NationStates Jolt Archive

It is true, many people outside of the US think that we are a bunch of bumbling puritanical idiots. However, that is far from true.

So you like to claim.

But why really is it that everyone in the world has such a misinformed view of the US?

We don't, unfortunately.

Hahah! I saw this idea in another thread about US dating. It is true, many people outside of the US think that we are a bunch of bumbling puritanical idiots. However, that is far from true. Sure there are plenty of those fools here, like everywhere else. But why really is it that everyone in the world has such a misinformed view of the US?

Because people like somebody else to make fun of. It distracts them from their own problems.
Like wiretapping, amirite?

And Fass with the steal!

Because people like somebody else to make fun of. It distracts them from their own problems.
Like wiretapping, amirite?

Wiretapping desu.

like everywhere else.like everywhere else? like where?

So you like to claim.



We don't, unfortunately.

Ah, there it is. I'd been missing that Scandinavian mix of condescension and megalomania that is your typical post about the US. I feel complete now that you've presumed to speak for "everyone in the world".

Thing is, you're mostly right. I just get bent out of shape because I live here and have to deal with the repercussions of perception that my government and cultural leaders are complete morons...which they are. I wish I could show the thinking world the USA in which I live. Had I the resources, I'd love to see what life is like elsewhere.

The US has done a lot of good for the world. Such as?

So you like to claim.



We don't, unfortunately.

Have you even been to the US? If not, I suggest you come stay for a while. You'll learn that we are not war mongering, flag waving, theocratic fools. The US has done a lot of good(and bad, i admit) for the world. And honestly, you can't say anything negative about the country, because you don't live here, and you are rather thick headed and set in your ways. Im sure it was cool growing up to be anti US, and it just stuck with you as you have matured and what not.

But seriously, Americans are not bad. America is not bad. Simple as that.

Hahah! I saw this idea in another thread about US dating. It is true, many people outside of the US think that we are a bunch of bumbling puritanical idiots. However, that is far from true. Sure there are plenty of those fools here, like everywhere else. But why really is it that everyone in the world has such a misinformed view of the US?

Falsehood is so much easier to believe than the truth.

We don't, unfortunately.

So YOU claim. :rolleyes:

And Fass with the steal!

Yeah. My OP got t3h stolen. -pouts- That's the first time that has happened to me too. Dang.

Ah, there it is. I'd been missing that Scandinavian mix of condescension and megalomania that is your typical post about the US. I feel complete now that you've presumed to speak for "everyone in the world".

Thing is, you're mostly right. I just get bent out of shape because I live here and have to deal with the repercussions of perception that my government and cultural leaders are complete morons...which they are. I wish I could show the thinking world the USA in which I live. Had I the resources, I'd love to see what life is like elsewhere.

Have you even been to the US? If not, I suggest you come stay for a while. You'll learn that we are not war mongering, flag waving, theocratic fools. The US has done a lot of good(and bad, i admit) for the world. And honestly, you can't say anything negative about the country, because you don't live here, and you are rather thick headed and set in your ways. Im sure it was cool growing up to be anti US, and it just stuck with you as you have matured and what not.

But seriously, Americans are not bad. America is not bad. Simple as that.

Falsehood is so much easier to believe than the truth.



So YOU claim. :rolleyes:

"Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown." (I'm not at home so you're spared the graphic...)

Seriously, do you think anything is going to come of this? If you wanted to give a dude a handjob there are easier and less frustrating ways to go about it, and wasting your time with this on Fass is pretty much just giving him a handjob...

Hahah! I saw this idea in another thread about US dating. It is true, many people outside of the US think that we are a bunch of bumbling puritanical idiots. However, that is far from true. Sure there are plenty of those fools here, like everywhere else. But why really is it that everyone in the world has such a misinformed view of the US?

I wouldn't say everyone. But many people are not well-informed about the US because they have (whether by choice or not) very limited evidence on which to base their opinions of it.

If, for example, most of your evidence comes from news and discussions regarding its controversial foreign and domestic policies, you'll understandably be inclined to have a very limited and probably negative view of what the US is like.

If, on the other hand, most of your evidence comes from living in the US and watching US news sources, you'll understandably be inclined to a broader and more positive (though possibly still quite negative despite the improvement) view of what the US is like.

like everywhere else? like where?

Everywhere but here?

Everywhere but here?
where else in the world are there puritanical retards as they are in the US? which other country invades countries overseas just for a retarded political leader's private agenda?
you know what the word Americanization means? all the bad things that happen in a society. the US is constantly patronizing everybody else about everything, but the US never lives up to its own claims. and all your 'patriotism' just stinks.

Such as?

Well, I can always refer to WW2 and after, with the whole rebuilding Europe. Or what about helping spark democratic reforms all over the globe? Countless inventions, ideas, etc..

You know, it's a cliche but its true in Fass's face: he hates America.

Oh well. Too bad for him. It's always sad when people give in to generalization and stereotype and bigotry.

Wait, I just gave Fass a hand job? Does that make me gay now? :p

Only you can tell for sure...

We don't, unfortunately.

Yes, because your view of the US -- or anything, for that matter -- is always the correct one. :rolleyes:

"Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown." (I'm not at home so you're spared the graphic...)

Seriously, do you think anything is going to come of this? If you wanted to give a dude a handjob there are easier and less frustrating ways to go about it, and wasting your time with this on Fass is pretty much just giving him a handjob...

Eh? (http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&hl=en&q=%22Forget+it+Jake%2C+it%27s+Chinatown.%22+)

"Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown." (I'm not at home so you're spared the graphic...)

Seriously, do you think anything is going to come of this? If you wanted to give a dude a handjob there are easier and less frustrating ways to go about it, and wasting your time with this on Fass is pretty much just giving him a handjob...

Wait, I just gave Fass a hand job? Does that make me gay now? :p

Wait, I just gave Fass a hand job? Does that make me gay now? :p

Yeah, you did. He spermed all over your hands and face, and you liked it. You're -very- gay. Congratulations. =)

Well, I can always refer to WW2 and after, with the whole rebuilding Europe. Or what about helping spark democratic reforms all over the globe? Countless inventions, ideas, etc..Oh please, you really overestimate US contribution to rebuilding Europe after WW2. Europeans rebuilt Europe.
And where did the US spark democratic reforms? Iran? Cuba? The US only gets involved when there's money in it.

Well, I can always refer to WW2 and after, with the whole rebuilding Europe. Or what about helping spark democratic reforms all over the globe? Countless inventions, ideas, etc..

WW2 would've been much less damaging and chaotic if the US had actually helped early on instead of waiting like pansies. Though they're not the only country who did that - they acted just like most of Europe did, but most of Europe was pulled into the war much sooner.

Because of movies.
Because of foreign policies.
Because of weird news.

Well, no one talks about the average american guy. Its always those guys who live in farms without any modern technolgy, rednecks who hunt black and latino guys, Paris Hilton and Britney Spears without panties, and presidents lying to start wars for no reason.

So, that is the reason.

BUT, I dont believe in that. I´ve knew enough foreigners to realize people are the same everywhere. Some cultural traits may be diferent, but the important things are always the same. Americans, japanese, indians, brazilians, everyone is the same.

I once saw a neato Twilight Zone episode with that premise.

Because of movies.
Because of foreign policies.
Because of weird news.

Well, no one talks about the average american guy. Its always those guys who live in farms without any modern technolgy, rednecks who hunt black and latino guys, Paris Hilton and Britney Spears without panties, and presidents lying to start wars for no reason.

So, that is the reason.

BUT, I dont believe in that. I´ve knew enough foreigners to realize people are the same everywhere. Some cultural traits may be diferent, but the important things are always the same. Americans, japanese, indians, brazilians, everyone is the same.

Because the basis of our entertainment industry is on exaggerating personalities instead of just reflecting them? Leading other countries who absorb our media to think our personalities are actually the exaggerated ones they see in all the American movies and televison shows?

Have you even been to the US?

Yes. I shan't be returning, though, at least not until rule of law is reinstated and foreigners can't get arrested and sent to torture camps where they are held in an artificial judicial void just because your government feels like it.

If not, I suggest you come stay for a while. You'll learn that we are not war mongering, flag waving, theocratic fools.

I learnt much more than that. You're also dreadfully ignorant about the world and truly do think the US is somehow special.

The US has done a lot of good(and bad, i admit) for the world. And honestly, you can't say anything negative about the country,

Pishposh, I can say tonnes and tonnes, and oodles and oodles, and [insert whatever word denoting a large amount you'd like here] negative things about it. And I thought I did. And I thought that was the entire point of this thread, your sense of hurt that people do.

because you don't live here,

I am fortunate that way, yes, however that has no bearing on my ability to say negative things about countries. I don't live in Denmark or Iran, but I can say many, many negative things about them both.

and you are rather thick headed and set in your ways. Im sure it was cool growing up to be anti US, and it just stuck with you as you have matured and what not.

