Americans are Stupid, Lazy, Ignorant, Xenophobic, Self Absorbed, and Narcissistic!

Edited for poor display of humor

reply to post by BlackOps719


typical for an american!
BUT DON'T WORRY , YOU WILL BE F... BY YOUR OWN LEADERS PREETY SOON!
I'll be laughing here in this country!

I read through the past few pages and realized that many Americans here would like to travel, but simply can't afford it. I thought that odd considering of the 190+ countries in the world the USA is ranked 10th in GDP per capita (average annual earnings). However, there are other factors to consider in that:

*Americans pay for our healthcare (the most expensive healthcare in the world), most Europeans do not.
*Americans pay for their college, most Europeans do not.
*Europeans mandate paid time off, Americans do not.
*The EU has dissolved the need for passports, America has instituted a need for them
*Europeans have extensive public transportation systems, Americans do not.
*Americas wealth disparity is almost twice that of Europe (rich to poor ratio).

Americans don't travel because we're not affording ourselves the oppurtunity to. Couple that with a healthy dose of xenophobia and a bit of narcissistic nationalism it's no suprise that some Europeans would see us as such.

I love my country, I really do. I think we have some bad policies and some bad ideas in place that prevent us from being a little more culturally experienced though.

Romania

Inventions: en.wikipedia.org... & inventors.about.com...

reply to post by sickofitall2012


You "brits" as you put it, tried to kill every single person here during our war, so don't be so smug. We're all guilty of something.
We fought to leave that country, why would we even want to go back.
You must be older than I thought. 8-))

Oh and, by the way, the OP forgot "Fat" in his Title.

Originally posted by links234
The EU has dissolved the need for passports, America has instituted a need for them

Are you saying Americans could travel overseas to Europe and other countries (minus Canada) in the past without a passport?

Europeans dont need a passport to travel to other european countries and aboard, are you sure about that?

Its really getting out of hand, im guessing there nobody else left to pick on but the USA, everybody seems to have an agenda and want the world to put the blame on the americans lol, last time i checked, the USA didint colonize half the planet, killing off whole civilizations, and shaping the mad world we live in.

Has for the traveling, europe is smaller than canada lol, so it is harder to travel abroud. more expensive, and not always an easy thing to do, i love traveling but with a family its not always an easy thing.

Too bad those people probably never visited the us, cause it s a pretty darn beautiful place to go on vacation.

just my 2 cents

Originally posted by Ellen15

Originally posted by links234
The EU has dissolved the need for passports, America has instituted a need for them

Are you saying Americans could travel overseas to Europe and other countries (minus Canada) in the past without a passport?

Europeans dont need a passport to travel to other european countries and aboard, are you sure about that?

Hi Ellen

The schengen area, not the EU has eliminated the need for passports if travelling by land, however if you go by air you still need a passport.
The schengen area includes Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

That means I could take my car and drive from Norway to Italy without a passport.

links234

that link you gave for european passports was for asylum seekers

europa.eu...

justic freedom security free movemtn of persons asylum immigration

The free movement of persons is a fundamental right guaranteed to European Union (EU) citizens by the Treaties. It is realised through the area of freedom, security and justice without internal borders. Lifting internal borders requires strengthened management of the Union’s external borders as well as regulated entry and residence of non-EU nationals, including through a common asylum and immigration policy.

The concept of free movement of persons came about with the signing of the Schengen Agreement in 1985 and the subsequent Schengen Convention in 1990, which initiated the abolition of border controls between participating countries. Being part of the EU legal and institutional framework, Schengen cooperation has gradually been extended to include most EU Member States as well as some non-EU countries

Having travelled pretty extensively through my life, I have to say America is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The national parks are truely amazing, the Grand Canyon will take your breath away. You have wonderful coastlines and mix of climates. There really is no reason to vacation anywhere else. As a poster has already said, us brits need our passports if we want to go anywhere on holiday outside the UK. English people dont generally have a good reputation abroad. Most will not try the local cuisine or attemp speaking the language, Thats why most European destinations for brits, will serve English Breakfasts and have Brit style pubs. Which is all very lazy, ignorant xenophobic, self absorbed ,and narcissistic.

Still I do believe travel broadens the mind and shows you how others live their lives and you get to experience cultures you will never find in your home country. I would recommend travelling to anyone. Its the best thing I ever did in my life, going independent travelling through Central and South America. I will look back on those day as the happiest 6 months in my life, I would love to do it again.

reply to post by FarArcher


Got to disagree with you there about greater Germany, you did not enter the War till 1941, your president did not want to fully enter the war untill you were attacked. With Uk on one side and the Russians against him also we would have won with or without your help, but thanks anyway.

Originally posted by SkurkNilsen

Hi Ellen

The schengen area, not the EU has eliminated the need for passports if travelling by land, however if you go by air you still need a passport.

