque" and not a hat. :p

Alright, in an effort to include Canadians in the American misconceptions pot:
They have the misconception that it's called a "tuque" and not a hat. :p
but.. but... it is a tuque!

but.. but... it is a tuque!The misconception runs very deep... :D

You'd be surprised how many misconseptions americans have about other regions of their own country.

I almost always run into someone when I'm out east or west who thinks that I don't have electricy, running water, or indoor plumbing here in the midwest. I also love those idiots who will tell me "We prononce it Ohio out here."

I average 60 hours a week and am a specialist in industrial automation, including precision robotics. Anybody know of a company in europe I can go work for?

You'd be surprised how many misconseptions americans have about other regions of their own country.

I almost always run into someone when I'm out east or west who thinks that I don't have electricy, running water, or indoor plumbing here in the midwest. I also love those idiots who will tell me "We prononce it Ohio out here."

I average 60 hours a week and am a specialist in industrial automation, including precision robotics. Anybody know of a company in europe I can go work for?Heh. West Virginia: Nearly 2 million people but only four last names... My parents come from separate continents. So much for the "inbreeding" theory :p

Heh. West Virginia: Nearly 2 million people but only four last names... My parents come from separate continents. So much for the "inbreeding" theory :p

Ever been asked to if you can get ahold of some moonshine? I hate that shit.

BTW, do you live in an area that you can still leave your door unlocked while your gone and the keys in your car and everything will still be there when you get back?

Ever been asked to if you can get ahold of some moonshine? I hate that shit.Nah. Worst I've gotten was: "We're flying the flag of the hick-state of America?" and when a guy whose favorite pasttime was West Virginia jokes told them all... I decided to keep a low profile in the second situation...
Europeans don't know any West Virginia jokes and I'm more German than West Virginian to most Americans.

BTW, do you live in an area that you can still leave your door unlocked while your gone and the keys in your car and everything will still be there when you get back?Nah. I've gotten my bike stolen from inside my dorm (But I live in Cottbus, Germany).

The French are not that bad. they provide three useful function in europe.

1. Kicking bag : whenever a country feels the need to flex its muscle for the fun ot it they invade france.
2. War Canary : As an early indicator of a europe wide war, if france gets invaded its probably a good idea to stock up on tinned food and start building that bomb shelter.
3. Someone almost all other europeans can point to to avoid getting into fights with each other.

Nah. Worst I've gotten was: "We're flying the flag of the hick-state of America?" and when a guy whose favorite pasttime was West Virginia jokes told them all... I decided to keep a low profile in the second situation...
Europeans don't know any West Virginia jokes and I'm more German than West Virginian to most Americans.

Nah. I've gotten my bike stolen from inside my dorm (But I live in Cottbus, Germany).

Never spent more than a few days at shot in europe, but work with contractors from germany alot. Its funny how people can have certain misconseptions, hold them dear, and never know that someone that they are stereotyping is standing right next to them.

Never spent more than a few days at shot in europe, but work with contractors from germany alot. Its funny how people can have certain misconseptions, hold them dear, and never know that someone that they are stereotyping is standing right next to them.Yeah, that's happened to me both ways before... :D

One of my most interesting experiences though was getting insulted for being German and then being insulted for being American a few hours later... :rolleyes:

The French are not that bad. they provide three useful function in europe.

1. Kicking bag : whenever a country feels the need to flex its muscle for the fun ot it they invade france.
2. War Canary : As an early indicator of a europe wide war, if france gets invaded its probably a good idea to stock up on tinned food and start building that bomb shelter.
3. Someone almost all other europeans can point to to avoid getting into fights with each other.
But dont the americans have misconceptions about other european countries besides France? Europe isn´t France, as the US isn´t West Virginia...

But dont the americans have misconceptions about other european countries besides France? Europe isn´t France, as the US isn´t West Virginia...It seems he also has the misconception that Europeans hate the French as much as the Americans do. :p
Well, a lot of German students got accepted at my school after spending a semester or year in the states, so we always got to hear plenty of stories about what people asked them. My favorites have always been:
"Is the Berlin Wall still up?" and "Do you have cars in Germany?"
Of course the German misconception is that Americans think that Bavaria is representative for Germany.

http://www.errc.org/cikk.php?cikk=1824
http://www.errc.org/cikk.php?cikk=1858
...so who will be the Roma's MLK?
Point conceded. Curse my lack of knowledge of Eastern Europe!

Common misonception - the US believe they have the right to interfere in other countrie's internal affairs, via the CIA, World Bank, UN or other venue. Please, cease and desist.
uhh, that's not a misconception.

It seems he also has the misconception that Europeans hate the French as much as the Americans do. :p
Well, a lot of German students got accepted at my school after spending a semester or year in the states, so we always got to hear plenty of stories about what people asked them. My favorites have always been:
"Is the Berlin Wall still up?" and "Do you have cars in Germany?"
Of course the German misconception is that Americans think that Bavaria is representative for Germany.
well, we portuguese have the misconception that all germans are cold unsympathetic workaholics...