Oh, look, you think "anti-US" is a bad thing to call me. Cute.

But seriously, Americans are not bad. America is not bad. Simple as that.

And I don't buy it. Simple as that.

Because the basis of our entertainment industry is on exaggerating personalities instead of just reflecting them? Leading other countries who absorb our media to think our personalities are actually the exaggerated ones they see in all the American movies and televison shows?Well, the entertainment industry is successful because US Americans like what they are entertained with. That says a lot.

where else in the world are there puritanical retards as they are in the US? which other country invades countries overseas just for a retarded political leader's private agenda?

UK.

Next question?

where else in the world are there puritanical retards as they are in the US?

Pretty much every country that has ever existed has or has had that at some point.

Hahah! I saw this idea in another thread about US dating. It is true, many people outside of the US think that we are a bunch of bumbling puritanical idiots. However, that is far from true. Sure there are plenty of those fools here, like everywhere else. But why really is it that everyone in the world has such a misinformed view of the US?

Because publicly, the US is a bunch of bumbling, puritanical idiots. Privately they are not, but due to that being their public PR even amongst themselves, privately they are just bumbling idiots.

Well, the entertainment industry is successful because US Americans like what they are entertained with. That says a lot.

And there we have it folks, the basis of his argument relies on what he sees portrayed in the US media.

Eh? (http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&hl=en&q=%22Forget+it+Jake%2C+it%27s+Chinatown.%22+)

Nah, I have a specific one I made that's kinda obnoxious. Fortunately there isn't a whole lot of call for it, so it only comes out once every six months or so, and I think I've only used it like 4 times.

People focus on the idiots in the US because there are so many to focus on, and they are the ones who are displayed in the media the most. Besides it feels good to talk shit about other countries Zilam. Haven't you ever voiced displeasure over something another country has done and then felt great because your country didn't do it?

Also it's easy to talk shit about the US because the govt makes us all look bad since we "elected" them.

Also as a super power with a lot of power to make changes in other countries, we have to be prepared to take shots. It's a lot like why celebrities are so often lambasted about everything they do whether they deserve it or not.

The world knows more about America than America knows about the world. Like, anyone in the world would be able to tell you the names of the 'Friends' characters, but I doubt there is any large number of Americans who would be able to tell you the names of the characters in South African sitcom 'Vetkoekpaleis'.

It's a lot like why celebrities are so often lambasted about everything they do whether they deserve it or not.

The US is like Tom Cruise that way.

I learnt much more than that. You're also dreadfully ignorant about the world and truly do think the US is somehow special.


Wow! I'm so ignorant, I didn't even know I thought that!

Thank god for you, Fass. You're here to tell us what hundreds of millions of people, myself included, think. Where would we be without your amazing psychic powers?

Also, I'm thinking of a word to describe you right now. Since you're psychic, you can tell me what that word is.

n00k teh area!

Excuse me. We do not eat placentas.

I tried once, but my tongue wasn't quite long enough.

UK.

Next question?

There's nothing Puritanical about the UK..

We kicked those buggers out.

Wow! I'm so ignorant, I didn't even know I thought that!

See, it's chronic! :p

Thank god for you, Fass.

God had nothing to do with it. One heterosexual man sticking his wingwang up a heterosexual woman's hoohaa, and her carrying me about in her ovarian-driven Bastille (to paraphrase) did.

You're here to tell us what hundreds of millions of people, myself included, think. Where would we be without your amazing psychic powers?

You should ask the OP the same thing. After all, "everyone in the world" - that's billions of people, including people in the US (unless of course one takes at face value this funny Freudian slip that somehow the US isn't part of that world) - have "a misinformed view of the US". His psychic skills are much more impressive and developed than mine.

Also, I'm thinking of a word to describe you right now. Since you're psychic, you can tell me what that word is.

Rimmable? Why, you naughty boy! Get to it.

The US is like Tom Cruise that way.

Excuse me. We do not eat placentas.

The US is like Tom Cruise that way.Because Tom Cruise should also be nuked immediately for what he is and how he is?

God had nothing to do with it. One heterosexual man sticking his wingwang up a heterosexual woman's hoohaa, and her carrying me about in her ovarian-driven Bastille (to paraphrase) did.


Excuse me, the proper terms are 'hoo-hoo dilly' and 'cha-cha'.

Oh also, that movie Borat doesnt help things much.

So you like to claim.

We don't, unfortunately.

Actually, you do.

Oh also, that movie Borat doesnt help things much.

I'm assuming you're not incorrect, and you mean that the movie shows how ignorant Americans can be, as opposed to assuming that Borat is American and that makes America look bad.

I hope I'm correct.

Because of movies.
Because of foreign policies.
Because of weird news.

Well, no one talks about the average american guy. Its always those guys who live in farms without any modern technolgy, rednecks who hunt black and latino guys, Paris Hilton and Britney Spears without panties, and presidents lying to start wars for no reason.

So, that is the reason.

BUT, I dont believe in that. I´ve knew enough foreigners to realize people are the same everywhere. Some cultural traits may be diferent, but the important things are always the same. Americans, japanese, indians, brazilians, everyone is the same.

I agree with you whole heartedly. I myself am an american and have friends from all over the world but just because of what i hear about Iraq, Afghanistan or Pakistan, that dosent mean that im going to treat all my middle eastern friends like they're terrorist. I dont think all muslims are extremist. I dont think that all Norweigens are vikings, all germans are nazis, or all Japanese are samurai. The list could go on for hundreds of pages. I feel sorry for anyone who closes their mind regarding any particular country because they are closing out the learnings and culture of a whole different world. I for example look pretty damn white, but i was the only white kid on the cricket team filled with Pakistanis. People should not be basing their judgement on a partucular culture from a select few, especially when that select few happen to be the elites or the wealthy in hollywood. Everyone around the world is basically the same. whether you're white, brown, yellow, black, purply, pink, grey, rainbow or whatever, we are all the same, not just underneath but in mind too.

I'm assuming you're not incorrect, and you mean that the movie shows how ignorant Americans can be, as opposed to assuming that Borat is American and that makes America look bad.

I hope I'm correct.

Borat is UKian actually;) . Plus Borat only selectively visisted very extreme/radical parts of america to meet very extreme people. These sorts of things are completely inevitable when your country is so large.

Tu quoque is not very impressive as a rebuttal, mme.

But it's ever so amusing to mock with reciprocation. Too bad the irony is lost on you.

So, you're not psychic, and your appraisal of how I think is therefore... misinformed.

Now, now, no need to hide it. No one faults you. *pucker up*

You should ask the OP the same thing. After all, "everyone in the world" - that's billions of people, including people in the US (unless of course one takes at face value this funny Freudian slip that somehow the US isn't part of that world) - have "a misinformed view of the US". His psychic skills are much more impressive and developed than mine.

Tu quoque is not very impressive as a rebuttal, mme.

Rimmable? Why, you naughty boy! Get to it.

So, you're not psychic, and your appraisal of how I think is therefore... misinformed.

People in other countries get a lot of their ideas about what America is like from American television. This isn't unreasonable really, considering we Americans (at least those of us who haven't traveled) get a lot of our ideas about other countries from American TV. It's going to be inaccurate going in either direction, but it's probably more so for Americans.

Also, I can confirm that the puritanical retards of America also exist here in Denmark. They're called Faderhuset.

wouldnt tiny little single person nukes be so cuuuuuuute?
:fluffle:

Because Tom Cruise should also be nuked immediately for what he is and how he is?

Yes, nuking Tom Cruise would solve the world's problems.

While we're at it let's nuke Al Gore. He is afterall, the cause of global warming. Him and his house.

There's nothing Puritanical about the UK..

We kicked those buggers out.

Ha. Come visit us in Northern Ireland some day. 'Save Ulster From Sodomy' ring any bells?

Hahah! I saw this idea in another thread about US dating. It is true, many people outside of the US think that we are a bunch of bumbling puritanical idiots. However, that is far from true. Sure there are plenty of those fools here, like everywhere else. But why really is it that everyone in the world has such a misinformed view of the US?Why is that every American has such a misinformed view of everything outside of the US?

I guess the answers to both are pretty similar. Except I would expect the rest of the world to be more informed/misinformed about the US because it hits the news quite frequently then vice versa. An American would be more likely not to have a clue what you were on about than an opinion on which ever country is in question.

I don't live in Denmark or Iran, but I can say many, many negative things about them both.

Dude, Denmark pwns.

You hate everyone don't you?

Ha. Come visit us in Northern Ireland some day. 'Save Ulster From Sodomy' ring any bells?

