Jingoistic America

[evangilder]

Your observations are a bit skewed comiso. Yes, you saw some rude "Ugly Americans" being idiots. You will see that even here in the states. I was in Europe for 3 years and watched a few of them make asses out of themselves. But there were many of us that blended in with the locals and just ignored the rude fellow countrymen. Did you make note of the Americans that were being pleasant and polite?

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Originally Posted by mkloby

Chris - it's definitely a valid point... Americans that act like peckers offend me too. But, generalizing about Americans in that way is as useless. I thought Germany and Austria were awesome countries, and had a blast there. The cab drivers in munich are absolutely insane - one of them drove on the sidewalk to avoid traffic at a light. To term americans as "self-righteous myopic jingoists" is just as ridiculous as letting loose other ethnic slurs - except that bashing americans is politically acceptable, even if you think it may be true, and even if you think your experience means that it is indeed "fact."

Talk to the foreign officers stationed in the units I've been in. They don't leave here w/ this opinion of Americans. We love having them in our units and enjoy the cultural exchange it opens up. I'm not the exception either. You'll find the Italians particularly enjoy their time in Pensacola, FL amid the ugly american. THEY LOVE AMERICA. Why - because they don't see us that way. since people from all backgrounds act like fools, what's the sense in all this.

Oh I agree with you completely. I said the same thing, Everywhere you go there are fools and assholes. It is not based off of what country they belong to.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Originally Posted by evangilder

Your observations are a bit skewed comiso. Yes, you saw some rude "Ugly Americans" being idiots. You will see that even here in the states. I was in Europe for 3 years and watched a few of them make asses out of themselves. But there were many of us that blended in with the locals and just ignored the rude fellow countrymen. Did you make note of the Americans that were being pleasant and polite?

And that is the truth...

There are plenty of Americans (like myself and my friends) who play the American ambasador role and show that Americans are good people too.

[Ann]

American nationalism is no worse than other countries', but it's fashionable among so-called 'liberals' to bash America - and the unwashed ... oops ... uneducated masses just swallow this nonsense.
In South America, real shooting wars have started because one country's football team beat another's - now THAT'S insane jingoism.

[syscom3]

In my travels around the world, Ive seen as****'s of every country. Stupidity is not specific to one country.

One thing I did notice is many Europeans had preconceived notions about Americans being uneducated in things like geography, science and history.

More than a few of us put them in their places.

[Matt308]

Syscom, that stereotype is likely true for most Americans. And I suspect true for most of the world masses.

You can't judge the "average" by the history buffs on this site. Certainly "we" are NOT average. Not necessarily better...but not average.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Originally Posted by syscom3

In my travels around the world, Ive seen as****'s of every country. Stupidity is not specific to one country.

One thing I did notice is many Europeans had preconceived notions about Americans being uneducated in things like geography, science and history.

More than a few of us put them in their places.

Got news for you, but most Americans over here in Germany dont know a thing about Geography outside of the US.

Not trying to burst your bubble but there is a reason for why there is that stereotype.

I remember a long time ago when I was in High School and I moved back to the United States for a few years and someone seriously asked me how long it took me to drive from Germany to the United States. I asked him if he was serious and he actually thought that Germany was somewhere in South America.

The average American I know over here (and I work with nothing but Americans) can not place any countries outside of the USA, Mexico, Canada, England and Australia on a map.

I know that not all American are like this. I just think that all the dumb ones get lumped into one spot.

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by DerAdlerIstGelandet

Got news for you, but most Americans over here in Germany dont know a thing about Geography outside of the US.

Did I ever tell you guys about the time an American sailor I met in singapore asked me which state Australia was in!
Does this make me think all Yanks are as dumb as dog sh*t? Definately not, Does it make me think that particular American was? You betcha!

[Matt308]

There are lots of stupid people in the US. However, knowledge of geography should not be a sole indicator. There is a difference between stupid and ignorant. And ignorance of world affairs and geography are more of an indicator of the poor public school system than a comment on American intelligence.

[pbfoot]

Originally Posted by Matt308

There are lots of stupid people in the US. However, knowledge of geography should not be a sole indicator. There is a difference between stupid and ignorant. And ignorance of world affairs and geography are more of an indicator of the poor public school system than a comment on American intelligence.