A big part of the romanian people hate gypsies. 25% of the romanian population are gypsies and they clash with other romanian because they have a totally different and incompatible conception of property. Gypsies don't recognize private property on land and they settle where they settle, sometimes on private property. They take what they find there (chicken, cows, apples, whatever), even if it belongs to somebody. Naturally, they clash with the sedentarians (how do you say it in english? The people who don't travel), especially since the romanian people are very poor and eat from their garden.
A good movie about that : Gadgo Dillo. Really nice movie, but very dark movie.
I have a brother in Romania and when he came to France, when he first met with gypsies, he started to fight with them, but later he found out that gypsies are well tolerated in France because they are not many (they can't be integrated but they can be tolerated).
Yes it's sad, but there is no common ground between sedentarian and nomads. This is a very hard and complex problem.

Point conceded. Curse my lack of knowledge of Eastern Europe!

Er... Western Europe has been less than saintly towards the Roma, too...

Historically: http://www.geocities.com/Paris/5121/porraimos.htm

http://www.errc.org/About_index.php
UK:
The Prague Airport Case
In December 2004, the UK House of Lords ruled that the UK Government had discriminated on racial grounds against Czech citizens of Romani origin in preventing them from travelling to the UK in order to stop them from claiming asylum upon arrival. In 2001, the Czech Republic agreed that the UK could station immigration officers at Prague Airport to screen all passengers travelling to the UK. The overwhelming number of passengers who were refused permission to enter the UK under this operation were Roma. Statistics showed that Roma were 400 times more likely to be refused entry to the UK than non-Roma. The practice was described by the Lords as “inherently and systematically discriminatory” against Roma. The decision is among the most important ever anywhere in terms of condemning racial discrimination in the area of border regulation.

http://www.mdm-international.org/international/pages/nationsunies100801a.htm
France: (2001)
Let us mention the recent example of the 70 Romanian Roma in France who have been deliberately thrown out on the street with nowhere to go by public authorities, which evicted them from the land were they were living and destroyed their only shelter (trailers). These families with very young babies have been living for weeks in appalling conditions, under a bridge, with just a few tents for them to take shelter from bad weather. Prefectural and sanitary institutions have been informed many times of the serious risks run by this group of persons. After one month and a half living on this piece of land, there has been no response from the authorities. Total indifference and irresponsible treatment of Romanian Roma migrant groups on French territory contribute to the deterioration in their state of heath and to aggravating the non-respect of their fundamental rights.

Er... Western Europe has been less than saintly towards the Roma, too...

Historically: http://www.geocities.com/Paris/5121/porraimos.htm

http://www.errc.org/About_index.php
UK:
The Prague Airport Case
In December 2004, the UK House of Lords ruled that the UK Government had discriminated on racial grounds against Czech citizens of Romani origin in preventing them from travelling to the UK in order to stop them from claiming asylum upon arrival. In 2001, the Czech Republic agreed that the UK could station immigration officers at Prague Airport to screen all passengers travelling to the UK. The overwhelming number of passengers who were refused permission to enter the UK under this operation were Roma. Statistics showed that Roma were 400 times more likely to be refused entry to the UK than non-Roma. The practice was described by the Lords as “inherently and systematically discriminatory” against Roma. The decision is among the most important ever anywhere in terms of condemning racial discrimination in the area of border regulation.

http://www.mdm-international.org/international/pages/nationsunies100801a.htm
France: (2001)
Let us mention the recent example of the 70 Romanian Roma in France who have been deliberately thrown out on the street with nowhere to go by public authorities, which evicted them from the land were they were living and destroyed their only shelter (trailers). These families with very young babies have been living for weeks in appalling conditions, under a bridge, with just a few tents for them to take shelter from bad weather. Prefectural and sanitary institutions have been informed many times of the serious risks run by this group of persons. After one month and a half living on this piece of land, there has been no response from the authorities. Total indifference and irresponsible treatment of Romanian Roma migrant groups on French territory contribute to the deterioration in their state of heath and to aggravating the non-respect of their fundamental rights.
I believe you are mistaken here. Those example are not example of discrimination against a race of any kind. Those discrimination are examples of dicsrimination against the poor.
No money - no right to live. That's the motto in western Europe.

I believe you are mistaken here. Those example are not example of discrimination against a race of any kind. Those discrimination are examples of dicsrimination against the poor.
No money - no right to live. That's the motto in western Europe.

I hope that's a tongue-in-cheek post...

I believe you are mistaken here. Those example are not example of discrimination against a race of any kind. Those discrimination are examples of dicsrimination against the poor.
No money - no right to live. That's the motto in western Europe.
Probably youre thinking of some zones in Washington...