I'm just curious who has a big enough wang to take a whole country roughly from behind? :confused:

Borat is UKian actually;) . Plus Borat only selectively visisted very extreme/radical parts of america to meet very extreme people. These sorts of things are completely inevitable when your country is so large.

So then we come to the same OH-SO-OBVIOUS conclusion now that we do in every single Defense Of America threads... generalizing is stupid

When will these damn threads end? Never. You can't stop people from posting without forethought.

I'm just curious who has a big enough wang to take a whole country roughly from behind? :confused:


You called?

Borat is UKian actually;) . Plus Borat only selectively visisted very extreme/radical parts of america to meet very extreme people. These sorts of things are completely inevitable when your country is so large.

I know, I'm hoping North knew that.

Why is that every American has such a misinformed view of everything outside of the US?

I guess the answers to both are pretty similar. Except I would expect the rest of the world to be more informed/misinformed about the US because it hits the news quite frequently then vice versa. An American would be more likely not to have a clue what you were on about than an opinion on which ever country is in question.


Well it is pretty sad when pretty much everyone I know that grew up outside of the US knows more about US history than I, and most of my close US American friends, do.

Also when I travel outside of the US I am always disheartened to see how much better the world news covereage is.

Dude, Denmark pwns.

Yes, it fails at owning just like "pwning" does.

You hate everyone don't you?

If that consoles you.

You called?

No organs, but a giant member? Very odd.

Hahah! I saw this idea in another thread about US dating. It is true, many people outside of the US think that we are a bunch of bumbling puritanical idiots. However, that is far from true. Sure there are plenty of those fools here, like everywhere else. But why really is it that everyone in the world has such a misinformed view of the US?

They're not misinformed, they're generalizing.

They're not misinformed, they're generalizing.
It's a rare thread where Ruffy's post is the most correct - not to mention reasonable and, well, obvious - one, but there it is. :)

If that consoles you.

It's just distressing that there are people out there who harbor so much needless animosity towards their fellow man.

Hahah! I saw this idea in another thread about US dating. It is true, many people outside of the US think that we are a bunch of bumbling puritanical idiots. However, that is far from true. Sure there are plenty of those fools here, like everywhere else. But why really is it that everyone in the world has such a misinformed view of the US?

I used to, but once I saw that documentary about those poor people trapped in that shopping centre with the zombies, I fully understood the need to lift that automatic weapons ban.

Halloween must be a complete bastard, trying to open the door, hold the "candy" for the kids and keep the assault rifle ready to rock and roll in case its a sneaky undead brain-eating fiend....you could see how it could go horribly wrong very easily....

It's a rare thread where Ruffy's post is the most correct - not to mention reasonable and, well, obvious - one, but there it is. :)

It must be someone else on Ruffy's account.

You called?

Sir, if you are really so well endowed then I doff my cap to you.

Hahah! I saw this idea in another thread about US dating. It is true, many people outside of the US think that we are a bunch of bumbling puritanical idiots. However, that is far from true. Sure there are plenty of those fools here, like everywhere else. But why really is it that everyone in the world has such a misinformed view of the US?

Because it's always fun to poke USians and see them huff and puff and post threads like this one that goes nowhere fast.

It's just distressing that there are people out there who harbor so much needless animosity towards their fellow man.

You are no fellow of mine, fortunately.

I'm just curious who has a big enough wang to take a whole country roughly from behind? :confused:

Well, I don't like to brag...

You are no fellow of mine, fortunately.
I don't know what that's supposed to mean.

Most of the time, when people outside the US talk about the US, what they are really talking about is either the US Government or the US foreign policy - both of which are legitimate causes for concern. Also, people tend to focus on the parts of the US that they hear most about, such as the Bible Belters (anti-abortionists, teaching of intelligent design, banning teaching of evolution, etc), the hardcore right wing fundamentalists, the fat, or the stupid.

The salient point here is that all these groups are very much a minority. The NRA has a powerful lobby group - but that doesn't mean every American has an uzi under their pillow. The views of the majority of the population do not mirror those of fascist morons such as Dick Cheney or John Ashcroft. Just because the christian coalition is so well represented, doesn't mean that every American is as hardcore religious as Pat Robertson.

I think Bill Bryson said it best when he described America after moving back there:

"Americans are not inherently any more stupid than any other race of people. It's just that they are so routinely provided with the conditions that spare them the need to think - so they have got out of the habit."

It's quite true actually - it's happening here in Britain as well. America doesn't have a monopoly on stupid people (or fat people, for that matter). Working in retail for a while proved to me that there are virtually no limits to the depths of human stupidity and ignorance.

I used to, but once I saw that documentary about those poor people trapped in that shopping centre with the zombies, I fully understood the need to lift that automatic weapons ban.

Halloween must be a complete bastard, trying to open the door, hold the "candy" for the kids and keep the assault rifle ready to rock and roll in case its a sneaky undead brain-eating fiend....you could see how it could go horribly wrong very easily....

Yes that was a most rotten incident. It wasn't as bad as those aliens attacking us a few years back. Those fellows wreaked havoc. Come to think of it, I've lived through four alien invasions.:)

Hahah! I saw this idea in another thread about US dating. It is true, many people outside of the US think that we are a bunch of bumbling puritanical idiots. However, that is far from true. Sure there are plenty of those fools here, like everywhere else. But why really is it that everyone in the world has such a misinformed view of the US?

The truth is, while there are many exaggerations, among Western countries, USA seems to be one of the most conservatives about most issues.

Well, I can always refer to WW2
And I can refute that claim, because the USSR was going to win the war from the start of Barbarossa, and the only thing that the US did was to stop communism spreading across Europe.

The US got a couple of hundred thousand men killed for no gain whatsoever. Which is a shame, really.
and after, with the whole rebuilding Europe.
I'm sure the West Germans were filled with glee at their occupation, right?
Or what about helping spark democratic reforms all over the globe?
Reforms indeed. See Chile, Cambodia (the whole supporting Pol Pot because he hated the Vietnamese thing was classic), Iraq and Haiti. Not reforms for the best. But reforms indeed.
Countless inventions, ideas, etc..
No, I think that was mostly the German scientists that were kidnapped in Operation Paperclip, really.

It's just distressing that there are people out there who harbor so much needless animosity towards their fellow man.
Oh the easy jokes that could ensue!

Fass doesn't have needless animosity towards his fellow men - especially those he considers more his fellows that others ;)

Why are so many people outside the US so terribly misinformed about it?

Probably the same reason people in the US are so misinformed about the rest of the world.

Oh the easy jokes that could ensue!

Fass doesn't have needless animosity towards his fellow men - especially those he considers more his fellows that others ;)

Oh, I get what he's saying now.
He's suggesting some sort of separation between himself and me. Funny. We're all human here, last I checked.

Sir, if you are really so well endowed then I doff my cap to you.

Well, tbh it would be like throwing a sausage supper up Royal Avenue...

For me, the bigger deal is how many people inside the US are so terribly misinformed about it :(

But why really is it that everyone in the world has such a misinformed view of the US?

Could that be your misinformed view of the rest of the world?

Or the old emo "no-one understands me" on a national scale?

Oh, I get what he's saying now.
He's suggesting some sort of separation between himself and me. Funny. We're all human here, last I checked.
Oh the naïveté!

No, Neo, HE'S... GAY... HE LIKES MEN! BUT NOT YOU! DO YOU NOT SEE THIS?

where else in the world are there puritanical retards as they are in the US? which other country invades countries overseas just for a retarded political leader's private agenda?
you know what the word Americanization means? all the bad things that happen in a society. the US is constantly patronizing everybody else about everything, but the US never lives up to its own claims. and all your 'patriotism' just stinks.

I know I'll get flamed for it, but what the hell.
Just as a general piece of information (make of it what you want) : "American conditions" is a buzz word that is guaranteed to create fear in the German public. It is something that has to be avoided at all costs, and it's used whenever possible by politicians and public figures when faced with social, economical, ecological or cultural crisis.

I know I'll get flamed for it, but what the hell.
Just as a general piece of information (make of it what you want) : "American conditions" is a buzz word that is guaranteed to create fear in the German public. It is something that has to be avoided at all costs, and it's used whenever possible by politicians and public figures when faced with social, economical, ecological or cultural crisis.They can't well flame you for reporting facts. It's true.

Well, I can always refer to WW2 and after, with the whole rebuilding Europe. Or what about helping spark democratic reforms all over the globe? Countless inventions, ideas, etc..

Yup. Establishing and supporting the Shah. Siding with Chiang Kai-Shek, who was by all account just as bad as Tse-Tung, only he wasn't one of the teh 3b1l Commies.

