NationStates Jolt Archive

DISCLAIMER:
A) I know 'Iconically', is not, technically, a word.
B) Yes, I'm sure I don't mean 'Ironically'

My little brother is going to be going back to Korea at the end of this week for another year of teaching English to Koreans. Saturday, he took our family out to a Korean restaurant to sort of give us a taste of the food he ate in Korea. Living where we do, though, he couldn’t really find a specifically ‘Korean’ restaurant, and had to settle for general Oriental food. What the hell, it’s the thought, right?

Anyways, while we were there, he brought up that he wanted to take something back to show his students, something that would be considered an American icon or characteristically American. Our other brother’s girlfriend, who was born and raised in San Francisco and labors under the delusion that she’s clever, suggested that he take ‘civil liberties’ and ‘due process’ since ‘we’re apparently through using them.’

This suggestion was greeted as less than helpful by 95% of those present and later, when my brother was out of ear-shot, the necessity of her continued appearance at these functions was half-seriously discussed.

My father, old devil-dog that he is, touted George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution (both the ship and the document), the USMC, George Patton, Curtis LeMay, Barry Goldwater, and Ronald Reagan as examples of everything that has made this country great. He was just warming to his subject when my mother suggested that he might want to let someone else get a word in on the subject.

I, personally, suggested John Wayne. I mean, who is more of an American icon than John Wayne? I said he should get DVD’s of 'Sands of Iwo Jima', or 'Rio Bravo' or 'The Quiet Man' or 'Big Jake' or 'McClintock' and take them back to Korea with him to show the kids and/or his friends.

I’ve been thinking about this for a bit, and I’ve asked my co-workers this question and was surprised and interested by their answers, so now I'm interested in y'all's opinions. Who or what would you consider an American icon? Something that when you see it, seems characteristically American, or seems to represent America or Americans.

A 1959 Cadillac
http://www.gmphotostore.com/images/53218141_pr.jpg

A good John Wayne movie would be "The Green Berets". It's very telling of American pro-war propaganda.

Our other brother’s girlfriend, who was born and raised in San Francisco and labors under the delusion that she’s clever

That sounds typically American maybe he could take her over to (South?) Korea.
Though the word you are looking for maybe; Iconic.

cowboy boots.

or a cowboy hat since boots are very expensive but you can always buy a hat for an almost reasonable price.

Muhammad Ali and Groucho Marks

If he has enough time: fly to Wisconsin and pick up a stetson made out of cheese.

If he has enough time: fly to Wisconsin and pick up a stetson made out of cheese.
oooo what a great idea!

but i bet it wont get past the food import restrictions.

a football or a baseball glove are iconically american too.

You could invade them

oooo what a great idea!

but i bet it wont get past the food import restrictions.

a football or a baseball glove are iconically american too.

No, no. Sorry I didn't mean one physically made out of cheese. Lots of Wisconsin novelty shops have cheese hats made out of (what I can only assume is) some sort of foam. I have a stetson a buddy of mine picked up when he was out there earlier this year, and another of our friends has a cheese tophat.

You could invade them

That's so 50's, then again, so is John Wayne.

Since he's teaching, why not take a TV series, The West Wing for example, an episode per class to both teach English as well as introduce the politics.

Jazz.

Our other brother’s girlfriend, who was born and raised in San Francisco and labors under the delusion that she’s clever, suggested that he take ‘civil liberties’ and ‘due process’ since ‘we’re apparently through using them.’

Shes right, I agree with her.

My father, old devil-dog that he is, touted George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution (both the ship and the document), the USMC, George Patton, Curtis LeMay, Barry Goldwater, and Ronald Reagan as examples of everything that has made this country great. He was just warming to his subject when my mother suggested that he might want to let someone else get a word in on the subject.

Your father's ideas arent bad. Take a rich old white guy who views minorities as inferior and has a hard on for 'splodies. Thats also pretty American.

