America is Sick

ive met the most judgemental and fake people that could exist.. from the northwest, to the southwest, to the south, to the northeast.. its all the same

however, foreigners i have always met have been nothing short of real, sincere, and upfront.

so based on my own experiences, i gain my own opinions.

im not saying all americans are crappy. many obviously are great and wonderful.. but there are also very many who arent.

i mean, we like to say america is so cultured.. but many other countries are far more cultured than america. hate to break it to you. why do you think almost every other country speaks english as a second primary language.. and yet most americans only know english. they go to another country and expect foreigners to speak THEIR language, instead of learning the language of the country they are visiting.

its just ignorance.

[edit on 13-9-2009 by calihan_12]

reply to post by Tomis_Nexis

Another peev is Americans who say their country's the greatest yet they've never left the US, how freaking dumb is that?

That's not a US only thing. When I lived in Hungary, I met people that thought that Hungary was the greatest nation, though they'd never left it. There are people like that here in Germany. I would wager that there are people like that everywhere.

Having pride in one's country isn't a bad thing.

reply to post by Tomis_Nexis


Does a doctor have to have cancer to know all there is to know about it and how it works? No.

There are these things called books that we humans read that help us learn about any country we care to know about.

We can even read several different views on the subject.

Now, with the age of personal computers we can research other countries.

So your premise that you have to visit other countries to understand their ways is incorrect.

Originally posted by octotom

Another peev is Americans who say their country's the greatest yet they've never left the US, how freaking dumb is that?

That's not a US only thing. When I lived in Hungary, I met people that thought that Hungary was the greatest nation, though they'd never left it. There are people like that here in Germany. I would wager that there are people like that everywhere.

Having pride in one's country isn't a bad thing.

You celebrate pride, not push it on others.

Also, your wager is right, many others in different countries may think alike. But when it comes down to which country talks about themselves being the greatest, this and that, the US takes the cake. That was my point.

For example, they push democracy, which is fine and dandy, but it's not working in some parts of the world. Other examples, simpler ones, McDonalds in countries that you'd never imagine there'd be a McDicks.

You don't see and Volkswagen dealership on a Nepalese mountain do you? Nope, but I'd wager there's a McDonalds up there, with a drive thru too.

Are you understanding my point through my sarcasm?

[edit on 13-9-2009 by Tomis_Nexis]

reply to post by calihan_12

ive met the most judgemental and fake people that could exist..

I might be wrong but, isn't that judgmental? That would make you no better than they!

however, foreigners i have always met have been nothing short of real, sincere, and upfront.

And you never, in all your travels, met Americans of this sort that as a whole equal this? I doubt that. I think that you're concentrating on the flaws of a minority of people that you've met and extrapolating it. It would be like me thinking that that one guy that I met from New York City was a schmoe therefore, all New Yorkers are schmoes except for the handful that, by average, must exist that aren't.

I think that as you leave America and deal with the "foreigners" in their native culture, there are going to be the bad ones. At any rate, your eyes will be opened, that's for sure.

hah, my eyes are plenty opened. im friends with people of all cultures. of all faiths. of all races. i dont need to open my eyes anymore than they already are. ive seen a lot in my life and your life is obviously very different from mine.

reply to post by Tomis_Nexis

not push it on others.

Also, your wager is right, many others in different countries may think alike. But when it comes down to which country talks about themselves being the greatest, this and that, the US takes the cake. That was my point.

How is it possible that someone taking pride in their country able to be forced on you? It can't be unless you make it that way (at least in your head). I've met and heard of Germans here that, with their patriotism, would put the average American into patriotic shame. They tell me that the American, and any other way, of doing something is wrong. Only Germans have it right. Germany also, in their mind, is the greatest nation on the Earth for any number of reasons and they make this known.

Now, I don't feel like their pushing their patriotism onto me. Perish the thought! The only way that their thoughts would be "forced" onto me would be if I were to let them be forced onto me—which isn't someone's goal when they take pride in their country.

ETA:

Other examples, simpler ones, McDonalds in countries that you'd never imagine there'd be a McDicks.

You don't see and Volkswagen dealership on a Nepalese mountain do you? Nope, but I'd wager there's a McDonalds up there, with a drive thru too.

If the people don't want McDonald's in their country, the people could simply stop...going...to...it. Or is the United States rounding up people and shoving Big Macs into their stomachs?

Likening McDonald's to patriotism is a false analogy anyway. McDonald's is a business. Therefore, they want to make money. They decided to venture into other countries to do this. The people loved it and they made money and kept operating. Now, America is the bad guy because, People X keep going to McDonald's?

[edit on 9/13/2009 by octotom]

Originally posted by RRconservative
reply to post by calihan_12

 

Got to respect India! Any country that thinks Global Warming is bunk has my respect.

Good Luck to you on that!

have you ever been to india? i highly doubt it. i however have. and yes, its polluted and over populated, but one of the most HUMBLE places i have ever experienced. so dont assume things about a country you have never been to.

Originally posted by dizziedame
Stand down Calihan. I have exceeded your life span by one decade and 2 years.

Please elaborate concerning where you get the idea how bad we Americans are.

I have worked in many countries and find Americans to not be nearly as bad as in many other countries.

I was not in a military family but we had a military base in our town. The military brats were the worst students in school. They seemed confused and egotistical.

I'm thankful my Dad was a veteran of WW2 and got out of the service when the war ended.

you think because you are older than me, you know more? im sorry but thats just not true. you dont know me.. you dont know what i have experienced in my life..and you dont know how i grew up.

dont assume things just because you have "age" to your advantage. you dont see what the younger americans are like, and i do. so thats one advantage i have on you

my father lived in thailand and saipan and canada for much of his life, and i grew up with that. seeing and experiencing other cultures was a part of my life growing up. and to me, other cultures have it right. america doesnt.