Supporting Saudi Arabia because they have us by the balls where oil is concerned.
Supporting Pakistan over India during the Cold War.

Yup, our track record with establishing democracy is pretty fucking good. Pretty fucking good.

Could that be your misinformed view of the rest of the world?

Or the old emo "no-one understands me" on a national scale?

"The Emo Nation." What a concept. Can't be new tho, eh?

Most of the time, when people outside the US talk about the US, what they are really talking about is either the US Government or the US foreign policy - both of which are legitimate causes for concern. Also, people tend to focus on the parts of the US that they hear most about, such as the Bible Belters (anti-abortionists, teaching of intelligent design, banning teaching of evolution, etc), the hardcore right wing fundamentalists, the fat, or the stupid.

The salient point here is that all these groups are very much a minority. The NRA has a powerful lobby group - but that doesn't mean every American has an uzi under their pillow. The views of the majority of the population do not mirror those of fascist morons such as Dick Cheney or John Ashcroft. Just because the christian coalition is so well represented, doesn't mean that every American is as hardcore religious as Pat Robertson.

I think Bill Bryson said it best when he described America after moving back there:

"Americans are not inherently any more stupid than any other race of people. It's just that they are so routinely provided with the conditions that spare them the need to think - so they have got out of the habit."

It's quite true actually - it's happening here in Britain as well. America doesn't have a monopoly on stupid people (or fat people, for that matter). Working in retail for a while proved to me that there are virtually no limits to the depths of human stupidity and ignorance.

That's a very good point, actually. I've encoutered stupidity in abundance in all the countries I've been to so far. It's human.
I think the main difference is that in most countries, education and intelligence are expected in public life. I remember people being actually embarassed about Kohl, simply for being very German in his ways, despite being well-educated, intelligent and a very good diplomat (and I can't believe I'm saying that, I fucking hated that guy!). Whereas in the US, people seem to be happier with someone they feel is just like them, on the same level, in no way above. Well, except for in his finances of course.

Most of the time, when people outside the US talk about the US, what they are really talking about is either the US Government or the US foreign policy - both of which are legitimate causes for concern. Also, people tend to focus on the parts of the US that they hear most about, such as the Bible Belters (anti-abortionists, teaching of intelligent design, banning teaching of evolution, etc), the hardcore right wing fundamentalists, the fat, or the stupid.

The salient point here is that all these groups are very much a minority. The NRA has a powerful lobby group - but that doesn't mean every American has an uzi under their pillow. The views of the majority of the population do not mirror those of fascist morons such as Dick Cheney or John Ashcroft. Just because the christian coalition is so well represented, doesn't mean that every American is as hardcore religious as Pat Robertson.

Indeed people base their ideas on the inhabitants of the US they hear much about. In addition, the people we hear most about usually are the richest, most famous people, and the people with most power (political or otherwise). A distorted image of the american dream is portrayed, for apparantly you have to proof you are uncapable of thought if you want to become a someone in the US.

It's quite true actually - it's happening here in Britain as well. America doesn't have a monopoly on stupid people (or fat people, for that matter). Working in retail for a while proved to me that there are virtually no limits to the depths of human stupidity and ignorance.

I'm ashamed to say i have seen the same in the dutch politics as well, although recent elections show reason for me to get my hopes up again

Hahah! I saw this idea in another thread about US dating. It is true, many people outside of the US think that we are a bunch of bumbling puritanical idiots. However, that is far from true. Sure there are plenty of those fools here, like everywhere else. But why really is it that everyone in the world has such a misinformed view of the US?

Same reason Americans ask Germans whether they have cars in Germany. Or whether Hitler is still chancellor. Or why Americans ask Austrians (not australians) whether they have pet kangaroos :(

Hahah! I saw this idea in another thread about US dating. It is true, many people outside of the US think that we are a bunch of bumbling puritanical idiots. However, that is far from true. Sure there are plenty of those fools here, like everywhere else. But why really is it that everyone in the world has such a misinformed view of the US?


You have the rest of the world all wrong
and I believe I can speak for the entire rest of the world here when I say
we do not think you are all either bumbling or puritanical.

Can anybody else feel the love in this thread?
'Cause I sure can.
Oh, oh, I know! Group hug!

Here's the thing about the US. There is an inverse relationship between IQ and the desire to be on TV.

Canada gave the world Celine Dion and Avril Lavigne.

I don't see anyone hating on Canada.

But seriously, Americans are not bad.


Not all of them no, but you can't use a general statement like that because it has as much accuracy as "all Americans are bad"

America has its fair share of retards, wannabe dictators and war junkies. Unfortunately for the world, they're usually in the government.


America is not bad. Simple as that.

America as a place to live? Maybe, if you're middle class and above. America as a nation dealing with other nations? Most of the time, it's bad. Look at the trade agreements it tries to force through for one. Abolishing protective measures for local agriculture while giving subsidies to their own? Sounds like a recipe to force a collapse of said nation's ability to independently feed itself. Ditto with other resources.

And America gave the world MTV. How can you say America isn't bad when it made that? :p

No organs, but a giant member? Very odd.

There's room for gas canisters and the skin is elastic. :p

You have the rest of the world all wrong
and I believe I can speak for the entire rest of the world here when I say
we do not think you are all either bumbling or puritanical.

...speak for yourself. No, actually I don't think Americans are all equally puritanical - but the power the puritanical exert within America over time has come, I feel, to buoy puritanical tendencies and sensibilities to the extent that the average American is perceptibly more puritanical in nature than non-Americans.

So, in a certain sense, yes, they are "all" puritanical - or at least more given to puritanism than others.

And the bumbling? I dunno where that's coming from. Long-buried memories of Gerry Ford, maybe?

...speak for yourself. No, actually I don't think Americans are all equally puritanical - but the power the puritanical exert within America over time has come, I feel, to buoy puritanical tendencies and sensibilities to the extent that the average American is perceptibly more puritanical in nature than non-Americans.
Uh... Ok..., I don't see it, I really don't.

So you like to claim.



We don't, unfortunately.
Thank you for that great contribution of intelligence.:rolleyes:

You really are a fool. You should be glad I don't make assumptions about gays the same way you make assumptions about America.

Thank you for that great contribution of intelligence.:rolleyes:

You really are a fool. You should be glad I don't make assumptions about gays the same way you make assumptions about America.

I predict that Fass would care little for your assumptions.

The world knows more about America than America knows about the world. Like, anyone in the world would be able to tell you the names of the 'Friends' characters, but I doubt there is any large number of Americans who would be able to tell you the names of the characters in South African sitcom 'Vetkoekpaleis'.

So all that proves is that the world laps up whatever entertainment America sends out.

Seriously, lots of complaints about McDonald's too -- and yet they are successful businesses wherever they are. If they're truly so hated, stop eating in them and they'll go away.

I think the problem most of the world has with the US has nothing to do with the part that is here right now on this forum defending its merits. It has more to do with that “other” America -- the one which, according to the news reports and internet discussions I’ve sifted through, seems to have barely come out of the Middle Ages and missed the bus on that whole “Enlightenment” thing. Call it fundies, Bible Belt, whatever; these people create controversies over anything that comes within their reach. I mean, honestly, no self-respecting Western country debates the validity of evolution (vs. creation) anymore. That doesn’t make for a very modern national image. And what about the havens of shameless misinformation that are Conservapedia or Godtube? Somehow, I’m having trouble imagining these things springing up elsewhere in the Western world. Again, I’m not ranting against America as a whole, only the very bizarre and insecure Christian demographic exhibiting their dogmatic pettiness for the entire world to see. That and the current administration, which I think we can all agree as been pretty shitty all around.

Also, exceptionalism is quite simply the dumbest, most naïve historical conception I’ve come across. Sadly, the US isn’t alone in espousing such a belief: I’ve met my share of obnoxious Indians on Wikipedia who truly believe that India begat all the wonders of civilisation, the Aryan race, the European languages, etc.

Thank you for that great contribution of intelligence.:rolleyes:

You really are a fool. You should be glad I don't make assumptions about gays the same way you make assumptions about America.

Mmm, gays don't have foreign policy (that I know of...). Did I miss election time again?

Here's the thing about the US. There is an inverse relationship between IQ and the desire to be on TV.

re: Reality Shows...

We learned it from watching you, okay?

Ah, maybe only Gen X stoners will get that....meh, I can live with that...

The US is like the token scape goat for everything bad in the world. Global warming, international oil prices, African genocides, religious nuts are all because of the Bush administration. And if something good happens, like when the USSR tore down the Berlin wall, America is seen as being magically absent from the whole scene as if we had nothing to do with it. I'm not saying we're perfect but give me a break.

But it's ever so amusing to mock with reciprocation. Too bad the irony is lost on you.