Something that when you see it, seems characteristically American, or seems to represent America or Americans.

In all seriousness, a John Wayne movie, despite the fact that most of them are awful, isnt a bad idea. That or pictures of a bunch of old muscle cars. Or blues and jazz records.

If I was going to talk cars, I'd have to go with the '69 Mustang (http://www.classicamericanmuscle.com/69mach1.jpg) How can you not love that car?

cowboy boots. or a cowboy hat since boots are very expensive but you can always buy a hat for an almost reasonable price.

I could do that, since I have a couple of both. I'd give him the new boots, since I've got the ones I'm wearing all nice and broken in.

Since he's teaching, why not take a TV series, The West Wing for example, an episode per class to both teach English as well as introduce the politics.

If I was going to give him a TV show, I'd give him '24.' It's a better show, and I already own the first couple of seasons. I'd give him 'Family Guy' but I don't think he wants a whole class of little Koreans sounding like Peter Griffin.

If I was going to give him a TV show, I'd give him '24.' It's a better show, and I already own the first couple of seasons. I'd give him 'Family Guy' but I don't think he wants a whole class of little Koreans sounding like Peter Griffin.

The Simpsons might be your best bet since it is one of our biggest cultural phenomenoms. But I think they have The Simpsons in Korea. He could also take Seinfeld, even though its not really funny.

I'd suggest a dollar, a McDonald's meal, a mall :p, or "A Few Good Men". It's the perfect movie to show some of the best and worst qualities of the country.

The Simpsons might be your best bet since it is one of our biggest cultural phenomenoms. But I think they have The Simpsons in Korea. He could also take Seinfeld, even though its not really funny.

Seinfeld isn't funny? Wut?

blue jeans
cowboy boots
cowboy hat
denim jacket.

A John Wayne movie anything set during the pacific Campaign. If the Korean students don't catch the Americanisms of John Wayne they will still root for killing of the Japanese.

A Charlie Chaplin film, like "Gold Rush" and the film, "Chaplin," with Robert Downy Jr. So they can see the man's movies, and then see the man himself.

The Simpsons might be your best bet since it is one of our biggest cultural phenomenoms. But I think they have The Simpsons in Korea. He could also take Seinfeld, even though its not really funny.

The Simpsons is probably made in Korea. And yeah, I always thought Seinfeld to be a bit over-rated myself.

blue jeans
cowboy boots
cowboy hat
denim jacket.

If I'm going to do that, I might as well go over myself, let 'em see what a real live redneck looks like.

If I'm going to do that, I might as well go over myself, let 'em see what a real live redneck looks like.

... and why not? :p

Seinfeld isn't funny? Wut?

No, he isn't. And the majority of Simpsons animation is contracted out to Korean companies. Just watch the credits in the movie.

Jazz.

Amen.

Seinfeld isn't funny? Wut?

No. Not really. I've laughed a couple of times, but never consistently and never enough to overcome how incredibly shallow and unlikable all the characters on the show were.

Coca Cola and McDonalds.

War.

Amen.

I was going to say Copland or Bernstein or someone, but felt that term summed up my thoughts better. It's odd, the USA's most original and influential music genre came mostly from those who were treated as sub-human for much of the country's history.

Thomas Jefferson. You might need a bit of necromancy to do it, but what the heck?:D

Coca Cola and McDonalds.

Koreans already have Coke vending machines and McDonald's on ever street corner. along with Nike and just about every piece of modern American pop culture you can think of. In fact i bet his students will know more about pop culture then the teacher.

A replica of the old girl herself - The Statue of Liberty. How iconically Anerican can you get? It was built by the French after all.

Oh! And your curious blend of innocence and pragmatism.
By the way, Koreans love doing things together, so taking a baseball bat, a ball and a pitcher's mitt would certainly go down well. Presents for Koreans who really like giving and receiving presents - baseball caps are a good start.
Forget Hershey bars though! All those Swiss and Belgian chocolates are infinitely superior. Even Cadbury's beats Hershey hands down.

blue jeans
cowboy boots
cowboy hat
denim jacket.

