NationStates Jolt Archive

Not literally, because ewww. I mean, that would be disgusting.

And messy. And since you'd just be lending them, we'd have to figure out how to reattach them all and that'd be a lot of work.

Anyway. I've done some reflecting on the nature of the relationship between Americans and Europeans, by which I mean the citizens and not the countries. As far as our end of things go, we tend to feel a lot of hatred from over there but I strongly suspect that it isn't quite so.

For starters, I suspect that if I were to go to France and were ridiculed for being from the U.S. I would not be getting treatment that was far removed from how an Englishmen would be treated due to his country. As illuminated on another international forum, this is pretty much standard fare.

Secondly, on the subject of our portion sizes. It's my understanding that some of that is due to a misunderstanding in the way we do our meals. See, appetizers aren't usually ordered with the meal. We have them if you're not that hungry and/or if you want to share them with a lot of people. It is not common to order an appetizer and then an entree. We usually do one-course meals unless we feel bold enough to do desert. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have heard that it is common to do otherwise in Europe?

Lastly, regarding our lack of cultural knowledge of Europe. It's my guess that it's highly related to both our size and our geographical separation from Europe. You're all tightly packed and fairly small in size. Learning foreign languages is pretty much necessary to get by, as is keeping up with news from neighboring countries. Over here... not so much.

I'm not really trying to make a point or anything. These are just some observations and thoughts I've thrown together since last night.

Also as a final note: A heartfelt thank you to the Arabs. You guys saved a lot of knowledge during the Dark Ages, and though we've always appreciated it, I don't know that you've ever been properly thanked for your work.

Hey, it was the Irish who kept Knowledge and learning alive during the middle ages! :mad:

Nice OOTS intro. :tongue:

Hey, it was the Irish who kept Knowledge and learning alive during the middle ages! :mad:

Yeah, but nobody likes the Irish.

In lieu of knowing my actual parentage, my father (the one who raised me, not biological) is half-Irish and his side identifies strongly with that. So I can make those jokes. Diplomatic Immunity!

As far as our end of things go, we tend to feel a lot of hatred from over there but I strongly suspect that it isn't quite so.

It's not nearly as bad as the Internets would have you believe. I've spent 2.5 years in Europe (2 years in Germany, 6 months in France) and I've never once been harassed for being American. I've seen American harassed who thought it was for being American but really it was for being douchebags not because of their nationality.

Hey, it was the Irish who kept Knowledge and learning alive during the middle ages! :mad:
*cough* bullshit *coughs*

What about the whole 'Middle east and into Spain' thing?

Most interesting and generally insightful analysis. Good job.

As for the last Arab note, and the ensuing Irish issue, I would probably not go out of my way to accredit one group or another for preserving or bridging knowledge or customs or whatnot for other groups, as there are a great many notable cases of this in history (oftentimes between groups which were trying to destroy one another).

My two cents. I'm American. I cannot finish a Scandinavian dish, they're too damn big. And I can't take them home. And they're expensive. That is all.

Most interesting and generally insightful analysis. Good job.

As for the last Arab note, and the ensuing Irish issue, I would probably not go out of my way to accredit one group or another for preserving or bridging knowledge or customs or whatnot for other groups, as there are a great many notable cases of this in history (oftentimes between groups which were trying to destroy one another).

I remember reading it in my history book, which is the only reason I brought it up.

*cough* bullshit *coughs*

What about the whole 'Middle east and into Spain' thing?
*cough* English invader *Cough, cough*

*passes out cough drops*

*passes out cough drops*

Many thanks Parkus.:tongue:

My two cents. I'm American. I cannot finish a Scandinavian dish, they're too damn big. And I can't take them home. And they're expensive. That is all.

Another thing I didn't mention. Here in the U.S. any restaurant no matter how classy will give you a "doggy bag" so to speak. You're almost expected to take your food home. That seems to be the whole point of Claim Jumper, at least.

I find portion size in the UK really differs depending on what type of restaurant you go to.

Go to an Indian and you can barely make it through the main course (without starter). Go to an Italian place and wonder how much their going to charge you for the bread sticks that were already laid out on the table when you arrived, and then be unable to resist the tiramisu because you're still starving.

Oh yes, and the French: they hate everyone - they have lessons on technique at school.

I find portion size in the UK really differs depending on what type of restaurant you go to.

Go to an Indian and you can barely make it through the main course (without starter). Go to an Italian place and wonder how much their going to charge you for the bread sticks that were already laid out on the table when you arrived, and then be unable to resist the tiramisu because you're still starving.
Very true...and at an Indian restaurant they'll always let you take home anything you can't finish. And occasionally give you free desserts to make up for you not being able to finish your main.

Oh yes, and the French: they hate everyone - they have lessons on technique at school.

All too true... but then again everyone hates the French (even other francophone nations). Methinks we have a vicious cycle here

Very true...and at an Indian restaurant they'll always let you take home anything you can't finish. And occasionally give you free desserts to make up for you not being able to finish your main.

Chinese can also be quite excessively big and I rarely go home hungry from a good pub lunch.

But then again I have been reliably informed I have a tiny appetite, so most things fill me up.

Very true...and at an Indian restaurant they'll always let you take home anything you can't finish. And occasionally give you free desserts to make up for you not being able to finish your main.I get free sherry at my local Indian. :D

I find portion size in the UK really differs depending on what type of restaurant you go to.

Go to an Indian and you can barely make it through the main course (without starter). Go to an Italian place and wonder how much their going to charge you for the bread sticks that were already laid out on the table when you arrived, and then be unable to resist the tiramisu because you're still starving.

Oh yes, and the French: they hate everyone - they have lessons on technique at school.

and at a Chinese you'll have trouble finishing everything, but then be hungry again in an hour ;)

I think the Chinese/Indian thing is inherited from their culture - they do not want a guest to leave without being full (and they also bulk you up on rice). I generally enjoyed most meals in the US because the service was soooo good, and being offered 'doggy bags' takes away the fear on being seen as a cheapskate and asking for one.
Other european nations also seem to offer massive portions (ever seen a German cake tray!!)