Irony? I call it hypocrisy and childishness.

Irony? I call it hypocrisy and childishness.

You've proved more than sufficiently that it is lost on you, by now. There's no need for you to keep doing it. *pats*

I predict that Fass would care little for your assumptions.

Some of them I do care for, for instance being called a fool by him (seriously, it makes my skin crawl just thinking about being on the same side as IDF *shudders*), or any of his ilk. It's like a compass telling me that, yes, I'm still right.

Dude, Denmark pwns.

You hate everyone don't you?

The danes do make better briar pipes than the swedes, any day of the week.

A note of jealousy, i'm sure.

Hahah! I saw this idea in another thread about US dating. It is true, many people outside of the US think that we are a bunch of bumbling puritanical idiots. However, that is far from true. Sure there are plenty of those fools here, like everywhere else. But why really is it that everyone in the world has such a misinformed view of the US?

Furthermore, why are people in the US so misinformed about the rest of the world? I blame that forcefield Ronald Reagan put up.

Have you even been to the US? If not, I suggest you come stay for a while. You'll learn that we are not war mongering, flag waving, theocratic fools. The US has done a lot of good(and bad, i admit) for the world. And honestly, you can't say anything negative about the country, because you don't live here, and you are rather thick headed and set in your ways. Im sure it was cool growing up to be anti US, and it just stuck with you as you have matured and what not.

But seriously, Americans are not bad. America is not bad. Simple as that.
Well said Zilam. In my view, humans are neither good nor evil. America is merely a powerful country, and acting according to its interests, according to realist international relations theory.

Hell, all countries have done some bad things, and some good things. America is simply the most prominent and galvanizing at present.

Well, I can always refer to WW2 and after, with the whole rebuilding Europe. Or what about helping spark democratic reforms all over the globe? Countless inventions, ideas, etc..

I'm probably one of the most pro-US non American people here.

I spend as much time in the US as I do in the UK, I'm marrying an American and plan on moving to the US in the near future.

I agree with your original premise that many people are very misinformed about the US and base their judgements on it's 300,000,000 inhabitants based on crappy hollywood movies, baised news sources, limited knowlege and straight up misinformation.

However - one of the most annoying things people from the US do is tell people about how the US won WW2, how they fixed everything afterwards, how they invented everything and how they work so hard to instill democracy for the benefit of the nation they are installing it in. The US tipped the balance in WW2, they helped rebuilding but Europe would have managed ok without it, they have invented no more than any other nation and they install democracies only when the installed government suits them - which - honestly - is no worse than any other global power did when they were the dominant force on earth. I think it is unwise in a thread about people misunderstanding americans and unjustly having grudges against them to then go stating that the US is superior - particulary when many of the statements are incorrect.

one of the most annoying things people from the US do is tell people about how the US won WW2, how they fixed everything afterwards, how they invented everything and how they work so hard to instill democracy for the benefit of the nation they are installing it in. The US tipped the balance in WW2, they helped rebuilding but Europe would have managed OK without it, they have invented no more than any other nation and they install democracies only when the installed government suits them - which - honestly - is no worse than any other global power did when they were the dominant force on earth. I think it is unwise in a thread about people misunderstanding Americans and unjustly having grudges against them to then go stating that the US is superior - particularly when many of the statements are incorrect.


True and wise.

I was wondering how the OP got his information that so many people are terribly misinformed about the US? Is this theory based on people not thinking the US is totally fantastic and wonderful? As in, if you criticize the US then you must be misinformed?

Maybe it is because people from outside the US are better informed about the US than people IN the US are about everybody else.

Hahah! I saw this idea in another thread about US dating. It is true, many people outside of the US think that we are a bunch of bumbling puritanical idiots. However, that is far from true. Sure there are plenty of those fools here, like everywhere else. But why really is it that everyone in the world has such a misinformed view of the US?

The problem of fundamentalist morons is more widespread here, unfortunately. And due to the fact that said group is very loudmouthed, the rest of us somehow get dropped in with them, despite the fact that I myself hate their guts.

Why are so many people outside the US so terribly misinformed about it?

Politics dear Watson, politics…

However - one of the most annoying things people from the US do is tell people about how the US won WW2, how they fixed everything afterwards, how they invented everything and how they work so hard to instill democracy for the benefit of the nation they are installing it in. The US tipped the balance in WW2, they helped rebuilding but Europe would have managed ok without it, they have invented no more than any other nation and they install democracies only when the installed government suits them - which - honestly - is no worse than any other global power did when they were the dominant force on earth. I think it is unwise in a thread about people misunderstanding americans and unjustly having grudges against them to then go stating that the US is superior - particulary when many of the statements are incorrect.

I'm an American myself and that even annoys me. The US didn't win WWII. The Allies did. The USSR bore the heaviest burden in terms of loss of life. More than 40 times the number we lost (our 400,000 or something in that ballpark vs. their 20 million).

It also annoys me when people seem to think it's either the most free nation in the world (it's not, the holder of that honor is probably on the European continent) or even, more absurdly, the only free country in the world.

However, this seems to be only the perception of the ignorant, and thankfully a view shared by very few around here (the bay area that is).

I'm an American myself and that even annoys me. The US didn't win WWII. The Allies did. The USSR bore the heaviest burden in terms of loss of life. More than 40 times the number we lost (our 400,000 or something in that ballpark vs. their 20 million).

It also annoys me when people seem to think it's either the most free nation in the world (it's not, the holder of that honor is probably on the European continent) or even, more absurdly, the only free country in the world.

However, this seems to be only the perception of the ignorant, and thankfully a view shared by very few around here (the bay area that is).

Pleased to meet you. *offers hand and smiles

:)

Pleased to meet you. *offers hand and smiles

:)

You too. *shakes hand merrily*

Of course, I don't hate my country. I just think some improvements are needed.

You too. *shakes hand merrily*

Of course, I don't hate my country. I just think some improvements are needed.

I have a Canadian boyfriend, am English (although I expect that you knew that) I like America as a country, know and like many Americans and am always pleased when I see inteligent and well rounded comments on this forum. Bravo!

On the off chance someone has not already said it ... why are so many people in the US so terribly misinformed about anything that goes on outside it? Seriously ... I love you guys, but y'all need to travel some more.

I was wondering how the OP got his information that so many people are terribly misinformed about the US? Is this theory based on people not thinking the US is totally fantastic and wonderful? As in, if you criticize the US then you must be misinformed?
Probably from peoples perceptions on here and maybe from people he has met from outside the US. He did have a very valid point on misconceptions relevent to the topic he was origionally refering to - dating - which is a subject that the US is not under regular international controversy.

He does not seem to be objecting saying that any unflattering statement on the US is wrong, more that many statements and observations are pretty wide of the mark.

In fairness to the non-Americans who have huge misconceptions of America, there are just as many Americans who have equal misconceptions of non-Americans - again these misconceptions are fueled by crappy movies, TV shows, baised news sources and plain misinformation.

Also - I think few understand how vast a nation the US is, and how diverse various cultures in the US are from each other. Even Americans in one part of America will often have misconceptions about their fellow countrymen from different regions. You have people populating an Area similar to Europe - can you travel from one side of Europe to the other through homogenous culture? In an area that size are there misconceptions between the inhabitants about their neighbors culture? I was in a recent discussion here about sororities and fraternities where it appeared nobody posting had been a member of either showed huge misconceptions about the workings of these groups even by people who ahve gone to school with people who are members of them - you don't have to go far to find misinformation.

Maybe it is because people from outside the US are better informed about the US than people IN the US are about everybody else.
Nah.

Seriously - to even begin to understand internal US politics you really ahve to spend some time there.

We don't, unfortunately.

You don't represent the whole world, Fass. A fact we're all very grateful for.

In response to the question posed by the OP, it's because simple ignorance and stereotyping are cute, cuddly, and beloved by children everywhere.

/thread

As Rammstein put "were all living in America, Coca Cola, Wonderbra" the point is many people feel that there cultures have been invaded by america. I work in a Blockbusters (Texan company) in the UK and only about 15% of the films we get in are British, about 5% are 'foreign' and the rest are American. Its not even as if its because american films are better for the most part they arent, ( Children of men, hot fuzz, Tsotsi.. best films of the last year) we have fridges filled with coke and dr pepper freezers brimming with ben and jerrys and shelves heaving with doritos and other artery bothering snacks. we have CNN on british digital and the american news shows we see seem to arragont and biased unlike the enforced non biased attitude of the BBC.
The point is that maybe the world does get the wrong impression of the States, but its an impression that everything coming out of the states seems to enforce.

King Simmo

Because most Americans generally don't care (or don't know) what foreigners think about them and make no attempt to change others' perceptions. Japan has the same problem with its Asian neighbours. But I really don't care what people in China or South Korea think about Japan. I'll never visit either one of those countries.