Along with a six-pack of watered down beer, a pick-up truck, and a gun rack full of loaded shotguns.

Thomas Jefferson. You might need a bit of necromancy to do it, but what the heck?:D

*casts True Ressurection spell*

Along with a six-pack of watered down beer, a pick-up truck, and a gun rack full of loaded shotguns.

and a dead animal part mounted somewhere. (either a deer head on the wall, or bull antlers on the hood of the truck or deer antler gun rack on the back of the truck's cab.)

Isn't America too big and diverse to bring back to Korea in souvenier form? Why not have the kids each do a brief presentation on a state of their choice? Bringing back a single item and saying "this is America" is kind of misrepresenting your country, isn't it?

Isn't America too big and diverse to bring back to Korea in souvenier form? Why not have the kids each do a brief presentation on a state of their choice? Bringing back a single item and saying "this is America" is kind of misrepresenting your country, isn't it?

he wont have time for that. Also the amount of time that Korean kids have is pretty slim. school from 6 am to 5 pm Academy(where the English teacher is most likely employed) from 6 pm to 10 or 11pm. Home work from 11pm to 2 am.
I doubt any foreign teacher there has the heart to give homework.

Along with a six-pack of watered down beer, a pick-up truck, and a gun rack full of loaded shotguns.

they already have watered down beer. try OB. in fact most Asian beer is like that. the reason American beer is watered down is because they add rice and guess what Asia has a lot of ?

No. Not really. I've laughed a couple of times, but never consistently and never enough to overcome how incredibly shallow and unlikable all the characters on the show were.

Yeah, it's probably not for everybody. I like Frasier more myself.

Oh! And your curious blend of innocence and pragmatism.

You mean me in particular or Americans in general?

Along with a six-pack of watered down beer, a pick-up truck, and a gun rack full of loaded shotguns.

and a dead animal part mounted somewhere...a deer head on the wall

I've got all those things...except for the watered-down beer. I drink Sam Adams for preference.

Isn't America too big and diverse to bring back to Korea in souvenier form? Why not have the kids each do a brief presentation on a state of their choice? Bringing back a single item and saying "this is America" is kind of misrepresenting your country, isn't it?

I'm not really going to pass along these suggestions or take any of these things...I'm mostly just interested in how people would answer the question, especially as there seems to be a European/British majority here (or maybe it's just a vocal minority, I don't know)

Bring a gun.

Dude. Wizzard of Oz.

Any of Clint Eastwood's spaghetti westerns.

Tight short shorts that say Juicy on the buttocks.

I'm with your other brother's girlfriend.

Characteristically American? The American flag.

Other than that? Reagan.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/Official_Portrait_of_President_Reagan_1981.jpg/120px-Official_Portrait_of_President_Reagan_1981.jpg

Characteristically American? The American flag.

Other than that? Reagan.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/Official_Portrait_of_President_Reagan_1981.jpg/120px-Official_Portrait_of_President_Reagan_1981.jpg

ZOMBIE REAGAN!:p

Jazz and barbecue.

...the fact that my hometown is famous for these two things may or may not be coincidental. :tongue:

I'm with your other brother's girlfriend.

She's....a problem. But, he seems to like her for some reason, and he's old enough to know his own mind, so... de gustibus non disputandum. At least he's gotten her to knock it off with the 'hunting is evil and so are guns and eating meat' lectures.

She's....a problem. But, he seems to like her for some reason, and he's old enough to know his own mind, so... de gustibus non disputandum. At least he's gotten her to knock it off with the 'hunting is evil and so are guns and eating meat' lectures.

But it would kill two birds with one stone, she won't be around family gatherings and your brother not the other one will have something to take pack to Korea that shows what some Americans are like.:wink:

Isn't America too big and diverse to bring back to Korea in souvenier form? Why not have the kids each do a brief presentation on a state of their choice? Bringing back a single item and saying "this is America" is kind of misrepresenting your country, isn't it?