How is it possible that someone taking pride in their country able to be forced on you?

REMEMBER THESE ARE EXAMPLES!!!

Yes, take Politicians vs. Soldiers.

The American soldiers that fled to Canada because they realized after not finding WMD's in Iraq they had to take more tours to spread democracy.

The soldiers had pride in their country as do the politicians, two different visions of pride from the same source that let to one forcing the other, which resulted in fleeing.

Now, I don't feel like their pushing their patriotism onto me. Perish the thought! The only way that their thoughts would be "forced" onto me would be if I were to let them be forced onto me—which isn't someone's goal when they take pride in their country.

Yes they were if the Germans kept saying how great they are and the country is, then yes, they're pushing their views. I never said you have to agree with it, only that it's said.

Yet I don't see German influence in the world, but I do see American influence EVERYWHERE. Do you see my point yet? Or are you trying not to "force my thoughts" onto your thoughts.

Edit,
McDicks was a simple example of American culture being spread to places Americans most likely have never nor will visit.



[edit on 13-9-2009 by Tomis_Nexis]

reply to post by NightSkyeB4Dawn


Nice try with the racial baiting.

Most Americans are not sick, it is our government that is sick and broken.

reply to post by calihan_12

ive met the most judgemental and fake people that could exist.. from the northwest, to the southwest, to the south, to the northeast.. its all the same

however, foreigners i have always met have been nothing short of real, sincere, and upfront.

You haven't forgotten that America is a melting pot have you?

Of course you haven't.

MY father and grandfather and grandmother were immigrants.

Immigrants in the north ,south, east, and west.

reply to post by calihan_12



Assimilate already! I am assuming you were not born here. Americans are becoming less and less tolerant of the culture clashes. If you move to this country cause you like the thought of being an American, then leave your own culture behind and don't expect America to change it's culture to make you feel at home. If your culture was so great then I would expect that you would stay there.

Originally posted by ohioriver
reply to post by calihan_12

 

Assimilate already! I am assuming you were not born here. Americans are becoming less and less tolerant of the culture clashes. If you move to this country cause you like the thought of being an American, then leave your own culture behind and don't expect America to change it's culture to make you feel at home. If your culture was so great then I would expect that you would stay there.

actually i was born in california and have always lived in america.. there you go for assuming

reply to post by calihan_12

you think because you are older than me, you know more? im sorry but thats just not true. you dont know me.. you dont know what i have experienced in my life..and you dont know how i grew up.

dont assume things just because you have "age" to your advantage. you dont see what the younger americans are like, and i do. so thats one advantage i have on you

Yep and this is one common theme I see with all these people that "think" America is such a horrible place.

They will call out another person for "assuming things" then turn right around and assume things about the person they were calling out.

Since you are moving to India, where will you fit in on the caste system? I know they still practice that, they are also a socialist country, which is why most of the country is poor and why tech companies out source there, because people are willing to work for cheap.

I've heard about body's laying in the street and the water being not safe to drink and the likes, sure there might be a few places that aren't like that but the majority of people live in the slums because of the caste system.

Now that is what I call "culture" moving to a country that discriminates people because of the family they were born into.

Originally posted by Hastobemoretolife

Every country in the entire world was founded because of conquest.

That's not true. We here in Australia started as a prison colony remember? The rest of the world seems to love reminding us of that so I find it a little naive and ignorant that you should suddenly forget this when it comes time to prove a point.

Look, I'm going to cop a lot of crap from people for saying this but I truly do not care any more. I don't hate American's, in fact I know a few here in Australia that are really nice people. What I do hate, no I should say detest, and what many other people from many other countries around the world are sick of is always hearing about America. America this, America that, America is the Greatest, No nation is as great as America! That is such an ignorant, naive and downright patronising opinion of the rest of the world - particularly when many of you haven't got a bloody clue what Australia is like, or Greenland, or Iran, or Czechoslovakia - you get the drift.

I'm writing this not to jump on a bandwagon of American hatred here, while I happen to agree that America is sick to the core with hatred and corruption, I am not naive enough to think that this sort of thinking isn't occurring in differing ways in just about every other country on Earth.

Flame on.............

[edit on 9/13/09 by niteboy82]

Originally posted by Hastobemoretolife
reply to post by calihan_12

 

[quote

I've heard about body's laying in the street and the water being not safe to drink and the likes, sure there might be a few places that aren't like that but the majority of people live in the slums because of the caste system.

Now that is what I call "culture" moving to a country that discriminates people because of the family they were born into.

Yeah, I've seen a lot of US news that portrays some countries like trash. CNN did it to Iran, and I've seen some beautiful pics of Iran. Nothing like what CNN said it to be. Well, who ever has the $$ can make the propaganda machine roll.

About India, well I have no idea, but you should get my point.

[edit on 13-9-2009 by Tomis_Nexis]

Originally posted by Hastobemoretolife
reply to post by calihan_12

 

Yep and this is one common theme I see with all these people that "think" America is such a horrible place.

They will call out another person for "assuming things" then turn right around and assume things about the person they were calling out.

Since you are moving to India, where will you fit in on the caste system? I know they still practice that, they are also a socialist country, which is why most of the country is poor and why tech companies out source there, because people are willing to work for cheap.

I've heard about body's laying in the street and the water being not safe to drink and the likes, sure there might be a few places that aren't like that but the majority of people live in the slums because of the caste system.

Now that is what I call "culture" moving to a country that discriminates people because of the family they were born into.

wow, im speechless. ive heard about bodies laying in the street in AMERICA too.

ive been to india many times and it is one of the most peaceful places ive been. of course there is violence in certain areas... there is in any country. but india is a beautiful and humbling place.

your views of other countries has been warped by the media it seems