Everyone seems to just be ethnocentric

Oh, the irony of the timewarp giving FASS the OP...

As Rammstein put "were all living in America, Coca Cola, Wonderbra" the point is many people feel that there cultures have been invaded by america. I work in a Blockbusters (Texan company) in the UK and only about 15% of the films we get in are British, about 5% are 'foreign' and the rest are American. Its not even as if its because american films are better for the most part they arent, ( Children of men, hot fuzz, Tsotsi.. best films of the last year) we have fridges filled with coke and dr pepper freezers brimming with ben and jerrys and shelves heaving with doritos and other artery bothering snacks.

Maybe try getting your own culture then instead of sapping of the US. Not our fault.

we have CNN on british digital and the american news shows we see seem to arragont and biased unlike the enforced non biased attitude of the BBC.

Yeah, the BBC not biased. And how many jokes about the Irish and Scots are there?

The point is that maybe the world does get the wrong impression of the States, but its an impression that everything coming out of the states seems to enforce.

Yeah, if you're ignorant, then, sure.

So you like to claim.



We don't, unfortunately.

Wow...were I to judge Sweden as you judge the US, I'd say Sweden full of know-it-all, sneering pricks. Luckily, I'm not that closed-minded.

They can't well flame you for reporting facts. It's true.

Since when do people let things like "facts" and "truth" get in the way of flaming?

(the bay area that is).

[minor pet peeve]

You do know that the term "bay area" doesn't mean the same thing everywhere, right? True, from your location we can figure it out, but it annoys me to no end when people assume everyone knows the local terms for localities.

[/minor pet peeve]

Yeah, the BBC not biased. And how many jokes about the Irish and Scots are there?


your not making sense

What has the BBC got to do with jokes about the Scots and the Irish?

your not making sense

What has the BBC got to do with jokes about the Scots and the Irish?

Uh...you don't really pay attention to the programs, do you?

Uh...you don't really pay attention to the programs, do you?

I do! I have learned that cheese shops don't sell cheese and that you had best not buy a Norwegian Blue Parrot if it is nailed to its perch

Am I the only one who laughs every time a person from the UK calls Americans "inbred hicks"?

I never heard anyone from the UK do that, so I don't know if it would make me laugh or not.

I do! I have learned that cheese shops don't sell cheese and that you had best not buy a Norwegian Blue Parrot if it is nailed to its perch

Um, that was 30 years ago. But welcome to the 21st century nonetheless.

Am I the only one who laughs every time a person from the UK calls Americans "inbred hicks"?

I do! I have learned that cheese shops don't sell cheese and that you had best not buy a Norwegian Blue Parrot if it is nailed to its perch

-I am going to ask you one more time...if the answer is "No", I will shoot you through the head.-

Uh...you don't really pay attention to the programs, do you?

Clearly not, enlighten me.

Do you know the best thing about this thread? Since Fass stole the OP, we're left with this very comedic image.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a353/tuebor/lol.jpg

Normally I am very anti-US. But now I think about it America is simply doing most superpowers have done. In the Georgian and early Victorian era basically all technical/industrial things in the world were made in Britain. And I think we can boast about having the world’s worst foreign policy within the last 2-300 years ever when it comes to India, Ireland and Africa.

Do you know the best thing about this thread? Since Fass stole the OP, we're left with this very comedic image.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a353/tuebor/lol.jpg

I pointed that out already. But yeah, it's still pretty funny.

Do you know the best thing about this thread? Since Fass stole the OP, we're left with this very comedic image.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a353/tuebor/lol.jpg



Damnit! I was literally about to post the exact same thing. A thousand curses upon your scrotum!

Normally I am very anti-US. But now I think about it America is simply doing most superpowers have done. In the Georgian and early Victorian era basically all technical/industrial things in the world were made in Britain. And I think we can boast about having the world’s worst foreign policy within the last 2-300 years ever when it comes to India, Ireland and Africa.

this is a point I've brought up several times-people seem to have short memories when it comes to countries that are in power.

They speak as if the US is unique in the way it handles itself, like England,
and France were the hallmarks of fairness and goodwill,beyond reproach,when they had power.

Normally I am very anti-US. But now I think about it America is simply doing most superpowers have done. In the Georgian and early Victorian era basically all technical/industrial things in the world were made in Britain. And I think we can boast about having the world’s worst foreign policy within the last 2-300 years ever when it comes to India, Ireland and Africa.

Hard to imagine anyone having power and not using it to advance the interests of your nation. Hardly a surprise. Though it would be nice if the U.S. would use its power a bit more wisely than it has the past few years...

this is a point I've brought up several times-people seem to have short memories when it comes to countries that are in power.

They speak as if the US is unique in the way it handles itself, like England,
and France were the hallmarks of fairness and goodwill,beyond reproach,when they had power.

Or Spain, or pretty much any country that participated in colonialism.
Or Ancient Rome, or Ancient Greece, or the Persian Empire.

Point is, doesn't excuse the stupid things the US has done.

I get your point, at least good things came out the aforementioned empires. But apart from some pretty good inventions I really don’t see what good America has had for the rest of the world in the last 40 years. And even both world wars could have been avoided, if not have been much less bloody if the USA had taken a more active role.

hindsight is a beautiful thing

Or Spain, or pretty much any country that participated in colonialism.
Or Ancient Rome, or Ancient Greece, or the Persian Empire.

Point is, doesn't excuse the stupid things the US has done. I get your point, at least good things came out the aforementioned empires. But apart from some pretty good inventions I really don’t see what good America has had for the rest of the world in the last 40 years. And even both world wars could have been avoided, if not have been much less bloody if the USA had taken a more active role.

I get your point, at least good things came out the aforementioned empires.

I'm sure there are some Indians (among others) who'd love to chat with you about the British Empire...

And even both world wars could have been avoided, if not have been much less bloody if the USA had taken a more active role.

I think WWI was a guarantee given how Europe divided itself into its alliances and WWII came around because the European powers were willing to do anything possible to avoid war at any cost and so did nothing while Hitler rebuilt Germany's military. You can't put any blame on the U.S.

I think WWI was a guarantee given how Europe divided itself into its alliances and WWII came around because the European powers were willing to do anything possible to avoid war at any cost and so did nothing while Hitler rebuilt Germany's military. You can't put any of this on the U.S. Your right come to think of it, in fact I blame WW1 as the most important reason for the USA becoming a super-power in the first place.

I'm sure there are some Indians (among others) who'd love to chat with you about the British Empire... The good things the British empire gave out far, far outweigh the bad things.

I think WWI was a guarantee given how Europe divided itself into its alliances and WWII came around because the European powers were willing to do anything possible to avoid war at any cost and so did nothing while Hitler rebuilt Germany's military. You can't put any blame on the U.S.

I agree. WW2 was essentially a continuation of WW1, or at least, a consequence of the Treaty of Versailles. A more active US in the League of Nations might have made a minor difference, but after the total horror of the Great War, everyone wanted to pull the covers up over their heads and pretend it hadn't happened.

I am fortunate that way, yes, however that has no bearing on my ability to say negative things about countries. I don't live in Denmark or Iran, but I can say many, many negative things about them both.


Okay, now you've got me curious, Fass, old boy. Iran I can figure out, but having never been to Denmark or heard much in the way of negative press about it, I have to ask: is there something truly rotten in Denmark? If so, why?

Your right come to think of it, in fact I blame WW1 as the most important reason for the USA becoming a super-power in the first place.

Well after WW1 the American military basically disbanded (as was custom then) and we turned isolationist so I can't see how the first world war led to our becoming a superpower. It was WWII that led to our economic boom and our military remaining a power in order to check the Soviets.

I get your point, at least good things came out the aforementioned empires. But apart from some pretty good inventions I really don’t see what good America has had for the rest of the world in the last 40 years. And even both world wars could have been avoided, if not have been much less bloody if the USA had taken a more active role.

You're so biased and narrow minded its frightening.

Canada gave the world Celine Dion and Avril Lavigne.

I don't see anyone hating on Canada.

DUH! That's because they also gave us William Shatner, Mike Myers, John Candy, Barenaked Ladies, Our Lady Peace, The Watchmen, The Arrogant Worms, 54' 40", Moxy Fruvous, Joe Jackson and goddammit, Gordon FUCKING Lightfoot, so back the hell off!

[/deliberate (and hopefully comedic) overreaction]

Hahah! I saw this idea in another thread about US dating. It is true, many people outside of the US think that we are a bunch of bumbling puritanical idiots. However, that is far from true. Sure there are plenty of those fools here, like everywhere else. But why really is it that everyone in the world has such a misinformed view of the US?