Living in a town of 75k that gets 20million tourists a year and having answered all the dumb questions you can possibly imagine. A Brit asked me if Niagara Falls was manmade or natural, an American asked what time they were turned off, and a Spanish guy asked me fo driving directions so he could see Canada that day. There are dummies the world over no one country has a concession on them

[Matt308]

My point exactly, Pb. I too have been asked "stupid" questions by both Americans and foreigners.

Even though the US appears to pump out a lot more of them from my knothole.

Okay, my sad story for the rest of the Forum to laugh at. I post this knowing that Lanc will likely file it and use it against me at the most innopurtune moment.

My girlfried (now my wife) and I went to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. I had been there before with her and stayed at the Victoria Hotel. You know, tea at four, ties are required? Fancy, schmancy! Well years later we go back at our newly mature age of 19 or 20. I drive up to the parking attendant and ask him where I should park or if he will be taking my car. He looks at me and my "pimped out" Toyota Corona. With an askance look at me of the non-plussed variety, he asked where I think I am going. To the Victoria Hotel ofcourse my good man!. This kind gentlemen politely responds, "Sir. You are at the Parliament Building.". Only then did I notice he was security and others were paying REAL close attention to this Alabama redneck with Kentucky plates.

Below is the Victoria Hotel followed by the Parliament Bldg. C'mon. Not that stupid of an American am I? [Silence Lanc]

[Emac44]

Originally Posted by Wildcat

Did I ever tell you guys about the time an American sailor I met in singapore asked me which state Australia was in!
Does this make me think all Yanks are as dumb as dog sh*t? Definately not, Does it make me think that particular American was? You betcha!

i must have met the same sailor here in Brisbane Wild. him and his mate asked me how far was it to drive from Brisbane to Sydney and go by car to New Zealand. I asked him how long can he hold his breathe under water? to that he replied not long and i said better scratch going to New Zealand by car then. explained to him there was a thing called the Tasman Sea. he honestly didn't know. do i judge all americans by one person being geographically inept no i don't. we can all tell stories about some one we have come across who is below par intelligence wise etc. but i must admit i did come across a US Marine who came from Texas who spoke in a real Texas Drawl. hell couldn't understand him and he couldn't understand me in my Aussie accent. good thing both of us could read and write in English. he wanted direction to a brothel and later a strip joint. both information areas were supplied he went on his happy way via pointing him out to local cab driver and i explained to the cabby what this Marine wanted so problem solved

[Emac44]

you want to get asked stupid questions. i field them every day as a train guard for Queensland Railways. you begin wondering how some of these passengers get out their front gate by themselves in the morning to get to a local train stations. such zingers like is this a train station or is this my train you get asked. will this train arrive in such and such a place and what time was the last train which they missed some time previously. or the one i find amazing where do i sit on the train to arrive first in brisbane and what part gets there first and all this comes from the local population. you can forgive the foriegn tourists etc for lack of knowledge and our rail system but when it comes from your own local population really it gets a bit much. or the one that gets me going is this question above all the stupid ones. they ask if you work here or working this train or can i get on board the train without a ticket. yeah right. what you usually do is cut to the quick and chase ignore the stupid question and ask what they actually want eventually it comes out with a few relative prompt questioning but definitely there are some beyond help. i could list for hours some of the stupid questions i get asked on a daily basis

[Emac44]

Originally Posted by Matt308

My point exactly, Pb. I too have been asked "stupid" questions by both Americans and foreigners.

Even though the US appears to pump out a lot more of them from my knothole.

Okay, my sad story for the rest of the Forum to laugh at. I post this knowing that Lanc will likely file it and use it against me at the most innopurtune moment.

My girlfried (now my wife) and I went to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. I had been there before with her and stayed at the Victoria Hotel. You know, tea at four, ties are required? Fancy, schmancy! Well years later we go back at our newly mature age of 19 or 20. I drive up to the parking attendant and ask him where I should park or if he will be taking my car. He looks at me and my "pimped out" Toyota Corona. With an askance look at me of the non-plussed variety, he asked where I think I am going. To the Victoria Hotel ofcourse my good man!. This kind gentlemen politely responds, "Sir. You are at the Parliament Building.". Only then did I notice he was security and others were paying REAL close attention to this Alabama redneck with Kentucky plates.

Below is the Victoria Hotel followed by the Parliament Bldg. C'mon. Not that stupid of an American am I? [Silence Lanc]

haha oh well never mind Matt bet you wasn't the first never mind the last

[Matt308]

God I hope not... And did I detect a bit a redneck grammar sarcasm in your post, eh, Emac?

[Lanc? Don't even think it.]