I agree with this.

'hunting is evil and so are guns and eating meat' lectures.

My opinion of her only rises.

Contempt for the rest of the world and an attitude of invulnerability that turns into animalistic rage the moment someone actually inflicts damage?

I'd go for an American football football and a baseball. They're quite big on baseball over in Korea due to their proximity to Japan.

Find some trinkets (key chains and the like) with pictures of your famous landmarks in your state on it to hand out as rewards for the kids.
Also pens, pencils and erasers if you can again find ones with pictures of America/state on them. Yu might think it's a crappy gift but to a kid who's never been out of their country it's awesome. It's like getting a present from another planet to them.
Some foods which are typically American and can travel well. Chocolate or candy is always a good present/reward.
Should look to get something for the co-workers and boss (esp the boss). Even something tacky like a letter opener will be appreciated as just the act of bringing something from your home country is showing respect and giving face to the boss.

I did something similar last year, teaching in China for a few months. Bought over a suitcase full of stuffed toys (kangaroos, koalas etc) + pens (found a cool one with a 'roo on that jumps when you press a button), rulers, erasers etc. Kids absolutely loved them.

As for vids, depending on the level I'd go for some Seasame Street or The Wriggles DVDs, no movies. Their English is going to be pretty low. Silent movies, esp Mr Bean (cartoon or live action), they can get into and find hilarious. Mr Bean is a must as you can use it for any level. Primary school kids will just watch and laugh - you can get them to pretend to be Mr Bean. Older ones you can do several lessons around one episode - they could write a 'what happens next play' and act it out, write some dialogue for the episode they've just seen, describe what sort of person Mr Bean is, that sort of thing.

A Charlie Chaplin film, like "Gold Rush" and the film, "Chaplin," with Robert Downy Jr. So they can see the man's movies, and then see the man himself.

Charlie was English, even if he made Hollywood movies. For silent film stars, Harold Lloyd is your man - he was considered stereotypically American in his day.

A John Wayne movie anything set during the pacific Campaign. If the Korean students don't catch the Americanisms of John Wayne they will still root for killing of the Japanese.

Very good. :tongue:

Our other brother’s girlfriend, who was born and raised in San Francisco and labors under the delusion that she’s clever, suggested that he take ‘civil liberties’ and ‘due process’ since ‘we’re apparently through using them.’

This suggestion was greeted as less than helpful by 95% of those present and later, when my brother was out of ear-shot, the necessity of her continued appearance at these functions was half-seriously discussed..
She must feel really welcome if you al gather round to discuss her out of earshot about how to ostracize her further.
I say kudos to her and your brother for putting up with so much and still be together. They must really care for each other deeply. You should be celebrating and supporting that, not discussing how to break them apart.

Anyways, while we were there, he brought up that he wanted to take something back to show his students, something that would be considered an American icon or characteristically American. Our other brother’s girlfriend, who was born and raised in San Francisco and labors under the delusion that she’s clever, suggested that he take ‘civil liberties’ and ‘due process’ since ‘we’re apparently through using them.’

This suggestion was greeted as less than helpful by 95% of those present and later, when my brother was out of ear-shot, the necessity of her continued appearance at these functions was half-seriously discussed.

Your brother's relationship is none of your business. If he's of age, then it isn't any of your parents' business either. It speaks volumes of your character that you would even consider breaking them up just because you disagree with her political views, and it says nothing good. You're being petty and small.

Election pins and stuff like that, and candy that they don't have there. Maybe some currency? Not like it's worth anything..

A few magazines like Time and Vanity Fair?

Oh, and music.

Like Regina Spektor.

Your brother's relationship is none of your business. If he's of age, then it isn't any of your parents' business either. It speaks volumes of your character that you would even consider breaking them up just because you disagree with her political views, and it says nothing good. You're being petty and small.