First of all, people outside of the US see the US politics through another perspective. They focus on your foreign policies and not your domestic politics, mostly. But there are some stuff in your domestic policies that make the US politics to seem retarted. For example teaching "intelligent" design in school, people hear that and laugh. Those who are more politically active may critisize your domestic politics more but most people just care about your foreign politics.

It's really unfair for you to say that the rest of the world has an misinformed view of the US. Outside the US most democratic countries have something called real news that report the true horrors your foreign politics brings instead of reporting what your population likes to hear. We see pictures from an Iraq in chaos, we see pictures from guantanamo and Abu Ghraib and hear about secret prisons in Europe which makes one think of Gestapo for a while. After all, what's the difference?

So, it's all about different points of views actually. You care about tax cuts and homosexual marriages while we care about a war started on false reasons and your torture camps.

Well after WW1 the American military basically disbanded (as was custom then) and we turned isolationist so I can't see how the first world war led to our becoming a superpower. It was WWII that led to our economic boom and our military remaining a power in order to check the Soviets. World War One made America, and American business very rich. You don’t need a large military to be a superpower. Also the old European powers lost a hell of a lot because of WW1 and someone had to take the place. That was the USA, and as someone has already said WW2 may as well have been a continuation of WW1. No WW1 = WW2 = no economic boom and the American military remaining a power in order to check the Soviets.

You're so biased and narrow minded its frightening.
It could be a whole lot worse (or better, depends on how you see it.)

World War One made America, and American business very rich. You don’t need a large military to be a superpower. Also the old European powers lost a hell of a lot because of WW1 and someone had to take the place. That was the USA, and as someone has already said WW2 may as well have been a continuation of WW1. No WW1 = WW2 = no economic boom and the American military remaining a power in order to check the Soviets.

It's a continuation but than I'd just say the Great War Part 2 is what got America its power. With its isolationist policies and the Great Depression I hardly see how its economy can be considered "superpower" status. I'd believe that after WWI there really wasn't a dominate power until the buildups in the 1930s.

World War One made America, and American business very rich.


Yes, but all that wealth was wiped away in the Wall Street Crash and the Great Depression that follwed. Shortly before the beginning of WW2 America was in a really bad shape.

When WW2 started the US stayed out of combat but sold munitions to the allies really helped America along, which combined with internal economic efforts at about the time made America a very proserous nation. Following WW2 while Europe was spending billions rebuilding the US did not have this expense and so was in a very good position to capitalise on it's ne economic position.

As Rammstein put "were all living in America, Coca Cola, Wonderbra" the point is many people feel that there cultures have been invaded by america. I work in a Blockbusters (Texan company) in the UK and only about 15% of the films we get in are British, about 5% are 'foreign' and the rest are American. Its not even as if its because american films are better for the most part they arent, ( Children of men, hot fuzz, Tsotsi.. best films of the last year) we have fridges filled with coke and dr pepper freezers brimming with ben and jerrys and shelves heaving with doritos and other artery bothering snacks. we have CNN on british digital and the american news shows we see seem to arragont and biased unlike the enforced non biased attitude of the BBC.
The point is that maybe the world does get the wrong impression of the States, but its an impression that everything coming out of the states seems to enforce.

King Simmo

Yes, and the big, bad American companies, whose SOLE reason for existence is PROFIT, which comes from SELLING things at a successful enough rate, they FORCED all those products on you. :rolleyes:

I hate getting into arguments on this topic because of the insipid nature of gerealizations, but the idea that American goods and services are somehow FORCED on people is ludicrous. People of the US-loathing world, if you don't approve of US products and services, DON'T PURCHASE THEM. No company stays in business if it can't sell its product.

If you hate American economic expansionism in your nation, you have only yourselves and your countrymen to blame. If I don't like what a company does, guess what? I stop buying things from them. I stopped using Exxon/Mobil after the Valdez oil spill (and stopped buying gas with ethanol in it when I learned that corn-based ethanol is a hoax...don't tell anyone here, though). I stopped eating at all national fast food chains after reading Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser. I haven't bought a damned thing from Wal*Mart, and that's after moving here, where Wal*Mart is king (there were enough alternatives in Seattle -- it's much tougher here). I make up my own mind after reading, researching and asking questions.

I am, however, but one person. Had I the capacity to force others to change their habits, I still would not. Why? Because nothing (including democracy, Georgie Bush) much good ever comes out of that kind of coercion. So stop going to McDonald's and Blockbuster, if you hate US companies so much. Tell your friends why you're not going, and you might convince a few. Eventually, that can lead to a gradual change. Not always, but it's certainly worth the effort.

Plus, it gets people like the person I quoted to stop saying incredibly stupid things like "zOMG! Teh American are making Britain FAT!"

Um.. excuse me but i live in America, and i agree with all you non-americans. Even if you DO move to the U.S. and you DO get to know what it's like to live here, you'll find that most americans are just mindless consumers. You add religion and nationalism into the mix, and you get a very scary population. The kids are even worse. Theyre just brainwashed by their MTVs and what not. And what's worse is that anyone who tries to make a real change is just labelled "extreme". And thats just what i feel about the people, im not even gonna get started on the decisions that the government has made. I'd kill to live in Sweden or somewhere else (even Venezuela would be nice).

I find it funny that the topic is "why are so many people outside the U.S. so terribly misinformed about it?", when it's really the people inside the U.S. who are misinformed.

Oh, and to you Americans reading this--no I'm not from Berkeley or San Francisco. I live in the Midwest.

It is true, many people outside of the US think that we are a bunch of bumbling puritanical idiots. However, that is far from true. Sure there are plenty of those fools here, like everywhere else.

If you live in a nice secular country where the idea of teaching creationism in schools isn't even considered, then the mere fact that the debate is such an issue in the USA, does kind of make it look like a dumb yokel nation.

But... blaming others is so much easier than realizing they let themselves go physically. How can we take this away from the British with sagging waistlines? They so need it. :p

Anyway, the British were leading the world in obesity before the Americans usurped the top spot. It's about time we caught up.

Plus, it gets people like the person I quoted to stop saying incredibly stupid things like "zOMG! Teh American are making Britain FAT!"

But... blaming others is so much easier than realizing they let themselves go physically. How can we take this away from the British with sagging waistlines? They so need it. :p

But... blaming others is so much easier than realizing they let themselves go physically. How can we take this away from the British with sagging waistlines? They so need it. :p

And it'll distract the British from their terrible teeth. Are there no dentists in this country? :D

First of all, people outside of the US see the US politics through another perspective. They focus on your foreign policies and not your domestic politics, mostly. But there are some stuff in your domestic policies that make the US politics to seem retarted. For example teaching "intelligent" design in school, people hear that and laugh. Those who are more politically active may critisize your domestic politics more but most people just care about your foreign politics.

It's really unfair for you to say that the rest of the world has an misinformed view of the US. Outside the US most democratic countries have something called real news that report the true horrors your foreign politics brings instead of reporting what your population likes to hear. We see pictures from an Iraq in chaos, we see pictures from guantanamo and Abu Ghraib and hear about secret prisons in Europe which makes one think of Gestapo for a while. After all, what's the difference?

So, it's all about different points of views actually. You care about tax cuts and homosexual marriages while we care about a war started on false reasons and your torture camps.

Great Suffering Generalizations, not this shit again.

A SEGMENT of the US population cares about tax cuts or gay marriage. "Intelligent Design" gets taught in a FEW school districts, and guess what? THE DISTRICTS HAVE SCHOOL BOARDS, who are made up of LOCAL CITIZENS who are ELECTED to make those decision. There is no national curriculum. National tests and assessments, yes, but districts and school boards have the overwhelming majority of power over what gets taught. Have you ANY idea how many school districts there are in the whole of the USA? In North Dakota alone, with a population of about 650,000 people (47th of 50 in rank of population), there are nearly 250 school districts. A few big ones, and lots of microscopic ones, but each of them with a board that sets policies and curricula.

I would say that YOU at least, are misinformed.

Um.. excuse me but i live in America, and i agree with all you non-americans. Even if you DO move to the U.S. and you DO get to know what it's like to live here, you'll find that most americans are just mindless consumers. You add religion and nationalism into the mix, and you get a very scary population. The kids are even worse. Theyre just brainwashed by their MTVs and what not. And what's worse is that anyone who tries to make a real change is just labelled "extreme". And thats just what i feel about the people, im not even gonna get started on the decisions that the government has made. I'd kill to live in Sweden or somewhere else (even Venezuela would be nice).

I find it funny that the topic is "why are so many people outside the U.S. so terribly misinformed about it?", when it's really the people inside the U.S. who are misinformed.