The schengen area includes Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

That means I could take my car and drive from Norway to Italy without a passport.

edit on 3-3-2011 by SkurkNilsen because: (no reason given)

Hi Skurk, (new avatar, nice! lol)

Now you know sometimes I point questions @ people when I know they dont have their statement 100% correct

I knew something about traveling by car vs plane to some countries not needing a passport, but I couldnt remember the name "schengen area" and the countries lol

Question does that also include bus and rail travel in the Schengen Area passport or no passport needed?

You also confirmed its the Schengen Area NOT the EU who dont need passports only if they travel by car as links tried to sell in this thread

Lets forget about some of the other minor details they tried to sell aswell ... shall we

reply to post by SkurkNilsen


Shengen, EU...I'm just a dumb American that didn't need a passport when I was there.

reply to post by Ellen15


Eliminated the need for a passport is a bit of a fib, I'd rather say limited the need for it.
By land I mean car, bus and train (bike, walking, skateboarding and rollerblading I'm not sure of), if by sea and air you will need a passport. (uncertain about canoe, kayakk and hanggliders).

The truth is in the details

Originally posted by woodwardjnr
Having travelled pretty extensively through my life, I have to say America is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The national parks are truely amazing, the Grand Canyon will take your breath away. You have wonderful coastlines and mix of climates.

I can see all that watching a documentary, going to the IMAX Theatre or flicking through a travel photography book on landscape, bonus, its cheaper and I dont get bitten or stung by a million foregin insects AND get to use decent restrooms

Do people really travel just for the landscape?

I think some people (americans) are trying to sell to others (non americans and their fellow american world travelers) why they dont need nor want to travel without being completely honest about it

With the american dollar being so crap, tourism in the US has picked up big time, its worth traveling to the USA they say

Americans should be thanking foreginers invading the US at the moment, spending money in your country

If they arent invading the US soil by air or boat, they're spending money with american companies online

I guess its up to foreginers to keep the american economy going somehow

Your Very Welcome

Originally posted by Swanseadog
reply to post by FarArcher

 

Got to disagree with you there about greater Germany, you did not enter the War till 1941, your president did not want to fully enter the war untill you were attacked. With Uk on one side and the Russians against him also we would have won with or without your help, but thanks anyway.

Now here's a contentious point with regards to America's help in WW2, The UK only finished paying back America the debt for their help in 2006. So we actually had to pay a hefty price for Americas help. Despite being the victors of ww2 Britain was left with an economy more akin to the losers. So was it help if we had to pay for it?

Originally posted by SkurkNilsen
reply to post by Ellen15

 

Eliminated the need for a passport is a bit of a fib, I'd rather say limited the need for it.
By land I mean car, bus and train (bike, walking, skateboarding and rollerblading I'm not sure of), if by sea and air you will need a passport. (uncertain about canoe, kayakk and hanggliders).

The truth is in the details

lol Skurk

There was an Australian who decided to kayakk (or was that canoe) his way around Australian River Systems, he raised money for charity (not sure which one now) as well as create awareness of how dry some of our river systems were at the time (drought years) in nsw, vic, sa... some of the footage, he actually had to pick up his boat and walk down the DRY beds.. the drought years were pretty tough for Australians and our farmers in those areas

We've had bike clubs (push bikes) and walkers travel around Australia for charities, including our own Opposition Leader (conversative party) although he only did one of those smaller rides for charity

Originally posted by links234
reply to post by SkurkNilsen

 

Shengen, EU...I'm just a dumb American that didn't need a passport when I was there.

as an American Citizen or with the miltary?

reply to post by Ellen15

I can see all that watching a documentary, going to the IMAX Theatre or flicking through a travel photography book on landscape, bonus, its cheaper and I dont get bitten or stung by a million foregin insects AND get to use decent restrooms

I couldn't tell if your joking here? Its like saying watching porn is better than having real sex. Course you can see The Grand canyon on an IMax or even in HD 3D, but it does not compare to being face to face with it in reality. I have never had my breath taken away by a sight before and I could only get that from being there in reality. It's sad that you would rather get your travel experiences from a book or the cinema, you really are missing out on some real magic.

Originally posted by FarArcher
Europe is so . . . old. Kind of dirty. Used up. Crowded.

Narrow streets. While there are some old castles and things falling apart and are picturesque, there's not much in Europe that we don't have a lot more of right here in the States.

Besides. Every generation, through our military, we get to see all kinds of places.

Come to think of it - without the US, there would not be a Europe, but a Greater Germany.

Nah.

I'll pass.

Im genuinely not trying to cause argument here but you have nothing like what we have in europe. What you speak of is a rich history that I am very proud of.

I went to visit a very good friend of mine in San Fransisco last year and he at one point on my second day tour, he said to me, 'this building is really old, it was built in the 1970's'. This comment summed this thread up for me. He wasn't interested in old buildings and history because his country doesn't have a lot of it. Thats absolutely fine. Why should he be interested in something he has never seen. Why should it be any different with other Americans.

I would also like to say that I do not agree with the thread title what so ever. The brief time I have spent in the U.S I thoroughly enjoyed and I found the people incredibly welcoming, friendly and interesting.

I do believe however there is a lack of history in the U.S and what history you have is pretty much politics and thats it. It would be difficult to get kids interested in this.