I think they just plan to disinvite her, not break them up. It's probably a pretty good idea not to invite people who say things that might end up pissing off 95% of the people there. This is especially true considering it's actually a pretty huge social gaffe to discuss politics (or religion) uninvited regardless of whether or not that viewpoint is accepted by those present. Unless your hosts make it clear that it's something they want to discuss, bringing it up will probably not go over well with anybody especially on sensitive, polarized subjects.

Of course, one might wonder how she could say something like that in the first place if we lack civil liberties and due process, but that's besides the point...last time I checked, that'll get you killed in North Korea, which is an actual country that most definitely lacks those two civil rights.

I think they just plan to disinvite her, not break them up. It's probably a pretty good idea not to invite people who say things which might piss off 95% of the people there, especially considering it's actually a pretty huge social gaffe to discuss politics (or religion) uninvited. Unless your hosts make it clear that it's something they want to discuss, bringing it up will probably not go over welll.

Of course, one might wonder how she could say something like that if we lack civil liberties and due process, but that's besides the point...

No it isn't. Her behaviour is exactly what typical American behaviour should be - critical and willing to genuinely examine if commonly held beliefs have value in a rational matter. The founding fathers would be proud.

So.. take this story and tell it to the Koreans. Maybe some will understand.

DISCLAIMER:
A) I know 'Iconically', is not, technically, a word.
B) Yes, I'm sure I don't mean 'Ironically'

My little brother is going to be going back to Korea at the end of this week for another year of teaching English to Koreans. Saturday, he took our family out to a Korean restaurant to sort of give us a taste of the food he ate in Korea. Living where we do, though, he couldn’t really find a specifically ‘Korean’ restaurant, and had to settle for general Oriental food. What the hell, it’s the thought, right?

Anyways, while we were there, he brought up that he wanted to take something back to show his students, something that would be considered an American icon or characteristically American. Our other brother’s girlfriend, who was born and raised in San Francisco and labors under the delusion that she’s clever, suggested that he take ‘civil liberties’ and ‘due process’ since ‘we’re apparently through using them.’

This suggestion was greeted as less than helpful by 95% of those present and later, when my brother was out of ear-shot, the necessity of her continued appearance at these functions was half-seriously discussed.

My father, old devil-dog that he is, touted George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution (both the ship and the document), the USMC, George Patton, Curtis LeMay, Barry Goldwater, and Ronald Reagan as examples of everything that has made this country great. He was just warming to his subject when my mother suggested that he might want to let someone else get a word in on the subject.

I, personally, suggested John Wayne. I mean, who is more of an American icon than John Wayne? I said he should get DVD’s of 'Sands of Iwo Jima', or 'Rio Bravo' or 'The Quiet Man' or 'Big Jake' or 'McClintock' and take them back to Korea with him to show the kids and/or his friends.

I’ve been thinking about this for a bit, and I’ve asked my co-workers this question and was surprised and interested by their answers, so now I'm interested in y'all's opinions. Who or what would you consider an American icon? Something that when you see it, seems characteristically American, or seems to represent America or Americans.

McLintock! was one of my favorite movies because it showed the exploitation of the working class and Native Americans by the bourgeois ruling class.

J/K. I liked it because it wasn't as serious a role for John Wayne, and he showed that he could crack a joke (even at himself) when need be.

If I was going to talk cars, I'd have to go with the '69 Mustang (http://www.classicamericanmuscle.com/69mach1.jpg) How can you not love that car?

I see your mustang, and raise you a Camaro (a Foose Camaro, no less).

http://www.chipfoose.com/images/gallery/camaro1.jpg

If we're talking cars, it has to be a Corvette. I mean, I don't favor them, but c'mon, We love hot dogs, baseball, Go cheese pizza, and Chevrolet, amirite?

No it isn't. Her behaviour is exactly what typical American behaviour should be - critical and willing to genuinely examine if commonly held beliefs have value in a rational matter. The founding fathers would be proud.

So.. take this story and tell it to the Koreans. Maybe some will understand.

Refraining from discussing politics and religion uninvited is a basic rule of etiquette; there's nothing worse than having a dinner or other outing disrupted because people can't keep their mouths shut about it and end up bickering over some issue or another completely ruining it for everyone else. I'm all for a good discussion of the issues, but there are times when it's just not polite to attempt to force that discussion.

Simply throwing your political views out there uninvited is a surefire way to torpedo any occasion where that kind of behavior is not desired by those present. In fact, in some cultures it can be massively rude to do so, far more offensive than to do so in the United States.

Refraining from discussing politics and religion uninvited is a basic rule of etiquette; there's nothing worse than having a dinner or other outing disrupted because people can't keep their mouths shut about it and end up bickering over some issue or another completely ruining it for everyone else. I'm all for a good discussion of the issues, but there are times when it's just not polite to attempt to force that discussion.

Simply throwing your political views out there uninvited is a surefire way to torpedo any occasion where that kind of behavior is not desired by those present. In fact, in some cultures it can be massively rude to do so, far more offensive than to do so in the United States.

Exactly my point: Americans should NOT view this as a breech of etiquette. It may be considered blunt or untactful or even rude in the rest of the world -but the rest of the world is not iconically American.

Unfortunately over the years this attitude has changed.

If we're talking cars, it has to be a Corvette. I mean, I don't favor them, but c'mon, We love hot dogs, baseball, Go cheese pizza, and Chevrolet, amirite?


A Camaro is a Chevrolet product. But the Corvette is also a nice suggestion. Say, a '58 with a hard top?

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/photopost/direct_data/1081/IMG_001_Large_.JPG

Yeah, I know a Camaro is a Chevy product. But the Corvette is their flagship.

As for a year and style... I dunno. I would like, however, the new ZR1. :)

Silly suggestion, but what about a bunch of state quarters? They show America's love of localism, love of money, tendency for dorky sentimentality on matters of civics, and obsession with numismatic bison. Plus the Korean kids might have fun trying to guess why each state's design was chosen. Plus your brother can bring up all sorts of US trivia. Plus you can get them anywhere they make change, so your brother doesn't have to go to much effort to find a bunch of different ones. Plus cheap!

I see your mustang, and raise you a Camaro (a Foose Camaro, no less).

I'll see yours and raise you The General Lee. Hah!
http://www.speakenglishordie.com/wp-content/uploads/general.lee.jpg

Your brother's relationship is none of your business. If he's of age, then it isn't any of your parents' business either. It speaks volumes of your character that you would even consider breaking them up just because you disagree with her political views, and it says nothing good. You're being petty and small.

You must have missed this:But, he seems to like her for some reason, and he's old enough to know his own mind, so...de gustibus non disputandum. Although I don't see how, considering how good the view must be from up there on the moral high ground.

The bit about the state quarters was a really good idea, actually.

Three words:

Deep.

Fried.

Twinkie.

Three words:

Deep.

Fried.

Twinkie.

they already got them and they eat them more then we do.

Come November, bring George Bush. Explain that this is how 75% Americans are. Dumb, stubborn, pro-big business types who hate minorities, drink cheap beer, love Jesus, love their guns more, and think everyone else in the world can just go fuck themselves.


Failing that, bring like...KFC. Or Die Hard. Or Terminator. But those are probably already there.

I'll see yours and raise you The General Lee. Hah!
http://www.speakenglishordie.com/wp-content/uploads/general.lee.jpg



You must have missed this: Although I don't see how, considering how good the view must be from up there on the moral high ground.

The bit about the state quarters was a really good idea, actually.

I tell you what. If you and I are ever standing next to each other, and are offered free our choice of either a Foose Camaro or a General Lee, you can have the General Lee. I'd rather have the Foose Camaro. :D

You could invade them

you're aware that is what the north koreans claim the americans did to the south, right?