Oh, and to you Americans reading this--no I'm not from Berkeley or San Francisco. I live in the Midwest.

So we are all Bush supporting, war loving, Bible thumping, SUV driving, xenophobic, arrogant, fat, stupid people? I would like to think that some Americans are better than all that.

Yes, and the big, bad American companies, whose SOLE reason for existence is PROFIT, which comes from SELLING things at a successful enough rate, they FORCED all those products on you. :rolleyes:

I hate getting into arguments on this topic because of the insipid nature of gerealizations, but the idea that American goods and services are somehow FORCED on people is ludicrous. People of the US-loathing world, if you don't approve of US products and services, DON'T PURCHASE THEM. No company stays in business if it can't sell its product.

If you hate American economic expansionism in your nation, you have only yourselves and your countrymen to blame. If I don't like what a company does, guess what? I stop buying things from them. I stopped using Exxon/Mobil after the Valdez oil spill (and stopped buying gas with ethanol in it when I learned that corn-based ethanol is a hoax...don't tell anyone here, though). I stopped eating at all national fast food chains after reading Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser. I haven't bought a damned thing from Wal*Mart, and that's after moving here, where Wal*Mart is king (there were enough alternatives in Seattle -- it's much tougher here). I make up my own mind after reading, researching and asking questions.

I am, however, but one person. Had I the capacity to force others to change their habits, I still would not. Why? Because nothing (including democracy, Georgie Bush) much good ever comes out of that kind of coercion. So stop going to McDonald's and Blockbuster, if you hate US companies so much. Tell your friends why you're not going, and you might convince a few. Eventually, that can lead to a gradual change. Not always, but it's certainly worth the effort.

Plus, it gets people like the person I quoted to stop saying incredibly stupid things like "zOMG! Teh American are making Britain FAT!"

You make alot of good points.

BUT...

You have to remember that not everyone is going to do research and boycott what is not right. Unfortunately, most people don't think about the effects that their purchases have on the world; they just buy what's cheap and what's nice. Not to sound smug, but not eveyone is as smart as us on NationStates. (fart..sniff..yum) <---you have to watch south park to get that, haha

I would say that YOU at least, are misinformed.
It always astounds me to see just how much ignorance there is surrounding the USA in threads like these. :confused: I do not know how you people put up with it.

It always astounds me to see just how much ignorance there is surrounding the USA in threads like these. :confused: I do not know how you people put up with it.

Realizing that their nation of origin is at least as, if not more, stupid then ours.

First of all, people outside of the US see the US politics through another perspective. They focus on your foreign policies and not your domestic politics, mostly. But there are some stuff in your domestic policies that make the US politics to seem retarted.
:p

Okay.

Please, please, rest of the world, PLEASE don't sit there and tell me you agree with, support, and sing in harmony with everything that your governments do. 'Cause I'll laugh in your face. And really, there are no complete idiots who get lots of press and embarrass the thinking people of your nation (Le Pen, Frenchmen)?

Since when has mass popularity EVER been equated with intellectualism or responsibility? The US has the blessing/curse of ubiquity now. Before that, is was the UK, and I'm sorry, but whoever asserted that the British Empire's good acts outweighed their bad was sorely mistaken. Arbitrary division of land in the Middle East ALONE has had so many foul repercussions that they continue to this day.

As for having invented "a few things" as someone said, please. What are you typing on and what's carrying your words when you hit "submit reply"? The assembly line. Telephone. Telegraph & radio. The perfected television. Video games. Celluloid for motion pictures and the sound for them a bit later. Werner von Braun did give the US rockets, but mass communication satellites (and thereby, GPS)? The US. And those are just some of the biggies. I think we're up to something like 7,000,000 on patents granted here. "A few things"? Rubbish.

Finally, and I'll say it only this last time and leave you all alone, just as the average US citizen probably hasn't been to Europe or Asia or Africa or South America or Australia, most of you haven't been here. Do the things you're mentioning as bad exist here? Yes they do. Do they get overreported because the news media are owned by corporations whose job it is to turn a profit, and that means selling advertisements, and that means mass appeal and that means appeal to the lowest common denominator? YES.

I know that all French people are not rude, chain-smoking layabouts. I know that not all Germans are sausage-gulping David Hasselhoff fans. I know that not all Australians are drunken crocodile chasers. I know that many English people DO know about dental health and cooking (and I know that not all of England is like either a Guy Ritchie film or a Merchant/Ivory film). I know that not all Persians or Arabs are bomb-wearing mullah-humping fanatics (hell, I know enough to not call the average Iraninan an Arab, and that he speaks Persian or Farsi).

So just for your edification, all you generalists, not all US citizens are fat, consumerist, intellectually lazy, terror-scared, Bush-loving, Bible-thumping, bad-beer-drinking, unsophisticated, illiterate, history-ignorant, nudity-obsessed, greedy, materialistic Puritans.

I'm done.

Um.. excuse me but i live in America, and i agree with all you non-americans. Even if you DO move to the U.S. and you DO get to know what it's like to live here, you'll find that most americans are just mindless consumers. You add religion and nationalism into the mix, and you get a very scary population. The kids are even worse. Theyre just brainwashed by their MTVs and what not. And what's worse is that anyone who tries to make a real change is just labelled "extreme". And thats just what i feel about the people, im not even gonna get started on the decisions that the government has made. I'd kill to live in Sweden or somewhere else (even Venezuela would be nice).

I find it funny that the topic is "why are so many people outside the U.S. so terribly misinformed about it?", when it's really the people inside the U.S. who are misinformed.

Oh, and to you Americans reading this--no I'm not from Berkeley or San Francisco. I live in the Midwest.


It doesnt matter where you live in the US- yours is a pathetic evaluation of what you see.

Run along to the Xanadu you think either Sweden or Venezuela are. They likely wouldnt have you.

Mindless consumers, eh? Have another clove cigarette.

Anyway, the British were leading the world in obesity before the Americans usurped the top spot. It's about time we caught up.

True, being big simply means you are eating good things and aren't being distracted by annoying physical activity. What's not to love about that? :)

Okay.
-snip-

Thank you. Every nation has had its share of successes and failures. Bush is America's latest failure, and he happens to be the one focused on by other countries.

PS. And don't forget Thomas Edison. We have fucking lightbulbs on our side.

So we are all Bush supporting, war loving, Bible thumping, SUV driving, xenophobic, arrogant, fat, stupid people? I would like to think that some Americans are better than all that.

Well, I'd like to think that you and I are alot better than that. (smug alert!)

But what you just described is what i get annoyed with when it comes to my fellow people here in the States. The majority of Americans are at least one of those things. Don't get me wrong, for every flock of fools there is at least one smart sheep. We are the minority. (fart..sniff..yum)

(south park joke)

Great Suffering Generalizations, not this shit again.

A SEGMENT of the US population cares about tax cuts or gay marriage. "Intelligent Design" gets taught in a FEW school districts, and guess what? THE DISTRICTS HAVE SCHOOL BOARDS, who are made up of LOCAL CITIZENS who are ELECTED to make those decision. There is no national curriculum. National tests and assessments, yes, but districts and school boards have the overwhelming majority of power over what gets taught. Have you ANY idea how many school districts there are in the whole of the USA? In North Dakota alone, with a population of about 650,000 people (47th of 50 in rank of population), there are nearly 250 school districts. A few big ones, and lots of microscopic ones, but each of them with a board that sets policies and curricula.

I would say that YOU at least, are misinformed.

Sooo??? There's still a different point of view and I really don't know what you are getting at, and I really don't care, since all of that you just wrote is unimportant to what I was saying. People outside the US only care about how you mess up the world and they form their opinions based on that. They don't care about your domestic politics and I just took some examples of some domestic issues. I really don't give a fuck about anything that you wrote cuz that had nothing to do with my point. People that get stucked up on details are just anoying.

It doesnt matter where you live in the US- yours is a pathetic evaluation of what you see.

Run along to the Xanadu you think either Sweden or Venezuela are. They likely wouldnt have you.

Mindless consumers, eh? Have another clove cigarette.

Clove cigarette? You stereotype me for having beliefs different than the common American, even though you know nothing about me? Well I'd say that goes under one of my arguments of how americans react to ideas of real change.

haha, BAM!

Well, I'd like to think that you and I are alot better than that. (smug alert!)

But what you just described is what i get annoyed with when it comes to my fellow people here in the States. The majority of Americans are at least one of those things. Don't get me wrong, for every flock of fools there is at least one smart sheep. We are the minority. (fart..sniff..yum)

(south park joke)

Well one can be a couple of those and be from another country but this being America, non can believe that we are all of the above. It would be nice if the stereotype could be quashed but in the current political climate I doubt it will happen.

Crap! I forgot to add gun toting to my list! :headbang: